Announcements Made

— Alexander's POV —

When I saw her reunite with her Grandfather, the great businessman Luther Durfort, I couldn't help but be moved.

She was finally back where she belonged and she looked a hell of a lot better than when we found her.

It took all of my self-control not to call every single fucking person that I knew just to ruin the Young Family. 

The woman we picked up in that sorry excuse for a mansion was a ghost of the Lilith I knew, but the moment she stepped into the car there was a shift, she was back. 

"You don't have to go with this engagement," my chest tightened at the suggestion as she looked up at me.

It was clear that she was serious about wanting me to call off our engagement, the thing was, there was no fucking way I was going to let her go again. I had her now and she wouldn't escape me again.

When she assumed that I wanted to push through with the engagement because of the crazy women following and hounding me, I couldn't help but agree.

Anything to keep her with me.

I knew she wouldn't stay if there wasn't a compelling reason, and if I told her I still loved her? Yeah, that wouldn't be strong enough.

I'd tell her though, I would tell her eventually how I still loved her, how I still dreamed of her, how she was the only woman I could stand even thinking of being with. 

"I'll escort you to dinner, I just need to make some calls," I told her as I brushed a stray hair from her face.

Did she blush? I fucking hope she blushed. 

"Okay, I'll freshen up," she managed to say.

I looked down at her, so tempted to lean forward and capture her soft lips in mine, but I stopped myself. I didn't want to drive her away.

Small steps, slow and steady, I won't make the same mistakes I made in the past, not that she could leave me again.

Reluctantly, I turned and left, closing the door behind me.

"I need you to make an announcement," I told my assistant as I made the call. 

"Right now, sir?" he asked, clearly suspicious of my request.

"Yes, right after this fucking call," I hissed. "I need you to announce that Alexander Edward Harris and Lilith Anastasia Durfort are proud to announce their engagement. Make sure to put in some bit about us being childhood sweethearts and how are families are thrilled."

"S— s— sir?" my assistant clearly now thought I lost my mind.

"Do it, I want it all over the news in an hour or so," I commanded. "I'll deal with my family, they will be thrilled."

"Yes, sir," my assistant said as I ended the call, I wanted him to do as I asked, I wanted the world to know that Lilith was mine.

I've always been possessive, but this was different. 

I lit a cigarette, doubting any of the staff would stop me, and made the second phone call, one that I knew would last longer than I wanted.

"Mom?" I asked as the call was answered.

"Alexi!" she greeted, clearly excited to hear from me even if we had dinner as a family last night. "To what do we owe the pleasure."

"Are you with Dad?" she asked.

"And with your Grandpa, we're about to have dinner and I was disappointed to hear that you wouldn't be joining us. Don't work yourself too hard, okay?" my mother was always worried about me working too much, while my dad? Well, he was just glad I was in charge now and all the pressure to turn in more profit was on me.

"I think you might actually be happy that I'm missing dinner tonight," I told her as I took a drag of my cigarette. 

"Oh, will your Grandpa and Father like it too?" she asked, clearly intrigued by what I had to say.

"Yeah, put me on speaker Mom," I told her. 

I heard shuffling on the other end of the line before my Father's voice came through.

"What did you want to tell us, son?" he asked me.

I needed to let them know before the news hit the press, I was also certain that they would make their way here once they learned about the engagement. 

"I'm engaged," I said, not beating around the bush. "I'm at Durfort Manor, I'm marrying Lilith for real this time."

I could hear my mother squealing in excitement, clearly happy that finally I was marrying. 

"So, Luther decided to hold his end of the deal?" my Grandfather asked.

"Yes," I didn't want to give the complicated explanation.

"Good, bring her home as soon as you can, we all want to meet her," he said. 

I was glad they didn't push after I promised to bring Lilith around to meet them. 

We ended the call with them in high spirits as I put out the cigarette in my hand. I felt like the thorn had been pulled from my side when it was all over.

Taking a deep breath and spraying some perfume on me to mask the scent of the cigarette, I knocked on Lilith's door again and entered.

The sight that greeted me left me at a loss for words, luckily it took me less than a second to gather myself.

She was an image of beauty in the casual blue dress I would recognize anywhere.

"Do you think it's appropriate?" she asked, drawing me from my trance. "To wear something you gave me years ago."

She was clearly struggling to say more just as I was.

"It plays it's part," I cursed myself for my answer. I really didn't know what to fucking tell her. 

She was like a godess incarnate, she was my dreams made real. 

"Let's go, I'm sure you're family is waiting," I told her as I offered her my arm. 

She hesitated for a second, but took it.

We were meant to look like lovers reunited, but why did it feel like we were warriors headed to the battlefield?