by Angel Sefer
“That bitch!” Katie burst out. “She was a friend of the old bat, and it seems that Eleana had confided in her about me. She came to threaten me. Can you imagine? Threaten me? She requested the diary back, as well… but I took care of it!”
“The diary? My mother’s diary?” Sophie inquired, looking more pale than ever.
“Yes, that piece of shit… where she called me evil and all kind of other things…”
“So you had the diary all along!” Sophie burst out.
“No, that idiot Helena had the diary, but I had Sotiris steal it from her.”
“And where is the diary now?” Dimitris asked.
“I burned it!” Katie admitted victoriously. “I wasn’t going to let Asimina or anyone else get their hands on it again.”
“And where is Asimina now?” Dimitris asked carefully.
“Where she belongs… right next to Angelos.”
Next thing they knew, Michael—who was hiding in the dining room along with the police, recording everything taking place in the living room—rushed into the living room and launched at Katie, grabbing her by the throat. Dimitris, the police chief, and another police officer were trying to pull him back, while Mrs. Nikolaou and Martha were trying to revive Sophie, who had passed out. Thomas was the only motionless one in the room, sitting quietly in his armchair, lost in his thoughts. He didn’t seem aware where he was or what was going on.
Chapter Eighteen
STEVE CALLED HELENA UP at the office and asked her out. Helena didn’t want to go anywhere, but she felt really bad treating him that way. She’d been avoiding him ever since they came back from Greece. It wasn’t his fault, after all. He’d always been nice to her.
She agreed to go out with him, and he told her he would pick her up at eight.
Helena had a lot of things to do. She hadn’t been taking care of herself, and she didn’t want Steve to see her that way. She decided to leave a little earlier from the office and go get a haircut. Her hair had grown really long, and it took forever to dry it.
She left the office around five and walked over to the beauty parlor down the street. The hairdresser suggested a new look with really short hair, but Helena didn’t want anything that drastic. She asked the girl to just cut it up to her shoulders.
Afterwards, she went by a shoe store and bought a new pair of shoes. By the time she arrived home, she was feeling a little better about herself.
I need to be careful with my money, she realized. I have to save up for when the baby comes.
She took a shower and dried her hair. She stood back and glanced at the mirror. She really liked her hair like this. It was a lot fuller and looked healthy and shining.
Then she picked out a silver grey dress that had been loose before the pregnancy.
I might as well wear it as long as it fits, she thought, because, after a couple of months, I won’t be able to wear it any more.
The new pair of shoes looked good with her dress. She decided to put some make-up on to give some color to her pale cheeks.
She was almost ready when she heard the doorbell ringing. She rushed to the door and answered it. Steve was standing there with a huge bouquet in his hands. His navy blue suit fit him perfectly.
Helena was happy to see him again. She just realized how much she needed a friend right now. She took the flowers, smiling, and invited him in.
“Oh! Steve! They’re lovely.” She loved red roses.
“So are you,” Steve said, staring at her adoringly. “It’s so good to see you again, Helena,” he continued.
“It’s good to see you, too,” Helena replied and she really meant it. “Would you like a drink?”
“No, thanks,” Steve replied. “Our reservation is for eight-thirty, and we really need to be going.”
“All right,” Helena agreed. “Just give me a minute to put the flowers in a vase,” she continued and went to the kitchen.
She came back a few minutes later with the flowers arranged in a pretty vase. She put them on the table by the window and went to pick up her purse.
“I’m ready,” she said, and they left the apartment.
They walked down the stairs and out in the street. Steve put his arm around her waist and led her to a fire-red convertible, which was parked across the street.
“Oh, Steve! This is beautiful!” Helena exclaimed. “When did you get it?”
“I just picked it up last week,” Steve said. “I wanted you to be the first one to ride in it,” he continued, staring into her eyes.
Helena felt uncomfortable but hid her emotions with a fake laugh.
“Well, let’s go!” she said and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
Steve held the door open for her and then went around the car and sat in the driver’s seat. The powerful engine came to life, and they took off.
***
Neither of them noticed the black Volvo parked down the street. Dimitris sat motionless in his car, watching them leaving.
He just couldn’t believe it. He’d flown all the way over here, determined to lay his heart and his life at her feet, and here she was having a good time with Steve.
His first reaction was to start the engine and leave, but he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. He’d come such a long way, not just physically but emotionally, and he really needed to talk with her— straighten things out. Besides, no matter what, he needed to tell her about everything that had taken place since she left. He needed to let her know about her father.
***
Helena had a great time with Steve. He took her to a really nice restaurant, and Helena felt alive again. Steve kept the conversation light and didn’t mention anything about Greece. He told her about his job and the house he was thinking of buying. He wanted Helena to go with him and have a look at it.
Helena tried to avoid the subject. She wanted Steve as a friend, but she didn’t want him to get the wrong impression. Going with him to look at his new house might lead him to believe that things between them could change.
Steve, probably sensing her unwillingness to commit to anything, changed the subject. They talked about Helena’s job, and Steve told her there was an opening at his firm. The position was good and the money, too.
“That sounds good, but I’m not really sure right now…” Helena hesitated, feeling reluctant to work in the same office with him.
“Just think about it,” he said and changed the subject.
Helena was relieved he didn’t pressure her. Even though she liked her job and the people at her office, she would love a better paying job, especially now with the baby coming. However, she kept her thoughts to herself.
When they finally moved to leave, Helena was feeling very tired. She was glad it was Friday night, and she didn’t have to go to work the next day.
Steve took her home, kissed her goodnight, and Helena went straight to bed.
***
She spent the next day doing some grocery shopping and cleaning up her apartment. She had to start getting ready for the baby. She should fix the baby’s room before she got too heavy and couldn’t move around very well.
She sat down to pay some bills and balance her checkbook. By the time she was done, she was really depressed. Maybe she ought to think about Steve’s proposal. She could really use some more money.
The phone rang, and she went to answer it. She was happy to hear Steve’s voice. He asked her if she was doing anything on Sunday. He had to take some papers to a client who lived in the countryside and was wondering if Helena wanted to go with him. Helena decided it would be a good idea to get away for a while. Besides, she would have a chance to talk to him about the job. So she agreed, and he told her he was going to pick her up at seven o’clock next morning.
It was exactly seven o’clock in the morning when the doorbell rang. Helena smiled at Steve’s punctuality. She grabbed her purse and rushed to the door. She was wearing a pair of dark-blue pants, a white shirt, and had her hair pulled back in a blue ribbon. S
teve stared at her and smiled.
“You look like a schoolgirl,” he said. “I might be arrested for abducting a minor,” he continued laughingly.
Helena felt her spirits rising. They walked downstairs and into Steve’s car. They drove for about an hour and stopped at the outskirts of the city for breakfast. Helena was starving and cleaned up her plate.
Steve laughed, seeing her eating like this. She normally didn’t eat much.
They got on the road again. The client’s house was a couple hours’ drive outside the city. The weather was nice, and Helena enjoyed the ride in the country.
When they finally arrived at the house, she waited for him in the car. He insisted on her going in with him, but she didn’t give in. Besides, she preferred to sit out there and enjoy the fresh air.
Steve didn’t take long. He dropped the papers off, and they were on the road again. They drove around for a while and then found a beautiful spot and decided to stop and take a walk. From the top of a hill, they could see the whole area. They sat down on some rocks and just let their eyes wander over the beautiful scenery.
Steve didn’t try to make conversation. He was probably giving her time to talk, when she was ready.
“Steve,” Helena said after a while. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about the job.”
Steve glanced at her, waiting for her to go on.
Helena took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about it,” she said. “I might be interested in it, if it’s still available,” she continued.
“Of course it’s still available,” Steve said, not able to hide the excitement in his voice.
“What exactly is it?” Helena asked.
“It’s an assistant’s position,” Steve explained. “It would be some secretarial duties of course, but then it would be some property research work, also, which I think you would find very interesting.”
“It sounds good,” Helena said and thought about the extra money she would be making, if she managed to get that job. “You think you can arrange for an interview?”
“No need for that,” Steve replied.
Helena stared at him, surprised.
“What are you talking about?” she asked. “Don’t I have to come in for an interview?”
“Well, I can interview you right now,” Steve said laughingly.
“Steve, get serious,” Helena said. “I’m not joking.”
“Neither am I,” he said. “You’re going to be my assistant, so I’m the one who’s going to do the interview.”
Helena stared at him, dumbfounded. She didn’t expect that. She wanted the job all right, but she didn’t want to have to work with him so closely. She opened her mouth to say something but then decided to remain silent. She had to think about this very carefully. She didn’t want to do anything stupid and jeopardize this job. She would wait to find out more about it first.
They both sat there, lost in their thoughts.
After a while, they got back in the car and went down the street to a restaurant that served really good food. They had lunch and enjoyed their coffee, overlooking a pond through the big windows.
“Helena,” Steve said. “I have to go to Italy next month, and I would like you to come with me, if you want.”
Helena stared at him, silently. She didn’t think travelling right now was a good idea. Her health was very fragile, and she had to be really careful, as her gynecologist had instructed her. She didn’t want to talk to Steve about the baby, but, on the other hand, she had to let him know. This wasn’t something she could hide forever… and this was as good a time as ever.
“Thanks, Steve,” she said. “But I can’t go anywhere for a while.”
Steve looked at her, surprised.
“Helena, if it’s about the money,” he said, “I’m making good money now, and I can pay for both of us.”
“Oh, Steve! You don’t understand,” Helena said, letting out a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”
Steve kept silent for a moment. Helena could tell he didn’t expect that. She watched him trying to regain control.
“I’m sorry,” Helena said. “I should have told you. It was wrong of me to come.”
“Helena, no,” he said. “I’m sorry I reacted this way. It’s just that I didn’t expect that at all.”
Helena got up and took her purse. “Maybe we should be getting back,” she said.
“Helena, sit down,” Steve said and grabbed her by the arm. “We need to talk.”
Helena sat back down and stared at him.
“Does he know about this?” Steve asked.
“No,” Helena whispered.
“And when are planning on telling him?” he insisted.
“Never!”
“Helena! Are you sure about this?” Steve asked. “How would you be able to take care of a baby all by yourself?”
“I have to,” she replied and felt hot tears running down her cheeks.
Steve reached over and wiped her tears away. “Please, don’t cry,” he said. “I’ll be here for you. You know that.”
“I know,” Helena whispered and took his hand in hers. “Thank you, Steve, for being such a good friend, but this is something I have to do on my own.”
“No! You don’t have to do it alone. I’ll be right here by your side.”
“Thank you,” Helena said one more time. “I know I can always count on you.”
“So what about the father?” Steve insisted. “Aren’t you going to let him know?”
“He’s probably already married to Stella. I don’t want anything to do with them anymore.”
Steve stared at her surprised, and Helena explained to him about the phone call to Dimitris’ office and what Stella had told her. Steve listened to her silently. When she was finished, he reached over and took her hands in his.
“Helena, listen to me,” he said. “You can’t do this on your own. Please, marry me.”
Helena looked at him, shocked.
“Oh! My dear Steve! I can’t possibly do that,” she said. “You deserve better than this.”
“Helena, I love you so much,” Steve replied. “I want us to be together. I’m going to take care of you and the child, and I’m going to love it as if it were my own.”
“I know,” Helena said. “You’re so sweet, but I just can’t do that.”
“Don’t answer me right now,” he insisted. “Just think about it. I have a good job, and I make good money. I’ll be buying a place of my own soon, and I can provide a nice home for you and the child.”
Helena couldn’t control her tears. She reached over and kissed him on the cheek. Steve pulled her in his arms and squeezed her gently.
***
They didn’t talk much on the way back. They were both lost in their thoughts.
Steve left Helena outside her apartment with a light kiss on the cheek.
Helena went upstairs and cried her heart out. This isn’t the way things were supposed to turn out, she thought. She wasn’t thinking about marrying Steve. She couldn’t do that to him. However, she felt scared and wanted so badly to lean on someone. She knew things weren’t going to be easy with her working, having to take care of a baby all by herself, and not being able to afford a babysitter, either.
She went to take a shower, put on her nightgown, and sat by the window to listen to some music. It always relaxed her, but not tonight. When she finally went to sleep, she tossed and turned in bed until the early morning.
***
“Helena, are you feeling all right?” Mrs. Stewart asked her, seeing her come in the next morning.
“Yes, Mrs. Stewart,” Helena lied.
“You look sick, my child,” the older lady insisted. “I think you should go home and lie down.”
“Oh, no!” Helena replied. She dreaded going home and sitting by herself. Every time she was alone, she kept thinking about everything and felt even worse. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t put Dimitris out of her mind. She thought nonstop about him and the m
oments they had together. Then Stella’s face would come in her mind, leaning over him and kissing him.
Helena realized Mrs. Stewart was watching her, and she tried to push these memories out of her mind. She went to get a cup of coffee and tried to act normal.
***
A few days later, she was working late again when Stacie, one of the other typists, asked her if she wanted to go out for a bite. Helena thought about saying no, but then she changed her mind. It would do her good to go out for a while.
They went to a small place down the street and ordered some sandwiches and sodas.
"Helena, you don't seem very well," Stacie said, concerned. "Did you go to the doctor?"
Helena didn’t want to talk about it, but everything was building up inside her. Finally, she broke down and started crying. She told Stacie about Dimitris and that she was pregnant.
"Helena, you have to tell him," Stacie said. "He has the right to know."
"No," Helena insisted. "I never want to see him again. My child and I will manage."
"You’re not being fair to him or to the child," Stacie said. "Please, at least think about it."
Helena was still thinking about it when she finally entered her apartment building. She walked up the stairs, holding the key in her hands. She was getting ready to put it in the keyhole to unlock the door when someone came out of the shadows. Fear washed over her like a cold wave. Panicking, she desperately tried to get the key in the hole, but her hand was shaking pretty badly.
“Helena…” The familiar voice made her freeze in her place.
She turned and saw him coming out of the shadows and into the dim light of the hallway.
"Dimitris," she whispered, "what are you doing here?"
“I had to see you,” he said.
Helena just stood there, staring at him, unable to move.
Dimitris took the key out of her hand and opened the door. He gently pushed her inside, turned on the light, and closed the door behind him.
Helena continued staring, not able to believe her eyes. He was really there. He was handsome as ever, only a little thinner, and dark circles hung underneath his eyes, which weren’t as bright as she remembered them.
