The Greek Billionaire's Marriage Matchmaker (10 page)

SIXTEEN

When she came in to work next morning, it didn’t take Zoey long to find out what had happened with her mother. She heard the entire thing from Annie within ten minutes of arriving in the office. Maria, had apparently been exceedingly vocal about her boss’ antics with her new love interest, reminding anyone who would listen that she had been at the agency the longest, that she had seen Melinda in the months after William left her, when she had been a broken woman.

In her office, Zoey inwardly prayed that Maria didn’t start any drama, but as the day wore on, it became quite evident that everyone was worrying for no reason. Zoey kept finding excuses to go upstairs and visit her mother, and each time she found Maria at her desk, wearing her familiar unreadable expression.

The third time Zoey went up it was just after lunch, and when she arrived, it was to find Branden on his way out, carrying a picnic basket. His face lit up when he saw her, and he hurried eagerly to her side.

“Zoey!” he exclaimed. “Boy, am I happy to see you. As you can see, your little suggestion worked. I want to thank you for that. I don’t like to tell tales out of school, but your mother and I have never been happier.”

“I’m so glad to hear that, Mr. Kingston,” she replied. “I’m sure it’s going to stay that way.”

Branden gave her a quick one-armed hug on his way out, and Zoey gave her mother’s personal assistant another significant look before knocking on the inner office door.

“Come in, dear,” Melinda’s voice rang out. “There’s something we really need to talk about.”

Zoey thought she saw Maria squirm when Melinda said that, but she hadn’t been looking directly at her, and Maria was as still as a statue by the time Zoey turned her head in that direction. With a sigh, Zoey entered her mother’s office to find her surrounded by an incredible amount of paperwork. For one horrifying second, Zoey assumed that Melinda Forde was getting sued again. But the expression on her mother’s face was serene.

“So it turns out that Branden studied commercial law in college. We had a working lunch today, Zoey, and he’s been giving me advice about something I think we need to discuss. It has to do with Melinda Forde and our future together, so I’m going to talk for a while and I don’t want you to interrupt, okay?”

“Sure, Mom, but you’re worrying me. Is everything all right?”

“Of course it is, honey,” Melinda replied lightly. “I promise there’s nothing to be worried about.”

Having said that, Melinda talked for nearly an hour, occasionally pointing to one of the surrounding documents to illustrate her point.

As Zoey listened, she ran the gamut of emotion, but she was as good as her word, and though she burned to do so several times, she let her mother’s speech go unimpeded.

By the time Melinda was finished, surprise was the only emotion Zoey was certain she could still legitimately feel.

“Are you absolutely sure about this, Mom?” she inquired. “This is a pretty enormous step to take.”

“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life, Zoey, so I need you to try to do your very best. I’m really going to have to count on you. I know you’re heading to Greece in a week, so Branden and I won’t finalize things until you get back here. I know this must seem shocking…”

“No kidding,” Zoey interjected.

“…and you probably think this is all happening too soon, but we love each other, and we want to be together full time. I just don’t see a more responsible way…”

“All right, Mom,” Zoey cut in. “If you’re sure this is what you want, I want you to know that I’m here for you.” She kissed her mother before pulling her in for a hug.

SEVENTEEN

When the day of their flight finally arrived, Zoey arose with the excited vibrancy of an older child on Christmas Day. She methodically got herself dressed for the airport, before folding a few last-minute items into a suitcase. She had read an article about packing efficiently, and over the past few days, Zoey had treated it like a gospel. Every item she was bringing had at least two functions. Anything the hotel was likely to have had been culled from her luggage. She was using straws to keep her necklaces detangled, and the little zip top bags the extra buttons for her blouses came in to keep her earrings together. Socks had gone into shoes, and all of her clothes had been rolled in an effort to take up twenty percent less space. In the end, she had managed to fit everything she needed for the week into two tiny carry-on bags. It was an impressive feat, and Zoey had to admit she was more than a little proud of herself.

At nine fifteen that morning, the doorbell rang, and Zoey let Fulton in to the apartment. He was resplendent in a new black uniform that looked like it had been pressed within an inch of its life. Brass buttons lined the front of the jacket, twinkling in the sunlight that shone through her windows.

“I’ve come to take you to the airport, miss. If you will show me to your luggage, I’ll be happy to assist.”

Zoey reflected on her conversations with Fulton and realized that was one of the longest sentences she had ever heard him say. Shaking her head, she tried to get more out of him as she led the way to her bedroom.

“Can I ask if there’s a reason you only say one or two things a week? I’ve known you for six months, but I don’t think we’ve ever had a full-on conversation.”

“Well,” Fulton replied, “once a person makes a certain amount of money, they start to eschew more talkative employees. Mr. Zakiridis conducts a great deal of his business from the town car, which means I’m privy to a lot of sensitive information. Mr. Zakiridis trusts that I will keep what I hear to myself.” He paused as they reached the door to Zoey’s bedroom. “Is that all you’re taking with you miss?” he asked, clearly flabbergasted.

He had obviously expected more than twice as many bags, and Zoey couldn’t help grinning.

“I’m a light packer,” she replied. “It’s one of my many skills.”

With an acknowledging nod, Fulton picked them up, and carried them down to the town car and into the trunk without giving any indication that their small size belied their weight.

Zoey came right behind him, grinning widely when she saw Stelios waiting for her in the back of the car. He looked a bit pale, but was smiling, and greeted Zoey with a warm, passionate kiss. It was the kind of kiss a soldier gives his lover before he heads off to battle. Zoey drew him into a reassuring embrace and told him without speaking that he had nothing to fear.

In a moment, Fulton was behind the wheel and driving them to a private runway the Dolphin Realty Group had acquired several years ago.

On the way, Melinda called to say her goodbyes, and Zoey insisted that Stelios say hi to Branden, who was at the office with her. It was the first time the two had ever spoken, but the conversation seemed to give Stelios back a little of his color.

After a couple of minutes, Stelios handed the phone back to Zoey and Melinda voice filled her ear again.

“Did you tell him yet, Zoey?”

“Not yet. I plan to do that at the right time.”

“All right, Zoey, but it’s important that you tell him soon. It’s going to be a huge change in your life.”

“I know, Mom. Trust me. I’ve got it all worked out.”

“Okay then, Zoey. Branden’s telling me you’ll find the best way to bring it up so have an excellent vacation.”

“I will, Mom. Thanks,” Zoey replied, hanging up.

“Might I ask what you have all worked out?” Stelios inquired with amusement. “What do you plan to do at the right time?”

“Oh, it’s something I want to talk to you about, but I think I’m going to wait until we’re on the plane to do it.”

“Why wait?” Stelios asked her, clearly more curious than he wanted to let on. “I’m all ears now. Is something wrong?”

“Not a thing. Since you showed up, everything has become exponentially better. My mother’s happy, the business is operating more ethically, and I’m in love with a wonderful man. I just think it’s sort of a long story and I’m going to have to do a lot of explaining. If I start it now, we’re going to be interrupted when we reach the runway. Besides, actually getting on a plane is a huge step for you, and I want you to focus your mind on that and nothing else. Trust me,” she smiled, “I’m usually right about these things. Let me keep my little secret a few minutes longer.”

“All right,” Stelios replied, the tiniest hint of a smile appearing on his face. “In that case, why don’t you tell me how you managed to get a week’s worth of clothing into those tiny little bags?”

Zoey started telling him about the website she’d been reading suggestions on, but her thoughts were a bit distant.

That was far too easy
,
she thought.
I wonder why he gave in so readily. I expected him to press me a little bit harder than that.

But Stelios didn’t press her at all. In fact, by the time they reached the runway, it looked as if he had forgotten that Zoey had a story to tell him at all. He was talking animatedly as they got out of the car, but once Stelios laid eyes on the private jet, he fell silent. It was as if the entire adventure had only become real to him in that moment, and it was perfectly clear that he was wondering if it wasn’t too late to change his mind.

The plane was large, much larger than anything Zoey had been expecting. It was a white, streamlined behemoth, with several tasteful black accents. The wings were sleek, and two podded jet engines graced the rear. The sun was shining brightly, and when the light hit the jet, it was bright enough to make Zoey shield her eyes. On the side of the plane, in black and gold, was an ornate version of the Dolphin Realty Group logo. The boarding ramp was already in place, and a small team of people had started loading their luggage.

“Are you okay?” Zoey asked, tearing her eyes from the impressive sight in front of them. It had been three full minutes, and Stelios hadn’t spoken a word.

“I’m fine,” he breathed finally, a little more harshly than he meant to.

Zoey could see he was losing his color again. He was licking his lips, as if his mouth had gone completely dry, and if he heard the attendant telling him that the plane was loaded and ready for takeoff, he gave no sign of it.

“I want you to picture the olive trees,” Zoey began, slipping into a role she had become familiar with.

“Enough with the trees!” Stelios barked. Almost immediately, his features contorted with regret. “I’m sorry, Zoey… I thought I was ready for this…”

“You
are
ready,” she replied, a firm kindness in her voice. She took his hand in hers and took a step toward the boarding ramp. “You’ve come a long way to get here, Stelios, and I know you have the strength to go on. I’m right here with you, and we’re going to do it together. You don’t have to be afraid because you’re not alone.”

“Besides which, sir,” Fulton chimed in, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, “that’s a super mid-size jet that has been optimized for maximum altitude, speed and range. It has been outfitted with all of the most sophisticated safety systems, and advanced global positioning technology. And the pilot is an expert with a lengthy career in the Air Force behind him.”

“How do you know all that?” Zoey asked, intrigued.

“He knows because he’s our pilot,” Stelios answered slowly, smiling slightly at the evident shock on Zoey’s face. “I hired Fulton just after my parents passed away. He was supposed to fly me to Greece so that I could comfort my grandparents, but as I told you, I ended up in the hospital instead. Fulton was so helpful and understanding that I hired him away from his company on the spot. He’s been driving rather than flying ever since, but he’s kept in training, and I honestly wouldn’t trust anyone else. Now, that’s my little secret,” he said with a small laugh. “Now that we’re here, let’s hear yours.”

“You’re going to have to get aboard the plane first,” Zoey answered, quickly recovering from her surprise. She took another step toward the cabin, and Stelios let him lead her without the slightest resistance.

Just as they reached the boarding stairs, Fulton slipped a pack of bubble gum into Zoey’s free hand.

“You’ll thank me later, miss,” he promised, before dashing away to start the final flight checks.

Moments later, Stelios and Zoey were seated in luxurious reclining leather seats. Each one came with a separate television screen, and wireless, noise-canceling headphones. The armrests held a control console, which offered the option to add heat, vibration, or both. All in all, they were the best chairs Zoey had ever experienced.

“I need to put one of these in my office,” she joked.

“I’ll take care of that as soon as we get back,” Stelios laughed. It was by no means a strong laugh, but it was reassuring to Zoey, and she was glad to see that he was calming down a little.

A few moments later, Fulton’s voice filled the cabin, and announced that the plane was about to take off. As the jet began to speed along the runway, the pair strapped themselves in and each took a piece of gum in an effort to keep their ears from popping. Suddenly, the tarmac below them dropped away, and the jet, which Stelios had named Skylander, was in the air.

Stelios held tight to Zoey’s hand until the plane leveled out from its ascent. She was glad when it did, because it had been something like a death grip. Stelios apologized profusely, but Zoey assured him that she understood, and that there was no problem.

At that very moment, Zoey realized something that she hadn’t before: her heart was pounding with eagerness and excitement. They were off the ground. They were really going. In just a few hours, she was going to experience something that never got to be more than a fantasy for most people. She got goosebumps as she pictured the sun-drenched shores that awaited her.

“Okay, no more stalling, baby,” Stelios suddenly said, cutting into her thoughts. “We can’t get any more on the plane than this, so tell me, what’s the big secret?”

Zoey reflected that she was getting interrupted an awful lot today, but she kept that thought to herself and addressed Stelios.

“Well, when my mother saw you announce on TV that you love me, something happened to her. She stopped being so bitter and cynical. I was ecstatic, and I didn’t expect it to get any better than that. But then, one of her past clients showed up, Branden Kingston, the guy you talked to today. They hit it off right away, but at first, it was slow going. Neither of them wanted to make the first move.”

“I remember,” Stelios said, shaking his head. “You told me about your efforts to play matchmaker.”

“Well, one, that’s my job, and two, it worked,” Zoey told him with a tiny smirk. “They’ve started seeing each other every day. Usually, it’s just lunch, but sometimes they go out. A few days ago, though, my mother called me into her office to discuss something that she said was extremely important. As it turns out, she wants to spend more of her time with Branden, ‘having fun while I can’, as she put it. She’s retiring from Melinda Forde the moment I get back from Greece, and handing the entire thing over to me.”

“Oh my God, that’s incredible!” Stelios replied, embracing her and giving her a kiss. “Your mother is wise to trust you with her legacy, Zoey. I couldn’t think of anyone better suited for it.”

“Thanks, Stelios. I’m glad you think so. To be honest, though, I’ve been struggling with the idea of it. I’m overjoyed to know she’s going to have more time to be happy now. Especially with Branden. They seem like they were made for each other. But then…” she trailed off.

“You’re worried because it’s a big responsibility, and you don’t want to let your mother down. You’ve worked alongside her for years now, but this is the first time that the entire process will be in your hands.”

“That’s exactly how I feel. How do you know all of that?”