Saved By A Billionaire Brit (6 page)

The nights in Santorini were like fireworks. Robert had more or less moved out of his rooms and into mine. We lived on Greek island time. It was more fantasy than real life. In the back of my mind I dared not think about when all this would end. Neither of us could remain, and I had no idea what was next. The Atlantic would separate us, and it is a massive body of water. I was actually relieved that Rex had run off with Sharon. Thinking back on our relationship, I saw him differently.

Robert and I finally went to explore Oia. We visited a restaurant suspended over a cliff edge like a window washer's basket. The entire front and sides were open, though there was a roof of sticks. It was like eating on a flying carpet over the massive, blue caldera, if there had been anything to eat. The moment we sat down, the waiter informed us there was no electricity. He offered us a cold drink, but could not make a pizza. We settled for a soda. The village of Oia was a jewel, probably a lot more commercial than it was years ago, but still a unique gallery of fashion and art. I wanted to buy every dress I saw, all of them sexy and light. Where would I put them? My suitcases were full.

I looked across the table at my new lover. Even his neck looked irresistible to me now, lean and tan. I wanted to kiss and bite it. He still looked more European than English. I was hopelessly entangled and worried. What did I really know about him? I felt as if I had left my affluent lifestyle to risk a hand to mouth existence in a crowded, foreign country. I had to remind myself that I was the abandoned one, that there was no return to my privileged life. But could I leave my country? I hadn't even been asked. What would I say if the question arose?

"So, do you live in London all the time?"

"I have what Americans might call a 'vacation place' in the Lake District, but I am so busy working I hardly have time to go there. Well, it actually belongs to my mother. I suppose I could do some of my work there, but if I have to go abroad, it requires flying out of Manchester to London and then from London on to Africa. Perhaps you should come see for yourself."

"Is that an invitation?" I asked hesitantly.

"Certainly. You said yourself, you have nowhere to go and no reason to hurry home."

"You make me sound like a stray puppy..."

"Well," Robert laughed, "You are a bit like a puppy, but do puppies have pale, blue eyes? I quite fancy puppies. You can snuggle in my lap anytime."

As we left Oia to drive along the towering cliffs, I stared into the sea sky horizon and pondered my choices. Had I been in love with Rex or the luxury he offered? Was I immature or just practical? Are females hardwired to look at lovers as providers? Now that I had been asked, should I take a chance on a whole new continent?

What was I putting at risk? Should I trade my return ticket to the U.S. for a trip to England? Would I grow so homesick that Robert would seem unimportant? If my heart was mangled again, would I become some crazy woman living in the attic of an English novel?

After missing lunch, we had to drive all the way to Thira to grab a roadside gyro. When we finally returned to our hotel in Improvigli, Robert dashed off to make some plans with John and check for messages in the hotel office. I fell into bed, hot and sweaty, pausing only long enough to kick off my shoes. My head barely settled into the pillow when I heard the jingle of my cell phone.

I was stunned to hear Rex's voice. I assumed all future communications would be through his secretary, but perhaps he had some private things to discuss. Had he discovered that Robert was staying in my hotel apartment? I wondered if he was calling to pull the plug on my free rent.

"Honey, is that you? I've been trying to call you all morning." Rex was using all his charms.

Honey?

"Rex? Did you dial the wrong number?"

"No, sugar. I know very well who you are. I called to explain myself."

"I think you've already done that. I've heard too much already."

"Don't say that, darling," Rex pleaded. "I think you will feel differently after I explain."

"Rex, I don't see how anything you have to say could explain what you did. When you called me, you didn't say anything about being engaged to Sharon. That went beyond a lie of omission. It was a hellish betrayal."

"Engaged? What on earth are you talking about? I'm not engaged to Sharon. In fact, I fired her, but I never mentioned it because you two had become such good friends. I paid for her trip with you in an attempt to ease hard feelings, and because I knew you would enjoy having a friend on the trip. I viewed it as part of her severance pay. I assumed she would tell you if she wanted to. In return for my concern and my kind, travel gesture, she is blackmailing me. Some of her accusations were slightly true, but she made up most of it. Is she still there with you?"

I was too stunned to speak, and an awkward silence stretched.

"Honey, can you forgive me? I have no love for that woman at all. In fact, I'd love to see her in jail. I'm actually filing suit against her. It's the only avenue of defense I have left. What on earth made you think I was engaged to her?"

"But..." I couldn't comprehend the question, and certainly not an answer.

Rex's anger rose rapidly, "Just tell me. Did that bitch tell you we were engaged?"

"Well, no, now that you mention it. She didn't tell me. I found out here at the hotel. Sharon called the office and made a reservation in your name. She said it was for her honeymoon. I just happened to be standing by the desk right after it happened. The hotel assistant manager is a new friend of mine, but she had no idea I was already engaged to you."

Another long silence.

"Rex? Are you still there?" All I could hear was breathing. I almost hung up the phone, but he finally spoke.

"I can't imagine anyone doing that, but I guess it shouldn't surprise me. Sharon made me phone you and break off our engagement. I'm still not sure why. She knew a little too much about my business, but I haven't done anything that isn't commonly done with investments. After I fired her maybe she thought it was her mission to ruin my life, but why did she turn against you? I did what she asked because I didn't know what else to do at the time, but now that everything is out in the open, there is nothing to protect. I'm calling to beg forgiveness. Will you take me back? I know you might want to wait until all the investigations and lawsuits are over, but that is ok with me."

"Investigations? What investigations?"

"They found some irregularities in the accounts, but the SEC usually ignores such things. Even if they rule against me, they will only assess a modest fine. Please come back."

I didn't know whether to be insulted or relieved. Something about that didn't sound right. My brain was numb. Then I heard footsteps on my terrace, and I suddenly realized Robert was coming through the door.

"I have to go," I blurted and immediately hung up.

I leapt up from the couch and grabbed the face I wanted to kiss.

"Wow, I've only been gone a few minutes, but I'm keen for all the kisses I can get. What caused all this?"

Instead of answering immediately I kissed him on the mouth, again. "I've made a decision. I'm going back to England with you next Monday. That is when you're leaving, isn't it?" I tried to sound extremely confident, but I was still shaking from the phone call.

"I'm afraid not." Robert loosened my arms so he could look directly into my eyes. "There have been a lot of things going on while I was living on this dream island. A huge famine is devastating the horn of Africa. The entire country of Somalia is trying to flee into Kenya. All our supply lines for food and medicine are being disrupted by hostile forces, and I have to get back to London to find alternate methods of delivery. To make matters worse, half the food the U.N. sent to Somalia is being stolen from starving people and sold for profit. That makes our efforts even more important, and that isn't all. There is a cholera epidemic getting underway. The situation is horrible beyond imagination. I need to leave tonight, but I was just in the hotel office with John, and we can't get a flight to London until six in the morning. John and I are leaving for Athens in about two hours. We got reservations on the last flight out of Santorini tonight. There is a layover of several hours in Athens, so Anne arranged for us to check into a hotel at the Athens airport for a short nighttime nap before we leave for London."

"No! No! No!" I hardly realized what I was saying. "Robert, Robert, this can't be happening to us."

Robert had no idea how much my life had changed in the last few minutes. I didn't have time to explain everything. My whole world was flying into the winds of chaos.

"Darling, I would encourage you to go with me tonight, but we couldn't find any more seats, and this is an emergency. People are dying by the hundreds and thousands. I will probably be sleeping at the club near my office in London for the next few nights. I won't be staying at my flat. You go on and finish your book research, then come in a few days or perhaps a week or two. I've already talked to Anne, and she will help you make arrangements. John has to go with me tonight because he works with me."

I felt as if someone had sucked the air out of my lungs. My knees buckled, and I fell back onto the couch. Tears were pooling in the corners of my eyes. If I cried in front of him, it would look so selfish, and there was no time to explain the emotional phone call. My best bet was to collect myself and help Robert pack for his immediate flight. Half his things had migrated to my hotel rooms. I let my hair fall into my eyes to hide my conflicting emotions.

"Robert, I don't know what to say. This is so sudden. Please let me help you get your things together. I am so overwhelmed that purposeful work may be the only way I can control myself. My heart is broken because you are leaving, but I certainly understand how important it is. There are some strange things going on in my life at the moment, but we can talk about that in a few days."

He reached down and pulled me to my feet. "I do have time to kiss you goodbye. It hurts to leave you so suddenly, but we both realize there is no other way..."

He knew I was crying when he kissed me.

––––––––

M
orning came and I felt awful. Sleep had evaded me, and I was too exhausted to get out of bed. It was major deja vu. Hadn't I just been through this? I had no idea what I should be thinking. Was I too hard on Rex? Had he been forced to leave me by a criminal? I wondered why he didn't confide in me. If he had told me Sharon was blackmailing him, I could have faked a breakup to deceive her. I think I'm a good actress. Maybe he thought I wouldn't believe him or that I would be too confused. Perhaps he was right; I was still confused. Why did she involve me in blackmail? Had she destroyed our marriage plans out of revenge? Was that her way of getting even because he fired her?

We were supposed to be friends, but she never told me she had been fired. She led me to believe she quit in order to pursue a new career. I never thought to ask Rex about it, and now I didn't know who was telling the truth. By blaming Rex, was I helping Sharon in her illegal endeavors? I needed Robert here to advise me, but should anyone ever ask a lover for advice about past romance? Sadly, I realized Robert was still on a plane and out of communication range. I needed to hear his voice.

My phone rang, and I heard my only friend on the island, Anne.

"I was just out on the patio and didn't see you. And you haven't called to order breakfast yet. If you don't feel like eating on the terrace, I'll have some food delivered directly to your room and pamper you with breakfast in bed. Just let me know. I'll take a break so we can whine and dine together."

"Anne, you're so thoughtful. I confess I'm still in bed. I didn't realize it was so late. I'll grab some leggings and a pullover tunic as quickly as I can. Just have them send my breakfast to the terrace with an extra beverage for you. I'll take some juice, yogurt, and fruit."

I was hardly out the door before breakfast arrived on my table. Once again I had little appetite, but perhaps if I nibbled... The morning light on the white walls was like a painting: pale blue, rose, and gold. Sometimes the beauty of the place was difficult to comprehend. Anne waved from the office door and walked toward me.

"I see you ordered hot tea with lemon," I tried to smile at her, but it was a feeble effort. My hair was still rumpled, so I tried to comb it with my fingers.

"Yes, I'm sure you know how hard it is to get tea with lemon in Europe. The last time I flew back to America I connected in Paris and the French airlines always serve tea with milk." Anne smiled and pointed at my tray. "I ordered several croissants to share as well."

"Oh, thank you so much. I know what you mean about the tea. By the time they find lemon and artificial sweetener, the tea is usually cold. On the flight to Greece, the attendant was certain I was confused. She asked me twice what I wanted with the hot tea and then informed me she couldn't get it until she served everyone else. I don't think I can drink tea with milk. It sounds awful. I wonder how I will manage tea in England. Am I going to offend everyone?"

"Well, it won't be a problem around Robert. He always orders coffee, and you usually drink juice."

"You have a great memory."

"Well, it is part of my job. Are you excited about going to England? I'm sure Robert told you he made all the arrangements for you to join him. When you finish your book research, I'll do your itinerary and make your reservations. You don't need to worry about a single detail. He has even arranged for your transportation from the airport to his flat. And if you need someone to help with your book and photos, I have some vacation days I haven't taken. I'd love to accompany you to any location on the island."

"Oh, that's wonderful. You don't realize how much I need your friendship while I'm here alone. I feel quite distressed, having been left twice."

"Your trip has certainly been strange. I'm a little sad myself. I was getting attached to John, and now I don't know if I will ever see him again. I try to see the glass half full. You and I are lovesick, but not everyone gets to be lovesick in Santorini. Perhaps we are the lucky ones."