THE CHAMELEON (3 page)

CHAPTER 3

(Stephanous: five years old) The young nun walked toward the rose garden quickly, knowing in her heart she would find him there, while the others searched frantically throughout the rest of the orphanage for the small boy. Her favorite orphan was a creature of habit. Moments later, she saw the small figure hunched over on the stone bench, hands clasped between his knees, head bowed. Anyone else would have thought he was praying, but she knew better. Her steps slowed with relief, catching sight of him, his hair a mass of curls that lent him an unkempt look even though he valiantly tried to keep it neat. Her habit swished slightly as she turned to sit down beside him.

Today was a joyous day for so many of the children who were blessed to go to new homes, yet heartbreaking for others who were not chosen. Stephanous was one of those children not picked, and she could not understand why he was always passed over. His small face turned up to look at her, while his eyes—God, those eyes, so much older than five years—brimmed with tears. She placed her arm around his tiny shoulders to pull him in close to her side. She knew the other nuns didn’t like it when she showed affection, but how could you not with the little ones.

“What is it, Stephanous?” she whispered as he leaned into her. “What is it that is causing you so much turmoil?” It took a moment for Stephanous, but he did eventually speak. His question, filled with anguish, caused her own heart to constrict.

“Have I done something wrong to make God hate me, Sister Katherine?”

Expertly, Stephan pulled the Range Rover through the massive gates, leading to the mansion where Sakis and Cassie lived in Chestnut Hill, one of the most prominent villages in Newton, Massachusetts. As he shut the engine off, he stared at the palatial structure. He never cared for the house, until recently when Cassie moved in. Before, the house represented a generic showcase building, but now, it felt warm and welcoming, like a true home should be.

Always punctual, Stephan walked through the front door without knocking, nodding at the guard in the corner. Stephan wondered whether anyone even saw him anymore. He knew what it felt like to blend into the background. Sometimes, it was a lonely job, for sure. His senses were immediately assaulted by the many scents of Maria’s cooking and he could feel his mouth salivate. He headed directly toward the kitchen, suspecting that everyone would be congregating there as a voice reached out to him.

“Always on time. One of your many gifts, Stephan.”

Grinning, Stephan swung around and took in the figure gracefully stepping down the staircase. Cassie looked incredible, as always. Her cream-colored pants and white top were casual yet elegant. She was brave to wear white with the squirming, lollipop holding, two-year-old hanging from her slender hip. Stephan saw the tiny belly bump for the first time. Remembering that she was with child, he rushed to her side, grabbed the tiny girl, swung her high up into the air and then quickly back down, and then back up like a rollercoaster amid squeals of delight.

Tiny arms wrapped around his neck in a choking hug.

“Uncle! I missed you…you come to eat?”

After a quick kiss to the plump cheek, he laughed. “I have come to eat! Did you help Maria cook today, little Miss Rose?”

Nodding her head happily, she grasped his face in her two sticky lollipop hands and pressed her face close to his. He prayed that the dripping sugary circle would not get pressed into his hair as she clutched him. Sparkling ice-blue eyes, just like her mother’s, stared deep into his. “We made it with extra love, ’cause Maria said that would taste the best.” Giving him a quick, sticky peck on the cheek, she squirmed to get down. “Gotta find Daddy now!”

Two pairs of eyes watched with amusement as the toddler ran off.

“I am glad you came, Stephan.” Cassie’s soft voice now came directly next to him. Looking down at her as she looked up, Stephan’s face softened even more. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, he hugged her to him; she wrapped an arm around his waist as they walked toward the kitchen.

“Well, I heard that if I didn’t show up, I would be putting my health into question.” He smiled as Cassie laughed.

At one time, Stephan had thought that he was in love with Sakis’s wife. He was so glad that he never really acted on what he assumed were strong feelings for her. He had come to realize that Cassie was easy to like, with her affable nature, sometimes vicious honesty, and directness. But she was all Sakis’s, always had been and always would be. He had come to also realize that what he liked was her easy way, and quick acceptance of who he was without any false pretenses. She made him better in small ways. Cassie was a gem and very rare indeed. He could only hope that he would find someone just as accepting of him as she had, but he highly doubted it.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

With a roll of his eyes, Stephan laughed. “You both act as if I have missed every Sunday family dinner. I missed one and only one.”

“One too many, my friend.” Sakis hugged his friend before he handed Stephan his bourbon and walked to the large seating area on the other side of the kitchen. Stephan followed, stopping first to give Maria a kiss and a hug. The housekeeper blushed, tapping him on his cheek. She watched maternally as he settled down in his favorite chair and stretched out his long legs. For the first time all day, Stephan could feel his muscles relax.

Cassie joined them and sat close to Sakis, curling her feet under her. The slight swelling seemed bigger as the shirt lay on her stomach. Placing her hand gently over the tiny bump, she caught Stephan’s gaze lingering. “Sakis told you then?”

“He did. Congratulations,” Stephan replied.

“Bit of a shock at first, but I am happy nonetheless. Rose is going to make an awesome big sister.”

Stephanous glanced at the young child playing with several dolls on the floor, talking to each one as she tenderly cared for them. “Yes, she will be, Cassie.”

The small group kept the conversation light as Maria finished the final dinner preparations.

“Dinner is served, Mr. Carras.”

Sakis rose, taking Cassie’s hand in his to help her up, before scooping Rose up in his arms and leading them all to the main table. It was stunning with the white candles running along the center, set in rock salt, all lit; the subtle lighting bounced off the delicate china. Maria had outdone herself, cooking many of his and Sakis’s favorite dishes from their homeland. He wondered at the occasion.

As if reading his thoughts, Sakis exhaled dramatically. “I believe this trip is causing Maria anxiety. I have tried to tell her that she has mastered our palate better than many of our own country and there is no cause for worry. It seems that the only people looking forward to this vacation are Cassie and me.” Sakis stared pointedly at Stephan.

Stephan didn’t respond right away, choosing to get settled in his seat and help Rose, who insisted on sitting next to him. He suspected that Sakis was eager to know his answer as to what he was going to do and he didn’t want to keep him waiting for a response.

“All of the preparations on my part are complete in regards to security. Everyone has been briefed, and completely understands the agenda and what their roles are. Thomas will be the leader on the trip, making sure everything remains on schedule but Phil will be at your side constantly. We were able to fit in all of the tourist requests.” Winking at Cassie, he smiled at Sakis. “You might want to add a couple of really good hiking boots, Sakis.”

Sakis looked pleased at what he heard. “Good. Then it is all settled then.”

“Almost.” Stephan took a drink before he continued. “I will not be going with you.” Ignoring Cassie’s gasp and the stunned look from Sakis, he felt himself filled with the same lightness that he felt in discussing not going with Alicia. “I thought long and hard about what we talked about and how long it has been since I have had some time off.”

“You never have had time off.”

Grimacing, Stephan acknowledged Cassie’s statement. “Which is even worse. I want to take this time to decompress. It has dawned on me that I have been working since I was eight. I do not know what life is like to not have to work. So, I want to take you up on the offer of staying here in the States. If the offer is still open, Sakis.”

Cassie tried to blink the tears from her eyes, but had a hard time keeping them at bay. Even though everyone knew it had been her suggestion that he possibly not go, Cassie realized that she never really thought that he would stay in Boston instead of traveling with them to Greece. “What will you do?” she questioned.

“I don’t know, Cass, maybe take another trip to the zoo?” he stated quietly.

At his comment, Cassie threw her head back and laughed loudly even as her cheeks became wet from the tears that finally fell freely. “Now, that would be a fine idea, I think. Maybe you could take a date?” She thought back to when she met Sakis and Stephan, and Sakis had surprised her with a stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Boston. Finding that Sakis had to work on her birthday, he had said that she could do whatever she wanted. She chose the zoo, and because Stephan was her bodyguard for the day, he was forced to go with her. With all of his protests, before the afternoon was over, she knew that he had actually enjoyed visiting the animals.

“I really have no plans to date.” Leaning back, he shot a glance at Sakis. “I started a search a couple of weeks ago, trying to find any information as to who my biological parents are and want to use this free time to continue looking. As far as the rest of the free time, I just want to take it one day at a time. When you have followed a schedule like mine, going off schedule is a bit intimidating.” Stephan pushed away his plate, no longer hungry.

It took Sakis a few moments to let it sink in that his best friend would not be traveling with them. When he had offered the time off, he really had figured that Stephan would travel with them. It shocked him to learn that he was only now searching for his parents.

“Sakis?”

Nodding at Stephan, Sakis swallowed the strange lump that now choked him. He raised his glass high, knowing that Stephan needed to know that he was comfortable with the decision. All it would take would be for him to tell Stephan that he wanted him to go, and Stephan would. As much as it killed him, he smiled. “We will miss your company. I will miss your company, but the time off is well deserved.”

They all raised their glasses, drinking to the toast. Stephan cleared his throat, switching back into business mode. “I apologize for bringing up a business matter, yet the only thing that concerns me is that you and Cassie do not have a nanny to travel with you. Do you think it is wise?”

Grateful for the change in conversation, Sakis nodded. “We were just speaking of that before you arrived. Cassie refuses to have a stranger care for Rose, but she also recognizes that there will be times that our schedule will not permit Rose being with us, which is why Maria has agreed and is more than willing to travel with us. I am sure my family would be more than happy to care for her in our few absences, but the trip will be confusing enough for her and having someone familiar like Maria solves all of that.”

“Then I guess it is all set then,” Stephan replied.

The remainder of the meal was kept lighthearted with no more mention of the trip, yet a pall seemed to hang over the small family. Sakis in particular spoke very little. Stephan began to wonder whether he had made the right decision.

As the meal ended, Rose’s head started to nod, and Cassie rose, apologizing.

“I think it is someone’s bedtime, and quite frankly mine also.”

The men rose and Stephan watched as Sakis rounded the table and gently lifted the small child into his arms. Rose nestled against his neck while Stephan held his hand out to help Cassie rise.

Sakis spoke softly so not to wake Rose. “Stephan, I need to speak with you about a business matter.”

“No problem.” Stephan responded easily to the quiet command. He followed Sakis with Cassie’s hand tucked in the crook of his arm, stopping at the bottom of the sweeping staircase to release her so that she could follow her husband upstairs. But instead of following him, she faced him, not speaking until Sakis turned the corner on the second landing.

“I am glad that you will be taking time for yourself, Stephan.”

“I’m hearing a but in your voice.”

Brushing an imaginary piece of lint from her shirt, she didn’t make eye contact, seeming unsure of herself. Stephan frowned. This wasn’t the Cassie he knew. He waited patiently for her to say whatever she needed to get off her chest.

“You have always taken care of us, Stephan. To the point that with me, you were there when it should have been Sakis. I know that as great as these past two years have been, the transition has not always been easy for my husband as he has had to learn that being boss doesn’t mean that he can always ask his bodyguard to take care of everyone and everything in his life.”

Stephan cocked his head, confused with her statement. “What are you trying to tell me, Cassie?”

“Sakis seems distant lately. I was hoping you know why that has been?”

He shook his head as his eyes perused her face. She seemed uncomfortable asking him and he was glad that he didn’t have to lie to her. “I have not noticed a change, but then again, I have been self-absorbed lately.”

Cassie’s shoulders relaxed, seeming satisfied with his answer. “Maybe it is just my hormones causing me to see something there that isn’t.” Stepping up on her tiptoes, she kissed him on both cheeks. “We will miss you.”