Page 6 of About Love and Revenge

I don't know if Aristeu really believed that, but maybe he did. He’s a man with a generous heart and, like all good people, gullible.

“Tell me the truth: are you going to look for whoever set your house on fire? Do you know who he is? Does this person live in the United States?”

He's never asked me so many questions directly, and while a part of me feels guilty for leaving him in the dark, keeping him ignorant of the facts surrounding my relatives' deaths is also a way of protecting him.

“I don't want to lie to you. Don't ask me something I can't answer right now.”

“Revenge leads nowhere, son.”

“I don't care what name you call it, but I made a promise and nothing will change my mind.”

“Promise? To whom?”

I don’t answer.

“You don't know anyone there. This idea of living in America is crazy. You're just a boy,” he insists.

“I’ll survive. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“How can you be so sure you'll find what you're looking for there?”

Before I can control myself—because until now, I've never shown any feelings in front of anyone other than my savior—I say, “Because hatred moves me. Every day I get out of bed, every time I walk upon this ground, I don't allow myself to forget.”

At first, he looks genuinely scared, but he recovers quickly. “That's not healthy, Odin. Cultivating pain, feeding anger... This feeling is only poisoning you, son.”

“Aristeu, There’s no cure for me. Take care of Orien and Milena. I’ll be fine. When I finally get what I want, I’m going to get you and my cousins out of here.”

“I'm not going anywhere. This is where the love of my life is buried. I can't go far from her grave.”

“I won’t argue with you. Take care of yourself and take care of my cousins. Especially Milena. If I can give you some advice, send her away.You mentioned once that her mother has family on Kea Island. Send her there until she has completed her studies. She’s not safe here.”

"What do you mean, she’s not safe? She was born here. Besides, Milena doesn't want to study. All she wants is to find a good husband to take care of her.” He looks at me. “You found out something about your parents' deaths, didn't you? I know you didn't tell me everything. Who’s responsible, Odin?”

“You don't need to know that.”

“I can't stop you from leaving, but I want you to go reassured that you are like a son to me and that I will miss you.”

“I'll be back. I can't specify a time frame right now, but I'll be coming back to Greece one day.”

He continues to move his head from one side to the other, but finally he looks resigned. “God bless you, son.”

“It would be a novelty.”

“Don't say such a thing.”

“Why? It’s the truth. It would be rather surprising if he started blessing me now.”

“I will pray for you. I'm going to ask for a light to come into your heart. I know that what you went through was horrible, but maybe those who were responsible for it are already dead.”

Again, I maintain my silence because it's not my role to let him down. He hugs me and I allow it. However, I don't feel like hugging him back. After looking at him for the last time, I turn my back without saying goodbye.

From now on, I'm on my own.

This is the day I've been waiting for a long time.

Not only making plans but acting on them.

At this exact moment, Leandros Argyros’ life begins its countdown.

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