Zeus

Zoe

In business, success was all about finding the right opportunities. And finally, an opportunity knocked on my door.

I stepped inside the old castle-like London mansion the chauffeur had just dropped me off at, glancing up at the shiny crystal chandelier and the towering paintings lining the stone walls. The carpet was plush under my feet, and the air smelled of aged wood.

The place exuded elegance and historical significance.

I closed my eyes and forced a deep, calming breath.

No matter what it took, I was going to close a deal with John Somersby this week. The future of my company depended on it.

"Welcome to the Somersby Estate, Miss Stavrakos." A cheerful middle-aged man with gray-streaked hair and a mustache greeted me. "I'm Edgar Alexander Allan Poe. Not the renowned poet nor a relative, but the charming butler here. Just call me Edgar."

"Hello, Edgar." I smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you."

"Mr. and Mrs. Somersby are having tea on the balcony. The maid will show you the way." He gestured to the maid standing behind me, dressed in a crisp black-and-white uniform.

"That would be wonderful. Thank you," I replied and followed the maid, smoothing out the perfectly tailored beige pantsuit I'd handpicked for today.

The Somersby Estate was owned by John and his wife, Margaret. Mr. Somersby also owned the world's largest food and beverage distributor company. This year, he was sponsoring the World Food and Beverages Trade Expo held in London.

When Mr. Somersby asked my company, Vital Harvest, to take part in the Expo and invited me to stay at his estate for the week, I was thrilled. I could showcase my healthy food products globally.

I'd been working non-stop for the past two years to build the company. Now, all I needed was to convince Mr. Somersby I was worth taking a chance on. With him on board as my distributor, I'd no longer be a niche health brand. Vital Harvest would go global!

"Zoe! Welcome to our home," called a warm feminine voice.

I saw the Somersbys seated at a balcony table. They waved and smiled. I waved back and headed to join them.

"Thank you so much for having me," I said as I reached them.

The balcony had a beautiful view of the garden, with colorful flowers and lush greenery, suggesting a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere.

"We've been looking forward to meeting you," said Mrs. Somersby—a small woman with kind eyes and gray hair. Most probably in her sixties, just like her husband. She rose and gave me a light but firm handshake.

"Come, sit down," Mr. Somersby smiled and offered me the seat next to him. He was tall with a round belly and had a big smile.

"It was wonderful of you to invite me to your beautiful home. I really appreciate it," I said as we settled around the elegantly set table, where a perfect charcuterie board was laid out with cheese, deli meats, nuts, and fruits. On the side were some of my Vital Harvest snack bars and crackers.

"Oh, you're so sweet," Margaret exclaimed. "Please call us John and Margaret."

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I covered my awkwardness with a smile.

We exchanged pleasantries while the maid poured me a steaming cup of fragrant tea. She placed the delicate porcelain cup and saucer gently in front of me. With a polite nod, she quietly exited the balcony.

"We're quite impressed with your products," John said, crossing his arms over his chest. "We're curious to know more."

"And about the person behind it all," Margaret added.

"Perhaps we could discuss the possibility of my company, Fresh-Food, to distribute your products," John suggested.

Instantly, I felt excited, though I tried not to show it too much. Right before I flew to London, my shipping partnership folded. I couldn't tell the Somersbys, but I needed a new shipper at the Expo to secure a deal with John.

"I would absolutely love that," I said in the softest, calmest voice I could muster.

I'd always believed that for my desires to become a reality, they needed to be spoken aloud.

"Well, we have six days to discuss and gain more insights before deciding," John said, leaning back and nodding. "In the meantime, explore the estate and make yourself at home."

"Definitely, I will," I answered with a smile.

As I sipped my tea, my gaze landed on the magazine on the table. It was about the Trade Expo. My eyes widened when I saw the cover.

There was John Somersby shaking hands with... oh no.

My heart nearly stopped as I stared at the face of the man I desperately hoped to avoid forever.

Zeus Petrakis.

My long-lost first love and family enemy.

Why was he on the cover with John?

Maybe they were business partners. The Petrakis owned multinational companies in various industries—hotels, restaurants, real estate, oil, mining, and others. It seemed Zeus was involved in managing one of his family's businesses.

A chill ran down my spine, knowing that he might be at the Expo. I got a terrible feeling thinking about meeting him again.

No, I wouldn't allow that to happen. I would do everything in my power to avoid him. The Trade Expo venue was huge, so the chances of bumping into each other were low.

All I needed to do was remain focused on the plan.

Shifting in my chair, I turned my gaze to the garden and tried to regain my composure and inner peace. I would not let myself get distracted by Zeus Petrakis.

"It's beautiful, right?" Margaret said, following my gaze.

"Yeah, it is." I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'd love to explore it while I'm here. May I?"

"Of course, but you'll need someone with you. It's so big, you might get lost." Margaret warned, and I nodded.

"By the way," John interrupted my thoughts. "We also invited a business tycoon who's staying on the estate as well. Pretty sure he'd be able to give you some good advice in business."

"Oh, that would be great," I replied. A tycoon's expertise could be beneficial in helping me find a new shipping partner and expanding my business network.

"He arrived this morning, and he's in the study room working. He's always busy with work, just like John when he was younger." Margaret's lips pouted.

"Oh, there he is." John jutted his chin out, directing his eyes behind me.

I turned, ready to meet my prospective colleague, only to be surprised again.

The man whom I had been planning to avoid earlier stepped onto the balcony and walked towards us.

Oh, God. Zeus Petrakis wasn't just going to be at the Expo—he was going to be living with me.

Even after eight long years, Zeus still took my breath away.

The years hadn't softened him. If anything, time had made him sharper, more powerful. He seemed taller than I remembered. A white button-up shirt that hugged him in all the right places accentuated his broad shoulders and muscular arms.

His dark hair was shorter. In high school, he used to have a messy look that made him seem approachable. But now, his hair looked almost too perfect, except for that one rebellious strand that fell across his forehead.

Then there were his eyes—those silvery gray eyes that had the power to hold me in place. Cold, confident, and painfully beautiful. They once made me feel like the only girl in the world.

His olive skin—all smooth and sun-kissed—and his sharp jawline with the faintest hint of stubble made my mouth dry. His lips—oh God, those lips—were full, firm, and slightly parted. He always looked like he was about to smirk or tell me what to do.

I hated him. But I also hated myself for noticing every detail of him. Deep down, my body still recalled it all. The intense heat, the irresistible attraction, and how he used to consume me.

Damn him.

And now, he looked so confident and composed, as if he hadn't shattered me years ago.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting," Zeus explained as he approached the table, his voice deep and smooth. "Something urgent came up at work."

Time froze as I waited for him to notice me. All I felt was raw emotion. My heart raced, fueled by adrenaline. My body prepared for fight or flight.

Sweat beaded on my forehead and trickled down my temples despite the coolness of the surrounding air. I felt extremely vulnerable. My body trembled, trying to expel all the fear and anxiety of facing him.

My past trauma was weighing me down like it was going to crush me. Despite the fear and dread, there was also a flicker of determination.

No, I won't let this man intimidate me. I'll face him and show no sign of fear.

"No worries, Zeus, you're just in time," John said.

I breathed deeply, filling my lungs with cool air, and braced myself for the confrontation as John turned to me.

"I'd like to introduce you to Zoe Stavrakos. Zoe, meet Zeus Petrakis, the business expert I mentioned earlier."

In an instant, my eyes locked with his piercing gray gaze.

If Zeus was surprised to see me, he hid it remarkably well. His eyes were blank and his gaze steady, showing no sign of the same emotions warring within me.

I should've known Zeus would act indifferent. That was the emotion he was best at.

John sensed the tension in the air as Zeus and I continued to lock eyes with each other without exchanging a word.

"Do you two know each other?" he asked, letting out a brief chuckle to ease the tension. "Perhaps, since you're both from New York."

Tongue-tied, I was unsure what to say.

Should I tell him I knew Zeus or not?

This week had to go perfectly, and living with my high school love could put the business deal I'd worked so hard for at risk. If Zeus wanted to, he could ruin everything. He would ruin everything.

I couldn't give him the power to do so.

So instead of crumbling, I steadied my shoulders and forced a polite smile, extending out my hand towards the man I once loved nearly a decade ago.

If I had to pretend I was completely unaware of Zeus Petrakis's existence to secure the deal with John Somersby, I would do it.

Because nothing—absolutely nothing—was going to mess this up for me.

"Mr. Petrakis. Nice to meet you."