Jenny POV:
I checked my phone, the screen glowing in the dim light, and saw missed calls from Tasha. I called her back, my heart racing with anticipation, and she told me that a lady had come to pack my stuff and asked if I had sent her. I explained everything to Tasha, my voice barely above a whisper, and she wished me a safe trip, her words filled with concern.
As I walked into the living room, I saw a little boy sitting on the couch, engrossed in a book. For a moment, I thought he was Alex's son, but when I heard him say "big bro," I knew he must be Alex's brother. We struck up a conversation, and I was struck by how much he resembled Alex - the same piercing eyes, the same chiseled features. It was as if Alex had molded him in his own image.
The next morning, we left for the airport, the sound of the engine purring smoothly as we glided through the streets. I had never left country X before, and the thought of it filled me with a sense of trepidation. I had called Dad to tell him about the trip, and he had wished me a safe journey, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and worry.
As we arrived in Mexico, the warm sun on my skin was a welcome respite from the chill of the plane. We went through the immigration process, the sound of murmured voices and rustling papers filling the air, and then we were outside, the bright sunlight dazzling me.
A Rolls-Royce was waiting for us, its sleek lines and polished surface gleaming in the light. We entered, the soft leather enveloping me in comfort, and the luggage was placed in the boot. The car drove off, the sound of the engine smooth and powerful.
As we drove into the estate, I gasped in wonder. The estate was beautiful, with lush gardens and a sprawling mansion that seemed to stretch on forever. I had never seen anything like it before. "Wow," I breathed, my eyes wide with amazement.
The Rolls-Royce drove into a compound, and we stepped out, the warm sun on my skin. I saw a man and a woman standing before us, and my heart skipped a beat as I realized they must be Alex's parents. The man looked uncannily like Alex, the same piercing eyes, the same chiseled features.
"Good morning, sir and ma," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Morning, dear," his dad replied, his voice warm and welcoming.
"Bienvenido a casa, querido," his mom said, her voice filled with warmth. (Welcome home, dear.)
"Gracias (thanks), mama," Alex replied, his voice calm and detached, as he hugged his mom.
Alex's POV:
I gestured to my parents, my voice calm and detached. "Dad, Mom, meet Jenny."
Jenny smiled, her eyes sparkling with warmth, and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you, sir and ma."
My mom's face lit up with a radiant smile as she enveloped Jenny in a warm hug. "Come give me a hug, dear. I've been waiting for this day to come."
My dad nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and said, "Let's go in."
We walked into the mansion, the sound of our footsteps echoing off the marble floors. The dining room was filled with the savory aromas of roasted meats and steaming vegetables, and our stomachs growled in anticipation.
As we sat down to eat, the clinking of silverware on fine china filled the air, accompanied by the gentle hum of conversation. After the meal, the main discussion began, our voices rising and falling in a gentle cadence.
"We need to finalize the wedding preparations," my dad said, his voice firm but polite.
Jenny nodded, her eyes wide with excitement, and pulled out her phone. "I need to call my dad to join in the discussion."
The conversation flowed easily, like a well-rehearsed dance, as we discussed the venue, event plan, and date of the wedding. After two hours of deliberation, we had finally reached a consensus.
"We'll do the wedding in Mexico," my dad said, his voice firm.
My mom smiled, her eyes shining with warmth. "And Jenny will stay with us, of course."
I nodded, my voice calm and detached. "I'll stay too."
The decision was made, like a door closing softly, and we all knew that our lives would never be the same again.
******************************
The man in the black suit stood before Franklin, his eyes cast downward in a gesture of defeat. "Sir, we've encountered a dead end in our investigation into Alex Grande. His movements and activities are shrouded in secrecy, and I've been unable to track him down due to interference from an unknown source."
Franklin's expression twisted in frustration, his voice low and even. "Alex Grande, always one step ahead. Why can't he be reckless for once? Why must he be so calculating?"
He plucked the cigarette from the ashtray, the soft click of the lighter echoing through the room as he lit it. The sweet, acrid scent of tobacco wafted through the air, mingling with the tension.
"Continue your efforts, Franklin. I expect results. Don't disappoint me," he said, his voice calm and detached, as he exhaled a plume of smoke into the air.
The man in the black suit nodded, his eyes darting upward before quickly looking away. "Yes, sir," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, before turning to leave.
The soft creak of the door echoed through the room, a subtle reminder of the man's departure, as Franklin's gaze lingered on the smoke curling from his cigarette, his mind consumed by the enigmatic Alex Grande.
Alex's POV:
As I stood on the sun-kissed balcony, gazing out at the turquoise waters of the Riviera Maya, I felt a sense of detachment wash over me. It had been a week since our arrival in Mexico, and the preparations for our union were well underway. The invitation cards, adorned with the Grande and Core family crests, had been dispatched to our esteemed friends and acquaintances.
The venue for the wedding reception, Hotel Esencia Riviera Maya, was a masterpiece of luxury, its private beach a tranquil oasis. But before the grand celebration, a more intimate gathering was planned - the engagement party. And Jenny, my unsuspecting bride-to-be, knew nothing of it.
I smiled to myself as I gazed at the Blue Moon Diamond ring, its 48.4 million dollar price tag a mere triviality. The diamond's facets glinted in the sunlight, casting a miniature rainbow on the wall. Tomorrow, I would propose to Jenny, and Annie would ensure her presence at the party.
The sound of the waves gently lapping at the shore below created a soothing melody, a stark contrast to the calculating thoughts that occupied my mind. I felt no excitement, no nervousness, just a cold determination to see this through.