Page 65 of Love Among the Ruins
Dominic attempted a laugh and struggled. He had to slow down his steps so that the old man could keep up. “I’m only here for the summer. How about we discuss the terms of the deal?”
“Did you know that the Temple of Hephaestus is the best-preserved Greek temple in the world?”
“That’s … remarkable,” Dominic answered slowly, as he reached deep within him to pull out an ounce of enthusiasm.
“And did you know that Hephaestus was born to Hera by parthenogenesis?”
“I had no idea.” He had no idea what parthenogenesis was either, and he didn’t really care.
Galatis continued, unperturbed. “She was so horrified to find her son lame and crippled that she threw him off Mt. Olympus. And that’s when Hephaestus later took revenge by entrapping her and making her a prisoner.”
For the love of Christ. Dominic swiped and shaking hand through his hair and adjusted his aviators. “That sounds ... tragic... all round. It … it really does.”
“Family is important, Dominic.”
This was not the natural leap in conversation that Dominic was expecting. He wasn’t sure how to respond, so he didn’t.
“Tell me something, Dominic, your father, he is passing the torch to Alexander already?”
“My father isn’t stepping down yet, and Alexander isn’t taking over, neither am I.”
If the old man had meant to ruffle Dominic’s feathers, he had.
Dominic hated comparison to his brother. He straightened his spine, as if standing taller might give him an edge of superiority he felt he needed. “The Steele Corporation is booming, Hector. You don’t need to worry about who is taking over or not. However, we welcome the opportunity of working together with Galatis Industries.”
“All in good time, Dominic.”
Dominic allowed himself to blink slowly. “While I love this scenic tour of Athens, it would be good if we could sit down and iron out a deal that works for us both.”
Galatis waggled a finger at him. “That is the problem with you, Dominic. Always so serious, always in a rush, always needing to move from one deal to the next. Some things need careful thought.”
Galatis stood beside him and stared at the temple, a loud appreciative sound coming from his throat. “Hephaestus was the ancient god of fire.”
Anger seethed quietly inside Dominic’s chest. He did not care, but he counted slowly to five before asking. “Is that so?”
And so it began. A running, useless, waste-of-time commentary with Hector Galatis as his own personal tour guide. With great force, Dominic somehow managed to keep himself from exploding into a fit of rage, not that this would have been any good for his blood pressure.
They had been here for what seemed like hours.
Did this man not tire?
Granted that the ground was level. This wasn’t the Acropolis with its hill and crumbling ruins.
But Galatis often surprised him when he least expected it.
“We will meet again,” the old man said as they returned back to the point where they had first met.
“Like I already said, Hector, I only have the summer.”
“I can see the desire to get this done on your face, Dominic. You shouldn’t give it away, your impatience. Alexander is in Europe. Maybe we can all meet together.”
How did Galatis know?
His brother had called from London yesterday. He’d said he was over for business and Dominic half expected him to show up at any time. This was the type of thing Dominic’s father and brother excelled in, stealth manoeuvres. But for Galatis to know that Alexander was already here worried Dominic. It meant that his brother had spoken to Galatis directly. He’d overstepped his mark and sidelined Dominic and in doing so made Dominic look weak.
He doubted that there was any real business reason for Alexander to be in London. The real reason, Dominic was sure, was to check in on him. His brother would make it look like he’d casually come to Athens, was just passing by to say ‘Hi’.
“Alexander doesn’t need to attend these meetings.” Dominic smiled. “If we’re done for today, Hector, I need to get back.” He put his hand out for the old man to shake.
