By the time they reached the lobby, Thalia felt something settle inside her. Not peace exactly… but something close.
Vicious glanced at the clock on the wall. "Our flight's in the morning by 7am" he said quietly. "We should get our things ready."
She nodded,
They rode the elevator in silence, but it wasn't awkward. It was heavy — the kind of silence that held everything they weren't ready to say out loud.
When they reached her room, Thalia turned the key, but Vicious stopped her gently with a hand on the door.
"Thalia," he said softly.
She looked up at him.
"Thank you," he murmured. "For today. For giving me… more than I expected."
Her heartbeat stuttered. "I didn't do anything."
"You did," he replied, brushing his thumb across her knuckles. "You let me in a little. That means something."
For a moment she couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Mexico had changed something between them — subtly, quietly, but undeniably.
"I'll meet you later, sorry I have something to do ," he said,
Thalia nodded, then slipped into the room only to lean back against the door, her chest rising and falling with emotions she wasn't ready to name.
Across the hall, Vicious stood still for a moment, running a hand through his hair.
He'd promised to wait for her.
But the truth?
He hoped she wouldn't make him wait too long
Thalia woke with a jolt, sunlight spilling across the room.
"Oh my God," she gasped, scrambling upright. "I woke up late— Vicious, I'm so sorry—"
She stopped when she saw him by the suitcase, calm as ever, folding the last of her clothes.
"We still have one hour left," Vicious said, not even looking stressed.
Thalia scrambled off the bed and rushed toward him. "Let me help— I can put things together—"
He placed a hand on her forehead and gently pushed her back.
"I got you covered."
"Huh?" she blinked.
"I packed your things for you," he said with an easy shrug.
Her face heated instantly. "You… packed for me?"
"Mm-hmm," he replied. "Everything. Don't worry I see a lot of women stuff nothing to be shy about"
Thalia covered her face with both hands.
"Oh no."
Vicious raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"You are really… such a womanizer. Gosh. You're such a pervert," she muttered, peeking at him through her fingers.
Vicious only smirked. "But you're welcome."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Go take a shower. I ordered breakfast. We're eating on the balcony."
"Alright…" she whispered shyly, then hurried off.
Vicious called after her, voice deep and teasing, "Don't be shy for me, baby girl."
Thalia nearly tripped
Soon after, they sat on the balcony, sunlight warming the table, plates steaming with fresh food.
Thalia returned with the phone he had given her days earlier. She placed it on the table.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I couldn't open it… talk less of using it. Please take it. Don't insist."
Vicious studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright."
He pocketed it without making her feel guilty.
They continued eating quietly—peacefully until Thalia spoke again.
"If we calculate everything you bought for me… it would be a fortune. How much does it cost in dollars?"
"Just ten thousand," Vicious said casually.
She choked. "We're taking it back right this minute!"
He laughed. "I'm kidding. It's five thousand. And we're not returning anything, okay, sweetie?"
She sighed. "…Alright. Thank you."
Breakfast ended, and room service cleared the plates.
Thalia moved to dress the bed. She tucked, smoothed, arranged—very focused.
Vicious wasn't even pretending not to stare.
Then something dropped from the side of the bed with a soft clack.
Thalia bent to pick it up—just a simple movement
Her cleavage showed. Vicious froze. His jaw tightened.
His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard.
He wasn't breathing. She didn't notice. "One minute, I just need to—"
He abruptly turned away, voice strained. "I'm going to take a shower. Thalia frowned. "You just took a shower."
"I feel hot."
"But the air conditioner is on—""Never mind. I said I'm taking a shower."
He practically escaped into the bathroom.
Inside, he leaned against the door, chest rising and falling.
What is she doing to me?
How can one girl turn me on this easily?
He ran a hand through his hair, stepped into the tub, and filled it with cold water.
He needed it.
When he came out, Thalia was standing there with her bag.
"Are you all set to go?" she asked.
"Yeah." He nodded, then paused. "But you need to change the top."
She blinked. "Oh… okay."
She obeyed without argument and returned moments later in something less revealing.
He didn't comment, but his eyes softened.
They moved through the terminal side by side, close but not touching.
Every now and then, Vicious glanced at her—studying her, thinking, planning.
Thalia didn't notice.
But he noticed everything.
They boarded the plane.
And as Thalia settled into her seat beside him on his private plane