Chapter 15
Emilia stopped by a souvlatzidiko to pick up a gyro kotopoulo me pitta and an extra portion of patates before heading back to her hotel. The funeral earlier today as well as the news she had just received from Mr Roidis had left her feeling overwhelmed. Having a meal out tonight and being around people didn’t seem like a good idea.
She needed time alone to think about what she was going to do next. A quick shower and a quiet meal on her balcony eating her souvlaki sounded like the perfect option. Besides, she was impatient to read the letter from her aunt, and the privacy of her room’s balcony would do her just fine.
She had just turned into the lane that led to her hotel when her phone rang. She got it out of her bag on the second ring, her hands slightly trembling from the effort to hurry. There was one caller she had in mind and hoped that was him. Her heart gave a thump when she read the name on the screen. Andreas!
She took in a steadying breath and stopped walking. Resting her back against a wall that was half-covered with bright green vines and stunning fuchsia blooms, she answered the call. ‘Hello?’
‘Hi, Emilia. It’s Andreas,’ she heard him say in his familiar jovial tone.
‘Oh, hi, Andreas! What a pleasant surprise!’
‘Hope I’m not disturbing anything?’
‘No, not at all.’
‘Good… Just thought I’d call to let you know, in case you’re worried about the doggie, that it’s doing just fine. Actually, she is doing just fine. I’ve given her a bath and had a look !’ he said with a chortle.
‘Oh, she’s a girl. That’s nice. And wonderful to hear she’s doing well. You’re so thoughtful, Andreas. So, how are you?’
‘Fine, thanks. And you? How were things at the funeral?’
‘Well, the way one would expect, I guess… Thank you for asking, though. I appreciate that a lot.’
‘Oh, yeah… of course, goes without saying. I felt for you, Emilia… Again, my condolences for your aunt.’
‘Thanks, Andreas. Actually, you won’t believe what just happened…’
‘Yeah? Do tell!’ he said, his voice coming alive with excitement.
Emilia went on to tell him quickly about the house she’d inherited and, what’s more, the letter from her aunt which she hadn’t read yet. He sounded increasingly excited.
‘That’s wonderful news, Emilia. I am so happy for you. Your aunt must have loved you very much to leave you her house.’
‘Yes, I guess she did.’
‘She had no children of her own?’
‘No, she didn’t.’
‘So, what do you think? Will you move to Milos now? Because that would be fantastic. I… I recently moved back here, as you know, and I already think it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.’
‘I can imagine. But I am still shocked, I guess, and unable to think clearly. Also, I want to read the letter first. I am so curious…’
‘Of course, of course… Are you okay reading it on your own? Do you need moral support perhaps? Just say. I could get in the car in a jiffy, be there in fifteen minutes tops. I could even bring Sissi to make you smile.’
‘Sissi?’ she said with a chuckle, realizing he meant the puppy.
‘Yes, what do you think of it? Does it sound like a good name for our foster daughter?’ he joked. ‘Here! Come here, Sissi. Pes ya sti manoula! Say hi to Mummy!’
The sounds of yelps, whimpers and excited barks caused Emilia to laugh out loud. It was so cute… Not just the puppy but also the fact he had done that for her. It had lifted her spirits in a second. ‘Thank you, Andreas,’ she said, giggling.
‘I tickled her tummy to get her to talk!’ he said, chortling. ‘See? She did cheer you up. Want us to come?’
Emilia thought for a moment, then said, ‘Thank you, Andreas, but I think I prefer to be alone tonight. Alone with the letter and my thoughts. The notary gave me the keys to the house. I am going there tomorrow morning, and… I guess… I’ll take some time to decide whether or not I’m staying on the island. I hope you don’t think it’s rude of me to say I’d rather be alone tonight. I’d love to see you again soon. And Sissi…’
‘Don’t worry about it, I understand. Give us a call when you’re ready to meet up, okay?’
‘Thanks, Andreas. I’ll call you soon. Promise.’
‘ Kalinichta , Emilia. And, for what it’s worth, I hope you’ll stay.’
Those words warmed her heart no end. His voice, gentle and sexy, filled her ears, causing her heart to beat faster. ‘Thanks, Andreas… Again, thank you for phoning me. Kalinichta . Give Sissi a kiss for me.’
He laughed and made a few pecking sounds. ‘Sissi is sending you kisses too.’
###
Elise stabbed a piece of her bifteki and began to chew it with relish. ‘Oh, my goodness! This place does have the best bifteki in town. The online guide wasn’t kidding!’
Across from her at the taverna table, Chloe chewed a large mouthful of her moussaka and rolled her eyes. ‘Hope it’s not blasphemy to say I am in Heaven right now!’
Elise tittered. ‘So, is it better with this rich tomato sauce served on top? I’ve never seen moussaka served that way before.’
Chloe chewed for a few more moments, eyes half-closed. Elise gave her a moment to return to Earth while she enjoyed another forkful of their delicious choriatiki salad. She and Chloe had already cut into half and devoured the large slice of feta cheese the salad had arrived crowned with earlier.
Chloe swallowed and said, ‘As divine as this is, I still think Eva’s moussaka back on Sifnos was the best, and she never served it with tomato sauce. If only Esmera could bring me a piece! By the way, what time did she say she’s coming from Sifnos?’
‘She didn’t say on the phone. She only said she had a quick job to do on Sifnos on her way here from Athens.’
‘Did she tell you what our next assignment is?’
‘No. She only said to meet her at the windmill at sun down.’
‘You do realize we have less than half an hour to get to Plaka, right?’ said Chloe. ‘So, eat up.’
Elise laughed. ‘You do realize it will only take us a moment to get there, right?’
Chloe face-palmed herself, then took a sip of her water.
Elise shook her head. ‘Don’t worry. It takes a while to forget the human ways. By the way, what is your plan for that bully?’
Chloe twisted her lips. ‘Hate to admit it, but I think I may have dived into the deep end with her.’
Elise gave a soft sigh. ‘Hate to say it, but I knew choosing a bully would make your assignment super tough. It wasn’t a clever move. So unlike you.’
‘Can I change? Can I choose the quiet girl instead? The bully harasses her every day, but it would be easy to help her…’
Elise pressed her lips together, shaking her head. ‘Nuh-uh! There’s no cheating in our code. You know how it is. Once you choose an assignment, you can’t go back. It’s your sacred obligation now to help the bully. What did you say her name was?’
‘It’s Lena. But helping her is going to be hard. I never expected her to be in such a bad emotional state.’
‘So Lena’s dad has passed away?’
‘Yes… A couple of years ago.’
‘And her mother works long hours, you said?’
‘Yes, odd hours. Weekends too, and nights till late. The two hardly have a meal together at home, let alone enjoy quality time together.’
‘And how does Lena feel about all that?’
‘She misses her father, obviously, and, somehow, even though she knows her mother loves her, she can’t help feeling unloved and neglected. I was surprised to find out she feels like a burden to her mother as well. She’s angry. Very angry. And contemplates running away all the time.’
‘Poor thing… What else did you read from her aura? Is that all?’
‘That’s all, for now. She slept only a little in the afternoon. I hope to find more about her during her REM sleep phase tonight.’
‘Oh yeah, of course you will. The REM phase will tell you everything you need to know.’
Chloe swung her head from side to side, amazed. ‘Who’d ever thought you can read minds and hearts during sleep? Every day I learn so many amazing things from you and Esmera. Being an angel rocks!’
Elise pointed to Chloe’s plate. ‘Hey, Chloe, eat up! Trust me, you don’t want to be late when Esmera wants you. So, hurry! We’re having ekmek kataifi for dessert!