Chapter 26
Emilia, still in her true form since her mishap at Andreas’s garden, rose early the next morning. She practically jumped out of bed and dressed in a long paisley dress that left her shoulders and upper back bare. She didn’t normally wear anything like this.
Her wardrobe consisted mostly of unisex, comfortable clothes that better suited a teen rather than a woman her age. But Adamas had wonderful clothes stores for women. The previous evening, during a walk with the girls, she’d felt very lucky to find this dress for the occasion of visiting Andreas at his restaurant. It suited her perfectly, and she had to admit her body was in good shape, despite her years.
It was going to be a scorcher today. She would need a hat to walk to the restaurant as it would take about a quarter of an hour to get there on foot. Luckily, there was a souvenir shop just down the road. She’d get a straw hat from there. They had plenty to choose from.
She couldn’t wait to meet Andreas at Trata – his restaurant. Of course, she and the girls would have to keep Aleka sweet by visiting her too at Perdika. They were planning to have a refreshment at her business first, then go and meet Andreas.
The following day, she was starting work in Andreas’s garden, taking the form of Lia to do that. She feared it would become hard to find the chance to meet him in her true form from there on, but the girls had promised her it would work out.
Smiling to herself in the mirror, pleased with her reflection, she decided to focus on today and to make the best of her time in Andreas’s company. Still, she shuddered at the memory of her mishap the previous day. She hoped the gift would never expire again in his presence! Thanks to Elise, she’d barely escaped with her dignity intact. That was close. So close.
###
Chloe was alone in the kitchen with Elise preparing breakfast for themselves and Emilia. All the while, Chloe filled in Elise on all the remaining details about her wonderful Pleiadian teacher, Laranon. She was bursting at the seams for their first lesson together this evening.
She was a little sad though, that she was going to miss having lunch with the girls at Andreas’s restaurant. She planned to pick up both Lena and Sotiria today after school. She was going to invite them both to play with her in the field and follow the advice Laranon had given her.
Soon, Emilia joined them and the three had their breakfast in record time, leaving the house straight after. They hurried up the narrow lane to the main road, quite in contrast to their usual leisurely pace, but they were trying to avoid getting noticed by Mrs Popi.
They heard the creak of her porch door open as they passed by and dived under the dense foliage of the olive tree outside the house next door. The last thing they needed was her getting into a long conversation with Emilia and asking questions. Where Lia was, for one…
###
Papikinou beach was as stunning as Emilia remembered it to be. Clear azure waters and fine golden sand made for an enchanting sight. The shore was edged with tamarisk trees offering generous shade. A string of eateries, souvenir shops and minimarkets lined the main road.
They took their time, walking along the beach for a while. Then, they sat under the shade of the trees on a bench, just taking in the buoyant beach vibe and relishing the cooling breeze. When they decided it was time for a refreshment, they asked a local to point them in the direction of Perdika, Aleka’s restaurant.
It was close by, on the main road, easy to identify. The huge sign at the entrance depicted a partridge, which was the name of the place in Greek.
Perdika’s seating area was decked with dark wood and had artificial torches hanging from the side walls as well as big fans in every corner. The tables and chairs were dark wood too, making the style quite different to your typical Greek taverna. Still, Emilia had to admit it had an impressive feel about it and certainly stood out from the other establishments on the road.
She’d already spotted Andreas’s restaurant as they were coming from the other side of the road. She knew that the name, Trata, was a type of Greek fishing boat. A modest sign hung over the fa?ade. The place looked typically Greek-taverna-ish, and perfectly quaint, with striped blue and white plush sofas near the bar in one corner. At the main restaurant area, the tables were laid with sky blue tablecloths and the seats of the wooden chairs were thatched. It was an idyllic sight. She couldn’t wait to go see it up close.
‘Come on, Emilia!’ she heard and felt a tug on her arm. It was Chloe. They were standing on the road still, outside Perdika.
Beside the little girl, Elise tittered. ‘You’ll see Andreas later. Let’s get the boring stuff out of the way first!’ She pointed to Perdika and they stepped up to the seating area in a single file with Elise leading the way. She went to the nearest table and sat, the others following suit. The place was fairly quiet, with just a couple of other tables taken.
A few moments later, Takis emerged from the bar in the far corner. As he approached, he clapped his hands once together, eyes gleaming. ‘Emilia! I thought it was you! How are you?’
‘Fine, thank you…’ she said coldly, not bothering to ask him after his health. His vile manner at the bar the other night had left a bitter taste in her mouth she still couldn’t shake. Of course, he didn’t know it was her. She was Lia then and, at the time, he was quite loose-tongued – intoxicated. Trying her best to conceal her dismay, she turned to her friends, making introductions.
Takis’s huge smile had turned into a thin one as he took their identical orders of freshly squeezed orange juice. Tight-lipped, he disappeared with haste into the building.
Seconds later, Aleka walked out in a skimpy mini dress patterned in a 70s style with huge blue circles in three different tones. Huge link golden earrings hung from her ears, her hair cascading on her shoulders in thick bouncy curls. Arms open wide, she moved straight to Emilia, face beaming. ‘Cousin! Welcome, so wonderful to have you here! Thank you for coming!’ She bent over and air-kissed Emilia on both cheeks.
Taken aback, Emilia had no choice but to reciprocate in kind. She didn’t believe this sudden explosion of amity for a second. What does she want? she couldn’t help wondering, as she introduced her friends to Aleka and then watched her engage them in a friendly chat about the busy tourist season and the perfect, warm weather.
Elise was doing most of the talking with Aleka, the latter’s tongue and chin wagging endlessly, seemingly powering up her huge earrings that kept chiming and clanking against her shoulders as she gestured heavily with her hands and whipped her head around this way and that.
All Emilia could do was watch and wonder. Perhaps, she just acts like that with everybody. All friendly and nice, for the sake of her business. She certainly can’t fool me for a second that I’ve suddenly become her favourite relative. No way!
Takis then reappeared to bring the drinks. He looked sheepish now, yet, his eyes never left Emilia, and even wandered up and down her frame a couple of times. Having served the refreshments he gave a firm nod, and with a simple ‘enjoy!’ he turned around and disappeared into the building.
Aleka then gave them all a wave and a ‘see you later’ and left to follow Takis inside.
Emilia heaved a huge sigh, grateful to be allowed to enjoy her refreshment in peace with her friends. As she took a few gulps, letting the cool liquid soothe her dry throat from the earlier walking in the heat, she found the quiet blissful. Gosh… I hate her voice, her manner, and everything about her. There. I’ve done the right thing. I’ve come here to show I bear no grudges for her appalling manner at the reading of the will. But I don’t have to come back. I don’t have to see her again. Or stupid Takis. I am so done with them both!
###
The girls were ready to go so they called Takis over. He had been milling at the bar for a while, throwing glances their way every now and then, mostly at Emilia, much to her dismay.
They asked for the bill and, with a simple nod, he went inside. Aleka then emerged from the building to announce the drinks were on the house. Emilia and the girls had no choice but to accept this offering with thanks, then left the premises.
Emilia was still seething as they walked down the street in the direction of Andreas’s restaurant, which was just two doors down. Once they reached a closed building that stood between the two eateries, Emilia stopped short under the shade of a tree and the others did too.
This property was deserted and looked like some kind of abandoned warehouse. Emilia put on her dark glasses and gave a quiet little grunt. She wasn’t happy to receive a gift from Aleka, even something as trivial as the cost of three drinks, because she knew that Aleka did nothing without ulterior motive, nothing out of the goodness of her heart.
She guessed Elise and Chloe could tell how her annoyance was brewing inside, because they both did something very strange then. They placed their hands on her shoulders at the same time—one each on either side—and this had an immediate effect on her. Suddenly, she felt cooled down, as if someone had just thrown a bucket of soothing tepid water over her, washing away all her tension.
Then, she felt her heart soften, and all her facial features too… It strangely felt like a feather touch all over her face, radiating from her shoulders. It was like the flutter of bird wings, and it even tickled, reminding her of the way her mother used to give her butterfly kisses on her face at bedtime when she was small, using her long, thick lashes.
‘Oh… Mum…’ escaped from her lips, and with that, a single tear rolled down her cheek. ‘Uh…’ she uttered, when she slipped a fingertip under her sunglasses to catch her tear and peer at it. ‘What just happened? I don’t understand…’ she said, looking at Elise first, then Chloe. The look on their faces was identical, the epitome of sympathy. ‘What did you just do to me?’
Elise squeezed her shoulder. The earlier effect had long passed but this gentle gesture sent another arrow of warmth into her heart, causing it to liquefy further.
‘Why do I feel so much love inside of me? What have you done to me?’
‘A thank you would suffice for now, Emilia…’ said Elise, quite solemnly. That was so unlike her.
‘Thank you… but…’
‘No buts. Let’s just leave the revelations for another day,’ insisted Elise.
‘Yes, Emilia…’ interjected Chloe. ‘Another day. Now, you have more important things to do. You get to meet Andreas again today. As the real you! Yes?’ Her face ignited with excitement, and Emilia’s heart lifted at once to see it.
She gave a bright smile. ‘Okay, girls. I’ll leave the answers to all the mysteries surrounding you for another day. You’re right. More important things to do today.’ She gave a little cheer. ‘And I can’t wait to see Andreas!’
They’d been whispering all this time since the entrance to Trata was just a few steps away, and Andreas might even be in earshot without them knowing. The mere thought of being so close to him motivated her, and her feet began to move forward, as if of their own accord.
The three entered the seating area of Trata, and Emilia looked around profusely for a sign of Andreas or Stefan, but neither was in sight. Just four tables were taken at the time, mainly quiet couples enjoying chilled coffee or refreshments.
Emilia checked her watch. It was only eleven a.m. They had arrived too early for lunch. But perhaps they could have a glass of ouzo and some meze…
‘Emilia! You’re here!’ she heard then, the voice unmistakable. She detected the sheer enthusiasm in it and whipped her head toward the doorway to the interior, where it had come from, willing the frenetic rhythm of her heart to subside.