The Greek Tycoon (4 page)
“Really?” He laughed. “Why would
that be exactly? She walked out on me, I
didn’t hurt her.”
“She’s so insecure, Andreus she thinks
she’s not good enough for you.”
“Rubbish! What the hell is the matter
with that woman? Why does she seem to
think I wouldn’t be interested in a single
interested in her for who she is and that I
don’t give a damn about her ‘credentials’.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“Don’t bother.”
Melissa walked into Nik’s office after
talking to Andreus to find him pacing the
room. “Nik calm down.” She smiled as she
walked into his arms.
“Did you find out what is bothering
him?”
“Yes.”
“And…?”
“He slept with Kate.”
“And? So they like each other, what’s
the problem?”
“She walked out the next morning
before he woke up and just left him a note.”
“Really? Why would she do that?”
“To save herself the heartache when he
pushes her away. Katie thinks she’s not good
enough for him.”
“That’s ridiculous! Does he agree with
her?”
“I don’t think so. He’s really hurt. Can I
use the phone to ring her?”
“Go for it!”
wedding moping around the house, Heather
and Gregory had tried talking to her to no
avail. She was sitting in the garden staring
into space when the phone rang. Heather
came to the back door with the phone in her
hand. “Katie, it’s Melissa.”
Katie took the phone. “Hi honey, did
you have a nice honeymoon?”
“Lovely thanks. So what happened
when we left the wedding reception?”
“You’ve spoken to Andreus.” Katie
sighed.
“Yeah, why did you leave without
speaking to him?”
“Mel…”
“Don’t give me that crap about not
being good enough for him.”
“It’s the truth!”
“Katie, that’s bullshit and we all know
it.”
“No it’s not.” Katie felt the tears burn
her eyes. “He deserves better!”
“That’s for him to decide!”
“What do you want Mel?” She sobbed.
“Would it make life easier for you out there if
I had stayed and had my heart broken? I know
he’s family now and I’m only a friend but I
thought I meant more to you than that.” She
heard Melissa say her name but she hung up
Melissa slammed the phone down, laid
her head on Nik’s desk and let out a sob.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” Nikos walked over
and pulled her onto his arms. She explained
the conversation. “It’s ok Mel, you two will
sort it out.”
“How Nik? It’s not like I can go there
now and talk to her is it?” Nik picked up the
phone and made a call.
“Yes you can. I’ve booked you on the
seven o’clock flight to Heathrow.”
“We’ve just got married! I don’t want
to leave you!”
“It’s Thursday, I’ll come over
tomorrow.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes.” Andreus knocked on the door
and walked in as Melissa was wiping her
tears.
“Are you ok?” He looked worried.
“I’ve just spoken to Kate. About you.”
“Mel, I told you to leave it.”
“Well I didn’t and now we’ve had an
argument. I’m going to see her tonight.”
“Are you happy now Andreus?” Nik
snarled.
“What? I never asked for this!”
friends think with your head and not your
penis.”
“For the last time she walked out on
me!” Andreus shouted. “I’m sorry if I’ve
caused an argument!” He stormed out.
“It’s not his fault Nik.”
“You can never find fault with him can
you?”
“Yes I can! But not in this case.”
Chapter 7
Melissa went to Katie’s house at ten
o’clock the next morning knowing she’d be
alone, she rang the doorbell and Katie opened
the door wearing sweat pants and an
oversized t-shirt. “Mel! What are you doing
here?!”
“Did you really think I would leave
things the way they were yesterday?” She said
as she followed Katie through to the kitchen.
“I’m sorry I stuck my nose in.”
“It’s ok.” Katie smiled.
“Katie, you’re my sister, maybe not by
blood but in all the important ways. I love you
and just because I’m married doesn’t change
that.” Melissa hugged her.
“You should be in Greece with your
husband Mel, not here fussing over a loser
“Hey stop it! You are not a loser and
I’ll be here whenever you need me.”
“How is Andreus? I bet he’s glad I was
the one to break things off before we got in
too deep.”
“No he’s not. He’s in a fowl mood.”
“It’s damaged his pride.”
“I don’t think so Kate. He really likes
you.”
“Sure he does.” Katie scoffed.
“I’ve got some news for you!” Melissa
grinned.
“He’s engaged to a rich stunning…”
“Shut up!” Melissa laughed. “I’m
pregnant.”
“Oh my god! How far along are you?”
“Eight weeks.”
“No way! And you had the nerve to
wear white at your wedding!” Katie laughed
as she hugged her. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
“When did you find out?”
“Two days ago.”
“Is Nik happy?”
“He’s over the moon.”
“I’m so pleased for you.” Katie smiled.
Chapter 8
The months flew by and before they
knew it Melissa had reached her due date, she
was feeling fat and uncomfortable and was
desperate to meet her child.
They found out a few months earlier
that she was carrying a girl, Nikos had been
ecstatic at the thought of having a daughter
and despite Theo and Sophia’s initial
disappointment that their first grand child
would not be a boy they were now almost
excited as Nikos to meet the baby girl.
Melissa’s contractions started at six
o’clock on the evening of the sixteenth of
February and Nikos took her into hospital at
two o’clock the next morning.
Katie was getting Rhiannon’s breakfast
ready when the house phone rang, she picked
it up. “Hello?” She answered.
“Hi Kate.” Melissa sounded tired and
happy.
“Has she arrived?” Katie smiled.
“Yes, at seven o’clock this morning.
She weighs seven pounds eight ounces and
we’ve names her Sophia Katie Sillas.”
“I’m honoured! Congratulations honey.
Are you both ok? How was the birth?”
“We’re both fine, it was only thirteen
hours from start to finish.”
deserve to have a thirty hour labour?”
“Have a ten pound baby.” Melissa
laughed.
“True.”
“When can you come out to see her?”
Katie had been dreading this moment for
months, she really didn’t want to see Andreus
yet.
“It’s not that easy honey, Rhiannon’s in
school…”
“Andreus is going to America for a
week on Monday, I’m sure your parents will
have Rhiannon for the week. Besides, Nikos
has already booked your flight.” She laughed.
“I’ll ask mum and dad and call you
back.” Heather walked into the room at that
exact moment.
“What do you want to ask?” Katie
explained. “Of course! That’s no problem.”
“Thanks mum. I’ll see you Monday
then Mel.”
“Excellent! Your flight leaves at eight
o’clock on Monday morning, and Nikos will
be picking you up from the airport.”
Andreus arrived at the hospital just as
Melissa ended her call with Katie, he was
carrying a huge bouquet of flowers in one
He smiled. “Congratulations.” He walked
over and kissed Melissa’s cheek before
hugging his brother. He placed the gifts on the
table then peered into the bassinette. “She’s
beautiful.”
“Have a cuddle.” Melissa smiled.
“I don’t think so.” He laughed. “I don’t
have much experience with babies.”
“Go on! She wont break.” Andreus
hesitated slightly then awkwardly lifted the
tiny baby into his arms, he felt the sleeping
bundle snuggle into his chest. “See you’re a
natural! She adores you already.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“We’re seeing the priest next week
about a summer christening, Nikos called him
earlier.”
“That’s nice.” Andreus smiled.
“We were wondering if you would be
her god father?” Nikos asked.
“It would be an honour.” Andreus
beamed. “Thank you.” Nikos and Andreus
had only just got their relationship back on
track after the argument over Katie. “I never
expected you to ask.”
“That’s in the past.” Nikos smiled.
“Sophia is the future.”
Chapter 9
Katie walked into arrivals on Monday
morning, and as promised Nikos was waiting,
she had half expected Andreus to be waiting
for her. “Hello!” She smiled as she kissed
Nikos on the cheek. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” Nikos took Katie’s
holdall and they walked out to his Mercedes.
“How have you been?”
“Not too bad thank you. Is Melissa at
home yet?”
“Yes she got home Saturday night.
How’s Rhiannon?”
“She’s a monster.” Katie laughed. “She
kicked up a fuss when I left this morning
because she wanted to come.” Nikos smiled.
“Nik, just so I’m prepared is Andreus really
away this week or was it a ploy to get me
here?”
“Andreus left for America last night
and he wont be back until Sunday night.”
“Ok.” She smiled.
“You will have to face him sometime
Kate.”
“I know.”
When they got to the Nikos and
Melissa’s penthouse apartment Melissa was
nursing Sophia, Katie smiled and walked
across the room to sit next to Melissa, she
“I’m fine thanks.” Melissa smiled.
“How are you? You’ve lost a lot of weight!”
“I’m ok, I’ve just lost a bit.”
“A lot, how did you do it?”
“I don’t know.” Sophia let Melissa’s
nipple go as she fell asleep. “She is beautiful,
can I have a cuddle?” Melissa handed Sophia
over. “Hey gorgeous!” Katie crooned. “I’m
your auntie Katie, I’m the one who you’ll
wrap right round that little finger so you get
what you want. Your cousin Rhiannon was
desperate to come and meet you.”
“How is Rhiannon?” Melissa asked.
“She’s huge and getting naughtier every
day.” Katie laughed. “She misses you.”
“I miss her too. The priest is coming
tomorrow to talk about Sophia’s Christening.”
“When do you want it for?”
“We’re hoping for July, we’ll have it at
the Sillas mansion.”
“Sounds beautiful.”
“We were wondering if you would be
her God mother?”
“I would love to! Thank you.”
“I will warn you now, Andreus is going
to be here God father.”
“Well it was obvious he was going to
be there, he is her uncle.”
“And you’ll still come? With
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Who else will you be asking?”
“Tessa and Claire.”
“They’re coming over next week aren’t
they?”
“Yeah. Katie do you still like
Andreus?”
“You change the subject quick don’t
you?”
“He still likes you.”
“Melissa!” Nikos frowned.
“What? I’m just telling her the truth.”
“Mel, he never liked me, not in the way
you mean. Obviously he wanted me in that
moment but I was just his flavour of the
week.”
“If that was true, why did it hurt him so
bad when you left him?”
“I hurt his pride that’s all. I bet he’s
never had a girl walk out on him before.”
“Katie…”
“Let’s just leave it Mel, I’m here to
meet your daughter not talk about your
brother-in-law.”
Chapter 10
In July Katie, Rhiannon, Tessa and
Christening. When they arrived one of the
drivers was waiting to take them to the
mansion. They pulled up outside and Melissa
ran out of the house to greet them. “Oh my
God, it’s so good to see you! And It’s great all
five of us being together.” She smiled. “Come
in, you’ll be surprised how big she is now.”
They followed her inside, Nikos was sitting
on the floor with five month old Sophia sitting
on his lap, Theo and Sophia senior were
sitting on the sofa. They all smiled when they
walked in and greeted them like family. Katie
turned to sit on the floor next to Nikos when
she saw Andreus sitting on an armchair, she
froze. She had hoped she wouldn’t feel
anything when she saw him but desire swept
through her as she recalled their passionate
night together. They were looking into each
others eyes deep in thought totally unaware
that their family and friends were watching
them until Rhiannon rushed over to him.
“Andreus!” She jumped up onto his
knee breaking the spell.
“Rhiannon! Look at you! You’re so
big!” Andreus smiled.
“I know, I’m five now.”
“Really? You’re getting old!”
“No I’m not.” She laughed. “I’m still a
little girl, you’re old.”
rude.”
“He started it.” Rhiannon frowned,
Katie raised her eyebrows in warning.
They all spent the afternoon chatting
together, Maureen and Charlie arrived later
that evening, since Melissa had moved to
Greece they’d decided to see the world, they
had been in their forties when they’d had
Melissa so they wanted to live their dream
before it was too late for them. They’d flown
into Greece from China where they had just
walked the Great Wall.
By the evening Andreus was seething
with anger. Katie had ignored him since
Rhiannon had broken the spell they’d had
when the girls had arrived. He wanted to find
out what her problem was sooner rather than
later, so when she took Rhiannon up to bed at
eight o’clock that night he followed five
minutes later and waited outside their door.
Katie jumped when she came out of
their room and found Andreus standing there.
“Hi.” She said nervously.
