Monica went back to her room. She was a little surprised to see another red rose lying on her pillow. Not being able to contain her smile, she threw her cellphone on the bedspread and took the rose carefully. All the thorns had been removed and she smelled it, trying to associate the scent with the memory of Chandler. She looked out the window and could see him washing his motorcycle close to his cabin. Wondering when he found the time to go up to her room and down to the garden again, she hopped down the stairs to finally meet him.
Standing a few meters behind Chandler, Monica took a moment to stare at him. He hadn't heard her coming, so he was engrossed in his work. He had rolled the sleeves of his wet T-shirt up and his muscled arms were showing. He had a pretty perfect tan from working shirtless in the garden most afternoons and Monica wondered how they had kept their hands off of each other for the whole week. She would gladly attack him right that moment and show him she could be as focused to him as he was being to his favorite inanimate object.
"Enjoying the view?" Chandler's voice startled her. He had seen her checking him out from the motorcycle's mirror and couldn't help but feel a little smug. He had started feeling a lot like that lately, the only reason being Monica's appearance into his life. The way she had been looking at him from the start, the good kind of nervousness she seemed to feel whenever they were close to each other, as well as what had happened between them those last few days had given him a great ego-boost, something he never thought any woman as stunning as her ever would.
"It sure is a nice view." She smiled at him, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks. "Good morning" She laughed.
"Good morning, beautiful" He had a feeling she really liked it when he called her that. "I thought about coming inside to find you, but decided not to risk it…"
"You did a good job being sneaky though." Her expression turned conspiratorial and she held up the rose she had been hiding behind her back. "Thanks for the rose."
"Umm… What?"
Seeing his perplexed look, she got impatient.
"Come on, Chandler, nobody can hear us, there's no one around!"
"Seriously, what's up with the rose?"
"You left it on my pillow." Monica said like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Right?"
"It sounds like a very romantic gesture and I feel kind of stupid for not having thought of doing something like that for you, but no, I haven't left anything on your pillow. Actually, I haven't gotten in the house at all today."
Monica's eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat. "Someone knows about us."
"What are you talking about? Are you sure?" Chandler threw the sponge in the bucket of bubbly water and Monica had his full attention.
"No. I mean… Why would someone leave a red rose on my pillow like you… Wait a minute. Did you just say you haven't left any rose on my pillow? Ever?"
"No, I haven't. But I can give you a colorful garden full of your favorite flowers if you want to." He said, giving her the most reassuring smile he could achieve.
"That's so sweet."
"Now, who do you think it's from?"
"It wasn't there earlier when I left the room. The only people in the house right now are aunt Amelia and Grandpa. Oh, and Panos." She stopped talking abruptly, a look of realization covering her face.
"What?"
"I had the weirdest conversation with Panos earlier. It left me sensing that he knew something's going on between us. But why would he leave a rose on my pillow repeatedly? He could just confront us…"
"He doesn't suspect anything about us. He likes you, Mon." Chandler said, silently jealous that his brother-in-law had managed to put a smile on Monica's face multiple times.
"That's not possible!" Monica exclaimed, searching for a hint of a joke in Chandler's eyes. She only found apprehension and something else she couldn't register. "Oh, my God. He's my future brother-in-law for all he knows! What should I do?"
"I think you should talk to him." Chandler answered, unsure about what he was suggesting. It all felt surreal to him.
Monica nodded. "Now that you mentioned talking, who was that woman in your cabin earlier?"
"You saw her? I thought you only went as far as you needed to throw down the bicycle."
Monica rolled her eyes. "Are you trying to avoid my question?"
"No. That was Kathy. We were casually dating before you arrived here. When I realized I could only imagine being with you, which as you know was pretty early on, I told her we couldn't see each other anymore. She came to me after all this time saying that she had missed me. I told her there's someone else in my life now."
"Is that all?" Monica asked.
He nodded.
"I still think there's something you're not telling me."
His hurt look made her realize she hadn't explained herself.
"Sweety, I know you're being honest. I just meant that you haven't told me how much this has affected you."
"I can't say that doing what several women have done to me wasn't awful. I was never in an actual relationship with her, but I didn't like actually dumbing her." Chandler said, a softer tone obvious in his voice, after the comfort brought by Monica's ability to understand him.
"I want to kiss you so badly right now."
Monica's statement surprised him and he couldn't help but chuckle. "I want that, too, babe, but we can't do it out here."
"I know" Monica said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
###
Monica found herself alone in her room again. She reluctantly said goodbye to the quiet morning with Chandler to try to reach Phoebe on the phone again. To her surprise, she answered on the first ring.
"Phoebe! Finally! How are you?"
"Monica! I'm so glad I can finally talk to you! I'm okay. Even though I'm kind off still asleep!"
Monica had completely forgotten about the time difference. "I'm so sorry I woke you!"
"Don't worry about it. Are you okay? Have you got the latest reports of the profits?"
"Yes and yes. Thank you for taking care of everything for so long…"
"Where have you been? Is everything alright?" Phoebe asked, her tone being more upset then accusing.
"Not everything. But I feel great."
Phoebe could hear the smile in her friend's voice. "I knew it! Something has happened with Chandler, right? I could feel it all this time, you're going to be so happy together!"
"I already feel so happy! But it's all so complicated…"
"Speaking of complicated, I've wanted to tell you something for the whole week!"
Monica could sense a serious quality in her voice. "What's up?"
"Mark is coming to Greece."
"WHAT? When? How do you know that?"
"I'm not sure when, but it's going to be soon. I saw him at a restaurant the other day and went in to talk to him." Phoebe said proudly.
"You talked to him?" Monica asked incredulously. "I'm sorry, Phoebe, but can you tell me everything some other time? I've got to inform Chandler…"
"Wait, wait! Your mom has been looking for you. She called me a few times and she even showed up at work yesterday."
Monica got instantly worried. "Why? Has anything bad happened?"
"No, everything's okay. Both your parents were just worried about you. She said they haven't heard from you for a long time."
"I had a few missed calls from them during the last few days and I talked with Ross last week. It didn't occur to me that they would be worried…"
"They're your parents; of course they're worried!" Phoebe knew what it was like to have no parents and she couldn't understand why Monica thought hers didn't love her. "Please call them, okay? And now, go tell your new boyfriend the news."
"I will. Thanks, Pheebs. Talk to you later."
They hang up and Monica practically ran out the door, crashing into Panos.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Panos smiled at her kindly.
"I have to… You know what? Do you have time to talk a little?"
"Sure. Let's go to the garden."
Monica didn't expect him to suggest that, but it sounded convenient. Maybe it would be easier for her to ask him with the red roses standing close to them.
Walking through the garden, Panos looked giddy and it scared Monica.
"So, where is everyone today?" She asked, trying to make the situation less awkward.
"Running some errands, I think. They don't really tell me what they're doing." Panos said, cringing a little.
"Okay, I'm just going to say it. Do those roses remind you of something?"
"I'm not sure what you mean…" Panos answered, feeling uncomfortable.
"Is there a possibility that you were the one leaving the red roses on my pillow?"
He hung his head down and sighed. "Yes, it was me."
"Why?" Monica asked.
"Because you're amazing. You're beautiful and smart and kind and I don't know why no one else can see it." He said and Monica noticed that his eyes were shining in a way they never had before. "And I wanted you to know that if anything goes wrong, you could count on me. I could leave everything in order to make you smile."
Monica felt tears forming in her eyes. Here she was, standing in front of a man she didn't even paid much attention to. And his words sounded so genuine and innocent. "Panos, that's sweet. But what about your wife? And Alex?"
"I love Alex so much and I don't want to hurt him. But I don't recognize Laura anymore. She isn't the woman I married."
"Still, you should try and make things better between you two…" Monica said, trying to ignore the lump that had formed in her throat.
"It's too late for me…"
A car pulled up and Alex ran towards them. Everyone was back, along with numerous shopping bags. Vera called Rachel's name and gestured Monica to follow her inside. Laura began screaming at her husband, making Alex follow Monica instead of staying with his parents. Monica sighed internally. There went the calmness of her Saturday.
###
Monica lay in bed thinking about everything that happened that day. The realization that she had stayed there long enough for her parents to start getting worried about her had hit her and she couldn't concentrate in anything other than the possibility of a sudden meeting with Mark and the fact that she was lying to the people she had come to like. How could she expect them to respect her when she kept acting that way? She brought each of their faces to her mind and imagined them angry and disappointed. She got up, the feeling of a stranger's bed suddenly suffocating her. She went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. When she had first gotten there, the forbidden sweets were her only comfort during the late sleepless nights. She closed the door in defeat. All she really needed was Chandler. She snuck out of the house, once again not noticing Grandpa sitting in his usual spot in the darkness of the living room.
###
Chandler was writing again. When he realized writing was his dream, he thought it was too late. He had already begun working at his family's company. He knew that they needed him there, although none of them was good at showing it. Maybe he needed them, too. He needed the constant reminder that he wouldn't be alone for the rest of his life. All that changed when Monica walked suddenly into his world. He felt like he could dream again. He had almost finished his second novel during the past month. His first had been forgotten for years; he wrote it during college and never told anyone. It was about family and the ties that bind people to their relatives. His latest novel was about love and the connection people have with their soulmate. He proofread that day's progress and chuckled to himself when he got to a particularly cheesy part. Who thought Chandler Bing would be so romantic at heart?
Letting Monica know about his writing was one of the first things he planned to do if that weird confusion ever cleared up. He was aware that she was curious about it anyway. Just as he had put his notebook back in the drawer, the door opened and the person who occupied his mind all day walked in.
"Hey! I wasn't waiting for you for another hour." Chandler shot Monica a smile and began walking towards her. He almost lost his balance when she wrapped her arms around his neck and attacked his lips in an intense kiss. He pulled her closer, keeping his arms tightly around her waist, and returned her passionate affections with fervor. In the next moment his shirt was on the floor. Seconds later, her dress was on top of it. He even managed to remove her bra and his pants were gone soon after that, almost without breaking their excited kisses. Only when their naked chests touched with a bolt of electricity did they pull away to look at each other. Monica's flushed face and the hint of a smile at the corners of her delicious lips gave Chandler the reassurance he was seeking. He initiated the next round of kisses, digging his fingertips on the sides of her hips at the same time, encouraging her to wrap her legs around his waist and hold on to him. He carried her to his bed and laid her gently on it. The aggressive kisses slowed down, replaced by lazier, more sensual ones.
"Chandler" Monica whispered in his mouth, intoxicated by the moment that she didn't know she had been waiting for.
###
Monica walked in the direction of the house more afraid than ever. She had spent the most amazing night with Chandler, but neither of them thought to set up the alarm. As a result, she was returning to her room while some light had already appeared on the sky. She closed the door behind her quietly and came face to face with Grandpa. It took all her self-control not to scream from the shock.
"I… I wasn't…" She managed to whisper in the half-dark hallway.
"I know where you were. And I know what's been going on. I know everything that happens in this house. But most of the others haven't figured you out yet. They don't know about your fake identity or your adventures with my grandson. Be careful." Grandpa talked in loud whispers, his tone authoritative, but caring.
"Okay." Monica said in a small voice, not daring to look at him.
"Now go to sleep. You look like you need it after last night's activities."
Monica's eyes widened and shot up to finally see a proud smirk on Grandpa's face. "Thanks. My name is-"
"Don't. I don't need to know that." Grandpa put one hand up to stop her. "Just don't hurt Chandler."
"I can assure you I will never do that." She said softly and Grandpa's heart swelled with happiness for the route his grandson's life seemed to have taken.
###
George found Monica and Grandpa laughing in the kitchen. Monica hadn't been able to sleep again. She ended up taking breakfast with Grandpa and she found out he was the one who had given Chandler his sense of humor.
"Important people have more important things to do now than sitting around." Grandpa said as he walked out in the hallway.
"Was he bothering you?" George asked.
"No. He was great!"
Just then Chandler entered through the backdoor. He saw them, his heart beating fast in the sight of Monica, and proceeded to search a cabinet for whatever it what that he needed.
"Saying 'good morning' is what people do in the morning, Chandler. I know you don't care about me, but you could have said 'good morning' to your future sister-in-law." His father told him bitterly.
"I did!" Chandler exclaimed, turning around to face them.
"When?" His father inquired.
Chandler's eyes locked with Monica's across the room.
Suddenly they were both awake, limps tangled, Monica's head pressing against Chandler's chest.
"Good morning." Chandler said groggily, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
"Is it even morning yet?" Monica giggled, tightening her arms around his waist.
"I guess it will be soon…"
"I should go."
Vera's high voice brought them out of their reverie.
"Chandler, you should take Rachel in the city. Go sightseeing or for an ice cream.
Both Monica and Chandler looked at her, confused. When Vera acted anxiously, it usually meant that she was hiding something.
"Okay. But why?" Chandler asked.
"Can you not question me for once in your life? Can't you just do what I say?"
"I always do that!" Chandler complained.
"Listen to your mother, son." George's words sounded like an order. "Rachel shouldn't always stay at home, she should see more of the city."
"Your parents are a little weird."
Chandler scoffed at Monica's innocent remark as they were walking towards his motorcycle.
"They could have taken me with them yesterday, when they went to the city." Monica continued.
"I don't know. It works better for me this way!" Chandler winked at her before wearing his helmet.
###
Monica and Chandler walked hand in hand with huge smiles on their faces. Monica was enjoying walking on the quaint streets with the traditional houses that constituted the old part of the city and Chandler was more than excited to have her all for himself for the whole morning and show her around. After three hours of trying to walk on every little street that led from the Upper Town to the modern –and ugly, according to Chandler- city center, they had already talked about the latest news concerning Phoebe, Mark, Monica's parents, Panos and Grandpa and taken photos of themselves at every place Monica found interesting.
"Here we are!" Chandler exclaimed. "This is one of the most important old churches of the city!"
Monica examined what looked like the back of an old orthodox church. "You said the same thing about the last five or six churches we passed on our way here!" She said, giggling. She found Chandler's enthusiasm incredibly cute. Until that day she regretted not being organized enough to spent some time sightseeing, but the circumstances didn't allow her to do that anyway. She bought a pocket guide at the beginning of their walk, but Chandler managed to convince her not to use it; he would be her guide instead. It was hard for her to let someone else lead her in a situation like that, but Chandler was the best company she could ever want.
Chandler chuckled. "Come on, you'll see what I mean."
They walked around the church to get to its entrance. Monica noticed that only the back of the church was old; the rest of it seemed to have been rebuilt and the newest additions made the building look imposing. She didn't find that strange because they had also seen other churches with old and new parts combined and Chandler told her that they usually didn't want to destroy them, so they did whatever they could to restore them.
They stood in front of the building for a couple of minutes. They saw people come and go. Most of them were older ladies who had attended Sunday's "Divine Liturgy". Some of them were tourists who visited the famous monument.
"The initial building was constructed in the 7th century." Chandler said.
"Wow. That was fourteen centuries ago! How did it get destroyed?"
"In 1917, a few years after the Ottoman rule had ended, there was a huge fire in the historic city center which unfortunately destroyed a large part of it and resulted in the creation of the ugliest apartment buildings that have ever existed. Of course the fire wasn't the only thing responsible for the ugliness. The worst enemy of the old and aesthetically beautiful buildings was the urban growth of the last century. Anyway, there were some parts of the old church that are still intact. Come on!"
She followed him inside and he showed her the marble tiles of the floor. There was a distinctive difference between the old and the new ones. Then he grabbed her hand and led her in front of an interesting colorful mosaic that portrayed a saint.
"Don't tell me that's from the 7th century, too!" Monica said, surprised at what Chandler had already shown her.
"It really is! Along with some other parts of mosaics in this church." He answered with a grin.
"Noone other than the tourists seem to notice any of that."
"It's a shame, isn't it? I don't think the locals even know the history of their monuments. I'm not sure if each one of them has ever walked among the narrow streets of the Upper Town like we did before."
"Really? Do you always like sightseeing that much?" Monica asked.
"No. Before I came here I wasn't a fan of big city tours."
"What changed?"
"During my first month in this city I was really sad. I did nothing but work. Grandpa came to my cabin one day and demanded that I take him to the city. We ended up doing that at least once a week and he showed me something different each time. It was great seeing every part of this place through the eyes of someone who had lived here a so many years ago. Now people just don't care about their historic legacy, at least not all of them. Unfortunately, the ones that still do are hidden under the supporters of the layers of concrete that have destroyed every level of beauty this city once had to offer."
Monica looked at him, fascinated about the way he talked. He stated the facts, but she could feel that he used an ounce of his personal opinion and that combination was enough to make any topic interesting for her.
"What's next?" She asked him, expecting nothing more than another surprise. She wasn't disappointed. Chandler took her underground through a narrow gate inside the church, which looked like an entrance to a cave. It turned out to be a catacomb where the first Christians used to hide from their enemies.
"Grandpa was proud to announce that the locals do know about the catacombs." Chandler chuckled. "They think that this place is still sacred."
Once they had gotten out in the warm sunshine again, Chandler's mom informed them that lunch would be ready in an hour and they should return home.
"I can't believe your parents didn't take me anywhere other than the city center." Monica stated incredulously.
"Oh, my God."
"What?" Monica looked worriedly at Chandler's panicked face.
"We actually have to go all the way up there to the motorcycle."
"So? Are you tired? What have you been doing all night instead of sleeping?" Monica asked him, poking his ribs teasingly.
Chandler chuckled. "How do you feel about taking the bus?"
"Using the public transport of the city I've spent the last month at and getting to observe more of the greek everyday life? I love it!" Monica said as she threaded her fingers through his.
###
"Are we still on for telling everyone the truth after lunch?" Monica asked, still unsure about what they were planning to do.
"I think it's the right thing to do."
"That doesn't mean it's not scary."
"Remember that I'm going to be there no matter what." Chandler reassured her and they walked into the house together.
"Did you miss me, sweetheart?" A loud male voice that Monica didn't recognize at first startled both of them. The next moment she realized she was encircled by Mark's arms and everyone was staring at them.
###
A.N.: So much for writing 'shorter chapters'… But I managed to update before the end of the week and that had been my plan! Thank you all very much for your sweet reviews! They always keep me motivated. This was actually my favorite chapter to write so far. I'm sorry if anyone isn't interested in the sightseeing details, but once I had the idea I couldn't leave it out. I had to put a little bit of myself in there and I hope it isn't too out of character for the story.