Page 74

Rose didn’t understand their reactions.
Adonis launched himself from the stool and barreled into the couple’s legs in a fierce hug. “Papaous! Yaya!”
Rose took a better look at the woman dressed in a loose top and linen pants and at the man in a short-sleeved button-down and khaki Bermuda shorts.
Papaous scooped Adonis up and kissed his cheek before resting the boy on his hip.
Yaya beelined for Stavros and embraced him. “Leo, my dear.”
Bewildered, Rose looked at Mr. P. Why was Yaya calling Stavros Leo? Was it his first name? And why had she hugged him before her own son. Were these Stavros’s parents? What was happening?
“What are you doing here?” Stavros choked out.
“We were missing you and the grandchildren.” She looked around. “Where’s Nefeli?”
Stavros cleared his throat. “She’s sleeping. She had a rash and fever last night.”
“Poor dear.”
“Rose took good care of her.” He gestured to her.
Yaya stepped forward and took Rose by the hand. “Rose, a pleasure to meet you. Has my son been taking good care of you?”
At a loss for words, Rose nodded. Her head was spinning, trying to understand the situation.
“I’m Nessa Papadakis, and this rogue is Theodon. We’re Leo’s parents.”
Her husband approached, still holding Adonis. “Call me Theo.”
“I’m sure Leo appreciated all you did for Nefeli, though I doubt he left his daughter’s side.” She threw an arm around Stavros and pulled him tight.
“Leo? Daughter?” Rose looked between the couple, Stavros, Adonis, and Mr. P. As she studied their facial features, clarity hit her like a bolt of Zeus’s lightning. Mr. P didn’t look like the other four.
Nessa cocked her head. “Leo Papadakis”—she gave her son a shake—“is our son, billionaire heir, and CEO of Papadakis Olive Oil.”
The heat of deceit cracked over Rose’s head and raced down to her toes. “You’re Leo?” she asked Stavros, with her hands curled into fists.
He nodded, with shame burning in his eyes.
They were all in on his secret, except for her, the idiot in the room.
Rose put her fists on her hips. “Then who is Stavros?”
Mr. P raised his hand. “I’m head of security.”
Hot tears brimmed in her eyes as she turned her wrath on Stavros, no Leo. “You lied to me.”
Leo broke away from his mother’s arm and took one step toward Rose. “It’s not what you think.” The pleading in his tone was lost on her.
She stepped back. “You’re everything I thought the wealthy to be. Deceitful, selfish, arrogant. You used me.”
“Please, Rose, let me explain,” Leo begged.
“No. I never want to see you again.” Rose grabbed her bag and raced from the room toward the beach, her heart breaking with every step.
From behind her she heard Nessa say, “Leo, what’s going on?”
The real Stavros said, “You should’ve told her, man.”