CHAPTER 3.. Blossoming Romance.

The duo's continue to interact frequently as the days go by. They continue to expleor therir neighborhoo, take long walks and Jace shows her around the neighborhood and makes her see the outside world and how the average people live their lives. They spend hours talking about their dreams, visions, hopes and fear int heur seculed hideout where they can be alone. The nearby park or a quite corner in the local library since they are both ardent lovers of books. These secret rendezvous add an element of excitement and danger to their relationship, making their moments together even more precious.

Jace always shares his ambitions to her of owning his own businesses someday, and Lexa also shares her passion for art and her desire to travel round the world.

They continue to inspire each other to pursue their dreams, offering encouragement and support. With time, Lexa begins to sketch again, something she abandoned due to her parents disapproval.

Jace started supirsing Lexa with smalkbyet thoughtful gifts, like wild flowers he picked kn his way home from work, or writing a heart felt letter. Lexa in turn gifts Jace a sketch she drew of him, capturing his strength and determination. Those little yet romantic gestures depeen their emotional connection.

JACE'S BIRTHDAY..

Jace woke up as the feeling of ecstasy filed his mind. It was his birthday as his employers gave him a day off to celebrate as a way of thanking him for being such a workaholic. He got up from his bed beaming with smiles and got on his knees to say a little prayer and thank God for a new day and a blissful birthday, as him and his parents are strong believers of God. He swept his home and finished his chores before settling for breakfast.

His co-workers surprised him a day before with some little amount of cash they had all contributed to wish him well and also buy few nice things for himself. He planned to buy a little cake, drinks and share in the neighborhood and use the rest to stock his house so he doesn't run out of food.

Lexa on the other hand kept waiting at the garden to catch a glimpse of Jace. She ran and hugged him after sighting him coming out of his apartment. "Happy birthday Jace.." she said hugging him.

Jace who was astonished hugged her back "Thank you princess, this means a lot"..."uhmm, you can come in, I got a cake and few drinks" he added, ushering her into his home.

She was surprised as to how peaceful his house looked, he might not be rich but he definitely has taste.

"Hey...I got you a gift and some food" as she habded him a flask and a pocket bag. She had pleaded with Nanny Dianne to pack him some food since it was his birthday and to also thank him for being her friend.

" It smells so nice, thank you so much Lexa you just got me dinner" he said with appreciation.

"Nah it's nothing, there's a better one in the bag, go ahead and open" she cheered.

He began opening slowly, seeing it wrapped got him a bit anxious and confused..

"Jeez!.." he screamed unconsciously dropping the phone and staring at her frightened. "What...ho.." he stuttered not able to complete his statement.

"Yes Jace, I got you a phone" she responded giggling.

"You remember saying the S series were your favorite right?...so there, an S24 for you...suprisee". She added

"You..did this for me, you didn't have to, you know I don't have the resources to pay you back ...he said as little drops of tears prickes down his eyes.

"I didn't do this for you to pay me back, it's not a loan..it's a gift" she said wiping his tears. "And I know I didn't have to, but I needed to, to appreciate you and say thank you for being an amazing friend and sticking around." Lexa said.

Peering into her eyes and caressing her cheeks and palms, they both confess their love for each other in a tendering yet emotional moment, filled with promises of a future together despite all odds. Jace, unsure of what he was doing, bent over and kissed Lexa who inturn reciprocated unsure of her actions, deepening the kiss..

As their love grows, so does their complexity of keeping their relationship a secret. They become more contious, knowing that if the Raynolds were to find out, they will do everything possible to seperate them.

With time, as their relationship blossoms, they begin to stand as each other's support system, Jace supports Lexa through the pressures she faces from her parents, and encourages her to continue sketching and painting since it gives her joy. While Lexa encourages Jace in his efforts to improve his life. Their relationship becomes a santuary from the challenges they face in their respective worlds.

"Where is Lexa, where did she go, what do you mean she's in her room! I'm just coming from there!" Lady Hazel yelled at Nanny Dianne after stepping out from Lexa's room.

"Why the havoc Hazel?" Don Raynolds asked coming upstairs.

"I can't find Lexa, she's not in her bathroom nor her changing room and she's not answering her phone" Lady Hazel responded getting anxious.

"What do you mean by that, where could she have gone, she doesn't know anyone here, when did she start leaving the mansion!?" Don Raynolds asked looking pissed.

Lexa has stepped out some minutes before her parents arrived. As usual, she was taking a stroll with Jace and Max when her mom's contact popped up, ringing loudly.

"I'm doomed..and I didn't ask permission from Nanny Dianne before leaving..my dad will surely raise alarm" Lexa said anxiously.

" Hey.. don't panic. Remember there's an animal store just beside the park, we'll get a snack for him and you can just tell your parents that max ran off and in the process of getting him, you decided to get his favourite snack..that might do" Jace said rubbing the back of her palm.

Minutes later....

"I'm here mom" Lexa announced shaking after stepping into the house with Max and the dog snack.

" And where have you been!? When did you start leaving this house without the knowledge of anyone" her dad fired.

"I'm... I'm so sorry dad. I was at the garden with Max before he ran off, and in the process of fetching him I decided to get his favourite snack from the store, didn't see mom's call on time. It won't happen again" Lexa said remorsefully with her face down.

"Going all alone to a local store!?, This should never happen again you hear me. I don't want people noticing my only daughter roaming the streets aimlessly so you better get your acts together and tame that dog of yours". Don Raynolds said irritated.

"I'm sorry dad" She said running off to her room relieved that her dad let her go without much scolding.

She apologized to nanny Dianne for not taking her permission and making her parents yell at her. She promised to always seek her permission before going out.

She giggled on her bed an hour later after explaining what went down to Jace on the internet as they both laughed it out

____

The weekends were here as both Jace and Lexa giggled on their individual beds as they communicated through the internet. Planning and making arrangements to have their very first official date, they decide to meet at a local cafè, a quaint and relatively unknown one to avoid being spotted by anyone from Lexa's social circle.

Their date was arranged, planned, and a date was fixed as they both impatiently waited for the D-Day.

Jace was nervous to go on his first date, with a girl from a very wealthy family,whose parents are influencial and known in and out of the country. While Lexa on the other hand was anxious going on her ever first date with a guy, without the knowledge of her parents.