by Angel Sefer
“That’s good,” she replied, and the satisfaction was obvious in her voice. “I hope she gets the hell out of here, as soon as possible.”
“What do you want me to do now?”
“I want you to stay put and watch every single move they make.”
“But I have to go back home… my father is ill and…”
“I don’t give a shit about your dumbass father or you or anyone else! You stay put and do exactly what I tell you or else…” she barked.
The threat hovering in the air, made Sotiris shiver. “That crazy bitch!” he cursed under his breath and gritted his teeth. If only I could get away and never set foot on this damn island again…
Thirty-one-year-old Sotiris was sick and tired of being bullied around—first by that low-life, drunk father of his, and then by this crazy bitch, who had been ruling their lives for the last fourteen years. He’d thought about leaving so many times before, but he had no money… and with no money, he couldn’t get far. Damn money! he cursed. You can’t do anything without it. It was the money that got them in trouble in the first place, when fourteen years ago his father and his father’s buddy, Stephanos Orphanos, got in serious trouble with some loan sharks and had to borrow from that bitch. Ever since, she’d been blackmailing them and having them do things for her… things Sotiris wished he could forget… like that night at the cove, thirteen years ago...
***
Devastated, Helena stayed in her room all day. When Martha came to check on her, she pretended she had a headache. It was four o'clock when she finally walked downstairs. Sophie was in the kitchen discussing dinner with Martha.
"Helena, I’m glad you’re feeling better. We need your opinion on dinner tonight. After all, you know more about what your guest likes."
Helena jumped in surprise. How could she be so involved in her own problems that she totally forgot about Steve?
"Oh, my God!" she said. "I have to pick him up."
"No need," Sophie replied. "Dimitris is already on his way to town".
Helena couldn’t believe her ears. What had she done to deserve this? She knew the moment Dimitris met Steve he was going to ask him point blank if they were engaged. Oh, please God, make Steve understand there’s something wrong and go along with my scam! she prayed… Well, there was nothing she could do about it now but sit back and wait.
It seemed like ages before she finally heard the car pulling up in the driveway. Dinner was ready, and they were sitting in the living room. Helena ran to the door and opened it. Steve was just getting out of the car. When he saw her, he ran up the steps and took her in his arms. Helena was so glad to see him and feel his familiar arms embracing her.
She suddenly realized Sophie was standing right there, waiting to be introduced.
"Oh, I’m sorry,” Helena murmured, embarrassed. “Steve, this is my dear Aunt Sophie. Aunt Sophie, this is Steve, my best friend."
She couldn’t help but look at Dimitris, biting her lower lip, seeing mockery in his eyes. She had screwed up again, but she couldn’t bring herself to lie to her aunt. He could just think whatever he wanted, she decided. She just didn’t care anymore.
The evening went surprisingly well, especially after Dimitris excused himself, saying he had some business to take care of in town. Sophie was the perfect hostess, and she really seemed to like Steve. They talked about a lot of different things. Sophie told him about life on the island, and Steve talked about England and his job as a real estate agent.
Helena was able to breathe out, relieved, seeing Sophie relaxed and Steve enjoying himself. She’d been really worried about him coming to the island.
After a while, Sophie got up and asked Helena to show Steve to his room, as it was getting late.
Helena took Steve to the back of the house, where they had prepared a room for him.
"Where is your room?" he asked her, as she was leaving.
"Upstairs, of course. My family is old-fashioned," Helena laughed. "It’s okay for you to stay here, as long as you’re at least on a different floor."
"Oh, Helena I’ve missed you so much," he said and took her in his arms, covering her lips with his.
Helena didn’t protest. His kiss, though, left her cold as always, and she realized that now more than ever. She thought about the way her body had responded to Dimitris’ touch, and she shivered. She quickly wiped the thought out of her mind.
Realizing that Steve had pulled back and was staring at her, she quickly kissed him on the cheek and left before he could say another word.
Rushing down the hallway, she ran right into someone. She lost her balance and would have fallen if his arms hadn’t supported her. It was dark in the hallway, and she couldn’t see him well, but she could feel the burning sensation of his hands on her arms. She was so close she could smell his cologne… She felt dizzy for a moment and swallowed hard.
They stood there, and time seemed to stop… When his arms went around her waist and pulled her to him, she didn’t protest. Instead, she raised her face in the darkness and felt his lips crashing down on hers. A jolt of lightning went right through her body. She melted in his arms, and her head was spinning. Her lips had a mind of their own, responding to his kiss…
A sudden noise coming from somewhere upstairs brought them back to reality. Helena placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away, trying to regain control of the situation. But it wasn’t easy, standing so close to him. His shirt was open, and she could feel his skin beneath her palms. It felt so good and so right… she realized she didn’t want to move. This was madness… she had to put a stop to it, but she couldn’t. Not even when he picked her up in his arms and carried her through the dark corridor and into his room could she say no.
She felt his lips on her face and his hands on her body… he was like sweet wine, getting her drunk little by little. Trembling, her body was responding to his every touch, as if it had a mind of its own. She had never felt like this before. Her only experience in the past was some light kisses and some hugs which left her cold. She couldn’t believe someone could make her feel that way… she wanted him so much… and she couldn’t bring herself to ask him to stop. He could do anything to her… and she would let him…
He didn’t switch the light on in his room, but there was plenty of moonlight coming in from the French doors which led to the balcony, giving the room a dreamy, romantic atmosphere. She didn’t know how they got into bed and she didn’t care. This was magic, and she didn’t want him to stop. Her mind was screaming no, but her body had already said yes…
It was he who stopped and pulled away. She was lost for a minute, feeling cold and abandoned. What happened? Why did he stop? She could hear him breathing heavily next to her, but they both kept silent. Finally, he climbed out of bed and walked to the French doors. She stared at him, standing there naked from the waist up. His muscular body looked magnificent in the moonlight, and she fought back the urge to run into his arms again.
Realizing her clothes were a mess, she got up and tried to pull herself together.
Dimitris turned around to face her. "Helena, you have to go," he said.
She was stunned. She didn’t know what to say, feeling hurt and confused. What had happened? What had she done wrong? Without a word, she ran right out of the room, down the corridor, and up the stairs, fighting back the tears. She didn’t stop until she reached her room.
Throwing herself on the bed, she cried her heart out. She was in love with him. She couldn’t deny it anymore. What was she going to do? And what about him? Did he love her, or was it just his promise to her father to take care of her?
Helena realized he was a man of honor and tradition. He would marry her, even if he didn’t love her, in order to keep his promise. How could she live with that? She loved him, but she couldn’t marry him just because of a promise...
It was early in the morning when she finally drifted off to asleep.
Chapter Ten
HELENA SPENT THE next few days av
oiding Dimitris, but he didn’t seem to care. Actually, he made no attempt to talk to her, nothing more than polite small talk when the others were around. Helena spent her time with Steve and Sophie. They took Steve around to show him the island.
One afternoon, Stella came to the house. They were sitting on the veranda, when she came around, walking through the garden. She was cold as usual to Helena, but she was all smiles to Steve. She informed them that Alex was coming back in a few days. It seemed he had left the island a couple days after the accident. No wonder he hasn’t come by to see me, Helena thought. She couldn’t help but wonder if Dimitris had anything to do with this. She stopped herself from drifting off thinking about him again and focused on what Stella was saying.
"Helena and Alex are really close," she was saying, leaning over Steve. He gave Helena a questioning look, but she didn’t say anything. She was sick and tired of Stella's little games, and she refused to be manipulated like this.
"If you’d all excuse me, I have a headache," she said, and stood up.
She was getting ready to go inside when Dimitris came outside. Her heart skipped a beat, as she glanced at him. He was dressed in white and blue, as if he was going sailing. She opened her mouth, but before she could say a word, Stella rushed into his arms, staring at him adoringly. Helena felt sick to her stomach, and without saying anything, she walked right by them and inside the house. She had pretended to have a headache to get away from Stella, but now, she could feel a real headache pounding in her head.
She had to leave this place as soon as possible and go back to her life in London. She knew that was the right thing to do, but couldn’t help the emptiness and sorrow she felt. There was nothing for her back in London. Her life was here on this beautiful island, next to the man she adored with all her heart.
Stop that! she reprimanded herself for getting carried away like this. She had no choice; she had to leave. The dance in her honor was only a few days away, and Helena couldn’t wait to get it over with. After that, she would catch the first ferry to Athens and then back to England. As soon as she arrived in London, she would have a talk with Steve. It wasn’t right to lead him on and let him hope. She had to be honest with him and put an end to it. She knew now she could never love anyone else, and it wouldn’t be fair to Steve to let him keep on hoping.
She visualized her life back in England, and suddenly, she felt really cold. How could she go through life without him? Now she could relate to what the last thirteen years must have been like for her mother, without the man she adored.
***
It was later that evening, when Helena went downstairs and found everybody gathered in the living room. She was relieved to see that Stella was finally gone. She couldn’t stand that girl.
"Are you feeling any better, sweetie?" Sophie asked.
"I’m a lot better; thank you," Helena lied.
Feeling Dimitris’ gaze burning into her back, she turned around to face him. His eyes were dark, enigmatic; his face was an unpenetrated mask. What is he thinking? she wondered. Is he having second thoughts about all this? What if he is in love with someone else? What if he loves Stella, but he’s just too proud to back out on his promise? Oh, God, what am I going to do? I can't live without him, but I can't live with him either, thinking that he’s in love with someone else.
"How about a game of chess?" Steve asked, and Helena agreed. She was willing to do just about anything that would take her mind of her troubles. Sophie sunk in her chair with a book in her hands, while Dimitris walked outside. Even though, she couldn’t see him, she could feel his eyes watching her. She tried to concentrate on the game, but finally, she had to give up.
"Helena, I’ve never seen you play worse than this," Steve said, and got up.
"I’m sorry. I have too many things on my mind," she admitted.
"That’s obvious. Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, and she could tell from the tone of his voice, he was concerned.
Dear old Steve, she thought, he’s always so worried about me. She had to be honest with him, and this was as good time as ever.
"Steve, please take a walk with me in the garden," she said, avoiding her aunt's questioning look.
They walked outside to the veranda and down the steps. Dimitris was nowhere to be found.
"Why do I get the feeling this is bad news?" Steve asked.
"Oh, Steve," Helena said, "you’re such a dear friend, and you’ve always been there for me. But I have to be honest with you… and myself."
"Helena, I know what you’re going to say," he interrupted her.
"You do?" Helena asked surprised.
"I know you’re not in love with me," he said. "But I love you enough for both of us. We can have a good life together. I’ll always take care of you and protect you, and maybe you’ll learn to love me one day."
"Steve, I’m so sorry, but you deserve better than this," Helena said. "You’re a wonderful man, and you deserve someone who loves you in a way that I never could. You’re my best friend, and you’ll always be, but you have to go on with your life.”
They walked around the garden for a while, both lost in their thoughts.
“Are you in love with him?” Steve asked suddenly and stopped, turning to face her.
“In love with whom?” Helena asked, trying to buy some time. His question had taken her by surprise, and she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but on the other hand, she couldn’t lie about it either.
“You know with whom,” he pointed out, and Helena could hear the bitterness in his voice. “The moment I stepped foot on the island and saw him, I knew something was wrong.”
“What do you mean?” Helena asked, puzzled.
“I’ve met him before,” Steve admitted.
“When?”
“A few years ago, back in England… he came to your apartment, looking for you.”
“He did?” Helena asked, surprised. “What did he say, and why didn’t you tell me about it?”
“I’m sorry,” he said and turned his gaze towards the sea. “I’m so sorry, but I lied to him and said that I was your fiancé.”
“You what?” she asked, shocked. “He came looking for me at my house, and you told him you were my fiancé?” She couldn’t believe Steve would go that far. “But why? That doesn’t sound like you…”
“I didn’t know who he was, but I suddenly felt so jealous… I just wanted him to leave…”
So that’s what Dimitris was talking about the other day, Helena realized. He came to England looking for me, to tell me about our marriage having been arranged by our parents, and Steve told him we were engaged. She was really upset with Steve. He had no business interfering. She had never given him the right to do something like this. He was her best friend, and she loved him dearly, but he had no business making decisions for her life.
“Helena… I’m really sorry,” Steve said and took her hands in his, caressing the back of them with his thumbs.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Helena said and pulled her hands away, turning her back to him. She walked to the edge of the garden, overlooking the water. Standing there, taking deep breaths, she could feel Steve approaching from behind.
“I know you’re upset,” he said. “And you have every right to be. I wish I could take it back… but it’s done, Helena, and there’s nothing I can do about it now.”
“What did he ask you when you got off the ferry?” she asked and turned around to face him.
Steve seemed uncomfortable.
“What did he ask you?” she insisted.
“He wanted to know what’s going on between us, and if we’re engaged.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“I told him the truth.”
Helena stood there, waiting…
“I told him I’m in love with you, but we’re not engaged—we’re just friends.”
Helena sighed.
“You never answered my question,” Steve insisted
. “But it’s okay,” he went on. “You don’t have to say anything—it’s obvious anyway.”
“What do you mean? What is obvious?” she asked, even though, she already knew the answer.
“Helena, I’ve known you for a long time,” Steve said. “You can’t hide from me… you’re in love with him…”
Helena turned her face towards the sea and remained silent. There was no point in trying to deny it.
“So now what? Are you going to stay here and marry him?” Steve asked.
“It’s not that simple,” she admitted.
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“Things are really complicated.”
“I don’t understand,” Steve admitted. “If you love him and he loves you, too, what is the problem?”
“The problem is I don’t know if he loves me, too,” she whispered.
Steve drew a deep breath. “Why are you saying that? Why would he come to England looking for you, and why would he be so hostile against me if he weren’t in love with you?”
“Oh, Steve, there’s so much you don’t know,” Helena replied and went on to explain to Steve about Greek customs and traditions and about the wedding arrangement their parents had made…
Steve seemed really puzzled by it all. Helena could understand his surprise. After all, that was the same way she had reacted when she first heard about it.
However, things were different now… she was different. She was desperately in love with Dimitris, and there was nothing she could do to change that.
“What about that girl, Stella?” Steve asked after a while. “The two of them seemed really close.”
“I’m not sure what the deal is,” Helena admitted, truthfully. “To be honest, he never said anything about love. All he ever talked about was keeping the promise he made to my father.”
“But he couldn’t be marrying you just out of duty,” Steve pointed out.
“I don’t know,” she replied. “This is why I can’t go through with this.”
“Why don’t you come back to England with me, and take your time to clear things up?” he suggested.