The Wrong Bride

An Outing For A Change

I was sitting by the lake writing my book. A slow breeze was blowing and the sun was going to set soon. I was in a very good mood today.

Since yesterday, Damianos has been very nice to me. He was in a playful mood yesterday. In fact I had to literally push him to go to the office this morning. Oh, how much I wanted this side of him back. And now that it is back, I can't help but feel happy.

I've been grinning all day, in fact Martha has also asked me the reason but I didn't say anything except smiled.

I don't know why, it's not like it's a big deal that he is talking nicely to me. I mean he is just civil to me. But still I can't help but feel elated.

I have felt that whenever Damianos is concerned my feelings gives a strong reaction to everything he says or does. Whether it's good or bad. I get equally hurt if he is ignoring me. And even a small sign of acknowledgement makes me so happy.

I have never been in love. I have seen others in love. But I never really had a relationship. So, the concept of being in love or loving someone is not something I'm very well aware of.

So I cannot say if I'm in love with Damianos. But never in my life I have been affected with anyone the way I'm affected by Damianos. And I would never want him to get hurt. Or see him in pain. And if anyone asks me to leave him.

Well that is something that would cause a lot of pain.

Still I'm not in love. Or at least I don't want to accept it. Because accepting it would only make me weaker and more vulnerable. I have lost people whom I loved the most. And the pain was not something describable. It was as if my chest was being hit with something so hard and strong that I will just die of the sorrow. I have still not recovered from that blow. That's why I don't want to go to that path again. I have to guard my heart against love.

I didn't realized when did I started crying. Like I didn't realize the footsteps coming towards me.

"Hey! enjoying the sunset?", came the deep voice of Damianos.

He came to stand in front of me. His suit jacket was on his arms, tie loosened and white shirt folded up to his elbow. The way he was standing there in all his magnificence. And the way the last remaining reddish sun rays were falling on his back. He was truly looking like a Greek god. A beauty indeed.

"Eleanor, are you crying?"

I wiped my tears and smiled and shook my head.

He came close to me and sat beside me on the ground. His long legs spread on the front as he tried to make himself comfortable.

"What is it? Hey look at me. Tell me Elly, are you unhappy here?", he asked with an expectant look as if the answer matters to him a lot.

"No, I was just remembering my parents", my throat again started to fill.

"Oh yes, I know about your parents. And I'm so sorry Elly". He wrapped his one arm around me as we watched the sunset together.

"How old were you then?", he asked after some time.

"Eighteen. They were coming back home after a business trip when it happened. They were supposed to be back by eleven that night. So, I thought I will stay awake till they come".

I eyes were filled with tears. “But eleven turned to twelve then twelve thirty. I don't remember when I fell asleep on the couch. The next thing I remember, there was a police man standing in front of my door".

Then I broke. It was the first time I was able to put to words what had happened that night. I have never talked that much to anyone about them, not even Eddy. I was sobbing. I put my face on my hands as I was letting out my feelings.

Then I felt both arms of Damianos enveloping me in his embrace. He gently stoked my hair . "Don't worry dear, they are not gone. Even if physically they are not present. They are still here. They are a part of you. And they are not going anywhere".

He pulled me, so now I was sitting on his lap. My wet face was on his chest, soaking his shirt. His arms still around me. I hated feeling this vulnerable. But I loved the comfort he was giving. I don't want this comfort from anyone else but him.

After some time, he said. "Elly?"

"Hmm"

"You must be hating me so much. Other wives would have killed their husbands by now".

I looked up from his chest, confused. "Why would I hate you?"

"Because it's almost a month since our wedding and I haven't taken you anywhere".

#*#*#*

I was packing my bags. It was already seven in the morning and we have to leave at eight thirty sharp. Damianos was very particular about it.

He said and I quote, "If you're not ready by eight thirty, I'm going to pick you up and take you. Packed or unpacked. Dressed or undressed". His serious face told me to not take his threat lightly.

We are going to Boston for two days. An old friend of Damianos is having his fifth anniversary, for which they are having a grand celebration including a ball.

By the time I was showered and dressed, it was already eight twenty-five. I quickly went downstairs.

Damianos was sitting on the couch with his laptop on the center table. He was doing some work. As he saw me, he gestured with his hand indicating 'one minute'. I nodded and went to sit on the other sofa.

After he was done, he got up and said, "ready?" I nodded. And we went outside towards his car.

"Well I remember I got a clear threat that if I'm not ready by eight thirty, I will be picked up 'dressed or undressed'. It's eight fifty now, I should have given you the same threat when I came downstairs", I said.

"Well then it’s a shame that I was dressed". He turned towards me his face close to mine. "It would have been so good to be picked up by you naked", his face had a mischievous glint.

I turned red. It's no good to play with him. He will find a way to turn the conversation and make me blush. He opened the door for me, I quickly got inside the car then he came inside too. Mr. Bent was driving our car.

We set off to the airport.

#*#*#*

We reached Boston airport by Damianos's private jet. On the airport a car with a chauffeur was waiting for us. We went inside it. The car took us to a hotel.

We reached the hotel. It was a grand five-star hotel. A valet came and took our luggage. Then a man in a smartly dressed suit came and greeted us.

"Hello Mr. Costas, Mrs. Costas it's a pleasure to meet you. It's been long Mr. Costas since you last visited. Mrs. Costas I'm David Peters, the manager. I hope you have a nice stay here", he said.

"Well I'm looking forward to have a nice time too Peters", said Damianos as he looked towards me. I had a twist in my stomach with anticipation.

We then went to the lift.

"Are you a regular visitor here, looks like everyone knows you?", I asked.

"My dear everyone ought to know you when you own the hotel", he smiled.

My mouth went agape, " You own the hotel! I didn't know".

"There's so many things that you don't know Elly", he said looking at the front.

It was true that there were so many things that I don't know about Damianos. I knew he was rich but I have no idea how much. Sometimes I wonder how did a girl like me ended up with a man like Damianos. I mean I know but still.

We reached our floor. The valet opened the door to our suit.

After the valet had left. I sat on the sofa to relax. I was feeling restless.

"You must be tired and hungry. I have ordered some lunch", he said.

"How did you know I was hungry?"

"Whenever you are hungry you start getting irritated and anxious. You don't have to say you're hungry. I already know when my wife turns into a baby gorilla".

I crossed my arms annoyed at his comment. "I'm not a gorilla. You're a hippo".

"I'll take it as a compliment my baby gorilla", he said chuckling.

I took a pillow and threw it on him.

"Call me gorilla one more time and I'll eat you for breakfast".

He came forward and pulled me into his arms.

"You have no idea how much I would love to be eaten by you", he whispered into my ears.

I stilled at his double meaning. I tried to get out of his hold but he wasn't letting me go.

"Let me go", I said trying to sound serious.

"Why should I let you go my baby gorilla. You wanted to eat me right? Come, here is your husband served in a platter. I'm all at your mercy", he said in his wicked smile still holding me tightly to him.

Just then there was a knock on the door. Our food arrived.

I grinned and showed him my tongue. "Ain't nobody can take my food's place".

He smiled in a challenging way, "We'll see".

I ignored him and started devouring my food.

When I was done with my breakfast, I looked at Damianos. There was a question nagging my mind since the morning but I don't know if it would be appropriate or not to ask it. But I thought I should ask it anyway.

"Damianos?"

"Hmm", he replied his eyes still on the laptop on which he was working.

"How much rich are you exactly?"

That got his attention. He snapped his eyes towards me. I thought he was going to dismiss it as a joke. But his eyes were suddenly alarmed.

"Why do you ask that?", he inquired.

"Just curious. You said this morning that I don't know many things about you".

"So you thought the first thing you should know is about my financial status", his eyes narrowed into slits.

I was taken aback by his sharp reply.

"I was just curious. Like you own this hotel, I didn't know that".

"Tell me Elly. Honestly. Would you mind if I tell you that I have absolutely no money? That I'm on the verge of bankruptcy?", he was looking at me intently. Noticing my every reaction.

I didn't know why he asked this question. Neither did I know how to answer this question correctly. So I just said the truth.

"To be honest. I would rather prefer if you had no money. That there wasn't such a gap between us. Then maybe I would have been more open with you".

"Really?", he looked amused, " You should know if I had no money then we wouldn't have been sitting in a luxury suite of a five-star hotel right now."

"I don't mind. I would have been just as happy in a small motel room".

He looked at me for some time. His face had an expression that I couldn't make out.

After some time, he said, "well now that your husband is not poor. Let's do something which we can still do".

"What?", I asked confused.

"We have to buy something suitable for the ball".

#*#*#