Fated to the Greek God

Chapter Two

I made my way down the bustling street towards the tailors. I needed to dress to impress tomorrow, and Edwards old clothes were not going to do the trick. Although we were twins, he was much larger than me which meant his clothes were quite loose. Luckily, no one around the library knew Edward so it was easier to pass as him, though we did look similar aside for the difference in height. And thanks to his philandering behaviour, he was quietly sent to study in Athens.

I entered the small tailor's shops and greeted the owner, one Mr Barnes.

“How can I help you today, young man?” the owner greeted. You would think a tailor would be able to recognise me as a woman quite easily, but I suppose I must have been gifted with masculine features. Should I feel happy about that?

“I am looking for some new clothes” I stated, “I have an interview tomorrow and I need to impress.”

The old tailor looked me up and down a few times before leading me to one of the back rooms. He pulled out a measuring tape.

“Ahh, there is no need for that, I have my measurements” I could easily pass as a man in looks but one touch in the wrong place and he would immediately know that I am not. Before he could response, a small ting from the bell to notify the owner someone had entered the store sounded. Saved by the bell.

“I shall be right back” he said as he put the tape around his neck and left the room. I took this as an opportunity to look around at the pieces the tailor had on display. Since I needed it soon, it would have to be a basic dress suit, something he could easily adjust to fit me.

As I picked up a suit, the tailor returned with a sombre expression on his face. He did not necessarily look cheery when I had first entered the store, but he looked quite scared now.

“I apologise young man, but I failed to realise I had an appointment booked. If possible, could you let me attend to this gentleman first?” his tone had also changed slightly. It was much quieter.

“Of course. If he has an appointment booked” I said with a small smile to reassure him that I did not mind waiting. He smiled in response and led me back to the main shop front. There were two men stood, one was tall and facing the shop window while the other was not as tall but still a good few feet taller than me.

“Lord Damien” the tailor stated, bowing his head slightly. Why did he seem so scared?

The taller of the two gentlemen turned around. A man’s appearance was not something I usually paid attention to but even a blind man would be shocked. I think he had to be the single most attractive man I had ever seen.

He was tall, as I had already noticed. But his features were striking. He had slightly long black hair with a few curls loosely dropping down  in front of him to his thick eyebrows. His jawline was sharp, but not overly so. He had quite plump lips and a sharp nose but the most hypnotising thing about him was his eyes. His eyes were a deep green colour and the longer I stared into them, I could see small specks of gold surrounding his pupils. He was magnificent. Almost like he was one of the Greek statues I spent hours studying had come to life. I was speechless to say the least.

There was an awkward cough and I noticed I was staring. No. No way. Did I want to give away my identity? But surely even a man would notice that he was attractive. And so what if I did stare? It is not against any law to stare, just bad etiquette and if I did not partake in my daily dose of bad etiquette, I would be giving mother far too easy of a life.

I let out a breath and looked down. I did not even realise I stopped breathing.

“I did not realise you were already with someone” the man, Lord Damien said. I could feel his eyes on me, but I did not dare to look up. The man’s voice was deep and rough and a part of me was once again hypnotised. Snap out of it woman.

“It was not his fault, I did not have an appointment and asked him to see me. I do not mind waiting” I said, smiling slightly while lifting my head up to meet his eyes once again. Lord Damien raised his eyebrows and shook his head.

“You should not mind waiting since it was indeed your mistake, child” he said with an air of arrogance while he walked past me, the slightly less tall but equally intimidating gentleman followed. I let out a scoff. Did I not already admit it was my mistake, did he really have to point it out? The arrogance of this man, did I even look like a child? Sure, I did not have a great big moustache but that was down to the fact I was a woman.

“Did you just… scoff?” he stopped in his tracks, right next to me. I could feel his body heat penetrating the left side of my arm and I could smell his scent. It was as masculine as him.

“Well, yes” I admitted it, I did scoff “I had already said it was my mistake and clarified I did not mind waiting yet you had to act like… like…” I could not exactly find a proper word to describe his actions.

“Like what?” he asked.

“Like a pompous ass” I responded slightly abruptly without taking a second to think. I could not see his expression and I kept my head down but I heard him snicker slightly.

He leaned in closely, so close I could feel his warm breath on my ear, as he whispered to me, “such ghastly language coming from a man that radiates such femineity”

-

Did he know?

He could not possibly know.

How would he know? No one else does.

Or do they? And they have just been playing along? My mind was racing.

I tapped my shoes against the floor as I sat in the chair waiting for the tailor to be done with that haughty man. I just needed to give my measurements and get out of her as soon as I could. If this man did know then I needed to be far away from him as possible.

“Young man” the tailor said, startling me slightly. I looked up at him and notice I had been biting my nails. A bad habit.

“Yes?” I asked, while standing up and tucking my hands behind my back.

“Lord Damien has asked for you to attend to him as his man has had to leave shortly. If you could, you would be saving me a lot of trouble?” he asked me, still looking as terrified as he did before. I could not risk exposing myself.

“I do not think that would be… appropriate?” I asked, questioning myself more than the tailor. If he did know, surely he would not ask me to attend to him.

“And what would be inappropriate about two men helping each other whilst picking out a suit?” the enchanting man stated, entering the front of the shop. His suit jacket and his waistcoat had gone, and he was in a white shirt. The shirt was slightly loose-fitting, but you could make out the figure that lay under it. He was more muscular than most men but not overly. Simply perfect, like everything else about his appearance. Exactly like a Greek statue.

I took a deep breath. He knows. But he has not said yet, so there is always a chance he does not.

“Nothing” I stated, walking up to him. He smirked at me as he let me walk past him into the back room.

I heard the door close behind us and turned to face the strange man.

“Is the tailor not coming?” I asked. I felt slightly uncomfortable being alone in a room with him, even if he does not know I am a man. My heart seemed to beat slightly quicker, and my palms seemed to get slightly moist at the thought of being alone with him. This had never happened before. As I often dressed as Edward, I was alone with many men, but never once did I feel so nervous.

“He’s busy” the man responded nonchalantly while taking a few steps closer to me.

“Well, it is not very appropriate” I said taking a few steps back.

“And why not?” he takes a few more steps forward “do you have something to hide?”

I tried to take a few steps back, but I soon realised it was futile because someone decided to place a ridiculous wall there.

“No” I swallowed as he took a final few steps forward, closing the gap between us and leaning down so his face is in front of mine. I closed my eyes tightly as I feel his hands grip my cheeks, slowly moving my head like he is almost examining me. He hums slightly, like he has found the answer to his question. Surely he would not do this if he knew I was a woman. He seems to be a gentleman and they do not act in this way.

“You are quite an ugly man” he states, “does that make you ugly as a woman too?”

My eyes shoot open, and I stared right into his. I could feel that warm breath brushing against my lips. He had a smirk on his face and if I did not imagine wrong, a slight twinkle in his eyes, almost as if he could see right through me – see my soul, my inner, deepest thoughts, and secrets. He made me feel exposed and naked even though I was fully clothed.

He most definitely knows. I swallowed deeply. He knows yet he is holding me like this; my chin rest on his palm, his index figure pressing against one cheek while his thumb rubbing against the other. What kind of man is he? I thought to myself and before I knew or could respond, my knee jerked into his utmost private area.