Doukas by Demetra Georgiou

Chapter 24

 

“I think I’m coming down with something,” I say to Harmonia as we leave the doctor’s office on Thursday.

“Or you’re overworking yourself, Ria. That situation with Doukas must have shaken things up. I know, why don’t we have a girl’s day tomorrow? I’m off from school. We can have a spa day, and then we can hit a club at night. Do you remember Peri? He’s the DJ in a new club and invited me over.”

Of course, I remember the Royal’s godson, who used to bartend in my humble establishment. That guy has his fingers in many pies.

Which reminds me. “What happened with the short film project? Who did he give the part to?”

Harmonia’s lips curl in distaste. “Maria, the marathon athlete.” Oh, I bet that didn’t go well with Miss Harmonia. Maria and Harmonia competed the most, but to my surprise, there was no animosity between them. “Can you believe he’s been so weak?”

“Weak?”

“Yes, weak. The moment Maria threatened to speak to her stepmother, he caved.”

This girl doesn’t make any sense. Both of them, actually. “Why is that?”

“Maria is Peri’s stepsister.”

I slap my palm on my forehead at the ridiculousness of their situation, but I’m grateful that Harmonia’s high school drama makes me feel slightly better.

“But we digress, Ria. Do you want to have a spa day tomorrow?”

Too lazy to open my planner to see what I have on for tomorrow, I rack my brain and come up empty.

“I’d love to.”

“Great, we’re going to have so much fun. I’ll arrange everything.”

The car stops outside my taverna, and Harmonia promises to text me tomorrow’s details before instructing her driver to take her home.

It’s a little after six, but I feel drained so, after a short meeting with my staff, I decide to call it a night and go home. Thankfully, everything seems in order, and I’m glad because I don’t think I’d be of much help.

 

 

“I knew you were tired,” Harmonia observes the next night when we head to the club.

After I got home yesterday, I just sat on the couch for a few minutes to watch some TV. Next thing I knew, it was nine in the morning. The real irony is that we just spent a day at the spa, and I feel even more drained like I’ve worked double shifts.

“Have you spoken to Doukas?” I ask after I’ve checked my brand-new phone for the millionth time.

It’s so unlike him not answering my calls or messages, and I start to worry. We had a brief text exchange last night as I was getting back home, but that was it.

“Yes, he called me last night to see how my doctor’s appointment was. He sounded busy, and we only spoke for a few minutes. Those Royals…they overwork my brothers. Just wait…” she huffs but doesn’t continue with her usual threat to confront the Royals.

I wonder why her brothers don’t take her seriously. Harmonia might be joking most of the time, but on this matter, she’s adamant. In all fairness, I believe that her beef with the Royals comes from Doukas pulling long hours, so I’m with her on that one.

At this point, I can’t say I disagree. How I wish he was here. It seems like that separation, albeit short, made me rather needy. There are times when I remember our quarrel, and I get all riled up, but it doesn’t last long.

I don’t usually go out clubbing, but I like this one. It’s in Kifissia, a rather posh neighborhood. Even if it’s night and I can’t appreciate my surroundings, I revel in the crisp air that comes from the nearby forest.

Our guards lead us to the VIP section, and I wonder how I would ever go back to waiting in lines. It’s true, Veta always made sure we got preferential treatment, but Harmonia is a class above. We have a whole alcove to ourselves on the second floor overlooking the dancefloor.

Peri is on our right, brightly illuminated. That boy has many talents. He lifts his drink in acknowledgment, and Harmonia waves at him as she sways to the beat.

“What a pair of killjoys we are!” Harmonia remarks as we clink our club sodas. “We’ve got to be the only girls that go clubbing and don’t drink alcohol.”

I laugh. She’s so right. “I’m not drinking because I have an early meeting. What’s your excuse?”

“I have a training session early in the morning. I’m not in the mood for another lecture from my instructor.”

“Right, I had forgotten about your martial arts training. It doesn’t matter. Cheers to us!”

Harmonia clinks her glass, and when she’s downed half, she springs up, straightening her dress.

“Let’s go dancing,” she says and nods at the guards behind us.

“I’d love to dance, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Nonsense! Up you get,” she instructs, and without waiting for a response, she’s heading for the stairs leading to the vast dancefloor.

That girl certainly doesn’t have a snob streak. I follow her at a more leisurely pace as my mind goes to Veta and her snooty attitude.

“There’s a reason I sit in VIP, Ria, and that’s because I don’t want to be associated with them.”

At that time, I found her attitude amusing. Can’t believe how wrong I’ve been about her. Ever since she brought her boyfriend and his goons to my place, I haven’t heard from her.

Harmonia is already dancing with a bunch of people, and she clasps my hand, bringing me opposite her. It doesn’t take me long to unwind, especially since the music becomes more upbeat and frenzied.

I might have been reluctant to go out tonight, but I’m glad I did. From my peripheral, I clock four guys as they come over to our small group. They’re good-looking but nowhere near Doukas’s level. The tall one smiles at Harmonia, and she smiles back but shakes her head at his proffered hand. He doesn’t seem perturbed and starts to dance close to her.

Keeping an eye on them, I continue to dance but stop when unfamiliar hands touch my waist.

“You’re very beautiful,” a man’s voice whispers in my ear, and I spin around.

I don’t know the man, but he approached us with the guy who’s getting close to Harmonia. He has a certain something, but after Doukas, my standards are considerably high. He’s cute in a boyish I-still-stay-with-my-parents way. The odor of alcohol is very prominent, and I barely refrain from rolling my eyes.

Lifting my hand, I show the guy my ring. “Thank you, but I’m taken.”

Sighing, he leans to my ear. “Pity,” he says and comes closer.

Before I have the time to take a step back, the unknown guy is removed from my sight, thrown on the floor by none other than Doukas.

Honestly, I don’t know how to feel. I’m ecstatic he’s here earlier than I expected him, but in the end, my need not to let him kill my drunk admirer is stronger.

“Doukas!” I screech, trying to get closer, but someone’s grabbing my shoulders, not letting me close to the fight.

Turning my head, I see Doukas’s driver, Kostas.

“Let me go,” I yell at him, intensifying my struggling. When he doesn’t budge, I slam my heel on his foot. He only grunts but lets me go.

By the time I reach the fight, Doukas has his bloody fist raised and says something to the guy. The bleeding man speaks, but I can’t hear what he’s saying.

“Doukas, stop. He did nothing,” I yell, clutching his arm. He easily shakes off my hold and slams his fist on the man over and over again. “Stop, or I’m leaving.”

That seems to snap him out of his bloodlust, and he stands. Everyone is looking at us, and I can’t stand the scrutiny. Bile rises in me, and I rush out as fast as I can.

Thankfully, by the time I’m out, my stomach has somewhat calmed, but I’m still shaken. Harmonia calls my name, but I don’t stop. I rush towards the taxis by the entrance of the club. Before I have a chance to even get close to one, I’m spun around.

Doukas stands before me, his breathing heavy and his face all red from anger.

“What’s your problem?” I screech, shaking my hand away from his.

“My problem? I come back early to surprise you, and I find you making out in clubs for all the world to see.”

“Do you believe that?”

“That’s why you missed your wedding dress fitting appointment this morning? Because you wanted to explore your options?” he asks, ignoring my question.

Small spots appear behind my eyes, and I now know what it’s like to see red.

“If that’s the opinion you have about me, then there isn’t much else to say.”

With that, I take a step back and leave him stunned in the middle of the street. He tries to follow me, but I shove him hard enough to stumble back, and he gets the point.

Quite frankly, I expected more drama from him, but I suspect the worst is yet to come. The cabbie keeps asking me if I’m all right, but I only nod. I’m crying in the backseat of a taxi, of course, I’m not all right.

 

 

“Ria?” Harmonia calls out before I even have the chance to unlock my front door.

How did she get here so quickly? I spin around and watch Harmonia getting off Peri’s bike and hurrying over to me.

“I’m alone. Alcaeus kept Doukas behind. I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have taken you to the dance floor.”

I shake my head. She cannot think that she’s to blame. “No, Harmonia, this is all Doukas’s fault, don’t ever think otherwise. I’m sorry, but I’m done.”

“No, Ria. Couples always fight, but in the end, they are fine if they love each other.”

“And how do you know that?” I hiss at her, unable to control my temper, and immediately regret it, seeing the hurt look on her face. “I’m sorry, Harmonia, that was uncalled for.”

She shakes her head, but something catches her eye. I look in Peri’s direction, and two men are pointing their guns straight at his head.

We’ve got company.

“Get inside,” Harmonia says as she tries to push me through my front door, but someone emerges from the garden, pointing his gun at her too.

I recognize Pumbaa from my taverna, and I bet Timon isn’t far away. I never thought it’d come to this.

“I’m Harmonia Tremes, and I demand you lower your guns.”

The men seem momentarily affected by her vehemence, but then another guy steps out from the shadows, and my night gets even worse.

There’s every possibility with my trip down memory lane that I’ve jinxed it. Veta’s boyfriend, Thrasos, approaches us with a smirk on his face.

“Hello, princess,” he greets Harmonia, who openly scowls at him. “Sorry, but we don’t take kindly to demands,” he announces and goes to grab her, but she’s faster and kicks him in the shin.

Thrasos grunts and goes to retaliate but then smiles at her. “I’m not after you this time, but make another move, and Ria will get a bullet right in the head.”

Harmonia tilts her head to the side, unable to hide the pain from her eyes. I want to reassure her that everything is going to be all right, but at this point, I feel like I can’t lie to her.

“Tell your brothers to expect our call.”

Something pricks my arm, and I turn my head, facing Pumbaa, but I cannot understand what has just happened.

I can’t control my body. Harmonia’s screams become distant as a shroud of darkness envelopes me.