Love's Cure

Chapter 5

Alexander's POV

Saturday morning dawned clear and warm, perfect weather for this late spring day. Showered and dressed, I packed the rest of my stuff in my carry-on bag, picked up my satchel briefcase and headed for the living room. Andrew and Evie were already there sipping on a coffee. Andrew handed me a travel mug. "For the road, Alex. Do you have everything?"

I confirmed I did. Last evening we had taken all my suitcases to the car, stowing them securely in the trunk. All I need to take today was my carry-on bag and my satchel briefcase which is treated similar to a woman's purse by the airlines. It contains my laptop, and all my personal documents, including my passport.

The three of us left the apartment for the parking garage. Andrew was excitedly holding the keys in his hand. Today would be the first time he got to drive the Audi A5 he had purchased from me. He had coveted the sedan from the moment I drove it off the lot two years ago. My family owned the dealership as one of the many businesses under the Webster umbrella so I got it for a fantastic price. Which made it a little easier on me to sell it to Andrew at the price I did.

It made me happy to see his excitement about the car. He, unlike me, didn't have access to his trust fund until he turned thirty, so he budgeted his money wisely. As an IT Specialist for Graystone Security he was well paid, but still watched his spending. What he paid me for the car is what he got from the insurance company for the one written off in the accident.

I got in the back seat so Evie could sit up front with her new husband. The two of them were grinning from ear to ear, reveling in newly married bliss and the excitement of starting their lives together. In my mind, this was the only way marriage should start. Two people who loved each other and wanted to build a future together. Not some arranged marriage that advanced a business but did nothing to advance a marriage. I'd rather stay as the disowned son than put myself through that torture.

I know that arranged marriages happen, and that many of them are successful. However, that is not what I want for myself. Therefore, I am removing myself from that situation and from my father's influence. Nothing wrong with doing that. Just as he made the decision to try and control my life, I am making the decision to keep my life choices in my control.

The drive to the airport passed quickly as traffic was light this early on a Saturday morning. Andrew pulled up to the drop-off zone and we unloaded my suitcases, and I grabbed my carry-on. Snagging a luggage cart I stacked the four large suitcases on it, with the carry-on perched on top. I hugged both Andrew and Evie, told them I would call once I arrived in London, then entered the terminal, ready to start my life free from the confines and demands of an arranged marriage.

I found the ticket counter, checked the four suitcases, paid the fees for the checked baggage, got my boarding pass then headed for security wheeling my carry-on beside me. Once through security I found my gate and waited for the boarding call. Before I knew it the flight was boarded, the doors closed, and we were taxiing down the runway for take-off. As the wheels left the tarmac I rejoiced in my lucky escape.

The flight itself was just a smidge over two hours. Once again I grabbed a luggage cart, claimed my four suitcases, then flagged a taxi to my hotel. I had booked a room at the airport hotel and had arranged for an early check-in. I asked the driver to wait for me as once my bags were stowed, I planned to spend the afternoon exploring the City of Halifax. I didn't mind spending the money on a cab as they knew their way around, whereas I would be lost.

The driver dropped me off at the Historic Properties with suggestions of what to see and do in the downtown area. I decided to play tourist and boarded the Harbour Hopper, which not only did a tour of the harbour, but also went up around Citadel Hill and that area. The tour operator was very knowledgeable, giving out the information with humor.

When the tour was completed, I walked along the water front enjoying the sea breeze and the views. At one point I grabbed a coffee and sat on a bench just watching the pedestrian traffic. I was just finishing my coffee when the sweet sound of of woman's laughter drew my attention. I watched as a young woman strolled slowly along with an older man. I could hear her call him 'Gramps' and lament about how much she was going to miss these Saturday adventures with him.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a good look at her face, but the view of her as she walked away from me stirred something in me. Her long wavy brown hair hung halfway down her back. She was about 5'8" and built. Her lucious curves, her well rounded butt and long taut legs indicated she was very fit. Frig. I would love to meet her. For the first time in a very long time I felt physically attracted to a woman.

Wouldn't you know it. Attracted to a woman I will probably never see again. Of all the luck. I sighed to myself as the two of them strolled out of sight.

I decided I might as well have my evening meal before heading back to the hotel. Earlier, the guide on the Harbour Hopper had recommended The Stubborn Goat Gastropub, so after looking it up on the internet, I followed the maps app direction and made my way there.

It did not disappoint in any way. The Whiskey & Bacon Smashburger was the best burger I had ever tasted. I would definitely have that again, hands down. I stuck around having a couple of beer then called a cab to go back to my hotel. I was in bed by ten and fell asleep almost instantly, having set my phone alarm for five in the morning.

I was up and ready to head back to the airport by five-thirty. I gathered up my fully charged phone, placed my bags on a luggage cart, my satchel briefcase over my shoulder, then made my way to the lobby to take the hotel shuttle to the terminal. Once there I went through the check-in procedure, a repeat of yesterday morning. Heading through security I thought I caught the sound of the same voice I had heard yesterday, but looking around I didn't see the same figure. No doubt wishful thinking on my part.

Shrugging my shoulders I carried on to my gate, prepared to wait for a few minutes until boarding began. Twenty minutes later I had boarded the plane and got settled into my window seat waiting to see if the aisle seat would be occupied. About five minutes later a young woman makes her way down the aisle, checking the row and seat numbers. My eyes widen in shock as she stops at my row and turns her head my way to verify her seat number.

She glances briefly at me, raises her eyes and her arms towards the overhead compartment and stows her carry-on bag right beside mine, then looks at me again before sitting down. Very methodically, she put her purse under the seat in front of her, fastened her seat belt then turned to face me, a huge grin covering her face, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Hi, I'm Cecilia Love, and if I'm not mistaken, you're Alexander Webster, correct?" She extended her hand to shake mine. "Fancy meeting you here. Are you going to London on a flying trip, or are you doing the same thing I'm doing?" She asked with barely suppressed laughter. I recognize her voice from yesterday on the waterfront. It was her!

I smiled back at her. "You would be correct, I am Alexander Webster. and what exactly is this thing that you're doing?" I question her in the same vein of humor.

"Well, I'm escaping a fate worse than death. Which is a marriage of convenience my estranged parents arranged for me, to a man I can't stand. So rather than sacrifice myself on the alter of my parents greed and ambition, I am fleeing for my life." She explained seriously. "How about you?"

"Me? Like you, I have a parent that puts business gains before family. My father arranged a marriage for me with a vain, self-absorbed, spoiled brat of a female. One I can't stand to be around. So again, like you, I am escaping what would indeed be a fate worse than death." I winked at her which caused her to burst out into laughter.

"So you were arranged to Andrea Cole? Correct? Which is funny, because I was arranged to her long-time boyfriend, Kaden Jones, whom I can guarantee you is the male version of Andrea. Congratulations on your escape from hell." She was dead serious when she said this.

"And congratulation on your escape, too. Though why the UK?" I questioned, curious as to her choice of country.

"I was offered the opportunity to complete the final two years of residency at a teaching hospital in London. If I take it, I start in six weeks. But I also have an offer from a hospital in Adelaide, Australia. What about you? Why choose the UK?" She raised her eyebrow in question.

I couldn't help but feel that fate was having a great time playing with me, with us when she mentioned both London and Adelaide. " I have been offered a job with an international law firm. I've accepted a two year renewable contract, and I have a choice of practicing in London, or in Adelaide. How's that for coincidence?"

She stared at me, eyes wide, her lips forming an O. "You're joking. This is just too freaking funny! Do you already have a place to stay in London lined up?"

"My new firm is providing a flat at whatever location I settle on. But until I decide I'll be staying in a hotel. What about you?" I responded.

"I have a four bedroom flat, that currently will house only me." She paused, lowered her head in thought, then looked at me again. "Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm not hitting on you or anything like that, but if you want, you can share my flat with me as a roommate. Hotels are way to expensive. And the company would be nice to have."

Who am I to scoff at what fate is so generously offering? How could I say no? I couldn't. So I gladly accepted her kind offer. Life was getting interesting, indeed.