CHAPTER TWELVE

A week later it was Christmas eve, and everyone had been running around the capital, Malé, to get all the presents together. All six of them were in a trance, not aware of their lives on the other side of the world. They were enjoying this vacation as much as they possibly could and kept contact with their families limited.

The set of clothes they wore during the day and night consisted usually of swimming gear and something to cover up, but they agreed to appear chic dressed to dinner on Christmas eve. One of the staff members told them he had a special place reserved for their dinner, he said the surprise would come out the second it would turn dark.

They also bought a semi little palm tree and put it in Ryan and Sienna's bungalow so they had a tree to put their presents underneath the next morning.

Alexia was combing her hair and spreading her make-up on the white couch in her bungalow, listening to Jason's conversation on the phone. He was only wearing pants, an unbuttoned white blouse and loafers. His leg were crossed charmingly.

"Yeah, I'm really enjoying it mom." He spoke. He didn't talk for a few seconds. "She's good. Everyone's good, it's really beautiful here."

Alexia kept staring at him. He looked so classy.

"Kiss them for me! I will. Yes. Merry Christmas mom, tell everyone I said hi and wish them a merry Christmas."

Putting the comb down, she started separating the make-up she wanted to use from the make-up she did not want to put on tonight. She wanted to look beautiful. She wanted to look beautiful for Jason. He'd only seen her dress like a homeless person for the past week and she didn't want him to think of her in that way. She wanted him to find her beautiful.

Jason hung up and sighed, putting the phone down.

"How are they?"

He smiled friendly. "They're fine. I made sure ma' put the Christmas presents I bought for Jazzy and Jax under the tree as well."

Alexia smiled too. "That's cute, Jase."

He chuckled. "I know, so cute. Just go do your make-up or something, we're supposed to leave in an hour and I know how long it takes you to get ready."

She quickly recovered herself and cussed, grabbing everything on the couch. "Fuck you're right."

Jason got up and walked over to Alexia, pressing a kiss on her forehead. "No worries, princess, I'll help you. I'm nearly done anyway."

From that moment on, Jason helped her pin up her hair, zip up all the dresses she tried, put her feet in all the shoes she needed to try and handed her the make-up she was smearing on her face. She buttoned his blouse, corrected the collar and swayed his hair to a side that made him look like a God. In precisely one hour, both of them were done and ready to go to their Christmas eve dinner.

"We look hot." Jason grinned widely and wrapped an arm around Alexia's waist, looking at them in the mirror. She laughed and wrapped both of her arms around his waist, looking at him.

God, she loved him so much.

"Yes we do."

Once again, he kissed her and she felt like she was on cloud nine. Everything about this boy just swept her off her feet and made her realize how much she actually loved him. Everything with Jason made sense, even their bickering. Him and Damian were impossible to compare, Jason won in every single comparison she could think of. With him she felt complete and that was a feeling that had been missing for three years, she just didn't know she missed it until now.

They left the bungalow, their bodies still interlaced and took their time walking to the restaurant. Jason lifted her up when they started walking on the sand, knowing she wasn't able to because of her heels. Alexia laughed in happiness, squeezing his neck gently. "You're such a gentleman!"

Jason looked at her in adoration, a small smile curling on his lips. "Only for you baby. I would carry you anywhere."

She sighed, the words he'd just uttered went straight to her heart and made her blush feverishly. "Would you carry me to the mall?"

He looked like he was thinking about it, looking at the sky swiftly in a thoughtful way. "No? It was actually just a statement, I don't want you to take it seriously. I can barely lift you up."

Alexia's mouth fell open. "You're such a dick!"

Jason shrugged, a smirk tugging on his lips. "You're just so heavy. I know you can't help how fat your ass is."

She tried not to laugh, attacking his chest with fists. Jason did laugh devilish, placing a small kiss on her cheek. "Don't you worry Alex. You're the smallest human being I know and I would be able to carry three more of you if I had to. I wasn't kidding about the ass though."

They reached a solid pathway, so Jason put her down on the ground and they finished their walk to the restaurant with only three of their fingers intertwined. It was still light out, despite the fact that it was 6:30 PM. The staff member told them it would get darker around seven, so they didn't worry. They didn't even know what it was that was so amazing and all that.

Alexia knew the palm trees and the beach didn't scream Christmas!!, but being here with all of her best friends and the man she truly loved was a present on itself and she'd never had a better Christmas than this one, and it hadn't even started yet.

"I'm so sorry again, I'm sure it was the worst Christmas dinner you've ever had. And ever will have." Alexia apologized, tears welling up as she tried to not cry. She was so ashamed and so upset that Jason had to witness that. Why could her family never be normal? Especially not with him around? He must think she's a freak now.

"No Alex, it's okay. I'm just... surprised." Jason didn't look at her as he fiddled with his fingers nervously. He was pale. Alexia groaned and grabbed both of his hands, squeezing them gently. "I'm not some freak Jase. Or a murderer. I don't want you to hate me. I'm so sorry! Fuck, if you want to break up right now I wouldn't even blame you. I cannot believe this happened in front of you!"

He now looked up and squeezed her hand right back. "I don't want that. Whatever your families' business is, it's theirs. I don't care. They are not my girlfriend, you are."

Alexia shook her head. He still looked shaken up, no matter how much he tried to hide it, and she hated it. How on earth could the ENTIRE opponent gang barge in her house on Christmas fucking eve and threaten everyone in the room? Why couldn't her dad just talk to them in a different room and why did her brothers pull out guns? Stefano's gun wasn't even damned normal! It was gold!

"Babe..." Jason kissed her hand. "Believe me."

"I believe you, I just don't want you to be freaked out every time you come here. Which I totally understand. If I were you I wouldn't even come here anymore."

He sighed. "Alexia please just shut up. It's weird... but I don't care. If your family wants to own guns and be in gangs and have enemies and all that shit, they can do that. I want you. Nothing's stopping me from having you. Do you hear me?"

However, Jason still looked pale and afraid.

Alexia shook her head at the memory. That was their first Christmas together and also the worst Christmas both of them ever had. He may not admit it, but she knew it was true. Nonetheless, it was also the day that Jason found out about her families' business and from that day on she didn't have to hide anything anymore from him. The first weeks he was still not at ease, but after he loosened up and learned how warm and welcoming most of her family actually was, he got over it.

In the distance were four people, whom two of them were wearing heels, so Alexia nudged Jason's shoulder and nodded her head towards their friends. "They're there."

Jason nodded back and they fastened their pace to reach them quicker.

When they arrived to the spot where everyone was standing, they all broke down in hugs, kisses, felicitations, laughs and jokes. Everyone commented on each other's clothing and complimented each other's looks.

"We're just waiting for staff to guide us to that place he said was perfect." Ryan let everyone know. Everyone waited patiently, busy with talking, until a short, dark haired man joined them.

"Hello everybody! Let me guide you." He started walking and everyone followed him. It seemed like he lead them back to the beach, he just brought them to a part where there was no one, just one big table filled with food and drinks. He told them to click on the red button if they needed anything, and with that, he left.

It was beautiful. They were surrounded by palm trees and the water nearly came up to the table, just not yet. Alexia put off her heels and walked up the sand, looking at the food on the table. There was everything. Seafood, meat, greens, there was fruit, wine, beer, fizzy pop... She quickly took a seat. The fact that the water was so close and there was no one else made it mesmerizing.

"This is... beautiful." She murmured, her eyes still stunned by everything.

"I'm... speechless." Sienna muttered, also taking off her heals and entering the beach so she could take a seat. The boys and Chloe took a seat as well and no one uttered a single word.

After maybe five minutes, Chloe broke their trance by saying the food looked delicious and all six of them attacked, stuffing themselves with all the food on the table. They chatted lightly, but most of their attention was on the grand dinner.

It took them over an hour to finish everything. Afterwards they all lounged in their seat and drank their bubbly drinks. Wine was appropriate.

"Can you guys believe this sight? And that we, six super normal people, are here to experience it? Because I can't." Chloe said, taking a big gulp of her wine. Alexia nodded, "I totally agree with you."

It gradually got darker, but everyone was enjoying the bubbles and the company too much to notice it had gotten dark. No one really got drunk though, just a little light headed from the wine and the sight.

The first one to notice was Chaz, jumping up. "You guys..." His eyes were plastered on the water, not moving an inch. Everyone looked at Chaz, but he wasn't paying the least bit of attention to them and they all turned around to also see what he was looking at.

It was the water. With every little movement it made, the water lit up. It looked like stars were meshed into the sea. It was magical.

The six of them stood there, gaping at the water for what seemed like ages, until Jason started moving towards the water. With every wave, the water lit up and when the water streamed back it left millions of little dots on the sand, all luminous.

He kneeled down and stared at the water from up close, slowly touching it with his finger tip. It lit up where he touched it. Without a doubt, he pushed his entire hand into the water and the water once again started glowing.

"What the fuck..." he whispered, stirring his fingers through the water lightly. The lights got him hooked, and he couldn't look away even when he tried.

An arm appeared on his shoulder and he recognized Alexia's little hand. She also knelt down beside him and stared. "What is it?" she breathed. Jason shook his head in oblivion. "I don't know." He cupped his hands and got them out of the water, looking at the glow that was still in his hands.

Lingeringly, he broke his stare and looked at Alexia. It was dark, but parts of her were illuminated by whatever the hell was in this water. Her eyes were fixed on the water, but Jason's eyes were now on her.

Alexia felt how Jason softly took her hand and dipped it into the water. Nothing happened. She carefully twirled a finger or two around and once again it immediately lit up.

In one way or another both of them started playing with the water more and more, trying to see as much as they could of the lights that appeared whenever the water moved. The others had also joined them and that's how they all ended up further on the beach, their hands and arms in the water and moving as much as they could.

Alexia was having the time of her life, not bothered by how she was getting more wet with every splash.

"Let's go in." Jason looked at her with a grin. Alexia pulled up her eyebrow, but doubted. She was, of course, still fully clothed with a fancy dress and jewellery. Jason curled one finger around one of her fingers. "C'mon, I know you want to."

And she did, so she grabbed a hold of the hem of her dress and pulled it up, standing up so she could walk into the water. Jason smiled and let her finger go so he could quickly put off his shoes and socks, stepping in as well. The water lit up grandly because of all the activity they were creating by walking.

She reconnected their hands and kept walking more and more, Jason by her side. In one particular moment, she let her dress go and it caused a lot of uproar, the water now glowing wherever they went because of the trail the dress was making.

Alexia forgot all about Ryan, Sienna, Chaz and Chloe, her mind was fully engaged with the water and the man next to her, who looked like a god, especially surrounded by all this twinkly glowing.

"How beautiful is this?" Jason murmured, looking around. They'd gotten far into the water, it reached to above his knees and on the middle of Alexia's thighs.

"I've never seen anything like this." She responded, whirling her leg so it caused more lights.

Looking back at Jason, she realized he was already watching and she blushed, rolling her eyes. "Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"You were staring."

"I love you." Jason muttered with a raspy voice, pulling her closer. Her breath hitched in her throat and she felt fireworks going off in her stomach. She knew he did, but hearing him say it was a whole different story.

As if on cue, they both wrapped their arms around each other and Alexia pressed a soft kiss on his lips, closing her eyes. "I love you."

She didn't open her eyes, but she could feel him smiling against her lips, which caused her to smile widely too.

-

The next morning they all woke up in the same bungalow. They had turned Christmas eve into a slumber party so they decided to all spend the night in Ryan and Sienna's bungalow, filling it with mattresses and pillows so everyone had something to sleep on. The little palm tree was in the corner of the room, but there were a lot of presents underneath and everyone was secretly dying to open them.

Alexia had been sleeping in Jason's arms and didn't want to wake up until Ryan screamed, "Wake up, sleepyheads! It's time for presents!"

Once again it was unbearably hot, but she'd gotten used to it by now. Quickly tying her hair into a ponytail, she looked at Ryan, who handed everyone their presents from underneath the tree.

Alexia looked at Jason. "I hope you like my gift, I honestly didn't know what to get you."

Jason smiled. "I hope you like my gift. Do you know how hard it is to buy a present for a girl who already has everything?"

She laughed shortly and nudged his side. "Shut up, dickhead."

"Are we allowed to open them yet?"

Ryan nodded. "Attack, people."

And with that, everyone started unwrapping their presents. Alexia swiftly ripped the packing paper off her first present. It appeared to be a fur coat, and she looked at Chloe in appreciation, knowing it came from her. "Thanks Chlo, I can't believe you remembered!"

Chloe shrugged. "Merry Christmas, Alex!"

Her next gift was a voucher and Sienna apologized, telling her she didn't know what to buy her. Alexia waved it off and hugged her. "I love it, thank you."

Everyone was thanking each other and gawking at the presents. Alexia looked at Jason as he pat Ryan on the back, thanking him for the book he'd gotten. They were both laughing.

The atmosphere was amazing. Alexia put a hand on Jason's leg. "Show me that book. Since when do you read?"

Jason laughed and shook his head, easing into her touch. She knew he loved when she casually touched him. "I don't," he chuckled as he gave her the book.

She looked at it and read the title out loud. "How to stay on the right path—a book for people who need to get their life sorted."

"Ryan thinks he's funny." But Jason was laughing.

Alexia's third gift was a semi big box, and she eagerly tore off the paper. She couldn't help but burst out in laughter when she saw the present. "Chaz, you're so predictable!"

It was a hot chocolate maker.

Her fourth gift was a small box, which turned out to be earrings from Ryan. They were little and sparkly, and she was immediately in love with them.

"That means this is your gift, huh?" She looked at Jason. He looked at Alexia and smiled that half smile, nodding at the gift in her hands. "Open it."

She carefully ripped of the wrapping paper and noticed the red box, nerves filling her body. Damian had proposed with the exact same red box and she started getting afraid that Jason was proposing. Of course she knew he wouldn't, but nonetheless she felt scared.

"What is that?" Alexia looked at the red box in Damian's hands. "You know you don't have to actually propose right? We knew we were getting married from the moment we met."

"I know, but I still want to give you your ring."

He opened the box and the ring appeared, a huge diamond glistering intensively. The ring itself was thin, but all the attention was drawn to the big rock on top. Alexia stared at it. It was beautiful. Maybe a little too much for her, but still beautiful.

"It's beautiful." She murmured. Damian smiled and took it out of the box, sliding it onto her finger. The ring fit perfectly.

"Will you marry me?"

Although they were getting married anyway, Alexia still felt a little rush of excitement racing through her body. Maybe marrying him wasn't that bad after all.

"Hm, let me think about it."

Damian laughed and shook his head. "You bitch."

"Yes, I will marry you."

He smirked and kissed her. She kissed him back.

"Come on babe! Open it." Jason commanded impatiently. "Okay, okay," She replied, shaking her head at the memory that had popped into her head. Why on earth would this remind her of that lame proposal?

Opening the box, her eyes widened. It was a necklace. The thread was silver and the charm was a stone. No, a crystal. The crystal was various colours of pink, all interlaced with each other. The crystal was beautiful.

"Thank you, Jason..." Alexia muttered, still looking at the crystal. She gently touched it.

"It's two crystals together. A Morganite and a Red Beryl. The lady that sold it said the light pink part of the crystal was the crystal of Divine Love. It brings healing, compassion, assurance and promise.  The darker part is the crystal of The Right Time. She said a lot of things about chakra's and all that, I didn't get it all, but the point of this crystal is that it helps you with making certain decisions. I think it speaks for itself." Jason scratched his ear and Alexia couldn't help but catch the subtext.

She was still staring at the crystal and looked away so she could face Jason. Everything he had just said showed her how much thought he'd put into the gift. She'd never loved a present as much as she was loving this one right now.

"I'm in awe. This is perfect, Jase." Scooting closer, she kissed his lips, feeling him pull back. "Do you really like it? I know it's lame. You know I don't even believe this kind of shit..."

Alexia cut him off by pressing her lips on his again, kissing him deeply. Her heart was pounding fast.

She pulled back and smiled at him in adoration. "I love it. I love it so much."

Jason smiled widely. "I'm glad, baby."

Seeing him so proud of himself made her even happier. "How did you find this?" she sincerely wondered. Jason wasn't the one to purposely go look for this kind of things. Like he said, he wasn't a big believer.

He snickered. "I was just walking around town. Like, three days ago I think. You know that part of the city where they sell all those bauble thingies? I somehow ended up there and saw this stand where an elder woman was selling gemstones and all that. I was literally just looking, and she went 'can I help you?' And I said, no thank you, I'm just trying to find a present for a girl, and she handed me the necklace and said, 'your girlfriend is going to like this' I wasn't going to buy it at first but when I held it I realized... This is so Alexia. So I bought it."

Alexia kissed him again, shutting her eyes. The woman called her his girlfriend. Oh how she wished she could be. Jason just kissed her back, not aware of the dark thoughts she was having. He pulled away and grabbed the one present he had not opened yet.

"It's my turn, get off me." He joked. Alexia tried to smile at the joke, but felt a weight on her heart. God damn.

Jason ripped off the wrapping paper and squeezed his eyes so he could read what was on the paper. "You bought me a tattoo voucher?"

She nodded. "I thought... we could capture this vacation. Together. Only if you want to, of course."

He nodded, turning around so he could look at her. There was a mysterious smile tugging on his lips. "We? Does that mean we'd get matching tattoos?"

She nodded again.

"I fucking love it! Thank you baby girl, you really know how to make me happy." Jason pulled her closer and reconnected their lips. Alexia kissed back with less passion, realizing what she was doing here.

Making out with the man she loved on vacation, while her fiancée was at home waiting for her. They were only staying for one more week. After that, there'd be no Jason and Alexia anymore. Suddenly it all downed on her.

-

The sinister thoughts she'd had that day had flown away as fast as they'd came. They'd gone to a tattoo shop the day after and got matching tattoos. It was a simple drawing of a wave, which symbolized this vacation, the Maldives, the water, especially their 'I love you's', which also happened in the water. He got it added to his sleeves while Alexia got it tattooed on the side of her chest.

They both loved it.

Ryan, Sienna, Chloe, Chaz, Alexia and Jason spent the days snorkelling, sailing, going into the city, tanning, swimming...

They decided to spend new year's eve at the same spot where they spent Christmas eve, only now not fancy dressed.

"I like this spot." Sienna remarked.

"I agree. I feel like I never want to leave this place. Although I miss the hot chocolate." Chaz muttered, playing with the water. It lit up.

"You and your hot chocolate, Christ." Jason rolled his eyes. Ryan laughed. "We've all got an obsession Jase, his just turned out to be hot chocolate."

"A'ight, I'm not judging you Chaz. But I still think you're annoying when we're in the cafeteria and you're slurping like that."

Chloe and Alexia laughed too. "I miss Maria!" Alexia exclaimed. Jason nodded. "Yeah, me too."

There was a silence again.

"Can you guys believe we're entering the new year in," Ryan quickly peeked at his watch, "thirty minutes? Because I can't believe it's already a year later."

Silence.

"One year ago, I lived in LA." Alexia whispered, drawing a heart in the sand. Jason put a hand casually around her waist. "One year ago I was... tired." He swallowed uncomfortably. Alexia squeezed his arm.

"One year ago I thought I was only going to get good grades." Chaz snickered.

"One year ago I had the idea that I'd never meet a guy I'd like. I was proven wrong." Sienna turned to Ryan and smiled. He smiled back.

"One year ago I thought that one of my best friends may be lost." Ryan looked at Jason, giving him a nod that said, I was proven wrong. Jason sighed.

"One year ago I could've never imagined I'd find such good friends." Chloe smiled widely. Everyone aww'ed at her confession and they all gathered together for one big hug.

"What about next year, what do you guys think is going to happen?" Chaz asked, looking around.

Alexia was the first to reply. "Next year I'll be married." Her eyes stood sad as she trailed them to Jason, looking at his expression. He had his jaw clenched. "Or not." She added.

His eyes lit up and he pulled his eyebrows up in surprise. She looked away.

"Next year I hope we'll all successfully graduate and keep on going on vacations like this one." Sienna spoke.

"Next year, I want to have a car and be with the same girl as I am right now." Chaz winked at Chloe.

"Next year, I hope, I'll have bought my own apartment. Maybe with someone." Ryan eyed Sienna.

It broke Alexia's heart that all these couples had a real future while her and Jason were doing this, knowing there was no chance.

But maybe there is. If you stand up for yourself, your parents may accept that you do not want to marry Damian.

She shook her head, trying to get rid of the thought. She didn't know where this confidence was coming from, but she did know that she'd chicken out the second she'd be back home.

"Next year I'll be in the same relationship I am right now." Chloe smiled cheekily.

Jason sighed. "Next year I want to be with the woman I love. And I'll do anything I can to make sure it happens." He eyed her, his jaw clenched and the grip on her waist tight. "I'll make you mine one day," he whispered, only for her to hear.

Alexia fought the urge to cry.

Twenty minutes later, fireworks went off and the new year had started.