My Toxin

Chapter 21

The plane dipped lower, and the view of Santorini stole what little breath I had left. The whitewashed buildings spilled down the cliffs like a painter's dream, their stark brightness softened by the deep blue of the Aegean Sea. The turbulence in my chest, though, refused to settle. The Mediterranean breeze greeted us as we stepped off the plane, warm and inviting, but it was impossible to ignore the tension that still lingered from the flight.

We had met at Heathrow, and while there was polite chatter, it was mostly subdued. The excitement of the trip had been overshadowed by the unspoken tension Kemi and I carried, and Marjorie's lighthearted smiles only added to the weight on my chest. Now, with the villa waiting, we were finally here—and it was time to face whatever this trip would bring.

At customs, Ayo took center stage, his loud voice cutting through the group's quiet energy. "Alright, before we get to the villa, I want you all to meet someone," he announced. A petite woman with stunning brown skin and wild, curly hair joined him, her steps confident and light. "This is Nicole," Ayo said with his signature sly grin, his arm draped around her shoulder. "We've been... hanging out."

Nicole's laugh was bright and easy, disarming even in the awkwardness of the introductions. She greeted us all warmly, her confidence pulling everyone out of their shell. Whatever she and Ayo were, they fit well together.

Next was Chanel, who introduced her boyfriend, Michael. He towered over the group, his athletic build and quiet demeanor giving him an understated presence. "Nice to meet you all," he said, shaking hands. His tone was polite but distant, as though he'd rather be anywhere else.

Marjorie, of course, greeted him warmly, her natural charm shining through. "Chanel's told me so much about you! I'm glad we finally get to meet."

As the group got acquainted, I stayed back, taking it all in. Marjorie's laughter filled the air, her long braids swaying with each animated movement. She was radiant—too radiant—and it reminded me of how out of place I felt.

After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the villa perched on the cliffs. The sweeping views of the ocean were breathtaking, the kind of beauty that should've silenced every worry. The six spacious bedrooms and luxury amenities were exactly as I'd remembered, but I found no solace in any of it.

We each claimed our rooms, and though Marjorie was just down the hall, it felt like a world away. Ayo and Nicole disappeared into their room with knowing grins, and Chanel and Michael followed suit. Kemi, who had spent most of the journey chatting easily with Marjorie, claimed her room without so much as a glance in my direction.

I barely had time to sit on my bed before there was a knock at my door. Marjorie stood there, her expression serious, her lips pressed into a tight line. "Can we talk?" she asked.

I nodded, following her to her room. The setting sun bathed everything in gold, a stark contrast to the cold knot forming in my stomach. She sat on the edge of the bed, gesturing for me to sit beside her.

"Kemi told me," she said quietly, her eyes fixed on her hands. Her fingers twisted the corner of a blanket, a nervous habit I'd seen a hundred times before.

My breath hitched. "She told you?"

Marjorie nodded, finally meeting my gaze. "She said it was a mistake. Something that just... happened."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my emotions in check. "And you're okay with that?"

"She's my friend, Alex," she said softly, her voice laced with exhaustion. "She's going through a lot. I don't think she meant to hurt anyone."

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "So we're just going to sweep this under the rug because she's 'going through a lot'?"

Her eyes softened, but I couldn't tell if it was pity or something worse. "Alex, I don't want to lose either of you. Kemi made a mistake, and she's sorry. Can't we just... move on?"

I stared at her, the realization hitting me like a punch to the gut. She didn't see me—not the way I saw her. If she did, this wouldn't even be a question.

"Yeah," I said flatly. "We can move past it."

Her relief was immediate, her smile soft. "Thank you. Let's just focus on enjoying this trip, okay?"

I forced a smile, the corners of my mouth barely lifting. "Sure."

As I left her room, the smile dropped, replaced by the heaviness that had been sitting on my chest since that day with Kemi. Back in my room, I stood by the window, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The colors of the sky were breathtaking, but they didn't match the turmoil inside me. I had hoped this trip would bring clarity, maybe even a chance for things to fall into place. Instead, it felt like I was watching the last piece of something break apart.

Dinner that evening was quiet, the group subdued from travel and jet lag. Marjorie and Kemi sat together, their laughter filling the air like nothing had happened. Chanel, who had barely spoken to Kemi all day, threw me occasional looks of disbelief. Even Ayo, usually the life of the party, seemed to pick up on the unease.

I played my part, laughing at Michael's dry humor and nodding along to Ayo's wild plans for the week. But every glance at Marjorie reminded me of how far away she felt, how unreachable she'd always been.

When dinner ended and everyone retreated to their rooms, I found myself alone again, staring at the ceiling. The villa was quiet, the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs the only thing keeping me grounded.

I came to Santorini hoping for peace, but all I felt was the weight of what I couldn't change. Marjorie's voice echoed in my mind: "Can't we just move on?"

Maybe I could. But as I lay there, the bitterness in my chest told me I wasn't sure if I wanted to.