Page 28

LADURéE — MANHATTAN

"So, how are things?" Zoe asks.

I look at the woman—who is as beautiful as a painting—sitting in front of me. We’re at a candy store because Zoe felt the urge to eat a sweet called a macaron , which looks like two cookies glued together by achocolate filling or some type of fruit cream.

I think I just discovered a new addiction.

She said that the store we are in is considered a specialist in this type of sweet and that it is famous all over the world, but that it is most famous in France, which is the country of its origin.

The idea was that we'd have lunch, but I think her babies thought differently, and that's fine by me. I'll never be upset about tasting a sweet.

“We fought that day,” I reply. “According to him, we are now truly a couple."

She laughs, and I get caught up in her laughter. Everything about Zoe is very sincere. People in our environment are not generally spontaneous, and I include myself on that list.

"What about him saying you were his employee?"

"Yeah, I got a little crazy and went to sleep in the employee area."

“My God, Elina, I definitely love you. It was past time for Odin to have a worthy opponent. I want to know all the details."

I look at her a little uncertainly because I'm not one to talk about my life like that, but then I think that if I want a friend, I need to invest in our relationship. I'm learning that friendship is a two-way street.

Zoe opened up and told me about her life with her ex-husband. It's not fair that I should keep any secrets.

I make a brief summary, speeding past the hot sex so I can get to the point where Odin said he was going to announce to the world that we're officially together.

By the end of the tale, her eyes are wide. “Your man is definitely in love with you."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I've known Odin for over a year, and despite a few appearances at events where he was accompanied by some woman or other, he has never committed to anyone. Besides, you don't have to be the greatest observer on the planet to see the sparks between you two.”

"I don't know . . ."

"Want some advice?"

Before I answer, I think a little about whether I really want any. This friendship thing is pretty complicated.

I finally give in. "Say it."

“Tell him about the dyslexia."

A cold sweat runs down my spine. “No, I can't do that."Just talking about it makes my heartrate soar.

"Why not?"

"I'm embarrassed."I look at my hands before continuing. "My father discovered this problem of mine when I was still very young, and he called me stupid on a daily basis. I don't want Odin to see me like this. He said he admires me as a person, and if he knows I have that, even if he doesn't despise me, he'll feel sorry for me, and I don't need anyone's pity."

“You should give him some credit, you know? Odin is a good man behind that cold facade, Elina."

"I don't doubt it. Despite his problem with my father, he helped me. He saved me from the sheik."

" Sheikh ?"

“I didn't tell you the details about the reason why I came here. It wasn't just that my dad had abandoned me and I needed a job. He negotiated a marriage between me and this sheik, Naim. The man is scary, Zoe. Odin saved me from his attacks two days in a row. The second time he almost . . . I don't know if I would have been able to stop him if Odin hadn't arrived in time." I don't immediately mention the kidnap attempt in New York because I think I've already revealed too much of that horrible story.

"Jesus, Elina. This man is dangerous."

“I know, believe me." I return the cup of hot chocolate to its saucer. “I know Odin has a generous heart, although maybe he doesn't know that himself, but I don't want his pity. For the first time in my life, I'm managing to be a complete woman. I won't expose my shortcomings."

"One step at a time. First, I'm sorry for what I'm going to say, but I don't even know your father and I already don't like him. He and your mother should have been there to support you in overcoming your difficulties. The first thing I would do if my child had dyslexia would be to research everything about it." She looks angry. “Mysecond issue is that, although I understand what you're telling me, I really think a relationship should be based on truth. As for this sheik , he should be in jail, which is the right place for rapists."

I listen to her intently, still unsure whether to reveal everything else and coming to the conclusion that I'm not ready. "Do you really think I'm not stupid?"

“I'm sure you're not, Elina. The only idiot in this story is your father."

For the first time, I take the initiative to touch her hand. “That thing you said about us going to a doctor...I'd like to try."

"Really? When?"

“Not now, but in the near future. I need to prepare myself first.”

"That's all right. Let's do this: next month, when I'm back in New York for the benefit ball, we can see the doctor. What do you think? That way I'll have time to find a good specialist."

“You can't tell Christos."

"Relax. I already gave you my word. No one will know but the two of us, unless you want to reveal everything to Odin. I don't wish to come between you, Elina, but I still think he should know."

“He also has a lot of secrets. He never talks about his family or why he hates my father."

"Have you asked?"

“Not about his family, because I don't want to bother him. Regarding my father, he made me promise that his name would never be mentioned."

“You're his girlfriend. That's not bothering him, it's just knowing what you're getting yourself into. I also don't know anything about Odin's family, other than that he was orphaned as a child. He and Christos didn't meet until they were adults."

“Odin lived on my island when he was a teenager. I met him when I was still very young."

"Do you think that was when he started hating your father? When he was young?"

"I really don't know. My father is not someone others tend to love, but Odin has bankrupted him. Deceiving Leandros is no easy task, but he did it, so I can only think that there is a very serious story behind their enmity."

“You sometimes call your father Leandros and sometimes father. Why?"

"Force of habit. In my head, I started calling him Leandros. We didn't have a good relationship, except when he was faking it for his friends. Inside our house there were only screams and . . . insults. I don't think I can see him as my father anymore, but I made the mistake of calling him by name once and took a beating. So I learned to separate what was going on in my head from what should be said out loud."

“Like I said before, your dad isn't even close to being one of my thousand favorite people in the world."

“He'll be mad when he hears I've run away and disobeyed him about the sheik, but it will be much worse when he starts seeing me in public with Odin."

"You don't mind being the enemy's girlfriend? Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging. I just find the situation odd."

“I don't see him as an enemy. Not mine, at least. I usually don't talk much, but I watch people. Even though he puts on that cold front for the world, Odin is honorable, which I know my father isn't. Besidesbeating me, my brother and sisters, and my mother, he always mistreated and punished our employees and the rest of the islanders. Everyone on our island lived in the grip of fear.”

“I love a mystery and would love to know why Odin is chasing him."

“I think it might have something to do with their past."

“You should ask Odin to tell you the reason for so much hate. Sometimes men need a little push to open up."

“I'll think about it. We're still at the very beginning of our relationship."

She stares at me like she wants to say something else, and I wait. "Can I ask you something without you getting upset?"

"Sure. I just don't know if I'll answer."

“You can trust me, Elina. Maybe you're not used to having real friendships, but I'm your friend."

“Okay, ask it. It's just that I find it strange to have someone to listen to me, especially someone I don't have to pretend with."

She's the one taking my hand across the table now. "I did a quick search on the internet about the main characteristics of a dyslexic, and you speak very well for those who have dyslexia. I could only catch a word or two today, and even that was because I’ve been paying attention since I found out about it at that dinner."

I shrug. "I tend to be careful every time I utter a word."

“Yes, I noticed that you speak very slowly."

"I've been practicing since I was a child. From the age of eight, I was humiliated by Leandros every time I got a word wrong. I became afraid of being scolded. I also choose the words I'll say carefully. The ones I’mmost troubled with I simply avoid."

"Oh, darling. You must have felt so alone."

I look away. She has no idea how I grew up with my self-esteem destroyed. “I had no one to talk to. I'm not close to my siblings, and the girls laughed at me if I said something wrong. So it wasn't a very easy task learning how to pronounce the words correctly, since they hardly spoke to me. That’s why I started to watch movies.”

"Movies?"

"Yeah. Romance and lots of cartoons too. I watched the same movie over and over, until I memorized the words. That helped me to increase my vocabulary."

"What about reading? Do you like books?"

Before I can respond, her phone rings with a call from Christos. I thank him silently, since the conversation was already starting to make me tense. While I'm happy with Zoe's friendship, it's hard to spill all my secrets at once.

“Sorry about that,” she says as soon as she hangs up. "My husband can be overprotective at times."

"No problem." I look at her, wondering if I should ask what I want to ask, and I come to the conclusion that I should. "Would you go with me to a hairdresser?"

"Of course, but why?"

“I've been wearing this same haircut for years and would like to change it up a bit."

"An afternoon of beauty just for girls? I'm in."

I get home just before nightfall and wonder if the bodyguards warned Odin about our trip to the mall.

No, maybe they warned Grigori. Odin probably doesn't stay on top of everything that goes on with me twenty-four hours a day.

Zoe made me buy some lingerie . All very sexy.

It's like living someone else's life. I never did things like going to the hairdresser or to the mall with anyone other than my mother, and most of the time I had no interest in the outing. Today I really enjoyed the day.

I take the three sets of panties and bras out of the bag and spread them out on the bed, wondering what Odin will think when I wear them.

I smile, wishing he was here.

I kick off my shoes and walk to the closet, when my cell phone rings. I answer automatically, and ice spreads inside me when I hear that hateful voice.

"Elina? Are you having fun there? Enjoy it while you can. When I get my hands on you, I will make you regret your rebelliousness and disrespect."

Naim.

I start to feel sick, and a sudden dizziness almost makes me lose consciousness.

How did he get this new number?

I go back into the bedroom and make sure the door is locked.

I should hang up, but I'm held captive by his threats, and as he continues talking, I sit on the floor. My legs are wobbly.