Limits of Destiny (Volume 1) (26 page)

When the song “Just The Way You Are” came on, Alexander took hold of my face and started to sing. What a voice—it made me weak at the knees. How could he be so perfect?

Even though he still hadn’t said the words I love you, which I so yearned to hear, I felt his love. I felt it in my soul and in my heart. My jealous Alexander, my perfect Alexander. He was mine and I was his. Time didn’t exist, even if only briefly, even if only during the songs. And the lyrics spoke instead of us, revealing our feelings.

*     *     *

Gabriel, Lily’s hairdresser,
managed to create a work of art with my hair. I was really happy with the look. He rolled my hair into large curls and put it up in an elegant bun at the back. I felt beautiful, and that was extremely important to me.

I returned to the house and went into Alexander’s study to tell him I was back. The door was ajar. I knocked, took two steps forward to enter, and then froze on the spot.

“I fucking told you worker safety is very important to me. How many times do I have to repeat it?” He screamed into the phone, which made me jump. I hadn’t seen him so furious before. Alexander spotted me. Sparks flew from his eyes, but they softened after a second. “I don’t want to discuss it any further. Do as I told you.” He hung up and tossed his iPhone on the sofa.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to disturb you. I just wanted to tell you I’m back.” I decided to go, but he stopped me.

“Come to me, please.” His voice was now as soft as butter. I hesitated, but in the end, I walked over to him and he hugged me.

“I scared you.” And without waiting for my reply, he added, “I’m sorry… I just get really mad when my instructions are not followed to the letter and, thus, mistakes are made. I’m surrounded by incompetent idiots. I should fire them and find other people who can do the job properly.”

Snuggling up to him, I could hear his heart beating. I wanted to cheer him up. “If you continue to get angry all the time, you’ll turn grey very soon.”

“And you’ll no longer like me. Is that it, Miss Welson?”

“I’ll like you with grey hair too. You can be sure of that.” I raised my head, and our eyes met. “I just want you to take care of yourself.”

Alexander put his hands on my face. “I’m so glad you’re here. You have a calming effect on me.” He gave me a onceover and continued. “I like your hairstyle. You look gorgeous.”

I smiled at him and hugged him even more tightly.

We sat on the soft couch placed by the large French windows, and I rested my head on his shoulder. I recalled this morning’s incident with the little girl and shivered instinctively.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“About this morning.”

I told him about what had happened, and he held me even more tightly in his arms. Terrified, he closed his eyes and, after he opened them, said, “That guy could have run both of you over.”

“I know. But in such situations, one doesn’t consider that… You would’ve done the same.”

“You’re probably right.” He kissed my shoulder, put me on his lap, and then sadly shook his head. “And instead of comforting you… I started shouting at you.”

“I hadn’t told you. You couldn’t have known.”

“Still…” He fell silent, struggling with his emotions, and then continued. “Thank God, I’m glad nothing bad happened to you.”

We sat holding each other in silence, both of us lost in thought. I gazed at the lake and the twinkling sunrays and thought about how happy I felt in the arms of my beloved.

One should appreciate and be happy for all the good moments life gives to him, because one doesn’t know when bad things will befall him.

I do not know how long we stayed like that when I asked, “When should we start getting ready for the ball.”

“Soon,” he replied.

“I’m anxious.”

“If you’re worried about my parents, believe me; my mother is more anxious about meeting you.” He smiled, gently caressing my hand. “She’s been looking forward to meeting you the entire week. It’s been torture for her. You have to understand I’ve never had a girlfriend before, and they were concerned about that. They didn’t like the fact that I was always with different women, and now my mother is over the moon.”

“Alexander, I’m happy I’ll meet them, but when I think about all those photos and…” I stopped to consider exactly how to tell him.

“And what… What’s eating at you, honey?” He bent forward and looked me in the eyes.

“Vanessa and Bert Gras. They’ll be at the ball and I’ll have to meet her… And there’ll probably be other women with whom you’ve… I’m anxious.”

“Are you jealous?” He stroked my face with his knuckles.

“Yes, very.” I admitted. I pressed myself more tightly against him and inhaled his scent. It was divine.

“Now you know how I feel when I know you’re prepared to work with your ex. I literally see red.”

“Let’s not talk about him right now, please.”

“I’m glad you’ll do me the honor of being next to me at the ball. So everyone can see my beautiful girlfriend. Let’s get ready. I’ll help you put on the dress. I want us to get there a bit early.”

We rose from the sofa and walked into the bedroom. I went into the bathroom to do my makeup. Then I sprayed myself with the Jean Paul Gaultier perfume Classique and went back to the wardrobe.

“Mmm, I love this perfume. It reminds me of the time when we first met.”

“You remember it?” I smiled.

“How could I forget?” He came over, hugged me from behind, and placed a hand on my breast. He put his nose behind my ear and inhaled deeply. Then he helped me zip up the dress and put on the diamond jewelry.

I took my cream-colored clutch and put money, powder, and lip-gloss inside.

“You don’t need money, baby. I invited you and I intend to pay for both of us,” he said, buttoning up his shirt.

I frowned. I didn’t want him to make me feel like a kept woman.

“Please, Alexander, let’s not argue about this. I know I can’t afford to spare a lot of money, but at least what I give will be mine. I don’t feel comfortable using your money all the time. You’re so generous to me and I appreciate everything you do, but I would like to give something from me. Otherwise, I feel like a kept woman.”

I turned to him.

He looked at me somewhat puzzled and then just said, “Fine.”

I couldn’t believe he agreed with me without arguing.

“I don’t want you to feel bad.” He continued while trying to put on his cufflinks.

I put on my Jimmy Choo shoes, which were covered in fine crystals. I was definitely worried about their five-inch heels. I had no idea how I would last the whole night in them.

“Let me help you.” I went over to him.

“You look quite tall in these heels, young lady. Almost as tall as me.” I looked at him—he wouldn’t stop staring at me. “You’re a goddess, baby. Like Aphrodite.”

“Thanks to you.” I smiled at him.

“A woman makes her clothes beautiful, not the other way round.”

“You’re always so gallant.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You make me feel like a real princess”

“You’re my princess.”

“And you’re my prince.” Pressing my lips against his, I kissed him gently. He pulled me in, putting one of his hands on my nape and the other on my waist, and the gentle kiss turned into a passionate, fulfilling one. I felt his hot tongue next to mine and moaned. The warmth gradually washed over me.

He growled, “Fuck… I want you again. We’ll resume this when we get back.”

God, how I adored that man! And with every day that passed, I loved him more and more.

Alexander pulled away from me and took one of his watches. It was a Patek Philippe chronograph with an exquisite black leather strap. Very stylish. Taking my hand, he said, “Are you ready?”

I nodded, smiling.

“Let’s go, then. Henry is already waiting for us in the car.”

I
t was already
getting dark when we arrived at Alexander’s parents’ house. It was in the canton of Schwyz. Several photographers were lined up in front of the beautiful metal gate. When we stepped out of the car, they started to shout his name and ask for a picture. Alexander pulled me to him and I posed.

I wasn’t surprised when I noticed how majestically the garden was decorated. There were three marquees next to each other. Round tables covered in starched white cloths were arranged under them. The tables were decorated with vases with red roses and white candleholders covered in crystals. A stage had been built in front of the marquees—some band was playing on it. There was a dance floor in front of the stage. A large projection screen was suspended behind it, showing pictures of different children from orphanages.

Alexander took my hand and led me through the crowd of people who had come to the charity ball.

“Don’t walk so fast, please. I can’t keep up in these shoes.”

“Sorry, honey. I wasn’t thinking,” he replied and slowed his pace.

We came to an elegantly dressed woman wearing a beautiful long blue dress. A broad-shouldered, tall, and trim man stood next to her.

“Mum, Dad,” Alexander addressed them, “meet my girlfriend Alexia.”

His mother greeted me with a wide, genuine smile. “It’s very nice to finally…” She looked sternly at Alexander and continued. “Meet you. Call me Carmen, please.” I shook her hand first and then held out my hand to his father, who raised and kissed it like a true gentleman.

“It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “I’m Thomas.”

A waiter walked past, carrying a tray of champagne glasses. We took one each.

“To your happiness, kids,” said his father, and a very faint smile appeared on his lips.

While I was taking a sip of champagne, I heard a female voice behind me.

“Alexander, I’m so happy to see you.”

I turned around and froze. Vanessa Gras was standing next to us, dressed in a long, bright-red dress with a plunging neckline, no back, and a long slit, exposing her entire thigh. Her hair was cut in a straight fringe, which fell almost down to her eyes.

She stood on her toes and kissed Alexander on the cheeks, which made me ball my hands into fists in jealousy. She nodded at his parents and continued to chat with him as if I wasn’t there.

Alexander turned to me and said, “Vanessa, meet my girlfriend Alexia.”

She held out her hand, looked me up and down, and the corners of her mouth twisted into a fake smile.

I felt disgusted by her behavior, and she reminded me of Cleopatra with her raven hair and arrogant attitude. I hadn’t met such a snooty woman in my life. And to think Alexander had slept with her… God, I was so jealous my cheeks flushed and I felt it was too hot.

Perhaps the champagne is having its effect,
I thought, trying to calm myself.

Carmen, his mother, apparently noticed my condition and pulled me gently by the elbow. “Come, dear.” She led me to the central marquee.

When we reached one of the round tables, she took two of the small nametags on it and swapped them. “I’ve always arranged the seating for dinner in the same way, but I don’t think Vanessa should sit next to my son anymore.” She paused for a moment to order her thoughts and continued. “Alexia, they’ve known each other since they were little kids, and…” She stood in front of me and took my hands into hers.

Does she know about their one-night stand?

“Many women want Alexander, but only one has managed to capture his heart. That woman is you, darling. So…” She lifted my chin. “Raise your pretty head and straighten those shoulders. You’re gorgeous.” She gave me a warm smile. “You have no idea how glad I am God has sent you to my son. Before he met you, he was unhappy and hot-tempered. He was only interested in his work, whereas now he is happy and that is thanks to you. There’s nothing more important to a mother than seeing her children happy.”

“Thank you, Carmen.”

“Not at all, darling. Come, I think it’s time to return to our partners. Just remember one thing—don’t let anyone or anything come between you two.”

Over the microphone, the compere asked all guests to go to the huge bundles of heart-shaped red balloons and untie them.

I tugged Alexander by the hand and, with mock politeness, smiled at Vanessa. “Please, excuse us.”

She pouted and downed the remaining champagne in her glass in one.

Alexander and I untied several balloons, and when the man with microphone finished counting down from ten to one, all beautiful balloons soared into the sky. They represented the smile of every child from an orphanage who had been helped by the Berg for Children organization.

My eyes welled up, seeing the balloons receding from us and watching the children’s faces projected onto the screen.

“I’m proud of you, Alexander.” I hugged and kissed him. “Everything you’re doing for these kids is incredible. Every person who has the financial means should consider how many hungry and ragged children there are in the world, waiting for warm clothes and a bite to eat. Fate left me without a mother at the age of ten, and I know how the absence feels… Even though my father gave me the love I needed, it wasn’t the same… I don’t want to imagine what it’s like to grow up surrounded by strangers, without parents.” My voice broke from the emotion.

He ran the back of his hand across my cheek. “Don’t you want to join the organization and assist my mother? I think you two will get on well.”

“With pleasure. And I think this is the time to let you know I’ve decided to accept your proposal to work in your company.” I made this decision completely spontaneously. I just didn’t want anything to come between us.

“Really?” The look of surprise on his face was priceless. His eyes gleamed—he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“But, as you know, I’ll have to stay at the bank for another three months, until they manage to find the right person to take over from me.”

“Yes, I know, and how unfortunate that is.” He knitted his eyebrows slightly.

“On Monday, I’ll tell my boss I want to resign.”

Alexander hugged me tightly. “Oh, baby, today you’ve made me the happiest man in the world.” He lightly touched the corners of my lips with his and smiled. “I don’t want to ruin your lipstick.”