~Chapter 6

Julius's POV

Walking into my room I was shocked and angry to see my room door ajar. None of the maids were allowed into my room, only Genevieve and she was currently in her quarters so who would dare walk in my room.

I walked in quietly, moving lightly towards my study that was left open too. I stopped in my tracks when my eyes fell on someone. Her back was facing me, she traced her fingers along my books, pulling one out she admired it in her hands while I stared at her, my brows knitted in confusion. Her unique ginger hair was thrown at the bottom of her head in a low bun, few strands leaking out of it's messy confinements, from where I stood I could see she had on a white dress and after letting my eyes travel down her full length I could see she had a pretty alluring figure. But why was she here?

"Excuse me!?" I called out, my voice higher than I intended.

I watched as she jumped, turning around. My brows furrowed and it seemed like everything stopped once my eyes met hers. Her eyes were black, like two big buttons with her long lashes framing them, creating the perfect highlight, to be honest she looked like a human sized doll. I could see the fear and shock in them and it made me smile inwardly. She was already afraid of me and I didn't even know who she was. But I had to admit she was beautiful, two strands curved the frame of her face, it knew better than to come in the way of her ethereal beauty. My eyes fell on her bare shoulders which were visible due to her off shoulder white dress flushing against her cream-colored skin. My eyes dwelled on her freckled shoulders,they a contrast to her creamy texture.

Her cheeks were a bright pink as she bit down on her lower lip, avoiding my gaze.

I started strolling towards her like a prey, my gaze fixed and my hands to my sides. If she was a spy here from another mafia she would pay, no matter how pretty she was I wasn't going to spare anyone who tried to break into my home.

Vera's POV

I looked up to see him taking calculative strides towards me and I panicked. I began walking back, my gaze never leaving him out of fear of him doing something unexpected.

Now I've gotten myself in so much trouble. With each step he took forward I equally took one back until he closed the distance between us. I squealed, my back colliding with the wall as he trapped me there. His hands were dipped into his pockets, his face only inches away from mine. If I'd move, my body and his would be touching so I just stayed still, staring into his eyes. I felt his intense gaze on me and I kept mine at my feet, feeling my skin burning the more he stared at me.

His intoxicating masculine scent invaded my nostrils and then I'd remember I smelt such a scent before. It hit me, It was his room that I'd wandered into.

''What are you doing here, doll?" His deep dulcet voice asked, his breath fanning against my face as I raised my head to meet his.

Something about him made me flustered and uneasy, his aura was so dominating I felt so little under his gaze.

Only now did I look at what he had on, it was a black three piece Armani suit. It was dripping with expense and if the expensive and powerful aura he was giving off in waves wasn't enough then his tailored Armani suit was enough to tell me he was no ordinary man.

I blinked out of my reverie, remembering I hadn't answered him, "I-I'm V-vera Vladislav. I'm here with my parents, th-they're downstairs waiting" I stuttered, hating the way I couldn't compose myself enough to get a sentence out.

"And why are you here?" He asked again, moving his face closer to my ear, making me flinch away at the contact his nose made with my cheek, a shiver running up my spine.

"I-i was looking for a bathroom" I answered quickly, hoping I could just disappear from this awkward situation.

"Are you aware this is my room? And you are trespassing?" he gave me a transfixed look, making me bite down on my lower lip, nervously avoiding his gaze.

"I-i'm sorry-"

"Julius sir?" A small voice came interrupting me mid sentence and the man in front of me now Julius turned to reveal a little maid, looking in her teens standing at the frame of his door. When her eyes fell on my rattled form standing under Julius, they widened before she let out a string of apologies along the line of "I'm sorry for interrupting"

"Speak" he commanded making her shudder a little before she gathered herself again to speak

"Madam and sir demand your presence in the dining hall with Mrs. Vladislav"

My cheeks reddened. Mother and father knew I was here? I'm definitely going to get an ear full when I get home.

"We'll be right there, now leave" she bowed her head before scurrying off. Why were they always bowing??

He turned back to me, a small smirk on his face, I could see the glint of amusement clear in his gaze as he stepped back, and I was finally able to breath. He gestured for me to go before him and I walked forward, almost running and he followed behind me.

*****

He lead the way and when we walked into the dining hall everywhere fell silent and all eyes were on us. I felt like running away as my eyes met with mother's, instead of getting a scowl like expected, I got a small lump sided smile and I almost staggered.

What the-?

A man with grey hair, a grey stubble and a blue suit on got up and started walking towards us. His whole demeanor screamed powerful and dangerous and I felt like my knees we're going to buckle underneath me as he stopped in front of me, "Oh good Julius, you found Vera" he smiled down at me, extending his hand.

I blinked for a few seconds to make sure I wasnt dreaming before I hesitantly slid my hand into his, "I am Mr Chrysanthos, Julius's father" he introduced, his voice low and groggy

"It's so nice to meet you Vera" he looked up to Julius behind me and gave him a look I couldn't decipher. "And you have already met Julius, that makes this a lot easier for us?"

What?

Makes what easier?

He brought my hand to his lips, placing a kiss at my knuckles making my face bleach and my breath hitch, "come on dear, join us" he gently tugged me towards the dinner table where I met father and mother's encouraging gazes and Nina's deep frown. She looked like she would attack me at any moment.

I sat down as he pulled a chair for me, looking forward to see a beautiful woman, not looking anything above 35 seated. She had on a very elegant wine red evening gown, her hair cascades down the length of her neck, stopping just at her shoulder. She wore a beautiful smile that stretched at her cheeks and her gaze was directed at… . Me??

She gave me a knowing nod before standing, a big smile on her face, "Let's all start eating shall we?"

Everyone began eating and I just stared lost at the table full of succulent meals. Turkey in the centre of the table looked so alluring, the smallmeals in little plates scattered all around. And in my dish was stake and vegetable salad at the side. Lazania was stationed at the far end end of the table, jars containing different exotic drinks stood at each plate. I was so confused, I didn't know where to begin.

I glanced to my side to see Julius staring expectedly at me. Letting my eyes wander around his face, I only now realised how gorgeous this man was. His silver orbs glistened under the bright light the chandeliers created, his high cheekbones gave him a godlike look, his pink plum lips sat endearingly on his face, his blonde hair was in an ethereal dissaray, it's curls falling down his forehead gave him that bed head look, he had a small stubble, framing his perfect jawline giving him that busy outline.

I tore my gaze away when our eyes met again, feeling my cheeks burning as I still felt his gaze fixated on my face. I stared into my plate for a few minutes longer before picking my fork and bringing a piece of stake to my lips. I hesitantly bite into it, munching silently. My eyes widened when the sweet, seasoned flavor hit my taste buds. I bit down harshly on my bottom lip to suppress a moan at the maliciously tantalizing taste.

"This is so good" I spoke out before even realising it. My eyes widened as I looked over Mr and Mrs Chrysanthos's faces. All eyes were on me and I felt like dissapearing. I stared down at my plate, my cheeks blazing with embarrassment. "Uh-my compliments to the chef I mean"

Everyone except Julius and Nina burst into a fit of laughter, making my cheeks burn the more. I looked over to Julius to see him watching me so intensely, his eyes beaming with amusement and a small smile curved at his lips. The laughter died down and after a while Mrs Chrysanthos stood to her feeet with a glass of wine in her hand, all heads turned to pay attention to her.

"It is my pleasure to announce the reason for this dinner" she beamed, looking over to her husband who sat beside ever smiling up encouragingly at his wife. "It is my honor to announce the fixed alliance between our families. A marriage between Vera" she brought out a hand for me and I took it, getting to my feet as well. "And my dear son Julius" she brought out a hand for him and he took it getting to his feet, his face emotionless and stoic.

I gape at her, wondering if I had heard her correctly. Did she say marriage? As in my marriage with… .

I turned to see Julius looking on as our parents hugged and congratulated each other. The look on his face told me he'd expected this too.

There was no way this was happening. My marriage had been fixed? What the hell!?

In a haze I stared at my parents as they exchanged hugs with Mr and Mrs Chrysanthos. I directed my gaze to Nina, she sat there, tears dribbling down her cheeks, ruining her make up. My eyes widened when I snapped out of my hazy state, before I could approach her she'd wiped them away and excused herself quietly, but no attention was paid to her as everywhere was filled with excitement and celebration.

I ducked my head down and quietly ran after Nina, hoping Julius wouldn't follow or call after me.

Something was wrong