Chapter Three: Set Up?

Alexander's POV

"I thought you'll be much happier to see me." I wish was high right now so that I can tell a lie. My mother gestured at me to smile but my cheeks won't let me. They are frozen solid. My face feels glued in one place. I plucked a flower from a pot and gave it to her. That should distract her from my mood. "Thank you. Although a bouquet would be nice."

Never satisfied...

"Noted."

"What have you been up to? I was starting to worry that you won't come back." She laced her fingers with mine. "I missed you."

There's no spark. There's no heat. There's nothing. How is it that she can be this attractive and yet i feel nothing when she touches me? Am I incapable of feeling?

"I'm here." I answered. "I can't talk about my time in the Navy."

"You're more formal than you were back then. Is it me?" Rhea asked with a concerned expression.

Maybe I'm being unfair to her. I cupped the side of her face pressing a feathery kiss on her forehead. "It's been ten years Rhea. We need to remind each other of what we used to share."

We didn't share anything. I'm just trying to be nice.

"Well for starters, did you ever get any of my letters? I wrote to you often."

"No." I lied.

I never even opened them.

For me, enlisting in the Navy was the get away I had wished for since I was a teenager. At twenty two I left and I never looked back. The only person i sincerely missed is my mother. She cried a bucket of tears when I left. She wanted to come with me. She even said she will enlist so that we can stay together. My father didn't even say goodbye. He was angry that I chose the Navy over him and his business. I was young back then and I didn't think much of anything other than my freedom from him. I'm more sensible now and I see why he needed me to stay. I just don't like the conditions. He's punishing me for leaving by forcing this union with Rhea. He wants to control me.

"That's too bad. A lot has changed but not how I feel about you." She smiled at me. "I love you Alexander."

Alright, I'm done!

"I mean you no offense but you were seventeen when I left. At that age, how would you even understand your emotions?"

"I know I have always loved you Alex. I have always loved you." She pressed her lips on my cheek after I dodged her kiss. "Don't you want to kiss me?"

"Intimacy is between two people. My mother and father are here. If you have no regard for your parents, I respect mine too much to behave inappropriately in front of them. Excuse me."

I left her in the garden.

The moment I entered the house, I had one plan. To go to my room and lock the door. I can't pretend. How will I do this for the rest of my life? I'll suffocate from it.

"Alexander!" The housekeeper stopped me. "There's a call for you."

Is this the chance to get out of here?

"Thank you. Who is it?"

"He says his name is Castle."

I received the call in the drawing room. "Hey!" I can't be any happier than this. "You just saved me. Call me often. What can I do for you?"

"I want to invite you to a business dinner. My boss has a few things she would like to discuss. It's a business opportunity for your company."

"Helena?" I asked.

Her father was my mentor but I never interacted with Helena. She always kept to herself.

"Yes."

"Let me know when. Is right now okay? I'm not doing anything useful with my time."

He laughed from the other end. "The dinner is tonight but if you need to bail out of there, I'm free for coffee or something." I glanced at my wrist watch. It's already five in the evening. If i ditch this dinner my father will be furious. "Coffee sounds great. Is seven o'clock agreeable for dinner? Is it too much of a short a notice?"

"I'm definitely meeting you for coffee. Seven is perfect. Give me the address." I reached for a pen and paper.

*

I ended up escaping an important dinner just to get away from Rhea. I would rather discuss boring business than be next to her.

It's a cozy restaurant. I'm anxious to meet Helena. It's almost seven. I tapped my fingers impatiently on the table. I have no doubt they are looking for me back home. I left without telling anyone. If I stayed at that dinner, I would have said or done something to upset everyone. My absence is the best gift I can give.

As I expectantly looked towards the entrance, I noticed a woman in a long blue dress. She's speaking to a man. When I saw it was Castle, I smiled to myself. Helena is here. She walked my way with a blank expression on her face but all I could do is not how beautiful she is.  She has made her entrance at exactly seven. Her blue eyes locked gazes with mine. I couldn't look away until she got to the table. I sprang to my feet. "You must be Helena."

"You must be Alexander." She stretched out her hand to me. I shook it eagerly and this time I realized I'm not incapable of feeling. There is a spark. There is heat. I like it.

After we both settled in she signalled a waiter over. "Your best wine." She ordered.

Most women would let the man make the orders. "You are not the little girl i saw all those years ago." I noted.

"What am I then?"

Her pale blues are a little playful but curious. She has so much life in her. I want to be around her. She doesn't look or feel plastic. "A beautiful woman."

If I'm not mistaken, she blushed. It was quick. She looked away promptly giving her attention to the waiter holding a bottle of wine. I can't stop looking at her. It feels like I'm seeing sunshine for the very first time.

She looked at the menu completely avoiding any further eye contact. Have I made her uncomfortable? Most women would be flattered to be told they are beautiful. She looks uncomfortable.

We chose what to eat in silence. After giving the waiter our orders, she offered me a small smile. "You have already met Castle."

"I have. I thought he will be joining us."

"Am I making you uncomfortable Mr Christos?"

Try excited Helena. You're exciting me in all the right ways.

"This is better. I like this. How is your father? I haven't seen him in years."

"He's not the same man you remember." She answered. "His health has deteriorated significantly. Most days he doesn't even know who he is."

"It must be difficult." I folded a fist under the table to keep myself from holding the beauty's hand. It's an evil thought but it wouldn't be so bad if my own father suffered temporary memory loss. He will forget about this ridiculous marriage he is setting me up for. Maybe he will even forget he has a son and I'll go back to what makes me happy, the sea. "I would like to visit him."

"Knock yourself out." She shrugged.

I placed my hand on top if hers. Her pale blue eyes widened only for her to pull away suddenly. "I would prefer if you accompany me."

"He doesn't know me. We will be two strangers in front of a senile old man. No. I won't accompany you."

"Okay then. I guess I'm on my own."

"What about you Alexander, what have you been up to? I didn't know you still exist until Castle mentioned you."

"I've been travelling around."

"Can you be more specific?" She asked. She doesn't shy away from a stare off or questioning me. It seems she likes to get precise answers. Vague doesn't cut it for her. I think I like her already.

"I was in the Navy."

I could tell she wanted to ask more but she didn't. Instead she focused on the food that was served to us. Helena is in every sense a lady but I can't help but notice a boyish side to her starting with the short hair. I think there's a chance my hair may be longer than hers. She looks like the kind of woman to see a challenge through. I don't think she uses her femininity as weapon. She's a sexy beautiful number. She can get away with much by flaunting that card. I think it's her intellect and fierceness that has gotten her to where she is. She's interesting and I want to know more. My curiosity is piqued.

"Why are you back?"

"To tend to family responsibilities. My father would like it if I take over from him."

"The Christos Foundation has been doing well. Perhaps it stands a chance to do better with a fresh set of eyes."

"So has Bale Industries." I noted. "What did you want to talk about?"

She smiled and didn't say anything for a few seconds. "Excuse me but you'll soon realize I'm very forward. You are a good looking man. I think I just want to sit here and stare at you. That's the honest truth."

I fought a serious blush from my face. "I don't mind your pretty eyes on me Helena."

"I'll be honest with you. I don't want to go into business with you."

"What do you want?" I leaned closer biting my lip.

She bit her lip too with a wicked smile on her beautiful face.  I watched her going through a series of expressions before she settled for a soft one that I haven't seen all night. "I'm not sure yet. But I like this."

"Me too." I answered settling my hand on top of hers. This time she didn't pull away. "Me too."

Rhea will lose it if she finds out I ditched her for this phenomenal woman in front of me. She's my way out of the arranged marriage. I have an idea. I hope my father will agree.

Helena's POV

Alexander Christos.

I can't get that man out of my head. The dinner was perfect. I don't think there's a time in my life I have smiled or laughed as much. He is humorous, good natured and a great listener when he's not excelling at story telling. He's everything I'm not and that makes him perfect.

But this is not how it is supposed to play out. There's a script and we are both not sticking to it. I was never supposed to meet the candidates. Castle was supposed to handle everything. He insisted I meet Alexander and now I understand why.

"I'm sorry I'm late." He apologized as he hurried into my house. He found me waiting for him in the living room. I have been somewhat disoriented since I was with Alexander. My mind is a disorganized mess. He pops up when he's not supposed to. I can't get anything done without his handsome face interrupting my thought process. I'm hot all over! "It's noon. Why are you in your pajamas?"

"End it."

"What do you want me to end?" Castle asked.

"I don't want Alexander. End it."

Castle seemed not to believe me.

I came up with this just a few minutes ago when I realized I have lost control of my life. I can't afford to be distracted. I want him. I want him badly. If anything, everytime his hand brushed over mine I felt immense heat surging through me. I can't stop thinking about him. It's almost like we clicked the moment our eyes locked and he moved into my mind.

I hate it.

"What did he do?" Castle expressed his protective nature towards me.

"He made my heart race."

"Helena, isn't that a good thing?" He laughed. "For as long as I have known you, not many men catch your attention or even hold it! This is a first and it's great that you like him. Don't you want to see where it goes?"

"Dates, love, wedding, children, misery, affairs, ugly divorce. That's the summary. Not interested. Get rid of him."

I turned away closing my eyes. What am I doing? Why do I have to stick to the plan? I want this man why not have him? He seemed interested. I felt Castle's arm on my shoulder. He turned me to look at him.

"No. This once I'll disobey you. I'm not getting rid of Alexander Christos. If you don't like him, get rid of him yourself."

"You have to do what I say!"

"At Bale Industries, yes. This is a personal issue. Deal with it."

I almost wanted to scream out in frustration.

He affects me. He is sipping into my veins. I don't want him to reach my ice box! He will thaw the ice right off! I don't want to be affected like this! I want to be in control. I'm not seeing him again.

It's over.