As those words reached Ana's ears, she only nodded in agreement, unable to answer the question.
Christian grabbed the book from the book case and began to read.
Our last name is Niarxos. A long time ago, our ancestor Soterios was walking on our private beach, enjoying the magnificent sunset. And just as he was about to walk back home, he saw something in the water. But the better he looked at it, he soon realized that it was not a thing. It was a person! He immediately took off his shoes and shirt and jumped into the very cold water. It almost took his breath away, but there was just one thing on his mind. Save the person in need!
Soon enough, he reached the person and saw that it was a woman! He dragged her back on land and began trying to wake her. At one point she coughed, making all the sea water leave her body. The second Soterios looked in her gorgeous, hazel eyes, he knew that she was the one!
It was love at first sight, also for her. He brought her to his home and they took care of her. After a good bath and some warm clothes on her back, he saw her again at dinner. His parents asked the young woman how she ended up in the open sea, but she did not remember.
'What is your name?' Soterios' mother asked.
The stranger thought very hard before answering. 'Agathe. My name is Agathe.' She replied.
In the next weeks, Soterios and Agathe spent most of their time together. Within the next weeks, they fell in love. Soterios' parents were glad that Soterios finally found a woman to marry, but they were a bit worried about something. About someone. Her name was Henimia.
They had a family friend named Henimia. She was around Soterios age. It wasn't a secret that Henimia was in love with Soterios. Heninia's and Soterios' parents were friends and a long time ago they made a pact with each other, that their kids should marry, so their riches will be combined. But when Agathe came into Soterios' life, his parents had to tell Henimia's parents that Soterios was going to marry someone else. And they did. Henimia was heartbroken and committed suicide.
When Henimia died, her mother wasn't able to grieve normally. She was furious at Soterios and his parents! She wanted them to feel the pain that she was feeling right now. The pain of losing her beautiful young daughter was so excruciating that she did the unthinkable. She visited a 'witch' and gave her a lot of gold. In return, she casted a curse on the Niarxos' family. Beginning with Soterios and Agathe.
Before Soterios could see his first born son, he was lost at sea and was never seen again. Agathe believed that it was the curse. And she was the reason. If she hadn't washed on the shore, Soterios would have married Henimia. One day, Agathe disappeared. She left and never came back, leaving her son behind. After she left, people began to make up stories of her. Some say that she was immortal, that's why she survived the ship wreck. Years later, they found out that the ship she was in, was swallowed by the sea. Everyone died, except for her. People believed that the curse that had been casted on the Niarxos' family, was her fault.
And that's why we call it 'The curse of Agathe.'
As a sigh escaped Christian's lips, his eyes darted from the book towards Ana. She had been drinking the whiskey, and tears welled up in her pretty eyes.
"That's a… a very tragic story." She uttered.
Christian's eyes fluttered shut, while he took a deep breath. If only Ana knew how tragic all of his family members lives had been. Including his.
"Yes, it is." He whispered.
Christian thought very hard at that very moment, but then kicked himself mentally! The curse is not real! How could he ever think it was. And if it is real, he would never want to use Ana for something like that! He must be out of his mind! She is a beautiful, independent young lawyer with a bright future ahead of her. He could never ask that much of her! In that moment, he decided to stop his illusion!
Yes, he had a tragic life. Yes, his marriage to Leila was a marriage from hell! Yes, he had lost the one person in his life that meant everything to him. But he cannot believe that it's because of a so called curse! That's just life and life decided to be cruel to him and his family. He just had to accept it. And he did not want to drag Ana into all of this. He should stop seeing her! He should save her… save her from himself.
"OK, that was the story of the so called 'curse'. I think I should bring you home. Your father must be worried about you. Shall we?" He said and began to walk away.
Ana furrowed her brows, but yet followed Christian, and grabbed him on his upper arm, making him stop in his tracks.
"Wait. Wait, there's gotta be more. I mean why did that old woman say that Agathe has returned? I remember clearly that she said that Agathe has returned to… to break the curse?" she asked.
"That's nothing, really. You look like Agathe. So what, its just a coincidence. The curse is not real. Come on, you cannot believe it! Come on, Ana. It's time for you to return to the hotel." He pleaded.
She shook her head and said."No. I am not going anywhere until you tell me why I look like her. And tell me why that old woman said that 'I' have returned to break the curse."
Sighing deeply, Christian locked eyes with Ana and said." Its not important, OK. Lets go, please."
At one point Ana noticed that Christian was losing his patience, but he cleverly masked it from her. He probably had a reason why he did not want to tell her. But she wanted him to let her in. She wanted him to open up to her, but he's got those walls around him again. Ana did not know why, but she wanted to trigger a reaction from him, besides his politeness. She had just met him, then why was it so important to her, for him to let her in? She did not understand herself anymore...
Ana shook her head."No!" she replied with determination in her eyes.
At that very moment Christian looked at her like he wanted to explode!
But in the next moment, he controlled himself. "Fine. You wanna know? Then come back tomorrow morning and have breakfast with me? I will tell you the rest. But please note that it is all fake, Ana." He said politely and walked away.
Ana rolled her eyes at Christian, and yet followed him and saw that he was talking to his butler.
"Calinico, miss Steele will be going now. Can you make sure she gets to the hotel safely?" he said.
He turned to Ana and said." Calinico will escort you home. Is that OK with you?" he asked very politely.
Ana didn't want to wait. It was then, when she decided to ask the butler about the rest of the story. Ana was determined to know more about Agathe…
'I bet a 100 bucks that he knows about it.' She thought.
Ana looked at Christian and just nodded."Yes, why not. That seems like a good idea. And I like Calinico a lot."
At that, Christian locked eyes with her and said."Good night, Ana Steele. This evening has been very nice. Thank you. And I will see you tomorrow morning, OK?"
She nodded and replied."Thank you for a wonderful evening. See you tomorrow morning."
Calinico escorted her out of the villa and into the limo. The moment she stepped into the car, she groaned aloud.
Calinico looked at her startled and carefully asked."Is there something wrong, Miss Ana?"
She let out a breathy sigh, and blurted out." What's wrong? I am really sorry to say this about your boss, but he really infuriates me!"
At that, Calinico's eyes twinkled, as the corners of his mouth curled upwards into a small smile."How so?" he asked.
"Well, he is nice right? I believe he's a very nice man. He's polite, is friendly and seems like an all around nice guy, but he at times puts up these invisible walls around him that just infuriates me!"
"I can relate. I know what you mean, Miss. But he wasn't always like this you know. Life has made him this way. Life has been very cruel to him, making him use his defense mechanism most of the time." He sadly said.
"But Calinico. You don't mind that I call you by your first name, right?" she asked and he shook his head.
"But it's so frustrating. One moment I can almost feel that he wants to open up or he's about to lose his temper but within seconds, those invisible walls surrounds him and he talks to me so politely that I want to strangle him! Can't he just let go of his control for once?" Ana asked, feeling extremely annoyed at Christian.
As Calinico observed Ana, while those words reached his ears, his gut was telling him that she truly was 'the one'.
"I just want him to let it out, you know!" she exclaimed.
He nodded and said." Yes, I know what you mean, Miss Ana."
"BTW, Calinico I wanna ask you something." She said, her voice a pitch lower.
"Yes?" he replied.
"Do you know why an old woman told me that I have returned to break the curse?" she asked with a serious look on her pretty face.
"But my b…" he began, but she gently cut him off.
"I know, Mr. Christian is planning to tell me tomorrow, but I have a feeling that he's planning to leave important stuff out. Cause even if I could get my hands on 'the book'. I do not read Greek." She said, sounding very convincing.
Calinico took a deep breath and knew she was right. Christian didn't plan on telling her the whole story. At that moment, Calinico was torn: should he tell Ana or not? He wanted to, because like the old woman, Calinico believed that Ana was the one... The one who was meant to come here to break the curse and save Christian, but he didn't want to do anything that his boss didn't agree with. At that, Calinico wondered: Should he?
Note: Hey, you all. I'm so happy you guys are still interested! :)
And to you all who are reading this story for the first time: Buckle up, because I promise you it's going to be one hell of a ride!
Thank you so, so much for the feedback and support! :)
So... Should Calinico tell Ana? Or not?
Tell me what you think of this chap? Thanks in advance.
J
