Christiana’s POV
I woke up with a throbbing migraine, my head pounding as if someone was banging a hammer against my skull. I groaned, pressing my palms against my temples, cursing under my breath Why in the hell did I feel like this? My entire body felt exhausted, drained, and nauseous, like I’d been hit by a truck. I forced my eyes open, but the light streaming through the curtains only intensified the pain. God, how much did I drink last night?
And then it hit me..the celebration at the bar. 1 could vaguely remember the laughter, the clinking of glasses, and… When Alex showed up.
Wait. Alex?
1 froze, my pulse quickening, when I heard footsteps. Slowly, I urned my head toward the sound, my heart practically leaping into my throat. The bathroom door creaked open, and blinked, my mouth parting in utter horror as I saw him.
Alex… stepping out of the restroom, a towel casually tied around his waist, water droplets glistening on his bare, muscular
chest.
He had that infuriating smirk plastered on his face as he leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “You’re up.”
I stared at him, completely losing my mind. This isn’t happening. This cannot be happening.
*Alex. I stammered, my voice shaky as I frantically pulled the duvet up to my chest. My mind was racing a mile a minute. “What what are you doing in my room?”
He raised an eyebrow, still smirking as if this was all some joke. “Relax. You look like you’ve been through all hell and back.” I couldn’t breathe. I glanced down at myself under the duvet, my hands trembling as I lifted the covers just enough to peek beneath them. My stomach twisted in knots. I was in nothing but my underwear. My heart nearly stopped.
“Oh my God” I gasped, the blood draining from my face. Alex..did we…?” I couldn’t even finish the question, the words choking in my throat.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “No. Nothing happened, Christiana. Calm down.
I didn’t calm down. “Then why are you here?” I demanded, still feeling like I was on the verge of a complete meltdown. “And why am I?”
“Because you were a drunken mess last night, Alex cut me off, his tone casual, almost teasing. He strolled across the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “You got smashed in front of your employees, cursed at me, and, well, I couldn’t just leave you like that. You were in no condition to be alone. So, I brought you back to your suite.
My mind was spinning, trying to piece everything together. I could remember the celebration. I could remember him showing up. But after that? Nothing
“And then?” I asked cautiously.
“And then,” he said, “you puked all over me. And the floor. It was lisgusting. I had no choice but to clean you up and take off that dress because it was completely covered in vomit.” He pointed at my side of the bed, where the stained dress was tossed on the floor. “Don’t worry, I didn’t touch you. I just cleaned up the mess and, well…” He gestured to his bare torso. “I had to ditch my clothes Ipo.
My cheeks flushed with humiliation, the realization of what had happened crashing over me like a tidal wave. I’d gotten drink in front of my stall. I’d cursed at Alex. I’d vomited all over him. And now, here he was, sitting in my room half–naked because he had no choice but to clean me up.
ia
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08 Fri, Oct 18
Chapter 66
I buried my face in my hands. “Oh my God… I can’t believe this.
“You should probably reconsider your alcohol tolerance next time, Alex said with a light chuckle, but his tone wasn’t mocking. He sounded almost…amused.
I peeked through my fingers at him, and for a split second, I saw something in his eyes. A softness. A gentleness. Like he hadn’t minded taking care of me. Like he didn’t hate me.
But still. I groaned. “I’ve humiliated myself, haven’t I? My employees.. they’re never going to look at me the same way.” Alex shrugged. “They saw their boss have a rough night. Big deal. They’ll get over it.”
I shook my head, mortified. This was the last thing I needed. All I wanted was to celebrate the success of the exhibition, not. turn into a drunken fool in front of everyone.
I glanced back at Alex, who was now leaning back against the pillows, looking far too comfortable for my liking. “You don’t have to stay, you know,” I muttered, still feeling the weight of my embarrassment.
“Actually,” he said, that damn smirk back on his face, “I think I will. Just to make sure you don’t do anything else you’ll
TCHTet
I wanted to strangle him. But all I could do was curse under my breath and flop back onto the bed, the migraine pounding even harder.
As much as I wanted to focus on my headache and the disaster I’d made of myself, I couldn’t help but notice Alex’s bare upper body as he leaned back against the pillows. His chest was broad, muscles firm and dehned. His arms looked stronger than I remembered; thick, toned, like they were meant for more than just signing contracts and making deals.
God, his body had changed, but it hadn’t softened. If anything, it had become even more imposing, more attractive. No! I’ shook the thought from my head. This man, with all his good looks and charm, was unworthy of me. We weren’t that couple anymore. Not even close.
I cleared my throat quickly, pushing the memory of five years ago from my mind. Back then, when we were still married, he used to walk around shirtless whenever he could. Especially when he wasn’t busy, he was always near me, casually lounging with nothing on but those low–slung jeans. But that was the past. And that man had hurt me in ways I couldn’t forget.
A knock on the door startled me from my thoughts. Alex glanced at me before getting up and heading towards it without a word. “It’s from the hotel,” he said, as though I had asked.
I watched him as he opened the door, exchanged a few words with the staff, and then returned with a tray. He set it down on the bedside table before giving me that infuriating smirk again. Hangover remedy,” he said, nodding toward the tray.
The tray held a bowl of steaming soup, a glass of water, and a small packet of pills, probably painkillers to soothe the pounding in my head.
I bit my lip, guilt rising up inside me as I looked at him. “You need to go, Alex. I’ll arrange for fresh clothes, and the dry cleaner can bring yours back later.” I sighed, rubbing my temples. T’m sorry for the mess I made, for putting you in this uncomfortable position. But you have a company to run, don’t you? Please, just go
Alex crossed his arms, not moving an inch. “You’re in no position to talk right now, Christiana,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You need to cat the soup, take the meds, and rest. I’m not leaving until I know you’re okay.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could say anything else, there was another knock on the door. I shifted uncomfortably under the duvet. “I’ll get it, Alex said, already turning toward the door again.
“No,” I said quickly, pushing the covers off me and standing up, determined to take control of something in this surreal situation. “I’ll get it?
“Christiana, you’re sull.”
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18:08 Fri, Oct 18
Chapter 66
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“I said I’ll get it.” I snapped stubbornly, wobbling slightly as I stood. I ignored the way the room tilted for a moment and took a deep breath before stepping forward. I can do this.
But as soon as I took another step, the dizziness hit me hard, and my knees buckled. Before I could stop it, I slipped, crashing forward, but I didn’t hit the ground. Instead, I slammed right into Alex, my entire body colliding with his chest. He caught me..of course he did and we both tumbled backward, landing in a heap on the floor.
I blinked, completely dazed, realizing that I was now sprawled on top of him. His hands were around my waist, his chest pressed against mine, his face so close I could feel his breath against my skin. My heart raced in my chest, and I couldn’t move, frozen in place, staring at himn
Alex chuckled softly beneath me, the sound deep and amused. “Well, this is a familiar situation.”
Before I could even think of a comeback, the door opened with a soft creak. My head snapped toward it, my eyes widening in absolute horror. Ethan and Emma were standing there, wide–eyed, their little mouths hanging open in shock, their nanny right behind them.
“Mommy, Daddy!” Ethan’s voice was soft, uncertain, as he blinked at the scene in front of him.
My face flushed hot with embarrassment as I scrambled of
f Alex, my heart pounding in my chest. This wasn’t happening. This could not be happening.
