Page 48 of Unexpectedly In Love

“There is nothing convenient about marriage,” I mock myself.Girl, if you don’t shut up.I had to get it together. It was a reflex; I am doing this for my son’s future.

The zoom call rings throughout the halls. I dash down to my office and answer.

* * *

ERYX

The meeting with Nikos and his son Elias took up half of my morning. For the first half it felt cold, Nikos was unyielding, and Elias wasn’t any different. The moment Anise and Kai entered my office was the moment everything went right. Nikos smiled and his voice softens for the first time. I knew the secret to this meeting was having Kai with me. My son sat on my lap listening to everything, watching everyone. The staff brought us refreshments, including Kai’s bottle. Even when Khaos suggested I send Kai with the maids, I refused. I wanted my son with me, it was a smart move.

Now Nikos Vasileiou is standing outside of his car door. His hands are pressed onto Kai’s head as he gives him a small blessing.

“Do you know why the law states you must be married with a child?” Nikos asked.

I’m about to scream because he has not told me if siding with us or my uncle.

“No,” I reply, Kai takes interest in my shirt buttons and starts playing with it.

“A family is like a body. We, men are the muscle and power. What are our women and children?”

All I want to fucking know if he is siding with us or not. He wants to give me a biology pop quiz.

“The bones,” Khaos replies calmly.

“Why the bones?” Nikos leans against the cane and taps it against the ground.

Everyone is silent, I begin to think when the answer hits me. “Because the bones are our foundation. It keeps us sturdy, holds us firm.”

Nikos nods. “This child and that woman is your foundation. They are your power.”

I want to tell him; with all due respect Vasileiou I am the powerful one. But I would say anything to have him on my side.

“I agree.” I would agree to any shit at this point.

He nods. “You have my blessing Demopoulos. I will talk to your father when I get back.”

“Thank you, Vasileiou.”

Nikos nods and his bodyguards and son help him into the car. The window winds down as he waves out at us.

Cid’s beads clink clack against each other. “Fuck,” he sighs.

Khaos hits my back. “We have the Vasileiou on our side.”

“Thanks to Kai and Mrs. D,” Kyros injects.

I was about to answer him, but a loud varmpppp interrupts us.

I felt a gurgling vibration under my arm.

Kai stares at me, laughing as he claps his hands.

“What the hell are you guys feeding that child?” Khaos asked as he moved away.

Lifting him I bring to my nose. “Oh god, he has to be dying on the inside.” Instantly, I hold him away from my body.

“It’s fucking rank.” Cid brings the back of his hands to his nose. My first thought was get Anise, but she is in an important meeting.

“Come on, help me change his diaper.” I move into the house only to realize they are still standing outside.

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