The Time I Changed My Mind.
" Sit down already" my father murmured to me. He looked irritated, which suited me just fine . I needed him riled up to get settled down again.
I looked him dead in the eye as I said it
" I want to marry Alex Cross"
He dropped his fork onto his plate as he looked at me.
Aunt Mathye sighed and scratched her plate with hers
" Stop that Mat " my mother huffed, a small frown pinched her brows.
" Why " my father asked .
I took my time sitting down delaying his answer, which I knew would infuriate him and intrigue him even more.
" Well, I decided that maybe Ian Donahue is not it for me. Besides, it's well known that he's a bit of a sickly man."
" Now, Leila, that's not a very nice thing to say" my mother urged, and I smiled.
" Mom, it's not really a lie" I mumbled.
"Doesn't it mean it's polite to say darling," she whispered,
" She's not lying. Let the girl speak" my father growled. He was a little agitated.
" As I was saying, while the idea of marrying the Donahue is a good one, it would be best if I married Alexsander Cross."
" He is the one who has been running all the family businesses, he has more fiscal control than anyone else" I murmured, and my father nodded. I could practically see the wheels running round his head as he remembered the event from the night before with Alex in the limelight after having won the crown jewel of the auction last night.
His face was plastered around the country and my father would not like to think he was being made a fool of.
" What's made you this reasonable" he asked skeptically and I grinned, shrugging carelessly,
" I learned from the best " he grunted, looking at his plate.
" The man is strong-willed though. What makes you think he is going to want to marry you" he asked, and I smiled.
" I'll take care of it. Alex and I have an understanding. You have to take care of his uncle though", I muttered, and he nodded.
" I will work on that", he stood on the table and turned to leave. All of a sudden, he looked back at me.
" I'm glad you've come to your senses. That boy was not good for you. Too wishy-washy" he grunted, I laughed, biting into my bread, and he smiled as he walked away.
My mother had said nothing so far, she just looked at me like she was confused about what to do, but I knew that as she sat there wondering what the hell she wanted to say.
" This really isn't good" my mother muttered, looking up from her breakfast.
" Just like the Castors to do things without thinking of the consequences" aunt Mathye murmured,
" Matt, that's uncalled-for " my mother hissed, and she shrugged, sipping at her tea.
I ignored her and looked at my mom.
" I know, and I'm sorry that this puts everyone in a spot, but this could be a chance for me, a chance at a life," I muttered.
" Julie, this is– have you really thought about this" she asked, and I nodded.
" I'm sure mom, I want to marry Alex."
" And this boy Alex, are you sure he loves you" she asked again, her brows bunched in a frown and I laughed.
" Mom, what does love have to do with this? " I replied and she sighed sullenly.
" I wasn't going to love Ian Donahue in the first place " i muttered, and she sighed deeply again.
" I know that but well –" she paused, then looked at me.
" How about that, Ben boy," she asked, and I shivered.
" I don't want to talk about him" I replied. She huffed.
" And that's a huge problem, darling, to go from loving someone to not wanting to acknowledge their existence."
" You've been a bit different for a while now" she mumbled. I rose from my seat and walked to her. I kissed her cheeks.
" I'm fine mom"
" I'll always be fine" I muttered. She nodded and looked at the table.
" Finish your meal" she said. I grinned as I ate.
Step one was done.
" I'm going out mom". I called out my mom. She was with my aunt and I really didn't want to deal with that.
" Where to, dear?" she called back.
" I'm going to see Cia, she's supposed to be back from her tour" I called out and winced at the lie.
Cia was still on tour, and she was due at the end of the week.
I was meeting with Alex at the coffee shop again to discuss our situation, but I couldn't really tell my mother that now could I, I sighed deeply.
So far I felt good ,things were coming into fruition, but I still had doubts and worries that would need to be assuaged. I got to the coffee shop and stood outside the door taking in deep breaths that were not very efficient at calming me all of a sudden , then I pushed open the door and strolled in.
It was the afternoon rush, so the room was busy and filled with people eager to get lunch and get back to work. I glanced around the room and relaxed when I caught a glimpse of Alex's black hair.
I walked to his table, studying him as I went.
I had seen Ian Donahue and I have to admit that Alex Cross was a very handsome man. Marrying him would not be unpleasant, but it would be the most unimaginable experience, and I was looking forward to it in a way.
I did a little research on Alex myself. He was the only son of Isla Cross. She was the half sister of Trent Donahue, who had died in a car accident. Unfortunately, there was no news about whom the father was. Alex had been raised by his uncle as a child.
He raised his head, a small smile widening his lips as his gaze stopped me in my tracks.
" Welcome, I was worried you wouldn't make it" he said softly. I huffed and sat immediately.
" I would have called if that was the case. I hope I didn't make you wait too long", I asked, folding my fingers on top of the table.
" No. I've been working, so I haven't missed you at all" A waiter stopped by our table.
" Good day, sir,. What will you have? "
" I'll have the peppermint tea " I ordered,
" I'll have another coffee" Alex muttered. The waiter hurried away, leaving them in relative silence.
" How are your parents" he asked, and I shrugged.
" My father has been reeled in" I smiled wryly and he laughed.
" I'd have loved to see how you did that" he mumbled.
" Hmm, I'm just glad they haven't told me no" The waiter returned with their drinks.
" A tea for you, and your coffee, sir" he muttered as he placed his order on the table.
" Thank you" they both whispered, the smell of sweet coffee filled her nostrils and I sighed. He looked at me all worried.
" Why didn't you get the coffee, if you wanted it" he muttered, and I huffed.
" Are you giving up" he asked, and I shivered.
" Not willingly, I assure you. "
"I'm trying to reduce my intake" I muttered.
" It must be hard for you, the, abstinences, " he asked, grinning slyly, and I hissed, sipping at my tea.
" Well, I'm lucky aren't I by the time I get to your age I won't be weird and anxious" I mumbled,
" It's not bad, maybe I'll like it " I sighed, sitting straighter, humming softly at the taste of the tea. And he laughed.
" I'm not sure if you're preventing it or postponing it, you look jittery as hell" he pointed to my rocking feet. I stilled my feet.
" I'm just nervous"
" We do need to talk about the situation". Alex shrugged.
" I am still going with my words from before. I want you to marry me", I paused, then nodded.
" I can't deny that it gives me ease when you say that, but we have to consider you and your family" I muttered and he shrugged
" I am considering them. I've spoken to my uncle, and I'm going to let your father deal with my uncle first."
" Then I'll talk to him again" he finished simply.I nodded
" And Ben" I asked. He looked to me
" Well, that depends on you next. How do we get the bid out from him" I shrugged.
" That's easy. Once the marriage is approved I'll talk to my father". He looked at me as if he was just seeing me for the first time.
" If that's the case, then we'll walk from there". He pushed a file at me. I looked at him.
" A contract, stating that we'll be doing this until both our needs are met. After that, we don't have to continue with this farce" i looked at him.
" And " I asked
" It mentioned sexual content. We stay celibate except in circumstances that we both agree with". I took the file.
" You can read it" I nodded, leaning to him.
" I need him broken, so he has nowhere to crawl to" I said softly. He looked me deeply in the eye and nodded.
" I'm at your service".