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
Helena's POV"She's just being dramatic." I laughed off whatever little concern I have for my mother's dramatic nature. She's making it seem like I'll be stoned for being pregnant without a husband. If only she knew that I'm married. My baby won't be a bastard because he or she will have a father.I faced away from Castle."She's not."Deep down, I'm troubled. Alexander didn't come to me that night my mother passed out. I was up all night waiting for him. He's a man of his word and he's not likely to cancel something he wants to do. "Once the shock sinks in she will get over it.""She has a point." Castle agreed with her."Finally someone who sees it my way! You're unmarried and getting heavier by the day! How will we explain this? What will we tell people?""I don't owe anyone an explanation. Why do I have to explain this..." I gestured to m
Rhea's POVThe plan changed drastically!I was supposed to wait but Alexander wasn't caving. He spent each night in the adjoining room; alone with the door locked to keep me out. While he unapologetically came home late each night with the stench of betrayal on his clothes and his skin, my baby kept growing. I had to come up with another plan.I told him I was not pleased with the way he was treating me and I'll be returning home to my parents. I guess he panicked because of what my father holds over him. He did come to Athens after a couple of days to get me as a result of my father raising hell. When he got to Athens, that is when I started my plan. A blow to the head can do wonders on the human mind. He was out for a while giving me a chance to have him moved to Santorini. An untraceable drug in his system is responsible for his docile nature. He's more susceptible to my suggestions. He can't tell re