ATHENA

    I stare at the mansion in front of me, my jaw practically on the floor.

    Mansion?

    No.

    This is practically a castle.

    The grand structure looms before me, its towering presence, and intricate stonework, giving it the appearance of something straight out of a royal fairytale.

    Elegant balconies are curved, massive arched windows facing me as my eyes widen into shock. The sheer size of the ce makes my stomach flip.

    "Alex..." I whisper, "What is this ce?" I ask.

    "I got you a little gift." He shrugs, and Iugh.

    His idea of a small gift is a wonder. I turn to him, and he''s watching me closely, his hands shoved into his pockets like he''s waiting for my verdict.

    His usual cool, unreadable expression is reced with something new. It almost looks like... uncertainty.

    "You don''t like it?" He asks, his expression worried, and I almost tease him, but I hold back.

    Without hesitation, I rush toward him, wrapping my arms around his neck and peppering his face with wet, overenthusiastic kisses.

    It''s only after doing that that I realize what I''ve done, and I freeze. But Alex shocks me by holding me by my waist and pulling me closer. He kisses me in a soft kiss, melting my heart into a puddle of water.

    "I take it this means I passed the test?" he murmurs, amusementcing his tone.

    I nod furiously, pulling back to meet his eyes. "But why did you get something so expensive?"

    His expression softens as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "Because we''re starting a family," he says simply. "I wanted us to have a home. A real one. And I know you don''t like apartments."

    A home?

    Our home.

    I can''t help but smile as I look at him, "So you spent millions because I don''t like apartments?"

    Alex pulls me closer, his hands firm on my waist. His green eyes darken just slightly as they search mine. "You''re giving me the most precious gift, Athena. It''s the least I can do."

    My heart stutters, warmth blooming in my chest. As butterflies explode in my stomach.

    This new side of Alex will be the death of me. I loved him before but now I''m in love with him.

    I press my forehead against his, my fingers tightening around thepels of his suit. "I love you," I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

    He stills.

    I can feel how tense he bes before he ces a kiss on my forehead. My heart breaks a little when he doesn''t say it back, but I don''t hold him against it. Baby steps.

    "Come, let''s see if you''ll like the interior too."

    He takes my hand and leads me inside the house. The French doors are already open, but I''m left in shock when I notice that the house is empty.

    No decos, no furniture.

    Completely nothing.

    As if reading my questioning gaze, he smiles and says, "I wanted you to choose the type of deco you want, so I had them remove everything."

    I blink up at him, stunned. "You mean... you bought a whole mansion and then emptied it just so I could decorate it however I want?"

    Alex smirks. "I figured you''d want to."

    My lips part in disbelief as I turn back to the massive, empty space before me.

    The grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling tells me how expensive this house

    is.

    Probably millions, if not billions.

    A lump rises in my throat as I spin back to him, my fingers curling around his hand.

    "Alex, this is... this is too much."

    He steps closer, his gaze locked onto mine, "It''s not." He lifts my hand and

    presses a soft kiss to my knuckles.

    "This must have cost a lot." I argue.

    A simple house would have been fine.

    "Athena King. Cost should never be part of your worries. You can never make me

    broke even if you tried."

    Iugh, "Cocky much?"

    "Just facts, baby." He says, making me pause.

    He also freezes as if only realizing what he just called me.

    Alex stiffens. see it in the way his shoulders go rigid. The way his grip on my hand tightens just slightly before he releases it altogether. His gaze flickers away for the briefest moment before locking back onto mine.

    But he doesn''t say anything.

    A slow, knowing smile tugs at my

    lips.

    as I til," I say, crossing my arms

    head. "I never thought I''d

    see the day when Alex King would be rendered speechless."

    His jaw clenches, his usual unreadable mask slipping back into ce. "I''m not speechless," he says, clearing his throat. "Athena, I-"

    "It''s alright. Really. I mean, you just bought us this Million Dor house. I can give

    you a pass." I wink as I walk further into the house.

    "So," I say, turning to face him as I pause at the bottom of the staircase. "When

    can I start my deco duty? Because this ce is screaming for my touch."

    "Whenever you want," he says, adjusting the cuffs of his suit like he''s regaining hisposure. ''ll have the best interior designer meet with you in a few minutes.

    "Me alone?"

    "As much as how fun decorating sounds, I can''t do it to save my life." Alex responds, makingugh.

    I didn''t know he was capable of humor.

    The doors open as I turn to see a beautiful woman walk in. She has blonde hair

    just like Alex, and she looks awfully familiar.

    "There you are! I heard my services were required." She says excitedly.

    I give Alex a questioning gaze, but he doesn''t look bothered by a stranger walking

    in without a knock or whatsoever.

    "Speaking of the interior designer, here she is." He says and I feel my heart tighten.

    You can call it jealousy or insecurity but I can''t help it when she looks like this.