Trust Me, Darlin'

@ BBBibles
Marriage, the union of two people who love each other and wish to spend the rest of their lives together. Alix thought that it'd be years down the line for her. She'll go to a party that her father had thrown, meet a nice man and boom. An instant connection, not this though. An arrangement by her father to some guy she had never met, a man from another country but's family had done business with hers for a while. Or something.

Being shy was a common attribute of Alix's, and she hated it. She wished she had more confidence, but, it's been praised of her to be shy. So, she never gained what she wished she had. Eyes always down or not looking at the other speaker directly. Being quiet, she was a decorative piece, a collector's item. An object.

This was Alix's first time in Italy, the culture was interesting. The food smelled amazing and the people here all seemed so kind. Maybe, just maybe, Alix wouldn't mind being here. Standing in front of a little stall that sold cute little nicnak's, her hand grazed over a fun sun hat and put it on for fun. "What do you think of this?" Alix asked her bodyguard who was keeping an eye out for trouble. "Very nice Miss." The man said, offering a kind smile before going back to his work.

A small giggle escaped from Alix as she took the hat off and placed it back where she bought it. Then, she went to try on a few others. From the back, she could feel her father's eyes on her. Making sure she was safe with her bodyguard as he waited to meet with her betrothed and his father. A public meeting between two houses was safer than private ones after all, especially when they're trying to make a peace treaty.

--

Thee bright fluorescent screen of a computer lit up Julien's face in the dark room. Numbers and words were displayed as some news channel played on the screen. It was speaking of the market prices and what was still trending and what was no longer relevant to the world around them. Business as usual, really. The human race was quite an advanced civilization now anyways, so, of course, things would be changing quite quickly.

Leaning back a little further in his seat, the leather squeaked a bit. Bending to the weight of the man who was sitting on top of it. In his right hand, a glass of scotch. Fingers loosely holding onto the rim, giving it a nice little swirl every now and again. A way to allow for the expensive brand of liquor to aerate and keep its delicious flavor that the man seemed to really enjoy.

Raising the glass to his lips, Julien took a quick sip of the drink before setting it back down on the desk. The light clinking of the ice caused the man to glance down at the drink for a moment before he let out a tired sigh. His eyes closing for a moment before he sat up and re-opened them. He raised his hand and tapped a few things on the screen and displayed something else on his computers screen. Something that caused his heart to race a little bit more than usual.

"I will protect you, Nahia." Julien murmured quietly as he looked at the picture of a clone that was for sale. Someone was trying to make fast cash by selling it and by just watching the bidding on it, Julien could feel his blood boil. Because he knew who was selling it and who it belonged to. "I will find a way, just hold on a little bit longer, alright." He murmured quietly as he put in a big for the clone, hating the idea of it going to someone else. Sure, Julien wanted the real thing more, but, he needed to stop the clones of her from being used by who knows who first.

@ FallenHope95
The car came to a stop, pulling his eyes from the document in his hand he threw a look out the window. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He said to his father noticing their location. He’d never have been caught dead in such a place. But he couldn’t oppose. As his father was head of the family and no matter how big his own success got he could never step out of his fathers reach. And a single look from the man silenced any rebuttal. And he steeped from the car.

Buttoning his suit he straightened up, knowing he was far over dressed for his surrounding. Though he knew he wasn’t the only one, as he’s eyes quickly located the man they were meeting today. He’s causal demeanor made Luciano feel a bit less tense. He knew this place was more than likely picked for its discretion. As it was out in the open and less surrounding buildings. It was very clear this was a place no one would look for them either. Steps behind his father he wasn’t surprised as the amount of guards around, however he was very impressed by the balls Mr. Chate had. It was a perfect location for them to safely conduct any negotiations.

Though this was a hard one for him to swallow. He was being asked to marry a young child of Mr. Chate. One that was very protected, and barely seen in the media’s eyes. As Luciano has done his best to acquire as much data on the girl as he could. But fell short when nothing touched his desk. Even her schooling was a mystery to him, it was almost as if she didn’t exist. After greeting the man they’d set forth to meet, he let his eyes wander taking in his surroundings and hoping to catch a glimpse of his future bride.

---

Darkness surrounded her as she sat there. Her body draped with covers but her mind was far from here. This place was like a prison one she wished she could escape from. But it was useless, her brother had locked her away. Even if she had everything she wanted it still was lonely and she hated being alone.

Even though she locked herself away and hide from her keepers. They were only looking to get paid. They didn’t have time to deal with her nonsense. She knew it was hard for them to be locked away with her too. But they could at least live a little. She’d even help with their chores just to give them free time, anything to keep her from being bored. But no luck.

Sitting here she was moments away from sleep as their was nothing else for her to do. Eat and breath was all that was required of her. So she didn’t see the point in even getting dress right now. Nahia sighed as she though about going for a run, maybe do something that allowed her to move and enjoy life. Instead of being trapped in this hell hole hidden from the world.

@ BBBibles
It seemed that the quaint little coffee shop that the head of the Chatel family had picked was a success. There were few people, but enough to ward off any unwanted attention. Plus, it added the bonus of allowing Alix the chance to have some freedom from the overprotective man who seemed to be hovering over the past few days.

The head of the Chatel family stood from his seat, his right hand stretched out as he motioned for the two men to take the empty seats. Then, he'd take his seat once more and reach for his espresso. "I'm glad you managed to find the cafe'." The head of the Chatel family said, amusement dancing along in his eyes. "She's across the street, looking at the stalls with sunglasses." Mr. Chatel said as he noticed the younger Santarelli looking around. Then, he looked back to the other houses head and started to speak business.

Meanwhile, Alix had gone from looking at the hats that were on sale to look at the sunglasses. Her beautiful blue dress making her look taller than she actually was. A bright smile was on her face as she talked to the shop keeper who had approached her and offering her advice on what ones would suit her face better. It wasn't till Alix paid the shop keeper for the pair that she liked with the spending money she got from her dad that she realized that the people her dad were to meet were at the cafe. Alix froze in her spot as her eyes landed on the younger looking men and turned away from him shyly.

--

Red lights flashed across Juliens computer screen. Telling him that he had won the bid on the clone of a girl that belonged to his childhood best friends little sister. To be honest, Julien didn't really remember much about the girl, he really only knew her name. Which to be honest, was kinda sad as the man used to hang out at her house quite often when he was younger. Then again, if he remembered correctly, her brother always kept her from hanging out with the older boys.

Raising his glass to his lips, Julien finished the drink and then set it back down before he stood from his chair. "Kain, get my car ready." Julien called out as he headed out of his office, grabbing his suit jacket as well. He had made plans for dinner at Nahia's house with her brother. Rather she'd be allowed to join them this time or not, Julien wasn't sure. All he knew was that he needed to get some information out of the man. Find out why he was selling his sisters clones. She needed those things in case she was ever in any danger.

Slowly running his tongue over his lips, Julien went out to his car and got in the back seat. "We're going to the Marin." He told the driver, and then told him the address before he relaxed into his seat. His dark eyes looked out the window as the car drove. The wheels in Julien's mind were turning like crazy and he couldn't stop this nagging feeling that something wasn't right. That he needed to find out from his old friend what was going on.

After about a half an hour drive, Julien finally arrived at the Marin estate. The place looked like it hadn't aged since he was young. Stepping out of the car, Julien allowed for his eyes to travel along the beautiful building before looking towards the front door as it opened and his old friend appeared.

(I'm not sure if they should have dinner together or coffee, so I'll let you decide on that.)

@ FallenHope95
Hearing Mr. Chate words Luciano attention snapped to the older man offering him a curt nod. As he’d never show signs of embarrassment to an enemy. The two man before started to chat idly away. He could see the tension however both masked it extremely well. Neither were sure that this would work or as they were putting their children in a situation they couldn’t predict the out come. It was entirely up to Luciano and Mr. Chate’s daughter Alixandria, they could only try to make things work. And forcing things like a marriage only worked for so long.

“I feel that a bit extreme.” Mr. Chate’s voice pulled Luciano attention to the man. “Giving that this is an arranged marriage I don’t see them successfully breaking that barrier in as little as a year. Let alone be ready for children.” Luciano raised a brow at the though of having children it had never occurred to him it would be expected. And his eyes wandered across the street to watch his future wife shop. He knew that if he did have to lay down with her he was repulsed by her. However when she noticed his eyes were on her and she turned away from him, he couldn’t help but shake his head. And then at that moment he understood the real meaning behind the elder mans words.

His father was in the middle of a rebuttal when he quickly chimed up. “I think it’s a bit much father.” He agreed with the man watching as his father turned his angry glare his way. “I understand that I’m to marry this young woman, however a year would seem alright under any other circumstances but you’ve got to take both parties into consideration, I for one don’t want children. But if it’s deemed necessary I’ll be willing to change my out look, however most newly weds don’t want children in their first five years of marriage as it takes away from the honeymoon stage.”

Normally he wouldn’t be willing to give his opinion so freely to the two men before him. But since he was marrying a virgin he know it was better not to anger her father. No man wanted to hear that the soon to be husband of their daughter would be excited to take her to bed. And the man before him took pride in ensuring his daughter was pure. So the reality was that this man better not ever have his daughter call him crying because her husband assaulted her. “Five years I’m to wait?” He father asked, only getting a nod from the son. He didn’t hear anything else the man had to say, before standing up. “If you’ll excuse me.” He didn’t say anything else as he left the two men alone and headed out towards his future wife. He wanted away from all the bickering. And honestly he wanted to see up close and personal just what she looked like. Stopping he opened the door as she was about to exit.

---

A light tapping pulled Nahia attention from the mirror to the door. Doing her best she tried to force a smile, at her brother. “Your just now getting up?” He asked and she didn’t miss the disappointed tone he used. Blinking at him she sighed, “I wouldn’t stay in bed if I was able to go out and actually do something.” She told him knowing his response before it ever left his mouth. And it caused her to roll her eyes and turn to face the mirror, placing the finishing touches on her make up. Not that she has any reason to where it, she just like putting it on every now and then.

“Well when your ready head down we’ll be having a guest.” He told her closing the door as he left. Throwing a quick look at the door her brows furrowed. They’d never had a visitor before as he said it be dangerous if anyone knew where she was located. So that meant either he didn’t think this person was that big of a threat or she’d be relocating. A soft sigh left her lip as she hoped it was the first or the threats going away, but her gut told her it was the later.

Looking at the mirror she quickly decided she was done and toying around with her
make up would only serve to ruin it. After pulling her shoes on she stood smoothing down the front of her dress. Deciding it would be best to head down and join her brother and guest. Not keep them waiting.

Hitting the landing her eyes landed on her brother, his wife and their guest. A soft smile pulled at her lips as she put on the fake air she was raised with. Her eyes moved over to the man as she descended the stairs, her mind reeling trying to figure out who this man is. But she couldn’t quite place it. “Shall we then?” Massey, her brothers wife said, not having seen her. “Dinner should be on the table.” She continued.