Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 142043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 473(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 473(@300wpm)
“He has all he needs to write the contract,” Alessia says.
Reaching over, I squeeze her hand. “That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s go back to the hotel and decide what to do next.”
She nods, and I rise from my seat and give Tabaku a brief nod. “Thank you.”
Thanas translates his response. “I will see you on Saturday in the afternoon. And you must choose two people to be witnesses.”
Witnesses? More like accomplices.
* * *
Alessia does not know how to gauge Maxim’s mood—or what he’ll do. He was quiet and brooding as he stalked back to the hotel. Is he angry? Does he still want to flee? They’re sitting in the Hotel Amerika bar, a first for her in her home country, and she wonders what he’s thinking.
Tom and Thanas have returned to their rooms, so she’s alone with him. He looks pensive as he reaches over and takes her hand. “I’m somewhat aggrieved that we’re jumping through all these hoops to appease your father’s ego.”
“I know. I am sorry.” She stares at the table, not knowing what to say and unable to escape the feeling that she’s responsible for their predicament. If only she hadn’t lied about the pregnancy. But then her father might have insisted she marry Anatoli.
“Hey. It’s not your fault, for heaven’s sake.” Maxim gives her hand a reassuring squeeze. She returns her gaze to his and is relieved to see nothing but his concern. “I don’t want to fight with your father, but I wish he hadn’t put us in this position. I know he thinks he’s doing the right thing.”
Alessia nods, surprised at how seriously he’s taking their situation. He wants their marriage to be authentic. His jaw is tense, his expression serious, and his eyes a glowing green. She hates that he looks so troubled. “What do you think we should do?” she asks.
Maxim shakes his head but then smiles; he’s dazzling, stealing her breath away.
He really is the most attractive man.
“Well, we’re stuck here until you get your passport and visa—I’m not leaving without you. So, if you have no objection, I think we should do it.”
Alessia considers his words. He’s resigned to the wedding. Is that what she wants?
“Do you feel trapped?” she whispers.
“No. Yes. But not in the way you think. I came here to ask you to marry me. You said yes, and fundamentally your father is fulfilling that wish for me.”
Alessia nods. “I see that. Also, I think it will help my mother if we stay here and go through with the wedding.”
“Oh?”
“She doesn’t want to come to England with us. She wants to stay with him. I don’t understand why. But I think he’ll be angry if we leave, and he might—” She doesn’t finish the sentence, too ashamed of what her father might do to her mother.
Maxim studies her, his expression full of resolve. “That’s a compelling argument to go through with it. For her sake as well as ours.”
Alessia breathes a sigh of relief. “I agree.”
He smiles. “That makes me feel better.”
“Yes. Me too. I think it’s the right decision for her.”
“And the right decision for you?” he asks.
“Yes,” she answers emphatically. “It will mean that my family will not lose…um…the face in the community.”
Maxim blows out a breath and looks relieved. “Good. Okay. Decision made.”
And Alessia feels lighter—the weight of her father’s expectation lifted. How easy it was for them to reach a consensus—her fiancé and her.
Is this what their marriage will be like?
She hopes so.
“And now, I have much to do,” Alessia says.
“Yeah. I’ll grab the rest of my things from Tom’s room, and let’s head back. I have something for you.”
“Oh?”
He grins. “Yes.”
* * *
There are several cars in the drive when we arrive at the house.
“O Zot,” Alessia says as she turns to me. “My family. The women. They are here.”
“Ah…” It’s all I can think of to say.
“Yes. They will all want to meet you.” She pouts. “And I wanted to…um…set up this phone.” She holds up the iPhone box I handed her at the hotel, and I give her a sympathetic smile. She sighs. “I’ll do it later. The women gather. We always do when there’s a wedding. And they will want to check you up.”
“Check me up?” I chuckle. “Well, I hope I don’t disappoint them.” But despite our levity, I feel a rising sense of panic, though I’m not sure why.
“Don’t worry, you will not disappoint them.” Alessia’s lips quirk in a shy grin.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. And I’ll protect you from them. I’ve got you.”
I laugh once more, and we climb out of the Dacia. Alessia takes my hand, and together we enter the house. I slip off my shoes, as does Alessia, and they join the many shoes scattered beside the shoe rack.
“Ready?” Alessia asks.
I nod and take a deep breath as we stride down the hall toward the buzz coming from the family room.