“I’ll convince you,” Chris said firmly.
Stretching his hands above his head, he let out a breath. It was like he was shedding the corporate armor.
“Where are you off to after this? London is lively right now, summer time and all that.”
“I’m meeting Robbie,” Zoe said.
It was endearing to hear her tone soften as she said that.
“Is it love?” Chris asked, unhappy about the smile that appeared at the question.
He’d always felt a bit protective of this little lady ever since he’d met her. He’d liked knowing that she was concentrating on her music and their company.
“I don’t believe in love,” Zoe said getting up. Straightening her fitted tan jacket, she ran a hand down the matching tailored slacks before she patted Chris’s jaw. “It’s a fling, Chris. It will probably end in a month.”
“Then why go through it? You’ll just get hurt.”
“You know me; I’ve never been one to have long drawn out relationships. I spend time with me the best.”
“Don’t torture that man,” Chris said on a laugh as she kissed his cheek. “You’d better tell him that you’re mine for the next couple of months. The travelling will increase.”
“He understands,” Zoe said as she headed for the door.
In truth she was wondering if she’d agreed to travel to stay away from Robbie and break away from the euphoria he put her in when they were together.
*****
“Pixie, would you like a cookie?” Mick asked holding out a box of chocolate cookies to her.
They were standing in the parking lot at an amusement park in Lower East London. Mick had gotten the cookies from his assistant who was out buying the entrance tickets.
Taking the cookie, Zoe mouthed thanks to him. “Why do you guys like coming here?”
Robbie stood beside her, his left arm riding low on her waist, his head on her shoulder as they watched people file in and out of the park.
“To see people, feel free and just hang,” Tevin said on her left side. “No one will recognize us. You can ride the Ferris wheel with me.”
“I’ve never ridden on one before,” Zoe said.
“Even when you were a kid,” Ron asked in surprise.
“I-uh- no, actually, my family was–-,” Zoe searched for a definitive word, “we’re a bit challenged when it comes to such things.”
“I can’t believe it.” Mick teased. “You have to ride the Ferris wheel now.”
“I’m deathly afraid of crowds. I’m not going in there,” Zoe said.
“It will be fine,” Robbie said, lifting his head to press a kiss on her cheek. “You’re disguised enough.”
She wore a cap and reading glasses, Robbie’s hair was covered in a black cap too, and Tevin had a jersey with a hood, like Mick and Ron.
“I’ll tell you a secret,” Tevin said. “People never think we’d be in such places. It won’t register even if they see you.”
“I like the sound of that,” Zoe said when Robbie pulled her closer. His denim jacket was open so that she snuggled on his t-shirt covered chest. He was so strong.
“Take me away then,” Zoe said cheerfully.
When Mick’s assistant came back with the tickets, they went inside. They strolled unhurried from stand to stand. Ron and Mick tried picking up girls along the way. Robbie bought Zoe cotton candy. They passed a fortune teller’s booth where beautiful gypsy girls stood outside. Tevin, Ron and Mick decided to enter. Robbie led Zoe on saying that she didn’t need to be told her future, she’d already met him.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked as they strolled down a crowded path.
“What?” Zoe asked her hand tucked in his.
“Whatever it is that is bothering you,” Robbie said. “You’ve been brooding since your meeting with Chris Stone.”
“I’m not brooding.” Zoe protested, studying him as they kept walking.
“You know baby, Mick doesn’t offer cookies to people who are okay.”
“He likes me,” Zoe said on a smile.
“Dimples aren’t going to distract me, sweetheart. Is it the record label?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” Zoe said. “They just want more commitment. My traveling will double.”
“Pixie, you are already working so much.” Robbie pointed out. “I barely see you.”
“It’s been two months since Sydney, Robbie. I’d say it’s been good.”
“You know it’s more than that. If it wasn’t, we’d both have walked away by now,” Robbie said. “Don’t lighten it. We’ve both tried to break away. I know that’s what the two weeks you spent in Milan were about. I went to New York last week to forget, but I’m addicted to you, Zoe.”
“Rock stars have golden tongues. I’d be foolish to believe any of that.”
Robbie stopped abruptly and turned to face her. His tall frame protective over her much slender and shorter one.
Running his hands up and down her arms, he said, “Don’t dismiss our relationship. You know I’m right.”
Zoe met his gaze, feeling as though she could get lost in the gorgeous green eyes.
“I want more,” Robbie said.
“I’m not sure I can give it,” Zoe said truthfully. To escape the conversation, she pulled away. “Let’s go ride the Ferris wheel.”
“You do that.” Robbie accused when she pulled away and walked toward the large wheel that scared her less than this conversation.
“What?” She called out, a small smile on her lips.
Cataloguing the picture she made at that moment, Robbie said, “Run away when asked important questions.”
****
Present...
“Important questions like marriage and commitment,” Robbie said quietly at the memory of that evening. Zoe had literally distracted him all night so that he wouldn’t return to that conversation. “Unbelievable.”
“Robbie, are you okay?” Marjorie asked, reaching out to touch his arm.
They were in a car headed for a concert venue. For some reason she didn’t understand Robbie had been so quiet since she’d returned to the hotel room.
Blinking, he looked at Marjorie with a frown. “I’m fine. Look, I have to tell you something.”
“What?” Marjorie asked snuggling closer to him.
He pulled away. “I need you to leave. The tour in Europe will be intense; I don’t want to be distracted.”
“You’re kidding me,” Marjorie said in disbelief. “You can’t be serious. This is Tevin, isn’t it? He’s just being mean; you shouldn’t let him run your life like this.”
“I am running my own life. This is what I need from you right now, for myself and for the band,” Robbie countered.
“Oh, that’s bullshit. I’ve been with you the entire tour in the U.K. There have never been problems,” Marjorie said with a frown.
“Accept this,” Robbie said firmly, “you should leave tonight.”
“You’re hard on a girl,” Marjorie said, deeply hurt. She’d feared this, now that he was saying it, she wanted to lash out. “Can’t you open your eyes? See me Robbie. I’m here. She isn’t.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Robbie said looking away.
“Oh you know very well. You act like you don’t care, but I know you do. I love you Robbie, she doesn’t. Otherwise she’d be here and wouldn’t have treated you the way she did. She left you at the altar, Robbie. You two were practically married, but she left. Please get over it already.”
“Keep your mouth shut about her,” Robbie warned glaring at Marjorie. “There is nothing between you and me. It’s only been sex and I think it’s time that ended. You’re creating things in your head, and I won’t support it.”
“How convenient,” Marjorie said angry at the way he was treating her. The car stopped and the crowd waiting outside pulsed with excitement. Robbie stared at them, and the
n said, “It would be better if you didn’t come. Goodbye Marjorie.”
“Don’t do this, Robbie.” Marjorie begged gripping his shoulder. “Please.”
Robbie simply shrugged her hand away and got out of the car. Closing the door, he effectively shut the door on his relationship with Marjorie Adams. As far as he was concerned it was over.
****
Chapter Fifteen
“We’re in ninth grade,” Terrence Girgorio said, as he forked salad into his mouth. “We’ll be going to tenth grade in August.”
“How exciting,” Kenny said, smiling at how enthusiastic the young boy was. Terrence was a bundle of energy. “Do you like high school?”
“It’s alright,” Terry said with a shrug.
“How about you, Sarah,” Kenny prompted the girl seated to Terry’s right. She was being well-mannered, and seemed to know how to use the cutlery before her unlike her brother.
“I love it. I get to do so many things,” she answered.
“She’s in all the clubs at the school,” Terry said with wide eyes.
“Not all of them,” Sarah protested with a blush, “just a few.”
“Clubs are good for college applications.” Jessica soothed. “What do you want to study?”
“I want to be a research scientist. I’m not sure what field yet.”
“Wow,” Athena raised her brow. “You must love science very much.
“I do,” Sarah said, smiling shyly. Her gaze strayed to the young woman seated to Kenny’s left across her. She’d known who she was the moment she’d come to take her seat.
Sarah loved classical music as much as she loved math. Her teacher had once told her that music was really math. Musicians learned to count in order to play precise notes that gave a pleasing sound. From then on, Sarah had started listening to Beethoven, Chopin and all the old classics. Lately, she’d moved to the modern classical scene and Zoella Mya’s work. In fact, she’d just spent her pocket money a month ago buying Zoella’s latest album named ‘Sweet Life’. It was a plus to find out that they were related.
“Sarah,” Julia said, touching her shoulder gently.
Pulling herself back to the present, Sarah glanced at her mother, “Yeah?”
“Is everything okay? You’re not eating,” Julia said.
“I’m fine. It’s okay,” Sarah said quickly picking up her fork.
****
“No more wine,” Athena said to Zoe when she signaled one of the young men serving to fill her glass again.
“Don’t take away the one thing that’s making me happy, Auntie,” Zoe said. Smiling at Athena, she urged the young man to continue. “I can’t go through this lunch sober.”
“You have to try, Zoe. Drinking is not helping you,” Athena protested, trying to keep this easy. Making a scene was going to push Zoe over, the girl was chomping for a fight.
“Don’t push it,” Zoe said. She picked up the full glass and took a sip with relish.
Athena sighed and glanced around the table, meeting her husband’s gaze for a moment. Thad gave her a reassuring smile, but it didn’t ease her worry. She had set the table in a way that there would be no direct hostility with her guests.
Thaddeus sat at the head of the table, right across from her. To his right, was Danny and to Danny’s right was Jessica. To the left of Thaddeus sat Gabriella and then Julia. The conversation at that end of the table had been revolving around business for a while now; Athena assumed it would be the safest topic for them.
On her end, Zoe sat to her immediate left, with Kenny seated to Zoe’s left. Kenny effectively separated Jessica and Zoe. To Athena’s right, Terry Girgorio sat with his sister beside him.
They were the only ones truly enjoying this meal, Athena thought with a sigh.
This was the first time Athena had ever seen this family together like this. She always hosted the aunts and uncles from Greece; it was expected of her as Thaddeus’ wife. He took care of the extended family and handled their issues.
However, Athena thought, in seven years of marriage, she had never hosted this particular group of people at her table.
In other dinners with her aunts and uncles, Zoe was usually more animated, laughing freely, joking with her nieces and nephew. This afternoon she seemed hell bent on drowning herself with wine. She hadn’t spoken one word to her mother or Julia. It was as though they didn’t exist.
Athena was hoping that would change soon.
“How is your music going, Zoe?” Julia asked then, snapping Athena’s attention back to the conversation.
Giving Kenny an alarmed look, she turned to see what Zoe would do.
“It’s going,” Zoe answered with a flat tone.
“She’s taking a break at the moment,” Athena said. “Touring can get exhausting. I’m always urging her to take a rest.”
“How fun that you get to travel all over the world, how come I’ve never heard of a tour in the states, I’d come for the concert,” Sarah said with excitement.
Zoe stared at the girl, and tried her best to remain neutral. Every time she looked at Sarah, she saw Steve Harden.
Taking in a deep breath, Zoe said, “I don’t like the States.”
Everyone stared at Zoe at the tone she used. Hostility was hard to hide even when she was trying. Shrugging, Zoe picked up her glass and took a huge sip.
“Oh,” Sarah said, her shoulders slumping, “well, if you decide to go over there, I’ll come for your concert. I’d love to hear you play live.”
Zoe nodded and tried to look welcoming, but it was so hard. Having Julia seated across the table was taking away her good manners. She wished Athena would let her leave.
Trying to dilute the tension that followed, Kenny smiled and said, “How is the musical instruments business, Athena?”
Latching on, Athena said, “Very good, we’re now exporting to the States. I recently acquired a very old Violin that is up for bid, if you know someone who’d like it? The auction is set in two weeks.”
“How about Zoe,” Danny said, remembering that his sister liked collecting instruments. “You collect instruments don’t you, little sis?”
“I don’t collect Violins,” Zoe answered.
She collected all other instruments but violins. She already had one she cherished. Her uncle Thaddeus had gotten it for her at a time when she’d wanted nothing more than to lie down and die. That Stradivarius symbolized more than her passion for music, it was her life line.
Zoe’s silence after her answer didn’t go unnoticed, though conversation continued on in the calm afternoon. Gabriella couldn’t help wondering what had brought on that pensive look on her daughter’s face. As conversation moved on to the sights of Athens, and activities they could do in the coming weeks, Gabriella’s gaze constantly returned to Zoe.
She was drinking more than she was eating. Athena was worried about it, and discreetly tried to put a stop to it. Somehow, Gabriella noted, Zoe managed to get her way. The girl was stubborn when she put her mind to it.
Zoe hadn’t said much to Gabriella. It was as though they were strangers and Zoe made no effort to change that. Zoe smiled with Kenny, and Danny, but with Jessica, Julia and Gabriella, she remained cold.
So cold, it worried Gabriella that her daughter could stay so untouched.
Well, untouched was not the right word.
Zoe was emotionally locked down, Gabriella decided.
“I haven’t taken a vacation in forever. This place is amazing,” Julia said in the midst of conversation. “Your home is paradise, Athena. I’d never leave if I had a choice.”
“Goodness, please don’t get it in your head to stay,” Zoe said. “I’m not too sure we could survive it.”
“Zoella,” Thaddeus snapped in Greek, “not at the table. There are children.”
“Why not at the table,” Zoe asked. “Why can’t I speak my mind?”
“This is a family dinner. You’re part
of the family, Zoella. Whether you like it or not, we respect family,” Thaddeus said, glaring at her. “Besides, you’re slowly getting drunk.”
“Oh, stupid me,” Zoe shook her head. “This lunch is a bloody joke. What are you trying to prove here? We all can’t stand each other.”
“Tolerate it, Zoella,” Thaddeus said, aware that Sarah was watching them with a frown. He had no doubt that she knew this was happening because of her family. He was glad she didn’t understand Greek.
“I can’t,” Zoe said with a hiss.
Zoe got up abruptly, and Kenny had to reach out fast to catch her wine glass before it spilled. Throwing her napkin on the table, Zoe said in English, “Excuse me.”
Meeting Kenny’s gaze, she shrugged before she turned and walked away from the table headed back into the house.
Athena sighed and motioned for the waiters to clear the table and dessert to be served. Things had gone fairly well, it had certainly lasted longer than she’d imagined it would.
****
In the house, Zoe was about to head upstairs when the doorbell rang. Knowing that the butler was busy at the terrace, she detoured to the front door.
Opening the door, she was surprised to find Demetrius Avinoff standing there with a wide grin.
“Afternoon,” he greeted. When she didn’t respond he said, “Bad time. Should I come back? I can come back.”
“What are you doing here?” Zoe asked, frowning at him. She wasn’t aware of any plans to meet here. Then again, “I haven’t forgotten something, have I?”
“Nope,” Demetrius said. “I came to check on you, especially after last night. You were so irresponsible, Miss Castille. Gallivanting around naked and chanting ancient songs, you shocked us all.”
He was so serious; Zoe couldn’t help gasping in shock.
“I didn’t,” she said in protest, her expression one of panic. “I must have been so embarrassing.”
Demetrius laughed. “Relax, I’m just kidding.”
“Oh you,” she swatted his hand. “You can’t make jokes like that.”
“You’re a very elegant drunk,” Demetrius soothed. “Apart from being unable to walk in which case your guard dog assisted you. How is the hangover?”
Zoe shrugged, compared to the pain lunch had been, she much preferred the hangover.
“I’m fine, sorry I over drunk last night.”