The Billionaire's Proxy Bride

Chapter 4

"Good morning, Sunshine!" Her grandmother-in-law called out as she spotted Natalia making her way downstairs to the dining room.

"Come quickly, dear!" Eleni ushered Natalia in with a warm smile. "We delayed breakfast till 10, just for the newlyweds. And I must say, it was quite a night for you both, wasn't it?" She chuckled knowingly, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Good morning, grandma." She kissed her two cheeks warmly, taking a seat beside her. "Thank you for the surprise, Eleni. It was quite beautiful." She blushed guiltily. She felt a pang of guilt for the sweet woman's wasted efforts.

"Don't mention it, anything for my dearest grandchildren," Eleni said with a warm smile.

Just then, Dimitri strode in and took the head seat. "Good morning, Grandpa," Natalia said, greeting him with affection.

"Beautiful morning to you too, Natalia!" Dimitri responded with a warm smile, his eyes gleaming with delight. "I see you're looking lovely today, just like your grandmother."

Natalia's lips curved into a subtle, adorable smile at his words, while Eleni shot back with a playful, arrogant retort, "Well, well, well! Look who's suddenly become a connoisseur of beauty! Did you get a degree in charm school, Dimitri?" Her quick wit and sassy tone earned a laugh from everyone around the table, filling the air with warmth and amusement.

Dimitri chuckled, shaking his head, "Hahaha, I guess I did, owing to the fact you rejected a handful of lads! You've got a keen eye for quality, Eleni!" His response was met with another round of laughter from the group, the warm and playful banter filling the air with joy and camaraderie.

Natalia gazed at the scene before her, her heart full of both joy and sadness. This was everything she had ever wanted - a warm, sweet family - but the memories of her past experiences cast a shadow over the moment.

She was afraid she might never get the chance to ever experience this after her love and sacrifice was betrayed. She remembered the countless times she got scolded for making a sound at the dinner table in her own home. The stern faces and harsh words still echoed in her mind.

Everything was so... stifling, so devoid of love and warmth. That was why she had leaned in on Kevin, hoping to get the love and acceptance she had been denied since childhood.

The laughter gradually subsided, and Dimitri asked, "And where is that lad, Natty? Don't tell me he's still sleeping?" He looked around, searching for Mavros.

Eleni chimed in, "I was about to ask her the same thing." Natalia's brow furrowed, concerned. She hadn't seen Mavros since he walked out on her the night before.

She was about to find an excuse when Mavros strolled in, a cheerful grin on his face. "Good morning, everyone! Heard your laughter a mile away. Hope I haven't missed much of the fun, huh?"

"And where are you coming from, young man?" Dimitri asked, raising an eyebrow. "Got a call from Gideon. I heard he was back from his law firm's global conference...it's been a long time. Had some business I wanted him to look over."

"Gideon has always been a promising kid. Invite him over for dinner tonight. The last I saw him, he was just a little boy. I would love to gain some legal insight from him, now that he's an established lawyer," Dimitri said with a proud smile.

"Business! You just got married! Konstantis men!" Eleni exclaimed, shaking her head. "Interesting to know, you covered it with 'you got a call'. You would have easily invited him for dinner."

Mavros chuckled and leaned in to kiss Eleni's cheeks. "Oh, Glykia mou Yiagia, don't be mad. I promise to make it up to her." Sensing Eleni was unyielding, he took Natalia's hand, stretched out on the table, and kissed her palm, gazing into her eyes.

"Sorry, I wasn't able to wake you up with a good morning kiss, baby."

Natalia gasped in shock at his unexpected and sudden display of affection. She knew this was surreal, so why was her stomach fluttering with sensation? The effect this man had on her was undeniable.

Eleni's maddened face dissolved at the sight before her. "Good."

He released her before she got the chance to do so, proceeding to take the seat opposite hers, beside his grandfather.

"Anna, please bring in the food! I'm quite starving." Dimitri called in, as everyone settled in.

A sumptuous meal ensued, with several courses, everyone digging in and making light-hearted conversation with each other. Except for her and Mavros. She focused all her gaze on Eleni and her meal, nodding and smiling and adding in her own words. She would feel Mavros' gaze on her, as he glanced back and forth during his conversation with his grandfather.

The meal ended, and Natalia felt a sense of undeserving gratitude as Eleni announced, "After we've had our rest, I'll show you the family's antique loom, Natalia. It's a tradition to pass it down to the immediate wife of the Konstantis family." Natalia's eyes widened in surprise, feeling like an impostor, a mere contract wife, not worthy of such a precious family heirloom.

As the men rose from their seats, Dimitri and Mavros were the first to leave the room, leaving Natalia and Eleni alone. Natalia couldn't help but wonder if Mavros was hiding his disapproval of their arrangement, his gaze lingering on her with a hint of displeasure.

An hour later, Natalia entered the antique room to find Eleni engrossed in the object she was holding, her face etched with nostalgia. She knew the object held fond memories, as she saw a teardrop from Eleni's eyes.

She approached Eleni and enveloped her in a warm hug. "Grandma, it's okay." She released her from the hug after a while, wiping away the tears.

"Natalia? You're here already. I didn't notice when you arrived."

"You must be that engrossed, grandma Eleni. It's nothing, I arrived moments ago." She replied, smiling and kissing her cheeks. "Is that the family heirloom?"

"Yes, my dear." Eleni smiled, as she explained that it was the sixth generation antique pearl necklace, worn by the immediate bride of the Konstantis family. It was placed in a vintage handkerchief, embroidered with the family's wives' initials, carried by each bride as a symbol of good luck.

"And this is your initial "N". Her finger grazing at it "I got it done on your wedding day as per tradition."

Her finger darted back to the initial before hers. Natalia's eyes sparked with curiosity and a hint of wariness. Was it the initial of his late wife 'H'?

Piqued with curiosity and unease, she found herself asking, "Is...is that Mavros' late wife's initials?"

Eleni's expression turned rueful," Oh, no it isn't. Poor Diana wouldn't make it. They had a court marriage due to circumstances, and they were to come to Greece a month later for the grand traditional wedding. Your initial only gets embedded on your exact traditional wedding day after the rituals are performed, to avoid curses and bad luck."

Natalia nodded in comprehension. "It's for Mavros' mother, then?"

"Y...yes" Eleni affirmed, her voice itched with sorrow and a sense of loss. "She died of flu, years back. She was a such lovely woman, and you remind me of her a lot. Mavros was only six then. This tore him apart. His father flew back on hearing her demise but got struck by a windstorm and died too. Losing both his parents simultaneously had almost destroyed him. He matured too early, and it was as if the weight of the world was placed on his small shoulders." Her voice cut off as she let out a heart-wrenching sob.

"Oh, what their death did to him! Dimitri and I did our best to cover up the losses and groom him. We had also lost our children, you know. It was quite a grieving period for all of us. But with time, we healed. Mavros grew up to be such a successful and wealthy tycoon, but to me, he's still my sweet little boy who needs a hug and a home-cooked meal."

She paused, lost in thought, then continued, "You know, Natalia, I've been thinking... maybe you're just what he needs. Someone to bring out that little boy again, to make him laugh and feel loved for who he is, not just for his bank account. I just want him to be happy, truly happy, not just successful. You have a good heart, dear, and I trust you to take care of my Mavros."

Eleni's eyes twinkled with a knowing glint, as if she could see the future unfolding. "Just be patient with him, dear. He's been hurt before, and it takes time for him to open up. But I know he'll come around, eventually. And when he does, oh dear, you'll see the most beautiful heart, full of love and kindness. Just like his grandfather's."

"I know deep down that you will make Mavros happy, and he will do the same for you. I bless your marriage with love, happiness, good health, and peace. And remember, dear, the pillar of marriage is mainly in the woman. She is the stronghold of it. So I'm advising you, as a married woman, nothing kills marriage more than secrets and lies. Always communicate, always listen, and always forgive. Don't let pride and ego get in the way of your love for each other. Now, come... (She wore her the heirloom) ...wear this, my dear, and remember, our love and blessings are always with you both."

*****

Eleni's last words kept ringing in Natalia's head as she made her way to her bedroom. No matter how it started, it is still an ordained marriage. She would have to unveil the secrets and tales of her past to him. If not for anything, for her peace of mind and justification. He deserved to know. He was quite involved in it.

'Who knows, maybe the walls between us will be broken. Maybe Mavros will finally see the real me, and not just the woman he married to punish for her past mistakes. Maybe, just maybe, we can find a way out of this together, and build something real from the ashes of this fake marriage.