Page 34 of Secrets, Lies and Love

Now, the million-dollar question is: what was actually going on?

I have no idea, so I will classify it, in the name of my mental and moral balance, astemporary insanity.

“Excuse me,” I say to the man who, I’m sure, will make me have sinful thoughts when I go to bed today. I can’t forget the dirty words he said. And far beyond that, I want to obey his command and touch myself while thinking about him.

“Cecily?”

I shudder just hearing the man’s voice, so how will I be able to live in his house?

For Joseph, I will, I promise myself silently.

“Yes?” I ask, turning to face him.

“Pack a suitcase for a week, and then I’ll arrange your move.”

“It’s a trial period,” I say, more to myself than to him.

If it was just any old job offer, I would tell Dionysus that I changed my mind, because after what happened just now, there is no chance that I can meet this man without remembering how hard and hot his skin is or what a scorching sensation it is to be in his arms. But it’s not about me—it’s about Joseph. It was because of him that I came to New York, so I have to control my body’s reaction to this Greek and fulfill my mission.

“Were you kissing?” Elina asks, bluntly, when we reach the kitchen.

“No.”

“I wasn’t born yesterday. Something was happening!”

“I cannot explain it. My body went crazy when he got close to me. I felt an uncontrollable urge to touch him, and he noticed.”

“Oh my God!” She slaps her hand on her forehead in a dramatic gesture.

“He told me I could do whatever I wanted, just for today because we’re not boss and employee yet. He said he doesn’t have relationships with employees and that from tomorrow, I will be under contract.”

“I worked for Odin and now he’s my husband, just so you know.”

“That’s different. From what you told me, you already had a history together. It was destined. There is nothing even close to that between my new boss and me. From tomorrow onwards, we will only have a professional relationship.”

She doesn’t seem to believe me. I see it in the way she looks at me. “Don’t get hurt, Cici. Remember what we talked about. If you added together all the broken hearts that the Lykaioses and Kostanidou have left around the world, it would be the equivalent of a small, peaceful town.”

“It’s over, Elina. He was curious when I told him I’ve never had a boyfriend. That was it. Trust me. From tomorrow onwards, I will be an exemplary employee.”

“Hi, since no one has introduced us, I’ll do it myself. I’m Madison and you must be Harper.”

“Cecily or Cici. I don’t like my first name.”

“I like Cici. So, are you going to be Joseph’s new night nanny?”

“Yes, and you are my future boss’s brother’s fiancée?”

She smiles as bright as the sun. “That’s right. And soon I’ll be the mother of his babies too,” she says, stroking her very round belly.

“Twins? What a blessing! Congratulations!”

“Thanks. I don’t even believe it myself. To make it perfect, I just need my sister to wake up from her coma, but I believe that God has a time for everything.”

“Would it be indiscreet of me to ask what happened to her?”

“She was attacked in the early hours of the morning. Home invasion. Her husband died. Brooklyn survived but has been in a coma ever since.”

“Jesus! I will keep her in my prayers from now on.”

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