Chapter 3

Adonis' POV

"Good swing!" Eros said, as our eyes followed my golf ball that flew to the ground. Eros Petrakis, a good friend of mine and former classmate in Harvard. Just like the Stavrakos, the Petrakis belonged to one of the oldest powerful Greek dynasties. Both of us were born to continue our families' lineage to rule, to multiply wealth and become very powerful.

It was Saturday at noon, and we were playing golf, in my family's exclusive golf course, inside the Stavrakos estate. We had been hanging out lately, talking about our family's latest venture - a luxury cruise ship that the Petrakis would manufacture for US.

It was Eros' turn to hit the ball, and he hit his nicely.

"Yes!" he exclaimed, laughing, "it's been a long time since I played golf."

"Me too," I chuckled, "this thing is kinda boring, but at least it keeps us moving after last night."

"I agree. We need to exercise," he said and we both laughed.

We went to a party last night- a reunion with our university friends. We got drunk but still managed to get up and meet to play golf.

"You said you have an important thing to say. What is it?" he asked, after he took a big gulp of water.

I pressed my lips together, my forehead furrowed.

"Oh no... it must be something really bad, huh?" my friend looked amused, "tell me what's going on."

I let out a long sigh, before saying, "I'm getting married."

His eyes grew so big in surprise, "holy shit! Are you serious?"

"Very serious."

"Fuck, man. You sounded desperate," his expression filled with disgust, "I thought you're done with her! She's a liar. She cheated on you for almost a year! Open your eyes bro, you're a good man. You deserve an honest woman who will truly love you."

"I'm not marrying my ex."

He eyed me with a confused expression, "I'm relieved, I swear. But if it isn't her... then who? You broke up with her a few months ago, and I haven't seen or heard you dating anyone."

"I agreed to marry Constantine Pallis' granddaughter," I said firmly, "it's a marriage of convenience. It would unite two old Greek dynasties and patch up our ancestors'

longtime conflict."

"Oh fuck! Seriously? But that's not your thing," he chuckled, "you're the type who would marry for love."

"That's what I thought too. After my bad experience in love, I don't want to get through it again. It only gives heartache, sleepless nights and failures. I lost too many deals in the first month we broke up. I was crippled. Physically, mentally and emotionally."

"That was a terrible breakup. It was hard for you."

"Absolutely. I'm done with love and romance. It's hard to find an honest woman nowadays. I don't think I can ever trust any woman again after my unpleasant experience."

"So you agreed to marry Pallis' granddaughter," he let out an amused smile.

"Yeah, as soon as possible."

"Asap? What's the hurry?"

"Pallis' terms and conditions. It's either now, or never," my lips tightened.

"That old crook," he sighed, "look, you don't have to do it. She could be worse than

your ex."

"I don't give a damn if she's promiscuous, I'm not marrying her for love. She can do whatever she pleases, and I'll do mine. To each his own," I put my hands inside my pants' pockets, "all I want is to take back that huge land that belonged to my ancestors. We lost it from a stupid poker bet."

"Your grandpa Pablo insanely did that, and now, you're paying for the price," he clicked his tongue, "that land is connected to ours. We could combine them and make into something really big."

"Exactly. That's why I'm so determine to get it."

"I understand, but being married to Pallis granddaughter... you have to think again, man. That land isn't worth the price if your happiness is at stake."

"Come one, just support my decision. You're the best person who can understand my situation because you don't believe in love."

"True. I saw how it ruined people. Like my parents. I don't find their love story ideal. They experienced too many hardships before they found each other. Tragedy happened. Dad was tortured that ruined his face. He undergone facial plastic surgery and changed his name," he raised his hands briefly in the air, "I won't endure that kind of thing for love, that's stupid. Same thing with my sister, Chloe. You know her story, right?"

"Of course, with Iñigo," I nodded, "so, you agree on my decision?"

"Nope. You were brought up believing to marry for love. You could not even stop talking about it. This arranged marriage thing is not for you."

I shook my head in disappointment, "you're just like my parents, especially dad, who disagreed on this."

"Because he's right. If it's your way of forgetting your ex... to move on, then you're just adding problems in your life. It's not the solution, bro. Just love yourself first and enjoy the freedom of dating women. You have been stuck in a good for nothing relationship for four years. It's time to explore."

"You're not making any sense, man. You yourself are into it. You agreed into an arranged marriage with Stella Valiente."

"You're right, but in a very distant future," he shrugged, "You don't have to do it now? We're still young. Marriage is for middle-aged men."

"I can't wait, dude. I need that land for our next property development project," I told him about the prospective plan for the next five years.

"Goodluck. I just hope your bride won't break your heart."

"I won't let that happen," I said confidently, then we continued playing golf.

I never doubted my decision. I followed my gut to get married.

I remembered telling my parents about it last night. They disagreed intensely with the idea. They were concerned that my future would be ruined if I married without love.

"Who would ever do that nowadays! We're in the future, Adonis. People only do that

during medieval times!" My mom, Pia Rosi Stavrakos, was really upset upon hearing the news.

"How could you agree to him, without consulting us first," Dad looked disappointed.

"I'm not a kid anymore dad, I can make my own decision."

"But son, that's a major decision. It would change not only your future, but ours."

"Exactly," Mom butted in, "you haven't even met the girl yet and you agreed to marry

her! What are you doing? You're ruining your life. If this is your way of getting back at

Trisha, then don't do it."

This had nothing to do with her," I let out a frustrated groan, "I told you my reasons."

"Yeah, to unite two old Greek dynasties and get the land back," Dad's lips curled in anger, "your grandpa should find a way to own it back, not you sacrificing for what he did."

"He already did, but Constantine Pallis is stubborn. He won't sell the land even ten times more than its market value. That land is very important to us, it belongs to our ancestors. It is part of our heritage that made who we are now. For years we wanted it back, and now is our chance."

"Your grandpa is crazy, losing it in a bet," Dad hissed in rage, "I disagree on this, Adonis, I want you to have a happy and fruitful life ahead of you. How can you achieve that if you don't love the woman you're going to marry?"

"I don't want you to live a miserable life," Mom was teary eyed, she turned to Dad and they hugged.

I stood immobile, looking at them with a heavy heart. For peace of mind, I assured them.

"Constantine told me that she's young, beautiful and smart. For sure, I'll fall in love with her easily."

Mom's eyes immediately brightened, very hopeful, "I have no doubt that you'll win her heart too. You're a very charming guy, Adonis, you're not hard to love."

One month later, I got a call from Constantine Pallis.

"My granddaughter just arrived here in New York. She's ready to see you."

"Good. My family and I will see her tomorrow."