Latrell's hand in mine felt warm and reassuring as we approached the gates of the Alvarado estate. My stomach was doing flips – a mix of excitement and pure terror. This was it. I was about to step into his world, meet his family again, and see the life he lived beyond the walls of our school.
A graceful maid in a crisp uniform curtsied as we walked through the gates. "Good evening, Mr. Alvarado."
He nodded, a hint of that familiar arrogance in his posture. But then his eyes met mine, and his lips curved into a genuine smile.
"This is Justine Daniel Celestial, my boyfriend." He gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
My heart swelled. Boyfriend. He actually said it. I tried to play it cool, but the goofy grin spreading across my face betrayed me.
The maid seemed momentarily surprised, but she recovered quickly with a professional smile. "Welcome to the Alvarado Estate, Mr. Celestial."
Other maids materialized, whisking away our bags and escorting us towards the garage. A garage that looked more like a showroom, filled with gleaming cars that probably cost more than my life. And then there was the butler. A real-life, impeccably dressed butler who greeted Latrell with a respectful nod. I tried to maintain my composure, but the sheer scale of his wealth was overwhelming.
We followed a winding path through manicured gardens, the air filled with the scent of exotic flowers. And then, the mansion came into view. It was like something out of a dream – sprawling, majestic, with towers that seemed to scrape the sky. Workers paused to stare as we passed, their eyes wide with curiosity. Maybe they'd never seen Latrell holding hands with a guy, or smiling with such unguarded affection. For a fleeting moment, I felt like I belonged there, like I could actually be a part of his life.
"Someday, if we get married, all this will be ours," Latrell whispered, his eyes gleaming with a possessiveness that was both thrilling and unsettling.
Whoa. Married? My head spun. "Isn't this all a bit much? A bit... fast?"
He grinned, brushing a kiss against my forehead. It sent a delicious shiver down my spine, and instead of arguing, I found myself reaching for him, kissing him back. His lips were soft and insistent, and for a moment, I lost myself in the sensation. I wanted this, all of it. But was it worth the risk? Was this real, or was I just caught up in the fairytale setting?
The kiss left me breathless, my head spinning. Was I falling too fast?
"Just planning for the future," Latrell replied, his eyes sparkling.
His words echoed in my mind as we reached the massive carved entrance of the mansion. The Alvarado family crest loomed above us, a symbol of power and legacy.
"My family's excited to meet you again," Latrell said, pressing the ornate doorbell.
My stomach weights like I swallow a stone. How could I possibly measure up to this? I was just... me. A guy who save their son and briefly becomes his best friend. They had a business empire, and I had... well, I had a stack of overdue library books and a ramen noodle budget. I hoped their standards weren't too high.
The massive door swung inward, revealing a woman who could only be Latrell's mother. Last time I saw her, she was wearing a crescent-shaped eyeglasses but now, she was stunning, with the same piercing eyes and sculpted nose, but her smile was warm and welcoming, not the icy glare I'd been half-expecting.
"Good evening, Mother," Latrell said, leaning in to kiss his mother's cheek.
"Latrell, darling," she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She turned to me, her smile widening. "And you must be Justine."
YOU ARE READING
Only Him
RomansaJustine's college plans are derailed when his ex-best friend, Prince, returns, demanding more than friendship. With his grades, internship, and potential romance with Oliver at stake, Justine must choose between his past and his future.
