ZURI: The Perfect Bride

I stare at my frowning face in the rearview mirror as my driver pulls up in front of Chez Valcourt.

Of all places in the world, my grandfather chose a restaurant in France for a dinner I really don't want to have. I'm still trying to figure out why he picked a place so far from home.

As I glance around, I notice there are no reporters, just the concierge preparing to lead me inside.

It's been eerily calm so far. I don't like calm; it makes me feel uneasy.

The concierge opens the door for me, and I step out, walking past him immediately into Chez Valcourt. The restaurant is packed with elegant, expensive-looking couples, and classical music plays softly in the corner.

Still calm...

"Ms. King," another concierge approaches me, a bright smile on her face. "Mr. Rassias is this way."

I follow her up the stairs, asking, "How long has he been here?"

"About an hour, ma'am," she replies.

I raise an eyebrow. He's early. My lips curl up into a smirk. Well, I'm actually an hour late. Intentionally so. Cause I'm never late to anything, except to forced encounters like this dinner.

Walking up to the table, occupied only by wine glasses and a bottle, I'm immediately drawn to Darius Rassias, a powerfully built man with chiseled features and a strong, angular jawline.

Tattoos snake up his neck, adding a hint of edge to his polished appearance. His dark hair is slicked back, revealing a sharp, defined profile. His pristine white suit is a stunning contrast to my black dress and coat.

I can see why everyone's infatuated with him, despite his tendency to shy away from the spotlight.

He looks dangerous.

He looks up at me, his emerald eyes gleaming like fire behind silver-rimmed glasses. For a moment, they look as hard as granite, but then a flicker of surprise dances within, softening his features just a bit.

"Ms. King," His deep, rough voice comes with a faint respect heavy with impatience.

I simply give him a smile and take my seat across from him. "I apologize for being late. There was traffic in the sky. So many jets."

His lips twitch. "That's a first," and he takes a sip of his wine while I pick up the menu.

I choose everything I want, and since Darius doesn't say anything, I just order for him.

"So, Ms. King, I'm sure you have some knowledge about me." Darius speaks, his silky voice calm and collected. He looks so calm too, an evident control freak in a suit, leaking out danger.

Darius Apollo Rassias. He's known as the current heir and head of the Rassias family, and specifically, the most powerful Greek shipping tycoon. But there are deep and dark rumors about him that make me rather uneasy at the moment. I really don't want to believe those rumors though.

The man is the number one most wanted bachelor in the world, a title he's held for years now.

I look at him, my voice firm. "And I'm sure you have some knowledge about me, Mr. Rassias. If you know that much, then you should also know that I don't want this marriage."

I expect a sharp retort, but he actually looks impressed.

"This is just a dinner, Ms. King," he says with a smile. "We should talk, get to know each other. Who knows, what if I get to like you?"

I can't help but laugh. "What?"

"I said what I said, Ms King," He takes a sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving mine. Those eyes are still so hard, calculating, and cold, just like the tone of his voice.

"Do you think talking about my hobbies will make me like you?" I ask, cocking my head to the side.

"Who knows?" He asks, running his long black gloved fingers around his wine glass. "But according to Alemu King, this marriage is important for your family, and it's important for me because I need a bride. From your portfolio as the CEO of King's Enterprise - and the youngest, most successful CEO currently documented - you're an attractive prospect. You have brands, clothing lines, schools, and numerous companies you've built since becoming CEO. You're the perfect bride for me."

"Wow, you really do know a lot, Mr. Rassias." I'm smiling, though I feel foolish. Luckily, I don't think I appear that way to him. I let out a deep sigh, resigned. I really don't have a say about this union.

The server brings our food to the table, and I waste no time digging in. I haven't eaten all day, and I was too airsick to eat anything on my private jet.

Cutting into my steak, I force a smile and glance at Darius, who's eating elegantly. "Are the rumors about you true, Mr. Rassias?"

I expect him to pause or act shocked, but he just continues eating. "Rumors?" He sounds unfazed.

"Rumors about your family running the Greek Mafia."

His lips twitch again. "If I say yes, would it change anything?"

"Good question." I take a bite of my steak, "Does that mean it's true?"

"What are your hobbies, Ms. King?" He suddenly asks, pausing his meal and stares at me with those hard eyes.

I scoff in disbelief. "Really?"

"Really."

A quirky smile curls my lips as I relax my back against the chair. "I enjoy cooking, driving, singing, and watching movies. What about you?"

"I don't think I have any hobbies, actually." Darius mutters, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

I burst out laughing. "What? Everyone has hobbies, Mr. Rassias. They're the things people like to do the most."

Darius raises his brows, his eyes filled with curiosity. "The things they like to do the most?"

"Yeah. Things that give them comfort and joy." I nod, finding his response puzzling, but I'm wary of underestimating him – he seems too dangerous for that.

"Working," he mutters, before taking another bite of his steak.

"Cliché, but understandable." I nod, and his lips twitch again.

"You know, you can just smile," I tease. "You're not an ice statue."

"Says the woman labeled 'Ice Queen' by every industry," he scoffs.

I shrug, nodding in agreement. "Good point."

"What would you like to have?" one of the staff asks someone in the distance.

I turn to Darius, my voice low. "It seems there's another couple in this area. I thought we were going to be alone here?"

"I thought so too," Darius replies, his expression suddenly hostile. His eyes narrow into slits, and the tension in him tells me whoever just walked in is not a friend.

Ah... Yes.

Feigning curiosity, I turn my head in the direction of the newcomers, and my heart skips a beat as my eyes land on dark amber eyes that are intensely fixed on me.

Finally, The calm is over.

"Enzo," His name escapes my lips before my brain can fully process his presence.

And then my eyes lazily lands on Alexandra standing beside him, looking stunning in her red dress, her arm wrapped around his as she gazes at me with a stunned expression. "What are you doing here?!"