The Greek Billionaire’s Indecent Proposal
Chapter 26

Xander’s POV

When I walked into the room, Soraya was asleep. Her face was tear stained and contorted in a frown. This made me sigh, she was so troubled that it even affected her in her sleep.

‘What are you doing Xander.’ I chastised myself. I sat on the bed next to her and watched her sleep.

“Soraya you make it so hard for me to do my job as head of this family. I only want to make sure you are safe, how can I do that when you are out there, I can’t grant you a divorce. If I lose you, I might not be able to survive it this time.” I said quietly even though she couldn’t hear me.

I smoothed the frown in between her brows using my thumb. The bedroom door opened, I turned around to see who it was. Stacy came in and walked up to me.

“You can’t seem to stay out of our business now can you?” I sneered at her.

“Xander, Soraya is like a sister to me, I lost her once because of you. I won’t lose her again. I’m not here to argue with you, I only wanted to tell you that I gave her a Xanax to calm her down. So if you want to chat to her, you will have to wait until she’s awake.” She said quietly. “And don’t move her, if she wakes up to replace herself in your bedroom, anything you say to her will be like talking to a brick wall. Stop bullying her into doing what you want.

“Stacy!.” I growled at her. “You are treading on thin ice.”

“Only because I care. You scare me Xander but I know that you love her. I don’t want her to go running off, so my love and worry for the both of you outweighs my fear for you right now. Ruthlessness might build you a strong empire but to save your soul, you need love and right now she seems to be the only chance you’ve got.” She looked at me with concern.

I nodded my head and she smiled at me then she walked out of the room. She was right, the guilt that wrenched at my heart because of Hera’s death was consuming me and it felt like the only absolution I could get, the only absolution I wanted was for Soraya to return my love and to stay with me. I needed her to love me.

I took of my shoes and climbed on the bed next to her. My hand went around her waist and I pulled her closer to me. I breathed in her scent and nuzzled her face, she snuggled closer to me. I felt my thoughts calm as I closed my eyes.

Sofija’s POV

“What do you mean you don’t know where my brother is? Look for him Davina! Check his office!” I snapped at the housekeeper over the phone then hung up.

“Aargh! You know how incompetent the help can be, my brother seems to have disappeared.” I smiled at Maya as she looked at me questioningly. “How about this, I will talk to him this evening and get him to call you for a date.”

She looked so annoyed but I mean how desperate could she be? I wanted to roll my eyes at her but I continued to maintain my fake smile.

“I will get one of the chauffeurs to take you home.” I told her.

Finally after she left I ran up to my room, I wanted to shower and take a nap before dinner. When I got there, my husband was changing out of his work clothes.

“Hi baby, how was your day.” Joud asked me.

“It was pleasurable, I found something to amuse myself.” I said with a smirk on my face. “How is everything going with my brother?” I asked him as I started to strip out of my clothes. He watched me intently.

“Whatever it is that you are plotting, I suggest you stop it Sofija. You don’t think I haven’t noticed that you don’t like your sister in law? Just remember that what you do affects me as well. I’m already in the dog house, the trip to Spain was supposed to get me out but here you are antagonising your brother.” He looked a little irritated.

“Xander needs a better wife than that money hungry gold digger he brought home.” I sulked.

“Soraya is actually a nice person, if you actually got your head out of the clouds long enough to sit and have a single conversation with her then you would see that.” He came to stand behind me as I sat by the dresser, wiping of my make up with a facial wipe. His hands went on my shoulders and he started to massage them as he looked at me through the mirror.

I stopped what I was doing and glared at him then I shrugged his hands of me. “You have been spending time with her?”

“Ajana likes her, when I go to spend time with Ajana at times Soraya is with the kids. She’s so good with them.”

“Well then Xander should have hired her as a nanny! Not married her.” I spat out. “And you stay away from her! I don’t trust her.”

“Sofija just because I indulge you in your little adventures it doesn’t mean that you actually dictate this marriage! You know what would actually be more beneficial for you? If you spend time with your daughter and stop harassing her about what to wear or eat!” He said vehemently.

I turned around my chair to glared at him then I stood up. I realised that I would not win this battle. Joud had patience but lately he was losing his patience with me. I didn’t want to anger him and have him running off to spend time with other women out there. There’s not much that I cared about in my life but Joud was the love of my life. I’d do anything for him including having a child that I never wanted in the first place.

His father and mine used to do business together, Joud had been the youngest of his five brothers and our parents had thought the best way to solidify an alliance with both families was to marry us off. I had not minded at all because I had loved him from the first time I laid eyes on him. He was smart and sharp, acknowledging that my family was more powerful than his so he wanted to be part of the winning team.

“I will try and be nice to Soraya and I will take Ajana out for frozen yoghurt or something.” I sighed and he smiled at me and pulled me up to k**s me.

“That’s my baby, we can’t afford to have your brother kick us out of the estate, I sure as hell don’t want to go and stay with your cousins in the other estate.” He said as his hands traveled down my slim body. He reached out to my butt chicks and lifted me up, my legs went around him and we started to k**s.

“Come with me to the shower.” I said in between m***s. He led me to the bathroom, as he placed me on the floor, I pulled his shirt up and over his head.

“By the way, Ajana doesn’t like frozen yoghurt, she likes chocolate ice cream with sprinkles.” He said and he turned me around, making me place my hands on the basin. We looked at each other through the mirror as he unbuttoned his pants. My eyes closed but I heard his pants drop to the floor and I anticipated what was coming with so much excitement. Not caring at all what he had just said.

Soraya’s POV

When I opened my eyes, the bedroom was dark. There was a warm body next to me, Xander. I sighed as I took in his scent, he had his hand around my waist, our legs had some how entwined.

My eyes adjusted to the dark, I looked at him sleeping peacefully next to me. How was it possible to be this close to a person and still want to get even closer. I looked at his beautiful face, my fingers automatically went up to trace it gently. He stirred in his sleep but his eyes stayed shut, his breathing steady.

I didn’t want a divorce, I wanted him to love me back, I wanted him to be open with me. I thought about the possibility of being pregnant with another child and it terrified me but also the thought of having another piece of Xander inside me warmed my heart. I felt my tears forming in my eyes.

Xander stirred again and his eyes started to flutter. I quickly blinked my tears away as he opened his eyes, I could tell he was trying to get his eyes to focus in the dark.

He g*****d and then stretched out. “We missed dinner.” He said gruffly.

“I was knocked out, what’s your excuse.” I said to him softly.

“I needed you.” He responded looking directly into my eyes. My heart skipped a beat, I felt a flutter in my stomach like there were a million butterflies just floating around in there. “Angel, I’m sorry. I don’t want to argue with you.”

“I’m hungry.” I said, not knowing what to say to his apology.

“Let’s go down to the kitchen, I will make you something to eat. He smiled slightly then he leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

“Do you even know your way around the kitchen.” I asked him and he chuckled.

“Come with me and you will see.” We got up and he took my hand and led me downstairs. We were both barefooted as we walked, this felt normal. The kind of thing that loving couples did.

When we got to the kitchen he switched on the lights then pulled up a barstool for me by the kitchen island. “What do you feel like eating.” He asked me as I sat down.

“Surprise me Mr cook.” I said as he headed to the fridge and started taking out contents one by one. He then disappeared but came back with more stuff in his arms. I guess he did know his way around the kitchen, it looked like he had raided the pantry. He looked at me and smiled.

“Impressed yet?” He chuckled.

“The proof is in the pudding, I have to eat what you cook and not die from food poisoning or whatever.” I rolled my eyes at him. “But I guess you score a few points for discovering the pantry.” I said to him in mock irritation. He threw his head back and laughed.

“Oh ye have little faith my angel.” He winked at me. “Let me turn on the underfloor heating in here. Can’t let you freeze to death before you actually get to taste your husband’s cooking.” He disappeared again and this time when he came back he was wearing an apron. It looked so good on him I couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh is that a smile I see on her beautiful face?” He joked and I actually laughed. “Ladies and gentlemen I think chef Xander Adamos deserves another point for entertainment.”

Stop joking around, I’m going to die of hunger.” I said as I stifled a giggle.

“Okay let’s see what we have here.” He said as he started to prepare the food. A delicious smell started to waft up in the air as he worked.

“So who taught you how to cook?” I asked him.

“My Giagiá, as much as we were at war…when she wasn’t spanking me for being naughty, we would be hauled up in the kitchen baking or cooking. She taught me so many things, I even know to bottle up crushed tomatoes.” He shared.

“What? No ways. I would like to see that!” I said in a surprised tone. He laughed and started to work the blender, after he was done, he took a spoon and tasted the sauce that he had just blended. He walked up to me and dipped the spoon back in the blender then brought it close to my lips.

It was a green looking sauce, it smelled herby and garlicky. I put the spoon in my mouth and savoured the delicious robust flavour. “Hmmm, that’s heaven in a blending jug.” I said making him smile.

“And now it’s heaven in your mouth.” He leaned in and kissed me.” I allowed him entry as his tongue explored I began to get aroused, I couldn’t help it, every time he touched me or kissed I just couldn’t control the feeling. I put my hands up on his chest and gently pushed him away.

“I want real food.” I said in a husky voice. He smiled and went back to his work station.

When he was done he placed a plate of pesto pasta with chicken and tomato in front of me. He disappeared again then came back with two forks, napkins, wine glasses and a bottle of white wine.

“Well angel, the proof is in the pudding like you said, dig in.” He handed me a fork and napkin then he busied himself with opening the bottle of wine.

I let my fork dive into the plate, picking up some pasta and tomato with a small piece of chicken. I placed it in my mouth and began to chew slowly. “Hmmmm, don’t wake me up.” I sighed. He chuckled and slid a glass of wine next to the plate.

“Try it with the wine, take a sip.” He said eagerly. I did as he instructed. It was the perfect pairing. “Grüner Veltliner, sometimes it’s not about the price of the bottle but the flavour and pairing with the food.” He shared.

“Okay I am impressed. I could eat this for the rest of my life.” I cooed.

“And I could cook it for you for the rest of our lives.” He looked at me. I didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t go making promises you can’t keep.” I said and I looked down at my plate. Footsteps sounded just outside the kitchen then next thing Sofija walked into the kitchen in a gown.

“Oooh how cozy.” She said and smiled but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes “Xander, Joud is looking for you, he tried calling you but it seems you left your phone in your office?” She said.

“I’m sure whatever it is can wait until tomorrow morning.” He said with so much irritation.

“Actually it can’t, it’s an emergency.”

Xander walked up to me and lifted my chin so that I was looking up at him. “Don’t go anywhere, I will be back just now okay?” He bent down and kissed me passionately.

He walked out leaving an awkward silence behind him. Sofija reached for Xander’s plate and helped herself to some food.

“My brother the chef, very impressive.” She chuckled. “You know, I don’t think he has ever cooked for anyone of his women ever. Not even Hera.” She smirked at me.

“Sofija, I’m not in the mood. I said quietly.

“Oh no don’t worry I come in peace and all that nonsense, Joud tells me you are nice to our daughter and he says you are a good person so I have seen my error ways. I’m here to extend… what do they call it? An olive branch.” Her face said otherwise even though she was trying to mask it with a fake smile.

“Okay, olive branch accepted.” I said cautiously.

“And on that note, there is a gala that will take place in two weeks, it’s hosted by some friends of mine and all the important people will be there. I think you and Stacy should come, I am going to introduce you to society as my brother’s wife. She announced it with a smile like it was the most brilliant idea she had ever come up with. “It is going to be fun to get out of this house rather than stay in like you live in a prison. You will make new friends.”

“Galas aren’t really my thing Sofija.” I tried to get out of it.

“Oh come on are you going to say no to me trying to make peace? I even want to take the kids out for ice cream this Saturday.” She drawled.

“Uhmmm…” I was about to respond when she interrupted me.

“Stacy will be there so you will be comfortable you know.” She added.

“Okay fine. I guess it wouldn’t hurt.” I said but I had a bad feeling about it.

She gave a little scream and clapped her hands. “Good, Georgio will dress us, you don’t have to worry about any of that.” As she said that, Xander walked back into the kitchen.

“What doesn’t she have to worry about?” He asked.

“Her dress to the gala, we are all going. I guess I will have to invite Dorian and Sasha too.” She rolled her eyes. “We will talk okay Soraya, goodnight and thank you for accepting my apology.” And she glided out of the kitchen. Xander gave me a questioning look and I just shrugged and carried on eating.

After we were done eating, Xander led me back to the guest bedroom and he stood by the door. “I have some things I need to take care of, I won’t be back until morning but sleep tight. I would rather you were back in our bedroom but I won’t push.” He bent down and kissed me deeply then he walked away.