Lawfully His Book 1.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

ARIES ALEXOPOULOS

Melissa Fernando

"No…. So simple."

"Too aggravating…. Nope".

"Eww, Hell no…. Seriously, who designed that?!!"

"So non-sexy. Big no" Does the word non-sexy exist? Should it not be un-sexy?

"Not stylish. No"

"Too much skin covering. It looks like a grandma can wear it... Nopeee…. Next please"

For the last 2 hours, I have been walking, searching for only one suitable dress in this mall. And when we had luckily found a shop nearing my mother's level of satisfaction, those were her comments from the beginning.

I knew that coming here with her was a bad idea, but I didn't think it could be this bad. I can't believe this!

She's really succeeding in getting me riled up today. I went to bed very late last night because of her preparations for the party and in the morning I woke up earlier than usual to go shopping with her and already had the perfect dress. I had a nice job back in Canada and I was doing just fine with my salary.

I have a lot of gowns for this kind of function, but knowing my mother and her stubbornness, I don't think I have a choice.

"Mom, please just select someone from these. I'm really exhausted and hungry."

My mother shot me her infamous glare that made me shut up instantly. "You are my daughter, and I want you to look your best at my party, you're going to meet my business partners and important people. We can't be careless about anything. I want perfection. I hope I'm clear." I had the urge to roll my eyes at the end of her speech.

Urgh- seriously. The salesgirl was observing us like she was watching some kind of TV series.

That's not surprising though, wherever my mother is there's drama.

"As you can see, all of these dresses are outside of my taste. I need something which is unique, enticing and sexy."

"I think I have the perfect dress for you ma'am, just wait here for a minute." The salesgirl dashed upstairs. I just stood there not knowing what to do. After a few minutes, she came back smiling.

"Come with me, Miss Fernando." My eyebrows shot up when I saw that she was addressing my mother as Miss Fernando. Ignoring her words, I followed them upstairs.

There were several gowns on display. But the one in the middle caught my eye and it was strikingly beautiful.

It was a dark purple sleeveless dress with a sweetheart neckline, sequins decorated the dress starting from the neck till mid-thigh and the mid-portion of the lower part.

"I think this one is the best for my mother." I didn't wait for my mother's response and went directly to the changing room.

Ooh... This dress fits me perfectly. This one is then. Finally!!

I was lying on the comfy bed in my suit.

I refused to live with my mother in the Alexopoulos mansion. That would be selfish and deceiving. It belongs to someone else. It's somebody else's shelter.

How can I enjoy luxury when the owner of it is suffering somewhere? I simply can't do that. But my mother would never understand. I tried to convince her, but all in vain.

Her words kept replaying in my mind. "I was wondering why that sales girl called you by your maiden name, she didn't address you as Mrs. Alexopoulos."

My mother's face changes from smiling to frowning. She paled and her gaze darkened.

Right now she looks like an angry maid who hasn't received her salary at the end of the month.

"That's because Johnathan and I are not married. Yet!"

"WHAT?"

I wasn't wrong when I thought that my darling mother has surprises coming for me.

I didn't know if I should be happy or traumatized that she was living with a married man.

She is having an affair! If you think this woman can not get any worse, she will make sure to prove you badly wrong.

"I know what you are thinking, daughter, but he's divorced. Fortunately, he divorced that old hag and left them, but there was a problem back then." She was staring at them with anger and an angry look.

"Unfortunately, a 51 % share of his company belongs to Penelope and the fact that he has given the CEO post to his son doesn't make it any better. He is still working on that. He said that he would make sure I got that 51 % share. Everything needs to be finalized before we get married, but with his worthless son, on the other hand, it seems to be impossible."

"I told Johnathan that he could still work on the shares after we got married, but he disagreed. He believes that I should be the Queen when we're married. He wants to gift me 51 % of the shares for our wedding. I can't blame him though; I know I'm no less than a Queen."

It was a whole lot of tales to swallow in one day and that's why I hated coming back here. My mother behaves as if nothing happened.

I told her years ago when she announced that she was going to get married, that I would cut my ties with her if she continued with her selfishness.

What sin did I commit to receive a mother like her, dear God?

Probably nothing you fool because you came into this world after your mother.

Oh yeah, that's right, but still...

"You see, daughter, I work really hard and, finally, I'm the luckiest woman. I have Johnathan wrapped around my finger, he loves me more than anything and we're filthy rich. You have to work hard too, your looks should be the first priority, then you'll be able to grab a man like Johnathan too."

"How could you be like this, mother? I'm ashamed to even call you my mother. What kind of woman are you? You're enjoying your lavish life while letting another woman suffer. Don't you have a heart?

Do you remember Penelope's state years ago when she came here? How could you? You have destroyed a family, and you still don't care. You can't be this selfish mother. You can't be!"

"SHUT UP, just shut up, you are so ungrateful. After everything I've done for you, how dare you talk to me like this? You manner-less girl! You speak like you're some kind of Saint. Stupid like your father!" My eyes widened after hearing her last words.

My vision blurred as my eyes watered, she had no right to call my father stupid.

Absolutely not right.

She never talked about him but I knew the story. They met in a club in California and had a one-night stand.

She left before he woke up and two weeks later, my mother found that she was pregnant. She thought that it was unnecessary to tell the man he would be a father soon and leave the country the next day.

"Now go to your room, I don't want to deal with you right now." She was crossing the limit now. After everything, she still thinks that she'll order me around and I'll listen to her.

"Trust me, the feeling is mutual and I have no interest in living in a place that doesn't belong to you or me. You can do as you wish but you are wrong if you think I'll enjoy staying here. I'm going to my apartment. Excuse me."

I left her there with her mouth gaping like a goldfish.

That little hippopotamus of a mother! Huh.

"Do you think I should go, Kerry? I'm not sure." I looked at Kerry with a pout. My ideal mother called in the morning to ensure I was still coming to her party.

"Well, I personally think you should go, just forget about your mother and have fun at the party. Plus, I'm so excited to go about, you know, I bought a new outfit and so on. Let's just enjoy ourselves!"

I will do this just for her. Kerry rarely goes to parties and this is an opportunity for her to open up around people.

"Okay, we'll go so let's not waste time anymore with the grand party." Kerry grinned, looking at me.

"I'm not really good with this make-up but I can do wonders to your hair and I promise this."

It's true, whenever we had to attend a function back in Canada, Kerry would be the one to style my hair.

"Perfect, so let's get to work!" It took us two hours to get ready completely, but now looking at myself in the mirror, I guess it was worth it.

The gown fitted my body like a second skin. My hair was pulled up in a beautiful chignon bun thanks to Kerry, and a few strays of hair hanging at the sides.

My make-up consisted of dark eyeshades, nude blush and red lipstick.

The eyeliner made my brown eyes pop out. Wow, I must say, overall I was looking really good. Kerry wore a peach-coloured lacy dress.

The dress was covered with a white floral design, a white silk belt on the waist and the downward part fell like waves.

Kerry's make-up was light with pinkish peach-coloured lip gloss, baby pink blush and a nude eyeshade. It looked like a normal natural look, like makeup.

The silver heels completed her look. "I think it's time." I nodded without hesitation. Arriving at the venue, we were greeted by the paparazzi. There were cameras flashing here and there.

Thankfully, Mr. Bruce pushed them away from my mother and immediately came to hug me the moment I entered the hall. What's with this show now? I think it's important for her.

"Melissa welcome and you too, Miss Dupont. You look stunning, daughter. I'm so proud of you. Come, come, I'll introduce you to everyone."

I rolled my eyes at her overdramatic gesture and cringed at her poor French accent when she said Kerry's name.

"Wow, Miss Fernando, you never said you had such a beautiful daughter. Did you introduce her to my son? He is the CEO of his own company." Kerry coughs behind me.

I faked a smile at Mr. Balls. Yeah, that's his name. Why couldn't his parents name him a dinosaur instead?

That would have been hilarious. All at once, everybody's attention turned towards the entrance.

There was a commotion outside. Maybe a celebrity has arrived?

"Oh! He has finally decided to grace us with his presence." My mother said, looking directly at the door.

That was when the person entered; the hall fell into a deafening silence. I knew only one person who had that kind of aura. Everybody scurried to greet him.

Aries.