4. Santo
The evening air hit me like a blessing after the stuffy ballroom, carrying the heady scent of jasmine and salt from the nearby sea. Last night’s unexpected encounter with Katalina in this garden replayed in my mind.
Her desperation to resume our relationship had been pathetic, really. I’d let her try to remind me of what we’d had, but her efforts only proved how meaningless it all was. The memory left my dick limp and disinterested.
Movement near Yiayia’s prized stone fountain caught my eye. Tia. She was kneeling on the grass, her teal dress pooled around her like water, her hand gently stroking the massive head of my Irish Wolfhound.
“I see Zeus found you,” I said, approaching.
She looked up, and the moonlight caught in her dark eyes, making them shine. “Is he yours? He’s beautiful.”
Zeus, who normally growled at strangers, leaned heavily against her, his eyes half-closed in bliss as she scratched behind his ears. The traitor.
“Why are you outside instead of enjoying the party?” I said, crouching beside them without caring about my tailored trousers on the damp grass.
“Why aren’t you resting instead of out here?”
I laughed in response. “I’m doing better. The aches and pains are duller now.”
My mind wandered briefly to the upcoming racing season. Three major competitions in the next two months, starting with Monaco.
The doctors had cleared me, but my team was still nervous. They wanted me to take it slow, be cautious. But caution had never won championships.
Besides, near-death experiences had a way of making you hunger for speed even more. I needed to prove I was still the best.
Tia glanced around the garden. “Well, I was just admiring the architecture.”
I’d expected some sort of polite social lie, like a need for fresh air, or even a confession of boredom. But interest in the architecture? Strange creature, indeed.
Tia looked around, smiling, inhaling deeply. “I just... wanna soak it all in, you know? Like, let it live in my bones for a little while. This place has something to say, and I just wanna listen.”
She was speaking about my home as if it was alive. That wasn’t something I’d heard anyone do before, not even my family, who live here. I found myself listening as she went on, pointing at elements and explaining to me their significance.
“See those columns? That design’s been around for over sixteen hundred years. And that pink marble? Only like two quarries in the whole country produce that exact color. Super rare.”
Her eyes lit up from within as she spoke, and I found myself drawn into their glow. Architecture had never interested me beyond basic appreciation. Buildings served their purpose, beautiful or not. Yet watching her face animate with passion made every word fascinating.
“Would you like a tour of the grounds?” I heard myself asking, resisting the unexpected urge to touch her bare shoulder.
“Shouldn’t you be...back at the party? With Kat? ”
Her loyalty would make this even sweeter when she eventually chose me over her friend. The fact that I found her genuinely attractive was simply a bonus. This revenge would be far more enjoyable than I’d initially planned.
“I already told you how I feel about Katalina.”
She glanced back toward the low sounds of music. “Okay...but just for a bit. Don’t wanna be in the way or anything.”
“No trouble at all,” I said, gesturing toward a nearby path. “Shall we?”
The look of gratitude she gave me warmed me inside out. I offered my hand to help her up from where she kneeled beside Zeus, feeling the soft warmth of her skin against mine. I held on a moment longer, enjoying how perfectly her hand fit in mine.
We began with the gardens, wandering between crystalline pools, reflecting the moonlight and marble fountains where water danced and sang.
The Christakis estate sprawled across twenty acres of prime coastline, a harmonious blend of classical Greek architecture that had been in my family for generations.
Stone pathways wound through precisely trimmed topiary animals and olive trees.
“This place is incredible,” Tia breathed, pausing to admire a life-sized statue of Poseidon rising from a circular pool. I stood close behind her, my hand resting lightly on the small of her back as I pointed out the details.
“My great-grandfather commissioned most of these pieces,” I explained, my voice low near her ear. “He believed beautiful surroundings inspire greatness.”
Tia turned suddenly, finding herself unexpectedly close to me, our faces mere inches apart. “Santo, I think we should go back. This, whatever this is, isn’t a good idea.”
Instead of backing away, I pulled her closer, my hands settling on her waist. “I’ve been trying to keep my hands to myself since I saw you tonight, but it’s impossible when you’re near me.”
I leaned in to kiss her, but she placed a firm hand on my chest and stepped back.
“I won’t be your Black girl experiment,” she said.
“What I said was thoughtless and I’m sorry,” I said, meeting her eyes directly. “I never meant to hurt you.”
Tia searched my face, her expression guarded. “What exactly do you want from me, Santo?”
The question caught me off guard. I was accustomed to women not questioning my interest, simply accepting it as their due. But Tia wasn’t playing by those rules.
“You,” I admitted. “I don’t know much about you. But I know you risked your life to save mine. I know you see beauty in things others overlook. And I know I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since we kissed.”
She looked away while her fingers stroked Zeus’s fur. “That’s just adrenaline and gratitude talking. It’ll fade.”
“Is that what you’re feeling, too? Adrenaline?” I stepped closer, carefully. “Because I saw how you looked at me when we danced.”
She dropped her gaze. “Katalina is my friend.”
“Is she?” I challenged. “I saw how she treats you. Friends don’t diminish each other.”
Tia’s eyes snapped back to mine. “You don’t get to judge our friendship. You don’t know anything about it.”
“You’re right again,” I conceded. “But I do know Katalina. I dated her and I never once saw her put anyone else’s feelings above her own.”
Zeus whined softly, sensing the tension, and nudged Tia’s hand. She resumed petting him automatically.
“Are you hungry?” I asked suddenly, changing tactics.
She blinked at the abrupt shift. “What?”
“Hungry,” I repeated with a smile. “You haven’t eaten anything since arriving here.”
“I...” she hesitated, then admitted, “Yes, actually. I was too nervous to eat earlier. ”
“Come with me,” I said, offering my hand. “The kitchen is loaded.”
She eyed my outstretched hand with suspicion. “You sure we won’t be in the way?”
“In my own house?” I laughed. “Never.”
Tia still hesitated, and I could almost see the internal debate playing out across her expressive face. Finally, she placed her hand in mine.
Zeus trotted happily by her side, glancing up into her face often, as if she was his new favorite person. The traitor had never warmed to any woman I’d brought home before.
We wandered through winding corridors until the marble floors gave way to terra-cotta tiles, and the scent of roasting lamb and oregano announced our arrival at the kitchens. Chefs called orders in rapid-fire Greek, knives drummed against wooden boards, and pots simmered on industrial ranges.
“Méno,” I commanded Zeus softly, pointing to a spot beside the doorway. He sat obediently, though his nose twitched at the enticing aromas wafting from within.
The kitchen staff cast curious glances at Tia as we entered. They were accustomed to my occasional raids, but not to me bringing guests along. Copper pots hung from overhead racks and bundles of dried herbs dangled from exposed beams .
I spotted dolmades and offered one to Tia’s lips. “Try this.”
She hesitated before taking a bite. Her eyes closed in pleasure, then opened with uncertainty as she parted her lips for more.
“Mmm...okay, wait—what is that? That’s so good.”
“This one is lamb, pine nuts, and mint,” I said, offering a warm pie. “A family recipe.”
“You aren’t having any?” she asked.
I grabbed one and finished it in a bite. Soon we were sampling everything while Cora, our longtime pastry chef, watched with indulgent amusement.
“This baklava hits different. Like, I don’t know what y’all put in it, but ours back home don’t even come close.”
I watched, fascinated by her bold enjoyment. Most women I knew picked at food, always conscious of appearances.
“How old are you, anyway?”
She raised an eyebrow. “How old do you think I am?”
“Eighteen?” I ventured.
“Seriously? Me and Kat just finished undergrad together.”
“Is this your first time in Greece?” I asked, not wanting my ex to intrude on this moment.
“Yes.”
“How are you liking it so far?” I reached for wine and led her to a corner table.
“Apart from pulling some crazy Greek dude from a car plunging down a cliff, it’s been a vibe,” she teased.
I couldn’t contain my laughter, letting it roll freely.
“Crazy Greek dude?” I echoed. “You know, most people would say I’m an excellent driver.
I have championship trophies to prove it.
But I’d like to point out that you were the one dancing in the middle of the road like some kind of seductress. What was I supposed to do?”
For the next half hour, we debated who was truly at fault for the accident. She insisted my driving was the primary cause, while I maintained her roadside dancing had created the dangerous situation in the first place.
We argued, each refusing to concede an inch of ground. But there was unmistakable warmth beneath our verbal sparring. The more we debated, the more I enjoyed her quick wit and unwillingness to back down.
I found myself increasingly drawn to her authenticity. Most women would have long since yielded to my version of events, but not Tia.
We sampled wines from my family’s vineyards and I learned she was my age. A Scorpio to my Capricorn. She’d visited Santorini but hoped to see Delphi and Meteora before returning home to job hunt in two weeks .
“Why don’t we head back to the party?” I suggested.
In my mind, I pictured Katalina’s face when she saw us enter together. I wanted to see her squirm and to know I wanted her friend.
It was childish, petty, and probably unfair to Tia, but I’d never claimed to be the good guy.
Tia stood, smoothing her dress and then I noticed the look of horror transforming her face. Then the color drained from her cheeks, leaving her complexion ashen.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, standing quickly, alarmed by the abrupt transformation.
She looked down at the cushion she’d been sitting on, and I followed her gaze. A bright red stain marred the cream-colored fabric.
“Oh my God. Oh my God. I’m so sorry—this is so embarrassing,” she sputtered, her hands trembling as they clutched at her dress.
Without hesitation, I retrieved my jacket from the back of my chair and placed it around her shoulders.
She stood at least a head shorter than me, and the jacket fell to her hips, effectively concealing the back of her dress.
Then I grabbed the cushion from the chair and guided her from the kitchen with my hand resting lightly at the small of her back .
“Please let me die now,” she whispered as we slipped into a less-traveled corridor.
“Don’t be dramatic,” I murmured. “It happens.”
I led Tia deeper into the villa, past ancient statuary and family portraits. Zeus padded silently behind us, sensing the change in mood.
As soon as we were inside my suite, Zeus settled on his bed in the corner. I pointed to a door of carved olive wood.
“The bathroom is through there.”
Tia darted inside and shut the door. The lock clicked firmly into place, followed by complete silence.
Unlike the elegance of the main house, my rooms reflected my own tastes. Racing trophies lined custom-built shelves along one wall, framed photographs of me behind the wheels of various supercars—some intact, some mere wreckage—told the story of my career in chronological order.
In one corner stood an easel holding a half-finished charcoal sketch of Zeus. Drawing was my secret refuge, the one activity that slowed my perpetually racing mind. No one knew about this hobby.
I examined the stained cushion while Zeus whined softly in his bed. I grabbed a napkin from my bedside table and poured water from the crystal carafe on it. I dabbed at the crimson spot on the cushion, only to watch in dismay as the stain bloomed outward like a watercolor painting.
“Shit,” I muttered, hastily shoving soggy napkins in the trash and flinging the cushion across the floor.
I approached the bathroom door and rapped gently with my knuckles. “Are you okay in there?”
No response. Only the soft sound of sniffling reached my ears.
“Tia, if you don’t answer, I’ll kick the door in.” I kept my voice calm despite the ultimatum.
Her voice wavered through the thick wood. “Go away.”
I sighed, pressing my forehead against the door, feeling strangely protective. “I should have a robe in there on the hook. Remove your dress and put it on. I’ll get one of the maids to help you.”
“This is literally the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me.” Her voice was muffled, as if she might be speaking through her hands.
“It’s natural,” I replied. “Is there anything I can get you?”
Her voice rose with distress, though a thread of resilience ran through it. “Yeah, um... a tampon, clean underwear, and maybe my dignity?”
The tension in my body eased. “I’ll handle it, I promise. ”
I flagged down Maria, a passing maid, handed her the cushion, and explained what I needed. She maintained her professional composure and promised to return promptly.
When Maria returned, she carried a small bag. After a brief exchange with Tia, she examined the stained dress.
“Fifteen minutes for the dress, Mr. Christakis,” she said, before departing.
I retrieved my phone from my pocket and scrolled to Katalina’s name. I sent her a quick message before I could reconsider. Tia would never know she was part of my revenge and Katalina would finally feel what I had.
I settled onto my bed, propping myself against the embroidered pillows, and waited.
Less than five minutes later, the door opened without a knock and Katalina swept in. Zeus immediately rose to his feet as he observed the intrusion.
Katalina’s smile froze when Tia stepped out of my bathroom at that exact moment, her frame swaddled in my navy silk robe, the monogrammed ‘CC’ visible on the breast pocket. Her gaze darted between us, then her gasp echoed to the coffered ceiling, bouncing off the paneling.