by Aleka Nakis
“I don’t care about the party! What is wrong with you?” Alexandros couldn’t believe what he heard spill from her lips. It was illogical.
He approached her again. She jumped. He stopped. Frightening her was not his intention. But he couldn’t keep the anger from building as his eyes burned, and he tried to recognize the woman standing in front of him. “We need to talk.”
“Alexandros.” She spoke his name as if it hurt her.
“What is wrong with you? What’s happened?” Running his hand over his face, he stalked toward her and began to raise his voice. Looking into her eyes, he could see her mind devising a plan. “And don’t lie to me. I want the truth.”
“The truth? You want the truth?” She raised her chin and spoke directly to his face.
She was distraught and he wanted to take her pain away, to make it better.
“Athena, I don’t know what’s happened, but please let me take you home and we’ll–” A cold chill traveled down his spine as a horrific thought occurred to him. Immediately, against her will, he took her into his arms and held her against his chest.
“Is Giorgios here?”
“No. What gave you that idea?”
“Then, what is wrong? You look as if you’ve lost a loved one, or you’ve been horribly hurt. And you are angry with me for no reason. What am I supposed to think?”
“No, no. It’s nothing like that.” She softened her voice and skimmed her fingers over his solid forearm. “Please don’t ruin the party for Costa and Heather. We’ll talk later.”
“Okay, let’s go home. We’ll talk there, now.” He took hold of her arm.
“Please say goodnight first. Please, for me.”
He could not believe her. Say goodnight? His priority was with her, but he did not want to fight any more.
“Wait here, I will be right back.”
She sighed as he strode into the house, glancing over his shoulder to check on her.
“Goodbye Alexandros,” she whispered, a tear escaping her eye.
Spiro came down the stairs as the car pulled up. Handing her an overnight bag, he said, “Eleni keeps some clothes here, they should fit. I have put my cell phone and some money in the bag. Call me if you need me before I call you tomorrow. I promise to get to the bottom of this, fix it and to let you know.”
“There is nothing for you to let me know. However, I am grateful to you. Goodnight,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Kalinihta, kori mou.” He brushed his lips across her temple and helped her into the car.
****
Athena could see the cabana on the black sandy beach. Someone had preceded them and turned on the lights. It was a little glow in the vast darkness. The driver insisted on walking her to the door, placing the overnight bag in the small bedroom, and adjusting the climate control unit before leaving.
“Miss Athena, please use the climate control at night. We have never had any problems, however it is very dark on the beach for a woman alone.”
“Thank you, I’ll be fine.”
“There’s a basket with bread on the counter, and a few things in the refrigerator for the morning. Fifty yards up the road is a small store for anything else you may need. Makis runs the taverna next to them and has the best calamari on the island. Mr. Spiro has alerted them of your arrival. They are expecting you tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” She just wanted him to leave. She didn’t care about any of this. All she wanted was to get into to bed, close her eyes, and make it all go away.
The driver studied the expression on her face and hesitated. Could he tell something was tearing at her? That she was not here for a pleasant beach holiday, and she was running from something or someone?
“Miss Athena, the cabana has no phone. Please hold mine.”
She assured him she had a phone and she felt very comfortable alone on the beach. Besides, the other bungalows appeared occupied. She would be fine.
He walked to the kitchen counter, telling her his name was Demosthenis. He wrote his number on a pad, and asked her to call him if she should have the need.
“Thank you, Demosthenis. Goodnight.” She closed the door behind him, placed her back against it, and slowly sank to the floor.
His name was Demosthenis. Just like her brother’s. What would she do when her Demo arrived? How could she have been such an idiot?
The tears lost no time returning, burning her cheeks as they rolled. She had lost control, was spent and slept where she had landed.
Chapter Twenty
Alexandros was baffled. Where was Athena?
His fingers strained the steering wheel as he turned the car into Kalithea’s drive. He made it up the stairs in four swift strides only to find her room empty for the second time tonight.
She was still on the island. She had not left from any of the three airports and could not tonight. There were no more outbound flights. The last ferry had sailed at midnight, and the next would not depart until tomorrow afternoon.
No one was at Cardia Mou, and he was alone. Perhaps he had not seen her when he searched for her at the party. Maybe she had decided to stay there with Costa and Heather. He picked up the phone and dialed.
“Ne?” His father’s sleepy voice answered.
“Baba, sorry to wake you.”
“Is everything all right?” Spiro asked, sounding alarmed, no doubt because of the time.
“Baba, is Athena with you?”
“No.” Spiro hesitated as if contemplating his answer. “She is safe though.”
“Where is she?”
No answer. Silence filled the line.
“Baba, the last time I saw her she was not okay. She was upset and made no sense.”
“Can you honestly blame her?”
What was his father alluding to? What had he missed that had upset everyone? Alexandros’ body tightened with each thought, feeling as if his shoulder would separate from his neck at any moment.
“Listen, paidi mou, you need to let her rest. She cannot bear anymore pain tonight.”
Pain! A piercing fear rammed his mind.
“What is wrong?” Alexandros demanded, struggling to get the words out.
“I’m your father, no matter what you do I will always love you, but I do not condone what you did.” Spiro spoke with the controlled voice he’d used when he’d lectured him as a boy.
There was no mistaking how his father felt. He held Alexandros responsible for Athena’s condition. The younger Strintzaris remained quiet and waited for his father to complete his thought.
“I cannot understand why. No, I loathe what you did. I thought I raised you better than that, Alexandros.”
Had the whole world gone mad?
“Baba. I don’t understand.”
“Athena saw you. She saw you go into the bedroom and lock the door. It was not right, paidi mou.”
“Why was it not right? I’m a man who knows what he wants, and I intend to get it! What is wrong with that? You, of all people, should understand that.”
“Dropi!” The older man said. “I will not continue this conversation with you. You are wrong. Do not call back till you realize that!”
The phone slammed, killing the connection.
Alexandros stared at the receiver in disbelief.
Well, at least she was safe. He trusted his father would not leave her alone. She needed to rest he said, no more pain tonight…
His tight chest heaved as he tried to understand why they would be so upset.
I want to make Athena mine forever. Everything else is irrelevant, petty and ridiculous.
He walked into her room, stripped off his clothes, and went to shower. A quick, cold shower only stressed his body more. Finished, he stretched out on the bed he had held her in, the bed where he had learned that he could not put off making her his for a minute longer. With his hands crossed under his head, he stared at the ceiling until sunrise.
Pulling back the sheet with her sweet scent embedded in it, he tried to rol
l the tension out of his neck. She should be there with him. How could she be blind to his need for her, her need for him? His mind was not clear. He needed to think.
He made a coffee, and took it to the little blue table. Mindlessly swirling the coffee, he gazed out over the caldera.
Her eyes speak her love, her body heats at my touch, yet she runs from me. It doesn’t make sense. Athena knows the real me. I didn’t hide anything from her. I’m no longer someone she just met at the ball and rightfully should not trust.
Recalling their conversation, his brain clicked. His gut tightened, and he mentally chastised himself for not realizing his mistake. His father was right. He had made a mistake. His actions had been rash and didn’t consider her reactions. Now, she was not with him.
Days ago, she had told him she did not wish to be involved with a Greek. He’d insisted, as was only natural, and when she had acknowledged what they had between them, he had assumed it would not matter that he was a Greek. He didn’t care where she was from, what passport she carried, as long as she was his.
Did he expect her to change her whole life to accommodate him on such short notice? This was too much to ask of her. He’d assumed she would move to Greece, leave her job, and be the center of the universe, as he knew it.
That had to be what had hurt her, the inconsiderate assumptions. He knew what to do. He would fix it.
With great optimism, he dressed and ran down the stairs. The car was speeding to his parents’ house in minutes. He would make her see, she would agree, and he would have her forever.
Invigorated, he pressed down on the gas pedal, allowing the cool morning to fill his lungs with renewed confidence as he traveled to his destination. Thinking of her understanding his impatience and walking beside him at the wedding tomorrow, he smiled to himself.
Alexandros strolled through the door calling out a greeting.
“Kalimera. Where are you?”
“On the back patio, paidi mou,” Anna replied.
He walked to the patio with a light step in his heart. He was going to fix this now, and put an end to the pain. It was done. Seeing his parents eating breakfast, he bent to kiss his mother’s cheek, and sat beside them.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“No, but I’d like a word with Baba.”
Anna glimpsed Spiro’s grim gaze and left the two men alone. His father refused to speak.
“Baba, where is she? I need to see her.”
“No, paidi mou. I gave her my word she would be left alone.” Spiro rubbed his forehead and shook his head. He looked tired, as if he hadn’t slept well.
“I need to talk with her. I know what to do to make everything right.”
“You were wrong.” The older man turned hopeful eyes to his son, scrutinizing him.
“Yes, and I regret putting her through any turmoil. It hurts me so much to know that I caused her pain. I was being very selfish by putting my needs before hers, and I regret it. I can’t stand to lose her. No matter what it takes to make it right, I’ll do it.”
“Alexandros, I believe you’re sincere and your heart is hurting, but I cannot understand why you acted as you did. Until you just admitted it, I thought, I hoped, there’d been some mistake. Now my hand is forced. I must keep my word and honor the girl’s wish of privacy.”
Dumbfounded, Alexandros sat in silence. What had come over his father? “What’s the big deal? My actions are insignificant in the larger scheme of things?”
“Insignificant? No, Alexandros. Have I ever given you the impression that women are to be anything other than cherished and respected?”
“No. You haven’t. But Father, I do respect her, and I intend to cherish her with every breath I have. I love her. I want to make her my wife. I never meant to hurt her or disrespect her wishes. Now, I understand that I was wrong to assume that I could do what pleases me without considering her reaction. It’ll never be an issue again.”
Spiro nodded his head and sighed. He took his son’s hand and looked directly into his eyes. “I believe you. But you must give her time and prove your sincerity. She may not be able to forgive you. You acted recklessly, and I never thought of you as a tactless man. I question your readiness to commit to Athena.”
This was outrageous. He needed to find her. “Please Baba, tell me where she is.”
“No, she needs time to heal. I gave her my word.”
“This is ridiculous!” Alexandros was out of patience. He stood up and slammed his hand on the table. “I cannot understand you, but I will not sit here and argue with you anymore. Tell her I am looking for her.” He began heading for the car. “You know I will find her.”
The tires spun as Alexandros pulled the car onto the main road.
His father knew where she was, he was being unreasonable, and it did not make any sense. He had acknowledged his mistake, admitted he had been selfish. Why was his father acting as if he had committed a carnal sin?
****
The bright light woke Athena. She rubbed her thighs and stretched her stiff neck. Her whole body was sore, her head pounded, and her heart ached. She slowly rose to her feet, took in a deep breath, and swallowed the rancid taste lingering in her mouth.
Walking into the bedroom, she longed to forget last night. She unzipped her dress, letting it drop to the floor before she climbed into the bed. Breathing hurt, her chest constricted, and her eyes burned from the tears.
You put yourself in this predicament! You allowed him to enter her heart, and you didn’t play by the rule.
She should’ve avoided him, and seen him for the egotistical playboy she knew he was.
Athena thought of the past few days. She’d let her guard down, and had easily fallen for the smooth charisma Alexandros possessed. Smart, he had not used his usual playboy skills on her knowing they would not have worked. Rather he amused himself and passed his time portraying a sincere and genuine man who was so addicting to be with.
He’d promised to protect her heart.
Instead, he’d shattered it.
Just as it had been shattered so many years ago. She had been barely fourteen on a beach in Crete when she had overheard her sixteen-year old crush, Nikos, laying bets on how fast he would get the Americanaki to bed. He had made crude remarks about her tempting little body and the sexual experience of girls like her. “Girls like her are easy. She’ll do everything.”
She had been devastated.
She had gone home and straight to bed, supposedly for an afternoon nap. Her brother, Demo, had found her crying when he had returned from the beach. He had patiently tried to console her for over hour, finally he was able to get her to tell him the reason for her tears. He’d held and rocked his sister until she had fallen into a peaceful sleep.
When Athena had awakened, she had felt better from the soothing words her brother had whispered to her. She’d gone to sit with her family on the balcony, and saw Demo with an ice pack on his swollen eye.
“Demo, what happened?” she’d gasped in horror.
“Not too much.” He’d raised his shoulders just a bit. “I met up with Nikos at the café and… You can see the rest.”
“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault,” she’d cried.
“Stamata! Stop right now. It’s not your fault. Anyway, even Nikos knows he was wrong to speak those disgusting things about you. Now go get ready, we’re going to the taverna to meet up with everyone.”
“I can’t. Demo, I cannot face any of them. They heard what he said, and I’m so embarrassed. I can’t believe I thought he was a nice guy. I feel ashamed that I even had a crush on him.”
“Athena, please go get ready. Come to the taverna with me. After all, I’m the one with the humongous eye, not you, koukla mou.”
Demo had played his trump card: he’d called her his doll, as he had since they were toddlers. He’d then pointed out his eye had taken a beating, not hers. She felt obligated into accompanying her brother anywhere he wanted to go.
They ha
d arrived at the taverna and sat at the table with friends from the beach. Nikos had come in looking much worse off than her brother. He’d stood before her and had apologized publicly for the things he’d said. Admitting he had not meant to hurt her, but had been trying to showoff to his friends, all of which were privileged to his apology. Nikos cried in front of her. He had not left until Demo told him to go, and then he had done so with his tail tucked between his legs.
It may have been childish, but the whole experience had soured Athena on any romantic ideas with Greeks. She associated every Greek man with her teenage crush. She had lost her trust in them. That, and her observance of the summer romances that blossomed and wilted around her each year, had extinguished all romantic flames for her.
Tomorrow Demo would come to Santorini, and what would she tell him? He had seen her together with Alexandros in Athens. Her brother was not dumb, and he knew how she felt about Alexandros. Even worse, if she told him what had happened, it would ruin her best friend’s wedding for sure. She had to think of what to do, perhaps keep him from coming to the island.
What she found the most peculiar was that Demo had not seen through Alexandros. He was usually a good judge of character, and he seemed to have approved of the relationship. Well obviously, Alexandros was an excellent actor, or simply had his morals all twisted and hidden. She’d been fooled.
She’d thought Alexandros was different. She’d believed the press had used him to sell papers, when in reality he had used her to fill his time.
He’d made a strong and compelling game of pursuing her, and she had been inept enough to believe him. Imagining he cared about her, not just her body, not just for the week, she’d opened her heart to him. She’d allowed herself to love him. She’d envisioned his child as her own.
Fool!
She had been bamboozled, and she ached from the fact that she had been too weak to prevent it.
If only she could avoid him forever.
Chapter Twenty-one
Her tenacity drove her, and Athena threw back the covers, standing to her feet. Brushing her teeth, she delved into the overnight bag, and decided on the blue running shorts and a gray tank top. She laced up the sneakers, planning a cathartic run in the mid morning sun.
