The Bridegroom's Vow

For another, it would destroy something inside Dimitrios if he thought his own tormented past had anything to do with the drastic step his nephew was contemplating.

Suddenly Dimitrios felt older than Stavros.

CHAPTER TWO

ALEX’S family always complained that she didn’t stay long enough when she came to Paterson for visits. Her parents had never approved of her intentionally making herself look older in order to get hired by the Pandakis company. It was a sore point Alex argued with her mother every time they got together.

“Surely after four years you could start easing back to your normal self by lightening your hair in increments, wearing clothes that suit your age. I haven’t seen my own daughter for so long, I don’t remember what you look like.”

“Mom…” Alex took a deep breath. “I wanted to be hired so badly, I would have done anything to gain Mrs. Landau’s approval. I thought if I looked like a solid, more mature, dependable type, I’d have a better chance with her. Mr. Pandakis may have the reputation of being a womanizer, but he’s totally professional with the staff at the office.

“But Mrs. Landau’s not there anymore, darling. Now that you’ve taken over her duties, it seems to me you can start being our daughter again.”

“You don’t understand, Mom.”

“Oh, but I do. You’re not willing to risk anything that would prevent you from being around him. He’s a man to turn any woman’s head, and he has, especially yours.”

“Yes,” she admitted. “He’s—”

“Bigger than life?” her mother preempted her. “I know. He’s the reason you’ve stopped dating and no longer have a social life.”

“I can’t right now. But when the trade fair is over, he’s taking a three week vacation. I’ve been ordered to do the same.”

“Which means all you’ll do is mope around here waiting until you can be back with him.”

Her mother knew her too well.

“Alexandra? I’ve tried not to interfere in your life too much. But it’s obvious to me you’re in love with the man. Because of that you’re blind to certain truths.”

Alex didn’t want to hear them.

“Darling— Can’t you see he’s not normal?”

“You mean because he’s not married with three or four children by now?” she cried.

“Yes. He’s a person who’s been blessed with so many gifts, I think he got lost somewhere along the way.”

Alex shook her head emphatically. “If you knew him, you’d never say such a thing.”

“I’m not talking about his business prowess. There’s something in his makeup that isn’t right. My guess is he was marred in childhood and it stunted his emotional growth.

“How else do you explain his inability to settle down with one woman? Or for that matter, why Mrs. Landau seemed to choose only plain women to work for him. He’s simply not an ordinary sort. Don’t you agree? Honestly?”

Tears prickled Alex’s eyes. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Darling.” Her mother put an arm around her. “All I want is your happiness, but I’m afraid if you continue to work for him, he’ll go on taking advantage of your generous nature and you’ll never find joy in being a wife, or a mother.”

Alex broke down for a minute, then wiped her eyes. “Mom? There’s something I have to tell you. Maybe then you’ll understand why I can’t seem to let him go. I—I didn’t apply for a job at the Pandakis Corporation by chance,” she stammered.

“I suspected as much. When their people came to Paterson for the international silk seminar your grandfather hosted ten years ago, I remember the huge impact so many wealthy, dark-haired men made on everyone. Not a bad place to start a career for a girl right out of college.”

“Actually it was nine years ago.”

Her mother sent her a shrewd regard. “What went on that night? Did Dimitrios Pandakis’s wandering eye light on you? Did he tell you to come and see him when you were all grown up?”

“No!” Alex cried out. “If only it had happened like that, I wouldn’t have been forced to resort to subterfuge. It was Giorgio Pandakis—”

In a torrent of words she explained what had gone on nine years earlier when Dimitrios had saved her from his cousin. After confiding everything she said, “He was willing to stand by me, Mom. He offered to help me because that’s the kind of man he is.”

“No wonder you fell in love with him,” her mother murmured in a saddened voice. “I’ve tried to imagine what hold he’s had over you all this time. Everything you’d done since than has been with him in mind.”

“I’ve never been able to look at another man. I couldn’t!”

“But what has it really gotten you except heartache? This has to stop, darling. A teenage fantasy is one thing. But he’s become your obsession. Surely if it was meant to be, he would have returned your feelings by now.”

She knew her mother was right. Everyone was right. Michael. Her friend Yanni.

But the pain was killing her.

“I’m afraid for you to go to Greece with him. It can only put you on a more intimate footing with him without getting anything back in return.”

“I know, but I have to go. I’m in charge of the trade fair.”

“I realize that. Oh, Alexandra, you’ve gotten yourself in way too deep. I particularly don’t like the idea of your being anywhere near his cousin. Obviously he’d caused trouble in their family long before he set eyes on you, otherwise your boss wouldn’t have been so straightforward in dealing with the situation.”

It had taken Alex a few years before she’d figured that out.

“Don’t worry, Mom. Giorgio’s been married a long time and has a family. Besides, I’m not a teenager anymore, and he wouldn’t give me a second glance now.”

Her mother stared at her with anxious eyes. “I’m not so sure of that. You may look older now, but you’ll always be a beautiful girl. Even so, lies have a way of surfacing. How do you think Mr. Pandakis will react if he finds out you intentionally disguised yourself to get hired?”

“Literally speaking it was Mrs. Landau who gave me the job.”

“You know what I mean.”

Alex sucked in her breath. “I have no idea how he’d feel.”

“Yes, you do. You’ve just told me he’s an honorable man when it comes to business. Men like that expect honor in return. Mark my words, Alexandra. Every minute you’re in his employ, you’re playing with fire.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” she blurted in agony. “I—I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. Between you and Michael, I’m convinced that the only thing to do is resign.”

“If you really mean that, then go to Greece. Do your job. Don’t go near his family, then come straight home on the first available commercial flight and hand in your resignation. He’ll have three weeks to find another secretary within the company to replace you.”

“You’re right,” she whispered brokenly. “My assistant Charlene would give anything to have my job. As soon as I get back, I’ll look for something around here.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.” She gave her mother another hug. “Kiss Daddy for me. I have to run.”