Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)

Chapter 18: Alexandria

Alexandria

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Something about today felt different, and I felt different too. As I sat down for breakfast, I noticed that I actually had a decent amount of food on my plate. I was surprised at myself for not wanting to push it all away or feel the urge to purge it. Christian caught me mid-bite and gave me that familiar, encouraging smile, saying, "...that's my good princess." The butterflies in my stomach went crazy at his words, and I found myself wishing that feeling would never stop. It was as if he had the power to make everything feel right in the world, even if just for a moment.

Today, I decided to wear a bikini I had borrowed from Alyssa. It was a daring choice for me, especially considering my fluctuating confidence. I paired it with one of Christian's oversized shirts that was two sizes too big, covering up just enough to feel comfortable yet still daring enough to feel sexy. The string bikini peeking out from under the shirt felt like a small victory for me; I wanted to feel good about myself. Christian had even commented on how beautiful I looked in his clothes while I was getting dressed, further fueling the warmth blooming within me.

As I joined my friends by the pool, Clinton raised an eyebrow and pointed at the deep red marks on my neck and between my breasts. The hickeys were a clear giveaway, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I tried to cover them up with my hands.

"So you're not going to tell us how those hickeys got on your body?" Clinton asked, clearly not letting this drop.

"I don't kiss and tell," I smiled, shooting him a playful look, though I felt a flutter of nervousness.

2.6 of our agreement stated that we shall not share details of our private life with anyone outside of our relationship, and I was all too aware that we had already broken enough rules.

"Oh, so it's like that?" Clinton pressed, looking almost offended.

"It's like that now," I replied, half-laughing as he threw a towel at me. "Hey!" I laughed, dodging the towel but feeling a spark of excitement at the banter.

"You’re depriving him of the only romantic relationship he can have by living vicariously through us!" Alyssa chimed in, laughing.

"Bitch, when was the last time you had sex with a man? That pussy is probably filled with cobwebs and dust," Clinton shot back at her, and I burst out laughing at the sheer absurdity of it.

"I don't need a—" Alyssa began, but Clinton cut her off.

"Yeah, you just need one of your thirty pink vibrators," he quipped, a cheeky grin on his face.

"You should invest in one of those," Alyssa said, throwing a towel at Clinton in retaliation.

Just as the playful banter reached its peak, Christian walked in, wearing just his swimming shorts and a towel draped around his neck. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, his toned body glistening under the sun.

"Am I interrupting anything?" he asked, looking amused.

I moved forward, making way for him to sit down behind me. As I leaned back against his chest, he wrapped his arms around my stomach, pulling me closer. The comfort of his embrace made me feel safe and cherished.

"You were just saving me from a murder charge?" Alyssa said, leaning back against us.

"Huh?" Christian asked, feigning confusion.

"She wanted to kill Clinton," I replied with a smirk.

"Why? You can't kill my gym buddy," Christian said, a teasing tone in his voice.

Clinton and Christian had been working out together since we arrived at the villa, and I couldn’t help but notice how Clinton was constantly checking out Christian while he was lifting weights. It was a little ridiculous but also endearing.

"He's just checking you out; he can't even pick up a five-pound dumbbell with those twigs," Alyssa said, pointing mockingly at Clinton's arms.

Clinton looked over at her, mouth agape, clearly shocked by her brutal honesty. I couldn’t help but laugh. "Don't laugh at my friend," Christian protested.

"Why are you defending him?" Alyssa asked Christian, genuinely curious.

"Because he’s being a real friend, unlike you bitches," Clinton shot back, pointing between me and Alyssa, and I couldn't help but chuckle at his antics.

We lounged in the sun for a little while longer, soaking up the warmth and the laughter before Alyssa and Clinton decided to jump into the pool. I felt Christian's presence behind me, and while he was busy reading some business emails on his phone, I tried to focus on getting an even tan.

"You shouldn't be on your phone; we're on vacation," I said, playfully pushing his hair back from his forehead.

"Okay," he smiled, finally putting his phone down. He leaned down and planted a soft kiss on my stomach, sending a jolt of warmth through me. "Do you want to swim with me?"

"Maybe later," I replied, feeling content to just enjoy the moment.

He got up from behind me and had me me move to the back so he could use me as bed, and my stomach as a pillow.

"Wake me up when you're ready," he said, laying his head down on my stomach, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.

"You're going to burn, Christian," I warned, instinctively throwing a towel over him to shield his skin from the sun.

As I sat there, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. The laughter of my friends, the warmth of the sun, and the closeness of Christian all combined to create a perfect moment. I knew that I had come a long way from the struggles I had faced. Just a few weeks ago, I had been lost in my insecurities and fears, but now I felt a growing sense of confidence.

It was a beautiful day, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. Even with the chaos surrounding our lives—media scrutiny, the pressure of our relationship—I found solace in these small moments of happiness.