Chapter 5. Remember Me?

Giselle savored the warmth of the morning sunlight streaming through her window as she woke up, the events of her birthday party still lingering in her mind. With a yawn, she stepped out of her room, the familiar creak of the door serving as a gentle reminder of another day.

Downstairs, the aroma of brewing coffee filled the air, drawing Giselle toward the heart of the house. Gilbert, her father, sat at the dining table, engrossed in the morning newspaper. Mia, her mother, was bustling around the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on a hearty breakfast.

"Good morning, my dear princess," Gilbert greeted, looking up from the newspaper, a warm smile on his face.

Giselle returned the smile, "Good morning, Dad," and took a seat at the table.

Mia emerged from the kitchen, carrying plates of omelette and grilled meat. She placed them in front of Giselle and Gilbert, saying, "You're welcome." The aroma of the food wafted through the air, enticing Giselle's appetite.

They began their breakfast, the clinking of utensils and occasional conversation filling the room. Giselle found solace in the familiar routine, the comfort of family anchoring her amidst the lingering questions from the night before.

As the morning progressed, Mia couldn't contain her curiosity about the birthday party. "So, Giselle, tell us about your celebration. How did it go?" she inquired.

Giselle, mid-bite, suddenly choked on her food. Gilbert, concerned, looked at her, and Giselle quickly took a sip of her drink to compose herself. Mia urged her to eat slowly, patting her chest in reassurance.

With a forced smile, Giselle assured her parents, "Everything went smoothly, Mom. You know how these parties are – lots of excitement."

Mia expressed her relief, "I was worried when we left before you. And, Vexeon mentioned you didn't spend the night in his room."

Giselle, feeling the weight of the unspoken truth, averted her eyes and focused on her plate. She shoveled food into her mouth, eager to divert the conversation.

Giselle savored the last bite of her breakfast, the flavors lingering on her palate. Placing the utensils neatly on the plate, she pushed her chair back and stood up.

"I'm done. That was delicious, Mom," Giselle praised, smiling at Mia, who beamed in response.

Mia, ever the caring mother, asked, "Do you want to take some milk with you to college, Giselle?"

Giselle shook her head, declining the offer. "No, thanks, Mom. I think I'll explore the new campus cafeteria today. I want to see what they have to offer."

As a new student eager to embrace the college experience, Giselle was excited about the culinary possibilities that awaited her.

With her decision made, Giselle bid farewell to her parents. Gilbert, always the protective father, reminded her, "Be careful, Giselle. And enjoy your first day."

"I will, Dad. Don't worry," she assured him, giving both her parents a quick hug.

Leaving the warmth of her home, Giselle stepped outside, taking in the crisp morning air. The prospect of a new beginning filled her with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. She had barely taken a few steps when, unexpectedly, a car came to a stop in front of her house.

Giselle furrowed her brow in surprise. Looking down, she realized it was Vexeon's car. The sleek, two-door red car exuded an air of sophistication. Before she could react, Vexeon rolled down the window and called out to her.

"Giselle, get in. I'll give you a ride," Vexeon ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Perplexed but intrigued, Giselle complied. She walked over to the car and opened the passenger door. The interior of the car was as luxurious as the exterior, and Giselle settled into the seat.

"Good morning," Vexeon greeted, a mysterious glint in his eyes as he navigated the car onto the road.

"Good morning, Alpha Vexeon," Giselle replied, the unexpected turn of events adding an element of curiosity to her day.

As they drove through the city, Vexeon's gaze occasionally flicked towards Giselle. The silence in the car was palpable, broken only by the hum of the engine and the distant sounds of the city awakening.

The sleek, black car glided smoothly through the city streets, the rhythmic hum of the engine filling the interior. After a moment of comfortable silence, Giselle decided to break it.

"Vexeon, aren't you supposed to be working?" she inquired, stealing a glance at him.

Vexeon, with his hands firmly on the wheel, spared her a sidelong glance. "No meetings today. I can afford to be fashionably late."

A small smile tugged at Giselle's lips. "Lucky you."

Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Vexeon's gaze lingered on Giselle. Sensing his attention, she shifted in her seat.

"The hangover's completely gone now, right?" Vexeon asked, breaking the silence.

Giselle nodded. "Yes, I feel much better, thank you."

Vexeon grinned, his eyes reflecting a hint of mischief. Without warning, he reached for Giselle's hand, his touch warm and reassuring. However, Giselle couldn't shake the guilt that weighed on her.

The atmosphere in the car shifted, and another silence settled between them. Giselle stared out of the window, lost in her thoughts. Vexeon, sensing her unease, decided to address the elephant in the room.

"About last night," he began, his voice calm. "I hope you don't feel uncomfortable. It's a special occasion, and I want you to enjoy it."

Giselle, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery, struggled to find the right words. "No, it's not that. It's just..."

Vexeon, ever perceptive, waited for her to continue. The weight of the unspoken lingered in the air.

"Do you regret what happened?" Vexeon asked gently, his thumb tracing circles on the back of Giselle's hand.

Giselle hesitated, her gaze returning to Vexeon. "No, it's not that. It's just that..."

Vexeon gave her an encouraging look, silently urging her to express her thoughts.

"I feel guilty. It's my birthday, and I ended up causing trouble," Giselle admitted, her voice tinged with remorse.

Vexeon chuckled, a sound that surprised Giselle. "Trouble? Giselle, you didn't cause any trouble. If anything, last night was memorable, and I wouldn't change a thing."

Despite his reassurance, Giselle couldn't shake the feeling that she had crossed a line. The car continued its journey through the city, the passing buildings and streets mirroring the complexity of Giselle's emotions.

Vexeon, sensing the heaviness in the air, changed the topic. "Would you like me to pick you up in the future?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Giselle appreciated the gesture. "If it's not inconvenient for you. I don't want to trouble you."

Vexeon shot her a playful smile. "Giselle, you're not troubling me. In fact, I'd enjoy having you in the car with me."

As they neared the destination, Vexeon decided to address a matter that had been lingering between them. "I don't want you to feel awkward, Giselle. We'll be getting married in a few months, and you're my mate. There's nothing to hide or be uncomfortable about."

Giselle forced a laugh, her eyes avoiding Vexeon's. "Yeah, about that... it's just a lot to process, you know? A few months ago, I was just a regular college student."

Vexeon reached over, gently tilting Giselle's chin to meet his gaze. "And now, you're much more than that. You're my mate, and I wouldn't have it any other way. We'll figure everything out together."

The sleek, black car pulled up in front of Giselle's college, the low hum of the engine signaling their arrival. Giselle, attempting to mask her unease, forced a stiff smile as she prepared to step out.

"Here we are," Vexeon announced, bringing the car to a stop. He glanced at Giselle with a warmth in his eyes that seemed to penetrate the tension in the air.

Giselle nodded, her hand on the door handle. "Thank you for the ride, Alpha Vexeon."

Before she could open the door, Vexeon's hand gently pressed against hers. He leaned in, and for a moment, Giselle thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, leaving Giselle blushing. The gesture felt both comforting and intimate.

"Good luck with your studies, Giselle," Vexeon wished her, his eyes holding a mixture of encouragement and affection.

"Thank you," Giselle replied, a genuine smile breaking through the awkwardness.

As she stepped out of the car, Vexeon's vehicle smoothly glided away, disappearing down the campus road. Giselle stood there for a moment, watching the car vanish from sight. She sighed, a mix of emotions swirling within her.

Turning around, Giselle faced the imposing faculty building. The weight of her backpack and the reality of being a college student settled on her shoulders. However, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as she noticed a man leaning against the nearby wall, his gaze fixed on her.

He wore a black suit that seemed to meld with the shadows, and dark sunglasses obscured his eyes. As he detached himself from the wall, a chill ran down Giselle's spine. The man approached her with purpose, and as he removed the sunglasses, Giselle's eyes widened in recognition.

"Giselle Primrose?" he inquired, his tone carrying a sense of authority.

Giselle's breath caught in her throat. The man's face was etched in her memory – the man she had shared a passionate night with, the man whose identity remained a mystery until now.

She nodded slowly, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, that's me."

The man's lips curled into a knowing smile. "We meet again. I believe you remember our night together."