02

Nicholas was out with friends drinking a beer at a local bar when his father called. He let it ring a few times but for how long could he avoid inevitable finally picking it up.

« Yeah dad it’s me » Nicholas said as soon as he picked it up.

« I know who you are Nicholas. I have something important to tell you »

« I want you to take Theora out to dinner »

Nicholas paused thinking over a way to get out of it.

« I can’t » he finally muttered

« Why can’t you I insist you take her out » his father demanded

« It’s not that I don’t want to but the conference in New York is this weekend remember I told you about it. I’ll only be back a day before the wedding » Nicholas held his breath hoping it worked.

« Yes I had forgotten about that » Leon muttered and Nicholas silently punched the air in triumph « Alright then I want you to be back the day before the wedding even if the angel of death comes for I want you to tell him to come for you after the wedding »

« Definitely will do that » said Nicholas taking another sip from his beer.

« I’ve sent you a picture of Theora to your phone I think you’ll be pleased with our choice »

« I’ll look at it immediately »

« Bye dad » with that Nicholas hung up the phone. He saw that there was a new message from his dad with image written underneath it without opening it Nicholas deleted it from his phone and continued on drinking.

Eight am on the day of the wedding the bride was ready sitting in the hotel room surrounded by her friends teasing her, while the groom had just exited the shower. His friends were still snoring in the adjacent suite after the bachelor party they had last night. As it was completely trashed, Nicholas hired the suite next to it and told the tailor who was bringing his suit to come there. Although Nicholas partied till late he never once was late for work and this wedding to him was nothing but business. A way to ensure his future as the new CEO of Markopoulos Inc. This wasn’t a marriage it was a business deal he thought to himself.

The tailor helped him put on his suit which was specifically made to his measurements. Nicholas admired the suit thinking it was a great shame it had to be worn on one of his worst days.

« You married Franco ? » He asked the elderly tailor.

« It’ll be exactly forty years next month » Franco replied happily.

« Good god forty years with one woman ! How do you even keep up your sanity ? »

« She does drive me insane » Franco laughed not taking offense to Nicholas’ words « but when you love someone you love them with all their faults Master Markopoulos »

« Well my prayers are with you » Nicholas said straightening out his cuffs.

« In all fairness I think you are the one currently in need of prayers » Franco chuckled. Nicholas raised his eyebrow at him. Did he just get owned by a scrawny old man ?

Back at Theora’s hotel room all the bridesmaids were all chatting and teasing her about the wedding night.

« You’re so thin Theora what if Nicholas breaks you » her cousin Hannah said

« What if they get stuck together like that couple who had to be separated with a crowbar in the emergency-room » added Sofia, Theora’s friend from high school. The whole room erupted with laughter and Theora began to heat up with the blush coming over her.

« Ladies » Theora’s mother said as she entered the room « may I have a few words alone with Theora ? »

With this all the girls left the room. Theora weakly smiled at her mother while she admired her from afar.

« They’ve done an excellent job with the makeup you look beautiful dear » her mother said

« Theora we need to talk » her mother said sitting next to her « you’re starting a new chapter in your life with a man you barely know. He will ask from you things that might seem strange to you but it’s perfectly normal. You must keep him happy and adjust to his home. You understand me don’t you dear ? »