Page 6 of Influence

I approached her, eager to see how the evening would unfold.

Tearing my gaze from Layana, I briefly greeted Avra, Elias, and Vik before returning to her. I wanted to make her wait, to gauge her reaction.

“It’s good to see you,” I said, holding her gaze and bringing her hand to my lips.

“You too,” she replied as her gaze swept over me.

I couldn’t help but comment, “Every time I see you, Layana, you look even more mesmerizing.”

Her cheeks flushed, and her sparkling green eyes held me captivated. An intriguing hint of innocence lingered in her coy smile, subtle yet inviting.

I recalled the fierce warrior I had previously encountered, steadfast in her mission to rescue her sister, and admired her metamorphosis into an embodiment of pure sensuality and femininity.

“You’ve changed,” I murmured. “What’s behind this transformation?”

“I embody many things and reveal them only when the moment is right.”

Her reply surprised me, and I couldn’t help but say, “I look forward to unwrapping every single one, Layana.” Then, I turned to the group and said, “I’m delighted you’re all here. Shall we tour the estate?”

“We’d love that,” Vik agreed, adding, “Your estate is truly remarkable, Nikolas.”

“Thank you,” I replied. “My family has been building this estate for generations. Right now, it’s just me here.”

I turned to Layana briefly, then diverted my gaze, noticing her lips parting as if hinting at the possibilities of our future.

Soon, she would roam the grand hallways with me, freely reigning over my sprawling estate.

The idea of someone else living here with me wasn’t unpleasant.

As I guided the four of them through the intricately designed tour, I was acutely aware of how it might appear from Layana’s perspective, experiencing it all for the first time and knowing that this would be her home as my wife.

“What about your brothers?” Avra asked.

Suppressing my displeasure at their disregard for the land that provided them with their wealth, I responded, “They prefer city life. The estate doesn’t suit them.”

“It’s stunning,” Avra said, awe shining in her eyes. “The vineyards stretch endlessly behind the grand house, like a sea of green waves.”

“It does feel that way,” I agreed, nodding. “The olive groves on the other side have the same timeless charm. I would lose myself in them for hours as a child, wandering among the ancient trees.”

“It must have been amazing to grow up here,” Elias remarked, eyes scanning the landscape. “I read that your vineyard produces a significant amount of mavroudi wine.”

“It’s true,” I replied with a hint of pride. “My father had a particular fondness for it, often joking that it was the wine that?—”

“—that Odysseus used to get Polyphemus drunk!” Layana interjected with amusement.

I burst out laughing, the sound echoing warmly through the air. “Yes, exactly.”

“My father used to make the same joke,” she reminisced, her eyes reflecting memories as she looked at me.

I couldn’t help but wonder if she was aware of the deep-rooted connection between our fathers. I imagined them sitting together, laughter spilling from their lips as they joked about the popular Greek wine, perhaps clinking glasses in a toast to their enduring friendship. The photographs of the two radiated adventures and camaraderie, showcasing a bond that I rarely saw my father share with anyone else.

As I gazed into Layana’s eyes, I felt we would share many glasses of wine, lost in the same amusement.

“You’ve done an incredible job managing this place, Nikolas,” Avra said. “Clearly, overseeing such a large operation demands substantial effort.”

“I was lucky to inherit my father’s estate,” I replied, appreciating her praise. “While I’m proud of it, I’m particularlygrateful that my father established such an efficient system and assembled a dedicated team to ensure everything runs smoothly. I cannot take all the credit alone. The daily efforts of many people make this possible. I could never manage everything by myself.”

There it was again—alone.

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