“Call me as soon as you arrive.” Alex presses a soft kiss to my lips. “The time will fly by and soon you will be in Chicago with me. I can’t wait to show you around.”
Everyone stands and exchanges hugs and kisses. Reluctantly, I go with Phoenix, while my mom and grandparents head back to Rome, and Alex heads back to his apartment to pack for Chicago.
The town car takes us to the airport, but where I expect us to be dropped off so we can check in and go through security, we’re instead driven around the back and onto the tarmac.
The driver pulls up to a huge sleek silver plane. Across the tail reads Global 8000 with a large letter D across the side.
“We’re flying on that?” I ask, confused. There’s no way our father can afford a seat on this plane, let alone chartering it to pick me up.
“It was given to us on loan,” Phoenix says, stepping out of the car and then taking my hand to help me out.
We are greeted by two pretty flight attendants who hand us each a glass flute filled with champagne and welcome us on board. The captain and co-captain also introduce themselves and let us know we’ll be taking off shortly. As we walk through the plane, I am stunned by the extravagance and luxury that fills the inside. Gray leather seats line the entire left side with a large flat screen television hanging on the wall. The right side has several recliners with glossy mahogany tables separating them. If it weren’t for the circular windows, I would think I was standing inside an expensive apartment.
“If you need to take a shower or wish to take a nap, there’s a bedroom and full bathroom in the back,” one of the attendants informs us, and my jaw drops. There’s an entire bedroom on this plane?
“Phoenix,” I hiss, pulling him to the side. “There’s no way Dad can afford this.”
“I already told you it’s on loan.” The way he says it sends a shiver racing down my spine.
“Nobody loans something like this for free! He couldn’t even afford the home we grew up in anymore and had to sell it!” Something is going on here…
Just as Phoenix is about to say something, the captain comes over the intercom and asks that we have a seat and buckle in since we’ll be taking off in five minutes. “The skies are clear, and the flight to Heraklion will be four hours and nine minutes.”
“Heraklion?” I shriek. “Isn’t that in…Crete?”
Phoenix sits on one of the leather couches and nods. “Yes, have a seat.”
“No! I thought you were taking me to Thessaloniki. What the hell is going on?” My eyes find the door where we came from and see it’s already shut.
“You can’t leave,” Phoenix says, reading my thoughts. “They’re not going to open it now. We’re about to take off. So, please, just sit.”
“First tell me why we’re going to Crete.”
Phoenix sighs. “Dad is visiting with the Demetrious, a family he does business with. They own the ports Dad rents from. He’s requested for us to come and join them.”
I drop onto my seat with a huff. I can tell by the way Phoenix is answering my questions, he either doesn’t know much or he’s purposely being vague. Either way, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know whatever is going on can’t be good.
Once upon a time, my mom said our dad used to be successful, but greed got to him, and little by little he got in over his head. Every time I visit him, his homes get smaller. His clothes become more ragged. The restaurants we go to aren’t as expensive. He’s sold his yacht and no longer has a driver. Instead, he drives a cheap American car.
He always tells me it’s just a minor setback and everything is going to be okay, but I’ve learned over the years, my dad is a pathological liar. I’ve begged him to get out of whatever he’s in, but he won’t. I don’t know exactly what he does for a living, or what Phoenix does by his side, but I’ve overheard my grandfather and mom talking enough to know whatever they’re doing isn’t exactly legal.
“You know this can’t be good, right?”
Phoenix doesn’t agree or disagree. “Why don’t you take a nap in the bedroom? I imagine you’ve had a long day.”
We arrive in Crete four hours later, and waiting for us is a black limo. I took Phoenix up on his suggestion and slept the entire flight, so now I’m wide awake. Should be a fun, sleepless night… The drive to wherever we’re going takes about an hour. I text Alex to let him know I’ve arrived safely, and he texts back he’ll call me once he’s settled in Chicago.
Because it’s almost midnight, everything is dark outside, making it hard to see. It’s not until we pull up to a large wrought iron gate, which reads Pérasma Hotel & Villas, that I can finally make out what’s around us. As the limo drives down the windy road, I take in my surroundings. Palm trees line each side of the road until we get to the front of the hotel. My God, it’s gorgeous! The entire front is lit up with soft honey-colored lights. The split-level buildings are white and sleek with large picture windows. It’s the perfect combination of chic and contemporary.
The driver opens my door and helps me out, and the first thing I smell is the salt water. We must be near the beach.
“It’s late,” Phoenix says, eyeing his phone. “I’ve been told there are rooms waiting for us, and we’ll meet up with Dad in the morning.”
“I don’t have clothes,” I remind him as we step up to the front desk.
“Good evening,” a brown-haired petite woman says sweetly. “You must be Talia and Phoenix Nikolaides.”
“We are,” Phoenix says, hitting her with his best smile that always has women turning into disgusting piles of goo at his feet. My guess is within an hour she’ll be in his room personally turning down his sheets. Gag!
“Great, we’ve been expecting you. Everything you will need, including clothes and toiletries, is in your rooms. If there is anything that isn’t to your liking, please call the front desk and we will get it for you. Breakfast will be served at ten, and it will take place on the first floor in the banquet hall.” She hands us each a card and explains how to get to our rooms. The way she holds on to Phoenix’s card for an extra second doesn’t go unnoticed. I seriously hope our rooms don’t share a wall. If I have to listen to him screwing her all night, I will lose it.
As we walk down the wooden pathway she told us to take, my head moves from left to right, taking everything in. The hotel is literally sitting on the side of a cliff overlooking Mirabello Bay. I’ve seen this area in pictures but never in person. It’s absolutely stunning.
As we continue to walk to our building, I notice the hotel is split into several areas—each having its own pool, restaurant, and pathway that looks to lead down to the water. I wonder if I’ll have a chance to check it all out while I’m here. I’m not happy about being here, but if I’m going to be forced to be somewhere, at least I can enjoy the sights. While Thessaloniki is on the water, it’s nothing like Crete. The water isn’t as pretty as it is here, and the entire area smells like fish because of the ships bringing in loads from the sea.
We arrive at our building, and Phoenix tells me to get some sleep before heading into his room. Using my card, I place it over the black circle on the door and a lock clicks open. I enter the room and am almost knocked on my ass by the sheer luxury of my suite…no, not a suite, it’s more like a home! The extravagant king-sized bed sits catty cornered with plush white sheets trimmed with gold and matching pillows fluffed on top. I open the large cherry wood armoire and spot several gorgeous dresses. The tags indicate they’re all my size and expensive brands. I open a drawer and find various bras and panties, all with tags on them—again in my size. The next drawer contains silky pajamas in several different colors. The material glides through my fingertips.