Damien Doukas’s POV
“But Damien darling!”
“Not ever, mother, not ever!” I snorted at my mother.
“Why not?” My mother sulked.
“Because I’m not getting married… ever!” I said exasperatedly before running my fingers through my hair.
My mother pouted and glared at me angrily. “But I want grandbabies, and you’re not giving me any! I’m old and I want grandbabies.”
I rolled my eyes. “Mother, you’re only fifty-three.”
My mother glared at me. “Don’t ‘mother’ me. I want grandbabies and after that, great-grandbabies!”
I shut my eyes. My mother was one of a kind. “You can get grandkids from Sofia or Leila or maybe both. I’m not getting married or having kids ever in my life.”
My mother shot me a horrified gaze and attempted to faint conveniently in one of the luxurious red velvet chairs behind her. “Oh my goodness, I think I’m getting ill. Oh, my poor heart! All my hopes and dreams!” My mother cried out. One hand on her heart and the other on her forehead.
Sometimes, I really wished my father didn’t marry an English opera singer for a wife; not that I didn’t love my mother with my entire being, but sometimes, her theatrics was too much to bear.
“Laura, what are you doing, my love?” My father’s voice called out. Immediately, my mother sat up straight in her chair and glared at me with her index finger pointing accusingly at me. “Your son doesn’t want to give me grandbabies!”
I knew she was faking it.
“Laura, leave Damien alone. He’s only twenty-seven. When I was his age, I wasn’t thinking about marriage at all. In fact, I was thinking—”
“Yeah, thinking about whoring with all your Greek girlfriends, weren’t you?” My mother said sweetly before shooting him a venomous look.
My father shifted uncomfortably before continuing, “That’s the point. I wasn’t ready to settle down yet, especially with kids until I met you my love.” My mother snorted gracefully before smiling sweetly at him.
“If you really love me Alexander, make your son get married, so I can get my grandbabies!” I sighed. Here we go again.
“Mother, for the last and final time, I’m not getting married anytime soon.”
My mother paled before retorting, “But—”
“Oh, look at the time! I have a meeting with Drake. Goodbye, mother and father,” I said quickly before exiting the Doukas mansion, leaving my mother gaping at my retreating figure.
“What brings you to Greece, my friend?” I asked casually as I sat down opposite him.
Drake took a sip from his beer. “Olivia insisted that you come down to Manhattan to plan for Trevor’s birthday party because you’re his godfather. And my mom misses you. I don’t know why because you’re such a cocky little shit.”
I laughed and leaned back into the seat. “Maybe I’m a better son than you are. How long do I have to stay?”
Drake answered heavily, “Around two months.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Two months? Isn’t it a little too long for a mere birthday party for a one-year-old?”
“That’s what I bloody said to Olivia, but she said that we had no choice because Trevor is her Grandmother Gemma’s great-grandchild, and they are sort of Spanish royal blood. They want to throw a ball for him.” Drake said exasperated, his nose wrinkling a little as he furrowed his brows.
For me, I guessed it’ll be a good change of scenery from my parents. What did I have to lose, anyway? “Okay, I’ll see you there in a few days. I miss the little guy, anyway.” I nodded and leaned back onto the chair.
“Great, I’ll tell Olivia,” he replied in relief before continuing to drink.
***
Adrianna Valdez POV
I carefully placed the fresh daisies on the grave before taking away the old ones. “Hello, Jake. It’s been a while. I’m sorry I didn’t visit you earlier this week. I’ve been very busy with work. Mama and Papa are all right, and they think it’s time I move on. But I can’t. I miss you.” I paused and let out a shaky laugh.
“It’s gonna be your birthday in five days,” I said quietly and brushed the headstone gently. “And your death anniversary in a month. It’s been six years. I thought I’ll be able to get over your death, but I can’t. I still miss you.”
I remained silent for a while before continuing, “I love you, Jacob, always have and always will.” I pressed a kiss on my fingers and pressed it to the headstone.
I stood up and bit my lip before leaving the graveyard. As I was leaving, my steps slowed when I spotted one of my best friends, Olivia Henderson née Ford. “Olivia, what are you doing here?” I asked, clearly surprised. The last I had heard, she was off enjoying married life back in America.
She smiled sadly at me. “I knew you’ll be here. Would you like to go for some coffee? We have things to discuss.”
I bit my lip as I tried to recall if I had any prior engagements before nodding, “Okay. That’ll be nice.”
“So what are you doing here in Spain all of a sudden?” I asked once we were seated in a quaint little cafe nearby. Olivia beamed, her green eyes sparkling excitedly, “It’s Trevor’s one year birthday bash. And you know my grandparents; they’re going to spoil him like crazy with a birthday ball. And since you’re Trevor’s Godmother, I’m inviting you to stay with me for the planning and whatnot for two months.”
I blinked, “Two months? That’s sounds great. What does Drake have to say about me staying with you?” I asked.
Olivia frowned in confusion, “What does this got to do with Drake?”
A little smirk graced my lips, “Because won’t I be interrupting your nightly activities?” And as I expected, Olivia’s eyes grew impossibly round and her cheeks turned red. She stammered, “W-w-what? No! Adrianna!”
I burst out laughing, “Okay, okay, I’ll help plan Trevor’s party.”
Olivia grinned happily, “Great, you’ll be planning with my mother, Drake’s mother and Damien.”
I frowned in confusion, “Who is Damien?” I was familiar with all the names except for a Damien.
Olivia pursed her lips before, “Oh, he’s Trevor’s Godfather. So you’ll be working together with him. He is one of Drake’s best friends from childhood. But that’s besides the point. So can you come?”
“Of course I will.” Immediately, Olivia’s eyes glimmered with glee and I decided to ignore it.