Lawfully His Book 1.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

THE MEETING AND THE DATE

Melissa Fernando

Blank... Blank

That's how I was feeling right now.

No scratch that, I wasn't feeling anything because I simply didn't know what to feel. Am I supposed to be happy or sad? Am supposed to be happy that I'm going to marry the man I love or should I be sad that he doesn't love me and the fact that he is an egoistic jerk doesn't make it sound better? and I don't know if I should lash out at my mother or hug her. Hug her?! What the hell are you talking about girl? Hug that woman?

I'd rather hug a pig! God dammit! I can't even think straight.

I still remember the cold he was gaze, so distant and not to forget so rude. Sure he's like the perfect Adonis Greek God like but his rotten personality just messed it all up. And how will I be able to live with him when he is so hot and sexy? How will I be able to think straight around him, how will I walk, talk, and eat? That would be a problem. I look up at my mother and saw her waiting for a reaction. Rosemary Fernando, I'll chop you into pieces one day! Mark my words. But then again my children wouldn't have a grandma. Who am I kidding, who would ever want her as their grandma? No seriously, I should stop thinking rubbish right now.

Focus Melissa, focus! "Say something now Melissa and don't you go all saint on me, Aries Alexopoulos is perfect, everyone else would die to be in your place, you should be grateful that your mother is so smart doing everything for you." Yeah right!

"But what about Kerry-“

"What about her, I already told you, everything will be cleared. No one will bother her or anything. Just normal, like old days once you get married."

"No I don't trust you, how do I know that you'll hold up the end of your deal? I need confirmation and you won't only clear the accusations but you'll also help Kerry with her career. She dreams of becoming a-"

"Stop it, Melissa, you listen to me, you get married to Aries Alexopoulos and I'll clear the accusations on Kerry. That's it. That's the deal we are talking about. Take it or leave it! Your choice."

"Fine and you're so selfish yo-“

"Oh let's not waste time now daughter, you have already agreed and we have wedding preparations and so on. I think we should go to Andrea for your dress. You do remember your friend, Demy's aunty Andrea She has opened her boutique, and it's fa-bu-lous!" She said emphasizing 'fabulous'.

I gritted my teeth but hearing about aunt Andrea calmed my nerves.

It's been a long time since I met her and she is the sweetest lady. I closed my eyes and sigh.

"Fine but you have to-

"I will take care of everything concerning Kerry okay? Let's go!"

"Kerry... you need not to worry about that. I told you, just trust me, okay, everything is going to be fine... I have got this, just trust me and stop crying. You know I'm not good at consoling people."

"Melissa, you're a-are s-saying that as if talk-king about the weather. This is a-about my damn repu-reputation. Ta mère est une salope sans coeur!"

My eyes widened hearing Kerry.

She was screaming and behaving so differently.

That's not her way. But I can't blame her, she hiccups one last time and then sighs heavily.

"No I get you, Kerry, I understand what you're feeling right now. But I have got this completely under control. Look at me, look at me, Kerry." I said cupping her face, she raised her head and look at me with red eyes.

"Listen, we had a deal. I mean my mother and me. She told me that she will clear your name and everything that the press is spreading. She'll clear all the headlines and in return, I will have to do something for her."

"Wh-at, what do you mean, the headlines, wh-what..." Glancing at my wrist watch, I saw that it was nearing.

"Now just wait for 4 minutes and like 2 seconds. Yeah, wait here, I will come back in a minute." I jogged towards the kitchen, then took the box that I was searching for.

"You seriously think that popcorn is going to lift up my mood." Kerry is really annoying today.

"No, of course not but you know, when you're watching a movie, popcorn help to excite the air and anticipation. And that's what I'm helping you with but we are definitely not watching a movie." Seeing it was finally the time, I switched on the TV, Kerry was looking at me with a confused expression.

I went to sit next to her.

"Good evening friends, welcome to my channel. I'm Grace, and today we are going to interview someone very important. As you all have heard about the incident at the birthday party of Rosemary Fernando, CEO of Fernando Enterprises. She is here to clear our confusion and she'll answer to your entire question. Yes WOO000.."

At that the, there was a loud applause, people cheering and whistling.

Soon the image of my mother came to the side, her face caked up with makeup, maybe she should eat some makeup so that she can be beautiful inside too.

She had a stupid grin on her face, I guess she is enjoying the attention given to her.

"Hello Miss Fernando, I am very happy to interview you. All of us are curious about several things and I think you're the one with answers."

"Hi, Grace, nice to meet you. Yes, you may fire any question, I'll answer to all but first of all, I’m here to make some declarations."

"Declarations?! Oh, that's wonderful, now you made me more curious. Aren't you impatient guyysss.. "

There was cheering once again. Though Grace already she is talking about the party incident, she is good at faking being surprised.

"Yes, so I think that everybody already knows that there were some inconve- niences at my birthday party last night. I was kind of attack at the party, and not so long after, my necklace was lost. It's the necklace we are talking about so you should know that it's expensive. It costs one core, yes you heard it right One Million." The crowd was more excited now it seems.

"Oh, my God! That's huge. Miss Fernando, how did you take that? I would have cried my eyes out. That was a big loss indeed And did you catch the thief?"

"Oh no, I didn't catch the thief but yes I did get the necklace. I know that now you are even more confused but that's on why I'm going to make some clarifications."

"Sure Miss Fernando, your right you got me more curious, goes ahead."

"Yes, so as you have probably heard be- cause it's everywhere in the headlines that Kerry Dupont, my daughter Melissa Fernando's friend had stolen the necklace. But that's not true. It was an accusation, the necklace was indeed in her clutch but we inspected it and it contained somebody else fingerprints. The only conclusion we can come to is that someone must have put it in her clutch. Now, why? I do not know but we will soon. So here we go, I have already scandalized each newspaper that says that Kerry Dupont is the thief. Kerry Dupont is INNOCENT, chapter closed. I hope I have made everything clear now fellows.."

"Oh my God, that's too much. Whoever did that must be punished. Poor Kerry must have been in a trauma. Now coming to you Miss Fernando, do mind sharing some about you and Mr. Johnathan Alexopoulos, any news?"

The people got more excited now guessing from the cheering.

"Oh.... yes" I switch off the TV and look at it only to be met by a bone crushing hug.

Phew...

"Thank you so much, Melissa, God I couldn't ask for a better friend. You made me so happy Melissa, so happy. I can't describe it, you're truly an angel sent straight from heaven." Seeing Kerry this happy, I think it was worth agreeing on my mother's stupid ass of a deal.

"But Melissa, you still didn't tell me what your mother asked you in return." I gulp down slowly. Thinking about that makes me nervous.

"Look Kerry don't freak out okay, just be cool and listen to me till the end. Don't cut me off okay? I-

"Now you are scaring me but fine I'll listen to you. Go on!"

"Yeah, so you see, uh my mother ask me to m- marry Aries Alexopoulos. Yeah, yeah that's it!"

I could see Kerry's eyes widening and her mouth fell open.

"That's it? Do you seriously say that's it? Marriage!! Tell me you're kidding Melissa, tell me you didn't accept."

"You fool, of course, I accepted wouldn't have seen her otherwise you on TV saying that you're innocent."

"Oh God Melissa I didn't think she asked you something so big. That's so, so crazy...

"I know and it's Aries we are talking about. I just don't know. I don't like the way he talked to me at the party but.."

"You once told me that you loved him and he is not that bad, I told you he is the one that got me home yesterday, right?"

"I know and Yes I do, I still love him and always will but I don't think I'm ready for marriage and he is not at all nice to me. He doesn't even like me, I can tell by the way he looks at me but I just don't get it how he agreed to marry me." I said in frustration.

"Oh God Melissa that's happening to you just because of m~"

"NO, don't you dare finish that, it's not because you, you're not the one at fault. By the way, you have helped a lot during our stay in Canada and now it's my turn."

"Okay if you say so but I think you should not rush, be careful Melissa and I thin-"

Kerry was cut off by the ringing tone of my mobile, I look at the caller ID and saw that it was an unknown number.

"Maybe it's some because who got carried away by you at the party yesterday," Kerry said shrugging her shoulders.

Well, whoever it is, he/she is very persistent, it keeps ringing.

"I think you should take it," Kerry said looking at me with worried eyes.

I instantly pick up the phone.

-Hello

-Miss Junior Fernando.

I was stuck in a harsh breath hearing his deep cold voice.

Oh my God, never in my 21 years had I thought that I'll get a call from His Highest!

-Mr. Alexopoulos , uh this is A-Aries, Aries Alexopoulos.... right?

-Yes you got that right Miss Fernando, I believe you're aware that you're going to be more than an acquaintance to me, correct?

-Y-yes, I-I am aware of that Mr. Aries

-Good because I'd like to have a meeting with my future bride. Meet me at the Novelty Luna Resto' at 11:45 sharp and don't be late.

With that, His Highest cut the call not at all giving me a chance to answer him.

Damn!

Nervousness won't stop creepy me out. What should I wear? The red one or the blue dress.

Sandals, this and that.

Maybe I should just let him be and sit at home watching Netflix. I bet anyone can do that to Aries Alexopoulos.

Nope not a good idea, he'll surely delete me from this world. Finally settling on the black one, I started to get ready.

The dress was sexy yet cute, it was short, and the hem reached only to my mid-thigh but well I felt like wearing it.

Pairing the dress with a golden high heel

I was ready!

It was already 11:30 when I came out, quickly taking my car keys, I rushed into the car not wanting to face Aries’ waft for being late.

I reached the restaurant at exactly 11:44, I practically ran inside the restaurant.

A waitress immediately neared me.

"Miss Melissa Fernando, nice to meet you, Mr Alexopoulos is waiting for you at table 6. Allow me to lead the way."

"Yeah sure."

Oh. My. God, Why does he need to be so handsome, damn how will I eat now.

I don't think I'll be able to concentrate.

Help me, God!

He had a deep frown on his face.

"You are one minute, five seconds, and two milliseconds late Miss Fernando. I recall telling you not to be late earlier."

Woah, seriously just that, no hi/bye, that's his way of greeting someone?

"You need to learn some manners dude, you can't just lecture someone at the very start. That's unfair." He narrowed his eyes hearing my comment.

Oh damn, I made him angry. Seems like I have awakened the dormant volcano and it would explode right at that moment.

"How-dare-you talk to me like that. I would suggest you to mind your language Miss Fernando and put that in your mind that I don't tolerate lateness, am I clear?" I gulp audibly, I don't like this one bit.

No one has ever talked to me like that before. Not in such a commanding tone.

"I dislike repeating myself. Am I clear?"

"Yes, everything is clear, nothing is dark." I bit the tip of my tongue, where did the sarcasm come from?

He is going to send me to planet Mars if I don't keep my smart mouth out of this.

"You~

"Excuse me, can I help you with your order, what would you like for your meal?" Thankfully I was rescued but I can tell, he is preparing the waitress' funeral for interrupting him guessing from the terrifying glares he is sending toward her.

"I am good with pasta, fruit salad, and lemonade."

He gritted his teeth throwing out his order.

"And you Miss?" The waitress towards me with a nice smile on her pretty face.

"Oh yeah, I would like to have a lemon chicken cream pasta, cheese burger, French fries, Sardinia salad, Nutella cheesecake for dessert, and coke please." Both the waitress and Aries look at me like I just said that Donald Trump is a stripper at the backstreet stripper club Or Whale can speak human languages.

"O-okay, your orders will be ready in 20 min." With that, she walks away living me alone with the devil.

"You're paying right?" The icy glare he shot me made me shut up immediately.

"The weather is so good today."

Seeing that I wasn't getting any response, I continued,

"It's not rainy, really good." He kept looking at me with an unreadable expression.

Hey, can't you offer some help here?

I'm trying to make a conversation.

"But it's a bit windy though." The corner of his lips twitch.

Seriously Melissa, 'it's not rainy but it's a bit windy'. Couldn't you do better than that?

"Stop blabbering Miss Junior Fernando"

"Hey you, don't call me that dude. And Aries, I think that we should be on a first-name basis since we are going to be married soon." His face changes from being neutral to full of rage upon hearing me.

Did I say something wrong?

"First of all, I am not your dude, and who gave you the right to call me Aries?" What's wrong with him, this guy is really weird.

And you love this guy!

Yeah but it's only logical if we call each other by our first name as we are about to be husband and wife.

"Miss Fernando, I have lots to discuss with you, so let's n-"

"Here is your food, enjoy your lunch." It's confirmed now, the waitress really has a death wish for interrupting His Grace a second time.

He closed his eyes clenching his fist, then sighed heavily.

"You were saying?"

"After the meal."

"Excuse me? I didn't get you."

"We will discuss everything after the meal. I don't like chatting while eating. You have got 15 minutes to finish your meal."

Oh, but with you, I doubt I'll call it 'chatting'.

I didn't waste time digging in my food. He is talking about 15 min, I can finish my lunch in 10 min.

Food is my first love and then comes Aries. Nobody can come between my food and me.

Nope, not even Aries.

Hmmm... this is so yummy.

Suddenly I had the urge to know the and way he eats. I look, Sweet lord! The man even eats with perfection.

Damn, I'm going to marry a perfectionist. I watch as he brings the spoon to his mouth, he opened his mouth, and I got the chance to look at his perfect white teeth.

Then he chewed slowly and slowly and slowly, then he swallowed down, his Adam's apple moved sexily.

Damn it.

What a sight!

He suddenly looks up and I immediately put the fries in my mouth not wanting him to know that I was admiring him.

For the past few minutes, I enjoy stuffing my mouth with the food.

Oh, this is so delicious

"Stop eating now!"

“..” I didn’t care to look up.

"Stop eating now!"

I look up to find His Highest looking at me with a rather amused expression His plate was cleared.

"We need to discuss many things and I have been waiting for you to finish up with your meal but the end never seems to come with you." I blush profusely hearing him saying that in annoyance.

"But my cheesecake, it looks so beautiful and it would be disrespectful if I don't eat it," I whine at him and my lips formed into a pout.

I can't leave my cheesecake here unfinished.

"You are beautiful too, is it disrespectful if I am not eating you?" As soon as the words came out of his mouth.

I gasp, my eyes widening hearing him just as he widened too. He seemed like he couldn't believe he just said that but hell I'm shocked too.

He will eat me, I swallowed down Damn him, does he intend on awakening s****l desires here.

I'm aware that he didn't mean it that way but I couldn't think straight.

My mind is in a dirty mode right now.

Damnation! Damn him to hell and back. Damn him from moon to sun, damn him from Mercury to Neptune, damn him from January to December, damn him from life to death and damn him from Melissa to nobody.

I heard him clearing his throat, I look up to find him looking here and there.

"We should get out of here." What the actual hell!

"What do you mean, don't we have to discuss -"

"Save that for later, you are coming with me." s**t load, I hate it when he orders me around like that.

"What do you mean by that, I'm not going anywhere with you, if you forgot, I have my own car Mr. Know-it-all." The glare he shot at me made me crumble down the seat.

He was gritting his teeth in irritation.

"Enough with your nonsense Miss Fernando, I need you to meet someone."

Now he made me more curious.

"I wonder who is that someone?"

"My mother, I want you to meet my mother." I release the breath I was holding as my eyes widened.

His mother! Penelope.

”My mother??” I repeated it again.

Am I ready to face the woman my mother destroyed?