Haley waltzed into the office, grinning like a Cheshire cat, a permanent smile plastered on her face.

'Somebody got it all last night,' Tricia jumped up and rushed to Haley's desk.

'Who is it? Come on spill!' Stacy demanded.

'Haley, we're going to quietly die of curiosity,' Lizzie smiled.

Haley laughed. 'Perhaps you may die in a quiet and dignified manner Lizzie, not these two who ---.'

'Who is he, for heaven's sake!' Stacy interrupted.

'Xanthus.'  Haley uttered quietly.

Tricia's eyes bulged. ''Xanthus" ---Xanthus! The one we tossed for!'

'You've been holding out on us!' Stacy accused.

'He's taking me to Greece,' Haley was on a non-narcotic high.

'Bloody hell --- so you been to bloody bed with him!' Tricia reproached.

'More than once,' Haley grinned.

Stacy laughed. 'How many is that ... two --- three?'

'Um --- more than that actually,' she bit on her lower lip conspiratorially.

'You are sneaky,' Lizzie chuckled.

'Guys, be happy for me.'

'We are,' they chorused, and simultaneously engaged in a group hug.

'I'm so jealous. You're going to Greece!' Lizzie moaned.

'Sure we can't come and help carry your luggage, or something' Stacy offered.

'I could be your hair stylist,' Tricia countered.

Haley laughed. 'We leave tomorrow.'

'We're happy for you,' Tricia hugged her again. 'Make the best of it.'

'I will --- now I've got to try and work.'

'When you return, we want to hear all about it, every detail,' Stacy instructed.

    
        It was pretty humid on the tarmac. Haley felt the hot breeze caress her cheeks. Her skin felt sticky. A bead of perspiration trickled down her spine. Luckily her thin strapped flowery sun dress brought some reprieve. They moved quickly from the luxury of Xanthus' private aircraft towards their ground transportation. Her white platform sandals were comfortable enough to enable her to keep up with Xanthus' big strides.
The tiny airport looked more like a house than a facility that managed the ebb and flow of tourists. Though it was small, there were a lot of passengers either arriving or departing. As Haley looked around, she felt a rush of adrenalin from the Mediterranean atmosphere, the perfectly bright blue sky, the tinge of salt in the air. The sun was a bit too hot. She regretted not carrying a hat.

From the way people were dressed, Haley could hardly tell the locals from the foreigners who seemed to have blended nicely amongst the residents, but the natural olive toned skin of the natives were easy to pick out. Women were casually dressed in summer wear or shorts. Men were either in casual wear or short sleeves. Haley did not fail to observe the oblivious Xanthus being ogled by more than a fair share of lustful female admirers. Instinctively her hand reached out, her fingers lacing through his territorially.

It immediately drew Xanthus' attention to her. He looked down, smiled into her eyes and tightened the grip of his hand linked in hers. He was gorgeously dressed in a white button down cotton shirt, well-fitting stone chinos, and brown dress shoes. He looked irresistible. Xanthus dipped his head, his warm breath caressed her ear. She suddenly felt weak in the knees. Perhaps it was too hot. Then she forced herself to pay attention to his words.

'A short helicopter ride and we will be at my home in ten minutes,' he smiled.

Haley nodded, not trusting herself to respond eloquently; too overwhelmed by the romantic Greek island, its insanely infective humidity and the arresting hunk next to her.

A helicopter with the Laskaris name emblazoned on its doors, transported them to what was Xanthus' very own private island.  Haley should not have been surprised at the picturesque, luxurious paradise island, yet her jaw dropped when her eyes surveyed what amounted to Xanthus' own private island.   It was a sprawling estate on a landscaped plot where the grounds sloped towards the quixotic Aegean Sea offering total privacy.

The island looked unspoilt, showing of its outstanding natural beauty. The white sandy beach was clean, welcoming and looked very private. There was not a soul in sight. The rich blue green of the Aegean, darkened to a bright blue in the deeper regions and looked so tempting, Haley could not wait to get into a bathing suit.

'Xanthus --- this is magnificent. It looks like a picture.'

He laughed happily. There was a measure of pride in his voice. 'I try to preserve its natural elements. My island boasts some amazing archaeological treasures of the region. I have a team of grounds men and women who are dedicated to maintaining the eco-system here.

'I knew it would be beautiful, but pictures have done it an injustice.  It is so much more ---charming,' she laughed.

'Oh.' He cast an offended eye at her. 'I thought I was charming.'

'You are,' she laughed and for good measure plonked a kiss on his lips.

Haley thought she felt Xanthus momentarily tense up, as the helicopter landed on the estate helipad, but she could be mistaken. She looked up into his face but could not read any expression in his eyes. She had hardly given much thought to who she would be meeting here on the island.

Did his parents live here? Does he have siblings living here?
Or is this is private hideout? And how many other lovers had he brought here previously.

She tried to quell the green eyed monster rising like a phoenix inside her... she felt acid building inside her tummy.

'Shall we?' Xanthus smiled, though his eyelids shuttered, as he offered her his arm and led her up the short cobble stone stairs to the front door.

Instantly a well- rounded woman in an apron, with salt and pepper hair appeared, a smile beaming on her face.

'Welcome home Mr Laskaris. You have been away too long,' she smiled at Xanthus adoringly.

'Hello Anthea,' Xanthus smiled broadly.

Haley observed the fond exchange between the two, noting equal respect and warmth.

'Anthea, meet Ms Haley Stafford. Haley, Anthea grew me up from when I was in diapers.'

'Hi,' Haley smiled. 'Lovely to meet you.'

'Welcome,' Anthea cupped her hands in Haley's. 'You are too skinny. I must fatten you up.'

Haley laughed awkwardly. 'I do eat, quite a lot actually.'

'Yes,' Xanthus nodded. 'You just have to mention the word "free" and Haley is game.'

'Then you are not feeding her enough,' Anthea grabbed Xanthus by the cheeks playfully. 'Come. I have made your favourite tyropita ... cheese pie and my baklava is best in the world. Is that not so?' She questioned Xanthus, as they walked in.

'Yes. Agreed,' Xanthus lifted his hand up as in a salute gesture.

'Hello my boy. You are finally home.'

Xanthus and Haley turned around at the sound of the new voice.

'Mama. Hello.'

Haley's antenna was up in a flash. She noticed that the warmth Xanthus had greeted the house keeper had somewhat chilled. Haley also observed that his mother, regal looking and sophisticatedly dressed, was poised at the bottom step and hadn't moved forward to embrace her son.

Xanthus disengaged his arm that was at the small of Haley's back. He walked forward and kissed his mother on both cheeks.

'Are you well mama?'

Though Xanthus' tone was polite and courteous, Haley could not discount the reservation or lack of warmth that he had greeted the housekeeper with.
Do they not get along?

'I am very well thank you,' she replied in perfect English.

'Mama, may I introduce you to Ms Haley Stafford. Haley this is my mama. Maria Laskaris.'

Haley rushed forward. 'A pleasure to meet you, Mrs Laskaris.'

Maria nodded. 'Welcome to our home,' she offered unsmilingly, with all the warmth of a snake.

'Prepare one of the suites for Xanthus' guest,' Maria instructed the housekeeper before she addressed Haley.  'Perhaps you will want to freshen up and rest a bit, whilst I speak to my son,' she tucked her arm through Xanthus.'

'Um ---sure,' Haley responded uneasily.

The instructions were clear. She was not expecting Haley to be sharing Xanthus room. And she wanted Haley out of the way whilst she privately engaged with her son.

'Show Ms. Stafford to my suite please Anthea,' Xanthus leaned towards Haley, pressing a kiss to her cheek. 'I will join you shortly. I also need a shower.' He turned back towards his mother.   'Let us go to the library mama.'

The old lady's eyes narrowed at Haley condescendingly. Without a word, she squared her shoulders, turned her back and marched in the direction of the library.

                                                                                   
                  -end chapter six-