Charlotte Henson

After spending the day getting to know the company and helping Braxton go over new contracts, I feel I'm in way over my head. The business is more complex than I could've ever imagined. The calls the constant influx of information, all of it needs to be addressed and Braxton does it flawlessly. My mind is mentally exhausted trying to keep up. How can someone do this everyday?

We leave to have dinner, its just a short walk from the office building. Braxton pulls out my chair for me and I thank him. Looking around the room I notice  I'm extremely underdressed for this restaurant and start to feel my face burn.  The waiter hands me a menu and I take it, grateful I can hide my face.

I listen to Braxton order a bottle of wine as I read through the culinary items. "I ordered red. I hope you don't mind?" He asks, sounding as if he already knows the answer.

Curiously, I look up from my menu. "I don't care for white wine, it gives me a headache."

He smirks. "I know."

Not sure how to respond I ask, "You've been here before?"

"Yes, regularly. Its the only place close to the office that serves great food."

"What do you suggest?"

"The filet mignon or the Beef Wellington."

    I nod as the waiter comes to pour the wine and take our order. I choose the filet mignon with mashed potatoes and green beans. Braxton chooses the same. Ordering the lobster risotto appetizer for both of us.

"I'd like to introduce you to my family." Braxton says, watching me carefully.

I sit in stunned silence. "I didn't realize you had family."

He shrugs, amused. "I assure you I didn't just fly up from the depths of hell."

"I didn't mean it like that. I just assumed that I would've seen them before now, at one event or another." I explain.

He smiles at my backpedaling. "I know. I'm teasing you. They live in Greece."

"Oh, its that where you're from?" I inquire, never really giving his life much thought.

"For the most part, until age six. Then I spent my many years at an English boarding schools. Then Harvard."

I vaguely remember my Grandfather mentioning where he went to college. "They're in town then?" I ask, still wrapping my mind around the fact I have to meet his family.

"No, they're in Athens." He answers, simply. "My father owns a shipping business but he's expanding to the United States."

"And you didn't want to work for him?" I question, surprised he didn't go into the family business.

"No, my brother Alix works for him, he's taking over for my father within the year. I like making my own way. Although, my father was the one who introduced me to Peter." He adds, as an afterthought.

"Do you have any other siblings?"

"No, just my brother."

"Is he older or younger?" I ask, interested.

"We're twins."He replies, as our risotto is set in front of us.

"You're a twin!" I say, shocked. I really don't know anything about the man sitting in front of me.

He nods, "Are you willing to meet them then?" He asks, amused by my reaction.

I hesitate, thinking about the travel. "Sure. Do they know about me? And about the WILL?"

"They know about you, I don't plan on sharing the WILL with them." He responds, taking a bite of his food.

"You don't think you should?" I ask, believing he should tell them the truth of the matter.

"No, its not important."

I pause, thinking about his comment. How is the truth not important?

"I plan on making you my wife, not only in name. How that came about is no business of their's. Plus, it'd only make you uncomfortable."

"But-"

"There is no but, I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife. The WILL has nothing to do with it. When you meet them they will know you as either, my fiancé or my girlfriend. Its up to you. That reminds me, would you like me to pick out your engagement ring, or would you like to go together?" He asks.

"I-it doesn't matter." I answer. Regardless of how many times he says it, I cannot get over the fact he wants this to happen. Its strange to me to talk about it, given that he's so nonchalant about his intentions towards me. I just cant make myself believe it.

"I'd like to go together, to pick out a ring." He states, watching my reaction.

I nod in agreement. "Are you and your brother a lot alike?" I ask, thinking of something to say.

"I suppose we are. Although, he's less personable than I am. He tends to be very quiet and often forgets his manners."

"Are you Identical?"

"We are." He confirms.

"Do you get along better than I do with my siblings?" I question. I love my brother and sister, I just wish they'd make better life choices. Its hard to sit back and watch them hurt themselves. Keith with his addiction to prescription pills and Brynn living for her next shopping trip with no way to pay for it. I don't mean to judge them, we all have problems. One day I hope we'll be close.

"We do get along. Although, Alix is a bit of a loaner." He answers, thinking about it critically.

"Are you going to tell him about the WILL?" I question, innocently.

His heavy sigh, tells me he's irritated. "No."

"Sorry, I just figured it you're close..." I shrug, not finishing my thought.

"I don't see the need to explain to him or my parents, that the woman I want to marry is only doing it out of obligation to her brother and sister. I wouldn't want anyone to think that this is less of a relationship because of the circumstances." He explains, and I fully comprehend what he's saying.

I nod. "When are we going?"

"Soon as you'd like. I don't know how long you plan on staying away from the hospital." He questions.

"I'd like to go back to work by the end of the month." I respond.

"I'll get things going at company and make sure everything is transitioning smoothly before we leave. I'll have to take a few conference calls and work a little, but I won't leave you alone with my family until you're comfortable."

Our main course is served and Braxton asks, "Have you ever been to Greece?"

"No, I haven't. I've seen pictures and I know my grandfather has. It looks beautiful."

"It is. Is there anything you'd like to do specifically?"

"I'd like to see the Acropolis and the Delphi Ruins. I know its touristy but I've always wanted to go. Oh, and the food and wine tour, my grandfather raved about it." I answer, starting to look forward to the trip.

"We can do all that. I'll try to think of other things you might be interested in doing."

I smile, widely. "I can't even remember the last time I left the city." I say, more to myself than to him. I remember Grandfather telling me we'd go together one day. Of course, there was always work to do and I kept pushing it off. I feel the unwanted tears in my eyes. "Sorry." I apologize, dabbing at my eyes.

"Whats wrong?"

"I was supposed to go to Greece with my grandfather. I just kept brushing it off. I wish I would've went when he asked me."

"He'd be happy you're going now." He responds.

I nod, "Yeah, he would be. Thanks." I say, feeling a little better. My eyes dry and I start eating again.

    After dinner Braxton drives us back to my grandfather's house and I excuse myself to change into pajamas. I think about going to bed, but I'm not tired. Deciding not to be a coward and hide from Braxton, I go downstairs. When he sees me enter the family room he asks, "Want to watch a movie?" As he flips through some on-demand movies.

"Oh, Harry Potter!" I yell, hurrying to sit on the couch seeing it pop up on the menu.

He stops and gives me an amused look. "Really?" He asks. I nod in response. "Now, that I did not know. A closet Harry Potter fan." He teases.

"I never kept it a secret. Maybe you don't know as much about me as you think you do." I say, jokingly.

He hits play on the television. "I don't know. I think this would've came out." He smirks, leaning back against the couch. "It changes everything between us." He comments, but the way he's looking at me I know he's kidding.

I giggle at his attitude. "If you didn't know I was a nerd, thats on you, because its pretty obvious." I point out.

"My gorgeous nerd. I knew you liked Lord of the Rings, just not this." He shakes his head.

"I like both." I admit, watching the movie play.

When its over we walk together to our respective rooms, the hall is dark but we both know our way easily. I face him to tell him goodnight and almost jump at his proximity to me.

His hand reaches out to caress my cheek."I want to kiss you." He states, his voice low. I step back against the door and he follows.

"Uh, I don't think thats a good idea." I reply, nervously.

He pauses to take in my answer. "Too soon?"

I nod, "Yes." He kisses the top of my head, lingering for a couple seconds. "Goodnight, then."

I turn the doorknob and say, "Goodnight." back. I quickly shut the door and lean against it. My heart pounding. Its not the fact that he wanted to kiss me that has my heart racing. Its because for a brief second I wanted him to.