Chapter Three

I pulled at my skirt and took a second glance at my watch in 10 minutes. Levi Strauss-Jackson was late. Very late. We were scheduled to meet at the rooftop bar of the Continent Grand Hotel - the alleged venue of our wedding ceremony. The meeting was set for 2pm, and I had arrived at exactly 1:55pm, not wanting to give him the benefit of courtesy. Well, it seemed he had the same idea as me.

Just as I was contemplating leaving, I heard the familiar ding of the elevator and looked up to see Levi stepping out of it.  Despite the sticky California heat, I felt a chill run through me at the sight of him. Levi was certainly more impressive in real life than on my phone screen. I had spent the past few days furiously researching him, familiarising myself with the man that was to become my husband. He was the oldest son and the primed successor of the Strauss-Jackson empire, a conglomerate that spanned several industries. It was easier to keep track of what sector of business they weren’t involved in. I had read that he was both a ruthless and savvy businessman, closing details worth billions of dollars and sending competitors scurrying out of business. I couldn’t find a lot of information on his private life, however. No real mention of any relationships or past loves.  He seemed to be a typical playboy; stringing women along and leaving them high and dry when they fell for him. No surprise there, I thought bitterly. Rich boys were always the same.

I got a better look at him as he approached my table and though I hated to admit it, he was one of those people that looked far better in person. Short, cropped blonde hair framed his face. Light blue eyes, the colour of a summer sky, held mine captive beneath a strong brow. Full, pink lips contrasted with a sharp and strong jawline. His charcoal suit hugged his well-defined physique, and his towering height only added to his imposing presence.

I didn’t know I was staring until he said, “What are you looking at?”

“What?” I asked, my voice faltering slightly.

He rolled his eyes, unbuttoning his suit before gesturing at the seat opposite him. “Sit down.”

I parked myself in the seat and regarded the man in front of me. We both looked at each other for a long time before I spoke up.

“Well, aren’t you going to say anything?”

“You were staring at me and so I decided to return the favour.” His voice was smooth and soft, calling to mind velvet and butter.

I shook my head, dislodging the thought. “So, you are Levi,” I said.

“And you are Athena,” he said smirking at me.

“What’s so funny? Care to share the joke?”

“I just find you amusing. I guess you’re one of those women. Hoping to live off and leach from a rich man,” He glanced distastefully at my pink frilly shirt and grey skirt combination.

Anger and embarrassment coloured my cheeks red. “I’m just trying to honour my father’s wishes. Do you think I want to marry you?”

His smirk evolved to a full-blown smile on his face. “And yet, here you are. Agreeing to marry me.”

“Well, what about you? Why are you agreeing to this? You don’t know me either.”

Just as easily as the smile came on to his face, it disappeared replaced with a cold, icy glare. “I don’t have to explain myself to the likes of you.”

I clenched my fists beneath the table. I didn’t think that marrying Levi and becoming part of his family was going to be a walk in the park but this man in front of me was definitely planning on making things even harder.

“Oh, and just before I forget, I’ll arrange for my assistant Carmen to take you shopping.” He said looking pointedly at my beige heels.

“If you’re going to become a Strauss, you need to look like one.”

I wrapped my hands self-consciously around my middle. “What’s wrong with how I dress?”

“Darling,” he said, the ingratiating smirk back on his face “Do you really want me to answer that?”

He reached into his breast pocket and dropped what looked like a business card on the table. “That’s Carmen’s number. Call her. If you show up at the next meeting looking like that, the wedding’s off.”

Taking a deep breath and recalling the reason I had agreed to this marriage in the first place, I said “Can we get to know each other a little bit? It will make this whole thing easier, wouldn’t it?” A small smile played at my lips. I was trying to salvage what was left of this meeting. Trying to steer us back into somewhat friendly territory.

“There’s no need to do that,” he said rising. “I have much more urgent business to attend to. And frankly my dear? I don’t really give a damn about you,” A grimace twisted his face, a blend of repulsion and loathing.

“The wedding is a week from today. Get yourself together. We will only meet when necessary. Any other communication can be funnelled through Carmen. It’s her job to deal with nuisances.” With that, he stepped away from the table, making his way to the elevator.

“Oh,” he said, turning around. “I don’t think I’ve given my condolences for your father’s death. It was such a tragedy. Michael was a hard worker.”  He was supposed to be consoling me, but the insolent smirk never left his face. He stepped into the elevator and gave me a mocking wave as the doors closed.

Anger simmered within me. He had arrived extremely late, proceeded to call me a gold-digger and stylishly inept before mocking my late father’s death? He was an arrogant brute and a heartless monster. I took several deep breaths, attempting to calm myself. Looking up at the sky, a lone tear escaping from the corner of my eyes, I said to no one in particular “I’m doing this for you, Dad. Just for you.”

Wiping my face, I picked up the card on the table and dialled Carmen’s number.