Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 234281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1171(@200wpm)___ 937(@250wpm)___ 781(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 234281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1171(@200wpm)___ 937(@250wpm)___ 781(@300wpm)
As he and Alina reached the podium, Ms. Thorn moved close to the microphone and asked charmingly, “How about a kiss between the lovely couple? I am certain I speak for many students in saying we think you had the loveliest engagement party. The two of you make such a beautiful couple and we’d love to celebrate your engagement with you two today.”
Chapter 13
A FUCKING KISS? Ioniko’s face hardened in disbelief. He had heard that the indomitable Rose Thorn was good at charming people and getting money out of their pockets, and now he knew it was true.
No wonder there was such a huge media presence today, Ioniko thought in disgust. She had planned this all along, and since it was rare to catch Damen and Alina together, much less sharing a kiss, a photo of it would surely put GAYL on the map.
He looked at the couple, who were clearly taken aback by the request as well.
And then he looked at her.
Mairi was completely white, and even this far away he could see the stricken look on her face.
Ioniko’s gaze returned to Leventis, the asshole who had caused Mairi to look like that. He was smiling, talking easily, trying to cajole Ms. Thorn out of the request, but the other woman was just as ruthless, making it impossible for Damen to refuse lest he wanted the crowd to think he disliked kissing his fiancée.
When he turned to Mairi again, he cursed under his breath. She looked like she was near to collapsing.
Fuck this.
He did not like playing the knight in shining armor, but something about Mairi made him want to pretend he was good.
Without a word, he stalked off the stage and headed towards Mairi’s direction.
STAVROS MANOLIS LOOKED up at the imposing entrance of the Grecian Academy For Young Ladies.
After so many years, he had finally found her.
This was the best lead he had in ages, and instincts told him that this time he might really see her again.
Mairi Tanner.
He owed her so many things, not the very least his apology for ruining her life without even knowing it.
Inside, he was greeted by name by one of the usherettes. The woman was well-trained, welcoming him without hesitation even though Stavros knew she was surely shocked and curious about what a bachelor billionaire was doing in a Teachers' Day presentation at a school where none of his family members studied.
Nyssa unclipped the CB radio from her pants to let Ms. Thorn know about the unexpected presence of yet another Greek billionaire. What was it with today, Nyssa wondered, that GAYL was practically bursting with hot rich guys?
And Stavros Manolis? The man was notorious for his workaholic ways, rarely being photographed for the society pages because he was that reclusive. The only events he attended were those sponsored by his company. They were very strictly monitored ones, leaving no chances for the paparazzi to interview him.
Stavros waited patiently for the usherette to speak with her superior. When she turned back to him, her welcoming smile was something he expected. Because he was who he was, doors would always open. Always.
“Ms. Thorn would like to invite you to the VIP row, Mr. Manolis.”
“It would be an honor.” He knew how this worked. He had come here without an invitation. This was what the school required in exchange.
As the usherette escorted him inside the auditorium, he was surprised to see a couple of familiar faces on stage. There was Ioniko Vlahos and, even more surprising, Damen Leventis and his rather insipid fiancée Alina Kokinos.
Damen was engaged in a lighthearted banter with a woman Stavros assumed to be the principal. As he listened absently to their exchange, Stavros knew his friend was fighting a losing battle. It was just a simple kiss between an engaged couple; it would be the height of rudeness to his fiancée if he continued refusing.
He asked the usherette quietly, “I believe you have a Ms. Mairi Tanner working here?”
“Oh, yes. She was our presenter for the opening speech. Would you like to meet her after the ceremony?”
“That would be ideal.” Stavros paused, considering his options. “If you could point out where she’s seated for now though?”
The woman stopped next to the front row seats. “There she is, Mr. Manolis.”
Stavros slowly followed her gaze.
It was her.
It really was her.
And she looked...she looked exactly like how she looked that day she had been expelled for being labeled a gold digger because of him.
“MY FIANCÉE IS A SHY person, Ms. Thorn...”
“Oh, we are not asking for a passionate kiss, Mr. Leventis. I am very much aware of the tender age of my students. This is all in the spirit of celebrating your engagement, you understand. Just a small sweet kiss between a loving couple would be more than enough, wouldn’t you say so, girls?”