The Billionaire's Proxy Bride

Chapter 3

Two weeks later...

Natalia stood on the lavish terrace of the grand estate, nestled in the exclusive hills of Mykonos, Greece. She had just exchanged vows with the ominous man, Mavros Konstantis.

The weight of her new marriage settled upon her like a shroud. She felt like a prisoner in a gilded cage, as she gazed out at the breathtaking view of the place.

The sound of champagne glasses clinking and the soft hum of conversation from the guests, Mykonos' elite and wealthy socialites, filled the air. Self-made billionaire, Mavros Konstantis, had spared no expense in showcasing his wealth and status.

The opulent decor, designer dresses, and flawless diamonds sparkled in the sunlight, but her heart remained heavy.

As she turned to face him, Natalia saw the smug satisfaction in his eyes, and her skin crawled. She knew she had to play the role of the happy bride, or face the cruel consequences later.

Before he could derive the satisfaction of taunting her, his grandparents swooped in, unaware of the dynamics. Natalia's face washed in relief at the intrusion. She couldn't stand the man. She was on the edge right now, and might do something stupid.

"Ahhh! There they are! We have been looking all over for you two! What are you up to, sneaking off together like this?" Grandpa Dimitris asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Oh, Dimitris, stop teasing them! Let the young lovers have their moment," Eleni said, her voice laced with amusement as she rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "We were once like them, remember? We couldn't keep our hands off each other either," she said with a sly grin, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "Though, I must say, we were a bit more discreet about it," she added with a wink, turning to face Natalia with a warm smile.

"Congratulations, honey! You look so immaculate! I'm so happy, Mavros got to settle down with such a lovely girl like you." Eleni exclaimed, beaming with a warm smile as she embraced the bride, her eyes shining with tears of joy.

Dimitris dabbed Mavros, "You keep making me proud. I was starting to think you would never get over that girl. But, of course, you are a Konstantis, and we survive even the darkest of all."

Mavros grinned, handing Dimitris a glass and toasting, "All thanks for being a Konstantis!" His eyes glinting with mischief. He hid his smirk as he downed the champagne.

Dimitris asked, his eyes shining with curiosity, "Mavros, my boy, where on earth did you find such a breathtakingly gorgeous woman? Natalia is a true gem, a rare beauty indeed! You must have had to search far and wide to find someone as lovely as her."

Mavros chuckled, his face lighting up with pride. "Ah, Pappou, I didn't have to look far at all. Natalia was right under my nose the whole time. We met through an unforeseen encounter... well, the rest is history, as they say!..."

But before he could finish, Dimitris's eyes suddenly widened, and he exclaimed, "Makis! Makis Theodorou! Is that you?" as he spotted his longtime friend across the room.

Mavros turned to follow his gaze, a hint of amusement on his face. "Looks like you've got some catching up to do, Pappou!" he said with a chuckle.

Dimitris nodded, already making his way towards Makis. "Excuse me, my boy. It seems an old friend has appeared out of nowhere!"

As Dimitris' figure faded into the crowd, Mavros' gaze fell on his wife, Natalia, who was laughing and chatting with his grandmother, Eleni.

It was all worth it. The happiness and joy bubbling up inside his grandparents, and the worries dissipating from their faces, upon the arrival of his new bride-to-be, Natalia, was priceless.

Mavros took a moment to appreciate his wife's beauty, his eyes lingering on her captivating features. Natalia's light golden hair cascaded down her ethereal face, framing it with a radiant glow. Her mesmerizing green eyes sparkled as she listened to Eleni's stories, drawing him in. Her skin and figure were equally alluring, making her a true beauty to behold. As he gazed at her, Mavros felt a sense of pride and possession, knowing that this stunning woman was now his wife.

It had taken him some restraint to resist her charm when they first met. But he knew better than to let his attraction cloud his judgment. She was entangled in a web of deceit, recklessness, and irresponsible behavior. Had they met under different circumstances, he might have been more open to getting to know her and wooing her.

However, he was no fool to trust her blindly. Beneath her façade, he sensed something was amiss. That's why he had his people keep an eye on her that day, in case she tried to flee. But they reported back that she had been cast out, left standing there, lost and battered.

Of course, she wouldn't go back to her family, she had been disowned. He took his time to investigate her before deciding to go ahead and make such a proposal. She was the first daughter out of three children of the Holmes family. Their only son is in the military, and their last daughter is a housewife who got married years back. Her parents are quite religious and staunch, working at a local store opposite their house.

Boring details, but yeah, he had to know. He also got to find out she wanted to become a school teacher. He scoffed. Who would leave their kids with such a reckless woman? Since no one wanted her around, he saw no reason why they should delay coming back to his home country to get married. It wasn't as if someone was waiting eagerly for her. What a price she was paying. Mavros felt no pity. She deserved none.

*****

The party finally ended a few minutes after midnight. Natalia was the first to enter the bedroom, her heart pounding. She hoped to freshen up and fall asleep before Mavros arrived.

The atmosphere in the bedroom was quite romantic, definitely Eleni's handiwork. Soft music played in the background, and the room was dimly lit with candles.

Natalia hastily freshened up and went to bed, noticing the rose petals scattered on the sheets. She poured the rose petals on the floor with a rueful smile, no longer feeling the need to pretend.

As she lay in bed, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease swelling in her. The sound of the door opening broke her thoughts, and Mavros entered the room, his eyes fixed on her with a mixture of desire and possession. Her heart began pounding heavily, her mind racing with a mix of fear and anticipation. She kept her eyes shut, willing for him to ignore her.

The air was heavy with tension, the silence between them palpable. Suddenly, Mavros' presence loomed over her, his breath whispering against her skin, making her jump. Her eyes flew open, and she was met with his piercing gaze, his face inches from hers. The room seemed to shrink, the shadows closing in, as she felt trapped and vulnerable beneath his gaze.

"Guess you weren't sleeping after all." He smirked, gazing down at her.

She blinked several times, trying to clear the haze from her mind, and attempted to push him off her. "You're suffocating me, scram."

"You mean intoxicating?" He chuckled as he watched her flushed face.

"You're intoxicating me too." He leaned in closer, his breath whispering against her ear, making her shiver.

His proximity was overwhelming, sending a tingling sensation coursing through her veins. His black eyes burned with desire, making her heart race. She made a silent plea," Please, Mavros." She didn't even know what she was pleading for.

"First time saying my name, wife. I love it. Can't wait for you to moan it."

He leaned in to kiss her and Natalia deliberately invaded his kiss.

"Don't fight it." He whispered, his breath caressing her skin. "The mistake you made at the altar should never be repeated."

"Can't you just accept that I don't want you?" she hissed, her words forced out between gritted teeth.

"Why don't we put that to the test? Just to be sure." Natalia's eyes fluttered closed, her lips inches from his, as if drawn by an unseen force. She felt her body responding to his proximity, her heart racing with anticipation. She found herself waiting for his kiss, craving the taste of him despite her initial resistance. She was torn, conflicted, and unsure of what she wanted.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the moment was over. He was gone, leaving her feeling empty and disappointed. The shut of the door snapped her eyes open, and she found herself staring at the door with a deep sense of bereft.

She tossed restlessly in bed, waiting for the night to end and another day of uncertainty to begin.