The Island of Love - Chapter Two Part One

The next morning, Phillipa was sitting on the sand drinking coffee, when she saw Demetri heading towards her. She wore a blue bikini under a pair of black shorts and t-shirt, making sure she was ready for the outing she was to take with him.

She watched, as he strolled along the beach. He wore blue shorts and a white short, sleeved shirt, which was left unbuttoned revealing a tanned chest. As he approached her, she felt nervous. She didn't want to spoil the day by being awkward or by looking foolish. She wanted to enjoy the sights and scenery of Cyprus in Demetri's company.

He sat next to her and smiled. Her eyes caught his, as her heart rate quickened.

"I see you're ready Phillipa." She blinked, bringing herself back to reality.

"Yes. I've been out here since nine 0'clock. Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes. Thank you Phillipa."

She moved to get up and he took her hand in his to help her. Standing on the sand in bare feet, she realized that her hand was still in his. She waited for him to let go, but he still held onto her tightly. They stared at one another. Phillipa didn't know what was happening to her. Fluttering butterflies enveloped her entire body. She felt rooted to the spot and she didn't notice that Demetri had moved nearer.

She was about to pull her hand away, when he slowly pulled her closer and kissed her gently on her parted lips. Phillipa closed her eyes and relaxed her slim body next to his. His hands held her tightly as they caressed her back. Her lips moved with his, giving into his desire. She couldn't think of anything else, other than this man. He'd captured her feelings right from the start and it was getting hard to resist him.

He had everything, but she didn't know who he really was, only that he was Marina's brother. She felt embarrassed at the thought of Marina knowing what was happening between Phillipa and her brother. She quickly came to her senses and pushed Demetri away. She stepped back, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"What's wrong? Don't you want to kiss me?" She turned away from him. She didn't want him to see her tearful expression. She was confused and overwhelmed by the kiss. She was still trying to get over Jake.

"It was a mistake. It shouldn't have happened." He laughed loudly.

"So, you're going to deny your feelings? I know how much you liked it. Can't you see that?" She turned to face him. She was determined to end this conversation.

"Look, forget it happened. It didn't mean a thing to me." She walked back to the bungalow to get the coffee she had promised him.

She was standing in the small kitchen, stirring two cups of coffee when Demetri walked in. She heard him walk further into the room, but she didn't turn to look at him.

"I thought we could go to Ayia Napa today. The beach is beautiful there and the sea is good for snorkelling. Do you swim?" She turned to look at him.

"Yes, very well actually." She handed him his coffee and they both sat opposite one another.

"We'll drink this and then we'd better be on our way. It takes about an hour and a half to get there, and its best to drive while it's still morning. We should get there by mid-day if we make a start now." Acknowledging his words, she got up and went to fetch her shoes and handbag.

He opened the car door for her and she got into the passenger seat. The car was air-conditioned, so she didn't feel stuffy from the heat. It was a pleasant drive, as they passed many hotels and then reached the motorway that gave signs for Ayia Napa.

She looked at Demetri and compared him to Jake. Jake had always been selfish and stubborn. He'd made decisions concerning their relationship without any respect for her own feelings. He wouldn't listen to any of her own ideas, concerning their future. He'd been utterly selfish in everything. Of course, she didn't realize this until the day he'd left her.

Demetri seemed different. He was arrogant, but polite. There was something about him that appealed to Phillipa, but she couldn't enter another relationship so soon. It was too much for her. She was afraid of being humiliated again and by being hurt.

"You're quiet. What are you thinking?" She blushed. She didn't want to tell him her thoughts.

"Nothing much." She lied.

"Do you have family in England?"

"Yes. My parents, a brother and a sister." He quickly glanced at her.

"What about a boyfriend?" She was surprised at his question.

"No. Not anymore."

"Not anymore Phillipa? So you had a boyfriend, but you don't now? What happened...? Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry." She smiled.

"That's all right. It's not a secret. You might as well know. He left me for another woman." He looked at her compassionately.

"So, is that why you're here? To forget him? I'm glad. I mean, I'm glad you're here in Cyprus. I'm sorry he did that to you. He didn't deserve you. Any man who leaves you for someone else must be foolish." His kind words made her feel wanted again.

"You don't know me Demetri. How could you know that?"

"Instinct, I guess." She turned her head to study him. His hair was wavy and smoothly, slicked back from his forehead. His nose was straight and went well with his bronzed features. She was beginning to fall for him, but she tried hard not to let this happen. It was too soon after Jake.

She turned her head the other way and watched out of the window, as they slowly parked the car by a small beach.

"Here we are. There's a taverna over here. Lets get a cold drink and some lunch before anything else. It's getting too warm now to go snorkelling or swimming." S he nodded. She didn't mind. She was thirsty and hungry anyway.

"Great. I'm thirsty too. It's beautiful here. Have you been here before?" The taverna overlooked the white, sandy beach. She was impressed by it's beauty.

"A few times. I stop here for a relaxing lunch sometimes. It helps me to unwind when I'm working. That's if I'm in the area at the time." She wanted to know more about him as they sat down at a table.

"What do you do?" He looked surprised when she asked.

"Don't you know?" She shook her head.

"No."

"I work for my father. We're in the hotel business. My father owns some lovely hotels in Cyprus and I help run them. That's why I'm always traveling and stopping at places like this." She realized now how wealthy he must be. She felt uneasy at the thought.

"Yes, I think I remember Marina mention something about the hotels in some of her letters to me over the years. It must be difficult traveling in this heat."

"I'm used to it and the car is air-conditioned." Phillipa nodded at his words.

After a delicious lunch, she felt she'd got to know Demetri more. He was pleasant to talk to and listened to her amicably.

They strolled on the beach an hour later, walking through the warm seawater.

"I don't think we should go snorkeling for a couple of hours yet. The weather is too hot and you might get sunstroke on your first day here. Normally, I would go snorkelling in the morning or late afternoon." She noticed how peaceful it was here.

"It's so quiet here. Where is everybody?" He laughed.

"I forgot you haven't been to Cyprus before. It's their siesta. Everybody disappears between one 0'clock and three thirty in the afternoon. Most shops close, because the heat is too much for people to work in. Everybody sleeps between these times. It's the way of life here." She felt foolish for not knowing this.

"Well, what do you suggest we do?" He took her hand in his and walked back to the car. The touch of his hand on hers sent tingling sensations up her spine. She felt alive and excited just by being near him.

"Get in. I'll take you to my father's hotel and we can relax there for a while." She felt unsure about this, but still went along, not wanting to spoil the day.

Once they arrived, Phillipa was shocked to see such a fancy hotel. The staff greeted Demetri very politely. She could see he was well liked and respected. She discovered what a powerful man he was. His confident manner showed an air of authority in him. She could see he was in control.

As they entered a huge lobby, she heard the sound of a woman's voice calling Demetri in Greek.

"Demetri. How lovely to see you. Where have you been all week? I've been calling you, but you haven't answered my messages." He stood still, smiling.

"Hello Hellena. I've been busy working. You know that dear." She stared suspiciously at Phillipa.

"Well, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend darling?" Demetri seemed irritated.

"Phillipa, this is Hellena. Her father and my father are good friends. This is Phillipa, Marina's friend from England. She's come to visit Marina. I've offered to take Phillipa sight seeing, as Marina is too heavily pregnant to do so."

"That's nice. Now, now darling. Tell her who I really am. Oh, never mind, I'll tell her. Our father maybe friends, but we're engaged to be married. See." She put her hand out showing a large, sparkling, diamond ring. Phillipa felt sick. Why hadn't Demetri told her? Why had he kissed her? Questions whirled through her mind. It didn't make sense.

Phillipa stood there, feeling embarrassed. She wanted to run away, but she couldn't. Instead, she waited for Hellena to leave.

"Look darling, why don't you take Phillipa into the lounge area and get her a cold drink. She looks as if she could do with one. Then you can come back to me and I'll show you the plans for the house." Demetri nodded and Hellena finally walked off. Demetri did exactly as Hellena had told him to, but Phillipa had no intention of

being pushed about. Demetri left her with a drink and said he would be back soon, but Phillipa didn't intend to be ordered about. As soon as he left, she got up and went to reception to ask if they would be so kind as to call her a taxi. She would leave here and go back to the bungalow. She wouldn't sit here and wait for him to come back with an explanation. It would be too humiliating for her. She'd, almost, fallen for him. Well, she wouldn't wait. She wasn't going to be told what to do. She was sure of that.

She got into the taxi and tried not to think of Demetri again. She knew he would be annoyed when he discovered she'd gone, but she didn't care. She felt hurt that he'd taken her out for the day, knowing that he would soon be getting married.

Later, Phillipa lay on her bed feeling very unhappy. She wanted to avoid Demetri as much as possible, if she was to continue her stay in Cyprus. She didn't want him around her, especially now she knew he would be getting married to Hellena. The woman was suited to him. She was sophisticated, intelligent, and beautiful and she had money. They seemed to have lots of things in common.

She couldn't understand why she felt annoyed with Demetri. She hardly knew him. Why would she feel annoyed? He didn't owe her an explanation.

She knew she would see him again. She would tell him that she had decided to leave Ayia Napa, because she was feeling tired and was suffering from a headache. She'd say that she had needed to get back, so she could lie down and rest.

She closed her eyes, but visions of Demetri's gentle smile and handsome face invaded every thought. She couldn't stop thinking of him. She knew she would have to try and forget him. She wanted to get over Jake before she could go home to England. She hoped to stay in Cyprus for at least a month.

Phillipa fell asleep thinking about Demetri. She kept seeing his dark face and his brown harsh eyes. His tanned skin and wavy brown hair made Phillipa stir in her sleep.

She awoke later to a loud banging sound coming from her front door. "Phillipa are you in there? Open this door or I'll knock it down! Do you hear me?" She couldn't believe her ears. It was Demetri.

To be continued..............