The Unfolding Heart

CHAPTER 1 NINE YEARS AGO “We called this meeting to discuss the expansion of the family business. Scarlett and Alex will get married nine years from now since we are both retiring very soon. Someone needs to take over.” My father casually said like it was a regular thing. “What do you mean?” I retorted “What he is trying to say my dear is that you will be getting married to Alex so all your relationships have to end before the time is too close so we wont raise any suspicions from the press and this goes for you too Alex” Uncle Alex answered. My life is a living hell. How can these two set me up like this for ther personal interest? If i fight too much against it, I will only seem selfish and I still won’t win. They have influence literally everywhere in the country. *** PRESENT DAY On this cloudy morning, I am grateful it's finally the weekend. Although I had my day planned out, I feel too exhausted to even move. After tossing and turning for nearly ten minutes, I muster the energy to rise and head for a shower. Tonight, I have dinner plans with my parents, my uncle Alexander, and his family, marking the first time I'll see Alex since our engagement. With him just returning to the country, our families insisted on this dinner. Growing up, Alex and I weren't particularly close; I found myself more drawn to Ezra, who was more relaxed than Alex, and, of course, my peer and best friend Olivia, the youngest child of the Genovese family. After grabbing breakfast, I make my way to the mall where I rendezvous with Olivia. Together, we peruse through numerous dresses, indulging in a leisurely lunch afterward. Returning home, I prepare myself for the evening's dinner. I arrive at my parents' house early to have a chat with Father before dinner commences. Upon arrival, I encounter Alex. "What brings you here? Dinner isn't until 8," I remark. He offers me a smile and pulls me into a hug, a gesture that catches me off guard. "I wanted to catch up with you before everyone else arrived," he explains. His behavior strikes me as unusual. We proceed to the dining hall and take seats opposite each other, engaging in conversation about his recent trip and work. Time passes swiftly, and soon the room fills with the rest of the family. Following dinner, Ezra and I ventured outside to catch some fresh air and reconnect. "You seemed rather quiet tonight. Is everything alright?" I inquired, sensing his subdued demeanor, but he dismissed my concern with a wave of his hand, insisting that he was fine. As the evening came to a close, I returned home. I reached out to Ezra via text, suggesting lunch at my place the next day, but he declined, rescheduling it to Monday and proposing dinner instead. Arriving at work on Monday, I anticipated meeting Ezra later in the day. During lunch, he appeared to be in higher spirits compared to our previous encounter. Despite this, I couldn't shake off my curiosity about his demeanor over the weekend, and I gently broached the subject. He attributed it to work-related matters, and I decided not to press further. While we dined, I briefly glanced around the area and noticed Alex approaching us with an intense expression, causing me to tense up. Sensing my shift in mood, Ezra turned to greet his brother. "As a public figure, it's not advisable to be seen in public with other men. People scrutinize your every move," Alex remarked sternly. "Hello, Alex," I replied evenly. "No need to worry; all eyes are on you—the youngest CEO and the most eligible bachelor." "I'm no longer a bachelor, considering you're my future wife," he retorted with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at his comment, shooting an apologetic glance at Ezra before taking Alex's hand and accompanying him to his car. "You didn't even greet your brother. You weren't always like this. What's changed?" I questioned. "Nothing's changed. I just don't like to share. You may not realize this, but Ezra's affection for you goes beyond sibling love, and that concerns me," he responded coyly. "Why should you care?" Thankfully, we arrived at my office, and I swiftly shut the door before he could reply. The phrase "Ezra loves you but not as a sister" echoed relentlessly in my mind, tormenting me with its implications. I struggled to accept the idea, unwilling to believe it. The closer we get to the end of the week, the more I yearn for it to arrive. Unlike my future husband, I find fulfillment in my work but don't wish to devote all my time to it. Finally, it's Friday, and we're slated to attend a charity auction together. Thank goodness Olivia and I already went shopping last weekend, sparing me another trip to the store. Alex arrives to pick me up, and we make our way there together. As we walk down the red carpet, exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances, I spot Olivia and call her over. While I engage in conversation with her, Alex attends to his business partners. Soon, the auction commences, and amidst the bidding, I secure a few items, all in support of the orphanage homes. Feeling famished, I'm relieved when Alex suggests leaving. Anticipating the pizza awaiting me at home, I notice Alex veering off course. "Where are we headed?" I inquire. "I noticed you skipped dinner, and you must be starving. If you aren’t hungry, you could watch me eat." he explains casually. Exiting the car, he heads inside, leaving me to ponder whether to follow suit. Driven by pride, I remain in the car until he emerges with takeout. Parking by the park, he opens the car roof, illuminates the space, and sets out the food, inviting me to dine. Amidst laughter and casual conversation, Alex grows silent, his gaze fixed on me. "Is there sauce on my face?" I ask, wiping it away. He smiles softly, remarking, "Some things never change, like your tendency to make a mess while eating." I retort, "And your persistently sour attitude." He chuckled at my feeble retort, and I couldn't help but admire his genuine laughter. We discussed work and our impending marriage. "Father mentioned that we should be seen together more frequently in public and display affection," Alex mentioned. I nodded in acknowledgment as I sipped my soda. "So, what's our plan?" I inquired. "To begin with, you rarely visit me at work for lunch or any other occasion, yet you often spend time with Ezra. Therefore, I expect you to join me at my office twice a week, and I'll reciprocate by doing the same on the remaining three days. Agreed?" he proposed, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, sir," I replied. His mention of Ezra's feelings for me lingered in my mind. The weekend flew by, and Monday arrived once again. I put extra effort into my outfit today, knowing that it would mark my first visit to Alex's office since we announced our engagement. I'm well acquainted with the people there, known as Mr. Drew's daughter rather than Mr. Genovese's fiancée. I anticipated being treated differently due to Alex's indifferent demeanor, but I received numerous compliments at my own office. Despite this, Alex insisted on his driver picking me up for lunch, which puzzled me. Arriving at the building promptly, I took a deep breath and strode confidently inside, opting for the private elevator to avoid any encounters with Ezra. Reaching the top floor, I made my way to Alex's office but was stopped in my tracks. "Excuse me, miss, do you have an appointment?" a young woman inquired. "I don't need one," I replied. "Then you can't enter," she retorted. Frustrated, I turned to her, raising an eyebrow for further explanation. "Regardless of who you are, you require an appointment to enter, and Mr. Genovese hasn't informed me of any unfamiliar visitors," she explained. Exasperated, I entered Alex's office, only to be interrupted as the door closed behind me. The young woman entered, holding my hand and apologizing to Alex while calling security. I looked at Alex and then at her, smiling faintly. "Release her this instant and leave," he ordered. Turning to me, I inquired, "Who is she?" as I made my way to the bar for a drink. "My secretary is on maternity leave, so she's from the advertising department," Alex explained. Nodding in understanding, I took a sip of my drink. "Shall we?" he asked, extending his hand. We exited the office together, smiling as we headed towards the elevator. As the doors closed, I caught the young woman rolling her eyes at me, prompting a chuckle from me. "Here's to our first date as a couple," Alex proclaimed, clinking our glasses together. "Date? I thought this was just lunch," I queried. "Same difference," he replied casually. Reflecting on our journey, I felt grateful that we had cultivated a strong friendship over the years and had been informed early on that we were destined to be together. "Do you think it'll feel strange for us when we're married? You know, like kissing and all that," I pondered aloud. Alex choked on his food briefly, and I hurriedly offered him some water. "Isn't that the whole point of courting? To get accustomed to it?" he reasoned, and I couldn't argue with his logic. As members of the elite high society, our wedding was expected to take place after a six-week engagement. With four weeks already passed, it dawned on me that in just two weeks, I would be walking down the aisle. "The wedding plans, they start next week, right?" I confirmed with Alex, receiving a nod in response. After our lunch, he dropped me off at work, and before I knew it, the week had flown by, culminating in the announcement of our impending nuptials making headlines. The weeks leading up to the wedding were the most chaotic I had ever experienced as we prepared for the big day. The awaited moment arrived. With my makeup freshly done, Liv entered the room to inform me that everyone was eagerly anticipating my arrival. I smiled at her and prepared to make my way down the aisle. Alexander’s POV As Scarlett made her way down the aisle, I couldn't help but smile instinctively. While I may not love her in the same way a husband should love his wife, nor as intensely as Ezra loves her, I do care for her deeply. Having grown up together, there's a fondness between us that makes this marriage feasible as we embark on this journey together. As Scarlett approached me, exchanging small smiles, we recited our vows and exchanged rings. When the priest finally uttered, "You may now kiss your bride," the reality of the moment hit me. I realized I would actually be kissing her. Her lips, full and soft, beckoned to be tasted. Leaning in, I pressed my lips against hers, pulling her close. "You look beautiful," I whispered, to which she replied with a smile, "You too." Though 'beautiful' isn't a word I often use to describe myself, I'll accept it today. Walking hand in hand as Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Genovese, we faced the crowd, and despite my earlier apprehensions, the day didn't turn out to be as bad as I had anticipated. Nonetheless, I was relieved when it finally came to an end. We bid farewell to the guests at the reception and made our way to our new home together. After settling in, we each retreated to our separate rooms, and I took a refreshing shower. Thoughts of her soft lips lingered in my mind until I drifted off to sleep, hoping for more moments like that in the future. The next morning, I woke up at 6 and went for a run. Upon returning, I was surprised to find Scarlett already awake and preparing breakfast. "I didn't realize you could cook, and you shouldn't have gone to the trouble. The chefs could handle it. You must be tired after yesterday; you should rest," I remarked as I sampled the eggs from the pan. "A simple 'thank you' would have sufficed. There was no need for that response," she replied. "I apologize," I quickly responded, realizing my brusqueness. Despite her own weariness evident in the bags under her eyes, she had prepared the meal with good intentions. As the doorbell rang, she hurried to answer it, almost as if she were eager to escape my presence. While I tended to the stove and served our meal, laughter drifted in from the doorway. Carrying plates for both Scarlett and myself, I approached the living room and recognized Ezra's voice, instantly feeling irritated. Although I loved my brother, I despised the version of him that emerged around Scarlett, my newlywed wife. I nodded at him and welcomed him inside. "I wasn't aware you were visiting; otherwise, I would have set an extra plate for you," Scarlett mentioned. Ezra waved off the gesture. Puzzled by his unexpected presence, I inquired, "Given that I'm on my wedding leave for a week, what brings you to our home so early, and why the urgency that precluded a call?" Ezra gave me a stern look before nonchalantly explaining that he had tried calling both Scarlett and me several times without success. "I just wanted to check in on the couple of the year," he remarked, which made me suspect his true motive. Aware of his curiosity regarding our intimate life, Scarlett and I provided him with a satisfactory response, albeit begrudgingly.