Alexandria
—
It has been exactly two days since he proposed the idea of tying the knot in Vegas or at a courthouse. While the spontaneity of such a choice is undeniably tempting, a part of me yearns for the joy and excitement that come with planning the dream wedding I envisioned as a child. The thought of a spontaneous courthouse wedding with our closest loved ones feels bittersweet, overshadowing the thrill of pursuing the grand wedding plans that dance in my imagination.
In the midst of this emotional whirlwind, I accepted my father's offer to be the face of Carter & Co., and he has sent over the contract. Christian handed it to Taylor for a thorough review before I sign. With so many decisions weighing on me, I feel a sense of paralysis, caught between what is expected of me and what I truly desire.
“Hey, are you okay?” Ava, the event planner, asked, her voice breaking through the fog of my thoughts.
“Sorry, did you say something?” I replied, startled, as I snapped back to reality.
“No, you were just spaced out,” she smiled gently, her concern evident.
“I’m just a little tired, sorry,” I said, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask than an expression of happiness.
Ava and I are currently reviewing the guest list to find hotels for our 300 guests, which include family, friends, and business acquaintances. Each name on the list is a reminder of the connections and expectations that surround this momentous occasion.
“We can pick this up again tomorrow; there’s not much left to plan,” she suggested, sensing my fatigue.
“No, I need to finish this so we can move on to the next thing,” I insisted, a hint of desperation creeping into my voice.
We settled on a couple of hotels close to the venue, but the thought of catering loomed over us like a dark cloud, a task for another day.
After leaving Ava's office, I ventured out to buy gifts for Alyssa, Leah, and Clinton, hoping to officially invite them to be part of my wedding party. It felt like a small step toward the dream I still clung to amidst the chaos.
Once I finished, I made my way to meet Christian for dinner at the new restaurant that had taken the city by storm. It had been packed since its opening, but Christian, with his usual charm, managed to secure a reservation for us. As I waited for him, I ordered a drink, feeling the anticipation swirl within me like the bubbles in my glass.
“Alexandria?” A familiar voice called, pulling me from my thoughts.
I turned to see Stefan, the brother of an ex-boyfriend, and my heart skipped a beat, an unwelcome reminder of a past I thought I had left behind.
“It’s fine,” I told Jackson, my bodyguard, who instinctively moved closer, ready to intervene. He gave me a nod, reassuring me.
“Stefan Alonso!” I exclaimed, my surprise mingling with unease. “Hi, how are you?” I stood to give him a hug, the gesture feeling oddly familiar yet distant.
“I’m busy, but I’m good. What about you?” he asked, his smile genuine.
“My life is a little hectic with wedding planning and all that,” I replied, my voice tinged with the weight of my reality.
“Yeah, I heard you got engaged,” he said, a hint of nostalgia in his tone.
“Yeah, someone was brave enough to ask me to marry them,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
“Anyone who chooses to marry you is lucky, Lex,” he smiled, and for a moment, the warmth of his words wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.
“Thank you,” I replied, a small smile breaking through my thoughts. “Do you work here?” I pointed to the chef uniform he wore.
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Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)
Lãng mạn24-year-old supermodel Alexandria Carter must marry billionaire CEO Christian Calloway to secure land for her father, Anthony. As she faces family pressures and an eating disorder, Alexandria struggles with her need for approval and her feelings for...
