Page 120 of Love Among the Ruins
“Who else is here?”
“Mr. Steele and Xenia.”
“Who?”
But Kostas had already climbed out of the car and was reaching into the trunk to get her luggage. Eleni grabbed the handle of the small roll on luggage trolley. “Thank you, but I can get this.”
“Mr. Steele asked that you make use of the facilities. Xenia will show you around. He said you can take any room on the ground floor.”
“Uh-huh.” She absorbed this information as calmly as she could.
“Good afternoon, Miss Trakas.” An elderly woman appeared before her. “I am Xenia. Let me take that for you.”
Eleni stared back at the woman with salt and pepper hair wrapped up in a neat bun. This must be Dominic’s housekeeper, atthisresidence, she assumed.
She tightened her grip on the handle of her luggage trolley. “It’s okay. I’ve got it.” She smiled and followed the woman into the house.
Eleni followed the housekeeper who gave her a tour of the villa, but she soon lost count of the number of rooms she was shown, and just when her mind had absorbed the beautiful large kitchen area something shimmered, catching her attention outside. A glittering aquamarine pool whispered her name.
“A pool”, she cried, leaving her luggage by the door. Dominic hadn’t said anything about a pool. She immediately regretted not packing a swimsuit.
“Would you prefer this room, Miss Trakas?”
“Oh, please don’t call me that. I’m Eleni.” This woman was older than her mother. Eleni would not have her calling her Miss Trakas.
“Yes. This is great! Thank you.” It was closest to the kitchen and had a perfect view of the pool.
“I have prepared a light lunch for you.”
“For me?” Eleni looked over her shoulder to double check that the housekeeper wasn’t talking to anyone else. Kostas. Dominic even.
Xenia smiled. “Yes, you.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I would have made myself something.”
“Mr. Steele insisted.”
“He shouldn’t have.”
“Even if he hadn’t, I would have made something for you.”
Eleni smiled at the Xenia, and placed a hand across her stomach. A warm feeling spread out from her belly at the idea that she was being so well looked after. “That’s ... that’s very thoughtful of him ... of you ... thank you.”
“I will leave it in the kitchen. You may take it where you please. Mr. Steele will be back in the evening. He wants you to enjoy the house.”
“In the evening?” Eleni’s eyes widened. Miranda had informed her that he’d flown out yesterday. That much Miranda knew—that Dominic was attending a wedding in Santorini. It was Eleni who would have to lie the most about this weekend. Why hadn’t Dominic told her these things himself?
Walking into her new bedroom, Eleni stood still and took in the room, the size of it and the gorgeous décor. She pinched herself that this was real, not a dream.
If only Stefanos and her friends could see now. If only her mother could. She would take lots of photos later, so that she could show them all one day when this was long behind her and it would no longer matter if this secret came out.
She was tempted to jump into the pool in her underwear, but didn’t want to take a chance that Dominic might come in, unexpectedly and see her. She immediately whipped out her cell phone and texted Dominic.
Eleni: This place is beautiful. I never want to leave!
Kostas and Xenia were so discreet that she didn’t see them, and it felt as if she had the entire place to herself. She started to unpack, slowly taking out her clothes and hanging them in the closets.
When she finished, she surveyed her room and the shimmering pool from her window, then she collapsed onto the bed, hugging her chest, feeling pure, unadulterated joy.
