Vasilio

Vasilio was…quaint.

Nate had expected as much. But what he had not expected was for the town to hold so much of Rose. It even smelled like her, flowers and sunshine. A rarity for a city dweller like him. He wondered how she was able to retain the scent even in the bustle of Athens. Maybe it was something that came with all those from Vasilio.

Like Rose's mother.

Nate had not expected, Marie Adamos to look so much like her daughter. The same wheat coloured eyes, the height, the hair though graying in places was also the same shade of brown as Rose's. There were differences too, like the shape of Rose's mouth, her smile better matching the smile of the man in almost every picture in the house.

There was no need to ask who he was, the amount of love he was being shown even years after his passing making it clear that this was the late Mr Adamos, Rose's dad.

Nate had been left staring at the pictures, while Rose put their bags away and Mrs Adamos got them something to drink. By the time the women returned to the living room, Nate was beginning to feel like Mr Adamos had looked in from the grave and found him wanting. A feeling reinforced, when Mrs Adamos sat right across from him and stared at him, not blinking.

"What is it that you do, Mr Kiriakis?"

"I am the CEO of Vorche enterprises,"

"CEO, is it, do you think that makes you worth my Rosie posy?" Rather than look impressed Mrs Adamos' eyes hardened even further, and she resumed her silent staring.

He gripped his glass, meeting her gaze, trying not to show how unsettled he was. He had never met a parent, who was… a parent. Someone genuinely concerned about their child's welfare.

"Mom, stop it, you're scaring him," Rose said, and her mother's entire mood shifted. A grin splitting her face.

"Nonsense, I was just testing his mettle, a man who dares steal my daughter from me, best have some substance," Mrs Adamos said, winking at Nate even as Rose hid her face, mortified.

But it seemed that in those, few minutes, Nate had passed some sort of test. He was tired from the drive, but when the old woman pulled out a photo album, patting the seat next to her, he went without complaint. Amazed as he was allowed to see the snippets of the childhood that had led to Rose. Evening snuck up on them, and after a quick meal. Prepared by Rose, who had found an excuse to leave as soon as her baby pictures had come. Mrs Adamos retired first, leaving the two of them staring at each other wide eyed.

For all their preparation for the trip, they had forgotten to taking into account one very important detail…they would be sharing a bed.

Rather than talk about it, they instead took turns in the shower. With Rose going first, by the time Nate emerged, she was a lump beneath the covers, but she stirred when he came in, sitting up.

"I can take the floor he offered," Already apologizing to his body for the agony it would be in. But she shook her head, gesturing to the spot beside her on bed.

"It's alright, we both just have to stay on our side of the bed," He slipped into bed quietly, careful not to touch her, as he lay facing the wall.

"Good night," Rose said, the heat of her own back to his.

"Good night," Nate replied, minutes passed, Rose's breathing becoming deep and even as she slept. In truth, Nate had no idea if he would be able to fall asleep. He'd never been able to sleep with someone else in the bed, always making sure to kick his flings out. Even Melanie had never spent the night. But here, he was in someone else's house. He could not make demands, so he lay in the dark listening to Rose breathe.

In, out, in, out… He was not aware of his breathing slowing to match hers. Nor of the moment when he lost his battle with sleep.

Soft.

That was the first word that popped into Nate's head when he woke up.

Warm was the next, and then before a third could form, his eyes opened and he found himself clutching Rose like a teddy bear. Head pillowed on her breasts, sinking into the soft flesh. Rose herself fast asleep, unaware that he was clinging to her like a koala.

Feeling a…situation, begin to form in his pajama bottoms, he gently detached himself from her and went to get ready for the day. Making his way out of the bedroom, he found Mrs Adamos already in the kitchen. She gave him a knowing smile, as he handed him a bowl of yogurt, and Nate got the feeling that she had witnessed his sleep clinginess.

But all Mrs Adamos did was wish him a good morning and turn back to her own meal. They ate in silence, sunlight slowly chasing away the shadows in the room. Breakfast done, the old woman took both their plates and put them in the sink.

"Come with me," She said, opening the back door, and Nate stood to follow.

The walk was as quiet as their shared meal, and after a while Nate began to relax, enjoying the crisp morning air. They ended up on the beach, the waves erasing all traces of their footprints as they walked. Their ankle's wet, tiny water droplets hitting them each time the wave came in.

They were the only people out there, and he closed his eyes, it almost felt like they were the only people in the world.

"Take care of my daughter," Mrs Adamos said suddenly, her voice clear despite the crashing waves. She turned to him, walking backwards so that she could look him in the eyes.

"I would ask you to love her, but I do not know you,"

"All I know is that my child has pledged to spend forever with you, and I cannot go against her," There was so much worry in her eyes that Nate stopped moving, and so did she.

"I do not know what the two of you are doing. But please, if you cannot love her, then care for her,"

"If by some miracle, love blooms between the two of you, then love her with all your heart,"

"Like any mother, I would have loved to see her in a marital crown, but since I can't have that. Then please do this old woman a favour…promise me you will take care of her,"

At work, Nate could think of fifty different ways to diffuse a situation before it even started. He glided through conversation with some of the most cunning people on earth. But faced with the earnest plea of Rose's mother. All that training failed him, and he found himself replying with a single phrase.

"I promise," He said, and meant it. Judging by the way Mrs Adamos gripped his hand, she could feel his sincerity.

"Thank you," She breathed, suddenly looking twenty years younger, all the tension leaving her body. Their walk back to the house was also quiet, but this time, it was lighter, with him holding her hand to help her through the soft sand.