Chapter 118 The Persistent Little Cockroach
Chapter 118 The Persistent Little Cockroach
CHAPTER 118
The Persistent Little Cockroach
Three days later…
The Santorini sun poured down like liquid gold, relentless and unapologetic, turning the balcony of their private villa into a private slice of heaven.
Anna lounged on the cushioned chaise by the infinity pool, legs dangling in the cool water, the Aegean Sea stretching out below in endless shades of sapphire and turquoise.
Whitewashed walls gleamed around her, bougainvillea spilling pink and purple over the railings like nature's own confetti.
The air carried salt, wild thyme, and the faint, distant chime of church bells from Oia.
The constant blaze was finally coaxing a soft, golden glow across her pale skin—nothing dramatic, just enough to make her look like she'd stepped out of some ancient fresco.
She didn't mind.
The locals here wore their tans like second skin, smooth and sun-kissed, the kind of effortless radiance that made you think the Greek gods had handed out beauty tips along with olive oil. Goddess vibes, straight out of a myth.
Anna stretched lazily, feeling the warmth sink into her bones, her hand unconsciously rubbing her stomach.
She wore the nude two-piece string bikini she'd been dying to debut since spotting it in that overpriced mall boutique back in Manhattan.
Olivia had been mid-rant then, dramatically complaining about how Victor—one of Anna's bodyguards—treated her like she was invisible.
“The man has eyes like a hawk and somehow misses me batting my lashes right in his face? Criminal.”
Anna had laughed so hard she'd nearly dropped the hanger.
But she'd noticed the way Olivia always requested Victor specifically for outings, the little extra sway in her step when he was around.
Crush confirmed, no detective skills required.
The memory tugged a smile to her lips now.
These few days with William in the villa had been pure magic—the absolute best stretch of her life.
Waking tangled in sheets that smelled of him and sea air, lazy mornings that bled into afternoons of nothing but each other, nights where the world narrowed to his hands and her sighs.
She could stay here forever, just the two of them, no boardrooms, no scandals, no ghosts.
But reality waited in Manhattan, cold and insistent.
In a few days they'd fly back to the grind, the empire, the life they'd clawed into shape.
Inwardly, Anna sent a quiet thank-you to whatever business call had pulled William away for the last hour.
Since they'd landed, the man hadn't been able to keep his hands off her. Not that she was complaining—God, no.
His passion was a drug, the way he'd touch her like she was made of glass and steel at the same time, moaned her name like a claim, fucked her slow and deep until she saw stars.
Possessive. Delicious. Addictive.
But right now, the sun on her skin and the water lapping at her calves felt like a gift. A moment to breathe.
A polite throat-clearing broke the quiet.
Anna opened her eyes to find Nikos at the top of the steps, middle-aged and solid, his face creased with the kind of warm lines that came from years of smiling at the sea.
She sat up, legs still in the pool, an expectant smile blooming. “Do you have it?”
Nikos lifted the large food container like a trophy.
“Eleni sent the whole thing. Said you looked like you needed feeding properly.”
Anna squealed—actual, undignified squeal—and scrambled out of the pool, water streaming off her legs.
She snatched up her discarded towel, wrapped it sarong-style around her hips, and hurried over.
The moment she cracked the lid, heaven hit her, hot,buttery layers of phyllo, the earthy green of spinach, sharp tang of feta, a whisper of dill and onion.
It smelled like comfort wrapped in crisp perfection.
God, if ambrosia had an everyday cousin, this would be it. She thought, inhaling deeper.
One bite and I'm ready to renounce Manhattan for a lifetime of Greek pies.
Nikos held up a chilled bottle next. “And fresh lemonade. Mint from the garden.”
Her cobalt eyes went wide, delighted. “Oh, Nikos, you're killing me with kindness.” She took it, fingers brushing his. “How did she know?”
“Eleni noticed you drained two glasses the other day like they were the last on earth. She said, ‘The girl needs more.’”
Anna's chest warmed. “Tell her thank you—from the bottom of my heart. I'll devour this and think of her the whole time.”
Nikos smiled, the genuine kind that reached his eyes.
“I'll tell her. She'll be pleased.”
He'd been caretaker at the villa nearly a decade,keeping the villa pristine for whenever William decided to escape the city.
Eleni, his wife, was the heart of it, a warm, motherly aura that made you feel instantly at home.
She'd been cooking for them since their arrival—meals that could make Mrs Whitmore back home hang up her apron in defeat.
Spanakopita like this? Legendary. And their four kids—Andreas, Stefanos, Thalia, Rhea—polite, bright-eyed,always quick with a “kalimera” and a shy wave.
Good people. The kind you wished lived next door.
Nikos glanced around the balcony. “Where is Mr. Fairchild?”
“Inside, on a call.” Anna popped a corner of spanakopita into her mouth, biting back a moan as flaky pastry shattered and savory filling exploded on her tongue. Heaven.
“Nothing wrong, I hope?” She asked around the bite.
“No, no problem.” He waved a hand. “Just something to mention.”
Right on cue, William stepped out, navy short-sleeved shirt open at the collar, white slacks casual but sharp.
He looked relaxed—really relaxed—in a way Manhattan rarely allowed. The sun had touched him too, darkening his hair to deeper midnight.
“Nikos,” he said, approaching with an easy nod. “What's happening?”
“Just letting you know—the kitchen window's fixed. A storm three nights ago cracked it clean through.”
William clapped him on the shoulder. “Thank you, Nikos. Appreciate it. Anything else?”
Anna took another bite, savoring, as Nikos shifted.
“Some people have been coming by the last few days. Asking to speak with you. I didn’t bother you—your orders were clear: no disturbances.”
William chuckled. “Right call. What do they want?”
“Permission to use part of the villa for a commercial shoot. An ad, from what the last pair said.”
“A shoot?” William echoed, brow lifting.
Anna drifted closer, licking feta from her fingers. “What kind?”
William's arm hooked around her waist without hesitation, tugging her onto his lap as he settled into the chaise.
She nestled against his chest, towel slipping a little, his hand warm on her bare thigh.
“A perfume,” Nikos confirmed. “Fancy one, I think.”
“Did they say when? How long?” William asked.
Nikos shook his head. “Didn't ask. But they're here now—the man and woman. I can bring them up if you want.”
“Go ahead.” William nodded and Nikos left at once.
William glanced at Anna, thumb tracing lazy circles on her skin. “What do you think?”
She shrugged, popping another bite.
“Not a big deal to me. Honestly? I'd love to watch one of those glossy perfume ads get made. All the slow-motion hair flips and dramatic stares. Could be fun.”
He considered, then sighed—fond, not annoyed. “I don't love strangers traipsing through our space. But if you want it…”
“You don't have to say yes just for me,” she started.
He silenced her with a kiss—slow, lingering, tasting of mint and possession. “It's fine. We'll make it quick.”
She beamed. “Thank you, Liam.”
His grin turned wicked. “You can thank me properly in some other way later.”
Anna leaned in, lips brushing his ear, voice low and dripping promise.
“Oh, I'll thank you until you forget your own name. Slow. Thorough. Fast. Hard. On my knees first, then riding you until the sun comes up again.”
William's grip tightened, eyes darkening. “I'm holding you to every filthy word.”
She giggled, pressing a quick peck to his lips—just as a voice cut through the air, syrupy-sweet and sharp-edged.
“Aren't you two just the picture of domestic bliss?”
They turned. Selene stood at the balcony's edge, designer sundress clinging in all the right places, smile pure saccharine seduction.
William's voice went flat, edged with steel. “Selene.”
“Hello, William.” She tilted her head, eyes flicking to Anna like an afterthought. “It's been a while.”
Anna's smile stayed polite on the surface. Inside, venom curled.
Just when I thought I'd buried every last problem of mine six feet under, here comes this persistent little cockroach crawling back out once again.
Now I wonder, she thought, cobalt eyes narrowing behind the sweetness, exactly what I'm going to do to you, Selene.