His Unwanted Bride ~Editing~

Chapter Forty Three: Tabitha

"Yeah, we were just having a bit of a heart to heart," I said, slowly wiping my tears. Alex looked a bit worried, his dark hair was ruffled as if he had been running his fingers through it.

"Alright," he smiled awkwardly as if he wasn't sure if he should believe me.

"Have you two picked out your books yet?"

"Yes," Clarissa smiled.

"And you, Love?" He asked me.

"I think so," I smiled.

"Good," he laughed as we stood up and started to clean our piles.

"Do not worry, Miss," a woman called out running around the corner. "I'll restock those for you."

"Are you sure? I don't mind," I smiled back at her.

"I am sure Miss," thenwoman smiled again.

"Alright," I replied awkwardly and gathered my ten books to purchase while Alex gathered Clarissa's, leaving our towers of books behind us.
   
We made our way back to the desk and paid for everything before bringing it back to the car. When we got to the car, I was confused. Where had our bags gone?

"I had one of my men bring everything back to the house so that we could have more room for your books," he laughed.

I smiled. He could be so thoughtful.

"I have one more place for us to go," he smiled.

He opened my car door for me, and then helped Clarissa into her seat. We drove awhile to a boutique that had tons of fancy dresses and purses and shoes.

"Tonight I want my girls to feel like royalty," Alex smiled.

"We already do," I smiled as he led us from the car and into the shop. I gave him a soft peck on the lips when Clarissa's back was turned.

"Ahhh Mr. Laventis," a young woman behind the counter called out flirtily. She leaned over the counter to show her cleavage. "How may I, help YOU," she winked.

I felt myself growing a bit jealous, even though I had no reason to be. I looked up at Alex and he seemed annoyed.  "Eleni, I am here to have my wife and sister in law pick out dresses for dinner with my family," he spoke harshly.

"Oh, you're breaking my heart, I'll get mother. She'll be so happy to see you," Eleni smiled dramarically and stormed off.

Alex pulled me into his side and placed a loving kiss on my temple. "Eleni has had a crush on me since we were kids. She won't take no for an answer, so despite loving her mother, I try to distance myself from them," he smiled sadly.

"Well, maybe now that she sees you happily married, she will understand and give you space," I whispered back.

Just then an older woman glided out from the back of the Boutique. "Ah, Alexios, let me see you!" She rushed over to him and too his cheeks in her palms. "It has been far too long."

"Hello Katerina. How are you?" He smiled back at her.

"I am well," she smiled. "How are you, you're so skinny, you need to eat something," she smiled pinching his arm. "Is Roula not feeding you enough? Aye Deh! (Greek expression similar to "oh my goodness") Ah, and you must be the wife!" She smiled releasing Alex and pulling me into a fast squeeze hug.

Feeling shocked, I looked at Alex unsure of what to do and he just smiled. "Katerina, I think you are squishing my wonderful wife Tabitha," he laughed.

"Oh, sorry," she smiled releasing me.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," I said with a smile.

"And you as well Koukla mou. If Alexios feels you are right for him, you are more than welcome here," she smiled.

"And this is Tabitha's equally sweet and beautiful sister, Clarissa," Alex smiled.

"H-hello," Clarissa spoke shyly, peeking out from between us.

"Ahhh, such a beautiful little princess," Katerina smiled. "Please, call me Thea Keti."

"Thea, we are here because we are meeting my parents for dinner, and I'd like to treat my girls to special gowns that are just as beautiful as they are," Alex smiled.

"Come, come, I will help you. Ignore Eleni, she's just cranky. She needs to eat something, no?" Katerina smiled ushering us to the area with the gowns.