•<Confession>•

                I used to count the stars in the sky
                Now I count the ones in your eyes
                 I used to think that my paradise
        Was somewhere waiting on the other side,
                               but you, ooh, ooh
                     Take me higher than I've been
         Laying hands on my skin, it's true, ooh, ooh
                        Nothing compares to you
                                          •
                       Calum Scott

                                     •<>•
As I bid farewell to the girls, I follow the man in a suit, sent by Ethan to guide me to an undisclosed destination. He remains tight-lipped about Ethan's plans, adhering to his instructions not to reveal any details. This only amplifies the uncertainty and excitement pulsating in my heart.

What is he up to?

He told me to pack my bags for a three-day trip, but later, he changed his mind, assuring me that packing was unnecessary. Nevertheless, he didn't tell me where we were going.

I chose to don black jeans, a black leather jacket, and white canvas shoes, accompanied by a purse filled with a few essentials.

                                   •<<<>>>•
The journey to the undisclosed destination appears rather lengthy, but fortunately, the man in the suit, also known as Dan and serving as my chauffeur, proves to be kind and accommodating.

Upon arriving at our destination, Dan communicates with Ethan through an earpiece, guiding me to a less secluded area. Meanwhile, my mind is inundated with numerous questions as I scan my surroundings, attempting to decipher Ethan's mysterious mind.

Standing at a distance, next to his Mercedes, he looks as striking as ever in a casual ensemble of black jeans, a beige long coat, and white sneakers. With his flawlessly styled hair adding to his allure, he appears like a model ready for a photoshoot, and the realization that he's mine is surreal.

As I dash towards him, he mirrors my enthusiasm, a smile gracing his lips as he opens his arms wide to welcome me. Enveloping me in his embrace, he repeatedly kisses my temple, his hand gently moving to the back of my head while the other remains securely around my waist.

"What is all this about?" My voice emerges muffled, as my head is nestled in his neck.

A couple of people stand at a distance, formally dressed and waiting for us. Some are positioned by the private plane, their faces adorned with smiles and twinkling eyes as they witness the fairytale unfolding before them.

Is this happening?

"How would you feel about visiting one of the places on your travel bucket list?" He smiles at me, his gaze fixed on my face.

With numerous places in mind, it's hard to pinpoint which one he might be alluding to. Could it be New York? Among the options, it appears to be the most likely since it's not as distant as Thailand or Greece.

"Are we going to New York?" I ask him, nibbling on the skin of my lips.

He merely smiles and takes my hand in his, guiding us toward the matte black plane.

My jaw drops the moment we step inside. Having never experienced a private plane before, and despite having only seen it in movies and pictures, I never imagined it would look this impressive.

The rich interior of the plane exudes an air of refined luxury. Plush cream-white leather seats are elegantly arranged in a spacious cabin, and soft ambient lighting bathes the space in a warm glow, accentuating the sleek wood and polished metal finishes. The plane has a tasteful blend of neutral tones and rich textures creating an atmosphere of understated sophistication. Honestly, this place looks like something out of a movie.

After settling into our seats, one of the cabin hosts approaches to confirm our comfort and asks if we need anything before the plane departs. Shortly after, it takes off.

Ethan is seated across from me, exuding poise, with his legs crossed and his elbow resting on the armchair. He gazes at me with admiration, his finger resting on his lips, forming a slight smile, and his eyes sparkling.

"What?" A soft chuckle escapes my lips along with the word.

"Just appreciating your beauty," he states firmly.

I blush, dipping my head down to conceal the emotions bubbling within and hoping he won't notice.

"Even cuter when you blush," he adds, noting my reaction.

He noticed.

"Or when you pretend to look angry even though you're about to laugh."

"Ethan, cut it out," I blush once more, noticing the impact my flushed cheeks have on him as his smile widens. He persists in saying things he knows will quicken my heartbeat.

"Can't help it," he remarks, teasingly adding, "I'm enjoying this." His voice carries a mix of sultriness and playfulness.

We spend the next hour chatting, occasionally sipping our drinks and simply enjoying each other's company.

Several hours into the flight, he eventually reveals our destination; and his words send a wave of excitement coursing through my body.

We're going to Cancun?!

•<<<>>>•
A couple of hours have passed since we arrived in Cancun. Upon reaching our suite with a breathtaking view of the ocean, we indulged in some cozy moments before Ethan prepared a bubble bath for me. Afterward, he stepped out, mentioning some business he needed to attend to. He didn't specify his destination or how long he'll be gone. Now, it's been an hour since he left, and I can't seem to shake off the worry creeping in about his whereabouts.

Exiting the bubble bath, I reach for a nearby towel and leave the bathroom. Despite the soothing effect of the bath after hours on a plane, thoughts of him linger, and concerns about his well-being start to creep in.

What if something bad has happened to him?

Shaking my head to dispel the negative thoughts emerging in my mind, I release the tension building up within me with a sharp breath.

'He's fine,' I tell myself.

I grab my phone from the bed in an attempt to call him, hoping he'll answer and assure me that everything is okay.

While Ethan isn't someone who would get lost or find trouble in a place like this, I can't shake off the worry. Knowing about his father and the things he's said and done to him, I can't dismiss the possibility that he might track him down and send some people to harm his son.

Could he go to such lengths?

Stop overthinking, Mal. He's fine. There's nothing to worry about.

Just as I dial his number, the door opens, and a smile breaks on my face the moment he walks in.

"Ethan!" a sharp breath of relief escapes my lips as I sprint towards him — immediately immersing myself in his arms.

Though taken aback, he drops the shopping bags and encircles his arms around my towel-clad body. My arms remain looped around his neck, refusing to let go.

"Missed me, love?" He teases, his palm gently caressing my back — emanating warmth to my bare skin.

"You had me worried; you were gone for way too long," My voice emerges muffled, my head buried in his neck, enveloped by his enticing scent.

His embrace tightens as he speaks, "I'm sorry I left you in here all alone for so long." He then presses his lips on my forehead, giving it a gentle, warm kiss. "It won't happen again."

Now that I'm finally convinced that he's okay, my restless mind settles, and my heartbeat returns to its normal rhythm. Shifting my gaze to the bags in his hands, curiosity piques, and I can't help but crease my eyebrows at him with a fractioned smile, my expression mirroring the questions swirling in my head.

As if he can read my mind, he responds by explaining that he went out to get something for me to wear while I was still taking a bath. However, he didn't anticipate that it would take this long.

"You didn't have to go through so much trouble. We could have gone together," I express, tears beginning to sting my eyes. I don't want to cry, but the things this man does for me time and time again never fail to amaze me. He constantly evokes a swell of emotions in my heart.

What did I do to deserve this?

"It's not a bother," he reassures me, planting a swift kiss on my damp hair. "I told you not to bring any clothes. Plus, I wanted you to unwind for a bit; we've got a long night ahead of us."

"We do?" I repeat, taken aback.

"Mmm hmm," he hums, "I bought a few essentials for you, and as for the rest, we'll go shopping together. You can buy whatever you want."

"We're just here for the weekend; I don't need a ton of clothes," I remark, directing my attention to the bags. "What did you get for me, anyway?"

Picking up bags, I open one and discover a gorgeous, flowing white floral dress. "This is beautiful!" I exclaim, looking up at him with a grateful smile.

He smiles at me, his eyes gleaming. "I'm glad you like it. There are more clothes in the bags," he gestures towards the shopping bags, continuing, "I wasn't sure what to get, so I ended up buying more dresses, noticing how often you wear them. I hope you'll find them to your liking."

Returning my attention to the shopping bags, I retrieve a rusty silk mini-wrap dress. As I look at it, my smile widens, stretching from ear to ear. He's leaned against the dresser, watching me with a palpable sense of satisfaction reflecting in his eyes.

I excitedly start taking the clothes out of the shopping bags like a child who's unwrapping presents on a Christmas morning. My smile grows wilder with each item I take out, there's jewelry, and shoes from the shopping bags. Each item is exceptionally beautiful, and I am left in awe at this surreal and delightful surprise.

How did he manage to choose such impeccable clothes? It's as if he has a better sense of style than I do.

While I'm thrilled about this thoughtful gesture, there's a torrent of concern about the amount of money he might have spent on me.

Is it wrong to feel this way? Should I be harboring worries about this right now?

I know that Ethan doesn't rely on his father's finances. Everything he has is a result of his own hard-earned money, including this trip and the items he's generously purchased for me.

In addition to his monthly salary from the university, his other source of income comes from his paintings and a few side endeavors. A nagging concern creeps in that he might be overspending. The last thing I want is for him to go into debt especially because of me.

Am I overthinking this? Am I right to worry about this?

Returning my gaze to him, I carefully place the clothes back into the bag and approach him. The smile that adorned my lips moments ago has faded, replaced by furrowed brows of concern. The excitement that once filled my mind is now tinged with apprehension.

"This is a bit much," I murmur as I close the distance between us. "You didn't have to go to such lengths for me. You know I would have loved whatever you picked out."

His arm snakes around my waist, drawing me closer. "And I've told you, I don't mind going the extra mile for you. I enjoy doing things like this for you."

"Not if it means you going into debt. I don't want that for you."

"Baby, I'm perfectly fine, okay? You don't need to worry," he reassures, pulling me even closer to his chest. "Let me do this for you. You deserve this and more."

"Ethan," my voice falters, and my eyes moisten as tears well up. What have I done to deserve this? Why does he persist in treating me like a precious jewel, showering me with boundless love, and going to such lengths just to see me happy? His gestures are so overwhelming that my heart struggles to encapsulate it all. He's not just done things for me; he's taught me a lot too, unveiling a side of love I never imagined I'd experience.

I want to do a lot for him as well, to show him how much I care about him, to give him everything he deserves, and more. I want to show him how much I lo..

"Don't cry," he says, brushing his fingers against my skin — wiping off the tears that have welled up in my eyes. "I just want you to be happy."

"I am happy," I respond, though I had hoped my voice wouldn't betray me this time. Unfortunately, it does, and the tears I fought so hard to hold back roll down my cheeks. "You make me happy."

Silently, he smiles and leans down to press his lips gently against my forehead. "You make me happy, Mallory," he confesses in a hushed tone, almost as if he's voicing his thoughts aloud. As he withdraws his lips from my forehead, his gaze locks onto mine, and he continues, "I, um, I've been meaning to tell you something recently," he says, his stunning eyes flickering between mine.

"What is it?" I ask, a soft, almost inaudible chuckle escaping my lips alongside the words.

He inhales deeply, his chest expanding and contracting with the breath. "I, umm, I didn't know the right way or time to say this, but..." Another deep breath follows. He appears nervous, and as I peer into his eyes, I can't help but wonder what's racing through his mind, what he's about to reveal, and the gravity of it that has him looking this way.

"I just have to say it because I can't hold it in any longer, a-and I don't expect you to say it back. I just thought that I should let you know how much you mean to me."

He swallows hard, the movement of his Adam's Apple bobbing up and down — accentuating his growing nervousness with each passing second. His palpable suspense has my heart teetering on the edge, intrigued about what he's about to reveal. As I wait for his words, my breath quickens, mirroring the acceleration of my heartbeat.

"You know I'm not great with words, so I'm a bit worried about how this will come out. But I'll just say it anyway because I don't know any other way to put it," he confesses.

I maintain my gaze, searching his eyes for the revelation that's been on his mind. I'm careful not to say or do anything that might make him uncomfortable or cause him to clam up. Despite my eagerness to know what's on his mind, all I can do is patiently wait for him to speak.

"Shit, this isn't as easy as I thought it would be," he confesses, turning his back to me and running a hand through his dark-blond hair. "Pardon me, I'm just trying to find the right words to say this."

"Just say it, I'll understand," I say softly.

When he turns to face me, our eyes lock once again. His gaze is like stars spreading across the night sky, painting the black canvas with a beautiful glow and wonder. "Okay," he says, nodding slightly. The nervousness that was etched on his face seems to have dissipated, and I'm not sure if it's because of what I just said. Either way, he appears more relaxed and prepared to unveil the mystery he's been holding back for so long. "I've been meaning to tell you that I," he pauses briefly, his eyes still locked with mine and sparkling, "I, I love you."
                                   

                                       AN

What are your thoughts about this chapter? Ethan finally said the L-word! Thoughts on that?

          ***
Thank you so much for getting this far, much appreciated. Don't forget to vote, comment and share. It'd be nice to hear from you and your honest opinions/thoughts about the story.
                                       🧡🤎