Page 25 of Her Greek Inheritance

Chapter 10

The next morning…

Gemma was growing angrier by the moment, and for a reason that only served to make her mad at herself. Her son was being treated like a prince! She knew her reaction was irrational, but it was how she felt.

Damien had been very fussy the evening before. Gemma requested that she and her son stay in their rooms this first night in Greece and recover. Alexi had been unwilling to concede. Gemma had impressed upon him her desire for his parents to see Damien as the happy child Alexi had first met and he’d finally agreed.

The next morning, Damien seemed to have fully recovered from their long journey and was ready to go exploring. Gemma took him downstairs and found Alexi’s parents sitting at a long dining table, eating breakfast and talking softly. Alexi was nowhere to be found, but Damien’s little boy charm eased the language barrier.

Vasil and Tressa seemed completely enchanted by her son. They smiled at him, talking to him and helping him eat a breakfast that consisted of several dishes Gemma couldn’t identify, but her son obviously enjoyed. When Alexi arrived fifteen minutes later, he named each dish and urged her to try a little of each one.

There wasgalatopita,which he explained was a milk pie or custard and served cold. There were alsotiganites, small, medallion sized pancakes served with a ground sesame seed paste,tahini, and a delicious grape syrup calledpetimezi.

By the time Damien had finished eating, he was wearing as much of the syrup as had once been on his plate. “Damien, you need a bath,” she told her son as he made his way over to where she sat sipping a cup of tea.

Alexi interpreted her words for his parents. Hearing her words, Tressa called out. Two maids rushed into the room. Tressa barked orders at them and they swept Damien up and carried him out of the room before Gemma could blink.

“Wait! Where are they taking him?” She tried to go after them, but Alexi held her back.

“They are going to bathe him and get him dressed for the day. They are the maids that have been assigned to see to his every comfort. Come, I will escort you back to your rooms so that you may relax and get ready for the day.”

Gemma stared at the three people in the dining room and shook her head. “I don’t know how things work here, but I do know that I care for my son. Me! Take me to where he is, right now.”

Alexi said something to his parents. They were obviously not happy with her decision. Alexi sighed. A few minutes later he was escorting her back upstairs. “Gemma, you need to try and adjust to the way things are done here. My parents meant no harm. They simply want to care for their grandson.”

Gemma wasn’t in a very forgiving mood. “It was bad enough that you forced me to come to Greece, against my express wishes, but now you want to take over my life!”

“No one wants to take over your life. We simply want to show you that there is an easier way to live. Look around you. Anything you could ever want or wish for is within your grasp. Why not reach out and experience how others live?”

Why doesn’t he understand? I can’t let Damien get used to being cared for like this!Gemma fought to regain control of her emotions.I can’t get used to being cared for like this. We don’t live like this in the States and we will be going home some day.

“Take a bath and I will return for you in an hour. The maids will bring Damien to you as soon as he is dressed.” Alexi opened her doors and then gave her a gentle push inside.

Gemma went, tears stinging her eyes. Before she could reply, her phone rung.

“Answer your call, Gemma.” Alexi urged her.

She did so, cognizant of the fact that he was hovering in the doorway, listening in to her call. “Hello?”

“Sis? Hey, where are you? I went by the apartment and Aimee said you and Damien went to Greece. Sis, tell me you didn’t take off on some fancy vacation when…”

“When what, Tyler?” Gemma gripped the phone tightly. “When you still need twenty thousand dollars and expect me to just magically make it appear? Is that why you’re calling? Wanting to make sure your ticket to school is still going to be punched?”

Gemma felt horrible as the angry words left her mouth and dropped her head. “Tyler… God, I’m sorry. Look, yes—I’m in Greece. I’m restoring a large work and if things work out, I’ll have the money you need for school long before September.”

“Gemma, you didn’t mean…” Tyler’s voice wavered. She could picture his sad expression clearly, even though they were separated by thousands of miles.

“No, I’m just in a bad mood and taking it out on you. Don’t worry about school, okay? Look after Aimee and I’ll call you when I know more about my plans.” She looked at Alexi and quickly ended the call. “I have to go. I’ll call again soon.”

She disconnected the call and turned to see Alexi staring at her with his arms crossed over his chest. “What?”

*****

“Your brother needs to grow up.” Leo had thought her brother was using her before, and now he was convinced.

Gemma’s eyes flashed. “My brother is not your concern.”

“Your brother upsets you, making him my concern. Your peace of mind and health are my prime concerns while you are here in Greece. Anything that affects you will be dealt with. Take a bath and I will return for you.”