The soft knock on Alexa's door barely registered before it swung open.
" Pastries ", James announced with a grin, holding up a small box. " Thought you might need a snack while buried in that book of yours."
Alexa looked up, a corner of her mouth twitching. " You spoil me."
He shrugged, stepped inside, placing the pastries on the desk. " Someone has to."
Alexa didn't even glance at the pastries. Her eyes narrowed, sharp, piercing. " Jay.... what were you doing with Mr . Lionel Hemsworth?"
James froze mid-step. " What ... I—?"
He blinked, almost dropping his cool. " What nonsense are you speaking?"
Before he could say anything, she pulled out her phone. The screen lit up with the photograph: James and Lionel, hands intertwined, smiling like it was the most natural thing in the world.
" Really?" Her voice was silk with an edge."Then what is this? Cat got your tongue? Care to explain Mr James?"
".... It's not what it looks like," Lionel muttered.
Edmund raised a brow, cutting him off. " Not what it looked like? Then explain. Because the photograph don't lie as it was clicked by me."
For a moment, silence stretched. Then Lionel let out a small breath, shoulders easing as if he'd decided to stop running.
".... it's been a week", he admitted.
Edmund's eyes narrowed. " A week?"
" Yes, Your Highness. After we came back from Geneva, " Lionel continued, steady now," James and I ... we bonded at the auction, we started exchanging numbers, talked daily. Getting it to know each other. And ... yeah it happened."
Edmund pushed off his desk, disbelief flickering across his controlled face. " A week? You've been keeping this from me for a week?"
Her eyes flashed as she leaned forward. " Jay, you're my best friend. You know all of my secrets. Every ridiculous thought, every mistake I've made— you've heard it all."
James's lips parted, guilt flickering across his face.
" And yet this–", she tapped the photo still glowing on the phone," – this one thing, you kept ftom me? How could you?"
He looked down, shoulders heavy. " Ail... I'm sorry. Truly . We're just getting to know each other. It's still new. I would have told you, but i wasn't sure how to even put it into words."
Her voice softened just slightly, though her gaze stayed sharp. " You should have trusted me."
James nodded quickly, contrite. " I know. I will. From now on , no secrets. I promise."
" Fine", she said at last, her tone light but edged with mischief. " I'll forgive you– only on one condition. "
James straightened, wary. " Condition?"
" You're going to take me to the most exotic, tastiest restaurant in the Bahamas," she declared. " And you're paying the price,Mr James."
He blinked, then groaned. " That's robbery."
She smirked , tilting her head. " Consider it interest for keeping secrets from your best friend."
James sighed in defeat but couldn't help the small smile tugging his lips." Deal".
The silence stretched heavy until Edmund finally exhaled, shoulder easing. His voice stripped of the earlier edge.
" Lionel... you've been an elder figure in my life. I owe you respect , gratitude for everything you've done for me and my family."
Lionel's eyes flicked with surprise, but he remained quiet.
Edmund's gaze steadied. " So, if dating James makes you happy... then it's fine by me."
For a moment , Lionel looked as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his chest.
" Thank you, Prince Edmund," he said , quietly.
In the dim-lit study of a secluded villa, the enemies leaned closer over a table scattered with maps, dossiers. One of them smirked.
" Tomorrow, Edmund Savoy, Alexa Claire Donovan will be parading at the Princess Margaret Hospital. Perfect. While they're busy promising funds, we'll plant the first seed of our plan."
Another voice added, low and dangerous,
" And once it grows... their empire will crumble from the inside. "
The room fell silent, the plan clear. Their kindness would be the very weapon used aganist them.
At the evening, Alexa appeared in a breezy seaside look— hair tied back with a silk scarf, golden seashell earrings catching the light, blue–and– ivory Fiesta tote swaying at her side. Her outfit a white, patterned halter top that had a gathered front, a delicate red, blue pattern paired with loose, white wide-leg pants. Her feet has a pair of open - toed sandals with white, criss- cross straps that are beautifully embroidered with a floral design in blue,red. James matched her summer energy, his burnt- orange shirt open just enough for the ocean air, paired with crisp linen trousers, a causal leather bag slung over his shoulder.
They made quite the pair as they stepped into Café Matisse, drawing glances the moment they crossed the threshold.
" Sit here", James said, monitoring to the plush armchair, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Without another word, he disappeared towards the counter, leaving Alexa to settle into the seat. She adjusted slightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, the sunlight catching on the delicate chain of her earrings.
Moments of quiet stretched comfortably around her until a light tap on her shoulder broke the stillness. She whipped around, eyes narrowing, a sharp edge creeping into her voice.
" What the hell?", she exclaimed, the words hanging in the air, a mixture of surprise, irritation.