Chapter Three- When pride is in bloom

Sandy was totally caught in big surprise when Alexis holds her face and look at her eyes intently. She thought he is going to kiss her (what a crazy thought) … but Alexis said in a very hard voice…tilting her chin “Just a warning Miss Mendel, stay away from my uncle if you don’t want to get hurt. Little girls usually get burn when they play with fire…”

She almost fell to the ground when Alexis let her go.

He did not even glance back at her.

Sandy felt like her heart was struck with a knife. What in the world she got into. She came here to work not to get involved with anybody. All she wants is to earn that money that she desperately need for her father. She is not dreaming of finding a romance in this strange land. No way.

Sandy was not able to sleep that night. She wished she did not sign that contract. But her feelings are not important. What is more important is that her father will be able to receive proper treatment.

She was crying that night thinking of the future and her parents at home.

She remember her conversation with the doctor who attended her father which was the main reason why she accepted this job. Sandy could still hear the doctor saying: “The chemotherapy can help your father but we cannot give you the assurance how long will he be able to endure the treatment and whether it will improve his health condition.”

“Please help my father doctor… please…” she was crying when she asked the doctor for help at the time.

Her mother on the other hand barely say anything at the time. But Sandy felt that her mother was trying to be brave in that situation. When she decided to reply that employment opportunity Sandy knew that her mother did not want her to go abroad but she insisted.

“We cannot go against the plan of God Sandy. Granted that the chemo will help your father but for how long?”

She knew at the time that her mother was right. God has a purpose in everything but she was so stubborn to follow her own plan and not let God establish his plan for her and her family.

Sandy finally fell asleep with tears in her eyes. The next thing she knew was that there was a loud knocking on the door. She heard somebody asking if she was all right. Sandy replied nervously… “Y–Yes, I am all right. I just had a bad dream.

The bad dream was somebody played a joke on her and saw herself being thrown into the water. She does not know how to swim so she screamed for help. That was when she woke up and heard somebody knocking on the door.

Sandy was bothered by that dream. It was very scary thinking of herself on the water knowing that she could not swim. That was one of the reasons why much to her desire to enjoy the beautiful swimming pool of Villa Andreas that she stayed away from it.

Days had passed. Sandy found herself get attached to Yalena. Their relationship is more of good friends than a caregiver and an employer. She also found out that Yalena was not really a bad person as what her bestfriend Lora told her even before she accepted this job. Another thing also that puzzled Alexandra was that since she arrived in Athens she did not hear anything from Lora. She called Lora’s phone but no answer. It is not natural for Lora to ignore her call even when she was still in the Philipppines they maintained their communication with each other.

Sandy found herself so alone and so lonely. The feeling of being homesick was so strong that she almost said to Yalena that she wanted to go home.

One day Vasilli made an effort to approach Alexandra and extended an invitation to go out with him for dinner. That was her day off. Sandy accepted that invitation innocently because she felt so alone. She asked permission from Yalena if she can spend her day off with a friend and be back before dark.

Yalena did not know that it was Vassilli who invited her to dinner.

Vassilli took her to a famous restaurant in Athens. Vassilli was a gentleman as she found out and was fun to be with which is a total contrast of Alexis. “Why am I thinking about that nasty man?” Sandy thought.

“Is something wrong Alexandra?”

“No, nothing Mr. Vassilli. And please call me Sandy.” Sandy replied with a forced smile.

“Very well then, Sandy. We don’t have to be so formal anyway. Please call me Vassilli.”

“Okay V-Vassilli.”

“Here’s to our friendship Sandy!” Vassilli offered a toast to Sandy.

They spent that whole day in sight seeing and Sandy really enjoyed that dinner with Vassilli. She thought that was a nice day spent with somebody who was a good guide and very attractive man… and an important man she added.

Two days later after that outing with Vassilli, Sandy was summoned at the office of Alexis. Sandy’s heart was beating rapidly. What is wrong this time? She tapped the door nervously. “Be at peace Alexandra… for goodness sake…!” She was trying to calm herself silently which to her really sounds crazy.

“Come in!” was the abrupt reply from Alexis.

Sandy opened the door and found Alexis standing at the window looking outside. He did not even spare a glance at her. “Please close the door Alexandra.” Alexis said in a tone of voice that Sandy could not tell whether he was angry or tired.

Sandy closed the door and lean on it. Then Alexis face her and motion her to sit down. She sat down hesitantly. Alexis did not say anything but just looking at her and Sandy could not sustain that look. It confused her.

“So you went out with Vassilli?” Alexis asked softly.

Sandy just nodded.

“Where is your voice Alexandra?” Suddenly the atmosphere seemed like full of fire.

“Yes! And what is wrong with that?” Sandy asked bewilderedly.

“Everything is wrong!” Alexis thundered.

“That was during my day off!” Sandy said defensively.

“I already warned you Alexandra. Stay away from Vassilli.” Alexis said firmly.”Do I have to spell it for you or are you just so desperate to find a rich man to supply your needs?” Vassilli added sarcastically.

Sandy felt her blood pressure went up to two hundred. She felt like exploding upon hearing that very hurtful and insulting remark from Alexis. She was not able to hold her temper this time and slapped Alexis.

It was too late when she realized what she just did.

Instead of slapping her back, Alexis grabbed her and kissed her brutally. But that was just a split seconds. The kiss suddenly became so tender and probing that Sandy felt like wax in the arms of Alexis.

“How dare you…!” Sandy was crying.

Alexis could not say anything. He was shocked of what he did and what he discovered.

But instead of apologizing he said harshly “Get out Alexandra! Now!”

Sandy was crying when she left the office of Alexis. She did not even know that Amina was in the doorway standing and watching her leave the office.

Alexis was still in a shock of that discovery how Alexandra felt in his arms. He could not explain why he kissed her like that. He intends to punish her but he ended up liking to kiss her tenderly like a long lost lover.

“NO! I will not be fooled twice!” Alexis hit the table with his hands.

Amina who just came in was also surprised. “What happened Alexis?”

“Nothing! Will you please knock before you enter somebody’s office Amina?” Alexis said angrily.

“Why are you suddenly mad at me?” Amina asked tearfully.

“I am not in the mood to entertain anybody right now my “dear” cousin. So if you will excuse me… I have plenty of things to do and please lock the door on your way out.” Alexis said and started reading the pile of folders infront of him.

Amina felt strong resentment. “She made you angry, am I right?”

“No, Amina. You are the one who made me angry… so please leave me alone so I can finish these documents, okay?” Alexis said patiently.

“Why are you so mean to me and you are so nice to that mouse?”Amina asked with full of resentment over Alexandra.

“I-I’m sorry Amina. You see… I am so busy right now.”

You are not angry with me, aren’t you?” Amina asked.

“No, I am not.” Alexis smiled.

Alexis was not able to avoid the bold kiss that Amina deposited on his lips and then ran away like a kid.

Alexis could not help thinking again of Alexandra. There is so much warmth in those lips. He felt his whole body was in fire while he held her in his arms. “You are going crazy Alexis. Why did you kiss her anyway?” he whispered.

Alexis was too proud to acknowledge what he felt at the time for Alexandra. That was just plain chemistry.

Sandy was too embarrassed of what had happened. But she thank the Lord that nobody saw her and Alexis when he kissed her.

But she was wrong. Out in the window at the other side of the mansion, Vassilli was watching them from his room. Vassilli felt that rage of jealousy that he never felt before.

Yalena on the other hand was talking to Vassilli. “What is your intention Vassilli? Alexandra is not your type. You should stay away from her.”

“Is there something wrong in spending the day together maman? Does it really matter so much if I chose to invite your caregiver for dinner? I thought I was being nice to her.” said Vassilli trying to reason out to his mother.

“You are not being nice to her Vassilli. You are attracted to her! Am I right?”asked Yalena boldly.

“What? Maman… what makes you think that?”

“You love competition my son. I know you because you are my own blood. But I am telling you to stay away from Alexandra. Don’t hurt her. She is too innocent to be deceived by your charm.” Yalena said forcefully.

That left Vassilli speechless. He is not sure whether he just wanted to compete with Alexis but he could not explain either why he was thinking of Alexandra.

After that confrontation with Alexis, Sandy did not hear anything from him and did not even see him even once at Villa Andreas. Then one day the unexpected happened. Yalena collapsed while they were walking in the garden. Sandy called for help. Vassilli came and carried Yalena to her room and called the doctor right away. Sandy did not know what to do. She praised God that the doctor came right away and treated Yalena.

Yalena almost died with that heart attack. She is in a very frail condition that really needs close monitoring and care. Sandy was at her side day and night.

Yalena woke up with Sandy on the bedside.

“Sandy…”

“Ms. Yalena… Thank God you are awake now. Do you want something to eat?” asked Sandy.

Yalena was smiling at her. “Hmmm…. I think you are the one who needs to eat something dear. You look like you have not eaten for days.”

Sandy could not say no… she would be lying then. How did Yalena guessed she did not know.

“I am fine Ms. Yalena.” Sandy said with her usual big smile.

“You can’t fool me child. Get something to eat and please call Alexis. I need to talk to him.”

Sandy was about to say yes but Alexis just came in with flowers and fruits for his grandmother.

Sandy left the room silently after nodding at Yalena. She did not even looked at Alexis.

Sandy went out to the garden for a walk. She did not know what transpired in that room but it seemed that since that day Alexis kissed her… she is not ready yet to face the man.

In the room Yalena thanked Alexis for the fruits and the flowers. “Where have you been these days Alexis? You have not visited here for quite a while. Were you so busy that you cannot visit your grandmother even once in a week?”Yalena asked.

“Yes, I was so busy maman. Anyway, I trust that your caregiver has been very kind to you. So what happened? I thought Ms. Mendel should have known better that you are not fit to have a long walk in the garden!” Alexis said with a tone of voice that put the blame on Alexandra for what happened to Yalena.

“That was not her fault Alexis. I was the one who wanted to walk.”

“But she should not let you…”

“Do you think she can stop me if I wanted to walk around?” Asked Yalena.

Alexis was not able to reply. She knew her grandmother so well. She is very stubborn.

“Don’t blame it on her. I am very glad that you came because I want you to call my lawyer Alexis. I have some things to discuss with him. I am not sure what the future holds but I want to be prepared and I want everything to be in order.”

“Maman!”

“Please don’t argue with me. I am just being practical.”

“But…” Alexis was about to reason but Yalena cut him off.

“No buts. Just do what I want you to do for me please…”

That ends the conversation. Alexis left and when he came back he had with him the family lawyer which arouse the curiosity of Amina and Vassilli who are both thinking of Yalena’s “Will.”