His Unwanted Bride ~Editing~

Chapter Five: Tabitha

     The Leventis family had sent a car for us. I looked down at my knees covered by the sapphire and black dress I wore. I felt like a prized pig being trotted out for a final walk before slaughter.

     I sighed sadly and looked out the window as the car came to a halt. We were at an extravagant hotel. Our chauffeur opened the door for my step monster and me and we made our way inside. A concierge led us to the meeting room and I could feel the panic rising in my body.

     As the door opened, my eyes rested on a man about 25 years old sitting at the table. He rose to his feet and rounded the table to escort me inside. When he reached me, he extended his hand to me, into his, expecting to shake but he raised my hand to his lips and kissed it, sending goosebumps all over my body. "I am Alexios," he spoke.

     "I am Tabitha," I replied, smiling a bit. My heart leaped in my chest, but my heart was a traitor and couldn't be trusted.

       "It is a pleasure to meet you, Tabitha," he said, his pure blue eyes sparkled as he looked at me, for a moment I allowed myself to enjoy the fantasy. I had seen him somewhere before, but his long hair seemed out of place.

       It was him, the man I had seen a few years ago, in the middle of the street. He was going out of his way to help someone he really didn't have to. He was kind. I felt a small surge of hope in my chest.

       "And you as well," I smiled. For a moment I panicked as he swung his head to adjust his long dark hair.

      "Come sit," he spoke leading me to a chair and pulling it out for me. I winced as I sat in it, seeing his arms move behind me. Usually, when a chair was pulled out for me, my step monster would yank it out at the last second before I could sit. I forced myself to calm down. Alexios wasn't him. 

       "You must be Mr. Leventis," I smiled reaching out my hand to who I assumed was Alexios' father. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

       "And you as well, my dear," he spoke shaking my hand.

       Alexios sat across from me, and his eyes settled at a spot on my neck, right where my step monster has bitten me this morning. 'Oh no no no, what must he think of me?'

      "May I speak with my bride to be alone?" Alexios requested angrily. "We have a few things to discuss."

     He looked furious. Anger was an emotion I feared. It never bodes well for me when a man in my life was angry. Frightened that I would become the target of his rage, I shrunk into my seat. 'Nothing was going to change,' I thought to myself. I was going to be forced to marry this man, who hated me before he even had the opportunity to know me. 

      "Don't be rude, Alexios," his father warned. "Let me review the portions of the contract that involve myself and Tabitha's father. If we reach an agreement, we will pay him $10,000 in exchange for Tabitha to become your bride."

     "My sister," I blurted out without thinking. I had wanted to negotiate this point so much more eloquently. But it popped right out. "My sister is going through a difficult time and I would like to request that she comes to stay with us for a bit, I cannot leave her."

     Alexios' gaze softened a bit, but he kept his eyes trained on me. "That is alright with me, as long as you care for her. I work many hours as it is, and will soon be taking over the family business. I may not have much time at home."

     "Alright then, now, we will leave you to discuss anything else you may need to," Mr. Leventis spoke as he rose to leave the room with my step monster.

~*~ Author's Note ~*~

Heya, everyone!

What do you think so far? Will Alexios be like our heroine's step monster, or will he show her the love and care she has never known?

Keep reading to find out!

~Clara

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