Chapter One
Mina Lane stood silently in the large room, her hands clasped tightly around the clutch bag she held defensively before her, rigid fingers gripping the faux leather tightly as they trembled with fear. Looking around the large study she found herself in, her eyes had grown wider at the opulence of the space, swallowing the lump in her throat as she had felt the groan rise to her lips. If the man she had come to see hoped to intimidate her then he was doing a fine job of it, her fingers grasping the bag even tighter.
Ushered into the room by his efficient secretary, who having delivered her safely into the imposing oak-panelled room had quickly turned and left, Mina had flicked a look around, so unsure as to what to do next. Every nerve in her body had wanted to bolt from that room as she had tried hard not to let the way her insides shook show, knowing that so much rested on this meeting.
With grim determination she had stood her ground, the image of a frail woman giving her legs strength as she had finally moved forward towards the magnificent desk which dominated the room, positioned before the large window which allowed light to flood into the area. It was however, the man that sat behind the desk who had held her attention, both imposing and devastatingly handsome, as he sat back in the large leather chair, his eyes watching her intently as she had moved towards him. Seeing the expensive suit he wore, probably costing more than she could make in a month, Mina had suddenly felt so aware of the cheap drab High Street suit she wore, her comfortable yet inelegant shoes making a clip clop noise as she closed the distance between them.
With her nerve frayed to breaking point he had sat so calmly, wordless and motionless following her every move as she had reached his desk extending her hand politely, faltering slightly as he had ignored it, a frown furrowing his handsome face.
“Thank you for seeing me Mr Dupris”
She had said, her voice thankfully coming out more calm and sure than she had felt.
“I am Mina…” she continued, before being interrupted by the man before her.
“I know who you are Miss Lane”
He had shot over her, his voice harsh and cold still ignoring the outstretched hand, as she had once more brought it back to clutch the purse. For a second which seemed to stretch out forever, his eyes had flashed coldly at her the anger and contempt in them so evident.
Once more Mina had wanted to turn on her sensible shoes and flee, but raising her chin in a defiance she did not feel she had returned his look, her large green eyes holding his icy grey ones. Finally he had moved, his arm thrust out towards her his hand open.
“Did you bring the document?”
His look showing his annoyance as she had opened her purse before fishing around and drawing from it a neatly folded sheet of paper which she had held out to him, aware of how it trembled slightly in her fingers. Nikos Dupris had not missed the small tremble of her hand, a satisfied look briefly crossing his features as he had snapped it from her fingers before opening it and focussing on the contents.
As Mina had stood nervously trying not to fidget, his deep voice had once more barked authoritavely.
“Sit”.
She could feel the indignation bristling within, as anger had filled her at his rudeness and contempt. However, she had also been relieved to sink into the leather chair close by, feeling how her legs had wanted to buckle beneath her.
Determined not to watch as he scoured every detail on the document she had looked around the room which screamed money from the many, expensive and exquisite oil paintings to the rich intricate rugs which littered the floor. The sound of his voice had pulled Mina from her wide -eyed look around, snapping her head back to the man now folding the document before opening a drawer by his side and dropping it casually inside. Mina had followed the piece of paper as it fluttered downwards, her eyes darting to his in alarm, her mouth opening to complain, as he had smiled, his eyes as cold as ever.
“Obviously I will need to verify the authenticity of this”
He had said softly, his tone cold. Mina had bitten back the words at his actions, anger once more gripping her.
“Of course” she had finally managed just as coldly.
“I can always obtain another”, the threat not lost on him as his eyes had flashed briefly with anger before he had sat back into his chair, his grey eyes regarding her so closely.
“So you claim to be Alexander’s bastard child” he had said softly, his tone dripping with disdain, a small gleam of satisfaction jumping to his eyes as she had gasped with shock.
“Alexander Mentis was my father” Mina had replied in a low tone, barely hiding the hurt which filled her, her nails digging deeply into the soft flesh of her palm to stop the tears which she felt warming the back of her eyes from spilling down her cheek, determined not to give the cold man before her the satisfaction of seeing how much he had upset her with his words.