by Risk, Mona
My dearest Elena,
I hope my letter will help you improve. I will do my best to fulfill my promise and bring our grandchildren together.
Ashley gasped, frowned, and continued reading, hardly believing her eyes.
Your plan B is complicated but maybe will have more chance of success, if plan A doesn’t work, and your grandson refuses to meet Ashley. As a Greek, he would be more amenable to matchmaking than my Ashley. I know she will never agree to give him a chance. My dear granddaughter can be so stubborn at times.
Understanding slowly dawned on her. Oh God, oh no, please. It can’t be true. A lump formed in her throat. She dropped on the chair facing the desk, and forced herself to read.
Anyway, my dear Elena, I already refused to sell my shares to young Kostapoulos, although I don’t care about the Pink Villa that never brought us happiness. Ashley will go to Mykonos to defend my case. Since you agreed to the demolition, your grandson will have no remorse about destroying the old villa. He and Ashley will have to meet, argue and hopefully be in contact long enough to fall in love. My granddaughter is a lovely young woman and if your Stefano is the handsome man you describe, I hope something good will start between them. All we can do is hope that our little ploy works well.
My dear friend, I pray every day for your health.
With my deepest affection,
Forever yours,
Yorgho.
Hands shaking, Ashley stared at the missive Elena never received, and re-read the words that didn’t make sense.
Grandpa, how could you do that? He loved his Elena so much he’d sacrifice his own granddaughter? He’d plot to have her marry the grandson, or great-grandson, of people he hated all his life, of the unscrupulous man who’d forced his daughter to leave her lover.
Ashley’s pulse raced so fast she had trouble breathing. Tears blurred her vision. The complicated scheme hadn’t stopped the two old and sick people from conspiring together. She would have laughed at their ingenuity if her own future wasn’t in the balance. Grandpa and his friend had played with her life and her feelings. Resentment boiled in her heart and she gulped in a breath of air.
To think she and Stefano got engaged last night. Had he known about their plans?
She searched through the lines for an answer. In plan A, his grandmother was supposed to approach him on the subject. Had she done it? Did he refuse?
Was that why he wanted to meet her before the court hearing?
A worse possibility surfaced in her mind. Did he propose to satisfy his grandmother?
Ashley cast another look at the letter. As a Greek, he would be more amenable to matchmaking. She hiccupped on a sob. Maybe even a marriage of convenience. Just like his sisters. Was that what Grandpa had in mind when he talked to the judge and Stefano in her absence?
Good Lord, what a perfect business deal, offering his granddaughter in marriage, to fulfill his promise to his Elena, and Stefano, getting the villa’s shares in exchange, without a trial or too much trouble. Some of her grandfather’s words and reactions on the phone made sense now. The thought that Stefano might have agreed to that sham rankled her.
Disgusting. I hate them. All.
She crumpled the sheet of paper and threw it on the bed. She was in no shape to confront Stefano now. Of course, he would deny it. All convicts do at first. She had to collect herself, think about it with a cool head as if it was a case handed to her. No way to do it here, in Mykonos. Stefano would try to convince her of his innocence. If he used his expert hands and lips, she’d lose her case right away.
She couldn’t call her grandfather. In spite of his deceit, he was still her beloved grandpa—going senile probably at the thought of his Elena about to die and wanting to give her a last moment of satisfaction. No, Ashley couldn’t call him and prompt a stroke with her accusations. What would she accomplish anyway? The deed was done.
Collect yourself, Counselor Sheppard and think rationally. Even if it hurts so much. Even if you want to close your eyes and forget the nightmare.
A couple of days in Athens would help her calm down. She snorted, biting her lip. As if she could handle her own situation with the same objectivity she used in court. Regardless, she had to try and see clearly.
With a sigh, she hoisted a carry-on on the big armchair, collected her clothes and stuffed them in. Once her carry-on closed, she gathered the things she’d scattered on the bed, and prepared what she needed to bring in her purse.
Last, she smoothed the letter and slid it back in the envelope.
Rubbing her hand, she listed the things she had to take or do. Her fingers stopped on her beautiful ring. This had to be the shortest engagement I ever heard of. She pulled the ring off her finger, kissed it, and wrapped it in tissue, then shoved it inside the infamous letter, and slipped her grandfather’s missive into a big yellow envelope provided by the hotel.
Without a backward glance at her room, she dragged her carry-on to the elevator. While riding to the lobby, she wore her sunglasses, and stopped by the desk. “Kalimera, Vasilis. Good morning. Please, give this big envelope to Mr. Kostapoulos when he comes.”
“Kalimera. Are you traveling?”
“Only for two days. I’m keeping the room.”
“Have a good trip, kyria.”
Ashley nodded. It would probably be the worst trip of her life.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“What do you mean Kyria Sheppard left on a trip?” Stefano glared at the receptionist.
The man swallowed audibly. “She left this envelope for you, Mr. Kostapoulos.”
Stefano took the envelope and went to sit on a chair in the corner of the lobby away from the curious eyes of the man. Tearing the yellow paper, he extracted another envelope, and scowled at Yorgho’s handwriting and the letter he’d given Ashley last night. He opened it and gasped. She was returning his ring. Why? What happened?
Second thoughts about marrying a Greek, Ashley?
He hid the ring in his pocket and started reading. A series of expletives escaped him. And then he shook his head. Oh Yaya, I can’t believe you managed to plot all this while you were suffering so much. Poor Yaya, she was thinking about him even in her worst moments.
Now he needed to find Ashley and convince her he knew nothing about this scheme. Good thing he got impatient and came to pick her up half an hour early.
He walked back to the receptionist to ask when she left. “Only ten minutes ago.”
“Did she take a taxi?”
“No, she walked toward the harbor.”
God bless the curious man who made it his job to eavesdrop and check on everything. Stefano slipped him a bill that the man hastened to pocket. “Good luck, Mr. Kostapoulos.”
But Stefano was already out of the hotel, striding as fast as he could, down the busy street leading to Mykonos port. A few women dragging carry-ons had him accelerating in their directions, only to grumble in disappointment. Ashley was nowhere in sight. By the time he reached the harbor, the ferry to Athens Piraeus Port had already left. Stefano grimaced at the sight of the big boat sailing to open sea. Not one to be deterred, he knocked on the office of the manager of the transportation line. “I’m Dimitri Stefano Kostapoulos.”
Dropping his family name often opened doors, even those tightly sealed. “I need to reach that ferry. A matter of life and death.” He conspicuously lowered his hand to his pocket and extracted his wallet. “How much to rent a small speed boat to reach the ferry?” He showed several bills to the clerk whose eyes widened with greed.
“It’s expensive. You have to rent the boat, pay a sailor, get a permit, and we need to contact the ferry.” Stefano scowled. “But it can be arranged, Mr. Kostapoulos.” The man advanced an eager hand.
Stefano gave him several bills. “I’ll have more for you as soon as you bring that boat. Now. Right away.”
“Immediately, Mr. Kostapoulos.” The man pocketed the bills and reached for his phone, giving stern orders. “Come, sir, Gus is in his boat.
He’ll take you there.” He accompanied Stefano to the dock and called a young man in black shorts and tee shirt. “Take Mr. Kostapoulos to that ferry. Full speed. I’ll pay you later. Good luck, sir. I’m going to call the ferry captain to notify him of your arrival.”
****
Oblivious to the throng of passengers crowding behind her, Ashley stood at the rear of the ferry, watching the harbor, more precisely the elegant yacht she called her Love Boat. Only this morning, she’d been snuggling against Stefano. And last night—
Tears filled her eyes. It’s not fair. Her well-ordered world had suddenly been tilted off its axis. The two times he’d invited her on the Athena, he’d made her feel special, loved, treasured. Had a bad witch decreed that Ashley should pay for every minute of happiness with days of despair?
The ferry gained speed. Her eyes still fixed on her Love Boat, she wished it would move. Wished Stefano would come rushing after her to scoop her in his arms and bring her back to Mykonos. But the yacht remained in place and soon blurred away from her field of vision.
Even the island shrank to a wide ribbon, and she could hardly detect its landmark, the famous three mills of Mykonos that heralded the tourists as they approached the island. The Pink Villa must be there, not far away. Damn villa that had caused so many heartaches.
No wonder her grandfather hated it. To think he was ready to keep this reminder of a sad past just to allow her to meet Stefano and give them time to get acquainted. Dear Grandpa. Her resentment toward him faded. She wouldn’t tell him she uncovered his deceit and she couldn’t hold a grudge against the poor old woman who died two months ago. On the other hand, Ashley couldn’t build a relationship based on lies.
Was Stefano innocent? All criminals were innocent until proven guilty.
No, he couldn’t be guilty.
In two days, she’d come back to Mykonos and question him. She certainly knew how to make a suspect talk. Her heart hammered in her chest at the possibility of her passionate and tender lover’s guilt. She bit her finger, her head a riot of contradictions.
No, no, he couldn’t be guilty. He couldn’t have faked the words of love, the passionate lovemaking. The sooner she reached Athens, the better.
As if to tease her and exacerbate her emotions, the ferry slowed down and stopped. She wore her sunglasses to hide her eyes brimming with tears, and turned around. What was the commotion about?
“Someone important missed the ferry. We are picking him up.” She heard a group of Americans grumble about the partiality toward VIPs. Shrugging, she scooted to a quieter spot on the side deck, and resumed her inner argument.
Guilty, not guilty? Who cared when she loved him so much? When she might even be carrying his child? She rubbed her flat stomach, wishing she could keep a live reminder of her time in Mykonos, a baby with Stefano’s turquoise eyes. She sniffled, unable to suppress her tears.
And now she’d upset him by leaving suddenly. Almost running away. Not almost.
“Running away?” The words echoed her thoughts. Rich and deep, Stefano’s voice sent a shiver of anxiety and longing down her spine.
“What are you doing here?” Blood pounded in her ears.
“That’s my question to you.” He, too, hid his eyes behind his sunglasses, but the stern line of his mouth and the tight-set of his jaws spoke volumes about his angry mood. “Why are you running away?”
Her chest tightened with anxiety. “I’m just taking two days to think rationally about that letter.” She prayed he wouldn’t notice the redness of her eyes or the traces of tears.
“Why didn’t you discuss it with me?” Arms crossed on his chest, he caged her between his hard frame and the rail.
“I would have done it in two days, when I returned.”
“Were you going to return, Ashley?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I mean return to me? You left your ring behind.”
The interrogation had gone the wrong way. She was supposed to ask the questions, not defend herself. “Stop right here, Stefano. Did you read the letter?”
“Several times. As I’m sure you did.”
“And what was your reaction? Your feelings? Were you upset, disappointed, annoyed?”
“Hold on, counselor. One question at a time.” He removed his glasses and narrowed his eyes. “I was surprised at first. Because I had no idea about the little game these dear old people had imagined. No, I didn’t know about plan A. Yaya never talked to me about a match with my enemy’s granddaughter. I would have refused.”
Such an indignant flame danced in his eyes. She couldn’t doubt his words, and simply nodded.
“Things changed when I saw you. You took my breath away. I tried to resist but wanted to meet you. You know the rest.”
“Weren’t you shaken, upset when reading they had tried to manipulate us?”
“I was touched, humbled by so much love. This old woman was suffering from cancer, dealing with pain every day, and yet she put aside her problems to think about my happiness. She wanted to give me a chance to meet her best friend’s granddaughter. A young woman that her friend had described as lovely, smart, and kindhearted. Yaya trusted her best friend,” he added with a scorn that slashed through Ashley’s heart.
She hadn’t trusted him.
“Even if I hated Mr. Zanis,” Stefano continued. Shoving his hand in his pocket, he got the letter out and shook it under her nose. “This letter and the devotion he was showing my grandmother has totally redeemed him in my opinion. To briefly answer your question, I wasn’t shocked. And I didn’t resent them. What about you, counselor?”
She braced herself for more. Stefano bristled and snatched her glasses.
“What—”
“Oh.” The hard line of his lips relaxed. “Why were you crying, sweetheart?”
She took a deep breath, but didn’t lower her eyes. “I was upset at my grandfather, and yes I resented his manipulation and intrusion in my personal life.”
“And you doubted me. Right?”
“I didn’t want to judge you when I wasn’t objective. And I didn’t want to have an argument that could turn into a fight.”
He nodded and reached again into his pocket to hold the ring in front of her. “I can’t put it back on your finger if you doubt me or have any resentment.”
“I was afraid if I confronted you, you’d try to...to convince me. I mean, to kiss me.” She averted her head.
“I haven’t touched you, Ashley. I want your trust as much as I want your love.” He gave her a sad smile that brought a surge of tears.
She wriggled her nose. “Something is wrong with me. I’m too emotional.”
“Let me put this ring on your finger. It has magical properties and will make you smile instead of crying.”
“Oh, Stefano.” She extended her hand. “Please, put it back. I’ve been a mess since I took it off.”
He slid his Yaya’s ring on her finger and brought her hand to his lips. “I love you, Ashley. Never doubt it. I promise I will love you as much as Yorgho loved his Elena, and even more.”
“I love you too. I promise I’ll never let anything come between us.” She offered him a sheepish smile, but he pulled her into his arms. His kiss seared her all the way to her toes.
“I’m going to call Grandpa and announce our engagement.” She pushed a programmed number.
“Ashley, where have you been?” Grandpa said. “Your phone kept ringing and sending me to your voice mail. Are you okay?” She could hear the worry in his shaking voice.
“Everything is great, Grandpa. Super. Now, sit down because I have to announce news you’re not going to believe.”
“Tell me, child. Good news can’t hurt.”
“Stefano is here with me.” She’d better go slowly and not surprise him too much.
“Ah, very good. Work is going well then.”
“Yesterday and today we took a day off. Together, to have fun.”
“Ah, ha. And?” Excitement rang in his voi
ce.
“He loves me and I love him. We got engaged.”
“Blessed be the Lord. Thank you, Elena.” His voice rang with relief. “I’m sure she’s praying for you from up there.”
“About the Pink Villa—”
“Tear it down. We don’t need it anymore.”
“Tear it down? But Grandpa—”
“There’s no point in dwelling on the past, now that you and Stefano found each other.”
“Are you sure?”
“It brought me and Elena bad luck.”
“Will you still come to Mykonos?”
“Yes, I’ll come for your wedding. And I’ll pray at Elena’s grave.”
Tears filled Ashley’s eyes. She sniffled. Boy, was she in a mushy mood today. Stefano instantly squeezed her against his side.
“And tell young Kostapoulos to build a sailor chapel on the Pink Villa site.”
“What’s a sailor chapel?”
“A small chapel that sailors build in gratitude after escaping from a nasty storm. It usually has several silver boats hanging from the ceiling. I’ve escaped from a storm that lasted sixty years. Ask your fiancé about it. Now let me talk to him.”
She handed Stefano her cell phone. “Yassou, Mr. Zanis—”
“Listen to me, Kostapoulos.” Grandpa’s bellow froze her in place. Stefano arched his eyebrows over wide-opened eyes. “Your great-grandfather destroyed my life sixty years ago. I hope you took after your Yaya, not after the conceited bastards in your family. Anyway, if I ever hear that you hurt my little girl, I won’t hesitate to kill you. I’m old and I’ve got nothing to lose. Understand?”
Her jaw sagging, Ashley had a hard time believing her ears. “Please, let me talk to him,” she pleaded, but Stefano moved back.
“Yes, sir,” he calmly answered. “I know you’ve been badly treated by my family. But I love Ashley, and I will keep loving her as much as you loved my Yaya. I promise, on my honor.” He put his hand on his heart although his interlocutor couldn’t see him.