Authors: Marie Kelly
“Seems I had a flair for business”
Tessa had seen the fire in his eyes, as she had dropped her hand.
“Why are you not marrying for love?”
The question had taken him by surprise, as he had looked at her, his face showing his confusion, before he had pulled himself together.
“Too many people marry for Love Tessa, but love is transient………it doesn’t last. My mother married my father for love…….and he abandoned her to pursue another newer love.”
His tone had become harder as he had spoken.
“I grew up on my own for much of the time. My mother was so busy that I was almost raised by my nanny……….and that is not right, children need a mother and father to be there for them. Marriage at the end of the day should be a partnership to ensure that children have a stable secure environment. Long ago I realised that it should be seen as any successful merger with both parties getting what they needed out of the arrangement.”
His voice had become so business like, as she had watched him closely
“I have watched couples tear themselves apart Tessa for the sake of ‘love’and I have seen the effect that has had on children. I vowed never to be one of those couples, but to find the right wife and mother who I could look after and ensure had everything she needed and in turn know that she would raise our children and offer them the security so many do not have”
With a small smile he had finished.
“And I know that you are the right wife and mother for me Tessa”
She had finally understood him, understood why he was doing this. He knew his own nature, knew that he needed to “love” many other woman, her grandfathers words that he had mistresses coming back to haunt her. He did not want to mislead a woman into believing him to be in love with her, knowing that his love would be “transient”. Deep inside her, she knew that he would love his children and that he would protect them from his need to have other women, and that he was offering her a completely honest relationship. She knew what to expect, she knew that he would never love her, he would care for her, but never love her. Alexis was she realised more concerned with ensuring that his children grew up in the stable home he had never known, part of her heart reaching out to him, understanding fully what that had felt like. However, she had also felt the sadness fill her, knowing that for her it was the end of a dream, the dream to spend her life with that one person who would love her and who she in turn would love with all her heart.
With a small sad smile on her lips she had looked back at him.
“Thank you” she had breathed softly, as he had looked down a hint of concern in his eyes.
“I promise I will make a good husband to you Tessa” he had spoken with honesty in his voice, as she had nodded.
“I absolutely know that”
She had replied, as both their eyes had held the other, a strange sensation passing between them, before with a soft moan he had lent forward, his mouth covering hers as her hands had flown around his neck. Pulling him in closer to deepen their kiss his had moved around her pulling her harder against him. With a small sound of almost pain he had broken off the kiss, his eyes smouldering.
“I want you so much Tessa” he had finally managed, his voice thick and husky.
“You have no idea what you do to me”
She had closed her eyes to hide the fire in her own, as he had seen how her body had quivered beneath him.
“You and I will be a good team Tessa, a very good team”
She had giggled gently.
“Yes I’m sure our merger will be a great success with lots of wonderful branch offices” she had replied softly, her eyes finding his full of laughter, as he had chuckled back.
“mmmmm………I don’t think I have ever looked forward so much to expansion” he had laughed back, before with a sigh rising and pulling her gently to her feet. As they had walked back up the dock, he had reached out and gently taken her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze, as she had smiled back.
The next few days had passed in a whirlwind of activity. During the day she had found that she was slowly being pulled into the social circle of the rich and wealthy wives, with invitations to join committees and fund raising committees. It had been with relief that Mrs Lowe had stepped in and taken her under her wing, explaining how the system worked, fielding calls that she should and shouldn’t take. With a warm smile one day she had hugged the older woman, her eyes full of such thanks.
“I am so glad you are here Mrs Lowe” she had said, her voice holding such truth “I truly would have been lost without you”.
The other woman had seemed taken aback, her eyes misting over at the obvious sincerity of the younger woman before her as she had nodded, not able to speak. It was clear that a great bond had developed between the women, as Tessa would meet with her each morning, both working together to prepare the breakfast that they shared, laughing and joking about the day ahead.
In the evening when Alexis would return, she would prepare herself for one of the many occasions that they would attend, quickly going through the cocktail dresses she and Jade had selected. Everywhere they went, she had been welcomed and accepted, very easily she realised given her grandfather’s connections. With a wry smile she had thought how ironic that was.
As the week had flown by, she had had time to get to know Alexis a little better, finding him an attentive and considerate man. Often she had followed him around the room, listening attentively as he had given advice and talked to the many other businessmen who usually also attended the events. Each time she was surprised to see how honest he was to everybody he met. He was not the kind of man to sugar-coat bad news, nor was he the kind to gloat or be cruel. As a result people seemed to like and respect him, her included. As the days had gone by, she had felt herself looking forward more and more to his return from work, looking forward to spending time with him. Scowling, she had not been able to understand her feelings.
She had found herself comparing him more and more to her grandfather, surprised at how different the two men were. John was ruthless, conniving and completely unscrupulous, his treacherous business dealings legendary. Alexis however, was open, honest but with the ability to be every bit as ruthless, although deep down she knew that anybody who saw that side of him would have deserved it. She also realised just how well he was liked, many informing him of little known facts about those he was dealing with, information she knew her grandfather had to pay dearly for.
After one such conversation, he had smiled at her.
“You catch more flies with honey than vinegar” he had winked, as she had smiled back.
The day before they were due to fly out to Greece he had taken her hand pulling her fingers to his lips before giving a small groan.
“I regret that Clara and I must meet up with a small delegation in the city……..it will mean that I will not be home tonight Cara” his breath had fanned her hand, as she had smiled back at him, feeling her stomach go cold with disappointment.
“I will make sure that I am back for our flight” he had finished, smiling softly down at her.
Tessa had nodded with understanding, knowing that he was a busy man, but glad that he had looked so disappointed to be leaving her, this raising a warm smile on her lips.
“I am sure they will wait for you” she had chuckled, knowing that they were flying on his private plane, causing him to give a responding laugh to her, before he had bent to kiss her lips, this small action once more firing the flames any touch usually did between the two.
“Sleep well” he had whispered huskily, before moving from the house.
The next day as the large car had taken her to the private airfield, she had smiled seeing Alexis already beside the private jet. She had not known what to expect, but the plane had looked bigger than she anticipated. As he had led her inside, she had gasped with wonder seeing the opulence of the interior, fitted out with plush chairs and sofas along with a corridor that seemed to hold other rooms, the whole area reminding her of a well fitted condo.
She had looked into his eyes, hers saucers betraying her wonder, before she had giggled gently.
“Boy it is good to be the king” she had chuckled, as his face had broken into a large grin.
“Ah, my Queen…….welcome” his hand had dramatically swept the area, as she had laughed back. He had then shown her the rest of the space. The large office, with its state of the art communication devices and old world furnishings, and the bedroom with its large bed and opulent en-suite facilities
With eyes which still shone with wonder she had looked at him.
“Do you ever slum it?” she had asked, a note of fun in her soft voice, as he had smiled back, shaking his head.
“Hell no…….I tried that back-packing as a teenager……would you believe I had to carry my own bags!!”
Tessa had grinned giving a small nod as she had remembered her own early years in which she had lived out of suitcases. The life of a model and dancer on a cruise ship not the luxurious lifestyle many assumed it to be.
As the plane had made its way across the skies Alexis had become more animated, talking about his childhood in Athens growing up in the country they were to be married. Tessa had sat beside him smiling and laughing at the many stories of his antics, sharing many of her own as the hours had slipped away so fast, that both had looked surprised as the captain had informed them to prepare for landing.
Then they had been whisked by boat to a nearby island and Tessa had held her breath at the beauty of the place. Only one small village occupied the lush island, its small houses perched as close to the water as was possible. The two had walked along the narrow cobbled streets, the uneven ground somehow adding to the old-worldliness of their surroundings. White-washed walls with terracotta roofs filled her vision, along with the many people who milled around in no particular hurry, as they chatted and sat enjoying the peacefulness of their home, time having a completely different meaning on the island. Tessa had found herself giving a long sigh, her whole body relaxing as the sun had caressed her back.
“Do you like?”
Alexis beside her had asked, squinting over at her, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses. She had given him one of her large smiles in return, nodding gently.
“I do not think I have ever seen anywhere quite so lovely” she had finally managed, seeing as he had instantly grinned back at her.
“This was the island my mother was born” he had said, his hand moving to gently take hers, their fingers entwining, this small intimate action filling her with an internal glow.
As they had walked through the sleepy picture perfect village, he had pointed out many of the landmarks of his youth and she had been surprised to find that he had spent his early years living there before moving to the hubbub of Athens.
On the outskirts a car had been waiting for them, the streets too narrow for the large vehicle to safely manoeuvre around. Tessa had smiled on seeing the train of donkeys that at one point had passed them, as he had referred to them as the daily bus, the only means of transportation other than the few bikes she had seen that would fit down the narrow streets.
The car had moved to the other end of the island and she had held her breath in awe as they had rounded a bend in the small road, the villa they were headed for coming into view.
“Oh Alexis” she had breathed, her voice showing her wonder
“It is beautiful”
He had smiled proudly at her and as the car came to a stop, helped her from the car
“When I made my first million…….I decided that I would have this house built in memory of my mother” he had said gently, his voice cracking a little, as almost instinctively she had reached out and squeezed his hand getting an instant smile back from him which inexplicably had her heart racing.
They had moved around the wonderful building with its own tiled roof and white washed walls which fitted in so well with the village below but which sat on two levels, with porches and verandas giving a 360 degree view of the wonderful vista. She had gasped in awe of the surroundings seeing the hillside the home sat on overlooking the yellow ribbon of beach below, the azure sea shining like a precious stone.
Alexis had watched as she had held her hands clasped together before her heart, her eyes wide with wonder as they flicked from one thing to another before she had turned back to him, her face not able to hide her feelings.
“It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen” she had finally said. Alexis feeling strange warmth filling him at her obvious sincerity as he had moved forward, pulling her into his arms, his mouth finding hers in a gentle kiss as both his hands held hers before pulling back slightly to look down into her lovely face.
“I am very relieved you feel that way” his voice holding real warmth and sincerity as she had smiled back at him.
“I built this house for my mother, the only real woman in my life I have ever cared about, and now Cara………I give it to you as a wedding present”
Tessa had felt her chin drop, her eyes looking up at him in disbelief.
“your….to me” she had stammered, her eyes once more whipping around to take in her lush surroundings.
“but…but …you can’t do that” she had managed, seeing his mouth quirk.
“In two days time, we will be husband and wife” he had chuckled.
“so yes…..yes I can”
She had felt herself gasp, seeing the determination in his eyes, and knowing him better than to believe him to be playing with her.
“I don’t know what to say” she had finally managed, feeling the small lump in her throat rise, as strange feelings had flooded her, a small tear rising to her eye.
He had pulled her in against him, moving her so that the two were walking together, his arm around her shoulder, hers around his waist.
“It is traditional to give presents” he had replied “And in this case……..fitting”
Tessa had given a small groan, looking up at him.
“I didn’t get you anything” seeing as he had flashed her a wicked grin.