Limits of Destiny (Volume 1)

by Sharlyn G. Branson

  The bathroom had a great design. It had pearl-white tiles with golden fibers running through them. The Jacuzzi was large enough to fit five people; the same went for the shower cubicle. Towels of various sizes were carefully arranged in the glossy white cupboards.

  I had a quick shower and moved on to doing my makeup and hair. When I finished, I went into the walk-in closet, which was actually a massive room with clothes arranged in the style of a luxury store. Alexander had too many suits, shirts, jeans, and casual tops to even try counting them.

  Mrs. Schmidt had also hung the outfits Alexander had bought for me. They were incredibly beautiful and elegant, all of luxury designer labels: Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, etc. My eyes stopped at a Cavalli dress in dark yellow, its ends decorated with small black leaves. Checking myself out in the mirror I was impressed. I looked so sophisticated I could pass for the First Lady.

  I went down to the kitchen and found Mrs. Schmidt filling the coffee machine with beans. “Good morning, Mrs. Schmidt.”

  “Good morning, Miss Welson.”

  Alexander was reading something on his laptop, but on seeing me, he said, “Alexia, you look dazzling.”

  “Well, anyone would look dazzling in such a wonderful dress.” I sat next to him at the dining table.

  “Not anyone, baby,” he said, flashed me a smile, and kissed me on the cheek.

  “Thank you. Everything you’ve bought me is so nice and terribly expensive. I don’t want to think about how much money you’ve spent.”

  He took my hand and gently kissed my fingers. “The money is mine. I’ll spend it how I see fit. You’ll have a coffee, right? What do you want for breakfast?”

  “Muesli with milk,” I replied and stood up to get it, but Alexander pulled me by the elbow to sit back down.

  “Your coffee is coming right away, Miss Welson,” Mrs. Schmidt informed me.

  “And what now… I have to sit here like some baroness. I’m not used to being waited on,” I whispered in his ear, which made him laugh.

  God, his laugh was so happy and infectious it made me laugh too. “I’m glad you find me funny,” I said quietly.

  “I like that you have a sense of humor, Madam Baroness.”

  “Stop it.” I nudged his shoulder.

  Mrs. Schmidt served my breakfast on the table and walked away. I noticed she was wearing a faint smile. Clearly, she was having fun watching us.

  “Babe, get used to my lifestyle and let me take care of you as I think you deserve. Don’t you get it? You are now MINE, and I love taking care of what’s mine,” he proclaimed, emphasizing the word mine, then took hold of my chin and kissed me passionately.

  I moaned. Just one kiss from him was enough to make me wet. This man definitely acted like an aphrodisiac on me. “You’re turning me on. At this rate, we’ll be late for work.”

  “Mmm… I’m also getting turned on. I can’t get enough of you. You’re so sweet.” He reluctantly detached his lips from mine.

  Perhaps he was starting to have stronger feelings for me? No, I shouldn’t delude myself. Otherwise, I’d be severely hurt in the end.

  Both of us needed some time to get to know each other better, starting with the routine things in our lives. Who knew? It might turn out that Alexander was right and we really were a good match.

  “Do you always have an omelet or pancakes for breakfast?” I asked.

  “Yeah, though I sometimes add a croissant or bread rolls with butter, cheese, or salami. Why do you ask?”

  “Just curious.” I shrugged. “I guess you don’t feel full from muesli and cornflakes,” I said and took a sip of my coffee.

  “That’s right. I feel hungry after an hour if I have them.”

  “I understand.” I looked at my Rado watch, a present from my father for my graduation. “When do we have to leave?”

  “We still have half an hour, so have a leisurely breakfast and don’t stress,” said Alexander before kissing me on the temple.

  I started eating the breakfast, thinking about all the women he’d been with. They were probably far too many for me. I scowled at the thought.

  “What awful things are floating around your beautiful head?” he asked and closed his laptop.

  “Nothing important.”

  “Tell me,” he insisted.

  I didn’t dare look at him. I didn’t want him to think of me as obsessively jealous. After all, it was all in the past.

  A past that is tormenting my stupid brain…

  “Alexia,” he said quietly but in a commanding tone.

  I looked up at him and our eyes met. I didn’t want him to find out how stupid I felt.

  “Tell me,” he repeated. “I don’t want you to keep any secrets from me.”

  “I don’t have any secrets.”

  “Don’t give me that bullshit. I want to know everything you’re thinking of.”

  I took a slow sip of coffee to pluck up the courage. “I was just thinking of all those women you’ve—”

  “You’re the only one who’s slept in my bed, the only one with whom I spend my free time in the house. The only one. Do you understand?”

  I nodded. His long fingers slid across my face. “I don’t want you to torture yourself with these silly thoughts. You mean so much more to me than the other women I’ve been with.”

  I closed my eyes to better savor his caress. When he wanted to, Alexander could be so very tender. And God, he was very good at making me feel better. He always knew what I needed, what I would like.

  * * *

  I met up with Lily at noon and we went to my favorite Italian restaurant, Toscana, where we ordered a calzone and a bottle of sparkling mineral water.

  I liked spending my free time with her. Lily had a tonic effect on me. This girl was always full of optimism, rarely complained, and was even more rarely in a bad mood. She liked to laugh and joke and could make me smile even when I was in tears. Unlike me, she wasn’t very emotional. Lily didn’t think too much about life and acted too impulsively. She made decisions quickly and sometimes that was to her benefit, but other times, it harmed her. At least she didn’t torture herself, pondering the meaning of life in depth. Perhaps this was the reason her life had been so much easier than mine.

  “So tell me, Lily. How was your time with Marco?

  “Ah…” She sighed. “Very nice. He’s an amazing lover.” Her words made both of us giggle.

  I knew full well where her strong attraction to Italians came from. Lily’s father was from Florence and her mother was a Swiss from the German-speaking part. For this reason, Italian men made a great impression on her, or at least this was how I saw it. As people say, men subconsciously choose women who somehow resemble their mothers and women choose men similar to their fathers.

  In appearance and due to his thoughtfulness, Alexander was also very much like my own father. “So tell me. Are you with Marco just for the sex?”

  “Not just.” She carefully considered my words. “He’s very sweet, has a good sense of humor. I just don’t know how long we can make a go of it apart.”

  “You’re not thinking of leaving work, are you?”

  “No. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Marco doesn’t speak German; his English isn’t that great either. The only good thing is he works in IT, where they’re always looking for specialists. He might have a chance in some Italian company,” she said thoughtfully while slicing off another piece of calzone. “I don’t want to think about this right now. It’s too early in the day. How was your weekend?”

  “Good.” I looked at her with a smug grin. “Very good, in fact.”

  “Hmm… Just very good… Did Alexander manage to prove himself in bed?”

  I couldn’t stop the silly grin from appearing on my face.

  “You don’t say.”

  I took a napkin from the table and waved it like a fan, as if to cool my passion. I leaned toward her and continued softly, so nobody from the neighboring table would ov
erhear me. “I’ve never had such incredible sex, never before in my life.”

  “I knew it. He’s a proper Romeo. You just have to look at him; he oozes sex appeal. So his reputation as a great lover isn’t false.”

  “Please don’t remind me of his reputation. It makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about how many women he’s been with.” I interrupted her and decided to change the subject. “I met a friend of his, Francesco. They studied architecture together in college and graduated at the same time. He currently works at Kraftberg International. You just have to let me introduce you to him. He seemed to me like a decent and serious man.”

  “I won’t say no to that.” She winked at me.

  I took a sip of water and continued. “On Saturday, I’m going to a charity ball with Alexander. It’s organized by his mother.”

  “Well, this is news… You must be worried sick. Photographers from the press will be there, which is why your dress, hair, and makeup just have to be stunning.”

  “I know. Francesco’s sister works in the Chanel store, and he told me they have amazing evening outfits. Alexander and I are going there today to pick out something.”

  “That’s the spirit. You’ll blow their minds. Do you want me to make you an appointment with my hair stylist?”

  Gabriel, Lily’s hairdresser, had won several international awards and could produce a work of art from any hair. He was famous, and rightly so, as the most skilled young hairdresser in Zurich. He charged an arm and a leg for a hairstyle, but this wasn’t important. The cause definitely merited the investment.

  “Yes, Lily. I’d be truly grateful.”

  * * *

  Late in the afternoon, my iPhone rang. It was Alexander.

  “Baby, I miss you.” His pleasantly deep yet slightly hoarse masculine voice sent warm ripples through my body. Would he always have such a strong effect on me? Most likely yes. I didn’t think I would ever tire of him.

  “I miss you too.” I glanced at my watch. It was half five.

  “You’re always on my mind. I want to be with you, embrace you, feel your delicate skin.” I heard him exhale loudly.

  I decided to tease him. “So that’s why you want me to work in your company… so I’ll always be at your disposal.”

  “Not just for that,” he said, adding, “but I have to admit I quite like your idea. Can you imagine—”

  “Don’t even think about it. It’s not going to happen.” I quickly cut him off.

  “Hmm… We’ll see.”

  I heard a phone ringing on the other end of the line, but he clearly had no intention of answering it.

  “I don’t want us to fight about this. Let’s not ruin everything, especially after the wonderful weekend we’ve just had.”

  “We’ll have many more like it, baby.” His words hit the bulls-eye and made me shift uncomfortably in my chair.

  I tried to dispel the sexual thoughts starting to emerge in my head. “How was your day?”

  “I had many meetings. As I told you, I keep thinking of you terribly often, and I mean terribly, because I get an erection and barely manage to conceal it.”

  “Noooo… That is terrible.” I sniggered.

  “It’s not funny. I couldn’t get up from the chair. I was hiding my arousal under the table.”

  “Hmm… We’ll do some work on this problem tonight.”

  “Oooo… I can’t wait, sweetie. I’ll be waiting for you in front of the bank at half six and we’ll go together to pick you a dress for the ball.”

  “’Kay. Kisses.”

  “Same to you, baby.”

  * * *

  After work, Alexander and I went to the Chanel store, where Mariella, Francesco’s sister, greeted us with a radiant smile. With her candor and genuineness, she was exactly the type of woman I could imagine becoming a good friend of mine. She was a very pretty girl, between twenty and twenty-three years old, with brown waist-length hair and warm black eyes. She was wearing a white blouse with a bow around the neck and black skinny pants.

  There was an incredible selection of dresses, handbags, wallets, and shoes in the Chanel store. My eyes stopped at a long cream bustier dress covered in small stones that gleamed like diamonds. From the waist down, there were fine vertical drapes. I put it on and showed it to Alexander and Mariella.

  “Alexia, I’m speechless. It looks amazing on you, like it was made to order,” said Mariella.

  I glanced at Alexander, who was staring at me wide-eyed as if hypnotized. “What do you think, Alexander? I, for one, really like this dress,” I said to him.

  No response.

  “Alexander?” I repeated, my voice full of expectation. His opinion was very important to me because I appreciated his refined taste. Unlike him, I didn’t generally get to go to charity events and had no rich experience in exactly what kind of outfits the invitees were expected to wear.

  “You look gorgeous. We’ll take it,” he said and immediately pulled out his credit card.

  Before leaving the store, Mariella and I exchanged phone numbers and arranged to have lunch together the next day.

  * * *

  Mrs. Schmidt had cooked chicken tenderloin, potatoes with rosemary, and boiled vegetables. It smelled very appetizing. We sat down at the table for supper. Alexander had just started to reach for his glass of wine when we heard his iPhone ring.

  Poor man. Not a second to himself. Someone is always calling him.

  He looked at the display in surprise. “Hmm… It’s my mother.” He picked up. “Has something happened?” Alexander waited for her to speak and added, “Okay, Mum, send it to my cell… No, I don’t want you to come. You can show me tomorrow… Yes, I’m not alone… Yes… Is there anything else? Okay, I know… Have a nice evening.” He hung up and looked me in the eyes. “Someone took our picture when we were at Lake Como. It’s been published in Bunte.”

  Seconds later, he received a message. “Here, look.”

  They had photographed us walking on the street arm-in-arm, just before we met up with Francesco.

  “We look great.” Alexander was clearly amused. I, however, felt concerned.

  “It’s started,” I muttered and scowled. “And what does the caption say?”

  “Alexander Kraftberg walking along Lake Como in the company of a charming blonde,” he replied and gave me a piercing look.

  “Charming blonde… They still haven’t found out my name.”

  “Well… Not yet… But they will soon. Alexia, I don’t want to hide you. You are now MINE, and I want people to know it.” He took hold of my chin and flashed a conquering smile.

  “You talk about me like I’m a new hotel you’ve just bought.”

  “Don’t talk rubbish,” he chided. “You should know by now that I’m quite possessive and will fight tooth and nail for that which belongs to me—”

  “If I belong to you, then you belong to me too,” I interrupted.

  “Yes, that’s correct.”

  I turned to him and leaned my elbow on the chair’s armrest. “Which means you’re only MINE,” I said, deliberately emphasizing the final word.

  “Yes,” he replied quickly.

  I started to dance on the inside with the joy I felt from his response. He is mine, just mine, but until when?

  “And no other women will be involved.” I looked at him seriously in expectation of his answer.

  “No women, but no men either.”

  “Fine, it’s a deal.” I smiled at him, and he kissed me on the cheek.

  “My mother really likes you. She said you’re very beautiful.”

  “I think she’s beautiful too.”

  “Have you been looking at pictures on the internet?”

  “Roberto was interested in you. He was digging around on Google last week and showed me a picture of your family. You really look like your mother, and your brother looks like your father.”

  “Yes, you’re right.” He leaned in and pressed his lips against the curve between my neck and
shoulder. “You smell so nice. You’re taking the pill regularly, right?”

  “Yes, of course. I don’t want get pregnant just yet either.” I scowled.

  “You’re pissed. What’s eating at you? Is it the picture?”

  “Yes.” I sighed.

  “What’s the big deal if everybody finds out we’re together?”

  I didn’t say anything.

  “Alexia, do you want us to be together?” He was extremely serious.

  “Yes, of course I do. I just need a little time to get used to the idea that people will talk about me… I should probably tell my father about you so he doesn’t find out from the press.”

  God, I’d completely forgotten about my father. How would he react? He never meddled in my personal life. He trusted me and had confidence in my judgment. I knew he wouldn’t interfere, or at least he hadn’t yet. Still, I felt anxious. After all, I hadn’t gone out with a multimillionaire before, and I really wanted Dad to like him. I didn’t want him to think of Alexander as a rich womanizer. Of course, Alexander used to be precisely that before he met me, but I could sense now he had feelings for me. And I was resolved to get my father to understand this before he formed the wrong impression of him based on the press.

  “Well, call him right now. I like listening when you speak to him in English.” He passed me his iPhone.

  “Welson.”

  “Hi, Dad. It’s me, Alexia.”

  “Hey, kid. Have you got a new number?”

  “No, Dad. I’m calling you from a… friend’s phone.” Alexander raised an eyebrow in disapproval and gritted his teeth. I continued. “Actually, from my boyfriend’s phone. I went to Lake Como with him last weekend. I just wanted to let you know some paparazzo took our picture and now it’s been published in Bunte. It’s very likely that it’ll soon appear in American magazines too.”

  “So he’s not just anyone. Hmm… What’s his name?”

  “Alexander Kraftberg.”

  “Is it serious?”

  “I think so… Yes… I don’t know.” I looked at him. “We’ve not been together for long.” I wasn’t sure how serious our relationship was. Would we manage to stay together?