The Greek Tycoon Read online

  Chapter 23

  At the end of January Katie was at

  work in the book shop, she wasn’t feeling very well, she hadn’t for weeks which was hardly surprising since she rarely ate or slept. Andreus still wasn’t giving up, he rang and text constantly on her mobile or rang the house phone but she refused to speak to him.

  A customer came over to her at the till, she felt the room spinning and fell to the floor.

  She came around a few minutes later,

  her boss was knelt down next to her. “What happened?” She asked.

  “You fainted Kate. You should have

  told me you felt unwell, I would have sent you home.”

  “With my P45. You have been hinting for weeks about getting rid of me. I’m fine

  * * *

  now, I’ll get back to work.”

  “Kate you are the hardest worker here! I have never considered sacking you, and you are going home, I’ve called your mum although I think she will be taking you to the hospital first.”

  “I’m fine, fit and healthy. I don’t need to go home and I certainly don’t need to go to the hospital.”

  “People don’t faint for no reason.”

  Heather came running in. “I knew you were unwell!” She said. “I should never have let you come to work.”

  “I’m fine mum.”

  “You’re obviously not Katie. Come on, I’m taking you to the hospital right now.” Katie gave in she knew she wasn’t going to win this argument. They were seen by a triage nurse who asked for a urine sample. A little while later a doctor called her in and asked what had happened then told her to lay on the bed whilst he felt her stomach.

  “You are pregnant Katie. I would say about seventeen weeks.”

  “No! I can’t be!”

  “I’m sorry but the urine sample was positive as well.”

  “Is fainting normal?” Heather asked.

  “It can be, especially if the mum isn’t

  * * *

  eating properly.” Katie looked down. “I am going to send you up to the pre-natal day care unit for a scan, a blood test and they’ll put you on a foetal heart monitor to check the baby is healthy and you really need to take better care of yourself Katie.” The doctor filled out the form and sent them upstairs.

  They gave the forms to the midwife and sat in the waiting room. “You are going to have to speak to Andreus now love.” Heather said quietly.

  “What?” Katie’s head snapped up.

  “He has a right to know his child Kate.”

  “Does he? After the way he treated me? No way mum, I don’t want to have anything to do with any of that family ever again.”

  “Not even Mel?”

  “No.” Katie said sadly. “She knew what he was like and still encouraged us to get together. In my books that isn’t a very good friend.”

  “That doesn’t change the fact that Andreus has a right to know his child! I’m starting to think you were told a pack of lies in the first place. If he didn’t love you or had so many lovers including one in Greece, why would he still be calling a texting everyday after four weeks? He wouldn’t need to.”

  “I’ve damaged his pride. I bet he has never been dumped before.”

  * * *

  “Katie no man has that much pride. In fact he’s damaging his own pride. The ‘big I am’ never shows a weakness and he’s definitely showing his weakness over you.”

  “Mum it’s over. I could never trust him.”

  “I’m not saying you should get back together. I’m saying he a right to know about his baby.”

  The sonographer called Katie into the scanning room, took a few personal details then started the scan. Katie smiled when the baby came up on the screen, it was kicking about although she couldn’t feel a thing. “You’re baby looks fit and healthy, I can see the heartbeat, I’ll use the Doppler in a minute so you can hear it then the midwife will do some blood tests before you leave.” The sonographer printed some pictures and

  handed them to Katie before using the

  Doppler, within seconds the sound of the strong heartbeat filled the room. “Perfect!” She smiled. The midwife drew some blood then Katie and Heather left the hospital.

  “How do you think dad will take the news?” Katie asked Heather.

  “He’ll be fine sweetheart.”

  Heather picked Rhiannon up from

  * * *

  school whilst Katie was in bed getting some rest, she had, had a hearty lunch and suddenly after the initial shock, Katie felt life was much calmer again knowing she was going to have another baby. She was worried about finances because she was struggling already but she knew she would cope, she would find a way.

  She went downstairs when she heard

  Gregory come home from work, then she sat Gregory, Heather and Ellie down after

  Rhiannon had gone to bed.

  “Dad I have some news for you. I

  found out today that I am seventeen weeks pregnant.” Katie said.

  “Ok. So you had better call Andreus then.” He said.

  “This is nothing to do with him.”

  “He is the baby’s father.”

  “So? Like I said to mum, with his

  reputation the baby would be better off without him.”

  “He has a right to know.”

  “He gave up that right every time he slept with another woman.”

  “Katie why don’t you just hear him out? The only proof you have is another woman’s word! If you had caught him in the act I would agree with you but that’s not the case.”

  “I don’t want to hear from or speak to

  * * *

  him ever again.”

  “You don’t have to be with him Kate. Just let him be a part of this child’s life.”

  “As if! Dad if he knew about this child he would demand marriage, he would never knowingly allow to have an illegitimate child.”

  “I still think you should tell him.”

  “Well I don’t. And you have all got to promise you wont tell him either. Him or Mel.” The others agreed.

  “How many times has he called

  today?” Gregory asked.

  “About ten times.”

  “After four weeks? That should tell you something Katie.”

  “Who’s side are you on?”

  “That un-born child’s.” Gregory stood up and walked out of the room.

  Chapter 24

  Nikos walked into Andreus’ office the last week in February. “We’re back!” He grinned then frowned at the state of his brother, he looked tired and drawn and in desperate need of a hair cut and shave. “Bloody hell! Who died?”

  “What?” Andreus frowned.

  * * *

  “You look a mess!” Melissa walked in and frowned.

  “What’s happened?” Nikos asked.

  “Where’s my niece?” Andreus asked quickly.

  “At the villa with mama and papa. Stop changing the subject. What’s wrong?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “What does Katie say about your

  appearance?” Melissa asked.

  “She doesn’t say anything at all to me these days.” Andreus laughed bitterly.

  “You’ve broken up?!” Nikos looked stunned. “Did she say no when you

  proposed?”

  “I didn’t get a chance to ask.” Andreus explained what had happened that evening and how she had ignored him since. “I’m still calling everyday hoping she’ll talk to me. How desperate is that after eight weeks?”

  “Why would mama say such things at a huge party?” Nikos asked angrily. “An who would make up such vicious lies?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out.” Andreus yawned.

  “When was the last time you slept

  bro’?”

  “I can’t remember.”

  “So Katie is ignoring me!” Melissa said.

  * * *

  “You haven’t spoken to her?” An
dreus frowned.

  “No, not since New Years Eve. She’s not answering my texts or returning my calls. Why is she taking this out on me?”

  “Probably because you are a part of this family.” Nikos said.

  “But we have been friends for longer! I’m going to England tomorrow. Nikos can you call the airline and arrange my flights whilst I arrange the nanny and call Claire and Tessa?”

  “Consider it done.” Nikos picked up Andreus’ office phone as Melissa walked out of the office.

  Chapter 25

  Katie was sitting in Claire’s living room talking to Claire and Tessa stroking her small but already noticeable bump. “So did you find out the sex of the baby yesterday?” Claire asked.

  “Yeah, it’s a boy, Rhiannon wasn’t very happy about that.” Katie laughed as the doorbell rang. Tessa jumped up to answer it and came back followed by Melissa. Katie’s face dropped.

  “Hey!” Melissa smiled.

  * * *

  “Hi.” Katie quickly covered her

  stomach with a cushion.

  Melissa talked to Claire and Tessa for a minute then the two girls left the room leaving Katie and Melissa alone. “So. I spoke to Andreus yesterday.”

  “And?”

  “Katie I understand you being upset with him but why are you ignoring me?”

  “You’re part of their family.”

  “So! We’ve been friends since we were five years old.”

  “I know, but I don’t want anything to do with that family ever again.”

  “Including me? Is it that easy?” Katie jumped up and the cushion fell to the floor.

  “Easy? None of this has been easy for me.” She shouted.

  “You’re pregnant?!”

  “Yes.”

  “When are you planning on telling

  Andreus?”

  “I wasn’t planning on telling him at all but I guess you will take care of that.”

  “He has a right to know!”

  “And I deserved to be treated with

  decency and respect, which I never got from YOUR family.”

  “Nikos adores you, so does Theo.

  Sophia is old fashioned and was totally out of

  * * *

  line, trust me Kate, all three of them have dressed her down for what she has done. As for Andreus he is totally an completely in love with you, he never cheated on you and he never would. Who told you these disgusting lies?”

  “How do you know they are lies?”

  “I know Andreus Kate, he would never cheat. Besides when would he have had a chance to? He was always at the office so he could be with you at the weekends.” Melissa’s voice softened. “He’s a mess Kate, he doesn’t look like he has eaten, slept or shaved since you left.”

  “Speak to Courtney Lennox.”

  “She told you the lies?”

  “Whatever you want to call it, yes it was her.”

  “Trust me Kate, they are lies. That acid tongued bitch has been trying to get her claws into him for years, he has never been

  interested in her.”

  “Are you going to tell Andreus about the baby?”

  “I have to honey. He has a right to know.” Katie nodded and walked out crying.

  Heather was sitting in the living room watching the television whilst knitting

  * * *

  Rhiannon a new school cardigan when Katie walked in sobbing. “Hey what’s wrong? Is the baby ok?”

  “He’s fine. Melissa turned up at

  Claire’s house.”

  “She’s back from America?”

  “Yes and she is going to tell Andreus about the baby.”

  “I know you don’t want to hear this but I really think it is for the best. I also think it would be better coming from you rather than Melissa.”

  “It’s probably too late for that, she’s probably already called him. I am going to ask Claire to baby-sit Rhiannon tonight, I bet you any money you like he’ll be here tonight and I don’t want her to be here when it all kicks off.”

  “That’s probably a good idea.” Heather agreed. Katie called Claire and arranged for her to pick Rhiannon up from school.

  Andreus was sitting at his desk

  pondering over his sketch which would bring in millions when his desk phone rang. “Hi Helena.” He answered to his reception.

  “Andreus, Melissa is on the line.”

  “Ok put her through.” He waited for the connection. “Hi Mel, what’s up?”

  “You need to come to London now.”

  * * *

  “Have you spoken to Katie?”

  “Yes.”

  “And she’s willing to speak to me?”

  “I’m not sure…”

  “Did she tell you who told her the

  lies?”

  “Courtney Lennox.”

  “Damn, I should have guessed.”

  “Andreus, there’s something

  else…Katie is pregnant, I would say she’s about six months.”

  “Oh my God! She was never going to

  tell me was she?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe she would have after she had, had it.”

  “When it would have been too late. She knows I would want to be there to see my child’s birth.”

  “You need to come over Andreus.”

  “I’ll get the next flight.” He hung up and called the airline.

  Chapter 26

  Andreus arrived at Heathrow airport at seven o’clock, Melissa was waiting in arrivals, he walked over quickly and hugged her. “How did she look?”

  “Tired, but otherwise ok. Better than

  * * *

  you anyway.”

  “Jeez thanks a bunch.”

  “Did you call Courtney?”

  “Yes, she denied everything of course but I threatened her with a slander case if she ever says anything like that about me again.”

  “Dirty little whore.” Melissa mumbled. “Why did she do it? I didn’t think you two had been in contact for ages!”

  “She tried it on with me when I was in New York in July she obviously doesn’t like being turned down so many times.”

  “Why was she even at the New Years

  ball?”

  “She came with Luke Hamilton.”

  Melissa drove him to Katie’s family home.

  “Do you want me to wait for you?”

  “No, I could be a long time especially if she doesn’t let me in and trust me I wont be leaving until she does.”

  “Call me when you have spoken to

  her.”

  “I will.” He kissed her cheek and got out. He watched her drive away drive away before walking to the door. He took a deep breath then pressed the doorbell. Gregory opened the door surprisingly quickly.

  “Hi Andreus.” He smiled. “Before I let you in I need you to tell me honestly if you ever cheated on Katie.”

  * * *

  “I swear on my life I never.”

  “Ok.” Andreus followed Gregory

  inside. Ellie and Heather stood up and left the room. Katie was sitting on an armchair twiddling her fingers nervously.

  “Hi Kate.” He smiled as he sat on the chair next to her. “Why are you nervous?”

  “I’m not.” She was shocked to see how he looked, tired, unshaven, his hair looked longer and like he had been continuously running his fingers through it.

  “Yes you are, I can tell.”

  “Ok, I am. I’m waiting for you to start shouting at me.”

  “What would be the point in that?

  Shouting solves nothing, it would just upset us both and the baby.”

  “I’m sorry I never told you about the baby.” Tears filled her eyes. “I was scared you would make me go to Greece until I gave birth then send me home and keep the baby.”

  “Wow! You have a very low opinion of me.”

  “Is that surprising?”

  “Kate, if you had told me who had told you those awful lies in the first
place, we would have had this sorted in no time.”

  “Lies.” She laughed bitterly.

  “Yes, lies. I have never cheated on a

  * * *

  woman before in my life.”

  “So why would Courtney Lennox say

  those things?”

  “She has tried it on with me more times than I can count in the last ten years, I have turned her down every time and the most recent was in New York in July, I told her I had met the love of my life. She has obviously taken it badly.”

  “What about those other women?”

  “There are no other women darling.”

  “So you don’t know a Giselle in Paris?”

  “Yes I do, we had a relationship three years ago, it ended six months before I met you.”

  “Ok, how about a Keeley in Sydney?”

  “Yes, we had a holiday romance when I was twenty three. Anyone else?”

  “Isabella in Milan?”

  “Yes, we were together when I was

  twenty four, we got engaged then we broke it off three days before the wedding.”

  “Sharron in England?”

  “Bloody hell! She really has done her homework! We were together for four years between the ages of eighteen and twenty two whilst I was at university.”

  “Ok, Leoni in Greece?”

  “What? How the hell does she know

  about Leoni?”

  * * *

  “Aha! So there is one?”

  “No there isn’t Kate.” he rubbed his hands over his face. “Leoni was my first ever girlfriend, we started dating when we were twelve. I loved her so much Kate, you’re the only person I have loved since.”

  “Why did you break up?”

  “We didn’t. She died when we where sixteen.”

  “Oh my God!” Katie closed her eyes. “How?”

  “She was walking to meet me at the

  cinema, a car mounted the pavement and killed her instantly.”

  “Oh Andreus!” She took his shaking hand and kissed it. “I am so sorry.”

  “I still feel guilty for it. I would normally have collected her but I was running late and she and to walk alone.”