Chapter Fifteen #2
Astrid had explained that this behaviour was typical for him, that the hardest part was often when the time came to leave.
He struggled with the transition from one activity to the next, so the idea of flying to Monaco instead of London to prepare for school again was huge in his tiny world.
But Apollo had already thought of a solution to that problem, one that fitted in with his and Astrid’s plans to marry as soon as possible.
His son shouldn’t have to be moved around at all, and he wouldn’t be, once Apollo had a chance to reveal his newest purchase to Astrid.
Grayson narrowed his eyes. ‘I only ask because I know how hard Astrid worked to settle him into life in London. How well he’s responded to his new routine.’
Apollo immediately bristled. ‘I don’t think how we raise our son is any of your business.’
Astrid turned to Grayson, a flash of alarm marring her brow as she cleared her throat. ‘Apologies, the last few weeks have been so tense; we’ve all had to adapt quite a bit.’
Apollo watched as she pasted on a smile and smoothed over his outburst like the pro that she was, reassuring her friends that all was perfectly well before pivoting the conversation to neutral territory.
Tension remained between Grayson and him as they all bid one another goodbye, but Apollo made a point to pull the other man aside and sincerely thank him for his testimony.
From what he’d been told, Grayson had been clear that he believed Apollo to be innocent of any wrongdoing, and that he believed Apollo’s championship had been won fairly.
The Singaporean champion was an Elite One legend in his own right and did not need to take action against an old rival.
The walk back through the photographers’ lenses was quick, but he didn’t miss how tightly Astrid held onto his hand.
When they finally found themselves inside the sleek interior of his car, she sagged back against the head rest with a sigh.
‘I should have expected all of this. I’m already exhausted by it. ’
‘The paparazzi…or being engaged to me?’ Apollo asked smoothly, his hands tight upon the wheel and his knuckles white with tension.
‘What?’ Astrid frowned. ‘I meant the cameras, obviously.’
‘The attention comes as part of the package, Astrid. Something you knew quite well when you accepted my proposal.’
‘I don’t understand your mood right now.’
He shook his head, letting out a deep sigh. ‘None of this week was part of the plan. I promised to keep you safe from all this nonsense, too, not just Luca.’
Silent tension fell between them, a distance that had been growing from the moment they’d left Grenada. They had shared a bed, but there had been a distinct lack of closeness and a very obvious thread of anxious tension growing from both sides.
He turned to face her, waiting until her eyes met his in the confines of the sleek car interior.
She was so damned beautiful. His chest tightened, and he fought the urge to gather her into his arms, but settled for reaching out to slide a hand along her cheek.
She moved towards him unbidden, her lips sliding softly against his in a move so right, so perfect, that it felt like coming home.
A deep sigh escaped his lungs and for a moment he allowed himself just to hold her close and feel their breaths mingle softly in unison.
When he pulled back, a dazed smile remained on her lips and a healthy blush had replaced the pinched anxious pallor from moments before.
Suddenly, he knew he couldn’t wait another moment to show her the surprise he’d been working on all week.
He drove them along the winding streets of Monte Carlo, out towards the coastal road, and he felt sure about his decision to bring Astrid.
The past week of meetings and public appearances had been gruelling on them both, and his temperament had gone in a steady decline the more he’d seen her around Grayson Koh.
He wasn’t jealous of the other man or worried about Astrid’s devotion to her friend.
His animosity was entirely down to the fact that seeing him was a reminder of the time he had missed with Luca and Astrid.
It was a reminder of the part that Luca’s godfather had played in his son’s life while he, Luca’s actual father, had been nowhere to be found.
Luca had more memories of growing up with his mother’s friends than he did with his own father.
This was their new beginning, he reminded himself. This was his chance to make everything right and he didn’t want to wait a second longer before revealing his plans to his fiancée.
‘Where are you taking me?’ she asked, a bemused smile on her lips.
‘I’ve been working on a surprise. I was going to wait to show it to you, but I think we both need something to celebrate, don’t you?’
They made their way down onto the smaller roads past mansions and hill-top apartment blocks with stunning views of the entire bay.
It was an area that most coveted and few could afford, but that was not a problem for Apollo.
He clicked a button on the key set in his pocket and a set of electronic gates slid open, slowly revealing a beautiful two-storey villa nestled into the tree line.
‘A romantic weekend getaway?’ Astrid asked, a mischievous smile on her lips.
‘You’ll see.’
He parked at the front beside the grand fountain filled with tiny marble cherubs playfully spouting water at one another. He moved round to the other side of the car, helping Astrid out and offering a bow, like a true gentleman, much to her amusement.
‘You’re being very mysterious, Apollo.’ She raised one brow. ‘This is not some kind of secret Monte Carlo society filled with debauchery and depravity, is it?’
‘Debauchery?’ He pulled her close. ‘You think I could stand to share you with another person? I could barely stand to have you laughing and joking with my old rival for most of dinner.’
‘Grayson has been like an uncle to Luca and only ever a kind friend to me.’
‘I know,’ Apollo said apologetically. And he did know; he had looked into Grayson’s involvement in Luca’s early years and found that his rival had been more than kind in stepping in as a godfather, taking Luca round the track and showering him with gifts, as well as making sure that Astrid’s career was not impacted too heavily by her pregnancy.
He was seriously indebted to the other man; perhaps that was another reason why his presence at dinner tonight had been so difficult for him. It was something he would work on, this possessive, jealous streak. Perhaps it would calm down once they were all settled and together under one roof again.
Which brought him back to the task at hand.
He took another key from his pocket and opened up the front door, guiding Astrid inside the empty hall.
There was no furniture in the villa, just grand, empty rooms. It was a blank canvas, a fresh start awaiting her instructions. Awaiting a family to create a home.
‘Well, what do you think?’
Astrid frowned, looking around at the well-decorated space. ‘It’s beautiful… I’m just not quite sure why we’re here.’
‘We are here because I just bought it,’ he said, taking her by the hand and placing the key in the centre of her palm. ‘Welcome to our new home.’