Chapter Four: Heat

Alexander's POV

When my mind is stuck on something, it's all I will think about  until I do something about it. While I have met a fair share of beautiful women, none have captured my attention the way Helena has. She is all I am thinking of. That's a woman I want in my life and I won't stop thinking about it until I get my way.

"No fishing today?" My mom startled me out of my thoughts. "Is something wrong Alexander?"

It's a habit that I spend my mornings in a boat. If I'm not fishing, I'll probably get lost in a book. Having spent so many years out at sea, it's where I feel at home. If I had my way, I would never have come back. She knows this. However, I could not bring myself to get out of bed this morning. All I am doing is thinking of Helena Bale. The tall beauty with a captivating gaze is all I want yet my arms are empty.

"I don't want to marry Rhea." She plastered her palm over my mouth.

"Don't say such things out loud!" She closed the door to my bedroom. "I don't want you to marry her either. She is a snake! I know there's nothing but darkness underneath that pale face! I don't even want you to have children with her! You can't Alexander."

I started laughing. It's great that someone is on the same page with me. "I couldn't agree more. How do I get out of this?"

"Your father's mind is made up. He is as stubborn as an old goat about this marriage!" She let out an exasperated sigh.

We both sat on the edge of the bed staring at a family portrait of the three of us. I can't say we have always been a happy family but we sort of like each other. Together is not our favorite place but when push comes to shove we stick together. But on this marriage, father is on his own.

"Maybe I can offer him a different deal." I suggested with new found hope in my voice. "Maybe I can get out of this."

"How?"

I kissed her forehead. "I will make him a deal."

"What deal? Alexander!" She called after me but I didn't stop.

Every Friday morning, he likes to take his breakfast in the gazebo facing the sea. He says the view calms him. My father has never been a calm man. I'm about to stir up the waters and ruin his morning but I would rather try to find a way out than getting stuck with Rhea. I won't get hitched without a fight.

"Can we talk?" He ignored me. He likes to blame his ears but if I say his company is bankrupt he will hear me. "Father." After skipping the dinner he wasn't pleased. He didn't even speak to me. I guess the silent treatment will continue. "I know you're upset, but please talk to me."

"What do you want Alexander?" He asked in a bored tone. 

I grabbed the newspaper he's pretending to read. I folded it in half. "I'm sorry about flaking out on dinner. Something came up."

"You embarassed me!" He glared at me. "My only son, my heir, the future of the Christos Foundation embarrassed me in front of potential relatives! All you did was paint me as a man without any control over his son!"

"And I'm sorry. May I?" I gestured to one of the chairs.

"You'll just end up doing what you want. Sit on the table if you want." He flung his arms in the air.

I took a seat. "I don't want to marry Rhea." I got to the point. This is not surprising to him. He does know how I feel but he chooses to ignore my feelings.

"Why not? She's beautiful. She's well mannered. She comes from a rich family. What more could you want in a wife?"

Is he blind to her vain nature? He doesn't care. He married a good woman and has not experienced a hellish one.

"I want Helena Bale."

I have never seen the old man's eyes grow this wide. "The woman who doesn't know her place?" His voice boomed.

Helena has really pissed off a lot of men -old and young- with her persistence to succeed in a male dominated world. People -men and women alike- hate her for not confirming to what is expected of a woman.

"Yes, that very one. She's beautiful and the Bales are far more wealthier than the Sarris family if money is what you want. I can bring us Bale Industries."

She will never let me anywhere near it. I don't want to take it away from her. It's just a selling point for my father to buy into my plan. He gave it a thought. For a moment I felt hopeful. I want him to at least say he will consider it. While I can do what I want, outright rebellion is not my default setting. I tend to conform to rules. If I defy him, he will make sure it comes with consequences.

"I'll agree under one condition."

I couldn't help but smile. "What?"

"I want Bale Industries."

Why the hell did I start with that? He bought it! He wants her company and I'm sure it's to make Helena learn her place. I rested my weight into the seat. I covered my face with my hands momentarily. It's a hefty price tag. "That is a mere possibility. I'm not certain she will give up control."

"I have consented to the union. It's your turn to deliver. Do what it takes. Marry her, teach her a woman's place and take over the company. There will be no one to stop you. Her father never had a male heir. He is useless mentally. It will be all ours. In fact, I support this! Go for the stubborn Bale girl. Break her in."

Just like that he will ditch his so called childhood friend because of a couple more millions. This man has no loyalty. I feel a measure of disgust for his behavior but I want Helena more than I care for his thought process. I want the woman with the captivating blue eyes. I don't want her millions. I don't want her conforming to anything. I just want her as she is.

"I can't promise you her company."

"Just marry her. I'll take it from there."

"And Rhea? What happens to us?"

"Leave that to me." He smiled in a sinister way.

I left his side without the excitement I had hoped to achieve. Now I regret bringing Helena into this conversation. He will destroy the poor woman. The Christos Foundation has earned some of it's wealth from the collapse of other big companies. My father is relentless. When he gets his hands on Bale Industries, he will out his name on the building. Helena may as well be the last Bale.

"How did it go?" Mother expressed her excitement. "Is the wedding off?"

"He gave me a condition."

"What?"

"He wants Bale Industries." I answered.

Naturally because she doesn't know the whole story, she expressed confusion. "Isn't that impractical? Bale Industries is not yours to give. What has it got to do with any of this?" She laughed.

"He wants me to take it from Helena once I marry her."

"Helena! Is that your suggestion or his? She's Gerty's girl, right? Gertrude Bale?"

"Yes she is. I want Helena and the only way I'm getting her is if I promise to give Bale Industries to father. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"You should have eloped." She cringed. "But how do you plan to get near the queen of ice? She has a block of ice for a heart. That is what people say. I don't kniw her."

Her smile is still lingering in my mind.

"Then I shall enjoy thawing the ice."

"You have your work cut out for you. But I approve. She's straightforward, no pretences and especially hardworking. I'm sure she's not interested in our money. She has her own."

But father is interested in what she has. He wants Bale Industries. What if the tables turn and she ends up owning the Christos Foundation?

"I better start wooing the woman before the old man changes his mind."

Helena's POV

"Keep up Castle!" I walked quickly constantly turning back to see what is taking him so long. I stopped to look for him only to realize I lost him and I have probably been speaking to myself for the last couple of minutes like a mad woman.

I held my arms at my waist.

It's been a busy day and I just want to get to my last meeting so that I can escape to Santorini for a much needed vacation.  Leaning against my car, I waited for him to show himself. It's been about a week since I had dinner with Alexander Christos. I believe I am finally cured from the fever I was suffering from. I don't think about him as much. Of course when he sneaks into my mind I have to banish him and it's not easy.

He was the perfect man to have a baby with but I don't want someone who affects me that way. It changes the equation to:

Alexander Christos+baby= fool in love Helena

I will not be a fool in love.

I got more irritated when I couldn't see Castle. Where did he go?

The warmth of human contact on my arm startled the life out of me. I don't like to be touched especially in the street by random strangers! I turned abruptly ready to throw a punch when his smile disoriented me. I just stood there fighting an immense blush as he gazed at me fondly. I'm not cured. Damn man! I'm still sick! Fool in love Helena!

"Hello beautiful. Why do you look flashed?"

First things first, end the contact.

I pulled my arm out of his hold. He pocketed his hands in his pants holding his gentle smile. Why the hell is he this good looking? Even my ice box can't help but melt a little in his presence. I have to keep my eyes on his, not on the sweater that is obviously made for his body.

"It's hot!" I blurted out and even fanned myself to ease the imaginary fever.

You're hot Alexander! Hotter that Greece in this summer heat.

He looked up at the clear blue skies. "It will rain."

"No it won't. There's not a single cloud in the sky." I argued.

I expected him to say something but he simply smiled. "You look lost." He noted.

I am lost in my mind because I'm making circles in attempts to shut him out!

"I'm not. This is my car. I'm right where I should be." I spoke quickly trying not to trip over my words. I crumble into pieces in his presence. I lose my composure. I'm even sweating more than I was a few minutes ago and it's not the afternoon sun.

"Calm down. Breathe. You look breathless." I almost fired a mean remark if not for my lack of words. I fanned myself from the heat of being this close to him. What's wrong with me? I faced away from him. "I would love it if you join me for a drink." He got even closer. I can see him from the reflection of the car window. He rested his palm on the roof of my car watching me in the reflection. His eyes seem darker than I remember. I love the way he's looking at me. I love that he is setting me ablaze. The only thing I hate is how I'm losing control of my body. Dripping wet with need is not part of the schedule today. "It will help you cool down from the heat."

"That you're causing?" I turned to face the cause of my problems.

He rested his other hand on the car so that I'm stuck between his hot body and the car. He gave me a crooked smile. "So that's the kind of heat you're feeling! There's only one way to cool down beautiful. It's just a matter of where and when now that the what is answered."

Goodness me! He's being as forward as I am. I reminded myself to breathe before I pass out.

"I'm not interested."

I'm very interested! Right now at the back of my car!

"Yet you think about it." He spoke softly getting even closer. It would have been better for him to press his body against mine than for him to be just an inch away. So close but not close enough! My eyes shamelessly settled on his lips. I bit my own nervously. He got even closer... so close I can feel his breath on my skin. His pale blue eyes studied my lips. He parted his own.

A little closer...

My heart will explode. My damn heart will break right out of my chest.

Kiss me already! Don't make me take charge!

"I'm here. Sorry, I saw..." Castle went on and on about something I didn't care to listen to. Alexander moved away from me to listen. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. That was close. Why did Castle show up at this moment? "Did I interrupt something?"

Alexander and I looked at each other.

I hate this.

There was a spark when we met. Now there's a fire and it will get out of control. I must stop denying it. I'm no longer in control.

"No." We both answered at the same time with strange expressions.

Castle didn't buy it.

"Drinks on me." Alexander took my hand into his without asking. "We need to quench this thirst."