Taverna Gardenia

"Hey, sleepy head. Wake up." Demi gently shake Theresa's shoulders.

Theresa slowly opened her eyes, "What's the time?" She stretched her whole body, raising both of her arms.

Demi checked her phone to see the time, "It's already 4:17 pm."

"What?" Theresa was shocked after hearing the time. She glanced at her watch which displayed exactly 4 on its hour hand and 17 on its minutes hand. "Oh god, I had been asleep for hours. Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You were sleeping so peacefully so I didn't disturb you."

"How did I end up sleeping for so long? I missed the whole fun of admiring the views." Theresa quivered her lips.

"That's not a problem, we will be sightseeing Meteora's 6 wonderful monasteries tommorrow." Demi patted her sister's back, gesturing a sign of encouragement.

"Indeed!" Theresa's lips formed a thin line. "Anyways where are the boys?"

"Oh, they have gone to book the rooms in Tsikeli Boutique Hotel. It is a beautiful three star hotel, styled in spades and is located in a quiet part of Kastraki. It's not far from the heart of the village and the views from the hotel is epic." Demi showed the images of the Tsikeli Boutique Hotel.

"That's awesome." Theresa was impressed by the surrounding of the hotel.

"Are you hungry, Ther?"

"Well, I'm. A little maybe." Theresa showed a small thing gesture from her hand.

"Then, let's go inside Taverna Gardania." Demi opened the car's door, stepping out of it.

"Uhm.... Where?" Therese raised her eyebrows.

"Ugh! Just come out already, we had decided to eat here, okay? Right now, we are in its parking lot."

"Oh, alright." Theresa took a look at her face, arranging her messy hair. She got out of the car.

Theresa and Demi headed inside the restaurant. The restaurant was cozy and felt like home. The yellow light radiated warmth and joy to the visitors. They decided to sit in the outside table.

"Hey, Demi. I need to pee real quick. Do you know where is the wash-room?"

"Uhm..... about that, we need to ask someone." Demi was about to stand up from her seat when Theresa stopped her, "It's fine, Demi. I'll ask on my own."

"If you say so then go ahead."

Theresa walked inside the restaurant, the interior of Taverna Gardenia was exquisite. The atmosphere was filled with people's talks and laughter. The black chandelier added elegancy in the interior design of the restaurant. A huge brown wine cellar in the corner displayed varieties of beer, red and white wines along with other beverages and soft drinks. Theresa was observing the surrounding around her, not realizing, she bumped into someone. It took a few seconds before Theresa was fully aware of what had happened, "I'm sorry. I should have been more careful." Theresa steadily lifted her head to face the person. Theresa's brown eyes met a captivating lapis eyes. It was a man as enchanting as a Siren. His skin was glowing and the side parted hair added charm to his gorgeous face.

"No problem, κυρία μου.(My Lady)" His voice came slower and soothing to Theresa's ears.

"I would like to be excused then." Theresa smiled as she headed towards the wash-room.

The man nodded. "It's strange. How come my charms didn't work on her?" The man frowned his eyebrows in confusion.

~~~~~~~~

"You guys decided to come here without us." Marcellus bickered as he sat on the chair besides Demi. "We were hungry so we couldn't wait for you." Demi shrugged her shoulders.

"Good afternoon, Sir and Mam. Please take your orders." The waiter handed the menu to Demi.

"Thank you." Demi gave a short smile as she looked at the menu.

"By the way, where's Theresa?" There was a hint of worry in Egan's tone.

"She has gone to the bathroom, also what do you want to

eat, guys." Demi placed the Menu on the table. Egan and

Marcellus got a clear view of it.

"One Beef Burger for me." Marcellus was the first to place his order. Next was Egan, "A Spaghetti Napoletana, please." "A chicken souvlaki, grilled feta and a bottle of red Evais." Demi handed the menu back to the waiter. The waiter took the order with a slight bow and left from there.

The man from before noticed Marcellus, a crooked smile formed on his lips as he walked towards their table. His gaze was fixed on Marcellus, heading straight to his chair, the man spoke befittingly, "Long time no see, brother." Marcellus glared at the man.

"Oh, who do we have here?" The man leaned closer to Demi, tenderly holding Demi's hand, he brought it closer to his lips to place a soft kiss. "You're such an irresistible belle. It is my honour to encounter you." Demi's eyes glowed with ecstasy. "Well, the feeling is mutual." Demi seductively placed her hands on his arms.

Marcellus stood up from his seat, clenching his fist, "Keep your hands off her, Lucian." His tone was harsh and commanding.

"Calm down, brother." Lucian stepped closer to Marcellus and whispered, "I have no interest in your toy."

The moment Marcellus heard Lucian, his blood started to boil with anger, without any second thought, he punched Lucian on his face. "You better watch your tongue, Artindo." The punch came out with force. Demi was startled by the scene. Her heart thumped loudly, she had never seen Marcellus so furious and out of control.

A drop of blood dripped from Lucian's nose. "How dare you!" He huffed as he tried to punch Marcellus back. Marcellus dodged the punch.

Marcellus was already ready to punch Lucian again that's when Demi interfered in the middle, "Don't create any scene here, please. It's not worth it, Marcellus." Her eyes showed fear, pain and anger, all mixed up as one.

Marcellus glared at Lucian, kicking the chair on his left, he left from the restaurant. Demi sighed, "It's all your fault." Demi pointed her index finger at Lucian. "I'm leaving from here, tell Theresa not to wait for us. You two have the meal together." With that Demi followed Marcellus. There was hostility between Egan and Lucian which was clear through their long silent glares.

~~~~~

Theresa finally showed up, "You are here, Egan. But where's Demi and Marcellus?" Her gaze settled on the man whom she encountered a few minutes ago, "Oh, you are also here." She noticed Lucian's bleeding nose, "Oh my god, you're bleeding." Theresa immediately took out her handkerchief, "Here, take it and wipe off your blood." Lucian was touched by the kind gesture of Theresa.

"Why did you give your handkerchief to him? And how do you know him?" Egan was enraged, he gripped Theresa by her wrist.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Egan? Are you blind or what? Don't you see he's bleeding? I just bumped into him few minutes ago." Theresa scowled as she loosened her wrist from his grip. "Don't you dare behave like this with me."

"I'm... I'm sorry, Theresa." Egan tried to hold Theresa's hands. "Don't, don't touch me."

"Your order is here, Sir and Mam." The waiter interrupted them. "We're no longer eating here so please pack our orders." The waiter was surprised, "Uhm, sure Sir. Then please head inside to pay the bill."

"Okay, after you." With a heavy heart, Egan followed the waiter to pay the bill.

Lucian was standing there the whole time, watching them argue. Judging by his gaze and playful smile, he seemed to be dazzled by Theresa's personality.

Theresa felt his deep gaze on her, "What?"

Lucian was still shamelessly staring at her from bottom to top. It annoyed Theresa to her core, "Don't you dare stare at me like that otherwise....." Before she could continue her words, the phone buzzed, interrupting her. The screen displayed, 'Mom.' There was a wide grin on Theresa's face, picking her Mom's call excitedly, she walked out from there, forgetting Lucian's existence.

A sign of mischief sparked on his lapis eyes, "It's definitely going to be her."