Page 47 of Unexpectedly In Love

My gaze locks with Eryx and they are screaming, “Get out.” “I am so sorry.” I begin to back out slowly.

“Is that your son, Eryx?” The old man with a tweed jacket turns arounds to get a better view.

Eryx stands slowly. “Um, yes, he is.” Eryx makes his way around the table and comes toward me.

“I am so sorry.”

“Give him to me.” Eryx takes Kai from his hand, and my son instantly puts his head on his father’s shoulder, and he stops crying. That little traitor.

“I can take him back. I sincerely apologize for the interrupting.” I reach for Kai, and he is gripping onto his father’s shirt. You can carry a child for nine months, and this is thanks I get.

Eryx already begins to bring Kai back to his desk. The old man stands, and everyone else in the room stands with him. Okay, weird much. He reaches out and plays with Kai’s hand. My son, who was just crying like someone was killing him, giggles and laughs as the old man touches his little hands. Another huge man stands silently watching on from the old man’s side… Must be his security.

“Who is this lovely lady?” the old man ask he leans on his black walking stick.

He reminds me of the old white men who would play chess in the park when I was a kid. His stands about 5’9, so he is still taller than I am, but he has that warm grandfather quality. It could be the warmth of his smile or the way he smells like cinnamon and mint. Or this small bald head with grey hair sitting at the lower half of his head. His eyes were blue, quick and sharp, like the younger man standing to his left. Must be his son.

“Nikos and Elias. This is my wife, Anise.” Eryx rocks Kai in his arms.

The young man nods at me. “Anise, it’s a pleasure.”

The older man beckons me to come closer. My eyes meet Eryx’s; he nods, so I step closer to the older man.

“Anise.” He takes my hand and squeezes it. “In the old days they would use Anise in spells to heal and protect people.”

I smile for the old man; his grip is strong. “Really, I like that. I like to protect my family.”

“How long have you been married Anise?” he asks.

I look up to Eryx, hoping for a hint of something to say.

“Two months, sir.” I lick my lips nervously.

He turns his head to Eryx. “It’s rather convenient, don’t you think, Eryx?”

Before Eryx could answer, I jumped in, “It’s not convenient. There is nothing convenient about marriage.”

“Really, tell me more?” The old swings my hands slowly.

“It’s an invasion of space, time, and money. But you let it happen, because you love that person. It’s no longer an invasion because you want to share your space and time with this person.”

“Hmm. What about the wedding? How was it?” The old man stares me in the eye.

“We eloped. I wanted the wedding to be about us. Not about the fanfare, nor the dress, just us three as a family together. Maybe for our tenth anniversary we can have a wedding.” I hope I didn’t screw this up for Eryx.

“I see why you want to hide this woman away. She is beautiful.” Nikos leans in closer. “If he is not treating you well call me. I will rescue you.”

“Whether I’m treating her well or not, she stays with me, Nikos. If anyone tries to take her from me...they will die,” Eryx replies and smiles broadly.

The room gets quiet. Even Mr. Nikos turns to Eryx who is busy rocking Kai like he didn’t just threaten this old man.

“Very well. It was nice to meet you Mrs. Demopoulos.” He kisses my hand and releases it.

“The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Nikos. Have a great day, gentlemen.”

I send a wink to Eryx; I hurry out of the room.

Why the hell did I do that? I don’t know shit about marriage. Did I save that man who had me under contract? I slap my forehead as I stop midway down the stairs.

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