As the Mercedes made its way back to Alexander's villa, the tension from the Devereux mansion began to ease. Ophelia gazed out of the window, her mind racing with the day's events. She turned her eyes to Alexander, studying him with a mix of curiosity and admiration.
Alexander noticed her lingering gaze and shifted slightly in his seat, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "What is it?" he asked, clearing his throat. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Ophelia couldn't help but chuckle. "You just seemed so... different back there. So confident and dominating. I never expected to see that side of you."
Alexander raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well, I couldn't let them walk all over you, could I? But something tells me that's not what's really on your mind."
Ophelia nodded, her amusement clear in her eyes. "How did you know about Clarissa and Jack's trip? That seemed to catch everyone off guard, even Eleanor."
Alexander's smile widened as he looked ahead, his expression thoughtful. "I have my ways."
Ophelia tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Your ways? Care to elaborate?"
"Let's just say," Alexander began, "I have a network of people who keep me informed about various... activities. It's important to stay ahead in business, and sometimes, that means knowing things others would prefer to keep hidden."
Ophelia nodded, not surprised by his answer but impressed nonetheless. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. After all, you are Alexander Blackwood."
He glanced at her, his eyes softening. "And you are Ophelia Blackwood now."
Ophelia smiled, feeling a warm flutter in her chest at the sound of her new name. "Yes, I suppose I am."
The rest of the drive was filled with a comfortable silence, each of them lost in their thoughts. When they arrived at the villa, Alexander helped Ophelia out of the car and led her inside. The villa, which had been decorated meticulously by Aunt Milli to suit Ophelia's preferences, felt welcoming and warm. The walls were painted in soft hues that Ophelia loved, and the furniture was both elegant and cozy.
"This place is beautiful," she said softly, taking in the surroundings.
Alexander smiled. "Aunt Milli made sure everything was perfect for you. She wanted you to feel welcomed here as Mrs. Blackwood."
Ophelia felt a rush of gratitude. "It's perfect. Thank you, Alexander."
He reached out and took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. "You don't have to thank me. We're in this together."
Ophelia nodded, feeling a sense of comfort in his words. "Together," she echoed.
They sat down in the living room, enjoying each other's company and talking about their likes and dislikes like a newly teenage couple and what they thought about their future. Ophelia felt herself opening up to Alexander in a way she hadn't expected, sharing her fears and aspirations.
As the evening wore on, Ophelia's stomach growled, breaking the peaceful silence. She chuckled, "What are we having for dinner?"
Surprised, Alexander cleared his throat and said, "Whatever madam demands, I will cook."
Ophelia looked at him curiously. "You know how to cook? How come?"
Alexander smirked and didn't say anything. Instead, he lifted her into his arms, much to her surprise, and carried her to the kitchen. He set her down on the counter and quickly tied a cloth around his neck, ready to start cooking.
Ophelia watched him in amazement. "You really know how to cook?"
"I do," Alexander replied with a grin, "I picked up a few skills along the way."
He began preparing dinner with practiced ease, moving around the kitchen with confidence. Ophelia watched, impressed by his efficiency. Within half an hour, he had prepared a delicious meal that left her stunned.
Ophelia stretched out her hand and picked a tomato from the plate, tasting it. "This is delicious! I've never had anything this good."
Alexander smiled, pleased by her reaction. "I'm glad you like it."
They set the table together and sat down to enjoy their meal. The food was not only delicious but also a testament to Alexander's hidden talents. As they ate, they talked and laughed, feeling the bond between them grow stronger.
After dinner, they cleaned up together, the comfortable silence between them filled with a sense of companionship. As they were finishing up, Ophelia looked at Alexander, her eyes filled with warmth. "Thank you for everything today. You really surprised me."
Alexander smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm just getting started, Ophelia. There's so much more I want to show you."
Ophelia felt a flutter of anticipation. "I look forward to it."
As they headed upstairs, ready to start their new life together, both knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, stronger as a team.
---
Meanwhile, at the Devereux mansion, chaos reigned. Eleanor and Clarissa were frantically discussing the latest developments with Eleanor's family, who had arrived in response to her urgent call. The tension was palpable as they tried to make sense of the sudden turn of events.
Eleanor paced the room, her anger barely contained. "How could this happen? How could Ophelia marry Alexander Blackwood so suddenly?"
Clarissa, looking equally flustered, tried to calm her mother. "We didn't see this coming. We underestimated her."
Eleanor's brother, Richard, leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "The Blackwoods are powerful. If Ophelia has married into their family, we need to reconsider our approach."
Eleanor's frustration grew. "This was supposed to be our chance to take control. Now, not only does she keep her shares, but she's also aligned with one of the most influential families in Europe."
Clarissa, trying to find a silver lining, suggested, "Maybe we can still negotiate. We need to figure out what they want."
Eleanor shook her head, her eyes cold and determined. "We need to be careful. Alexander Blackwood is not someone we can easily manipulate. We need to find a way to undermine this alliance."
As the night wore on, the Devereux household remained in disarray, their plans unraveling faster than they could contain them. Meanwhile, Ophelia and Alexander, oblivious to the turmoil they had left behind, continued to enjoy the warmth and comfort of their new life together, building a bond that grew stronger with each passing moment while they both were having a hot soup after dinner to digest their heavy dinner.