Chapter Four

The next morning, Astrid woke up feeling refreshed. She took a good look at the room. The ceiling, instead of being completely white—like most ceilings—was made of glass. It had an illusion made to look like the sea, with large and small different, colourful fishes.

The floor was similar to the ceiling. Anywhere her feet touched would shimmer under her, making her feel like an otherworldly creature.

The walls were made to look marbled with black and white colours. There was a sixty-inch  television mounted above a small fireplace, right opposite the queen-size bed.

On the left side of the bed was a balcony that could fit thirty people and gave a good view of the countryside. Why have such a large balcony? She wondered.

There was a knock on the door, followed by Thelma’s soft voice. “Miss Astrid, are you awake?”

“Yes, come in!” Astrid answered. The door opened, revealing Thelma, Mary and Darius.

Astrid fumbled with her words as she wanted to ask what he was doing there. “Good morning.” She finally blurted.

“Good morning, sweetheart.” Darius smiled sweetly at her, pushing her further into confusion. Sweetheart?

“What’s going on?” She asked. Thelma’s cheeks were pink as she looked down at her feet, while Mary just smiled.

“We’re going to a banquet. Sorry I didn’t inform you sooner.” Darius told her. “Get her ready.” He instructed the two women.

Thelma hurried  into the closet to get Astrid’s outfit ready, while Mary walked into the bathroom to prepare a bath. Darius just stood there in all his beauty, a dark blue velvet suit adorning his body and showing off his muscles at the same time.

Astrid found herself staring longingly at him. Anybody would. She still couldn’t get used to the fact that she was under the same roof as Darius Titan, breathing the same air as him. His presence in the room made the air hot, even when it was really cold.

Darius stared back at her, feeding his eyes with her bed hair and down to her sock-clad feet. She looked nowhere near attractive with that look, but Darius could barely contain himself. He had seen her curves in her dress when she had first arrived, after all. But he still needed to get himself under control.

“Ma’am, your bath is ready.” Mary, who had been watching them give each other heated looks, finally spoke up. Astrid blinked and nodded, heading into the bathroom.

“Is this necessary?” Astrid asked, blushing crimson when Mary took off her dress.

“I need to help you have your bath, ma’am. It’s my duty.” Mary replied, washing Astrid’s hair. Astrid relaxed as Mary’s fingers moved around her hair. She had magic fingers, for sure.

“If I may ask, how did you two meet?” Mary asked, referring to Astrid and Darius.

“I’d rather not answer that now.” Astrid laughed it off, not knowing what lie to tell, or what lie Darius would permit.

“It’s good that he’s found happiness after all this while. Is there going to be a wedding?” Mary asked, excitement making its way out of her.

“Hopefully.” Astrid answered.

“Forgive me if I'm being pesky, but why did you say you were his personal assistant when you first arrived? Didn’t you want us to know?” Mary asked another question that Astrid had to think up an answer for.

“I didn’t think it was the right time. I see Darius has filled you in.” Astrid said, not realizing that she had finally dropped the formalities out of his name.

“Oh, yes. Even before you came.” Mary nodded.

After that, there was silence until Mary had cleaned every part of Astrid’s body. “Does Darius have people who bathe him?” Astrid asked, only out of curiosity.

“No. He barely lets anyone enter his room.” Mary answered, wrapping Astrid in a towel. They got out of the bathroom, where Thelma stood.

“Mr Titan is waiting at the balcony.” Thelma announced with a bow.

They helped her get into a long, velvet, blue dress which had a short slit on the left side. There was a cape made of black tulle that made for a train behind the dress. Everything made Astrid feel regal.

Her red hair was styled in a perfect bun and held together with a silver hairpin. She wore 4-inch silver platform heels. “Isn’t this too much?” She asked after they finished her makeup of mild, smoky eye shadow and nude lipstick with just the right amount of highlights and contour.

“You’ll meet people who are dressed more than this. This is the lightest. At least you don’t have on large necklaces and earrings, on sir's orders.” Thelma informed. Astrid just smiled.

The two women walked out quickly. Astrid carefully walked to the balcony and found Darius looking on with his back to her. “Mr Titan.” She had no idea what to say to him.

He turned and held his breath until he saw every bit of her that he could. He took a deep breath and talked himself out of having questionable thoughts. At that moment, he knew he had made the right choice. He wouldn’t get married to her, but he would be engaged to her and it was worth it. She was beautiful.

“You look lovely.” Sexy, he wanted to add, but he stopped himself before he could.

“Thanks.” She smiled.

“By the way, let me make it clear to you now. We’re nothing to each other inside these walls. The whole world will see us as lovers, but you and I both know the truth. Let it remain like that. You mean nothing to me behind closed doors, understood?” He said sternly.

“Of course, I know that.” Astrid nodded once. Darius silently prayed for it to remain that way. His patience and self-control were already tearing at the seams. If she continued to unconsciously tempt him, which she always did, he would have no choice but to change the rules he had set.

He offered his hand out to her, and she took it. Hers was small in his, making it easy for him to clasp it perfectly. Ignoring the haywire beating of their hearts, they both walked out of the room as a couple.

They walked outside, where three SUVs were parked. They got into the one in the middle, Darius helping Astrid with the train of her dress.

After the long, smooth ride, they reached a large, glass dome. It had large banners outside with different pictures of Darius on them. The words: WELCOME, DARIUS TITAN! were written on each of the banners.

“What exactly is this banquet?” Astrid asked as crowds of paparazzi and media people appeared, trying to get him to answer questions about her.

“Is she one of your conquests?” One of them had asked, earning a glare from Darius as he squeezed her hand tight, but not too tight.

“It’s just a casual brunch held every year.  It’s also a fundraiser for different creative businesses and infant industries.” He answered, wrapping his other hand around her waist. The bodyguards seemed to be doing a good job with dispersing the paparazzi.

As they got into the large hall with different tables scattered around, Astrid recognized some people as celebrities she had never dreamt of meeting. Everyone quickly stood up to get a better look at Darius. Lots of people were anxious, seeing Darius. Others were shocked to see Astrid by his side. They all had smiles on their faces as Astrid and Darius made their way to their reserved table.

“By the way, you need to get ready. This is where I’ll propose to you.” Darius whispered in her ear with a smirk as he placed a swift kiss on her neck. That didn’t go without being caught on camera, of course.