Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)

Chapter 25: Alexandria

Alexandria

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The engagement party was just a few hours away, and the air was thick with anticipation. I had been instructed to steer clear of the ballroom at The Oasis, allowing Ava to work her magic and set everything up for the evening. It felt strange to be sidelined from an event I had poured so much of my heart into planning, but I understood the necessity of letting her expertise shine. To distract myself from the swirling nerves, I decided to indulge in a day of pampering with my best friends, Alyssa and Clinton.

We spent the afternoon at our favorite spa, indulging in manicures and pedicures as we prepared for the night ahead. Nestled in plush chairs, the soothing aroma of essential oils enveloped us, momentarily easing my anxiety. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, trying to muster some excitement for the evening to come.

"So, are you ready for tonight?" Alyssa asked, her voice tinged with eagerness.

"Kinda," I replied, my uncertainty evident. Deep down, I was drowning in a sea of nerves and anxiety.

"Girl, tonight's going to be amazing, so you have nothing to worry about," Clinton reassured me, pulling me into a comforting hug.

"I hope so," I sighed, still feeling a knot of tension lodged in my stomach.

"Of course it will be! You've been micromanaging every detail. No wonder Christian told you to stay away from the venue," Alyssa joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Once we finished our spa day, I returned to the apartment, dropping my bag at the door before heading straight to my bedroom. There, I found Christian lounging on the bed, his hand behind his head as he watched TV, looking relaxed and effortlessly handsome.

"Hello, future husband," I said playfully, climbing onto the bed and straddling him, my knees on either side of his hips.

"That has a nice ring to it," he replied, his charming smile lighting up his face. "Husband," he repeated, savoring the word, while his hands began to glide up my thighs.

"I guess, huh," I smiled back, feeling a rush of warmth at his words. "Do you like my nails?" I asked, placing my freshly manicured hand on his bare chest.

"Yeah, they're beautiful," he said, his gaze lingering on my fingers.

"Good, because they'll leave beautiful marks on your back too," I teased, leaning down to capture his lips in a passionate kiss.

In a swift motion, he flipped me over, and the next thing I knew, we were lost in each other, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. It was just what I needed to alleviate the tension that had been building inside me all day. We indulged in another round in the shower, the steam enveloping us as we laughed and kissed, the outside world forgotten.

Afterward, I got ready for the evening. With Clinton's help, I chose the perfect dress: a stunning soft pastel pink satin gown that hugged my figure perfectly. The corset bodice featured off-shoulder straps, leading into a draped nude floor-length skirt that flowed beautifully around me. I paired it with simple diamond earrings from my family's company, feeling elegant and ready for the night ahead.

"You cleaned up well," Christian's voice broke into my thoughts as I admired myself in the mirror. I turned to see him leaning against the closet door, a proud smile on his face. He looked incredibly handsome in fitted black trousers and a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his toned forearms.

"You don't look too bad yourself," I replied, returning his smile with a sparkle of my own.

"I got something for you," he said, walking over to me, his expression a mix of seriousness and playfulness.

"You didn't need to get me anything," I said, touched by his thoughtfulness.

"I know. Now close your eyes, princess," he instructed gently, and I complied, my heart fluttering with curiosity.

I felt the cool metal touch my skin, and when I opened my eyes, I found a beautiful white gold necklace adorned with pavé diamonds resting against my collarbone. It sparkled brilliantly, but a pang of anxiety gripped me. It was stunning but also from my father's company's competitors. I had shot a campaign for them, and I could already imagine my father's reaction.

"Wow, this is beautiful, but I can't wear it," I said, my voice laced with concern.

"Why not?" he asked, clearly puzzled.

I jave avoided working with other competitor jewelry brands of my family's company, Carter Jewelry, because I knew my father would not be happy with me working and promoting his competor brands.

"My father's going to be here," I explained, dread creeping into my voice.

"So?" he pressed, raising an eyebrow.

"He's going to flip when he sees this necklace," I told him, anxiety flooding my chest.

Christian took a step closer, cupping my face in his hands. "Princess," he said softly, "you really need to stop putting other people first and put yourself first for once."

"But I-"

He stopped me mid-sentence. "If you don't wear this necklace tonight, I will glue it on you. You choose."

I couldn't help but laugh at his dramatic flair, but deep down, I knew he was right. I had been so focused on everyone else's feelings that I often forgot to prioritize my own happiness. With a resigned smile, I nodded, "Okay, I'll wear it."

---

When we arrived at The Oasis, the ballroom was transformed into a breathtaking venue. Elegant drapes cascaded from the ceiling, and soft fairy lights twinkled overhead, creating an enchanting ambiance. Beautiful floral arrangements filled every corner, and the soothing melodies of a string quartet floated through the air. I was in awe of the beauty surrounding me-Ava had truly outdone herself. The guests seemed just as impressed by the venue as I was.

"Alexandria, this is Matthew and Damian, my oldest friends," Christian said, placing a firm hand on my back as he introduced me.

"Hi," I smiled shyly, gripping my champagne glass a little tighter.

"Finally, I get to meet the lady who has lover boy over here whipped!" Matthew exclaimed, a playful grin on his face.

"Guilty," I replied, a blush creeping up my cheeks.

"Not a woman of many words, I see," he laughed, his eyes twinkling with good humor.

"Leave the poor woman alone," Damian interjected, shaking my hand firmly. "I would introduce you by my net worth, but unfortunately, you're not a stranger anymore-and also, it's not as impressive as your fiancé's."

"Neither is mine," I laughed, feeling more at ease in their company.

Just then, Alyssa and Clinton arrived, and I excused myself to greet them. Clinton looked incredible in a fitted light pastel blue suit with feathered sleeves, while Alyssa dazzled in a beautiful red satin dress that hugged her figure perfectly.

"Wow, you look exquisite!" Alyssa gushed, her eyes wide with admiration.

"Thank you," I smiled, feeling the warmth of her compliment.

"And that's thanks to me!" Clinton chimed in, striking a pose. He had been the one to help me choose the dress, and I couldn't have been happier with his choices.

"Yes, the best stylist in the world," I teased, wrapping my arms around him in a hug.

As I mingled with the guests, I kept stealing glances toward the entrance, my heart racing in anticipation. My eyes caught sight of the elevator doors sliding open, revealing my sister and her husband, followed closely by my mother and father.