Balotelli-Bale Series Book#1: HELENA'S CONTRACT

Chapter 3: Set Up?

Alexander's POV
"I thought you'll be much happier to see me." I wish was high right now so that I can tell a lie. My mother gestured at me to smile but my cheeks won't let me. They are frozen solid. My face feels glued in one place. I plucked a flower from a pot and gave it to her. That should distract her from my mood. "Thank you. Although a bouquet would be nice."

Never satisfied...

"Noted."

"What have you been up to? I was starting to worry that you won't come back." She laced her fingers with mine. "I missed you."

There's no spark. There's no heat. There's nothing. How is it that she can be this attractive and yet i feel nothing when she touches me? Am I incapable of feeling?

"I'm here." I answered. "I can't talk about my time in the Navy."

"You're more formal than you were back then. Is it me?" Rhea asked with a concerned expression.

Maybe I'm being unfair to her. I cupped the side of her face pressing a feathery kiss on her forehead. "It's been ten years Rhea. We need to remind each other of what we used to share."

We didn't share anything. I'm just trying to be nice.

"Well for starters, did you ever get any of my letters? I wrote to you often."

"No." I lied.

I never even opened them.

For me, enlisting in the Navy was the get away I had wished for since I was a teenager. At twenty two I left and I never looked back. The only person i sincerely missed is my mother. She cried a bucket of tears when I left. She wanted to come with me. She even said she will enlist so that we can stay together. My father didn't even say goodbye. He was angry that I chose the Navy over him and his business. I was young back then and I didn't think much of anything other than my freedom from him. I'm more sensible now and I see why he needed me to stay. I just don't like the conditions. He's punishing me for leaving by forcing this union with Rhea. He wants to control me.

"That's too bad. A lot has changed but not how I feel about you." She smiled at me. "I love you Alexander."

Alright, I'm done!

"I mean you no offense but you were seventeen when I left. At that age, how would you even understand your emotions?"

"I know I have always loved you Alex. I have always loved you." She pressed her lips on my cheek after I dodged her kiss. "Don't you want to kiss me?"

"Intimacy is between two people. My mother and father are here. If you have no regard for your parents, I respect mine too much to behave inappropriately in front of them. Excuse me."

I left her in the garden.

The moment I entered the house, I had one plan. To go to my room and lock the door. I can't pretend. How will I do this for the rest of my life? I'll suffocate from it.

"Alexander!" The housekeeper stopped me. "There's a call for you."

Is this the chance to get out of here?

"Thank you. Who is it?"

"He says his name is Castle."

I received the call in the drawing room. "Hey!" I can't be any happier than this. "You just saved me. Call me often. What can I do for you?"

"I want to invite you to a business dinner. My boss has a few things she would like to discuss. It's a business opportunity for your company."

"Helena?" I asked.