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Cecily

CHAPTER ELEVEN

It takes a while for me to pay attention to the blonde woman with the appearance of a top model who has just entered my hospital room, because I’m stuck in the presence of the man who was my hope but who is gradually becoming my tormentor.

Nothing that came out of Dionysus’s mouth was kind toward me, although I have to acknowledge that, given what I did, he was being generous.

However, his generosity is no use to me. I need to stay in his life—I understand that now. Otherwise, I’ll never be able to get close to Joseph.

There’s no chance that this suspicious man will believe my story without knowing me at least a little beforehand. The bossy Greek can’t seem to wait to get rid of me.

I should loathe him, no matter how beautiful he is, but still, I feel entangled in an invisible web of sensuality that no matter how hard I try, I can’t break free from.

It has to be some kind of magic that his name evokes. There is no other explanation because I have no doubt that I’ve never met someone so arrogant.

Dionysus is the type that women turn their heads to look at when he passes by on the street, not only because he has a beauty that can’t compare to a male photographic model but because he has that “something more”, a latent seduction so wild that it makes my heart constantly race and makes me forget my mission.

In the short time we’ve been talking, I’ve come to understand that I didn’t just approach the lion’s cage without having the slightest idea of how to tame it. I’m inside it.

And that’s not all. The way he looks at me, despite his mouth spitting animosity, is how a man looks at a woman.

I should ignore him because the physical attraction is not only mutual but overwhelming. The muscular body and sexy face of my enemy—because that’s what he’s becoming—awakens me in a way that leaves me trembling. He’s dangerous to me in more ways than one.

Instead of running, however, I stand still, like prey offering itself as a sacrifice to the hunter.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to return to the real world, but even when I look away to pay attention to the woman who has just arrived, I feel his eyes on me and my body responds, shivering all over.

“Hello, Ms. Elina. You can just call me Cecily. Nice to meet you.” Even though I have no idea who you are or what you’re doing here. “If you can give me five minutes, I’ll just change into my clothes.”

“Yes, do that, and then let’s talk about your plans in New York.”

What? What does that mean, and who is this woman?

I’m not one to pass up an opportunity, however, and without another word, I run to the attached bathroom to change.

I think I break all speed records when I get dressed, partly foolish and partly childish for fear that the woman will go away and leave me alone again with that arrogant man. Not because I think he could hurt me but because I don’t trust myself not to let him convince me to leave, since the Greek seems capable, with all his arrogant charm, of convincing an Eskimo to buy ice.

Although an unpleasant trait in most people, his arrogance makes him even more fascinating.

I need to be very careful with Mr. Kostanidis.

Although there aren’t any photos in magazines of him with women these days, perhaps due to his somewhat recent widowhood, in the past not only he but his brothers were spotted on celebrity websites with international models. Beautiful and sophisticated women. The tycoon is a conqueror, and falling in love with him will make it more difficult to achieve my goal.

I bend down to wash my face. When I lift it again, I see my image reflected in the mirror and I feel like crying.

I’m pale and tired-looking, and I’m sure I imagined any interest there might have been in me from Mr. Kostanidis. There’s no way a man like that would look at me with desire.

I look like a doll with blue eyes standing out on my face.

I’m grateful they left my bag in the bathroom, and I take a comb from it to make my hair look somewhat presentable. When I think I’m well enough to face the two strangers outside, I grab the handle and walk out.

“I’m sorry it took me so long,” I say to the blonde, completely ignoring the billionaire. Deep down, I hoped he was already gone, even though I really needed him not to leave.

Yeah, right now I’m a confused mass of contradictory thoughts.

“I’m Odin’s wife—he’s Dionysus’s cousin—Cecily,” she says, using my first name as I asked, “and I came here to help you.”

“Help me?” I ask, confused.

“Yes, but first I want you to tell me your story.”

“I don’t know if I understand.” The whole time I’m talking to her, I feel the man’s eyes on me, but I pretend to be indifferent.

“You’re not from here” she says.

“No, I’m from Kansas,” I say, even though I’m pretty sure she already knows that.

Who are these people? Did they investigate me? My God, what have I gotten myself into?

“And you came to New York looking for a job as a nanny,” she says and I sigh, relieved.

Oh, it must have been Mr. Colt who told her. But if that’s the case, how did she get here so quickly?

“Yes, I did,” I say, jumping at this chance. It’s not like I have many options. “But I haven’t had much luck so far.”

She looks at the suitcase next to the bed. “Were you leaving?”

“I considered that possibility, yes,” I say carefully, “but I would be very sad if I had to do that.”

“Why?”

“Because I came to New York to achieve a goal,” I answer, only partially lying, “and I wouldn’t want to leave without doing it.”

Neither of them needs to know that my goal has nothing to do with making money, because I don’t need that. I was very happy working in the small community library in the town where I was born and taking care of neighbors’ babies in my free time.

It’s not money that motivates me—it’s loyalty.

“I no longer have young children who need babysitters,” she says, and I open my mouth, amazed. Is she telling me that if she did, she would leave them in my care?

Unable to stop myself, I look at the Greek, and for the first time, I feel self-confident in his presence. I look at him as an equal and send him a silent message of “ I don’t need you, ” even though it’s a lie.

“But I run an association and I can try to fit you it into some role there.”

“I’m not trying to be ungrateful, but why would you do that?”

“Because my husband told me about your situation,” she continues, without giving any explanation as to how her husband knows about my life. “And I want you to have a chance. Maybe New York turns out not to be what you imagined and you want to run home to your town after all.”

I would go back right now if it were possible, but it’s not. I can’t leave the little boy I came to meet behind. “I’m not going back to my town, Ms. Elina. I am determined to change my life.”

“Just Elina, Cecily. As for not wanting to leave, wait a few months before you make a final decision.”

After that advice, she starts asking me questions about what I know how to do, and when I explain that I used to work in a library, despite the place having a tiny collection, she seems delighted.

“We have a library at the Association. I’m sure I can arrange something for you there.”

“I won’t refuse, Elina. Thank you very much for your generosity.”

“She doesn’t need to work at the Association,” Dionysus intervenes. “If you really want to stay in New York,” he continues, looking at me, “I can get you any position you want at my station or at the bank.”

That’s the moment I should shut up. Or perhaps fall at his feet, grateful, because it’s the chance I’ve been waiting for to get closer to the Greek and, consequently, to Joseph. However, a kind of rebellious entity takes over my body, and before I can stop myself, I find myself saying, “Thank you, Mr. Kostanidis, but I prefer to work for Elina. We both know how stupid I am. Far be it from me to cause you any harm.”

He looks at me in disbelief, as if h” can’t believe I’m turning down the offer, and even though I know I’ve committed a kind of suicide when it comes to my plan, a niggling satisfaction spreads through my chest when I leave him speechless.