Helena's POV
"Slow down." It's a whisper. I'm not one to whisper a strong thought. I like to be heard when I speak. This weak woman he is turning me into is not welcome. I need him to slow down before I find myself on my knees being ploughed away by this bull. I firmly pressed my palms on his chest pushing him away. I tore my mouth from his. These kisses have to cease. "Slow down Alexander.""Why are you fighting what is obvious between us?" He tucked his hands into his pockets. He is not even hiding the mold in his pants. I moved away from him walking to the beautiful view of Athens on this hot afternoon. I should be prepping for my next meeting but I am here locking lips with Alexander Christos. I steadied my breath fighting the burning sensation on my lips.
"Because I don't want a relationship."
"What do you want?"
I want a baby. I want your baby but not you. I do
Alexander's POVI am not having a good morning. That blissful phase I was in suddenly ended when I found out Helena's real intention of being around me. It felt like I fell out of the clouds and I landed on earth, hard! I'm angry with her. I am beyond angry! I'm shocked and it's not in a good way! We haven't spoken since and as much as it's keeping me up at night it seems not to bother her at all. The Queen of ice hasn't bothered to apologize for what She has done. She hasn't even made the slightest gesture towards reconciliation. Just a day or so ago she held a press conference and She looked fine. I'm mad but she's fine! How the hell is she wired? Am I expecting too much from a woman I have kissed a few times? Didn't it mean something to her when we were together? I know it wasn't anything with a label but doesn't she feel what I feel?I focused on the fishing net. I have to finish repairing it. I'm ready to go out to sea a
Alexander's POV"Please say that again. I don't think I heard you." My mother's surprised face is priceless. If I was in her shoes listening to the things I'm saying I would be confused and worried at the same time. "Helena and I made a deal. We will spend a month together in Malibu. It's... a romantic gate away. During that time, she will... get pregnant." My mother scratched her head. She's trying to understand this. It's absolutely insane. I can't believe I'm doing this either but I'm in love. I will do anything insane for her. "With your child..." I zipped up my last bag. Her blue eyes shifted to all the bags. "A month? It looks like you're not coming back Alexander. Are you jot coming back?" "I... I may stay after Helena and I are done." The sadness in her eyes makes me unhappy. The last time she looked at me like this is when I left
Alexander's POVEarlier, before Malibu..."You sure waste a lot of time in that boat. That time should be spent growing our wealth. I didn't make it this far by sitting in a boat and reading a book."I glanced at the man. He's right. Wealth isn't made by sitting and doing nothing. It's hard work. I admire him for his work ethic. But that is his career option; the corner office with a view of Athens. I'm on a vacation from my job. I already worked hard and now I'm taking a break. He doesn't recognize my time at the navy be as employment. To him, I was just wasting time on a boat."I value my time alone."I hope he leaves me alone."Alexander, son, I understand that you want to make your own decisions. I respect you for it but there are things you have to do out of obligation and not pleasure.""Do you have any examples I can go by?"
Helena's POV"No no no!" I tried to hold on to him but he slipped away quickly. He rolled over on the bed with a mean laugh in his voice. Everyday he does this. He wanders to my side of the bed, he teases me and then when I'm dripping with need he leaves me. "You can't keep doing this! It's unfair!""But it's super fun." He smiled brilliantly. That smile can thaw all the ice in the North pole.The more time we spend together the more I'm falling for him. He is actually getting me to reconsider things. That silent debate in my head is becoming a daily thought. Would it hurt to just get to know the man? Would it kill me to be close to him? Is a relationship without a contract possible? Castle was right. He's not Franco. Alexander Christos is a good man. He's not using me for his own selfish ends. Why would he need to? He has his own money, much more than my own. I let out a silent sigh. I also turned away so th
Alexander's POVPlaying ten moves ahead of another player is something that is normal in my family. My grandfather was obsessed with it. His primary lesson was always stay ten steps ahead. The number itself doesn't hold much meaning but the point is, anticipate your opponent's move and do something to get ahead.Sarris knows my father's dirty secret. Sarris wants a marriage between me and Rhea. His only goal is to get his hands on the Christos billions. He is not motivated by anything less. Rhea is the same. It's all material for her. She doesn't love me. I will never love her. Should I consent to a wedding, I'll be handing them everything on a silver platter. In the event of my demise, everything will belong to them. Since i have no intention of getting Rhea pregnant, my legacy, the Christos name will be lost. I can't have that.What is my ten steps ahead move?"Wha
Helena's POVMy idea of a wedding before I met Franco was at the beach, bare foot and everyone dressed in white. I imagined it would have been one of the most beautiful moments of my life with the man i love. However, after Franco, I stopped dreaming of such things. Why waste time with my head in the clouds when I can prioritize financial success above everything else? While I'm excelling at it, I often feel empty inside. It's a void that money can't fill. I hate to admit it but Alexander is right. Money can't buy happiness. He finds happiness in little meaningless things. Sunrises and sunsets are his favorite. He never misses them. He is also a sucker for old books. After surfing, he spends time on a book. I like reading but not as much as him.This wedding is not what I used to dream of. If anything, I did not expect it. I did not plan for it. He planned for it and he knew it all along but chose to spring it on me days to t
Helena's POV"I meant to get out of bed." I spoke with difficulty. I have suffered the longest night in my life sitting beside the toilet.Castle flattened his palm on my forehead. "You feel a little too warm. You look pale. Should I call a doctor? It's unlike you to sleep in this late.""What time is it?" I have lost all sense of time."Three in the afternoon.""Oh no! I missed several meetings!""Slow down. I took care of it." Castle pushed me back down. "Are you... Did he... Did it work?""What?""Are you with child?"I suspect it. Why else would i throw up all night and through the morning? Alexander got the job done. I must be pregnant. A stupid smile graced my face. Castle expressed confusion. "I think so." All of a sudden, I don't feel so ill anymore. I have a reason to get out of bed. I'm going to hav
While Alexander was in Malibu...Rhea's POVThe look of disappointment on my father's face says it all. He's not pleased with the news our family doctor has delivered. I can't believe the old man told my father why I have been having dizzy spells way before I became aware. He didn't even respect patient-doctor confidentiality. If I would have known before him, I would have taken care of it. It was a meaningless fling meant to get off and not to bear fruit. Now that my father knows, I can't get rid of it."You realize that this puts our plans in jeopardy." He broke the silence."It was a mistake.""That will stain us forever! The only child you were supposed to have is Alexander's! Infidelity is ugly Rhea!"As it was my dream too but the man acts frigid around me. It's like I repulse him. Not even the tender caress of my fingers on his arm gets h
Marianna's POV"Rock-a-bye babyin the tree top.When the wind blowsthe cradle will rock.When the bough breaks,the cradle will fall.And down will come Baby,Cradle and all."I kept humming after her eyes became heavy with sleep. She can't keep staring at me. She's giving up. Her pretty brown eyes won't last. I hummed softly lowering my tone until i kept silent. I lay her down in her crib. She's really pretty. I'm truly blessed to have her.I straightened the picture frames on her dresser taking a seat in the rocking chair just to take it all in. It's been a crazy twenty five years. If anyone were to ask me to narrate it I wouldn't know which story to tell first because so much has happened since Nate proposed to this moment right here. My favorite story has to do with the simple go
Nathan's POV"Don't forget what we have agreed on." I kept up with her fast pace. "I'm getting him at sixteen. You have promised me that.""Why not eighteen?""You bend the vine when it's still young Nathaniel. Marianna and i have a deal. Honour it. Please honour it.""Consider it done mom. He'll be all yours at sixteen. We will still do our part."She squeezed my arm peering into my eyes. "Are you alright Nathaniel? You seem lost.""I'm just dealing with something. Nick is starting school pretty soon.""You can afford it, right? I'm aware of your financial limitations and I know I have made it impossible. You've risen to the challenge every step of the way and I'm so proud of you. You never asked for help. You never failed even if you gave up your comfort for your son.""I love that boy. I'll give up anything for him. Yes I'
Marianna's POVNathaniel and I can't keep our hands off each other. The night of the overflow opened up a new world for us filled with ecstasy and passion. It's hot as hell in this world and often as much as we don't speak we certainly sound our satisfaction. There's no limit as to where we have sex. As long as no one is looking, we carry on. Once daddy almost caught us. Nate couldn't find his pants in time so we had to stay really silent until he left. But we had a good laugh and yes, we finished.I can't get enough.It will never be enough.He's still residing in the guest house. I want him in my room. He's come up the window twice for the fun of it so that's we can feel like teenagers. He did it with ease. He's amazing not just in the way he loves my body but how he takes care of me before he goes after for his own release."Can I make a polite request?" Daddy spoke to me
Nathan's POVMy mother and I haven't had much of a conversation since she disinherited me. We only greeted each other the day Nickolas vanished. It wasn't even a greeting. It was more like:"Nathaniel.""Helena."She kept her eyes focused far into the distance. She has gotten much older. But she's every bit as difficult. "What?" She asked."Can we talk?"She glared at me. Helena can be a good mom but she can be a bad one too. Any onlooker wouldn't believe she is my mother. She's treating me like a stranger and it hurts. "What about?""May I sit?""No because you're not staying."Gio invited her to something he calls 'the overflow'. According to him, he gives away free wine to his neighbors because he has hit his profit margins. "I live here.""I still don't understand why Gio allowed you to."
Marianna's POV"I need to talk to you."I paused my conversation nodding my head. Nate entered the bedroom. "Have you eaten? Has Nicko been eating?""The only thing he is happy to do is eat. We are okay. We miss you though, I miss you. When are you coming back?""Soon. It's just a few more days. Are you sure Nicko doesn't want to speak to me?""It's not just you. He's not speaking to anyone. I think Mr Bale broke him." He laughed in a mean way."I love you. Tell him I love him. See you soon. Put nonno on the phone.""Am I having a third grandchild?" He laughed as soon as he spoke.I paid attention to the handsome man sitting in an armchair. If we get back together and we are stable enough, I'll definitely consider a third child. "No you're not.""Good because you two have a lot to work out. It's not
Nathan's POV"Buddy, no no no!" Chris sighed. He placed the bottle of wine on the counter. His facial expression is borderline funny. I almost want to laugh but then I'm tired from not sleeping too well. The sofa isn't comfortable. I even tried the floor. "What are you doing there? Didn't you get any?""Sleep?""No blondie. Didn't you get laid?""Buddy you're the blond. I simply have silver hair.""Point taken but still..." He looked at me expectantly making weird expressions.I woke up six times to walk to Marianna's door but I couldn't bring myself to enter. It seems to them like I'm not trying but the battle I'm going through is intense. I want her badly yet after thirteen years, Nicko may be more experienced than I am. I have no idea where to start. I don't want to mess up the 'first time'."Nothing.""You need a drink."
Nathan's POVI feel stupid for thinking it would mean anything to her by showing up today. Perhaps I'm delusional for assuming that time heals all wounds. Even if it heals it doesn't change anything else. Maria will only see me as Nicko's father. Regardless of the kiss we shared, I'm just Nicko's father and I'm not allowed to be anything else. She's my everything. It hurts but I'm responsible for her decision to keep me at arms length. I did this to myself."Nathan! Nathan wait up!"Courtney hurried to catch up with me. I noticed the others as well. "Where are you going?""I'm going back to Italy. I have a troublesome teen to deal with.""So that's it? Wilton just leave with your tail tucked between your legs?""What do you expect me to do Court? She's fine without me. She has someone else in her life! I'm not going to get in the way.""I expect you to go back
Marianna's POV"What's all this for?"I smiled at my assistant. The whole dressing room is full of an assortment of flowers."A lot of people are congratulating you. The collection is beautiful." I closed the door shutting out the loud music from the runway show. A popular pop musician is singing as the models make their way down the runway. The audience is excited.I invited Court, Chris, Freya and Frank to see the collection. Nate stayed in Italy to watch Nicko and Tony. Raúl is also in the audience separate from my friends. The only thing giving me relief is Nate's absence. I can't introduce him to Raúl. Something tells me it won't end well. I picked up the biggest bouquet."These are from Raúl." I read the card. He is always sending me red roses. They smell divine."I think these are the most beautiful ones." She offered me a bouquet
Nicko's POV"We barely made it out." Lupe held a pack of frozen peas over my swollen face. She held her own pack over her face. The girl can fight! She held her own until Julio stepped in and finished the fight.There was the issue of the gun.That day nonno shot at dad, he dropped a gun. I picked it up and hid it. That's the whole reason I was locking my room and not the magazines. I wouldn't care if they found the magazines but the gun? Mom would go nuclear on me.I fired it but it wasn't loaded. That sacred them but it is Julio who really saved us. We got separated when the Belucci bodyguard started to pursue us. We got lost while passing through the estates and in the end Lupe brought me her home. It's not much."How do we look? Are we still beautiful?" I laughed."I don't know about you but I know I am."I set the frozen pack of peas dow