My Toxin

Chapter 34

The sun rose early disrupting my comfortable slumber. I stirred awake, the crisp linens cool against my skin. For a moment, I lay there, soaking in the tranquility of the morning, before I noticed Alex already awake, propped up on one elbow and watching me with a soft smile. His blond hair was a messy halo around his face, making him look effortlessly handsome.

"Good morning, Princess," he murmured, his voice low and warm, carrying a tenderness that made my heart flutter.

"Morning," I replied, stretching lazily. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt completely at ease. Paris had already worked its magic on me, and the thought of what lay ahead filled me with quiet excitement.

Alex leaned down to kiss my forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. "We've got a big day ahead," he said. "But first, I've got a little surprise for you."

I sat up, curiosity piqued. "A surprise? What is it?"

He chuckled, teasing me with a wink. "You'll see soon enough. Let's have breakfast first."

We moved to the breakfast table, where a spread of flaky croissants, fresh fruit, creamy yogurt, and steaming cups of coffee awaited us. The flavors were delicate and indulgent, the perfect start to our day. As we ate, Alex revealed his plan.

"I booked you an appointment at a salon nearby that specializes in natural curls," he said casually, but I could see the thoughtfulness in his expression.

I blinked, caught off guard by the gesture. "You did? Alex, that's so thoughtful."

He shrugged, but his smile gave him away. "Anything for you, Princess."

After breakfast, we got ready and stepped out into the bustling streets of Paris. The city was alive with energy, but as we entered the salon, the noise melted away. The space was serene and inviting, with soft music playing in the background and the faint scent of floral oils in the air.

The stylist greeted me warmly, speaking in a mix of French and English as she led me to a chair. She ran her fingers through my curls with a practiced hand, nodding approvingly before explaining the process. This was my first professional treatment for my natural hair, and I felt both excited and nervous.

Alex took a seat nearby, scrolling through his phone to update our friends and family about our trip so far. But every few minutes, I'd catch him glancing up at me, a soft smile tugging at his lips. I knew he was trying to be subtle, but it warmed me to see how attentive he was.

The stylist worked meticulously, applying nourishing treatments and carefully straightening each section of my hair. The process was long, but I found myself relaxing into the experience. When she was done, my hair was transformed—sleek, glossy, and cascading down my shoulders in smooth waves.

I turned to Alex, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside me. "What do you think?"

His reaction was immediate. He stood, taking a few steps closer to get a better look. "Wow," he breathed, his voice filled with awe. "You look incredible, Princess."

He reached for his phone and snapped a few pictures, grinning like a proud fan. "I mean, I'll always be team curls, but this is... wow."

I laughed, feeling my cheeks warm under his gaze. "Thank you. It's a nice change, but I'm already looking forward to going back to my curls."

"Good," he said, his tone playful but sincere. "Because your curls are my favorite. But for now, this is stunning."

With my hair done, we returned to the hotel. As soon as we stepped into the suite, my eyes caught sight of something laid out on the bed—a breathtakingly elegant dress with a plunging back, paired with a diamond necklace, matching earrings, and sleek black designer heels.

"Alex..." I trailed off, completely overwhelmed.

He stepped behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. "Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful," I whispered, turning to look at him. "You're spoiling me."

He smiled, leaning down to kiss me softly. "Only because you deserve it. Now, get dressed—we've got more surprises ahead."

The dress fit perfectly, hugging my curves in all the right places. The diamonds sparkled against my skin, and the heels added just the right amount of height. When I emerged from the bathroom, Alex was waiting, dressed in a sleek semi-formal suit that made him look effortlessly handsome. He looked at me like I was the only person in the world, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

"You look breathtaking," he said simply, offering his hand.

"And you look perfect," I replied, taking it.

The car ride was filled with quiet anticipation as we weaved through the streets of Paris. I tried to coax details about the surprise out of Alex, but he remained tight-lipped, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. When we finally pulled up in front of Les Deux Compères, the restaurant from Emily in Paris, my heart skipped a beat.

"Is this...?" I began, my voice trailing off in disbelief.

Alex grinned, his excitement mirroring my own. "Surprise."

Inside, the restaurant had been transformed for a private dinner. Candlelight flickered across the tables, casting a warm glow that made the space feel even more magical. A private chef prepared each course in front of us, the dishes as exquisite as the setting.

But the real surprise came with dessert. On the plate, written in delicate chocolate script, were the words: Will you be my girlfriend?

I looked up at Alex, my heart pounding as he stood and held out two promise rings, simple yet stunning. His voice was steady, but I could see the emotion in his eyes as he spoke.

"Marjorie," he said, "these past few months with you have been everything I've ever wanted. I'm devoted to you, and I don't want to spend another day without knowing you're mine. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Tears filled my eyes as I nodded, unable to speak at first. "Yes, Alex. A thousand times yes."

He slipped the ring onto my finger, and I did the same for him, our hands trembling slightly. We kissed, sealing the moment as the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.

That night, as we returned to the hotel, I locked myself in the bathroom and called Chanel and Nicole on a three-way video call.

"You won't believe what just happened!" I whispered, trying to contain my excitement.

Their screams of joy filled the screen, and I couldn't stop grinning as I recounted every detail of the evening. Chanel, of course, couldn't resist adding her usual sass.

"Now, go put on that sexy red lingerie and thank that man properly," she teased, making me laugh.

Taking a deep breath, I hung up the call and looked at my reflection. Tonight wasn't over yet, and I intended to make sure Alex knew just how much I appreciated him.