Chapter one
Ally
Ihavealwaysbeenfascinated by the Greek culture including their art, food, lifestyle, and heartwarming love stories. So, when I got the opportunity to take a break from my hectic job as a resident neurologist in Virginia, I knew exactly where I wanted to go to relax, have fun and unwind. I planned very well for this overseas vacation. When I arrived in Greece, I wasn’t disappointed. The country is the closest to heaven. No wonder why I received many positive reviews from my friends and online too. I spent two weeks exploring the beauty of Greece, and tonight is my last night in the country. I want to make the most out of it and experience the nightlife. I will not leave any fun behind.
As I stand in front of the mirror in my hotel room, I can't help but smile at my reflection. My hazelnut eyes sparkle under the soft lighting, and my wavy chestnut hair cascades down my back. I have chosen a black cocktail dress that hugs my curves in all the right places and paired it with high heels that accentuate my long legs. I know I look stunning, but more importantly, I feel confident and ready to take on the night. The satisfying feeling in my soul that I needed to experience by the end of this much-needed vacation.
I make my way down to the hotel lobby, and as I approach the reception desk, I notice the male hotel receptionist's eyes light up as soon as he sees me. "Good evening, Ally," he says, his voice filled with admiration. "You look stunningly beautiful tonight. Where are you headed?"
I smile politely and thank him for the compliment. I inform him that I am looking for a good place to grab a drink and experience the nightlife. The receptionist quickly recommends a popular bar in the city and calls a driver to take me there.
As I make my way to the car, I notice the driver's eyes linger on me for a moment too long. "Is everything okay?" I ask, hoping to break the awkward silence.
The driver smiles and apologizes, explaining that he was taken aback by my stunning beauty. I chuckle and thank him as well. I find the driver's accent charming and start a conversation with him about his life in Greece. By the time we arrive at the bar, we have exchanged stories about our respective countries and cultures.
As I step into the bar, I'm hit with the sounds of laughter and glasses clinking. It's a crowded Friday night and every seat seems to be taken. I scan the room, hoping to find a spot where I can unwind and round up the fun-filled week I've had.
Just as I'm about to turn back, the bartender walks up to me with a smile on his face.
"Hey there, beautiful. Can I help you find a seat?" he asks, his voice oozing with charm.
He's cute, I'll admit that much. But I can tell from the way he's eyeing me that he's not just offering me a seat out of the goodness of his heart.
I roll my eyes, but I can't help but feel a little flattered. "Actually, that would be great. But I don't need any of your cheesy pick-up lines, thank you very much."
He chuckles, and I'm surprised to find myself smiling back. "I'll try to keep that in mind. Follow me."
He leads me to a seat in the corner, away from the noisy crowd. I sit down and take in my surroundings. The dim lighting and the cozy atmosphere make me feel right at home.
"Whisky, neat," I say, hoping to forget about everything that's been bothering me lately, mainly my stressful job as a doctor.
The bartender nods and gets me my drink, which he says is on the house. "Consider it a welcome gift," he says, flashing me a grin.
I raise an eyebrow, suspicious. "What's the catch?"
"No catch. Just hoping to make your night a little better," he says, leaning in a little closer.
I can smell his cologne and feel his breath on my face. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I have to admit, he's good-looking. "Well, it's working so far," I say, taking a sip of my drink which I truly loved.
We talk for a little while longer, and I find myself enjoying his company. He's funny, and he actually listens to what I'm saying. It's refreshing to meet someone who doesn't just want to get in my pants. He finally excuses himself and walks to serve some guests at the far end of the counter.
As I take another sip of my drink, I feel someone come up to me from behind. I turn around and see a young man with a handsome face and a charming smile. "Hey there," he says, "mind if I buy you another drink?" I can tell he's trying to woo me with his words, but his jokes are dull and uninteresting.
I smile politely and decline his offer. "Thanks, but I'm good with just this one for now," I say, turning back to my drink.
The man doesn't seem deterred and continues to talk to me, but my attention is quickly drawn away by another man who walks up to me. This one has an athletic build and a confident demeanor. He appears in his mid-forties with some gray hair that made him look more handsome. He interrupts the other man, calling me "babe" and pretending I'm his girlfriend. I'm surprised by the sudden intrusion, but grateful for the gesture. He looks a bit older than me and if I am not mistaken, he is American, based on his English accent.
"Thanks for that," I say to him, turning to face him fully.
"No problem, darlin'," he replies with a wink. "I couldn't let that guy bore you to death now, could I?"
I laugh at his joke and find myself drawn to his easy charm. We start talking, and before I know it, hours have passed. We talk about everything from my travels in Greece to our favorite places to visit. He's funny, charming, and seems genuinely interested in getting to know me. He talks about some ancient Greek mythology and I find myself laughing at his stories. It's a refreshing change from the shallow conversations I usually have with people. I feel like I'm really getting to know him, and he's getting to know me. He shares that he’s visiting Greece for some type of business which demands him to travel a lot.
At some point, we start talking about our past relationships. I share with him the pain of my last breakup, and he listens attentively, offering words of comfort and support.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," he says, reaching out to take my hand in his. "You deserve so much better."
I feel a flutter in my chest at his words, and I realize that I'm attracted to him. He tells me his name is Dante and he makes a joke about Dante, the beloved poet of Italy, who penned the monumental and immortal works “Inferno,” “Purgatorio,” and “Paradiso,” but never visited Greece. I tell him mine and where I was from. We continue to talk, and as the night wears on, the conversation becomes more flirtatious. He makes me laugh uncontrollably with his jokes, and I feel myself falling for him. As the night comes to a close, he walks me back to my hotel, holding my hand. We stand outside for a long moment, saying our goodbyes. Neither of us wants to go. I can feel the tension between us, the unspoken desire. While we stand outside the hotel lobby, I can feel his warm breath and smell his sexy cologne. He leans in and kisses my lips softly, and I melt into him.