Ch. 53
The soft chime of her alarm echoed across the spacious room.
Selene slowly blinked awake, greeted by the pale light of dawn filtering through her curtains. For a brief moment, she forgot where she was — until her gaze fell upon the open luggage near her bed, neatly packed with winter coats and scarves.
Ah, right. Switzerland.
It was still early when she descended the staircase. The household was already bustling — maids moving briskly with suitcases, drivers preparing the cars outside. Her father stood near the foyer, discussing something with his assistant, while her mother inspected a small hand-carry bag.
"Good morning, sweetheart," her mother greeted warmly.
"We'll be leaving in thirty minutes. Are you ready?"
Selene nodded softly, her voice calm yet tinged with quiet excitement.
"Yes, Mother."
Her grandmother's cheerful laughter echoed from the hallway.
"Finally! The whole family together for the holidays — and in Switzerland, no less!"
Her grandfather chuckled, cane in hand.
"Let's see if our young lady still remembers how to have fun."
Selene smiled faintly, and said.
"I'll try my best."
Outside, the winter air was crisp as they drove through the quiet city — three sleek black cars gliding toward the private airstrip.
When they arrived, the Valen family's private jet gleamed beneath the early morning sun.
The ground crew lined up with perfect precision, bowing slightly as the family boarded.
Inside, the cabin was elegant and serene — soft leather seats, the faint scent of cedar, and sunlight spilling gently through the windows.
Selene settled by the window with a book in hand, listening to the low hum of the engines, when her grandfather suddenly leaned forward from her back, and mischief dancing in his eyes.
"Well, well," he said, voice laced with amusement.
"Looks like we have one more joining us for the trip."
Selene lowered her book, brows knitting.
"Another guest?"
Before anyone could answer, the cabin door opened — and in walked a tall man in a dark coat over a gray sweater, casual yet effortlessly commanding. His hair slightly tousled, jaw sharp, and confidence radiating with every step.
Selene blinked in disbelief.
It was Jaxen.
"Good morning," he greeted smoothly, flashing that disarming smile.
"I hope I'm not late?"
Her grandfather laughed heartily. "Late? You're just in time to surprise my granddaughter."
"What are you doing here?" Selene narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Business trip. Switzerland has good investment grounds this time of year." Jaxen shrugged, feigning innocence.
Her grandfather chuckled, not buying it.
"Business? In the middle of December? You expect us to believe that?" He nudged him playfully.
"You sure you're not here to chase someone instead?"
Selene felt her cheeks warm, though she kept her composure, unsure if her grandfather was referring to her.
Jaxen only smiled, leaning casually on the seat beside hers.
"He's not entirely wrong."
Selene frowned. "And why are you sitting beside me?"
"I like sitting beside you."
"What the heck?" Selene raised an eyebrow.
Across the cabin, her father quietly set down his tablet, gaze sharp yet calm — the kind of silent warning only fathers could give.
He already knew. Jaxen wasn't here for business. He was here for her.
Still, he spoke with measured restraint.
"You're a Montclair. You should be busy running your own affairs instead of tagging along with my family."
Selene silently agreed with her father.
Father's right.
Why is Jaxen even here? Doesn't he have his own private jet?
Don't tell me... he went bankrupt?
Jaxen met Mr. Valen's stare politely, unbothered.
"Business can be managed anywhere, sir."
"Even during Christmas?"
"Especially during Christmas," Jaxen replied, his tone as cool as ever.
Her father leaned back, a smug smile tugging at his lips.
"Ha! I just hope my daughter's future husband won't end up taking business trips during Christmas. I'd definitely disapprove of that kind of son-in-law."
"Honey," her mother said, tapping his arm lightly and suppressing a laugh.
"Stop it."
Mrs. Valen hid her smile behind her hand, quietly amused by how the air seemed to crackle with tension — her husband's silent annoyance, her father-in-law's teasing, and Jaxen's unshakable composure.
When she glanced at Selene, the girl had already turned toward the window, pretending to read again.
My daughter's growing up, she thought, her chest swelling with pride. She didn't even flinch when marriage was mentioned.
Her grandmother, however, wasn't as entertained. Leaning toward her husband, she whispered — not too softly.
"I still prefer Adrian. He's more well-mannered. That Montclair boy is too... bold."
The old man only chuckled.
"He's bold because he knows what he wants."
Selene, oblivious to all the glances and murmurs, slipped on her earphones and continued staring out the window.
She didn't notice her father massaging his temples, her mother stifling a giggle, or her grandmother glaring daggers at Jaxen — who, at that very moment, leaned back with a faintly smug grin behind her, his eyes fixed on her reflection in the glass.
It was going to be a very long flight.
The cold Swiss air greeted them the moment they stepped out of the private jet — crisp, clean, and biting against Selene's cheeks.
She wrapped her scarf a little tighter, breath misting in the air as her boots crunched lightly against the snow.
The Valen family's convoy of black luxury cars waited at the terminal, engines humming softly. Behind her, Jaxen appeared effortlessly composed — hands tucked in his coat pockets, his breath visible in the icy wind, looking like he just stepped out of a winter magazine.
Selene rolled her eyes inwardly.
Of course, he's still here.
Her grandmother shivered slightly, and before anyone else could react, Jaxen stepped forward, offering a steady hand to help her toward the car.
"Careful, Grandma," he said politely, his deep voice carrying warmth despite the cold.
"Oh, such a gentleman," her grandmother replied with a pleased smile, taking his arm.
Before Jaxen could respond, her grandfather chuckled from behind, his cane tapping against the ground.
"Hey, hey — I'm still strong enough to help my wife, young man. You just focus on someone else instead."
Selene nearly choked at her grandfather's tone, while Jaxen only smiled and dipped his head respectfully.
"Of course, Grandpa. I'll keep that in mind."
Her grandfather winked knowingly, earning a soft laugh from her grandmother.
"Hmph, this old man's jealous already," she teased.
Selene could only sigh as they all climbed into their cars, pretending not to notice the way Jaxen kept glancing her way every now and then.
The drive from Zurich to their private villa took a few hours, winding through snow-covered roads lined with pine trees.
When they finally arrived, Selene's breath caught in awe.
The Valen Villa stood majestically at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Swiss Alps — a perfect blend of modern glass and warm wood, with soft golden lights glowing against the snow. The view from the balcony opened into a breathtaking sea of white peaks and endless horizon.
Inside, the air smelled faintly of cinnamon and cedar. The warmth from the fireplace spread through the marble hall as their butlers hurried to unpack their luggage.
Jaxen, ever the charmer, was already there, lifting Selene's heavy luggage before she could even protest.
"Why are you holding that?" Selene asked flatly.
"It's your stuff, right?" Jaxen replied with that easy grin. "I just wanted to help."
Selene exhaled slowly, pretending to look unimpressed even though her heartbeat betrayed her calmness.
"You're supposed to be here for business. Why are you still around?"
Jaxen leaned slightly closer, his tone low but teasing.
"Business can wait. I'm prioritizing something more important."
Selene turned to face him, one brow lifting.
"And what exactly is that?"
He smiled faintly, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Making sure you enjoy Switzerland."
Selene blinked once, unimpressed.
"How touching. Now, if you're done with your lines, please move — I can't see the view. And stop trying to steal the maids' jobs."
Her dry tone made Jaxen laugh softly, the sound echoing through the hall.
From across the room, her father was speaking with one of the staff, but his eyes flicked toward them briefly.
He sighed under his breath, muttering, "That Montclair kid... persistent."
Her mother only smiled, nudging his arm gently.
"Let her be. It's the holidays."
Grandfather Valen, overhearing them, grinned broadly.
"Persistent men are the ones who win hearts, my boy."
Her father crossed his arms, a frown tugging at his lips.
"Not my daughter's."
By late afternoon, everyone had settled in.
The fireplace crackled softly as snow began to fall outside. Selene found herself by the large window, watching the flakes drift lazily from the sky — it looked like a scene straight from a painting.
Her father's voice interrupted her quiet moment.
"We'll rest for a bit," he said, stretching his shoulders.
"Then later, we'll have dinner at that famous restaurant downtown. Dress warmly — it's going to be freezing out there."
Selene nodded, her calm eyes reflecting the silver snow outside.
Jaxen, leaning by the doorway, gave her a half-smile.
"I'll make sure she stays warm."
Her father shot him a sharp look. "That won't be necessary."
Selene turned away quickly before anyone could see the faint flush on her face.
That guy! I swear, hmp!
It was only the first day in Switzerland... and it was already turning into something unexpectedly eventful.