Chapter 9

Alana’s POV. I stood there, my astonishment growing as the crowd of people outside continued to flash their cameras in our direction. Despite the chaos on the other side of the glass, Alec never released me. His hand remained firmly on my hip, and he gazed at the paparazzi with an air of feigned confusion. While his expression hinted at a trace of amusement, he did well to keep it hidden. Daniel's voice pierced through the noise, his anger evident as he shouted, "I should be in there!" His words were somewhat muffled, drowned out by the security personnel holding him back and the barrier of glass separating us. Turning my attention to Alec, I put on a smile, though my heart was racing. I couldn't afford to let the media twist this situation into something scandalous. "What did you do?" I inquired, my voice carrying an undertone of concern. Alec responded casually, his hands resting gently on my waist as he held me close. "Well, he wanted to see you, so I invited him here," he explained with a touch of mischief in his eyes. My panic began to resurface. "Are you crazy? He can prove that now," I protested, envisioning the headlines and allegations of infidelity that might arise from this. Alec reassured me, "Not when the chats have all vanished," and leaned over to capture my hand, bringing it to his lips. My thoughts then shifted to the paparazzi. "What about the paparazzi?" I questioned, wondering if all of this was part of Alec's calculated plan. "I called in a favor. I'm making sure this man won't make a fool out of you," Alec replied, leading me further away from the gathering behind the glass while keeping me securely by his side. "But people will think he's still into me even after marriage," I whispered, looking up at Alec. He wore a self-assured smirk and shrugged nonchalantly. "Exactly. I'm eliminating every chance of him trying to badmouth you to the media." I wasn’t too sure what he’s getting from this marriage but he’s going way out of his place to make sure everything runs smoothly all for my comfort. Grateful for Alec's efforts, I whispered a heartfelt "Thank you." His response was a playful wink. "You're welcome, wife." "Can we please have a word? Please?" one of the paparazzi pleaded as they managed to slip past security, following us persistently. "Ma'am, this is our honeymoon, and we wish to be left alone in peace just for these few days," Alec responded curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument. I chimed in, eager to emphasize our desire for privacy, "I'll be open to any interview after our honeymoon." Despite our pleas, the paparazzi continued to pester us. It was only when security stepped in and forcibly removed him that we were finally free from their intrusion. "Let's go to our room," Alec suggested, his protective instincts kicking in. I nodded in agreement and trailed behind Alec as we made our way to our room. We were assured that the security team had thoroughly cleared the area before we proceeded. To make amends for the earlier breach of our privacy, the manager promised to send us two hot chocolates as a gesture of goodwill, not knowing it was Alec's own doing that got the paparazzi here. Alec swiped his key card to unlock the door and courteously held it open for me. Upon entering our suite, I couldn't help but be captivated by its charm. Our luggage had already been neatly placed by the door. The room was adorned with an inviting L-shaped navy couch, complete with a cosy blanket, and a television situated in front of it. As I continued to explore, my eyes landed on the intricate details that breathed life into our cabin. A small kitchenette seemed to be thoughtfully stocked, which Alec was currently investigating. I moved past him and couldn't help but let out a contented sigh as I caught sight of the bedroom. The bed was positioned against the glass wall, which extended from the tip of the room, following the triangular shape down to the floor. This design allowed us to enjoy the breathtaking view of the winter wonderland outside. Strings of fairy lights adorned the room, casting a warm and inviting glow. On a nearby tray, I spotted a selection of chocolate-covered strawberries, while towels had been artfully arranged into the shape of swans. Of course, there were rose petals generously scattered throughout the room, adding a touch of romance to the ambiance. I ventured to the dresser and noticed a selection of more intimate items, including handcuffs, condoms, and even lubricant, discreetly placed there to ensure our comfort and enjoyment during our honeymoon. “Well, that’s awkward,” he admitted with a grin, placing the packet of condoms back in its basket. I couldn't help but continue with the playful banter, saying, "Oh, are they too big?" Alec's response caught me off guard, "Quite frankly, the opposite," he replied, his amusement evident. He wasn’t one bit offended or angry with me. "At least that's what my exes told me. But you wouldn't live to find out, would you?" He shrugged casually, taking off his jacket. My teasing turned to a more exasperated tone as I muttered, "Get lost." The thought of him and his exes was unsettling to me. Who exactly were his exes? I don’t even remember him dating in high school or college. As he continued to undress, layer by layer, I watched with a mix of fascination and annoyance. He discarded his clothes until he was only in his pants and a snug-fitting polypropylene long-sleeved shirt that left very little to the imagination. I expected him to stop there, but to my astonishment, his fingers looped through his belt buckle, and he began to undo it. My jaw dropped. Did he have no shame? "Why the hell are you stripping in front of me?" I blurted out, my eyes narrowing as I inspected his rather audacious actions. The cold temperatures outside had left a rosy tint on his cheeks and the tips of his ears. His piercing blue eyes remained locked on mine, momentarily distracting me as I noticed the subtle flecks of green within them.