Chapter: Professional CareThe morning after Sienna's date brought with it the inevitable follow-up conversation. I had barely finished my coffee when Camille appeared in the kitchen with the determined expression that meant another rock, paper, scissors tournament was about to commence.
"Alright," she announced, producing what appeared to be an official-looking notepad from somewhere. "Time to settle the next date situation."
"Already?" I asked, though I had been expecting this conversation since the moment we had returned home the previous evening.
"No point in dragging it out," Alexis said, emerging from her room with the kind of composed professionalism that made it impossible to tell whether she was nervous or completely confident. "Besides, some of us have medical conferences to attend next week."
"Fine by me," Camille said with the air of someone who had been strategizing all night. "Same rules as before?"
"Same rules," Alexis confirmed.
I watched from the sidelines as they prepared for what was essentially a formal duel disguised as a children's game. Both women had clearly learned from the previous day's events, though exactly what lessons they had drawn remained unclear.
"Ready?" I asked, taking on the role of referee once again.
"Ready," they said in unison.
"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!"
Camille: Rock. Alexis: Paper.
There was a moment of stunned silence before Camille stared at her closed fist with the expression of someone who couldn't quite believe what had just happened.
"Paper beats rock," Alexis said calmly, though I caught the slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"I know how the game works," Camille muttered, though there was no real irritation in her voice. "This is rigged somehow. The probability of losing two consecutive games when there are only three possible outcomes shouldn't be this high."
"Sometimes probability doesn't care about your statistical analysis," Alexis said with mock sympathy.
"Rigged," Camille repeated under her breath, but she was already heading toward her room to prepare outfits. "Give me twenty minutes to put together something appropriate."
"Actually," I said, causing both women to stop and look at me, "the outfits might not be as necessary today."
The silence that followed my statement was so complete that I could hear the air conditioning cycling on in the background. Both Camille and Alexis were staring at me with expressions that suggested I had just announced my intention to attend the date in my underwear.
Even Evelyn, who had been quietly eating breakfast at the kitchen island, had gone completely still.
"What do you mean the outfits aren't necessary?" Camille asked slowly, as if she wasn't sure she had heard correctly.
I felt heat rising in my cheeks as I realized how my statement must have sounded. "I mean, we might not need formal clothing for the activities I have planned."
"Activities that don't require clothing," Alexis repeated, and despite her normally composed demeanor, I could see color spreading across her face.
"Activities that don't require formal clothing," I corrected quickly. "There's a significant difference."
"Is there?" Sienna asked, appearing in the doorway with a coffee mug and an expression of barely contained amusement.
"Yes," I said firmly, though I was beginning to regret bringing up the topic at all. "We're going to a spa."
The tension in the room evaporated instantly, replaced by a mixture of understanding and renewed curiosity.
"A spa," Alexis said, and there was something in her voice that I couldn't quite identify. "That actually sounds perfect."
"I still want to put together appropriate outfits," Camille said, though her earlier panic had been replaced by professional interest. "Spa attire is a specific aesthetic category."
"Of course it is," I said with a smile.
Twenty minutes later, Camille emerged with clothing selections that somehow managed to be both comfortable and elegant. For me, she had chosen soft gray sweatpants that looked far more expensive than they had any right to be, a matching hoodie that felt like it was made from clouds, and minimalist sneakers that probably cost more than my first apartment's monthly rent.
For Alexis, she had selected leggings that looked painted on, an oversized sweater that somehow managed to be both cozy and sophisticated, and slip-on shoes that matched the overall aesthetic perfectly.
"Better?" Camille asked, though she was clearly pleased with her selections.
"Perfect," I confirmed, which earned me a satisfied nod.
The destination I had chosen was a building that looked more like a modern art museum than a commercial establishment. The Serenity Wellness Center occupied an entire city block, its glass and steel facade rising twelve stories into the morning sky with the kind of architectural ambition that screamed expensive even from a distance.
"This is where we're going?" Alexis asked as we approached the main entrance.
"You've been taking care of everyone's medical needs for a long time now," I said. "I thought it was time someone took care of yours."
The lobby was even more impressive than the exterior had suggested. The space was all clean lines and natural materials, with a water feature that somehow managed to be both dramatic and calming. Everything from the lighting to the background music had been carefully designed to promote relaxation and luxury.
The staff recognized me immediately, which wasn't entirely surprising given the level of security clearance required for someone in my position. What was surprising was how smoothly they handled the recognition, maintaining perfect professionalism while clearly being excited to serve someone of international significance.
"Mr. Vale," the receptionist said with the kind of warm smile that came from extensive customer service training. "We're honored to have you here today. How can we serve you?"
"The full package," I said. "For both of us."
"Excellent choice," she said, fingers flying over her tablet. "And would you prefer male or female massage therapists?"
The question caught me off guard for a moment, though it probably shouldn't have. "Male for me," I said without hesitation.
The decision was automatic, based on considerations I didn't want to examine too closely in a public setting. The idea of having a female massage therapist while Alexis was somewhere else in the building getting her own treatment felt wrong in ways that had everything to do with me not wanting to sadden Alexis.
"And for the lady?" the receptionist continued.
"Female," Alexis said quietly, and I caught the slight smile that suggested she understood and appreciated the consideration behind my choice.
"Perfect. If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your preparation areas."
The preparation rooms were individual suites that included lockers, showers, and robes that felt like they were made from the softest material known to humanity. I changed into the provided shorts and robe, trying to calm the nervousness that had been building since we arrived.
I had never actually had a professional massage before. The idea had always seemed like an unnecessary luxury, something for people who had too much money and not enough real problems to occupy their time. But as I lay down on the massage table and tried to relax, I realized that maybe I had been missing something important.
The massage therapist – John, according to what he told me during bis introduction– was a professional in every sense of the word. He explained each technique as he went, adjusted pressure based on my responses, and somehow managed to identify tension points I hadn't even realized were bothering me.
"You carry a lot of stress in your shoulders," he observed as he worked on a particularly stubborn knot. "Very common for people in high-pressure careers."
"That's definitely accurate," I said, though I couldn't exactly explain that the high-pressure career involved working through 7 high-ranking jobs over the last 2 and a half years.
"The sauna will help with that," John continued. "Heat therapy is excellent for muscle relaxation and stress reduction."
The massage lasted exactly one hour, ending with me feeling more relaxed than I had in years. Every muscle in my body felt loose and comfortable, and the constant background tension that I had become so accustomed to had disappeared entirely.
After a quick shower, I made my way to the sauna area, which turned out to be as luxurious as everything else in the building. The space was designed to feel like a natural hot spring, with stone walls and dim lighting that created an atmosphere of peaceful isolation.
Alexis was already there when I arrived, sitting on one of the wooden benches wrapped in a fluffy white towel robe. Her platinum hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, and she had the same relaxed expression that I was probably wearing myself.
"How was your massage?" she asked as I settled onto the bench beside her.
"Life-changing," I admitted. "I had no idea what I was missing."
"First time," I confirmed. "What about you?"
"I've had a few professional massages over the years," she said, "but nothing quite like that. The therapist actually found tension points that I didn't even know existed."
The sauna was maintained at the perfect temperature for relaxation without being overwhelming. The heat seemed to seep into every muscle, continuing the work that the massage had started. We sat in comfortable silence for a while, listening to the soft hiss of steam and letting the warmth work its magic.
"Thank you for this," Alexis said eventually, her voice soft in the dim lighting. "I spend so much time taking care of everyone else that I sometimes forget to take care of myself."
"That's exactly why I thought you'd appreciate it," I said. "You're always monitoring everyone's health, treating injuries, managing medical emergencies. When was the last time someone took care of you?"
She was quiet for a moment, considering the question. "I honestly can't remember."
She shifted slightly on the bench, moving closer until her shoulder was touching mine. "Is this okay?"
"More than okay," I said, though the simple contact sent warmth through me that had nothing to do with the ambient temperature.
After a few more minutes, she let her head rest against my shoulder. The gesture was so natural and comfortable that it felt like we had been sitting for years rather than minutes. Her hair smelled like the expensive shampoo they provided in the preparation rooms, mixed with something that was uniquely her.
The peace of the moment was so complete that time seemed to slow down. The heat, the dim lighting, and the comfort of having her close combined to create something that felt almost dreamlike. I could feel myself starting to drift, lulled by the warmth and the rhythm of her breathing.
Without really thinking about it, I turned slightly and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. It was meant to be a simple gesture of affection, tender and unassuming.
But just as my lips were about to make contact, she moved.
Instead of her forehead, I found myself kissing her lips in what should have been an accidental collision. For a split second, I started to pull away, ready to apologize for the mishap.
Then I noticed the expression on her face. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝕟𝕖𝕥
Even without my skills, it was impossible to miss the mischievous grin that was spreading across her features. Her eyes were closed, but there was something about the way she was holding herself that suggested she was far more awake and aware than she had ever been before.
"Alexis," I said quietly, though I made no move to create distance between us.
Her grin widened slightly, but she kept her eyes closed.
"I know you're awake," I continued, unable to keep the amusement out of my voice.
Still no response, though I caught the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth that suggested she was fighting not to laugh.
"You know," I said, leaning closer so that my words were barely a whisper, "if you want a proper kiss, you should probably wake up first."
Her eyes snapped open immediately, meeting mine with a mixture of playful embarrassment and unmistakable desire.
"How did you know?" she asked, though she made no attempt to move away.
"Lucky guess," I said, though the truth was that her performance had been too perfectly timed to be accidental.
"Very lucky," she said, reaching up to place her hand on the back of my neck.
"Are you awake now?" I asked.
"Completely," she whispered.
"Good," I said, and leaned in to give her the proper kiss she had been angling for.
This kiss was different from the accidental one – deliberate and slow, filled with the kind of careful attention that came from taking time to appreciate every detail. She tasted like mint from the complimentary mouthwash they provided, and her lips were soft and warm from the sauna heat.
When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathing a little harder than we had been moments before.
"Much better," she said with satisfaction.
"I thought you might approve," I said, and she laughed softly, the sound echoing off the stone walls in a way that made the entire space feel intimate and private.
"We should probably head back soon," she said, though she made no move to leave.
"Probably," I agreed, equally reluctant to break the spell of the moment.
"But not quite yet," she said, settling back against my shoulder with a contented sigh.
"Not quite yet," I confirmed, wrapping my arm around her and letting the heat and peace of the sauna wash over us both.