My Toxin

Chapter 32: First Class To Paris

Three months had passed since Marjorie and Alex committed to therapy, and the changes in their relationship were undeniable. The tension that once shadowed their interactions had dissolved, replaced by a deeper connection and a newfound understanding. Therapy has been a transformative experience, helping them confront their deepest insecurities and unspoken fears.

For Marjorie, therapy was a journey of self-discovery. She delved deep into her complicated relationship with her parents, unravelling the expectations they had placed on her. The relentless pressure to be the perfect daughter, to excel academically and socially, had dictated the rhythm of her life for as long as she could remember. Therapy allowed her to question these expectations, to consider what she truly wanted, and to start letting go of the burdens that had weighed her down.

Alex's journey was equally profound. In therapy, he confronted the roots of his obsession with perfection, recognizing how it had seeped into his relationship with Marjorie. As an only child, Alex had always felt compelled to be the best—the perfect son, the ideal student, the flawless partner. This pressure, while motivating, had also instilled a fear of failure that drove him to obsess over every detail of his life. Through therapy, Alex began to understand that his worth wasn't tied to his ability to be flawless, and that their relationship didn't need to be perfect to be meaningful.

With these realisations, their relationship flourished. Marjorie hadn't suffered an anxiety attack in months, and Alex had learned to let go of his need for control. They found a balance, a rhythm that allowed them to be themselves without fear of judgement or rejection.

As winter break approached, Alex started planning something special to mark the progress they had made and to celebrate the strength of their renewed bond. Though they had been together for some time, Alex realised he had never officially asked Marjorie to be his girlfriend in a way that truly reflected the depth of his feelings. He wanted to do something unforgettable, something that would show her how much she meant to him.

Paris seemed the perfect destination for such a gesture. The idea came to Alex after remembering Marjorie's love for the romantic series *Emily in Paris*. It was a show she adored, often binge-watching it and dreaming about the glamorous Parisian life. Alex had watched a few episodes with her and saw how much she connected with the whimsical charm of the show—the fashion, the culture, the romance.

Although Marjorie had visited Paris before, Alex knew this trip would be different. It wasn't just about seeing the sights; it was about experiencing the city together, as a couple who had grown closer through their shared journey.

But this plan required some careful coordination, and that's where Chanel came in. Alex knew he needed help to make this trip as special as possible, so he reached out to Chanel, who was more than happy to assist. She had always rooted for Alex and Marjorie, and the idea of planning a surprise for her best friend was right up her alley.

Chanel made the trip to Oxfordshire to help Marjorie prep for the holiday. Early one winter morning, she arrived in front of Marjorie's apartment with two coffees in hand, bouncing with excitement. Marjorie opened the door, her surprise quickly turning into delight.

"Surprise!" Chanel beamed, pulling Marjorie into a tight hug.

"Chanel! What are you doing here?" Marjorie laughed, eyeing the coffee in Chanel's hand. "And you brought me coffee?"

Chanel grinned cheekily. "Well, I ain't here just for a natter. Alex and I, we've got a lil' surprise planned for ya, and I'm here to make sure you're all sorted."

Marjorie raised an eyebrow, curious but also suspicious. "What kind of surprise?"

Chanel winked. "You'll find out soon enough. But first, we gotta get you lookin' fly. We're off to London for some shopping', get your nails done, and girl, them braids need sorting' out," she said, giving Marjorie's hair a mock disapproving look.

The two of them spent the day in London, with Chanel leading the charge. First up was the hair appointment. Chanel suggested Marjorie try a wig installation, something she had never done before. Marjorie hesitated, having always worn her natural hair or braids, but after some convincing from the hairdresser and Chanel, she decided to give it a go. Two hours later, they both left the salon with new wig installations, Marjorie feeling more glamorous than she ever had.

Next was the nail appointment. Chanel and Marjorie got their manicures and pedicures done, with Chanel opting for a bold, colourful design while Marjorie stuck to classic French tips. The final appointment was the one Marjorie dreaded the most—a full-body wax. Having never done it before, she was apprehensive, but Chanel was there to hold her hand and cheer her on through the pain.

"Bloody hell, Chanel, this is torture!" Marjorie winced as another strip was pulled.

Chanel laughed, trying not to giggle too much. "Beauty's pain, babe. But I promise it's worth it"

By the time they were done, it was late afternoon, and they headed to some high-end stores for clothes shopping. Chanel insisted they hit up a lingerie store, much to Marjorie's embarrassment, and slipped a few sexy sets into Marjorie's shopping bags with a sly grin.

"Oi, Chanel, what's this?" Marjorie whispered, blushing as she noticed the lingerie.

"Just somethin' for ya to keep things spicy," Chanel teased, giving her a playful nudge. "Trust me, Alex will love it."

That evening, Alex joined them for dinner. The three of them shared a meal, with Chanel expertly dodging any of Marjorie's attempts to find out more about the surprise. Alex, who had given Chanel one of his bank cards, teased them about how expensive women's upkeep was.

"Lord, I had no idea keeping up with you a lot was this pricey," Alex joked, shaking his head with mock horror.

Chanel cackled, raising her glass. "Mate, welcome to our world. But trust me, it's worth it!"

The dinner was filled with laughter and light-hearted banter, the perfect way to end a busy day. As the night drew to a close, Chanel's boyfriend came to pick her up, leaving Marjorie and Alex alone in the cosy glow of the living room.

"You know," Alex began, his voice soft, "I've been thinking a lot about everything we've been through. I want us to do something special together."

Marjorie looked at him, curiosity lighting up her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Alex took her hand, smiling. "I want to take you to Paris, Marjorie. For a week. I know you've been there before, but this time, it'll be different. This time, we'll be together, experiencing it in a way we never have before."

Marjorie's eyes widened with excitement. Although she had visited Paris before, the thought of experiencing it with Alex filled her with anticipation. She knew he understood her love for *Emily in Paris*, and the idea of living out her own romantic adventure with him was thrilling.

"Paris? For a whole week?" she repeated, her voice full of wonder.

"Yes," Alex said, his eyes gleaming. "We'll explore the city, eat at all the best places, see all the sights, and just enjoy being together. No dissertations, no debate meetings—just us."

Without hesitation, Marjorie broke into a wide grin. "Let's go to Paris!"

The next few days were a whirlwind of final preparations. Chanel stayed in close contact with Alex, helping him finalise the details of the trip, including booking a luxurious hotel and planning a romantic itinerary. The lingerie she had snuck into Marjorie's shopping bags remained a playful secret, a little surprise waiting to be discovered.

Finally, the day arrived. Marjorie and Alex boarded the first-class flight to Paris, their bags packed with new clothes, warm coats, and the promise of an unforgettable week.

As the plane took off, Marjorie glanced over at Alex, her smile widening. "I'm really looking forward to this."

"Me too, Princess," Alex replied, taking her hand, smiling at her excitement.

And with that, they were off—Paris waiting for them on the other side, ready to weave its magic into their lives.