The Deal

Chapter 4 - Till We Meet Again

Melina's pov:

-"Hello Miss.....?" the handsome man asked me with a wide smile. Apparently my game didn't displease him. On the contrary, it pleased him, very.

-"Er.....I....." I managed to say. I couldn't say a word. I looked like a kid caught stealing a jar of candy. Embarrassed was an understatement. My cheeks should probably be tomato red with embarrassment. How could I do this? What was I thinking?

-"Cat ate your tongue Miss?" he asked sarcastically. He seemed to enjoy the whole situation, especially my awkwardness.

-"I'm ....I'm terribly sorry Sir. I thought you were someone else......" I mumbled.

-"I assume the Mayor wasn't the man you expected either... "he said ironically.

-"I .....I .....must.... go" I mumbled and headed quickly to the door.

-" Wait" the man ordered taking my hand. In a split second, he was out of his chair and right behind me. He turned me around. Our faces were inches apart. I could feel his breath on my face, so could him. But I couldn't look him straight in the eyes. I was too embarrassed to do that. I unconsciously looked down. A few minutes ago, I had closed my eyes and kissed this man's cheek! A man who is completely unknown to me! What was I thinking?

Placing his thumb on my chin he lifted my head up. Our eyes locked. We stood there in the middle of the office, completely silent looking at each other for a few seconds. Although he had beautiful gray eyes, something in his gaze made me shudder. My emotions were like a roller coaster. Out of pure shame I was startled and into a thrill that I could not define but shook my inner world.

-"What is your name? Who were you looking for here?" his question broke the silence that prevailed the last seconds.

-"No one" I said timidly.

-"Don't lie to me miss. Why are you here?" he asked more intensively this time.

-"I ...... I was looking for a friend" I replied.

-"You were looking for a friend....Here?" he asked in disbelief.

-"We were playing a game" I quickly cited as an excuse.

-"Playing a game? Aren't you too old to play hide and seek?" he commented sarcastically.

-"I............" I tried to excuse myself when a man's voice stopped me.

-"I am sorry for making you wait, Stavros! You know how the Balls are....." the voice told as he entered the office. It was the Mayor! "Now I am really in a big trouble!" I told myself.

The Mayor is one of my father's good friends. He is going to tell him everything! "Now I'm definitely screwed!"

-"Theodore! Nice to see you!" the man greeted him cordially.

-"And who is this wonderful lady?" he said as he approached me.

I stood paralyzed in my seat. How was I going to explain to the Mayor what I was doing alone with this man in his office? Being with a man in a room was already a scandal! Then I've got an idea! The Mayor didn't wear his glasses and it was dark. He didn't recognize me! How could he? Without his glasses he is completely blind! "Now is the time!" I told myself and ran out of the room leaving both men standing there surprised.

I quickly passed the track and headed to our table. There was my father who was talking to Eugenia's father and some other gentlemen. I had to think of something fast, otherwise the man in the Mayor's office would expose me! But what? Tina would not accept to leave the ball so early. I was standing inches away from my father's chair trying to find the right opportunity to talk to him I felt a poke on my back.