Fruit of Misfortune (2 page)

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I said.

David wiped the corner of my mouth and showed
me the red smudge on his finger. The dream had been so vivid that I
had sunk my teeth into my lip. I touched my mouth and wondered why
it didn’t hurt.

“What were you dreaming?” he asked.

“We were on the plane, and—the plane was
going to crash,” I lied.

I didn’t want David obsessing over my
nightmares like he’d done after the incident with Gabriel, my
ex-boyfriend.

“No nightmares of Gabriel?” he asked, wiping
the blood on his black jeans.

“No. And please don’t go snooping into my
dreams to find out, okay?”

“I promised I wouldn’t.”

“Just making sure,” I said. “You have a
tendency to overreact.”

“Because I care about you.”

“I know. That’s why I keep you around.” I
nudged him.

I stretched my neck from side to side while
we waited for the other passengers to clear the aisle. I hadn’t
noticed it before, but the cabin smelled like stale, recycled air.
It was making my stomach turn.

“That was the longest flight ever,” I
said.

“I enjoyed it.”

“That’s because you slept the entire way
here, except during the layover.”

“Did I snore?” he asked, and I shook my head.
“
You
did.”

“I did not.” I elbowed him.

Even after all those hours of sleep, I didn’t
feel rested. A plane seat wasn’t the most comfortable of places to
sleep—or to dream of the savage within me, waiting to rouse. That
was only one of many nightmares that I suspected were glimpses of
what was to come. I cringed at the thought.

David held my hand and took my carry-on bag.
He led me out of the plane and into the airport arrival gate. My
ears were ringing as we reached the baggage claim area.

Standing next to the conveyer belt, I
examined the airlines’ marketing posters on the wall. I tugged on
the Star Crest that hung from my neck on a gold chain that Nyx had
given me as a graduation present. To be honest, I liked the leather
string it hung on originally, but I didn’t want to hurt Nyx’s
feelings by not wearing her gift.

“You won’t have to carry it with you anymore
once the change begins.” David looked at the star between my
fingers.

“But I don’t want to take it off.”

“Then you don’t have to.”

“Dahveed,” a male voice called from a
distance.

A man with a gray suit and dark sunglasses
walked toward us. He patted David on the back as he shook his hand.
Then he turned to me. His five o’clock shadow was dark and thick
and stung as he kissed both my cheeks, uttering Greek words.

“Isis doesn’t speak Greek, Balthazar,” David
told him.

“Forgive me, miss. I’m Balthazar—Mr.
Alezzander’s assistant.”

“Hello,” I said, and he gave me a polite
smile in return.

“I’m at your disposal,” Balthazar said to
David. “Boss’s orders.”

“Thank you. But I think we can make our way
around Athens on our own.”

“I’ll keep my schedule open just in
case.”

David slid our suitcases off the conveyer
belt. Balthazar was quick to take them, and then he led us to the
exit.

David and I crossed the parking lot, heading
toward a black SUV where Balthazar was busy loading our suitcases.
I could hear a car’s engine revving, the loud purr becoming a roar
by the second. Then suddenly, I saw a yellow sports car driving at
full speed in our direction without making the tiniest attempt to
stop. David pushed me back and leapt out of the way. He shoved me
so hard that I landed flat on my back several feet from where I had
been standing. A few inches more and the car would have struck us
both.

The car screeched its tires as it turned a
sharp corner, leaving a puff of black and white smoke behind. David
helped me to my feet.

“Are you hurt?” He inspected me.

“I don’t—I don’t think so.”

“Idiot!” Balthazar raised his fist at the car
and ran toward us. “Are you okay, miss?”

“I’m okay,” I said, rubbing my elbow. “Just a
little shaken up.”

“I was afraid it was…”

I looked up at David expecting him to finish
his thought, but he didn’t. It wasn’t necessary, though. With the
recent happenings and the paranoia that was now ever-present in my
life, I knew he must’ve been thinking the same thing I
was—
Turpis
. The demonic creatures had already attacked me
once by possessing Gabriel’s body. The horrible memory haunted me
still.

“You’re shaking.” David rubbed my arms.

“I’m fine. Really.” I looked around. “Where’s
my purse?”

Balthazar had already picked up my bag. I
thanked him as he handed it to me. David took my hand and we walked
to the SUV. When we were settled in the back seat, David wrapped
his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. I rested my head on
him.

“I didn’t mean to push you so hard. I’m
sorry,” he said.

“Don’t apologize for saving my life. You’re
my hero.” I kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

***

A creamy full moon appeared in the sky as we
drove into the city. With the evening traffic and winding uphill
roads, it took us almost two hours to get to the Chioses’
villa.

Though it was dark, I could see the white,
modern home at the top of the hill that David said was named
Lycabettus. Illuminated by garden lights, colorful and flowery
foliage lined the walkway and provided a welcome mat for the
residence. The house had curb appeal.

Balthazar helped David unload our luggage
from the SUV. I offered to help, but they were too quick and
efficient and overall, too chivalrous to let me.

Before we reached the entryway, a short,
medium-framed woman opened the front door and scurried out to greet
us. Her salt-peppered hair peeked out from under the dark scarf
draped on her head. She wore a white, beaded blouse and a long
flowing skirt. She gave me a broad smile. I listened as she
exchanged words with David, nothing of which I could
understand.

“I’m guessing she doesn’t speak English?” I
asked.

“No. She’s Italian—a migrant worker.
Camilla’s been with us for a few years now; Paulina, her niece, a
bit less. You’ll meet her tomorrow.”

A fresh and pleasant smell filled my nostrils
when we entered the foyer. As we walked further in, I saw the
source of the scent—vases filled with white wands of tuberose. In
the living room, one of the walls showcased a collection of
paintings.
Botticelli originals? Probably.

“Do you need anything else?” Balthazar asked
David.

“If you could arrange for a car, please?”

“Of course. It’ll be here by early morning,”
Balthazar said, and then walked to the door where he paused.
“Welcome to Greece, and good night to both of you.”

***

Following a quick tour of the house, Camilla
and David showed me to my bedroom and gave me some privacy to
settle in.

A bathrobe, towels, and slippers were laid
out on the monstrous bed that was mine for the summer. The white
bedspread and fluffy pillows looked tempting after our long trip.
On the dresser sat a dark wicker basket, filled with fresh roses
and fruit. It looked just as enticing as the bed. On the other side
of the room, a pair of doors opened up to a balcony. I grabbed a
rose from the basket before I walked out into the warm night. I
leaned over the railing, observing the twinkling lights that made
up the city of Athens. It was beautiful.

Maybe
I can
enjoy it
regardless of the circumstances that brought me here.

Yes, it’d be prudent to begin the search for
S. Leumas the very next morning, but the Acropolis was calling out
to me. I wanted to stand on the rocks that touched the shoes of so
many others in history. Putting off the search for one more day
wouldn’t hurt, would it? I needed at least one stress-free day to
prepare myself emotionally. After all, a girl only gets one first
time to meet the man that ruined her life.

I heard a light tapping on the door just as I
placed the last of my clothes in the linen-lined drawers.

“Permesso, posso entrare?” I heard Camilla
say. I figured she wanted me to open the door.

Camilla walked in holding a large black box,
a pink bow fastened to it. She set it on the bed and looked at
me.

“Apri il regalo.”

“Uh—I don’t understand.”

“Aprilo.”

“She’d like you to open the gift,” David
said, standing at the door.

“Is this from you?” I asked, and he
nodded.

I pulled the satin bow by the ends and let
the ribbon slide off the box. I lifted the lid and removed the pink
tissue paper that had been placed over the contents where I found a
garnet-colored cocktail dress and a pair of matte, gold-heeled
shoes.

“A dress?” I cocked my eyebrow.

“I didn’t think you had packed one and I was
hoping that we might go on that first date tonight, if you’re not
too tired.”

“
Really?”

“Well, if you’re tired—”

“No.” I shook my head. “I meant, really,
we’re finally going out?”

“Is that a yes?”

“It’s a definite yes. Give me an hour to get
ready?”

“Of course,” David said and walked to the
door. He said something in Italian to Camilla and they both left
the room.

Before I began to pretty myself up, I walked
to the balcony again. How I wished my mother could be standing here
experiencing the view. It had only been a day since I had been away
from her, but I already missed my Claire.

I didn’t know what time it was back home, but
I dialed Claire’s cell phone anyway. I’d promised to call her to
tell her I’d arrived safely.

“Is it beautiful?” Claire asked.

“I haven’t seen too much, but Mom, I can see
the Parthenon from the balcony. It’s phenomenal!”

The line was silent.

“Mom?”

“You’ll call me often, won’t you?” Claire
asked.

“I promise.”

“Remind me again how long you’ll be
away?”

“Two months. I’m all yours after then. Well,
at least until spring.” I hoped.

“I can’t believe I let you put off college
‘til spring for this. I’m a cool mom, huh?”

“The coolest.”

“Well…” she sighed. “I’m at work, and I
better get back to it, before the waterworks set in.”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake, woman. Keep it
together.”

She giggled.

“I love you, honey.”

“Love you, too. Stop moping, okay?”

“Okay,” she said, “and Isis—
be
good
.”

“I will.”

***

I adjusted the silk dress’s thin belt over my
waist and made sure the wide strap that looped around my neck was
securely fastened. The open-toed shoes were a perfect fit for my
hard-to-please feet. They were comfortable, too. I wondered if they
were from one of Alezzander’s shoe lines and glanced at the brand
name on the box they had come in.
Alezz
. How chic.

I curled my hair at the ends and put it up,
leaving my back exposed. Then I sprayed my favorite perfume over my
wrists and neck and walked to the right corridor. There were three
doors, but I had no idea which was David’s room. There was only one
way to find out.

“David?”

“I’m downstairs.” His voice produced a slight
echo.

I took each step gingerly, for fear of
slipping on the marble staircase. I could still hear David
speaking, but I didn’t know to who. When I reached the foot of the
stairs, I saw his phone pressed against his ear.

David was wearing a light colored shirt under
a dark jacket. The top few buttons of his shirt were undone. I took
it as an invitation and touched the bare part of his chest. He
placed his hand over mine, and then raised it to his lips. I
admired him as he spoke on the phone for a moment longer. When he
ended the call, he took a step back and studied me from head to
toe.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as
beautiful as you.”

“Thanks,” I said, blushing. “You look like a
god.”

“Very funny.”

“I’m serious. I’m not sure I want anyone else
to see you looking this good.”

“You’re cute when you’re jealous,” he told
me. “Shall we?”

I nodded and took his arm, and we stepped out
of the house. A car was parked in the curved driveway. The driver
opened the door, and I slid into the back seat.

“I’ll be right back,” David said, peeking his
head in.

He walked back to the house. A moment later,
I saw him at the front door with his arm hidden behind his back. As
he settled into the back seat, he brought his arm around and handed
me a bouquet of roses.

“You had all of this planned, didn’t you?” I
said.

“I wanted it to be perfect.”

***

The tint on the car windows was too dark to
appreciate the scenic route down the hill, so I lowered the window
to have a better view.

As we entered the city, the streets and
sidewalks of Kolonaki—the neighborhood where David’s house was
located—were thriving with nightlife. Bright street lamps
illuminated the avenues, and the breeze carried laughter and
music.

We arrived at an ivory building with a gated
patio entrance. As we walked in, I admired how clean and
pressed—and stiff—the waiters’ black and white uniforms looked. The
walls were made of white stucco, giving the restaurant a rustic,
elegant feel.

The maître d’ showed us to a table located on
the balcony. The linen draped tables were set with fine china,
crystal stemware, and two ice buckets—one with a bottle of red
wine, the other champagne.

“I feel out of place,” I said.

“Why?”

“Look at everyone here.” I eyed a young
couple two tables away. “I bet they even sweat with sophistication…
like you. You fit perfectly—you’re beautiful. Me? I’m average. As
plain as they come.”

David put down his menu.