"Maybe he's doing the same thing as me... maybe he wants so bad to call me, but just won't because I haven't called him... then again, maybe I shouldn't fill myself with a false hope that he might just be missing me like I'm missing him." - Anonymous

(Unedited)

Lauren's POV

6 Months later..

It's been six months since I left Greece. Six months no communication with Chrissy or any of the Mailov family. I've been working like a caveman. For six months, no social life. And for that span of time I have established myself in the cruel world of industry. Became tougher with dealings of the stubborn employees who thought I'm just another girl who knows nothing but clubbing, which a reputation I gained for the last 7 years. The darling of all gossip magazines all over Greece. They called me the "Slutty His'n'Hers Heiress!" I am the favorite topic of every gossip mongrels in Greece. But I care not for every names they labeled me. I know who I am and what I did.

New York is my Mom's second home. It is where my mother raised and lived almost her whole life. But as far as I remember, I only visited this place when I was 5 years old. And that was 15 years ago. I'm not too close with my Mom's side. I was too young when I met them and I barely have memories of them.

And until now, I haven't contacted them, or even have any plan of contacting them. I knew nothing about them, since all my mother talked about when she was alive is about how well the company is running. How good the designers she pick. How cooperative her team are and how much profits they are expecting for the years to come, blah blah blah.. It's all about money. And now I'm living it. The way they lived their life.

I came here with no friends, no acquaintances. Just Mario who became my best friend.

I remember the first day I arrived in New York. I was shocked to see Mario, who came to pick me up instead of arranging someone which is what he had mentioned before I left Greece. And what is more shocking is to see a gorgeous young man about 30, stood closer to 6 ft., blonde hair, electric blue eyes, and very hunk. His being gay was only known of few, including me. His dad was an ex-army, so as his other brothers, that's why he's scared to reveal his true sexual identity. His lover Isaac Olivares, one of our photographer was very nice as well and they are both gorgeous hunk who happens to like the same sex. Their relationship was very discreet.

Mario found a condo along Madison Avenue, the Holiday En-Suite. Where I come to love it and called it my home. The place was polished with concrete floors, a sculptural glass and steel staircase floating between the two floors, and walls of floor-to-ceiling windows providing infinite scenic views of Manhattan. The first floor, wonderful for entertaining, has been opened up into a large living/dining room and kitchen. It comes complete with a library/office and a home cinema. The dirty kitchen features a separate wet-bar and top of the line appliances. Also on this floor is a spacious separate bedroom suite with two walk-in closets and a bathroom. In addition, there is a powder room and laundry room. On the second floor, there are two more bedrooms, one of which is a guest room, which as if I'm getting any guest at this point of my life, and a generous, luxurious master suite. The master, which is 435 square feet, entered through a hallway. It has two large, walk-in closets, a bathroom with an open shower and features floor-to-ceiling windows bathing the room in natural light all day long

I was lying in my bed feeling lazy to get up. The weather is chilly and it didn't help at all. It's already 11 in the morning and I hadn't done anything. I look out the window walls and from my bed I could see the park.

It was snowing outside. The park was covered with snow and it's all white. It looks beautiful.

The weather is cold as cold as my heart.

It's Saturday, but as usual, my day will only be spent with just my laptop. At this hour I should be in my office working. As I have said, I have no day off. I work around the clock, 7 days a week. Nothing interesting in my life. It's all about work. Even Mario and Isaac was getting annoyed at me but they can never do anything. It's how I have to get by every day. Or I'll go crazy.

The thought of him, that kiss we shared that night was still fresh in my head and every time I go to bed, it's taunting me. His brooding face flashed like a broken disk, kept replaying in my head.

I don't know how I managed to get rid of him out of my head for the past days and months. But I had to work and worked, not giving my head a time or any chance to recall about anything in Greece or anything about the kiss.

I called my Tata Rieta once in a while to know how they are all doing back home. I missed her but I can't go back. I can't until I'm sure I'm over him. My penthouse in Greece has been sold. Only my parent's house that was left and the people I cared who was there with me when my parents are away.

I know I can't escape forever. We are living in the same world. A world of business. And if fate meddles, there's no way we could get away. How could I? You know when you are avoiding it, they just keep on popping up.

His faces is everywhere. He was in every magazines, tabloids, and on the television. As the new owner of the A&A Engineering Company, why not every magazines went crazy of getting a story about him? When the million dollar worth A&A Engineering was now a Billion dollar company. From the name A&A Engineering to Mailov Engineering Designs and Construction Corp. For six months, the million dollar company turned into a billion dollar worth of company. Recently he was featured as the new Tiger of industry after the Black hearted Rafael Valiente. The several contracts he just acquired, one was from the sheik in Dubai, soon the rising of the tallest luxurious hotel in the world, will be built and designed by him. For six months he had designed three hotels and had his company built it. With a large number of employees and sufficient equipments, the three buildings was done in no time. His designs was out of the world. Spectacular edifice, from facade to the interior of the building.

His tactics in achieving goals were beyond genius. He is the first businessman who doubled the employees of every typical engineering or any construction company. He has strange ideas that nobody could even fathom it, but had made him attract a lot of investors. And before everyone knew it, he was offered a lot of opportunities, including the big project, the luxurious hotel from the billionaire sheik in Dubai.

Who knew it would work? But it did to him, and now he's conquering the world of Constructions and Designs. His excellent management and skills in designing were making his name as famous as Marilyn Monroe.

His greatest dream. Finally, he is on the verge of achieving it. The sheik building had already started and his name was hot in all the magazines around the world.

Even though how much I wanted to completely forget him, but sometimes my body and my heart defies me. Just like today. I'm reading the magazine again about him. The magazine that featured his success. He looks downright gorgeous in his picture. Although he was smiling, but still, his signature brooding aura was still very profound, making him looking more like a heartless intimidating businessman.

I missed him. Even if he never treat me good, I still miss him. I missed his brooding, his conceitedness, his eyes, his lips, his touch, his hold. I missed everything about him.

I threw the magazine on the floor and wipe the tears that are starting to fall from my eyes with the back of my hand. Draping my hand over my eyes, I heaved a painful sighed.

Why is it so hard to forget him? Why have to be him?

Frustratedly, I lazily dragged myself to the washroom and decided to take a shower to completely wake my system up and just start my day with my work.

I tossed my dirty sleeping clothes in the hamper and climbed into the shower. I turned the water tap on adjusting it with the right temperature. Turning the shower head on and I stepped under the running water letting the warm water run through my body. I shampooed my hair then rinse it. Then I scrub my body until I am satisfied and then rinse myself completely until I felt thoroughly clean and decided to finish it.

I dried my hair first then dried my body. Wrapping it around my chest, I walked to my chest and pulled the first drawer where all my under garments are. Not long, I'm dressed with my usual at home get up. Black tank top and my green favorite yoga short.

After drying my hair, I put on my flip flop. Tying my hair in a messy bun, I headed downstairs where my kitchen is. My place was huge for one person, I know but I can't think of someone who can live with me? I have only two people that I'm comfortable with. Mario and Isaac.

As soon as I reach my kitchen, I started brewing my coffee. I was rummaging my fridge when my doorbell rang.

Stomping my foot to the door. Who could be my unwanted visitor? I yanked the door open and was ready to yell to whoever intrude my peacefulness and privacy.

"Ohh, I'm glad you're not working!!" Mario squealed as he giggled. He looks so vibrant and enthusiastic. I wonder why.

"Who says I'm not working?" I snapped folding my hands on my chest as I moved to the side so he can walk in.

"Oh, of course, you are not!! I'm here for you to entertain. Unless you want your guest to get bored and you will be called the ungraceful host!" he remarked sarcastically with exaggeration, with his well-defined eyebrow raised elegantly. I stifled the laughter that is about to burst. When he does that, it does look funny.

"You mean 'unwanted guest', huh!" I remarked tersely, still trying to give him my poker face.

"Shut up Lauren! Your life was so dull. Cheer up pretty. Those beautiful body and stunning aristocratic face should be parade outside and let those man drool and swooned at your feet. Stop sulking, please. It hurt me to see you wasting that beauty." He lectured as he walks to my living room and settled himself comfortably on the big sofa. He grabs one of the fluffy cushions and places it on his lap.

"Would you like some coffee?" I asked as I remember the coffee.

"Yes please if you don't mind!" He replied sweetly, too sweet for my liking.

"How do you take your coffee?" I inquired not knowing his taste.

"Two cream and 1 sugar please." He grinned and he picks up the remote and started flicking the channel.

"I'll be right back!" I smiled and then turned on my heel back to the kitchen. Grabbing two mugs from the cupboard, I made our coffee. Shortly, I was walking back to the living room. He was watching the celebrity news. I gave him his coffee and he thanks me after. I sat a bit closer to him, and we both watch the news, but my attention wasn't in the guy reporting. I was too pre occupied with the thoughts on how am I going to find a new model for the catalogs for the upcoming next season.

"OH GOD! HE IS IN NEW YORK?" Suddenly, Mario exclaimed looking awe-struck. I was looking at him curious and confused. I missed the picture of the guy I've been trying to ignore and forget.

"Who?" I raise my eyebrow, curious to whoever this guy that made him so ecstatic and his true identity resurfaced without knowing it.

"Oh God! this is what you get when you always stuck your nose on your computer all day, all week!!" he lectured again, now he was standing with his hands on his hips glaring at me. When he does that, he reminds me of my Tata Rieta.

I rolled my eyes. Still watching his exaggerated moves.

Looking frustrated he huffed. "The heartless billionaire, Zandros Mailov! Now, does that ring a bell to you?" he chanted sarcastically. I froze. Everything just seemed to stop. His voice became muffled. I don't know how long I was zoned out, absentmindedly.

"Lauren Leventis! Back to earth!" Mario's snappy tone dragged me back to reality, snapping his dainty fingers in front of my face.

"Sorry. What was that?" I asked feeling lost. My heart suddenly stops beating. Zandros is in New York?

"I said, the charity event that the fashion industry organization, had organized for the Anti-cancer fund raising is tomorrow night. And you have to come! As the CEO of the His'n'Hers. Every year, there's a fund raising event and it's already a yearly thing, finally becoming a customary for the FIO.

"Do I have to go?" I asked less interested.

"Of course you have to! It's a customary event. Unless you want to tarnish the name your parents had established in the FIO?" he remarked matter of fact. And it's the last thing I wanted to do.

"You have to go Lauren! And you will meet this Zandros Mailov guy... He's every girl's dream." He stated dreamily with his hand holding his heart dramatically. Then his eyes lit up with recognition. "You're from Greece right?" he asked more likely he confirmed. "Then you must know him?" he accused in disbelief.

I gulped audibly, but there's no way I'm telling him about us. The very last thing I would reveal.

"No!" I lied furiously. "We never met!" I added, my tone turning cold.

"Fine, whatever!" he resigned, flopping back down on the sofa beside me. "Then you must go so you'll meet him. He is so handsome!! You know that even his best friends are too handsome. Maybe the story about the Greek Gods and Goddesses are true. See even yourself.. You look like a goddess!" he blabbered. I wasn't really listening to his jabbering for I was now fixed with the thoughts of him being here in New York.

"So you're coming right?" he asked again for confirmation. Making me feel irritated.

"Yeah!" I snapped to stopped him from pestering me with all his questions.

"Great!" He squealed clapping his hands in excitement. He picks up the remote again and started flicking the channel while humming.

"Why would Zandros be in that charity event again?" I asked curiously, trying to make sure that I won't miss a thing and to satisfy my curiosity as to why he has to be there.

"Don't you know that he's dating the Vogue Chief Editor? of course, he's going to escort his girl friend!" he remarked in disbelief. Eyeing me like I was the dumbest person on earth. Shaking his head, he diverted his eyes on the TV screen.

I grab the pillow and smacked it in his head angrily.

"Aww! What was that for?" he whined, rubbing his head, exaggeratedly.

"Really?" I spat, cringing my nose with frustrations. "You just look at me like I'm the stupidest person on earth!" I snapped grabbing back the cushion.

"I didn't mean you are. I just can't believe, you knew nothing about the world. And I shouldn't be surprised. All you did since you arrived here was working, working and working." He explained as he lectured giving me an incredulous look.

"I know, but I like to work," I resigned. Clutching the cushion on my lap, I sigh as I turned my eyes on the TV screen.

"Why are you here by the way?" I asked remembering he didn't tell me yet the purpose of his sudden visit.

"I need your help.." Suddenly his voice turned solemn.

I raise my eyebrow in confusion. I can't think of anything that he needs me for.

"And what is it?" I pressed.

"Dad and Mom are coming to visit me in a week and they can't see me living with Isaac?" He explained. I got his point.

"So what do you plan?" I bombarded, leaning my back on the sofa, then I shifted to my side to face him completely, with my elbow resting against the support.

"Can I live here while they are here in New York? When they leave, I will go back to our condo. I just don't have the guts yet to reveal them my sexual orientation. Not yet." he choked, looking down on his lap. He looks so distraught.

"Of course! You can always live here!" I approve overjoyed. "You can take the guest room upstairs." I gave him my full blown smile.

"Really?" he exclaimed.

I nod my head furiously as I giggled. "Yes, yes!" I exclaimed. Then he stood up of joy and scoop me up and spun me around, making me squeal in surprise.

"I knew you are an angel, not just by the looks!!" he chuckled and he put me back down on my feet. I sat back on the sofa and pick up my coffee but it's already cold. Grimacing, I put the coffee back down on the coffee table frustrated. Mario sat again and face me.

"I will bring some of my stuff before they come." He grinned. "Thanks a lot, Lauren!" he smiled and grab my hands. "I wish I had a sister like you!!" he said sadly.

"Then treat me like one!" I chuckled. Then he chuckled releasing my hands from his hold.

"Yes, you are!" he heaved a happy sighed.

"So will you be my escort then tomorrow night?" I asked remembering the event.

"Of course. You know I can't bring Isaac?" he laughed melancholy. Then he looked at me seriously. He was sizing me up and it's making me feeling anxious.

"Tell me Lauren why until now you are a single. No boyfriend did you said?" he inquired tenaciously. His piercing eyes never leave mine. And I can't look away or he'll suspect I'm lying.

"I just never find the guy that's for me," I replied briefly.

"You're eyes says the opposite." He stated bluntly. Still locking my eyes into his. Trapping me until I have no way to get out. I tried to stood my ground but he was damn persistent.

"I don't believe you, Lauren. You were so cold, as cold as the ice. You ignored all these guys who wanted to win your heart. They are not just some guys Lauren. There are mostly influential. Why Lauren?" He didn't stop. He really was tenacious to know.

I looked away and thought he was my friend. He told me everything about him. His dirty secrets. Why can't I tell him mine?

And as if we have the same thinking. "I'm your friend Lauren! But I knew nothing about you, other than you are the heiress of the His'n'Hers." he continued tartly, sadness and betrayal laced in his tone.

"Because I was still in love with my best friend's brother. He kissed me and I thought, he like me too, but I was wrong! I was just another girl for his pleasure." I laughed bitterly, stifling the tears.

"Oh, Lauren! I'm sorry.." Mario's sympathetic voice made me more emotional that I couldn't hold the tears anymore. Soon, I found myself crying on Mario's shoulder. His white collared top was already soaking wet with my tears.

After a long silence with just the sound of my cry, he apologized.

"It's fine Mario. How ironic, I felt good after sharing it with you." I chuckled softly.

"That guy is stupid. He doesn't know what he had lost!" he commented passionately as he shook his head. I laughed. He must have hated Zandros once he found out it was him.

"You look more beautiful when you laughed like that Lauren! You should do it more often.." He grinned. Then he stood up and face me.

"Get up and go get dressed!" he commanded with his deep tone making me burst into a fit of laughter. While ago, he was trying to sound like a girl.

"Please just go and get dressed. We still have a long list to do!" He barked pulling me up on my feet and pushing me lightly to the stairs to my room.

"What list are you talking about?" I asked curiously as we both walked to my room.

"A lot missy! like your nails, your hair, your dress, we need to go to spa, sort like that!" he explained sarcastically. I just snorted but obeyed anyway.

"We need to flaunt that goddess hidden in you to make Zandros Mailov fall on your knees, and let that guy who broke your heart eat his heart out when he finally realized what a gem he lost!" he continued as he giggled.

If only he knew it was him. It was Zandros Mailov who broke my heart!

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