"Good evening, sir. Can I help you?"

The middle-aged woman who opened the door at the women's servant's hall greeted me. I recognized her as the kitchen maid, who also served my meals. It made me wonder, why she was not helping Mrs. Deary in the kitchen.

"Yes, I'm here to fetch Miss Rosi," I informed her, but she seemed confused.

"Miss Rosi is already in the mansion, sir. She's joining you and your guests for dinner."

"I know. I'm referring to her niece," I clarified.

Her eyes grew big, then she smiled widely, "of course. Yes, yes... I'll go and tell her that you're waiting, sir."

"There's no need for that, Tess, I'm here."

My heart skipped a beat when I heard the soft feminine voice. I turned around and there I saw her, Pia Rosi, looking lovelier than I remembered, as she descended the stairs slowly.

I could not stop staring at her, I didn't even want to blink, afraid that she would disappear from my sight.

She looked so stunning, elegant and scorching hot in her open-shoulder black mini dress. The dress emphasized the creamy expanse of her shoulders and the perfect curves of her body. Her rich, chestnut brown hair flowed like satin, in irresistible soft waves, framing her beautiful oval face. I could stand where I was forever and just stare at her.

"Good evening, Mr. Stavrakos," she greeted me, with hard stony eyes.

I felt my chest drop to the floor.

She's not happy, I can tell it loud and clear from her expression. And she's back calling me Mr. Stavrakos again.

The kitchen maid excused herself and left, leaving me and Pia alone.

"Hello, Pia. You look beautiful as always."

"Cliche," she twisted her lips nastily, and walked closer to me, "I'm sure you say that to all your conquests."

Dammit. She's so feisty, I'm not ready for this.

"I apologize if you feel that way. I just want to see you."

"How dare you use the Parks," her tone was calm but her eyes blazed in anger, "you're such a shameless, ruthless, savage beast. You're just like a typical rich boy who uses influence and power to get what he wants."

Ouch!

"Okay, I deserve that. I understand your anger..."

"I said no. N.O. What is in the word NO that you don't understand?" her contempt shocked me into silence, "Or your ego is so huge, you can't take a rejection."

"I don't give up easily, I persevere."

"Nope. You persist. You insist!" she poked my chest, then clasped her arms together, "can't you just leave me alone? Why are you doing this?"

"You know the answer, Pia. Or do you want me to tell you in detail my reasons?" I held her eyes, daring her to accept the challenge.

"I'm not interested to know," she lifted her chin, "I hate you for making me come here. You can't lure me with your caviar, king crabs, honey roast duck and drink your finest vintage wine."

Interesting. She knew the menu.

"I'm sure you're hungry now, after you exerted too much energy in anger. We can continue our interesting discussion after dinner," I raised my eyebrows, and she rolled her eyes, looking away from me, "come on, I'm sure the guests are already hungry. We can't keep them waiting."

She let out a frustrated groan, then stormed out of the women's quarter ahead of me.

I chuckled, walking behind her.

"What's so funny?" she turned, glaring at me.

"There's nothing funny," I shrugged my shoulders, "I just find you so cute and pretty when you're angry."

"You're so creepy," she blurted, then walked ahead of me.

I laughed aloud, "you made me. Your skin glows in the moonlight, and your hair looks so dark and shiny..."

"Too cliche. Save that for your next conquest," she walked faster, leaving me behind.

I kept up with her pace, until we reached the mansion, "did I tell you that you look so gorgeous in that dress?"

Her face turned into a mask of anger again, "if you think that I wore this to impress you, then you're wrong, Mr. Stavrakos. I only have two decent dresses, the other one I already worn at Mr. Park's dinner party. So don't assume you're special."

"Are you always this rude to people?"

"Nope. Only to a rich persistent guy who can't take no for an answer," she said angrily, then turned and entered the mansion.

____

Everyone was in the living room, sitting cozily, drinking wine, talking lightly while waiting for dinner.

"Excuse me, I'll just ask Miss Rosi if the food is ready," I stood up, and saw Pia did the same.

"I'll do it for you, Mr. Stavrakos," she smiled sweetly, like an angel not capable of saying a single harsh word, like she did earlier.

"You're a guest, Pia, stay here and enjoy yourself."

I left then walked towards the kitchen. The same maid I saw at the women's quarter almost bumped at me. She was holding a tray of king crabs with corn and sausages.

"I'm sorry, sir. I did not see you."

"It's okay," my hands got messed with the red sauce, and some spilled on the floor, "just be careful with that."

"Yes, sir. I'll clean the floor after I put this in the dining room."

I nodded, then headed to the kitchen.

"Is the food ready?" I asked Mrs. Deary who was mixing the vegetable salad behind the kitchen island counter.

"Almost done, sir. Just give us five minutes," she assured, then she turned to the pantry boy, who poured cheese in the salad.

"Where's Miss Rosi?" my eyes roamed around the kitchen.

"I'm here, sir," Miss Rosi stood up, behind the island counter, holding the freshly roasted duck from the oven.

"That looks delicious, Miss Rosi."

"I'm sure your guests will love this," she answered with a wide grin.

"Ah... My only concern is Pia. I want to impress her," I whispered to her, and I caught her rolling her eyes.

Like aunt, like niece.

I went back to the living room to tell them that the food is ready in the dining room. But Pia was gone.

"She accompanied Kimberly in the bathroom," Mrs. Park said, and we waited for the girls to arrive.

Pia came back looking so fresh. I noticed she retouched her makeup, but with red smudges under her pink painted lips.

Dinner was served, and everyone was on the table except for Miss Rosi.

"Where's your aunt?" I asked Pia who was seated at the corner of the rectangular table, beside me.

"She's in the kitchen. Why?"

"I asked her to join us for dinner," I was about to stand up, but she stopped me. Her hand gripped firmly around my wrist.

"She doesn't want to eat with us."

"I'll talk to her," I stood up, but she grabbed my hand, with both of her hands and pulled me down.

"Kristov, we're starving already. Let her eat with the staff."

Like an obedient dog, I sat down beside her.

Did she just call me Kristov? I got confused by her sudden change of emotion. She held my hand, and I didn't want her to let go. Not easily.

"Are you sure?" I asked, and it was Kimberly who answered.

"Yeah. She said it's the birthday of one of the staff, she doesn't want to miss the party. But she'll join us after dinner in the living room."

"I see," I nodded, "so let's have dinner then."

I was disappointed when Pia let go of my hand. The wonderful feeling of her, holding my hand, palm to palm, skin to skin, was overwhelming. I had never experienced something like it before, the electrifying feeling was very addictive.

After dinner, Miss Rosi joined us in the living room.

"Where's Pia?" I asked her, before she could settle on the couch with Mrs. Park.

"Um... She's in the back garden, waiting for you, sir."

"I see," I nodded, "can you entertain the guests, Miss Rosi, while I join Pia in the garden?"

"No worries, sir," her smile did not reach her eyes, "I'll take care of them."

I went to the back garden, but no one was there. I waited, pacing back and forth at the stone pathway.

About two minutes later, Pia arrived gasping for breath.

"I was... I was looking for you. I thought in the front garden... oh my goodness... "

"Relax. Take a deep breath," I said, moving closer to her.

"I'm so tired," she chuckled, between breaths.

"I'm sure you are," I nodded, then stood in front of her, "after all the acts you did this evening."

Her laughter died immediately, her brows arched in a question.

"Not so flawless, Pia," I took off her black rimmed eyeglasses, "you forgot to remove this."

___

Hi Dreamers!

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Neilani