The Wrong Bride

A War

We came back home the same morning. On our way back home, I kept on thinking about Damianos's mother and Sofia's visit. They weren't very nice on our first visit. I don't know if their behavior towards me will change or not. Most likely they won't change.

It would have been better if Santos, Damianos's father could visit too. At least there would be someone on my side.

I looked at Damianos. He was working on the laptop. Even in the car he was working.

"You are going to work yourself to death", I said.

He smiled not looking up from his work, "you sound like my mother".

"Do you really enjoy working that much?", I asked.

"It's not about enjoyment Elly. It's about my responsibility. This defines me, this is who I am". His voice was normal but his face was suddenly serious.

"Okay. I was just saying that you should take care of your health as well", I said confused at his sudden change of mood.

"I have you for that don't I?", his smile returned looking at me.

Soon we reached home. We got out of the car and were greeted by Martha at the door.

"Here you both are. Mr. Costas you should take her out more, she is glowing", she said smiling.

"I will surely do. I also got to see a different side of her", he said looking at me. A secret smile on his face that only I can understand.

"I missed you Martha", I said. Martha was the one who is closest I have to a mother and a friend. I can tell her everything and she won't judge.

"I missed you too dear. Now both of you get freshen up I'm setting lunch", she said clapping her hands and sending us on our way.

#*#*#*

After having lunch Damianos went to his office. I must give it to him. After so much travelling he still managed to work. And here I have not done a thing since the morning and I'm already on the verge of sleep.

As I went to bed to take a nap, my phone started ringing. I picked up to find Catherine's number.

"Hey Cathy"

"Hey Elly. How are you? When did you reached home".

"Just an hour before. I'm so tired that I'm almost on the verge of sleep", I said yawning.

"Obviously, the way Damianos was looking at you last night, I wonder if you got any sleep last night" she said giggling.

I turned tomato red, "God Cathy stop", I laughed. Cathy is so blunt.

After talking to Cathy, I fell asleep and woke up in the evening.

Damianos did not come back the until midnight. When he did, he quietly entered the main hall.

"Have you eaten?", I Inquired.

"Oh, Elly what are you doing in the dark? And at this time? Why are you not sleeping?"

"I was waiting for you. Did you eat anything?"

"No, I haven't."

"Come then I'll quickly set dinner for you".

We were sitting on the dinner table. While Damianos was having his dinner, I was just sitting there to accompany him.

"So, what did you do the whole day?", he asked me.

"Nothing much", I said playing with a fork my mind somewhere else.

"What is it Elly, is something wrong?"

"No why do you ask?"

"Here look at me", he held my chin and turn it to face him. "Tell me what is bothering you?"

"Nothing I'm telling you", I said as I got out of his hold.

After some time, he said, "Is it about mom and Sofia?"

I looked at him and shrugged.

"Don't worry. They're going to be fine", he assured.

"They didn't like me the last time. What makes you think they'll like me now?"

"Mom and Sofia are not that bad. Once you get to know them, you'll realize that they are nice".

I smiled. It was unlikely but I didn't say anything.

#*#*#*

I woke up next day as the sun rays fell on my face. The bed next to me was empty. I looked at my phone, it was eight thirty. So Damianos must have left already.

I started getting out of bed. My whole body was sore. I smiled thinking about last night when Damianos made love to me.

Shaking my thoughts, I went for my morning routine.

The next few days Damianos had the same routine. He would leave in the morning and come back late. He would be so tired that he would barely talk except during our love making.

Damianos was fine in Boston. I don't know what had happened to him here. It felt like he is trying to avoid me. Even when I try to talk to him, he would make excuses that he have a phone call to make or he is simply tired.

Today Damianos's mom and Sofia were coming. As if their visit was not enough to make me nervous, Damianos's behavior was also filling me with a sense of trepidation.

It was evening, Patricia, Damianos's mother and Sofia must be coming any time now. I quickly went to my room and wore a beautiful light green dress that come up to my knees. I made up my hair perfectly and wore my mother's pendant. I don't want them to think that I don't even know how to dress up.

Giving myself one last look, I went downstairs.

I heard voices so I knew that they are here. Petricia came inside and took off her hat.

"Oh, it's so hot outside. I wonder what my son was thinking buying a house in the middle of nowhere. It takes years to reach here", she said fanning herself with her hand.

"Hello Mrs. Costas, Miss Costas. How was your journey?", Martha said offering them some water.

"It couldn't have been worse. First the weather and then that husband of yours. He was driving like a new born. No offense Martha but I think it's high time Gordon takes retirement. Just ask Damian to fix a good retirement money for him and ask him to sit at home", she said in a haughty tone.

"It would have been a lot nicer if we would have brought our own driver", she said to Sofia as if Martha was not there at all.

But looks like she does not care what Martha or anyone for that matter thinks.

Martha's face turned various shade of red but she stayed quiet.

I walked towards the hall. Their face turned to me eyeing me closely.

"So, the queen has descended", Sofia said with her malice filled voice.

"Where were you? We have been here for almost half an hour. It's quite a welcome we are getting I'm must point Emma", Petricia said in her diplomatic yet venomous voice.

I knew they haven't been here for five minutes. But anyway.

"It's Elly, short for Eleanor".

"Eleanor? Well that's quite a sophisticated name. I wasn't expecting", Petricia said eyeing me from head to toe.

"I must say you have changed", Sofia said with a devilish smile on her face, “it's a wonder how money can change appearance".

I tried not to let them get to me. I wanted to retort back to them but I didn't say anything. I don't want Damianos to get caught up in this mess.

And if I open my mouth there's not going to be a mess, there's going to be a war.

"You both must be tired. Why don't you both go and freshen up?", I said trying to sound as cheery as I can manage.

"I hope you have set me up in the lake facing room, I always stay in that room every time I visit", Petricia said.

"Actually, Damianos and I share that room. I have set you up on the right wing next to Sofia's room. Hope you don't mind", I said.

"Well, Do I have an option?", Petricia said making a face.

"Damian always used the room downstairs next to his study, did you asked him to move to the lake view room?", Sofia asked as if accusing me.

"No when I came here. I was asked to stay in that room", I replied.

Geez I didn't know the lake view room was that much in demand. Or maybe these two are making a fuss just to annoy me.

Controlling my anger was becoming a real test. Damianos shouldn't have left me alone with them. I swear someone would die. And I would start with Sofia.

We were having dinner. When we were finished, I asked Petricia, "did you enjoy the dinner?"

"Yeah it was fine. I would like to go outside for a walk", she said dismissing the dinner discussion.

That woman. Martha and I have spent the whole afternoon preparing the dinner. Oh, Damianos come back home to remind me why I'm tolerating them.

I went outside to the garden with Petricia and Sofia. The garden was lit up looking beautiful as always. We walked for some time then Petricia said, "I'm going to go back to the house I'm very tired".

After Petricia was gone. It was just me and Sofia. After some time, Sofia said,

"You are a lucky girl Elly".

"Why is that?"

She laughed. "Really, Elly you are asking me that? You are either very stupid or very intelligent.

"I mean look at you poor little pretty girl. Parents are dead, no employment prospects. And then suddenly out of nowhere you are a wife of a billionaire. You do know how to make the most of an opportunity", she said in a casual tone.

"Well I have always been told that I'm a bright kid", I retorted and smiled my oh so innocent smile.

Her face become colourless.

Face it women if you want a fight I'll give you a fight.

Soon we saw a car coming near the house. Damianos got out of the car.

"Sofia", he came towards Sofia and kissed her on cheek.

"Damian this is very wrong. We have been here for hours and you are coming now?"

"I apologize I got caught up in things. Where's mom?"

"She already went to her room. You can meet her after dinner. I don't think she would have slept yet", she said.

"Fine I'll do that".

After dinner Damianos went to see his mother. I on the other hand went to my room. I changed and went to the balcony. The wind was blowing fast. It's been cloudy for some time it looks like the weather is going to break soon. It'll be a relief from the hotness both outside and inside the house.

Even after an hour Damianos did not come back. I wonder what he was doing. I looked at the time. It was almost midnight.

I went downstairs to find the lights of Damianos's study turned on. I went inside.

"Damianos, it's twelve. You've been up since the morning. Come to bed".

"No actually tomorrow I'll be going a little late to office so I thought I'll finish some work", he said barely looking up from his work.

"And Elly. Don't wait up for me. I'll be sleeping in the next room tonight".

I turned back, " why?"

"I have so much work. My sleeping and waking time is very errant these days. I don't want you to get disturbed because of that".

"But I don't mind."

"I mind Elly. Besides I also need some space as I have to finish my work", he gave me a quick smile that did not reach his eyes.

I didn't say anything to that. I don't know what those she devils have filled in his mind. I knew that Damianos is a sensible man. But he is only a human. And those female Costas can be very manipulative.

#*#*#*