Chapter Two: Ticking Clock

Helena's POV

"Where are we?" After a difficult afternoon with my father, I want to hear something good. A shred of good news will suffice.

I decided to see the old man because of my mother. She tries so hard to still be his family. The ten minutes I spent there was the best support I could offer.

Castle has been working for me since we met in college. We have been joined to the hip since. What started out as little errands for money has culminated to him being my personal assistant. I hate to admit that I am a mess without him. He keeps the wheels turning when I have stalled because of too much on my plate. He knows I will never complain. He helps where he's able. 

"Castle!" I clapped my hands to get his attention.

"I found him! I found him Helena!"

"Which one of the names on the list?" I asked eagerly. Castle got closer. He served two glasses of champagne. I happily took my glass. "Is this a celebration? If it's bad news I need something stronger."

"I found him. No, he's not on your list."

I emptied the glass of champagne quickly. I knew I needed something stronger. "You branched out of the confines of my list!"

"Not on purpose! I ran out of names on your list. I crossed everyone off! I wasn't going against your wishes because your list was void of any more names. When i saw this guy, I immediately realized he is the one we have been looking for. I wanted you to meet him but you left the party."

Now i wish I stayed. "Does he check the boxes?"

Castle took his usual seat facing me. At some point I have considered him as a possible candidate. He's handsome. He's hot. He's charming. He's well mannered and generally a good natured person. He is fairly smart. He is not Greek and not from a significant bloodline but still he has potential. If everything fails, it could be him. But will he agree to the terms? So far he's been blunt about my contract. 'Not fair' is what he's been singing.

"You have to be reasonable at this point. Let some things go. He checks most of the boxes."

"I don't want most. I want all."

"Helena, be reasonable."

"Is there something I should worry about?" I sighed.

He gave it some thought. I watched him carefully wondering what he has schemed up.

When I decided to this, it's not just because I don't have time for the commitment relationships demand but i don't believe in love. Relationships are complicated business contracts. If it doesn't give me millions, it's not worth it. But it doesn't mean that if he's a wealthy man I'll want him. I still believe I'm better off on my own. I won't commit to anything. That said, all I want is an heir. That's all. That is what all this is for.

"No."

"Who is he?"

"His name is Alexander Christos." He reached into his bag. As he searched for something I tried to remember his face but nothing came to mind. The name Christos is known beyond the bounds of Greece. The billionaire name is associated to every big successful company. They are investors. Castle placed the file in front of me. "Read it. I am meeting him-"

"What for?" I asked quickly. "Have you told him about me and what I want?"

I opened the file. Yes, he's good looking. I even tilted my head just to be a star struck girl for a few seconds. I want to squeal. I looked at Castle with a big content smile on my face.

"I'm trying to get on his good side Helena. He's not like the others on the list. This man has a mind if his own. I doubt that he will agree to your terms."

"The whole point of every candidate on the list having a net worth below mine was to use money as leverage Castle. You are offering me a man whose net worth alone is double what Bale Industries is worth. What leverage will i have over him?"

"It's not always about money Helena. Life is not a business transaction-"

"Yet we always give and take. How many people can you count in one hand who are altruistic?" He let out a frustrated groan. "See? Give, take. Transaction. Business. Contracts. And the only contract that i want is mine with my interests. So unless i have an edge over this guy, he's out. Get me a new list."

I pushed the file towards him.

"You have exhausted all that Greece has to offer. Unless you lower your standards, you won't be getting a pure Greek heir."

"It has to be a pure Greek heir." I paced to the tall windows facing the sea. "I want what I want. Find him for me." I noticed his irritated expression. I'm not as cold as people think. Once in a while I actually care. Castle holds a special place in my heart and not even my own mother makes that cut. "I know I ask you for a lot. Please don't give up on me. Just find him."

"Hold on to this. Meet him. You don't have to state your reasons. Let's stage something so that you can see for yourself Helena. He's perfect for the job."

I barely ever change course once my mind is dead set on something. I set goals, I achieve them rain or sunshine. I will battle all odds to get my way. My whole life is planned out and I'm not clocking twenty seven without an heir. Will it kill me to meet him?

No.

But it will send me off course. Alexander Christos is the kind of man you marry. I don't want to marry. He's the kind of man to steal your heart. I don't want to be robbed of my ice box. I don't even want the ice around it thawed.

"Set up something simple, a few minutes tops. Fill me in on the details."

"I'll check with him. This weekend-"

"Tonight." I decided when I saw his confusion. He wasn't counting on me agreeing. If I don't do it this soon, I'll jump ship. I want to be in a room with him, look him dead in the eyes and experience if he affects me. He better not make my heart race a beat faster than it should. He better not.

"What if his schedule doesn't agree with yours."

"Make it work. I trust you."

"Wear a dress. No dark colors. And Helena, smile please."

Again with the smiling!

Alexander's POV

The ticking of a clock signifies that each second that goes by will never be repeated. What is a second? It's not even a fraction of time. It's something everyone takes for granted when we wonder 'what is are mere seconds? What will it change?' A common answer, nothing significant. Well I don't believe that.

I believe that every second counts for something. It's a contribution to the bigger picture. What is my big picture?

Success.

I prioritize this into three categories. True happiness, a great family and financial prosperity. The last one is not much of a priority for me but it's a burden i have to bear because of my surname; Christos.

This name brings me little happiness. It's the reason i have fake friends; the opportunistic and hypocritical kind who attach themselves to me like leeches. They will say anything I want to hear because of the perks that come with knowing me. At the love front, it's even worse. Women are attracted to me for shallow reasons. No one sees the real me. They see my face, they hear my name and they want to commit for life. I can't do that. At least I used to think I will never marry for financial reasons. If anything I have deluded myself into that belief for years. At thirty two, something had changed. My father is ill and soon he will die. When that happens, I will inherit everything he owns. Everything. A burden I never wanted and the reason I had to leave the Navy.

Back to my list of three things, true happiness will not be achieved with the only option on the table. I don't see my bloodline merging with hers. There won't be a great family. The third priority, will be achieved. They are fairly wealthy. Bringing our companies together under my ownership is the only thing I'm checking off this list. It doesn't make me happy. I can't even pretend to be.

"Try to look less tragic." My mother whispered. "It's not a funeral."

"Of all the women in Greece, why her? Why a woman so plastic? Everything about Rhea is a facade!" I complained quietly.

"Your father and her father are childhood friends."

"Yet I have to be caught in the middle. Why didn't you have other children he can toy with?"

She glared at me. "I came from a family of twelve. I don't like big families. It's chaotic."

I grew up all alone in a house that was easy to get lost in for days. If there is something I really wanted, it's siblings. I hope I won't be cursed to have only one heir. Rhea looks like the type to be more concerned about her body than the future of the family we are to forge together.

"Duly noted." I grimaced.

What I would pay for an excuse to bail out of here. The laughter of the old man responsible for this tragedy echoed through the hallway. Is he really sick or did he make it up to get me to come home? His friend is with him. I grew tense but my mother squeezed my hand. "Let's play pretend Alexander. Let's just smile past everything."

She's better at it than me. I call it what it is.

"Death is better than this." I pulled my hand out of hers. The two old men made their entrance with Rhea and her mother following behind. I haven't seen Rhea since she was just a girl in high school. Without bias, she has grown into a seemingly refined and beautiful young woman. But with her, what you see is not what you get. I know her too well. I can't stand her but as a gentleman, I have to behave and remain courteous.

"Alexander, aren't you happy to see your betrothed?" My father questioned my melancholic mood.

Just because they had a conversation about us possibly marrying when we were children doesn't make us betrothed! I smiled nonetheless. "It's always a pleasure to see you Rhea."

I will throw up in my mouth if I keep lying like this. She walked past her parents with a big smile on her face. I kissed her cheek and avoided any contact. She looked disappointed.

"That's all?" Her father asked. "It's been ten years and this is it? This is your reunion?"

"For goodness sake Alexander! This is not the Navy you are allowed to fratanise!" My father joined. "Kiss the girl!"

Rhea looked at me expectedly.

"I raised a gentleman." My mother saved me. She gave Rhea a hug saving me from having to kiss her. "How have you been?"

When she pulled the woman away I made a mental note to buy her the biggest bouquet of flowers I can get my hands on.

"That is the woman who will give me grandchildren! You better warm up to her!" Father chided me when we were left alone in the hallway. "Even if you feel nothing for her, fake it till we get what we need."

"Yes father." I answered to get him to leave me the hell alone. At this point, I would rather be drowning at sea with an anchor tied to my feet.

"You're not getting any younger! You have nothing to show. The clock is ticking son! Where are my grand children?"

The ticking of a clock signifies that each second that goes by will never be repeated. If this woman becomes part of my life I will never regain the lost time.

I need a savior.