Just right now, he punched one of his friends to rescue this girl he did not even know. For sure he’d be in another of those blasted tabloids.
Quick as a flash, the two of them became the center of attention and the only thing he could do to avoid reporters swarming around both of them right now would be to whisk her away to the dance floor.
Nikos waved his hand and it was as if someone hit the play button once more. The music resumed, people turned around to go about their business and conversation all around the party started once more. He then pulled Cassia close and placed his hand on her waist. She seemed stunned as he guided her onto the dance floor.
This was her first dance ever and she was so lucky to be in this hero’s arms.
Effortlessly, Nikos Demakis led her on the steps of the waltz. He smiled at her when she stepped on his foot and adjusted his steps for her. With every sway, every smile and every step, Cassia fell deeper and deeper.
“I’m sorry about what happened,” Nikos said after a long moment of awkward silence.
“Thank you for rescuing me...” Cassia breathed.
“It’s nothing,” Nikos replied in a clipped Greek accent that made Cassia’s pulse skyrocket.
“I am Nikos Demakis.”
“And I am Cassia Andrade...”
There was a long pause and Cassia noticed a different expression cross Nikos’ face. It was something like surprise mixed with uncertainty. But it was gone in a flash and she thought that she must’ve just imagined it.
“Nice to meet you, Cassia,” Nikos managed after a few seconds of silence. He never expected that the woman he saved was the Andrade heiress that everyone was talking about. He didn’t envision that this was how they’d meet.
He tilted his head to the side and looked at her features. Yes, he agreed with what everyone was saying. She seemed plain, but if one looked at her harder and got past that first glance, it was plain to see that she had a fine facial bone structure. She also had skin so smooth and so pale that it looked as if it was glowing.
They called her fat but what Nikos saw was curves that made his mouth water. He blinked and tried to clear his head of these shameful thoughts. She was the granddaughter of the man that wanted to ruin his family! If he made her one of his conquests and broke her heart, the Demakis Shipping Corporation would surely plummet to the ground under her grandfather’s wrath.
“The pleasure’s mine...” she managed to reply.
They say time flies when you are enjoying yourself.
That happened to Cassia. All too quickly, the dance was over and she found herself craving to be closer to her savior. She wished he’d take her in his arms again and dance with her until the night was over.
But that was not to be. Cassia frowned a bit when Nikos let go of her hand. Then, he bowed and she realized that the song had already ended. She so desperately wished that it would go on for a little while longer for she really wanted to know him more.
It was as if there was something in him that called out to her.
She wanted him...badly.
“Thanks for the dance. I have to go,” Nikos Demakis said as he picked up her hand and kissed it.
Then, he turned his back and walked towards his peers who started teasing him because he danced with her. He just shrugged as though it wasn’t really a grave matter. He turned back towards her one last time.
When their eyes met across the crowded ballroom, he winked.
“I think I’m in love...” Cassia giggled.
CHAPTER 2 - SACRIFICE
“Sebastian. Excellent as always. I expected no less from you.”
Sebastian’s chest puffed out with pride at his boss’ words. In their world, you either lived by the rules or you died trying to fit in. It seemed as if the fates were smiling down at him. He just managed to secure police protection from a corrupt set of officials. Now, they were free to do their business in this city.
“The bosses will be pleased. For this, I will grant you a boon. Ask anything and if it is within my power, I will grant it to you.”
Sebastian grinned. This was what he was waiting for.
“I need you to get me a job. I have a specific one in mind.”
“A job? Why? You can live off your commissions!” his boss exclaimed.
“Let’s just say that I have another ulterior motive...a personal vendetta.”
His boss smiled menacingly. “Well why didn’t you just say that? I love vendettas. Tell me about it and this job you want is yours.”
September 22, 2003
The Amphitrite (Nikos’ Yacht)
Somewhere in the Greek Coast
***RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING***
Nikos turned and then groaned at the shrill ringing of his cell phone.
Who would dare interrupt him when he said that he didn’t want to be disturbed and that all his calls and meetings be cancelled? He picked up a pillow and placed it over his head to drown out the noise.
“I think you better get that, Cherie,” the woman beside him purred in a heavy French accent. He lifted the covers and stared at her exquisite features. She smiled at him and it was the smile of someone well-satisfied.
Her hair was tousled and her cheeks were still flushed from their recent bout of lovemaking. He smiled at her and she launched herself up his body and began kissing him eagerly. She was a renowned French supermodel and she was his latest mistress.
Nikos felt his body responding to her expert caress and he almost gave in. But they were interrupted once more by the incessant ringing of his phone.
He sighed and then placed one last kiss on her lips and stood up to retrieve his phone.
“Nikos Demakis. And this better be important,” he growled.
His grandfather’s laughter echoed in his ears.
“Nikos. I assure you that this is important,” Stavros Demakis answered his only grandson.
“Nice hearing from you, Pappou... How are you?”
“Fine, my boy, but I am afraid I need to cut your vacation short. I need you here at the office as soon as possible. You know the current state of our company and I have some things I must discuss with you.”
Nikos pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes in a gesture of exasperation. He had planned his weekend with Marietta, for a really long time now. He had pursued her relentlessly but it was a long time before she succumbed to him. He wanted to cherish this moment of triumph when she was finally his.
But his time with her would have to be cut short for his grandfather requested his presence immediately.
“All right, Pappou...I will meet you in time for dinner,” Nikos answered.
“Good. See you, son,” Stavros replied and then cut the line.
Nikos ruffled his hair and then turned back to his pouting mistress. “I’m sorry but I have to go,” he said as he reached for the drawer beside his bed and opened it. “For you.” He opened a jewelry case that nestled a beautiful emerald necklace.
“Oui!C'est beau! C'est parfait! Merci!” she squealed as she showered him with kisses. Nikos laughed and quickly flipped her onto her back, rubbing his hardening shaft against her.
“I think we still have some time for you to thank me properly before I leave.”
Several Hours Later
Demakis Corporation Headquarters
The Penthouse Suite
Stavros Demakis inspected his grandson from head to toe while he approached.
He noted the arrogant strides Nikos took and how he seemed to radiate power and authority with every step. He recognized that stance and it brought him several memories from his past when he was the same age as his grandson.
Stavros smiled in welcome while he shifted to hide the newspaper he was reading before Nikos arrived. It featured his grandson once more and the rumors that he was dating some French supermodel. Stavros knew Nikos’ lifestyle even if his grandson didn’t communicate with him often. It was not needed when he read about it in the papers almost every week.
Who could fault the boy for doing that anyway?
He was rich and he was young. Even though he was only twenty four years old, he already graduated from Harvard with a business degree. Right now, Nikos had his own money from buying and selling in the stock market. He also managed his own businesses while working for the Demakis Corporation.
Stavros then wondered how he was going to break the news to his grandson.
“Pappou,” Nikos greeted and he gave his grandfather a tight hug.
Stavros chuckled and patted Nikos’ back.
“How have you been?”
“Excellent, my boy. And you?”
“Never better,” Nikos replied with a smile.
Stavros walked towards his desk and indicated for Nikos to sit. Nikos folded his tall frame into the couch in front of the desk and awaited his grandfather’s words.
“Nikos...you are aware of the situation of our company currently, right?”
Anger flashed quickly in Nikos’ eyes and his entire body seemed to grow taut.
“Yes,” he said through clenched teeth.
“It seems as if Costas Andrade has finally pushed us to our last limits,” he breathed.
Stavros sighed, leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Let’s change the topic here first, Nikos. Have you met the Andrade girl? What do you think of her?”
“She’s different from the women in her circle. She seems naive about this kind of world. Wait... Pappou, if you are thinking about asking me to date that Andrade girl to get her grandfather to be more amenable to us, you are probably wrong. I’d just end up breaking the poor girl’s heart and Costas’ wrath will be upon us further. Nothing will be left for us, not even the clothes on our backs,” Nikos replied with humor.