Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0221

Chapter 0221

Ella POV

The rest of the tasting passed in quiet tension, though I didn’t think Alexander was mad at me. We eventually agreed on a red and a white wine. Alexander filled out the form and handed it to the employee as we made our way

out.

When we reached the car, he opened the door for me, placing a gentle hand on my back as I stepped inside. The light contact was reassuring, but I still kept my eyes down as he got in and shut the door.

For several minutes, silence filled the car, stretching between us like a fragile thread.

“Are you all right?” Alexander asked finally, breaking the stillness.

“Fine,” I said automatically, though my smile felt tense and unnatural.

“Oh, that’s convincing,” Alexander said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I couldn’t help but laugh, despite myself. “I just feel like I made a fool of myself, that’s all. I didn’t mean to get drunk.”

“You’re not really supposed to swallow the wine at a tasting,” Alexander replied, his tone casual.

My eyes widened, and I turned to stare at him in disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

“I wanted to see what would happen,” he said with a shrug, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. “I didn’t expect you to be so flirty when you’re drunk.”

“I-” I began to argue, but the words faltered. There was no denying what had happened, and Alexander’s smug expression wasn’t helping.

“It’s interesting to note, that’s all,” he said, his smile growing as he glanced at me.

I crossed my arms, trying to hide my embarrassment. “And here I was, planning a great surprise for you, so excited to tell you about it, and you’ve spent the whole day teasing me.”

his expression shifting

to look out the window. “And now

chuckled softly. “You won’t cancel it,” he said confidently. “You’re too curious to see my reaction.”

let him win so easily. “Maybe,” I muttered, but

give me anything,” Alexander pointed out. “I wasn’t expecting a

you for all the hard work you’ve done and for always being so supportive of me through this.”

“I gave you

what our contract dictates, and I appreciate it a great deal. Neither of us could have predicted how many threats would crop up over the course of this… arrangement of ours. You would’ve been well within your rights to back out, considering how complicated things have gotten, but you didn’t. You’re always there when I

on Alexander’s face was hard to read, and his unwavering gaze made it difficult for me to maintain eye contact. Still, I didn’t look away. For reasons I couldn’t quite explain, this moment felt important, like

1/3

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0221

of us was willing to acknowledge.

he said finally, redirecting the conversation, “what’s the

there are a few parts to it,” I began, relaxing slightly “First, you need to go to the tailor shop and pick up the gift I’ve had made for you.”

my back?” he asked, a smile tugging at his lips. “And I suppose he was eager

been very kind. He even customized my dress, as you

in mock disbelief. “And here I thought he was loyal. So, I go to

that outfit by 7:00 p.m. on the Friday after

genuine. “Because I think I’m supposed

my head. “Just a one–night

he repeated thoughtfully. “I’m not aware of any events in

his attempt to fish for information. “You

“Is that a challenge?”

out the window, my smile widening. “You’ll just have

said with a slight huff, crossing

replied confidently. “But if I’m wrong, I guess I’ll owe you something

tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Do I get to

love this surprise that if

a dangerous promise to make,” Alexander

not scared,”