Page 121 of Love Among the Ruins
What a life.
What a world.
And it would be hers for this glorious weekend.
She reached for her phone, puzzled to find that Dominic hadn’t replied. Unable to contain her excitement she sent him another text:
Eleni: This is paradise! I’m going to have such a wonderful weekend. Can’t believe you’re paying me for this. I would have done it for free.
After lunch she lazed by the pool reading a book, and then, when it got too hot, she took a nap in the bedroom.
When she awoke a short while later, she floated around the ground floor of the house again. The villa was simply stunning. Something from the magazines of the rich and famous—which Dominic clearly was. She really shouldn’t have been so in awe of it all, and yet she was. Jaw-droppingly in awe.
But where was he?
It was a glorious day, sun streaming, cicadas clicking, a landscape so pretty it stole her breath. It was perfect. But she was alone, and savoring things alone, as she had discovered after Jonas, wasn’t satisfying.
She’d brought her running clothes with her, so she slipped into her sneakers and changed into her running shorts and tank top. Donning a ball cap, she set off, determined to keep up with her runs. A short run around here would help her to get her bearings.
Half an hour later she was back, dripping with sweat and overheated. She jumped into the shower.
It was a shower like no other. A wide-as-a-steering wheel overhead shower giving a torrential downpour.
She changed into a comfy T-shirt and pair of denim shorts.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
She’d expected Dominic to show up by now. She assumed he must have been extremely busy because he hadn’t even replied to her texts. With nothing to do to pass the time, she read some more by the pool. A few more hours passed and the sky turned a rich purple shade.
A delicious aroma wafted out from the kitchen. Eleni went to investigate and found that Xenia was cooking something. She offered to help but the housekeeper told her that everything was done and she would be back tomorrow.
“You don’t stay here?” She’d been relieved when she first saw her, thinking that it wouldn’t just be the two of them, her and Dominic, stuck here alone this weekend. Then she remembered Dominic telling her that he didn’t like sharing his home with others.
“I have a family I need to get back to.” She smiled. “I will be back tomorrow.”
Xenia left and Eleni found herself all alone in a beautiful house, sitting by a pool which glittered under twinkling lights which automatically turned on.
Hunger made her irritable, and she was nervous and jumpy that Dominic still hadn’t shown up. She felt silly and inconsequential sitting here in this beautiful setting, all alone with nothing to do and no one to share it with, and she worried that he might be having regrets about asking her here.
Or maybe he was out with the other rich and well-heeled people? Surrounded by beautiful women somewhere? Beads of moisture sprang up along her hairline, prickling her scalp. She had been a fool to come here, a fool to want to help him.
What made her ever think he’d want to spend time with her outside of the wedding?
He’d brought her for a reason. To be seen with her. At the wedding only.
Not on a night like this when champagne and pretty ladies beckoned.
With hunger gnawing at her belly, she decided to give up waiting on Dominic and to eat before she died of starvation. She filled her plate with the orzo that Xenia had made. Feta and olives garnished the rice-like pasta and smelled so delicious, her earlier unease soon disappeared.
She sat outside, by the pool again. The villa at night was even more gorgeous than by day, with its fairy lights and garden lamps turned on. She had lit one of the big chunky candles she’d found inside the kitchen, and now its flickering flames created an intimate ambiance,for one.
She’d only taken a few mouthfuls when she heard footsteps. Dominic was home. The house was so big, she hadn’t even heard the car pull up. She forced herself to stay calm.
Then, finally, slowly, Dominic came into view.
