Chapter 4 - Till we meet again

Melina's pov:

-"Hello Miss.....?" the handsome man asked me with a wide smile. Apparently my game didn't displease him. On the contrary, it pleased him, very.

-"Er.....I....." I managed to say. I couldn't say a word. I looked like a kid caught stealing a jar of candy. Embarrassed was an understatement. My cheeks should probably be tomato red with embarrassment. How could I do this? What was I thinking?

-"Cat ate your tongue Miss?" he asked sarcastically. He seemed to enjoy the whole situation, especially my awkwardness.

-"I'm ....I'm terribly sorry Sir. I thought you were someone else......" I mumbled.

-"I assume the Mayor wasn't the man you expected either... "he said ironically.

-"I .....I .....must.... go" I mumbled and headed quickly to the door.

-" Wait" the man ordered taking my hand. In a split second, he was out of his chair and right behind me. He turned me around. Our faces were inches apart. I could feel his breath on my face, so could him. But I couldn't look him straight in the eyes. I was too embarrassed to do that. I unconsciously looked down. A few minutes ago, I had closed my eyes and kissed this man's cheek! A man who is completely unknown to me! What was I thinking?

Placing his thumb on my chin he lifted my head up. Our eyes locked. We stood there in the middle of the office, completely silent looking at each other for a few seconds. Although he had beautiful gray eyes, something in his gaze made me shudder. My emotions were like a roller coaster. Out of pure shame I was startled and into a thrill that I could not define but shook my inner world.

-"What is your name? Who were you looking for here?" his question broke the silence that prevailed the last seconds.

-"No one" I said timidly.

-"Don't lie to me miss. Why are you here?" he asked more intensively this time.

-"I ...... I was looking for a friend" I replied.

-"You were looking for a friend....Here?" he asked in disbelief.

-"We were playing a game" I quickly cited as an excuse.

-"Playing a game? Aren't you too old to play hide and seek?" he commented sarcastically.

-"I............" I tried to excuse myself when a man's voice stopped me.

-"I am sorry for making you wait, Stavros! You know how the Balls are....." the voice told as he entered the office. It was the Mayor! "Now I am really in a big trouble!" I told myself.

The Mayor is one of my father's good friends. He is going to tell him everything! "Now I'm definitely screwed!"

-"Theodore! Nice to see you!" the man greeted him cordially.

-"And who is this wonderful lady?" he said as he approached me.

I stood paralyzed in my seat. How was I going to explain to the Mayor what I was doing alone with this man in his office? Being with a man in a room was already a scandal! Then I've got an idea! The Mayor didn't wear his glasses and it was dark. He didn't recognize me! How could he? Without his glasses he is completely blind! "Now is the time!" I told myself and ran out of the room leaving both men standing there surprised.

I quickly passed the track and headed to our table. There was my father who was talking to Eugenia's father and some other gentlemen. I had to think of something fast, otherwise the man in the Mayor's office would expose me! But what? Tina would not accept to leave the ball so early. I was standing inches away from my father's chair trying to find the right opportunity to talk to him I felt a poke on my back.

-"May I have this dance my Lady?" George's familiar voice was heard. I was immediately relieved.

-"Of course my Lord" I answered smiling timidly letting him lead me to the dance floor.

-"Why you did not come? I was waiting for you" he said disappointingly.

-"Where were you?" I asked back.

-"At the Mayor's office"

-"Really?"

-"Yes! I was waiting for you!" he answered confidently.

"How is this possible? Is he lying to me? No, no George wouldn't do such a thing. He must have confused someone else's office with the Mayor's........" I thought to myself. "Better not tell him anything about my strange acquaintance with this man. I won't risk losing him because of a misunderstanding!"

-"I am terribly sorry! I just couldn't escape from the watchful eye of Tina" I cited as an excuse.

-"It's ok my love. I understand. Soon all these will be over! Don't worry my dove" he said and caressed my back discreetly.

We were dancing for some time, with George telling me everything about his stay in Athens, the negotiations and the deals he made. He was so excited with his trip! As he was speaking I imagined what my life would be like when we got married! It was then that a man poked George's back interrupting our dance. George turned back and the man standing behind was revealed. When I saw who he was, I was swept off of my feet! It was the same man I met in the Mayor's office! I lowered my head in shame.

-"May I borrow your dance partner?" he asked politely.

Although George did not want to let him dance with me, he had no choice. He wasn't my husband or my fiancée to deny him. His refusal would only raise suspicions about our relationship. And we didn't want that to happen. So he backed down and gave him his place. When George left, the man started talking.

-"We meet again" he said grinning broadly. I was frozen. I danced mechanically as my mind was working at a crazy pace. Why he was here? What did he want from me? How did he find me in a hall of nearly five hundred people?

-"Ι always find what I seek" he answered as if he had already read my mind. He made me doubt myself if I spoke my thoughts out loud.

I looked at him surprised. Who was this man?

-"I am Stavros Venieris, the biggest landlord in the area" he said cockily answering the question I made in my head once again.

-"Nice to meet you..........Sir" I found the courage to say.

-"Nice to meet you too Contessa Melina Komninou" he replied.

-"How do you know my name?" I asked him extremely surprised.

-"I told you before, I always find what I seek"

-"Please don't tell anyone about what happened tonight. Please! I am begging you!"

-" I won't" he reassured me.

-"You won't? Just like that? Don't you want something in return?" I asked him concerned. No one do you a favor without wanting something in return. I would be naïve if I believed in his "good" intentions.

-"I already like you. You are a smart girl" he commented caressing my cheek and continued "I'll like you better if you reveal the name of the man you expected to see in the Mayor's office."

-"No! I am sorry I cannot tell you that!" I said trying to find a way to escape from him. I had to leave the dance floor as discreetly as I could. I didn't want to draw attention. In our society appearances count the most. Fortunately, the waltz was coming to an end. I had to wait a few minutes during which time I remained silent and avoided looking at his face. I felt really uncomfortable.

On the other hand he kept looking intensively at me and hugging me tightly. I could tell I saw a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. But why did he feel that way? What did he accomplish?

But why did I care? I put those thoughts out of my head. I shouldn't care how he feels. I should only care about finding a way to get out of this awkward situation. The waltz finally stopped and each couple stood in their place applauding. I took the opportunity and headed to my table without looking back.

I found our table and sat down. I took a deep breath, a breath I never knew I was holding. After a few minutes I saw him approaching our table. My heart was pounding with anticipation. Would he reveal what happened in the Mayor's office? As soon as he reached our table he bowed to my father and the other counts and started a conversation with them. All this time he didn't lose me from his eyes. When his conversation with the others was over, he approached me in a seductive manner, kissed my hand and whispered softly in my ear.

-"Until we meet again my Lady". He raised his eyes and locked them with mine giving me the shivers. He excused himself to the seated and left with an arrogant way.