Chapter 37
Angelos stared at Mia’s back as she darted away. Good, it was for the best. He had allowed himself to think he could be someone else this week, that there was some goodness in him. But it had been a lie. He was darkness, she was light. His bright star.
No, not his. After this week he would remain true to his promise. He would let her go and his shadow would never again darken her path.
- One Week with the Greek
CALLIE
I should have known Nikos would be up to his old tricks. Hadn’t he told me that he wouldn’t give up his fight until the last possible minute?
The concern in his eyes had been real though. Something was up, that much was obvious since Roman was here. But I couldn’t worry about that now. I just had to make damn sure that my food was perfect and my presentation was on point.
I’d found a private boat charter on Rhodes who had agreed to come to Lyra for the day to take us around.
So, after coffee at my place, we cruised toward the future construction site.
As we passed each rocky cove, I pointed out the main points of interest to my guests.
But when we reached Orpheus’s Cove, my mind went back to that night on the boat with Nikos when we’d made love under the stars.
I couldn’t stand the idea of them looking at it.
It was so personal now. Truthfully, I was beginning to think they didn’t deserve to discover any of the island’s secrets. They wouldn’t appreciate them.
“How’s the wine here, Calista?,” asked Seth as he squinted up at the vineyards.
“Wonderful. I have some for you to try tonight.” I tried to smile.
When we reached the cove where the resort would be built, Gaz took over.
He practically hopped up the steep steps, explaining the concept while the investors nodded along silently.
He had printed out an updated plan for them and I flipped through it, annoyed to see that none of my suggestions had been incorporated.
Not one. My jaw clenched. Good thing I’d brought my own proposals.
Teresa had printed them out for me, and I’d stashed them in my purse.
Seth glanced at me as Gaz finished talking. “And what do you think, Calista? You’ve been here for a few weeks. I find it hard to believe that we’re still working off the original plans here.”
“Well, I’m glad you brought that up, because I had submitted a few ideas.” I pulled out the folder with my proposals, ignoring Gaz’s furious glare.
As I walked them through the olive grove, explaining how I thought it could be incorporated into the design, Gaz interrupted me. “Except that we’ve already agreed that this would mean losing valuable real estate. And now that we’re adding Black Market . . .”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“The nightclub. It’s going to be the next Berghain.”
My eyes almost popped out of my head at that. Berghain was an exclusive nightclub in Berlin, known for its sex laboratories and fetish nights. A hysterical laugh escaped me. “What are you talking about? That’s insane.”
“No, think about it. We want our guests to be completely immersed in a kind of a sensual odyssey.” He made a wavy motion with his hands.
“There’s something for all the senses, right?
Touch: They’ll arrive after a four-hour spa cruise to this secret island.
Sight: They’re blindfolded at first, and then they see this massive rock lit up at night with strobe lights and music.
That’s the sound part. We’re talking top DJs, the hottest artists.
Taste: That’s you, Cal. You’re gonna give ’em an orgy for their mouths. ”
“You can’t do that,” I heard myself say. Had he completely lost his mind? “What about the people who live here? You think they want strobe lights on the hills every night? No! That’s not the brief you gave me.”
“Oh, Cal. Things change. You’ve got to be more open-minded. You’ve spent too much time here fraternizing with the enemy.” He winked at me, but I could tell that he was jealous. He didn’t give a damn about me most of the time, but when his male pride was on the line, it was another story.
“Nothing’s been decided yet,” announced Seth. “I’m not completely sold on this new idea, Gareth.”
After Gaz’s bombshell news, I didn’t even bother to show them the rest of my ideas. There was no point with Gaz interrupting me at every turn. I could only hope I’d have a moment alone with Seth, who suddenly seemed like the only voice of reason.
As we took the boat back to my place I was fuming. Another betrayal coming on the heels of what had happened with Nikos. How had I imagined just a few days ago that everything was finally falling into place for me?
That will teach you to believe in fairy tales .
The only female investor, a shipping heiress named Cristina Dimitriou, slid onto the seat beside me. She had a copy of my proposal open and had been studying it. “I love this idea for the olive groves. It’s a pity to destroy such heritage, even if they don’t produce as much as they used to.”
“Yes, I think it’s important to create something harmonious in the space.”
She leaned in. “I’m not in favor of the sex odyssey nightclub. Art exhibits, why not? But the rest . . .”
Relief flooded through me. If the Greek investors weren’t into it, Gaz wouldn’t be able to pull it off.
“Tell me more about yourself. I’m curious about how a young woman has come to such a position in this company.” She gestured to my male colleagues and smiled in understanding.
Some of the tension in my shoulders subsided. It felt good to be in the company of a woman who understood what it was like to be outnumbered in this industry.
I gave her a brief overview of my career as we rode into the harbor, and she told me about her new company, which was creating luxury hotels and restaurants in Greece with an emphasis on ecotourism. As we headed out of the boat, she said, “I’m looking forward to trying your food tonight.”
That’s all I needed for the panic to set in. “I’m excited for you to try it.”
Leaving the others to explore the town, I raced back to my place. I’d done a lot of prep work that morning since I hadn’t been able to sleep—between anticipating this visit and trying to digest what Nikos’s mother had told me yesterday.
A knock at the door made me jump. My heart fluttered as I opened it, but then quickly stilled when Roman’s grumpy face greeted me.
“What do you want?” I planted a hand on my hip.
“Take it easy. I wanted to know if you needed any help.”
“Don’t you mean that you’re looking for ways to sabotage me like you did at Marcel?”
“I wasn’t out to get you. I promise. Now who’s being paranoid?” he asked. “I know we’ve always been like oil and water, but I believe in solidarity among cooks.”
“No, you don’t. Back at Plaza Athénée, you used to say that you loved nothing more than stirring up trouble.”
“Can’t a guy reform himself?” He placed a hand on his heart. “I want to help.”
I thought about it. Honestly, it would be helpful to have another set of hands tonight. “Okay, but you’re in the background. You do what I say. No talking back and no improvising.”
“Yes, chef. No distractions.”
* * *
I went through the dinner in a semi-trance.
Somehow, I was able to get into the flow state, forgetting about the family Greystone, my doubts about the future, and my broken heart.
I focused on the moment and on channeling the creative energy at my fingertips into my food.
For once, I was confident that my menu was on point.
Seth Greystone’s face remained stony throughout, while the investors couldn’t have been more enthusiastic.
Then there was Gaz, who kept waxing rhapsodic over the food while still tearing it apart.
I kept glancing at the empty chair at the end of the table where Nikos had sat when I’d served him the same meal just a few days ago.
Some foolish part of me wished he was sitting there now, encouraging me.
I wanted him to call me asteri mou one more time, even if it was all a lie.
By the time we got to dessert my throat was tight with emotion. I knew it was still the weakest part of the menu, and I hated to end the dinner on an off note. The story I wanted to tell with this meal wasn’t finished yet. And I didn’t know if it ever would be.
After collecting the dessert plates, I went back to the kitchen where Roman was pouring shots of Metaxa for the guests.
“No matter what happens, chef, never doubt that you’re the real thing. I kind of hate you for it.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Take a breather. I’ll get the coffee.”
“Thanks, chef,” I said and slipped outside. I stared up at the full moon, willing myself not to look over at Nikos’s terrace. I’d given it my all tonight, and if they didn’t like it, well, maybe it was time to move on.
The door opened behind me and Gaz stepped out to light a cigarette, cursing when the wind blew out his match.
“They’re heading back to Rhodes tonight,” he explained between drags of his cigarette. “Then Seth goes to Switzerland tomorrow. This isn’t our only project, you know.”
“Yes, you never cease to remind me of that,” I quipped.
“You did well, Cal.” He ran a hand down my arm. “You’ve given us something to work with. Of course, as you may have figured out, my father and brother aren’t sold on the idea of you as head chef of the resort.”
“Yeah, I got that, Gaz. What I’m wondering is why this is the first time I’m hearing about it? You couldn’t have warned me?” My voice was practically shaking with anger. I’d never felt so betrayed.
“I told you, you need more of a media presence. You’re no one.” Those words went straight through me like a stainless-steel blade to the gut. I opened my mouth but nothing came out.
He yawned and slid an arm around my shoulder. “I’m absolutely knackered. Thought I’d stay with you tonight.”
“Oh, you did?” Unbelievable.
“Callie, babe. We need to have a real discussion tomorrow about the project. Ultimately, it really doesn’t matter what they think because it’s my project. And I want you involved.” He pulled me closer, tracing a finger up my arm. “Come on, doll, for old time’s sake.”
Slowly, I removed his arm from my shoulder and stepped away. “You know what you are, Gaz?”
“What?”
“Garbage.” He snorted like he thought I was joking.
“No, really, you are an utter fucking waste.” I laughed bitterly. “A waste of three years of my life, of countless nights crying into my pillow, of faked orgasms, of stolen energy, of my damn heart, and of my sense of self.”
I’d known it all along but tried to convince myself it wasn’t the case. I finally saw him for what he was—a petty, pathetic, and entitled baby. And his words had no more power over me.
“And to think I felt sorry for you. Poor Gaz, always overlooked by his father and his golden-boy brother. As if any of that gave you the right to treat me like shit.”
His mouth hung open and he dropped his cigarette to the ground. “Cal, what the fuck, babe? Are you on your period?”