Chapter 85
Swim lessons
Orthon’s POV
“Fiji?”
Her face was expressionless. We just landed and though she was shaken throughout most of the flight, it was good to see her go back quickly to her usual self.
I wasn’t sure now.
“Do you not like it? I was thinking we could stay in the Island for a few days then go to Dubai or Paris,” I said.
“It is perfect!!! I have never been on an island before,” she exclaimed and relief washed through. I would have felt very stupid if she didn’t like it.
I wanted to help her make the most of her time here and probably, if I get lucky enough, she might fall for me.
“Lucky for you, your father owns the entire land,” I told her and her eyes widened.
“Shut up!” She gasped.
“I wish I could, sweetheart.”
She spun around, taking in the breathtaking view of the turquoise ocean stretching endlessly beyond the pristine white sand. The salty breeze lifted her hair, and for the first time in what felt like forever, a genuine
smile graced her lips.
“I can’t believe this.” she whispered, turning back to me with wide eyes. “You mean to tell me my father owns all of this?”
I nodded, watching her reaction carefully. “Every last inch.”
She scoffed, shaking her head. “And yet, I’ve spent most of my life trapped in cold, grey cities.”
I chuckled, stepping closer. “Well, consider this your official welcome to paradise.”
She let out a breathy laugh, spinning around once more. The moment was so light, so pure, that I almost forgot the weight of what brought us here.
Almost.
I reached for her hand, and she let me, her fingers cool against my palm. “Come on. Let me show you where we’ll be staying.”
She followed me up the wooden pathway leading to the villa–an architectural masterpiece perched on the edge of the island, complete with infinity pools, open–air lounges, and a private dock stretching into the sea.
The second we stepped inside, she gasped. “Orthon…”
I smiled, watching her take in the sleek interior–marble floors, glass walls, and handcrafted wooden furniture. Every detail was meant to exude comfort and luxury, a stark contrast to everything she’d been through.
“This is insane,” she murmured, running her fingers over the silk curtains.
“I thought you deserved a little luxury.”
Chapter 15
She turned to me, something unreadable in her gaze. “Is that what this is? A gift?”
My throat tightened. “It’s… more than that.”
She tilted her head, studying me. “You keep doing these things for me, but I don’t understand why.”
She knew why but I guess it wasn’t something she wanted to talk about so I didn’t try bringing it up. I was going to prove my love for her in actions, not just mere words.
J
“How much did it cost to set this up?” She asked.
“Not much for a billionaire. It was supposed to come as your birthday gift. I personally made sure to oversee everything. I didn’t want my princess to complain about anything. Your father and I have been planning this surprise since the day he found you but luckily, you get to test it beforehand,” I said and she laughed.
“You are really something, Orthon,” she commented. I merely smiled resisting the urge to say exactly what was on my mind.
I didn’t want to be something. I wanted to be her man. Her protector. Her everything.
“Wanna see the pool?” I asked instead. “Don’t worry, it’s shallow, but if you want, I could teach you.”
She hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Fine, but only if you promise not to let me drown.”
I smirked. “Sweetheart, I’d never let anything happen to you.
“I’ll just grab my swimming wear,” she said and I nodded.
Chapter 65
“Looking forward to the goodies.”
She rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips as she followed me through the villa’s open–air hallway, the scent of the ocean drifting in with the breeze. The pool was breathtaking, an infinity design that
blended seamlessly into the horizon, giving the illusion that it stretched. into the sea itself.
We had the best architect design it and I don’t mean to brag but it cost a chunk of money.
She stepped closer to the edge, peering down into the water. “I don’t know… I haven’t really been in a pool since I was a kid.”
“Then it’s time to change that,” I said, slipping off my shoes and pulling my shirt over my head.
Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly turned away, pretending to admire the view. “You don’t waste time, do you?”
I chuckled. “Not when it comes to you.
She let out a small laugh but didn’t argue. I knew she didn’t have what to say and was mostly focused on avoiding my eyes. Instead, she reached for the straps of her sundress and hesitated. I could see the uncertainty flicker across her face, the way she hugged herself as if debating whether she should take the plunge, literally and figuratively.
Had it been someone else, I would have been eager to push them into the pool and watch their reaction but Veronica was my baby. I was going to handle her with care, like she was my baby.
“You don’t have to if you’re not comfortable,” I said softly, stepping
closer.
Chapter 85
She exhaled and, to my surprise, pulled the dress over her head, revealing a simple black swimsuit underneath. My throat went dry at the sight of her, bare skin illuminated under the golden sunset, curves that I had only imagined touching.
She crossed her arms. “You’re staring.”
I didn’t look away. “Can you blame me?”
She rolled her eyes, but a pink flush rose to her cheeks as she dipped her foot into the water. “It’s warm…”
“Of course. I made sure of it.”
She raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment, instead taking a deep breath before stepping in. The water lapped at her thighs, then her waist, and she let out a small shiver.
I followed her in, watching the way she moved cautiously. “Come here,” I said, holding out my hands.
She eyed me warily. “And what if I don’t?”
“Then I guess you’ll never learn how to swim.”
She sighed but finally reached for me, her fingers slipping into mine. The second our skin touched, something shifted in the air. She felt it too, I could see it in the way she stiffened, in the way her breath hitched.
I know I was not supposed to give myself hope but what I felt was real. True.
I pulled her closer, just enough so that she could feel the warmth of my chest against hers. “Relax,” I murmured.
Her lashes fluttered, but she nodded, allowing me to guide her deeper into
the water.
For a while, we just floated there, her body pressed against mine, her trust in my hands. And in that moment, as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson, I knew one thing for
certain.
I was already in too deep.
And I had no intention of coming up for air.
“Orthon?” Veronica called and I looked at her. “Can I tell you something?”
“Yeah?”
“I think I like you. A lot,” she confessed.
