Excerpt of "Deadly Secrets" - Chapter Four, Part Three

Helena looked at him, shocked. She couldn’t believe her ears. Stormy thoughts whirled around in her mind; she heard in her head her mother’s fading voice, warning her not to go back… She shivered and dug her fingernails into her palms. Without saying another word, she rushed into her bathroom, slamming the door behind her. This was too much to handle. Unable to control the turbulence of her emotions, she leanedagainst the door and took some deep breaths, trying to calm down.
She waited there until she heard her bedroom door closing behind him. She just couldn’t face him right now—she couldn’t face anyone right now.
He’s mad,she thought. I’m not going to be affected by such nonsense, she promised herself, and started brushing her hair really hard. She finally had to stop when she realized her scalp was hurting. “Damnhim!” she cursed out loud, and after throwing the brush on the shelf, she walked back into her bedroom.
Feeling the need to get out of the house, she walked out on the balcony and took some deep breaths. She needed to do something to release the tension. On a sudden impulse, she went back inside and put on her bathing suit. Taking a beach towel, she rushed downstairs and out on the veranda. Thankful there was nobody there, as she was in no condition to talk to anyone right now, she rushed down the steps which led to the private beach. Throwing her towel on the sand, she ran to the water. It was nice and refreshing, and she jumped right in.
She swum for a while, then finally turned on her back and floated motionless on the surface, relaxing for a while. Salt water won’t allow a body to sink, and one could actually float on it and relax as if on a bed. Helena was surprised that she remembered that. Ever since they had left the island, she had swum in the sea only once, during a trip to Spain. Swimming in the pool wasn’t exactly the same, and if one triedto lie still, his body would slowly sink.
Hearing a splashing noise, she turned to see Dimitris swimming towards her, and her heartbeat accelerated. She watched him swim right past her and out in the open, and couldn’t help but admire the strength and self-confidence his effortless, harmonic moves revealed. Taking a deep breath, she swam back to the shore.
Trying to put him out of her mind, she got out and dried herself with her towel. Then she laid it down on the sand and lay on it to get some sun. It was late in the afternoon, so the sun wasn’t that hot, and she didn’t have to worry about getting burned.
After a while, she felt really hungry. Sophie and she had skipped lunch. Helena didn’t want to ruin her appetite for dinner, but she couldn’t wait until then either. So she decided to head back to the house and have some fruit. As she was walking up the steps, she saw that Dimitris was still swimming. She walked back to the house and was glad to find some bananas in a large fruit-bowl on the table out on the veranda. This way, she didn’t have to go to the kitchen and have to face Martha, who was probably preparing dinner. She grabbed a banana and rushed upstairs to her room. She didn’t really feel like talking to anybody.
She ate her banana, then took a quick shower and washed her hair. She put on a long, emerald dress made of fine silk, which she had boughtthat morning, and a pair of golden sandals. Looking in the mirror, she had to admit the dress fitted her just perfectly. Sophie was right when she had insisted on her buying it.
Walking downstairs, she found Sophie in the living room.
“You’re absolutely stunning!” Sophie exclaimed and gave Helena a warm smile. “I knew it was perfect for you,” she added.
“Thanks,” Helena said simply. “I love the color, and the material feels really good.”
“Would you like something to drink?” Sophie asked.
“I’ll have some wine,” Helena said and walked over to the bar. “Can I get you something?” she asked Sophie.
“I would like some more wine,” Sophie said, and gave Helena her glass to fill it back up.Helena filled up Sophie’s glass and gave it back to her. Then she filled up her own and went to sit by the window, letting her eyeswander over the magnificent view.
“Dimitris isn’t going to have dinner with us tonight,” Sophie said.
Helena didn’t comment on that, and even though, she sensed her aunt’s gaze on her, she just sat there avoiding her look.
Silencestretched in the room for a few minutes, as they both seemedlost in their thoughts.
“I’m really sorry about this morning,” Helena said suddenly, turning to look at her aunt.
Sophie looked at her, without saying a word.
“I know I’m being foolish, but I became really upset over something that happened,” Helena went on. She knew she had been acting rudely to her aunt, and she tried to explain her behavior.
“I knew something made you upset,” Sophie said. “But I could tell you didn’t want to talk about it.”
At that time, Martha came into the room to let them know dinner was ready, and they went to the dining room. Even though, they weren’t in the best mood, they enjoyed their dinner. Martha had prepared moussaka for them—a traditional Greek casserole with eggplants, potatoes and hamburger-meat topped with delicious creamy béchamelsauce. Helena thanked her for going into all this trouble, and assured her it was delicious.
After they were served their dessert—sweet apple pie topped with ice-cream—Helena explained to her aunt what had happened that morning, and the conversation she had with Dimitris afterwards.
Sophie was really upset about the whole thing. She got up and gave Helena a big hug.
“You poor child,” she said. “She must have scared you to death.”
“It’s okay,” Helena replied. “I’m not going to think about it anymore. It was stupid of me to get upset in the first place.”
“I’ll talk to Asimina if you want me to,” Sophie said.
“No,” Helena insisted. “Let’s just forget about the whole thing.”
Sophie didn’t seem to agree, but she kept silent. They finished their pie and went back into the living room. Sophie sat at the piano and played some classical music.
Helena lay back on the sofa and closed her eyes, feeling totally contented and relaxed. Vivaldi was one of her favorites.
After a while, Sophie got up and went to turn the stereo on. They both sat there, listening to Greek love songs.
Unwillingly, Helena realized she couldn’t put off any more telling her aunt about her decision to leave. She got up and walked over to the window, staring at the sea.
Sophie must have sensed her change of mood, because she got up and turned the music down. Then she went back and sat on her chair, waiting for Helena to talk.
“Aunt Sophie,” Helena started. “I really hate to do this, but I think it would be better for everybody, if I moved to a hotel.”
Sophie let out a deep breath and jumped out of her chair. “What are you saying, sweetie?” she asked. “This is your home. Why would you ever want to leave and go to a hotel?”
Helena could tell she was shocked.
“I think it would be better,” Helena whispered, trying to hide the uncertainty in her voice.
“Better for whom?” Sophie insisted.
Helena wanted to explain to her how she felt about Dimitris, and that she didn’t feel comfortable staying at his house. On the other hand though, she didn’t want to hurt her aunt’s feelings, pointing out to her this way that this was really Dimitris’ home, and they were just guests.
She shifted uncomfortably, not knowing what to do. Maybe she should just be quiet and stay there for a few more days. After all, she would be gone in a while, and she would put all this behind her. What did she care about him? She wouldn’t have to see him again in her life. If she moved to a hotel, her aunt would be heartbroken, and it would also be a shame, and the whole island would talk about it.
Helena knew how important pride was for Greeks. What would people think if Sistakis’ daughter moved out of her family’s home to stay at a hotel? No, Helena decided, I can’t do that.
She suddenly realized Sophie was expecting an answer. She turned and hugged her aunt. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I just didn’t want to upset your lives.”
“Are you crazy?” Sophie asked. “What are you talking about? We’re so happy to have you here. This is your home, Helena, as much as it is ours. This home was built by your great-grandparents and will stay in our family forever. Your children will grow up here and so will their children.”
Helena inwardly laughed at that thought but didn’t say a word. She didn’t want to bring her aunt back to the cruel reality. She would be gone in a few days and most probably, she would never set foot on this island again. However, she kept her gloomy thoughts to herself.
***
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