AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“On our farm,” I answer quickly, looking at Christos.
“You have your answer, my dear mother-in-law. Zoe decides, I say yes.”
I roll my eyes. “As if.”
“Said like that, even a stranger would believe him!” his mother says, laughing. “You and your father are the same. If I let him, Alekos would even choose the color of my underwear.”
“Too much information, Mrs. Danae,” Christos says.
My mother laughs.
There’s a light mood all around, and I wish for a future with a house full of children, family Christmases, and lots of love.
Those last two are already guaranteed. I feel loved and welcomed by both Christos and his parents. That, in my book, qualifies as a jackpot.
“I’m going to talk to Yuri and see if he can help me with the wedding arrangements, and I’m sure Bia will want in as well.”
“Speaking of whom, how is she?” Mom asks.
“Well, after what happened, she said she wants to make changes in her life. She no longer wants to be an agent. She’ll leave everything in Miguel’s hands and take a year’s sabbatical. She’s already a hundred percent recovered from . . . our accident.”
I look at Christos and see his jaw clenching.
“I’m glad divine justice was done,” his mother says. “That cruel man got what he deserved,” she finishes, referring to Mike.
“Well, we have to go now, sweetie. We loved the news. I hope I’m well enough to attend your wedding.”
“You will be, Mom. I’m sure.”
We spend a couple more minutes talking in the living room, but then I excuse myself and leave. I have something to do.
I go up to my room, and with my phone andlittle Paulinein hand, I leave the house and head for the beach.
Half an hour and many photos later, I sit on the sand, looking out at the sea.
“Hey, friend, I hope you can see from heaven how happy I am. I’m going to marry my Greek, I mean, myGreek god, according to his ego,” I joke. “I didn’t come to talk to you before because, right after the fire, myhead was a mess. I don’t know how to deal with difficult news, and I received it in bulk. My parents’ house was destroyed, Bia was in a coma, and in the midst of it all, I moved in with Christos.”
I smile thinking about what he said the other day, that life took a turn and we ended up in the same place—in each other’s arms.
“Needless to say, I’m beyond relieved that my marriage to Mike, which never really worked, even in the eyes of the law, was a lie. He’s such a bad person; I can’t even list which parts I hated the most. No, that is not true. With everything he did to me, the one thing I won’t ever forgive him for was trying to kill my family. God may one day think he deserves a second chance and get him out of hell, which is where I’m sure he is, but I reserve the right to hate him for now. Anyway, I just wanted to say ‘hi’ and reassure you that I haven’t forgotten about our project. The photo shoots will go on, but the modeling career will not last much longer, I hope. I will always carry you in my heart wherever I go, but the time has come to live my life a little too, Pauline.”
“Want some company?”
I look back and see Christos coming my way. I pat the sand beside me. “Yours? Always.”
“Taking pictures with your friend?” He positions himself behind me, hugging me with his arms and legs. I feel surrounded by a wall, and the feeling is delicious.
“Yes. I haven’t done it in a while because I like to send good vibes when I talk to Pauline, and at first, right after the fire, I was really upset.”
“Fucking pissed off.”
“What?”
“You don’t have to temper your feelings, Zoe. You are human, and you have the right to go crazy sometimes. You weren’t upset; you were fucking pissed off because that bastard had nearly destroyed your entire world. He lied about marrying you when he was already married. Then he stole you and, in the end, tried to kill you. You have the right to express how you really feel. Scream, allow yourself to curse, and feel angry.”
“I internalize my feelings.”
“Most of the time, so do I. I’m not good with words. But I don’t think it’s healthy for you to hold back when you’re angry.”
