He flinched as he remembered the word, like he did every time that her name was mentioned. He also sighed. He would have to get used to it now.
He also made a mental note to ask his personal assistant to call her secretary and schedule for lunch or dinner on their anniversary day. That will be the time he would tell her of his plans.
Those plans were settling down with her, trying to coexist in peace, getting to know each other, being in each other’s lives more often, and finally trying to build a family. He did not know how she would react to that but surely she would like the idea? It was she who wanted to marry him in the first place.
Yes, she was mad at him for what he did to her on their wedding. But surely, ten years was a long enough time to forgive and forget, right? Especially when he himself was willing to throw away their past, along with all the lies, and start anew?
“Nikos! Are you there?” Marietta’s heavily accented voice snapped him out of his musings.
“Yes.”
“I said will you meet me at MGM Grand later tonight? I am hosting this charity fashion show auction...then maybe we could grab some drinks afterwards?”
Nikos checked his watch and tried to remember if he had any meetings scheduled tonight. When none came to mind, he decided that he also needed some company. Maybe Marietta was exactly what he needed to get his mind off things. If not, then this would be the perfect time to rid her of the notion that she’s going to be the next Mrs. Demakis.
“What time?” he asked her.
“The show starts at eight. Around ten, the auction will be done and it’s just the after-party.”
“I’ll be there at eight. I don’t have anything to do so I think I’d rather watch.”
“Perfect, darling! I’ll get you front stage tickets. I have to go. Call me when you’re there and I’ll meet you to give you tickets. Oh, and if you want to stay for the after party, bring a mask. It’s a masquerade ball. Till later, baby!”
And the line went dead.
Nikos placed his phone down, took off his diamond cuff links, his suit and then unbuttoned his shirt and removed his pants and shoes. He entered the bathroom and let the hot water slide down his skin as he placed his hands on the cold tiles of the wall.
He’d gone without socializing for quite some time now. This charity auction may be just what he needed to meet his friends once more and gain some new contacts for his business.
One hour later...
The MGM Grand Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada
Nikos Demakis sat in the front row of the catwalk as various skinny models in lingerie paraded before him.
He smiled with satisfaction as he realized he had dated some of them. Some looked at him with flirtatious expressions while some looked at him with anger. Those were the ones who wanted more and were bitter when he ended the relationship because he couldn’t give them the ‘more’ they were searching for.
Aside from eyeing the models, he also took in the details of the designs. Actually, he was a connoisseur of beautiful things and this set of designs really caught his eye. He often bought his mistresses expensive clothing to placate them and to not have things so complicated when he broke things off. Those were nothing compared to this.
Now, he made a mental note to ask his personal assistant to buy the clothing he sent out as gifts in this shop instead.
The parade went on and on and he grabbed his pen and noted the designs he wanted to buy later. Earlier, it was explained that the proceeds would go to the numerous orphanages that the owner of the shop sponsored.
Then, he focused back on the show. Overall, it was very organized and he found himself enjoying his night, something he hadn’t really done for a long time. He made another mental note to meet the designer and congratulate him or her on a very successful event.
He loved everything about it.
He loved how the ambiance and the music complemented the theme of the show. He loved the designs, the models chosen and the way they were asked to parade the clothing. He also loved the fact that this show was for a good cause.
But all good things come to an end.
Time flew so fast that Nikos was surprised when they announced that the show was already over. For the last part, all the models came out wearing evening gowns with their masks on. All their evening gowns were designed by the owner of the fashion line and he concluded that this was what all of them would be wearing for the after party.
Finally, the designer exited the stage and everyone stood up and clapped. He also clapped and he was even more amazed when he saw that it was a woman. His heart skipped inside his chest and for some reason, he felt as if he knew her.
He studied her and looked at her from head to toe. She had gorgeous brown hair that fell down her back in a mass of beautiful curls. Her skin looked so soft and it was a bit toned as if she spent some time under the sun. But what he noticed most about her was that she had curves that could make any man’s mouth water. He couldn’t see her eyes through the mask but he could see her lips which made him want to kiss them all night long.
All those were just physical characteristics.
He also counted in the fact that she had a brilliant mind for her designs were absolutely exquisite. Her gaze fell towards him for a moment, and he saw her stop. The instant their eyes connected, he felt a jolt of electricity go through his entire body. Again, he couldn’t help but feel that tingle of recognition.
Her lips parted and he knew she must’ve felt the same way too...or maybe it was just his imagination for she quickly looked away.
Her reaction to him made him all the more certain; he just had to meet her.
**********
“Hi! Are you enjoying your night?” Cassia asked her guests. All of them nodded and began to chat with her enthusiastically about her designs. They also told her that they were sure that they were going to bid for a lot of her designs tonight.
Cassia smiled and marveled at her success. Overall, this night was perfect! It was everything she envisioned it to be. The show and her designs were a success! She was sure she would gather a lot of profit for her numerous charities later tonight.
There were just two things that dampened her spirits: the first one was that Nikos Demakis was here.
When her eyes connected with his, she felt as if she was back in Greece. For a moment there, she was taken back to the time when she was still a naive girl who blindly followed her grandfather’s wishes. She was also reminded of the fact that she was so infatuated with Nikos Demakis at one point in time
Then he looked at her with desire in his eyes. During that moment, memories of their wedding night arose. He had looked at her that way as he kissed her and mastered her body. But that desire was worth nothing. The next morning, he came straight to his mistress’ bed and chose her over his own wife. Then came all the humiliation.
She steeled her resolve and looked away. She wore a mask and he’d never recognize her anyway. She would just have to avoid him for the rest of the night. He wouldn’t recognize her for they hadn’t seen each other for a couple of years. Several things had changed. One of them was that she wasn’t blonde anymore. Her hair color was back to its natural brown. Also, she wasn’t fat. It all melted away in college when she had to work and study at the same time.
As for the second reason she was not a hundred percent happy: Hector wasn’t here.
He promised her he wouldn’t miss this fashion show for the world. But he did. He said something came up in his work again and that caused him to miss his flight to Las Vegas. And then he was also running late due to traffic.
Cassia shook her head and sighed. Well, it seemed as if she had her answer: she would always come second in his life. His business would always take first place and the most room in his heart.
“All right, then. Please enjoy the rest of the night,” she told her guests and then moved away to entertain other guests.
She was stopped on her way when a man walked towards her. Her breath caught in her throat when she realized it was none other than Nikos Demakis.
“Hi.” Nikos drawled.
“Hello,” Cassia replied.
Her heart started beating a furious rhythm inside her chest but she willed herself to be calm. She would not show Nikos any fear. If possible, she’d never reveal her identity. But he would know about this sooner or later. Well then, she’d just remove her mask when the perfect opportunity came.
“I just wanted to commend you on your designs. They are excellent. Far more superior to any other I’ve ever seen. They are very unique and creative.”
“Thank you,” Cassia replied and then she tilted her head up. “I think you are a man who doesn’t give compliments easily. So your words must be true,” she added in a flat tone.
“That is true,” Nikos laughed.
He grabbed two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and passed one to her. She took it and thanked him with a nod.
“So...what brings you here to my show, Mr. Demakis? You didn’t strike me as the man with a taste for fashion.”
“How’d you know my name?
“Everyone knows Mr. Nikos Demakis.”
The corner of his lips turned up in an arrogant smile. “Well, I was just in town. And this was a great event. I thought I’d go. This is for charity too which just makes it all the more interesting.”
“I hope you bid for some pieces later tonight for charity.”