Page 18 of Secrets, Lies and Love

I’m fully aware that I’m in the wrong in this story, but getting in front of the car was not irresponsible—it was the result of desperation.

He stares at me, as if he can’t believe I had the nerve to stand up to him.

That makes two of us. I don’t know what came over me either.

I need to be humble and try to gain his sympathy—which, given this first encounter, I’m starting to believe will be impossible.

“You haven’t heard what I have to propose yet, Miss. You will be well-paid.”

“I don’t want your money, Mr. Kostanidis. I already spoke to the police and said it was my mistake. I crossed without looking. I was distracted. You’re not to blame for what happened,” I say, releasing a little of the remorse that was filling my heart. “I came to New York to look for a job, not to beg.”

I decide to change my strategy because I only needed a few minutes to understand that I won’t be able to move him with my story. Now I’m sure that my approach was as wrong as possible, and that I shouldn’t have done what I did. If, without knowing anything, he already wants to get rid of me, then if I tell him everything, I will never have another opportunity.

Cold sweat runs down my spine as I think about what it must be like to have someone like Dionysus Kostanidis as an enemy, and that’s exactly what I am to him.

“I would like to compensate you for the damage I caused,” I continue, even though to my own ears the proposal sounds ridiculous, but I am desperately trying to hold on to any chance to stay in Manhattan.

“Compensateme?” he repeats, raising an eyebrow ironically.

“Yes. I suppose the car was dented. I don’t have any money right now, but I can work to pay it off.”

Please let me stay.

“Who are you?”

My heart beats so fast I can feel it in my ear. “I don’t understand.”

“You do. You threw yourself in front of my car on purpose. What’s up? What do you hope to get from me? If it’s compensation, I’m already offering it.”

Fear disappears, giving way to indignation. “Maybe, in your world, everything is about money. In mine, I try to do what Ithink is right. I caused you a loss and I want to make it up to you. That’s it.”

The lies are only getting worse, and I know I’m entering a game whose rules I don’t know, but he’s backing me into a corner and I have to reverse that before I completely give up on the commitment I made when I came to New York.

“I talked to Mr. Colt. He told me you need a nanny for your son. I have experience, and I can even give you references.” It’s a relief, after so many untruths, to be able to say something real.

“You’re not going to be working for me. I would have to be crazy to let a girl who can’t even cross a street without trying to kill herself take care of my boy.”

Two feelings hit me simultaneously.

The first is relief, because he finally seems to believe that I have no ulterior motives—and he’s very wrong about that.

The second, and the more frightening, is that I have just become certain that what I planned is going downhill. If Mr. Kostanidis won’t even allow me to care for his son now, what would he say if I told him the whole story?

Dionysus

CHAPTER TEN

She didn’t reactas I expected, and surprisingly, instead of irritating me, it intrigued me.

Not to be an arrogant son of a bitch, but it’s clear the girl isn’t in a good financial situation, which should make her grab the opportunity I’m offering her very fiercely.

Instead, she looks indignant. “I think we’re done with our conversation, then, Mr. Kostanidis.”

I try to hide my astonishment.

Is she dismissing me?

I look at her more closely and realize that beneath her fragile appearance, Cecily has courage, to say the least. I don’t doubt that at this point, she knows who I am, because my family’s name is known throughout the world. Still, she doesn’t seem impressed. She hasn’t bowed her head for a moment. On the contrary, she acts as an equal, which is exciting in my universe.

---