Wish I Could Say the Same to You

After last night's party at her close friend's house, Phoebe felt a little quirky. She had only a few drinks but she still felt the world was on her shoulders the moment she woke up from Camilla's bed. Her dad sent his Bugatti Veyron to fetch her from Camilla's house and she was thankful of it. Her father never forbid her of anything she asked as long as she remained true to her words --- finish her studies, submit herself to training in managing the business, and marry one of Greece's most eligible bachelors.

Clad in green Prada dress, Stuart Weitzman stilettos, and big, rounded D&G sunglasses, she got out of the luxurious car in front of the Perkos' mansion which was located at the Athens suburb of Palaio Psychiko, home to the richest people in Greece.

Realizing that her phone had been ringing already for minutes even while she was still in the car, she dug it finally in her LV handbag.

Looking at the caller in the screen, Phoebe learned that it was her fiancé, Zarkos Rozena.

"Agapiméni, I've been calling you for years," the familiar voice immediately reached her eardrum the moment she slid her finger in the green bar.

"Oh, my God, agápi mou, I'm sorry. I have a bad day today. I feel so awful. You know, party at Camilla's last night... got drunk..." she replied in all honesty as she walked gracefully towards the entrance of the mansion.

Zarkos Rozena was a liberated man. She felt lucky to have this man as her fiancé because, as a liberated woman herself, there was nothing that she ever treasure in life but freedom to do her usual stuffs like hanging out with friends and partying with them. Her fiancé never interfered in all of those.

"Okay. I just called to remind you that you will be attending my party tonight. I want you to be ready by 9:00." Zarkos was referring to the luxurious party to be held for the opening of his new hotel built in the heart of Athens.

"No problem," she said, now treading towards the main door of the mansion. She was satisfied of the time set by her fiancé because it was just a few minutes right after the sunset. She would still have a lot of time to prepare herself.

"My parents, by the way, will be coming tonight," Zarkos told her the news.

His parents were now based in Milan. They only found time to visit to Athens whenever there was an important occasion which usually involved family affairs. The Rozenas were close to the Perkos family. Hence, it was not a question why she was engaged to be married to the eldest son who now managed the luxurious hotels of the Rozenas.

"Okay. That's it, agapiméni. Bye," Zarkos said, giving a hint to end the call.

Passing the gigantic main door now, Phoebe was about to reply with a 'Bye' when she bumped into someone's chest. In exasperation, she wasn't able to prevent her phone from falling to the floor made of the finest marble.

The man, who immediately caught her arms, dropped some papers to the floor. He was actually standing in the grand sitting hall just across the large fireplace and going over on some important papers that he was not able to detect the arrival of this woman who was now enveloped in his arms.

Both of them looked at each other and, after some time, he released her. There was a pause for a moment or two.

He stared at her face and he couldn't see the emotion behind those sunglasses of hers. For three years, he hadn't seen her and, now, that she was before him, he couldn't explain what he was feeling. She was the reason why he chose to study abroad. But now that he was back, he had no other choice but to meet her again and be prepared to see her again and again.

Phoebe felt that her throat went dry. She couldn't believe that he was actually standing now before her. For minutes, she wished the gods of Olympus would make her vanish and transport her to another dimension where she would not see him again. But, this was reality. In reality, there was no such thing as magic. Therefore, she had to deal with what was real.

"Y-Youre back," she finally uttered, removing the sunglasses that covered her eyes. Perhaps, she wanted to see him more clearly this time.

"Yes," he said crisply like he was afraid to say other words.

Then, there was a pause again.

Both of them were just engrossed in scrutinizing each other.

For him, she became even more alluring. Her face was more beautiful than ever emphasizing the red, luscious lips. Her creamy, fair complexion was even more emphasized due to its constrast of her green dress and, of course, he couldn't disregard her most distinctive facial features, her thick dark eyebrows and her hazel eyes that penetrated through him. Gone was the bubbly teenaged Phoebe. What stood before him now was a woman who stood with poise and grace even when she was about to fall to the floor just a moment ago.

She breathed hard now as she met his gaze. Evandros Xenakis, her former best friend, her Ros, was now in front of her after three years. He was eight years older than she was, so he was twenty-nine years old now. The man, with his English, Scottish and Greek ancestry, was still oozing with so much sex appeal just like before. The thought of such description produced a tingling pain in her chest.

He was clothed in simple checkered button-down shirt, rolled up in his sleeves, black jeans, and converse. For her, today, he looked like a highschool heartthrob, not the workaholic, ever-loyal right hand of her father.

"Kalós írthate kai páli, Evandros," she welcomed him casually, calling him his real name and trying not to sound tensed.

He gulped first his throat before he managed himself to make a reply, "Thank you."

They again battled in a gaze until they both realized the stuffs on the floor.

It was Evandros who bent down first to pick up her phone which was about a half meter away from his left foot. She bent down, too, to get it but it was too late for her because he got the phone already in his hand. He also picked up the pieces of paper scattered on the floor while she stood up erect now watching him bending that sculpted body. When he was done, he offered the phone to her.

"Here..." he said.

She received it with her left hand. Instantly, his eyes landed on the ring that glittered in her ring finger.

He was in Cambridge when she got engaged. Now, he learned from her father that the wedding had already been set.

"Thanks," she uttered.

While the papers were held by his left hand, his right fingers raked his hair.

"So, have you met Ba-ba?" she asked referring to her dad, still having no plan of going ahead. How she wished she could talk to him naturally just like before without feeling awkward! But, she knew that her past attachment to him would never be revived. Everything had changed now and, deep inside her heart, something was confirming her at the moment that she could never forgive him for leaving her... just like that.

He nodded. "Been to his study."

"That's good. For sure, he's proud of you," she mused, almost sarcastically, with a smile on her lips.

Suddenly, Evandros felt some pain in his chest because he could feel the remorse in her voice. Obviously, she didn't mean her words a while ago welcoming him.

"He is," he said honestly. It was true. Hector Perkos, the fifty-five-year-old business tycoon, who sent him to England and supported his master's studies in the University of Cambridge, would be the first man to feel proud of his achievements. After all, he was the older man's protégé. Since his undergraduate studies, Hector Perkos had been his supporter. For that man, Evandros was a blessing to the business. With the young man's skills and capability, the older man saw his potential and, immediately, right after he graduated his BS in Business Administration, Evandros was absorbed as Perkos' assistant until he became his favorite employee for his honesty and capability and soon became his trustee. Now that he was back, Evandros was expecting more responsibility in the shipping company.

Phoebe, who managed to calm herself, maintained that sarcastic smile in her lips. "Of course, what else should Ba-ba feel?" she remarked. Then, trying to be distracted with something else, she placed the phone in her handbag. "So, I've to go ahead," she said, still trying to deliver him her fake smile.

She then walked past him.

"Phoeb," he called her out, turning to her.

"Yeah?" she asked, raising her brow.

"Glad to see you again," he said. Well, he was not supposed to say it but he couldn't help to express what he truly felt at the moment.

She paused for a while and bit her bottom lip. Then, shrugging her shoulders, she finally pronounced, "Wish I could say the same to you." She then turned around and walked away.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

A/N

Hi!

Yay! Just a glimpse of my second book! I'm so thrilled on this!

So how was the opening chapter, dear readers? Please do tell me your honest evaluation. I would greatly appreciate it.

VOTE, COMMENT, SHARE, FOLLOW.

Lovelotz,
(sapphiregirl22) ~_^

P.S.
If you haven't read yet my other book here in Wattpad, please try to check it out.
ENGAGED TO THE HEARTLESS HEARTBREAKER

Translations:
Kalós írthate kai páli - Welcome back
agapiméni - sweetheart
agápi mou - my love
Ba-ba - dad