Chapter 4 The Pool Incident

• The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over Alexander’s sprawling estate. The heat of the afternoon had drawn Celia outside, and she found herself at the edge of the pristine pool, gazing out at the sparkling water. The mansion, with all its luxury, felt suffocating at times, and the open air was a welcome change.
• She hadn’t planned on doing anything dramatic—no, not at all. But the idea had been growing in her mind for days now, ever since she had caught a glimpse of Alexander lounging by the pool in his casual shorts, looking every bit the billionaire playboy. His body, toned and confident, was an object of her silent admiration, and the thought of him seeing her in a different light pushed her to take the plunge.
• Without overthinking it, Celia grabbed her favorite swimsuit—one she knew fit her curves just right, but still modest enough to leave some mystery. She slipped into the vibrant, tropical-patterned bikini, threw on a sheer sarong, and made her way outside.
• The cool breeze greeted her as she stepped onto the pool deck. Her toes sank into the soft tiles as she walked toward a lounge chair on the far end, strategically placing herself near the water where she knew Alexander often came for his afternoon breaks. She laid the towel out, making sure it was perfectly positioned before she slid the sarong off her waist, revealing the swimsuit underneath.
• It was a calculated move, but part of her couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness. Just relax, she told herself, sitting down and adjusting her sunglasses. This is just a casual afternoon. Nothing more.
• But even as she tried to convince herself, she couldn’t ignore the way her body reacted to the anticipation of his gaze. She had spent so many years watching him from afar, idolizing him in secret, and now she was here, in his world, hoping for something more. Maybe this time, he’ll notice me, she thought.
• Moments passed. The pool was still, the faint hum of a lawnmower somewhere in the distance the only noise that broke the silence. Celia could feel the sun warming her skin, but all her attention was on the door leading into the house, waiting for Alexander to emerge.
• When she finally heard the soft click of the sliding glass door, her pulse jumped. She didn’t look directly at him, but she felt his presence the moment he stepped outside. It was as if the air around her shifted.
• Celia adjusted her sunglasses slightly, just enough to catch him out of the corner of her eye. He was wearing a black polo shirt and shorts, his posture as confident and casual as ever. As he strolled toward the pool, his eyes flicked briefly in her direction, just for a second.
• Did he see me? she wondered. Did he notice?
• She could almost hear the soft beat of her heart as she remained still, playing the part of the calm, relaxed guest. But inside, her nerves were buzzing. She could feel the weight of his eyes on her now, even though he was trying to maintain his usual aloof demeanor.
• “Nice day,” Alexander commented, his voice smooth as he walked over to the edge of the pool. He glanced down at her, then back at the water, as though trying to keep things light and professional. “I see you’ve decided to join me outside.”
• Celia nodded, trying to mask her nerves with a smile. “It’s too nice to stay inside. I thought I’d take a break and enjoy the sun.”
• Alexander’s gaze lingered on her for a fraction longer than usual, just enough to make her feel it—the tension in the air, the subtle shift between them. He didn’t say anything for a moment, and Celia wondered if he was thinking the same thing she was.
• The way his eyes traced her body, lingering just slightly on the curve of her waist, made her pulse race. She couldn’t help but feel a tiny surge of triumph. Maybe, just maybe, he was finally starting to see her in a new light.
• But that thought was quickly interrupted when he broke the silence.
• “You know, I’m not much of a fan of lounging around like this. Not really my thing,” he said, glancing back at her. “I prefer getting things done.”
• Celia raised an eyebrow. “So, you don’t like relaxing?”
• “Not really,” he admitted. “I feel like there’s always something I should be working on. Some project, some task. Always moving.”
• Celia smirked, intrigued by the glimpse he’d given her into his world. “That sounds exhausting. Don’t you ever take a break from it all?”
• Alexander’s lips twitched, and for a brief moment, there was something almost wistful in his eyes. “I suppose I’m just used to it. I didn’t grow this company by sitting still, Celia.”
• The use of her name caught her off guard, making her stomach flutter unexpectedly. It was the first time he’d said it so casually, and it felt almost intimate.
• “I guess I’m a little different,” she said, her voice soft. She leaned back against the lounge chair, feeling the warmth of the sun against her skin. “I like to take it easy when I can. But... I can’t say I don’t appreciate the view.”
• She smiled to herself, knowing full well the double meaning behind her words. She could feel the air between them crackle, charged with something unspoken.
• Alexander’s gaze flicked down to her lips, then back up to her eyes. He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. “It’s good to take a break, I suppose. Just... don’t get too comfortable.”
• She wasn’t sure if it was the heat or the way his voice dropped low, but Celia couldn’t help the wave of warmth that flooded her chest. She glanced at him sideways, her eyes narrowing playfully. “What do you mean by that?”
• He smiled, but it was a tight, controlled expression. “Nothing. Just... don’t let the sun fool you into thinking things here are all laid-back and easy.”
• Lay-back and easy? Celia thought, feeling a sharp pang of jealousy. She knew he was referring to his life—how structured, controlled, and professional everything seemed to be. But for her, this place felt more like a cage. And the way he dismissed the idea of simply enjoying the moment made her wish he would let go, just once. To allow himself a break, a moment of indulgence. Maybe then he would see that life wasn’t all about control and work.
• Celia wanted to say something, to ask him why he couldn’t just relax for a moment, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she sat in silence, watching him out of the corner of her eye. His posture was stiff, as though he was fighting the tension between them. It wasn’t just her imagining it—she could see the subtle way his jaw tightened when he glanced at her, or how his eyes lingered for a moment longer than necessary.
• But no matter how much she wanted to push him, she knew she couldn’t rush this. She had to let him come to her in his own time, even if it meant dealing with the quiet jealousy that crept up whenever he mentioned his past relationships.
• “Anyway,” Alexander said, breaking her thoughts. “I’ll be in the study if you need anything. Don’t overdo it in the sun.”
• With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Celia alone by the pool, her heart still racing from the encounter. She didn’t know why she felt so conflicted—so much desire and frustration wrapped up in a single moment. All she knew was that every time he was near, it became harder and harder to keep her emotions in check.
• As she watched him disappear into the house, Celia couldn’t help but feel that familiar ache, the deep longing that had only intensified since she moved in. It was as if she was standing at the edge of something she couldn’t touch, a desire that kept pulling her closer but never quite allowing her to cross the line.
• And all she could do was wait for the next encounter. The next temptation.