Page 19 of Love Among the Ruins
CHAPTERSIX
ELENI
Her mother had already left for work by the time Eleni was ready to leave.
It was a good thing, too. She didn’t want her mother jinxing her, taking a look at her smartly dressed up outfit and asking too many questions.
She had called in sick at the café—it was too late to call Adamos and ask him for the day off. Then she’d called Stefanos when she was on the ferry. Athens was two hours away, and Dominic hadn’t told her when to come, but she figured that today was a good a day as any.
“You tell me now when you’re on the ferry, when I can’t come with you?” Stefanos hissed.
“We can’t both be off work. Adamos will get suspicious.”
“When did you change your mind? You said you weren’t interested.”
“You said it was an opportunity and to go for it,” she cried, feeling defensive.
“But I could have come with you!” Stefanos insisted.
“He offeredmea job, not you.”
“Twist the knife more, why don’t you?”
“Stop being so dramatic. I’ll call you later once I’ve finished.”
“I can hardly wait.”
“I told Adamos that I was sick, so stick to that story.” She hung up, a gnawing itch pinching in her belly. She had no skills; no office training and she was going for an interview she was ill prepared for. She felt sick in her stomach thinking about it, but she’d done her best to look business-y. Wearing a smart pencil skirt and heels. She prayed that she would make it to Athens and back tottering in these. Then she had a lightbulb moment. She’d wear sneakers on the ferry trip and change into her heels once she neared the office building. She tied her long hair up into a neat bun. It made her look years beyond her twenty-one years, but she couldn’t turn up for an interview in smart clothing with her hair wildly falling down her back.
The thought of the trip to Athens and back had her doubting what she’d gone and done. She tried to put a positive spin on things. Nothing was going to land in her lap here in Spetses. She could grow old here, waitressing and waiting for the summer and the tourists to dictate her income levels.
Or she could leave. This was what Jonas had planned to do, to go to a bigger island, but now there would be no future with Jonas, no shop to open, no small business to help grow. Now she was left saving up for a trip that she felt compelled to make.
But something good had happened after a long time of suffering; the offer of a summer job in Athens filled her with hope. Maybe this could be a steppingstone not only to earn enough money for the climb, but for other things?
This could be a way for her to leave the island.
Inspired by these thoughts, she strode into the lobby of the building and informed the receptionist that she had a meeting with Dominic Steele. The woman looked at her sharply before typing on her keyboard. She peered at her computer screen then at Eleni. “There’s nothing here.”
“I spoke to him yesterday. He asked me to come here for an interview.”
The receptionist’s eyes filled with suspicion.
“He won’t be happy with you if you turn me away,” Eleni insisted, pulling out her cell phone and getting ready to type his number.
The secretary begrudgingly relented. “Go to the third floor. You’ll see Mr. Steele’s PA at the reception desk. I’ll let her know you’re on your way.”
Eleni followed the instructions and went up to the third floor. The receptionist here had a softer look. She was plump with a soft face and freckles. “Did you say you had a meeting with Mr. Steele?” The receptionist ran her chubby finger down her paper diary and shook her head. “There’s nothing here.”
This didn’t bode well. Eleni folded her arms. The heat made her neck damp, and she could feel clammy patches under her arms. “I spoke to him yesterday. He knows I’m coming.”
The receptionist typed away, then glanced at Eleni. “There’s nothing in any of his diaries. What did you say your name was?”
“Eleni Trakas.”
The woman shook her head again. “I’m sorry but there’s nothing here.” She gave Eleni a half-smile. “What time was your ‘meeting?’”
“He didn’t give me a time. He told me to come.”
