Page 49 of Secrets, Lies and Love

“And why would I have? What you do with your life outside of work is none of my business, Cecily.”

After I hang up, I stare at the device, hating the way that just hearing her voice makes me lose control. Wanting what I can’t have irritates me, but in a contradictory way, it’s also exciting.

She said she doesn’t know how to act with me. Me either. Cecily was supposed to be my employee, but after just a short time together, she’s become my obsession.

I pick up my phone again, determined to erase the nanny from my thoughts.

Since I met her, I haven’t gone out with a woman, giving myself the excuse that I don’t have time, when in reality, I know it’s because none of them areher.

The time has come to change that.

Cecily

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Madison’s wedding day

Cage:I was losing hope. Does that mean I’ll have at least one dance with you today?

I grip my phone tightly,nervous as hell.

I know that by taking the initiative to send him a message, I’m offering him the possibility of something more, but I need to stop thinking about Dionysus or I’ll ruin my situation with Joseph.

After the phone call with my boss, in which he made it very clear who I am, or rather, who I amnotin his life, I was determined to forget him once and for all, but that wasn’t what gave me the push I needed to get in contact with Cage. While browsing a celebrity website earlier today, I found a photo of him with a famous French actress.

Jealousy is not rational—neither is possessiveness towards him—but I felt a little crazy when I saw him with this woman andread the headline:Media executive overcomes widowhood with a friend from the past.

Like a masochist, I read the entire report.

The tycoon from the Greek banking family and also the owner of the largest TV channel in the world, Dionysus Kostanidis, made it clear that he’s left his widowhood behind by resuming his life of conquest and once again appearing accompanied in public. Until now, the billionaire has been discreet, out of respect for his wife’s death. That all changed last night, when he was seen in an intimate situation with a famous French actress. This column hopes for a fresh start for the powerful Greek but warns aspiring candidates that, if Dionysus returns to his old form, we will have many broken hearts across the planet.

It’s not my problem, I repeat to myself without ceasing.

It better be that way. I didn’t come to New York to be a toy for a billionaire.

Me:A dance? Will you settle for just one, sir?

I send the answer before I can chicken out.

I don’t know how to flirt, but the fear of meeting my boss with his dazzling aura makes my stomach turn, so I throw caution to the wind.

Maybe what I really need is to go out with someone.

Cage:I don’t want to scare you. I’ve waited a long time for your message.

Me:I’m not scared. I’m a big girl now.

I drop my phone on the bed, because even though I know I’m doing the right thing by trying to erase Dionysus from my mind once and for all, the knowledge that I’m using Cage makes me feel guilty.

“May I enter?” Elina asks seconds before opening the door.

When I see her with Joseph in her arms, the sadness that was beginning to set in disappears. “My God in heaven, you look very beautiful, my love!”

I chose a three-piece suit for him, white with a baby blue tie. He smiles when I open my arms and falls into them.

“Not ready yet?” Elina asked me to go and get ready at her house, as she hired a makeup artist and a hairdresser for the women in the family.

“The hair and makeup, yes. All that’s left is to put on the dress,” I say, pointing to the long, figure-hugging, red gown with thin straps that she and Zoe convinced me to accept as a gift.

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