Limits of Destiny (Volume 1)

by Sharlyn G. Branson

  Alexander put his hands on my face. “I’m so glad you’re here. You have a calming effect on me.” He gave me a onceover and continued. “I like your hairstyle. You look gorgeous.”

  I smiled at him and hugged him even more tightly.

  We sat on the soft couch placed by the large French windows, and I rested my head on his shoulder. I recalled this morning’s incident with the little girl and shivered instinctively.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  “About this morning.”

  I told him about what had happened, and he held me even more tightly in his arms. Terrified, he closed his eyes and, after he opened them, said, “That guy could have run both of you over.”

  “I know. But in such situations, one doesn’t consider that… You would’ve done the same.”

  “You’re probably right.” He kissed my shoulder, put me on his lap, and then sadly shook his head. “And instead of comforting you… I started shouting at you.”

  “I hadn’t told you. You couldn’t have known.”

  “Still…” He fell silent, struggling with his emotions, and then continued. “Thank God, I’m glad nothing bad happened to you.”

  We sat holding each other in silence, both of us lost in thought. I gazed at the lake and the twinkling sunrays and thought about how happy I felt in the arms of my beloved.

  One should appreciate and be happy for all the good moments life gives to him, because one doesn’t know when bad things will befall him.

  I do not know how long we stayed like that when I asked, “When should we start getting ready for the ball.”

  “Soon,” he replied.

  “I’m anxious.”

  “If you’re worried about my parents, believe me; my mother is more anxious about meeting you.” He smiled, gently caressing my hand. “She’s been looking forward to meeting you the entire week. It’s been torture for her. You have to understand I’ve never had a girlfriend before, and they were concerned about that. They didn’t like the fact that I was always with different women, and now my mother is over the moon.”

  “Alexander, I’m happy I’ll meet them, but when I think about all those photos and…” I stopped to consider exactly how to tell him.

  “And what… What’s eating at you, honey?” He bent forward and looked me in the eyes.

  “Vanessa and Bert Gras. They’ll be at the ball and I’ll have to meet her… And there’ll probably be other women with whom you’ve… I’m anxious.”

  “Are you jealous?” He stroked my face with his knuckles.

  “Yes, very.” I admitted. I pressed myself more tightly against him and inhaled his scent. It was divine.

  “Now you know how I feel when I know you’re prepared to work with your ex. I literally see red.”

  “Let’s not talk about him right now, please.”

  “I’m glad you’ll do me the honor of being next to me at the ball. So everyone can see my beautiful girlfriend. Let’s get ready. I’ll help you put on the dress. I want us to get there a bit early.”

  We rose from the sofa and walked into the bedroom. I went into the bathroom to do my makeup. Then I sprayed myself with the Jean Paul Gaultier perfume Classique and went back to the wardrobe.

  “Mmm, I love this perfume. It reminds me of the time when we first met.”

  “You remember it?” I smiled.

  “How could I forget?” He came over, hugged me from behind, and placed a hand on my breast. He put his nose behind my ear and inhaled deeply. Then he helped me zip up the dress and put on the diamond jewelry.

  I took my cream-colored clutch and put money, powder, and lip-gloss inside.

  “You don’t need money, baby. I invited you and I intend to pay for both of us,” he said, buttoning up his shirt.

  I frowned. I didn’t want him to make me feel like a kept woman.

  “Please, Alexander, let’s not argue about this. I know I can’t afford to spare a lot of money, but at least what I give will be mine. I don’t feel comfortable using your money all the time. You’re so generous to me and I appreciate everything you do, but I would like to give something from me. Otherwise, I feel like a kept woman.”

  I turned to him.

  He looked at me somewhat puzzled and then just said, “Fine.”

  I couldn’t believe he agreed with me without arguing.

  “I don’t want you to feel bad.” He continued while trying to put on his cufflinks.

  I put on my Jimmy Choo shoes, which were covered in fine crystals. I was definitely worried about their five-inch heels. I had no idea how I would last the whole night in them.

  “Let me help you.” I went over to him.

  “You look quite tall in these heels, young lady. Almost as tall as me.” I looked at him—he wouldn’t stop staring at me. “You’re a goddess, baby. Like Aphrodite.”

  “Thanks to you.” I smiled at him.

  “A woman makes her clothes beautiful, not the other way round.”

  “You’re always so gallant.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You make me feel like a real princess”

  “You’re my princess.”

  “And you’re my prince.” Pressing my lips against his, I kissed him gently. He pulled me in, putting one of his hands on my nape and the other on my waist, and the gentle kiss turned into a passionate, fulfilling one. I felt his hot tongue next to mine and moaned. The warmth gradually washed over me.

  He growled, “Fuck… I want you again. We’ll resume this when we get back.”

  God, how I adored that man! And with every day that passed, I loved him more and more.

  Alexander pulled away from me and took one of his watches. It was a Patek Philippe chronograph with an exquisite black leather strap. Very stylish. Taking my hand, he said, “Are you ready?”

  I nodded, smiling.

  “Let’s go, then. Henry is already waiting for us in the car.”

  23

  It was already getting dark when we arrived at Alexander’s parents’ house. It was in the canton of Schwyz. Several photographers were lined up in front of the beautiful metal gate. When we stepped out of the car, they started to shout his name and ask for a picture. Alexander pulled me to him and I posed.

  I wasn’t surprised when I noticed how majestically the garden was decorated. There were three marquees next to each other. Round tables covered in starched white cloths were arranged under them. The tables were decorated with vases with red roses and white candleholders covered in crystals. A stage had been built in front of the marquees—some band was playing on it. There was a dance floor in front of the stage. A large projection screen was suspended behind it, showing pictures of different children from orphanages.

  Alexander took my hand and led me through the crowd of people who had come to the charity ball.

  “Don’t walk so fast, please. I can’t keep up in these shoes.”

  “Sorry, honey. I wasn’t thinking,” he replied and slowed his pace.

  We came to an elegantly dressed woman wearing a beautiful long blue dress. A broad-shouldered, tall, and trim man stood next to her.

  “Mum, Dad,” Alexander addressed them, “meet my girlfriend Alexia.”

  His mother greeted me with a wide, genuine smile. “It’s very nice to finally…” She looked sternly at Alexander and continued. “Meet you. Call me Carmen, please.” I shook her hand first and then held out my hand to his father, who raised and kissed it like a true gentleman.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “I’m Thomas.”

  A waiter walked past, carrying a tray of champagne glasses. We took one each.

  “To your happiness, kids,” said his father, and a very faint smile appeared on his lips.

  While I was taking a sip of champagne, I heard a female voice behind me.

  “Alexander, I’m so happy to see you.”

  I turned around and froze. Vanessa Gras was standing next to us, dressed in a long, bright-red dress with a plunging neckline, no ba
ck, and a long slit, exposing her entire thigh. Her hair was cut in a straight fringe, which fell almost down to her eyes.

  She stood on her toes and kissed Alexander on the cheeks, which made me ball my hands into fists in jealousy. She nodded at his parents and continued to chat with him as if I wasn’t there.

  Alexander turned to me and said, “Vanessa, meet my girlfriend Alexia.”

  She held out her hand, looked me up and down, and the corners of her mouth twisted into a fake smile.

  I felt disgusted by her behavior, and she reminded me of Cleopatra with her raven hair and arrogant attitude. I hadn’t met such a snooty woman in my life. And to think Alexander had slept with her… God, I was so jealous my cheeks flushed and I felt it was too hot.

  Perhaps the champagne is having its effect, I thought, trying to calm myself.

  Carmen, his mother, apparently noticed my condition and pulled me gently by the elbow. “Come, dear.” She led me to the central marquee.

  When we reached one of the round tables, she took two of the small nametags on it and swapped them. “I’ve always arranged the seating for dinner in the same way, but I don’t think Vanessa should sit next to my son anymore.” She paused for a moment to order her thoughts and continued. “Alexia, they’ve known each other since they were little kids, and…” She stood in front of me and took my hands into hers.

  Does she know about their one-night stand?

  “Many women want Alexander, but only one has managed to capture his heart. That woman is you, darling. So…” She lifted my chin. “Raise your pretty head and straighten those shoulders. You’re gorgeous.” She gave me a warm smile. “You have no idea how glad I am God has sent you to my son. Before he met you, he was unhappy and hot-tempered. He was only interested in his work, whereas now he is happy and that is thanks to you. There’s nothing more important to a mother than seeing her children happy.”

  “Thank you, Carmen.”

  “Not at all, darling. Come, I think it’s time to return to our partners. Just remember one thing—don’t let anyone or anything come between you two.”

  Over the microphone, the compere asked all guests to go to the huge bundles of heart-shaped red balloons and untie them.

  I tugged Alexander by the hand and, with mock politeness, smiled at Vanessa. “Please, excuse us.”

  She pouted and downed the remaining champagne in her glass in one.

  Alexander and I untied several balloons, and when the man with microphone finished counting down from ten to one, all beautiful balloons soared into the sky. They represented the smile of every child from an orphanage who had been helped by the Berg for Children organization.

  My eyes welled up, seeing the balloons receding from us and watching the children’s faces projected onto the screen.

  “I’m proud of you, Alexander.” I hugged and kissed him. “Everything you’re doing for these kids is incredible. Every person who has the financial means should consider how many hungry and ragged children there are in the world, waiting for warm clothes and a bite to eat. Fate left me without a mother at the age of ten, and I know how the absence feels… Even though my father gave me the love I needed, it wasn’t the same… I don’t want to imagine what it’s like to grow up surrounded by strangers, without parents.” My voice broke from the emotion.

  He ran the back of his hand across my cheek. “Don’t you want to join the organization and assist my mother? I think you two will get on well.”

  “With pleasure. And I think this is the time to let you know I’ve decided to accept your proposal to work in your company.” I made this decision completely spontaneously. I just didn’t want anything to come between us.

  “Really?” The look of surprise on his face was priceless. His eyes gleamed—he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “But, as you know, I’ll have to stay at the bank for another three months, until they manage to find the right person to take over from me.”

  “Yes, I know, and how unfortunate that is.” He knitted his eyebrows slightly.

  “On Monday, I’ll tell my boss I want to resign.”

  Alexander hugged me tightly. “Oh, baby, today you’ve made me the happiest man in the world.” He lightly touched the corners of my lips with his and smiled. “I don’t want to ruin your lipstick.”

  “I don’t give a shit about the lipstick.” I stood on my toes and lost myself, even if only for an instant, in his kiss. He placed his hand on my bare back and it felt like electricity surged through me.

  I now understood Alexander just wanted us to be together and not let anything come between us. To a great extent, the stability of our relationship depended on me. It was time I grabbed life with both hands and defended my happiness tooth and nail.

  I remembered Alexander’s words. Nobody is insured. Nobody knows when entering a relationship how far they will get, whether they will split up or not.

  He was completely right. I couldn’t know what the future held for us, but I could give everything I had to keep the love of my life.

  I gazed at his beautiful face and those sapphire eyes of his in which I always lost myself and thanked God I was with him. My face was beaming. “Alexander, have you got a hankie?”

  “Yes.” He took a neatly ironed white hankie and passed it to me.

  “I’m sorry. I got some lipstick on you.” I wiped his lips, giving him a warm smile. “Done, no trace left.”

  A photographer, wearing a pass reading Neue Zürcher Zeitung round his neck, approached us for a picture. Alexander nodded and pulled me by the waist so I was stood next to him.

  “May I know what your name is, miss?” asked the photographer.

  “This is my girlfriend Alexia Welson,” said Alexander quickly.

  The man wrote recorded it in his cell phone and said, “Much appreciated, Mr. Kraftberg. I’ll send the pictures to your mother, Mrs. Kraftberg, as soon as possible.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Enjoy your evening, Miss Welson, Mr. Kraftberg,” he said politely and walked away.

  The night had draped its cloak over the earth and stars twinkled in the sky. A scent of flowers wafted through the air. The Natalie Cole song “When I Fall In Love” rang through the garden and drifted over it like a gust of wind.

  During the ball, I had the pleasure of meeting many famous politicians, writers, artists, and musicians. I never left Alexander’s side, who introduced me to everyone he talked to. He treated me like a real lady and didn’t hide from anyone that I was his girlfriend. I even sensed in his voice that he was proud of this, which, of course, made me feel even happier.

  We sat at the round dining table, and I was very happy to find that Carmen had seated me between Alexander and Francesco. I was very glad when I saw him. He was one of few familiar faces in a sea of strangers.

  “Ciao, bella.” He raised my hand to his lips. “You look amazing.”

  “Thanks… You too.”

  “Are you having fun?”

  “Much more than I expected,” I replied, which made him laugh.

  After all guests had taken their seats, the compere asked everyone to make their donations. Young girls in ivory-colored dresses started to walk around the marquee, carrying golden boxes in front of them to collect our donations.

  The waiters started to serve the dinner. As a starter, they served us mussels with field salad and truffles. I took my fork and tried them. They were incredibly delicious.

  The entire charity event had been prepared with a lot of love and taste. I’d read about Berg for Children and the numerous orphanages supported by the organization. And at this moment, I was proud to be part of the life of this oh-so-noble man—Alexander Kraftberg. The better I got to know him, the more I realized behind the hard shell of a powerful businessman who loved controlling everything around him was hiding a large, noble, and good heart.

  Looking at him, I smiled. I realized my decision to work for his company hadn’t been too hasty. I wanted to be a part of every
thing good he created, but the most important thing for me was we would be able to spend more time together. After all, most people spend a greater part of their lives with their coworkers than with their family and friends. We had the chance to work together, and I should take advantage of this.

  Alexander was in an intense conversation with Rahel Tresch—the chief editor of the international magazine Emmanuelle, while I was enjoying a pleasant chat with Francesco. We told him I had accepted Alexander’s proposal to work in his company, and I absorbed everything he said about interior design. Francesco was a man with excellent taste and great ideas. It was no accident that Alexander had hired him. The conversation was so fascinating that I didn’t realize when they’d served the main dish—beef with white mushroom sauce and hash brown potatoes.

  “Alexander tells me you’re American,” said Mrs. Tresch.

  “Yes, my father is American and my mother is German,” I replied.

  “Ah, that’s why you speak German so well—no accent at all. Impressive.” She continued.

  “Thank you.”

  “It would be a great pleasure and honor for me if you agree to give me an interview. Everyone is interested in who Alexander Kraftberg’s charming girlfriend is, and I would be happy if our magazine is the first to tell people more about you. I’m thinking we could take a few professional photographs and choose the best one for the magazine cover. What do you say?”

  I looked at Alexander, unsure whether it was a good idea to reveal myself to everyone. On the other hand, people would know the truth about me, rather than read speculations.

  “Miss Welson would have to go through the interview questions in advance and then decide whether she wants to do it or not, right?” interjected Alexander, for which I was extremely grateful. He knew me very well and could guess what I was thinking, and, unlike me, he had quite a lot of experience in dealing with journalists, so he knew how to negotiate with them.

  “Great, I’ll try to prepare the questions this week.” Mrs. Tresch didn’t hide her satisfied smile as she arranged the bow on her beige silk dress.