The Billionaire's Blackmailed Heiress (7 page)

“Yes, a shame he so easily forgot about the wife he promised to be faithful to” his tone now icy.

Mina had looked away, shame filling her, knowing him to be right.

Nikos had looked at Mina, suddenly feeling ashamed at the way he had turned on her. With all the stress on her, he did not need to be adding to it and in a more gentle voice he had asked.

“How is your mother, I got the impression that things were not well last night?”

Surprised, she had turned to look back at him, her eyes filling with pain as the memory of her mother had once more filled her thoughts.

“She seems to be getting weaker each day” her voice filled with sadness.

“I’m sure it is just temporary” her tone not full of the confidence she wanted so much to believe. He had nodded softly at her as he rose.

“I am sure you are right” his tone kindly as he had drawn a business card from his pocket, placing it in front of her.

“However, if you need anything, then call this number anytime”.

With that he had moved out leaving a surprised Mina, who with a small frown had lifted the card seeing on the back what was most likely his mobile number, surprised that he would do this.

Pulling from her pocket the sheet of paper he had given to her the previous day she had given a small sigh, jumping slightly as the housekeeper had moved in behind her.

“That was a deep sigh Mina…you sound like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders”.

Mina giving a small chuckle lifting the paper, “No not exactly, just instructions to shop” laughing as the other woman had given a grin making swooning motions “Oh, the awfulness of it…not SHOPPING”.

Still chuckling she had looked back at her “Well easy for you to say… but where do I get all these clothes…is there a shopping centre nearby?”

“Did you not ask Nikos?” Theresa had asked in surprise, seeing as Mina had given her a grimace.

“I don’t want to keep bothering him with every little thing”, Theresa moving to look at the list, giving a soft laugh “You can’t just pick up these things from a shopping centre. Yanis can help, he has connections”.

Winking conspiratorially she had moved to the door calling her son who had quickly appeared, a warm smile on his handsome face. Talking quickly in Greek she had filled him in on Mina’s predicament, Yanis turning to her and smiling broadly.

“I have just the place. One phone call and I’m sure that we can get you sorted”.

Flashing them both a thankful grin she had asked if they could arrange it for after her mother’s visit, the memory of how weak she had seemed the previous day once more seeing her eyes grow sad.

One phone call later Yanis had returned smiling telling her that he would take her to a new boutique that was opening up on the island, but which had already had many of its designs showcased on prestigious magazines. Smiling Mina had risen, relieved that the two had been able to help her, moving quickly to her car, her stomach in knots as she had dreaded any further deterioration in her mother.

Returning home, she had smiled warmly at Yanis who had met her at the door Mina surprised at how excited he seemed holding back her ‘unusual for men to like shopping’ comment which had risen to her lips.

“How is your mother?” he had asked kindly, Mina smiling at the obvious sincerity in the question giving him a dazzling return grin.

“She seemed better today” she had replied, her response truthful as she had remembered her mother in high spirits, her eyes bright and focussed as she had chatted happily with Mina.

“Much better”.

He had nodded back “Good” his big smile filling his handsome face.

“I thought that we would go now…give you lots of shopping time”.

With a chuckle and a small nod she had moved to the black car he had picked her up in the first day she had arrived, pausing squinting up at him.

“Do you mind if I ride up front?” she had asked, seeing the surprise then return smile, before she had slid into the passenger seat.

Starting the engine, Yanis had looked sideways at the woman beside him.

“You are not really much for airs and graces are you Mina?”

He had spoken softly, seeing as her mouth had twitched.

“No. This is really not my world; I find it all very strange” a wistful note to her voice as she had looked thoughtfully out of the window, hesitating, her eyes briefly flicking to him.

“I don’t really know what Nikos has told you” she had said softly. Yanis shaking his head quickly a kindly look in his eyes “He has told us nothing…and it is not really our place to know”.

At this she had chuckled.

“Well believe me, if you knew then you would not be so impressed”, her face looking at him with humour in her green eyes.

“I am a nobody…a school teacher from the UK that’s all, and all this”, she had given the sheet of paper in her hand a small smack.

“This is all designed to make a sow’s ear into a silk purse”.

At this Yanis had given her a considering look, his brows furrowed, his voice thoughtful.

“My father used to always tell me Mina that the worth of a person is not in how they appear on the outside, but how they behave on the inside…and you are not a nobody. You are one of the nicest ladies I have ever met…certainly not a sow’s ear”.

He had added with a small laugh as she had thrown him a thankful look.

As they had driven further, Yanis had sneaked a look at Mina, gripping the wheel tighter, the feeling of uneasiness filling him. This woman had no pretences about her, no hidden agenda, and his deception was eating away at him. With a large sigh, which had seen her turn to look at him in surprise, he had pulled the car over turning to face her.

“Mina…I can’t lie to you”.

Her eyes had widened with surprise and confusion.

“The boutique I am taking you to…it isn’t on the covers of magazines, nor does it have major stars as customers”.

His voice had grown quieter “It is my girl friend, Francesca’s. She is just starting out…and well given the kind of events you are going to be attending I thought that the publicity would do her good…that plus the sales would help”.

His expression had been one of apology and discomfort as he had sighed.

“If you don’t want to go, then I can take you to one of the other big boutiques…given your connection to Nikos I am sure they will see you right away”.

Mina had smiled widely, her hands flying to his arm.

“Thank you for telling me Yanis” her tone gentle “and I fully understand and think that it is so sweet of you to help out your girlfriend. Are the two of you serious?”

He had given a small smile, his eyes growing dreamy.

“I hope that one day she will be my wife” he had replied, Mina giving another grin

“Well in that case, I can’t think of anybody better to spend Nikos’ money on” her eyes twinkling mischievously. She had seen the relief on his face, feeling warmth in the pit of her stomach that he had felt the need to be totally honest with her.

Arriving at the boutique they had been welcomed by Francesca herself. She had been surprised as Yanis had bowed his head to give her a kiss, her eyes flying to Mina before laughing softly as he had spoken in Greek to her.

“I am so glad he told you the truth” she had said, moving forward to shake Mina’s hand.

She had looked at the other woman, admiring her. About the same height as Mina, she was stunning. Her long black glossy hair fell around her perfect figure as wide oval dark eyes and a large mouth which seemed to always be smiling had greeted her, and Mina had instantly liked Francesca.

With another laugh she had nodded.

“Well any woman who Yanis falls in love with must have great taste” she had chuckled, seeing as the other woman had coloured slightly with pleasure.

Giving a small cough, he had once more given Francesca a kiss and nodded warmly to Mina.

“Well if you girls do not mind, I will be waiting across the street having coffee with some friends”.

Francesca laughing as she had turned to Mina.

“Men…..they actually start to shake in clothes stores”. All three laughing together as he had exited quickly, happily agreeing with her statement.

For three hours the two had looked at the different styles, Mina impressed with the gowns and outfits shown to her. Francesca had been knowledgeable and able to put together different looks, which she had admired.

“You are very gifted” Mina had smiled, seeing as the other woman had grinned once more.

“Thank you, I am still trying to break into the big markets…but I am hopeful” chuckling as she had added “especially when they see you in these. You have a great figure Mina”.

Mina in turn had looked at her own reflection, stunned at how wonderful the clothes did indeed look on her. Seeing Francesca stood behind her, a small frown on her face she had turned.

“What…don’t you like this?” she had asked in surprise, very much liking the dress herself.

Giving an embarrassed smile Francesca had nervously held her eyes.

“Can I ask you something?”

Mina nodding in surprise “Sure” she had responded, as the other woman had moved forward to lift her hair, looking at her with deep concentration.

“Have you ever considered a different look Mina?” hurriedly adding “Not that you don’t look gorgeous already”.

Mina had blushed and raised her eyes.

“It is just that, well perhaps if you were to have bangs…..”

Mina had looked back at herself in the mirror. She still had the same long straight style she had since she was 12, her eyebrows drawing together thoughtfully.

“I’ve never really thought about changing it” she had mused softly as Francesca had nodded.

“You know the best stylist on the island is Nicolous…now you normally have to wait weeks for an appointment, but he owes me… would you like me to see if he can fit you in? I can take you there tomorrow”.

Mina had stared at the other woman, her eyes wide with surprise.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that” she had said “You have a business to run”.

Giving a laugh Francesca had shaken her head.

“With what you just bought I’ve made more in a day than I normally do in a month. Besides it will be fun” she had finished with a grin, Mina smiling back happily.

The next day as planned Francesca had arrived early at the villa, Yanis smiling widely as she had parked, rushing to lift her into his arms. Looking at the two women he had laughed.

“Now behave you two” he had joked as Francesca had stuck her tongue out at him wiggling her finger “Not married yet Yanis”, Mina laughing at the antics of the two whilst thinking how well suited they were.

As promised Francesca had managed to get her an appointment at the exclusive salon, and the two had exchanged pleasantries and hugs before turning to look at Mina. Placing her in the seat, the stylist had moved around, lifting parts of her long hair as he did.

“You have beautiful hair”.

He had finally declared.

“But the style…it will not do”.

Mina had said nothing as he had looked thoughtfully at her.

“Do you trust me to make you magnificent Mina?” he had asked, his voice theatrical, Mina flicking a quick look to Francesca who stood behind him, seeing as she had frantically nodded her head. Taking a deep breath she had nodded, Nicolous smiling brightly.

“Then let the makeover begin” he had declared dramatically, spinning her chair around so that she could not see the mirror. For what seemed an eternity he had snipped and combed, moving around her quickly and decisively, Mina feeling panic rising within her at the amount of hair gathering on the floor. It was only the way that Francesca had kept smiling encouragingly at her now and then giving the ‘you look good’ gesture that had kept her still.

Finally Nicolous was finished and smiling proudly he had stepped back, his expression that of an artist who knew he had created a masterpiece. Francesca had stood clasping her hands to her breast.

“Oh my God Mina…you look…wow” Nicolous giving her a warm grin. Moving around to look in the mirror she had gasped loudly.

Gone was the 12 year olds straight long hair and in its place a chic stylish look.

He had given her a fringe which flicked sensually over one eye, her still long hair now layered and styled to sit perfectly against her face and body. The style seemed to frame and enhance her stunning green eyes accentuating her high cheekbones. Mina almost not recognising herself.

Flicking her look to Nicolous she had been speechless as her fingers had run through her hair, seeing as it fell so perfectly back into place. Rising and with a small squeal of delight she had thrown her arms around the stylist hugging him as he had laughed back, before she had pulled back embarrassed by her show. He however had grinned

“You have been Nicoloused” he had chuckled at her obvious delight, Mina nodding and grinning happily.

All the way back to the villa both women had chatted animatedly, so comfortable with the other, Mina glad that she had listened to Francesca.

Arriving home, Yanis had appeared as though he had been waiting for them, his eyes dreamily looking at Francesca before they had grown wider on seeing Mina.

“M…Mina?” he had stuttered in surprise, his flicking look taking in her new style, as he had raised his eyebrows in appreciation.

“You look amazing” he had finally declared, his look once more returning to his fiancée.

“Did I not tell you that she was the best?”, Mina rolling her eyes at Francesca who had laughed while putting her arms around him smiling back “Well you have a great night tonight” she had cried “I am sure that it will be a far better meal than my darling future husband and I will be having”.

Her eyes twinkling mischievously as she had added seeing the way his mouth had opened to protest.

“Although I am not so sure the company could possibly be” Yanis look turning to one of devotion. Smiling at the couple before her she had waved her hand at them both.

“Go…go eat before your ‘loviness’ makes me ill”.

Laughing again as Yanis had stuck his tongue out at her before helping Francesca into her car, the two of them quickly moving down the long driveway. Once they were lost to sight she had checked her watch, frowning at the time. Nearly six, she had been under instructions from Nikos that morning as he had left to be ready for seven.