Chapter 8

Alana’s POV. I glanced down at my phone after Alec handed it back to me, trying to figure out what he had sent to Daniel. However, there was only one response from Daniel: "Thank you, babe, you won't regret it." After that, the message vanished, leaving me curious but knowing there was no use in asking Alec what he had sent. At least I didn't have to worry about Alec making a fool out of me. I attempted to eavesdrop on Alec's conversation, but all I caught was a simple "I need you to repay the favor." Looking around the kitchen, I noticed Alec had gathered all sorts of ingredients. Did he know how to cook? Was he actually preparing dinner? I should probably keep a close eye on him to make sure he doesn't sneak in any poison. "Are you cooking dinner?" I asked, observing as Alec picked up where he had left off, chopping broccoli. "Yeah, you're hungry, right?" Alec inquired, letting the knife rest on the cutting board before checking on his chicken once again. "So, you're the doting husband now?" I quipped as I attempted to climb onto the counter to sit down. Alec noticed and without uttering a word, he placed his hand on my waist and effortlessly lifted me as if I weighed nothing to him. "I'm trying to make this work. We'll be stuck together for two to three years, Alana, might as well," he replied, returning to his veggies and skillfully chopping them. He moved around the kitchen like he knew exactly what he was doing, and I couldn't help but wonder when he had learned to cook. His muscular back is on full display for me and only me. Since when were back muscles so attractive? "Since high school. I had to help in the kitchen back in the foster home, or we'd be having rice, peas, and white chicken daily," Alec explained. "So, it was just you who'd cook?" I inquired. "We had a house with ten kids, and there was another girl, Ryan. She and I would make food, and in return, we'd get a few extra dollars because the adults got to work longer shifts," he replied, revealing a glimpse of his challenging upbringing. I suddenly felt a pang of guilt. I had no idea what his life had been like growing up, only that it hadn't been easy. "When you left for college... did you still check in with them?" I wondered. "Where do you think half of my paid internship money went?" Alec chuckled as he added more veggies to his rice pan. "But that was barely enough for one person to survive," I pointed out, recalling my own experience with the same internship. The pay had been meager, and it had barely covered my expenses for two weeks. "I can make money stretch," Alec said with a laugh, but a hint of seriousness lingered in his eyes. He was resourceful, and I was beginning to see just how resilient he was. "Do you feel terrible for bullying me already?" Alec teased, raising an eyebrow with a playful smile on his lips. "Not one bit," I retorted with a playful eye roll. "Good," he chuckled and walked away with a plate of steaming fried rice on a spoon. Blowing on it until the steam subsided, he held it to my lips. "Taste." I took a bite and was pleasantly surprised. "It's... delicious," I admitted. "Thank you. Set the table, and I'll bring the food," Alec said with a satisfied grin before heading back to the kitchen, leaving me eagerly anticipating more of his cooking. I reluctantly hopped off the counter and made my way to the dining room to set up the table. The room was grand, with a beautiful chandelier hanging above the center of the table. Beige curtains obscured the view, but when I opened them, I was greeted by a lovely garden with beds of colorful flowers. I decided to light some of the candles, adding a warm, intimate ambiance to the room. Then, I selected a bottle of wine from the fine collection my parents had stocked for me. Carefully, I poured the glasses as I noticed Alec returning to the table with two plates filled with the delicious dinner he had prepared. I took my seat at one end of the table, and Alec placed my plate in front of me, saying, "Enjoy dinner." He settled across from me with his own plate and wine, and we dined together in silence. While I may not have been particularly fond of Alec, sharing a meal like this felt far better than spending the evening alone. After dinner, we retreated to our respective beds. The next morning, we rushed to get ready for our departure. Fortunately, my father had arranged for his private jet to transport us, ensuring that I wouldn't be spotted at a public airport. My name, Daniel's, and Alec's were still trending online, causing quite a stir. Upon our arrival in Montana, a car awaited us, and I couldn't wait to reach the five-star resort. As we drew closer to our destination, with snow falling gently around us, I turned to Alec and noticed he was engrossed in his phone for a moment. It suddenly struck me that I didn't have my husband's social media information. "I don't follow you on any social media platform," I whispered to him, a furrow forming on my brow. "That's because I'm not on social media," Alec shrugged casually and pocketed his phone. "What about a phone number?" I inquired. "I've already programmed my number into your phone," Alec revealed, catching me by surprise. *** After our luggage had been taken to our room, Alec suggested we check out the private deck. I saw no reason to decline; the winter scenery was nothing short of breathtaking. I followed him to the deck, where I couldn't help but admire the natural beauty around us. Alec stood by my side, and within moments, he gently pulled me closer, one hand resting on my hip while the other cupped my face, compelling me to gaze into his eyes. At that moment, he leaned in, and our lips met. I closed my eyes, my fingers gripping his biceps as I returned the kiss, succumbing to his intoxicating scent and the refreshing taste of mints on his lips. I dared to run my fingers through his soft hair, relishing the sensation. Alec emitted a soft, almost seductive sound that sent shivers down my spine. Despite my feelings of resentment toward him, there was no denying that he was a masterful kisser. Our blissful moment, however, was abruptly interrupted by a loud commotion and frantic banging on the glass. Startled, we turned around and were met with the sight of Daniel and a crowd of paparazzi outside, neither of them permitted to enter due to the resort's stringent security measures. Daniel's face contorted with anger as he slammed his hand against the glass, while the paparazzi reveled in the opportunity to capture this spectacle.