"Beware the beast" كيف احيا معك بالانكليزية Anne Mather

CHAPTER THREE

THEY flew to Athens in the executive jet owned by the Faulkner

corporation. Charlotte had never flown in a private plane before, and the

difference between this high-priced luxury and the tourist accommodation she

was used to was quite staggering. The main cabin resembled a comfortable

lounge, with a thick carpet on the floor, and deep armchairs for relaxation.

Adjoining the lounge was a bathroom, with bath and shower, while beyond this

was a small bedroom where Alex told her he snatched a few hours' sleep on an

overnight flight. The Santos brothers travelled with them, and another man

whom Charlotte had met for the first time the day before. He was George

Constandis, Alex's personal assistant, an older man, about sixty, Charlotte

surmised, and it was obvious that Alex valued his opinion. What any of the men

thought of her, she had no way of knowing. They were all extremely polite to

her, but their faces revealed little.

Charlotte for her part spent the journey dreading its termination. The wide

gold band which Alex had slid on to her finger that morning in the registrar's

office at Caxton Hall weighed heavily on her hand, and her other fingers

constantly sought the reality of its presence there, twisting it round and round.

She felt different somehow, changed in some indescribable way, as though just

by becoming his wife she had submerged her whole identity.

Of course, there were differences, physical differences. Alex did not like the

coppery gold of her hair confined in any way, so now it fell in a heavy curtain

about her shoulders. It was far too long, she thought, and she had intended to

have it cut now that she had left school and acquired some independence. But

Alex had been very explicit when it came to her appearance, and what he wanted

of her.

Her clothes, too, had been chosen by him. Or at least, on his instructions she

had presented herself at a certain salon in | the West End where a woman who

wore the most garish make-up Charlotte had ever seen produced a wardrobe for

her which must have cost the earth. It seemed an unnecessary indulgence to

acquire so many gowns which, if his plans came to fruition, within a few months

would no longer fit her. But he was making the decisions, and she was feminine

enough to enjoy possessing so many beautiful things.

Mrs. Laurence, the woman she had worked for at Bebe's Boutique, had been

astounded to learn that Charlotte was getting married, and even more astounded

when she learned who the bridegroom was. Very few people would actually

recognize Alex Faulkner in the street, but almost everyone had heard of Faulkner

International.

"Lucky girl !" had been Mrs. Laurence's comment, and for lucky Charlotte had