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

Chapter 4: Heat

Alexander's POV
When my mind is stuck on something, it's all I will think about  until I do something about it. While I have met a fair share of beautiful women, none have captured my attention the way Helena has. She is all I am thinking of. That's a woman I want in my life and I won't stop thinking about it until I get my way.

"No fishing today?" My mom startled me out of my thoughts. "Is something wrong Alexander?"

It's a habit that I spend my mornings in a boat. If I'm not fishing, I'll probably get lost in a book. Having spent so many years out at sea, it's where I feel at home. If I had my way, I would never have come back. She knows this. However, I could not bring myself to get out of bed this morning. All I am doing is thinking of Helena Bale. The tall beauty with a captivating gaze is all I want yet my arms are empty.

"I don't want to marry Rhea." She plastered her palm over my mouth.

"Don't say such things out loud!" She closed the door to my bedroom. "I don't want you to marry her either. She is a snake! I know there's nothing but darkness underneath that pale face! I don't even want you to have children with her! You can't Alexander."

I started laughing. It's great that someone is on the same page with me. "I couldn't agree more. How do I get out of this?"

"Your father's mind is made up. He is as stubborn as an old goat about this marriage!" She let out an exasperated sigh.

We both sat on the edge of the bed staring at a family portrait of the three of us. I can't say we have always been a happy family but we sort of like each other. Together is not our favorite place but when push comes to shove we stick together. But on this marriage, father is on his own.

"Maybe I can offer him a different deal." I suggested with new found hope in my voice. "Maybe I can get out of this."

"How?"

I kissed her forehead. "I will make him a deal."

"What deal? Alexander!" She called after me but I didn't stop.

Every Friday morning, he likes to take his breakfast in the gazebo facing the sea. He says the view calms him. My father has never been a calm man. I'm about to stir up the waters and ruin his morning but I would rather try to find a way out than getting stuck with Rhea. I won't get hitched without a fight.

"Can we talk?" He ignored me. He likes to blame his ears but if I say his company is bankrupt he will hear me. "Father." After skipping the dinner he wasn't pleased. He didn't even speak to me. I guess the silent treatment will continue. "I know you're upset, but please talk to me."

"What do you want Alexander?" He asked in a bored tone. 

I grabbed the newspaper he's pretending to read. I folded it in half. "I'm sorry about flaking out on dinner. Something came up."

"You embarassed me!" He glared at me. "My only son, my heir, the future of the Christos Foundation embarrassed me in front of potential relatives! All you did was paint me as a man without any control over his son!"

"And I'm sorry. May I?" I gestured to one of the chairs.

"You'll just end up doing what you want. Sit on the table if you want." He flung his arms in the air.

I took a seat. "I don't want to marry Rhea." I got to the point. This is not surprising to him. He does know how I feel but he chooses to ignore my feelings.

"Why not? She's beautiful. She's well mannered. She comes from a rich family. What more could you want in a wife?"

Is he blind to her vain nature? He doesn't care. He married a good woman and has not experienced a hellish one.