Storm at heart

Chapter 12

The elevator went straight from the underground garage to the penthouse of Alexander and when it’s door opened she stood in one of the most beautiful apartments  she had ever seen. Large windows with a panoramic view allowed the daylight to shine generously into the room, while the almost black granite floor complimented the white and wooden colour of the furniture. Everything had a calming effect on her and  not only because of the colours but also because of the simplicity of the decoration. It was elegant, it was… Alexander. It was a place where you could lay on the white sofa and read, listen to music and make … love in front of the large fireplace, which was surrounded by a large wooden bookshelf.

«You seem surprised», noticed Alexander. «Don’t you like it?»

«On the contrary...» Marianna expected to see a styled-up, all alpha male penthouse, instead, it was a place that you could call home, an expensive home, but nevertheless home. 

«Relax Marianna and let me show you the rest of the place.» 

Alexander went ahead and opened one door at the time revealing first the kitchen, then the office and three guest rooms. By opening the last door, Marianna felt her heart sink in a bottomless pit.  There she stood, a smiling Sophie, with nothing but a towel around her slender body and with her wet hair dripping down on the carpet. 

«Alexander! You‘re here!» Without paying Marianna any attention, and with an imminent danger of her towel falling off at any time she ran  into Alexander’s arms, kissing him lightly on the lips. 

«I‘m so sorry, but I had to stay here the night. I had to work until late and I didn’t want to drive all the way to Surrey. Of course if I knew you would come today...» She cast Marianna an indifferent look.

«This day seems to be full of surprises !» Alexander enjoyed every second of the awkward situation. 

«We just leave you alone to get dressed», he added cheerfully, winked at her and closed the door.  

This day was indeed full of surprises, just not pleasant ones, Marianna thought. She had to find a way to pull herself together, accept the fact that Alexander was a puzzle, that everything that concerned him was misty and uncertain and most importantly that she shouldn’t get further involved.  

«May I show you the bedroom?» he finally asked, as if it was the most natural thing to find a naked woman in his room, after the passionate kisses they shared only a few days ago. He never ceased to amaze her and not in a good way either. But what if it was natural for him? For her on the other hand it was definitely on ok.

«Where will you stay as long as I work in your  room?» Marianna’s tone was firm, and professional. 

 «Right across the room», he smiled back at her opening another door.

«You will stay here, not in Surrey?» Marianna didn’t like the idea one bit.

«Yes. Are you afraid of the big bad wolf?» Alexander towered over her, his eyes fixed upon her lips. 

Suddenly he bent to her ear. «Don’t be frightened, you have my word. I won’t touch you», he whispered sensuously.

And Marianna didn’t want him to touch her. She just saw his girlfriend and got crushed by it. All of this was a little to civilised for her taste and her Greek monogamous temperament. 

«..unless of course you ask me to», he added hoarsely.

«And what does Sophie have to say about it?» Marianna already regretted her outburst, but it could not be helped. She was angry and she would not allow to be played by Alexander, as much as her body objected strongly to the fact that it would never feel Alexander’s kisses or caresses again.    

«Sophie?» Alexander seemed surprised, but Marianna could swear that there was also a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

«I believe, Sophie is more understanding than you think!» he assured her amused. 

«Guys... I‘m off then!» Speaking of the devil, Sophie stormed into the guest room and kissed Alexander again on the cheek. «See you tonight darling.» she added. 

«Yes.» Alexander gave her one of his most warm smiles.

«Marianna will join us. It’s best if we meet there. Speak to Matthew, you can go together» 

Sophie nodded returning his smile and left with her heals echoing on the floor like Spanish castanets. 

«There is no way I‘m coming.» Marianna was beside herself.

«You will come.» Alexander took his jacket off and threw it on the bed. «I’ve already explained the reasons and I would appreciate it, if you would not be difficult about it.»

«I‘m not being difficult!» replied angrily and left the room to head towards his bedroom. He followed..

«Than? What is this about?» He placed his hands on his narrow hips, his eyes blazing with anger.

Marianna opened her mouth, ready to tell him everything that was in her mind, ready to ask him why he was toying with her, why for God’s sake he accepted the heritance when there was no need to do so and whydid  he left her so sudden, only to demand her presence a few days later, despite him being in a relationship.

«I don‘t have anything appropriate to wear», she heard herself mumble.

«I don‘t think that should be a problem.» Alexander turned on his heel and stepped out of the room. 

She was left alone, looking absentminded at the room. Where the hell did she get herself into! If she just finished this damn painting, she could go back to her ordinary life and learn her lesson from all this. 

Her eyes drifted across the walls, the furniture, absorbing the details of the place. In contrast to the other rooms, the colour which dominated was deep brown and crème nuances. The floor was wooden. On the ceiling she saw decorative wooden girders, while on each bedpost there where large windows, with a breathtaking view over London. The left wall was covered with a dark wooden facing and in it’s middle, there was a modern fireplace, reminding more of a plasma TV than an actual fireplace. On the right, there was the bathroom door. The lines in this room where balanced and simple. And then her eyes fell again to the wall over the wooden bed, between the windows. 

She filled with her mind the beige wall with warm shades of brown, white and deep red, with ochre tones and hints of gold and finally with olive tree green.  

Colours started to dance and take form, gradually unveiling the rocky hill with the fortress of Monemvasia, an olive branch coming from the right bedpost, giving the observer the feeling that he stands next to the olive tree gazing at Monemvasia. 

The picture was perfectly clear in her mind. She took off her shoes and climbed on the bed to touch the wall. She would need a base to stabilize the colours. 

 «Why do I get the feeling that the artist has come to a decision?» Alexander stood at the door with a smile on his face.

«Because she has, and without you I may add. If now the result displeases you, you could paint it over.» Marianna stepped off the bed and approached him. She was in a far more better mood and was unable to hide her excitement. The room itself had showed her what to do.

«I need some base, colours, brushes and paper to cover the floor.» Her eyes sparkled like a girl’s.

«And a dress for tomorrow», he interrupted winking at her mischievously.

«On one condition. You will pay only for the materials and secondly you will leave me to work alone. No peeping!»

«Why do I feel like the Pope being thrown out of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo?» It was so good to hear him laugh, it was rich, melodic and for one second he was the carefree man she saw in her hotel. Her eyes caressed his immaculate face, travelled over his perfect eyebrows following his straight nose to his half parted, inviting lips.  

«I think we should leave.» His hoarse voice brought her back to reality. But still, none of them moved. They just looked at each other like time had stood still and Marianna made a Herculean effort to break the spell and step away from him.