LOGINShe thought she met the angel of her dreams, but is he too good to be true? Angelo Tsarkopolis is the sexy hotshot and gorgeous CEO of his family's fortune. A chance encounter with Laura Parker is the catalyst to a flirtatious cat and mouse game between them. On the surface, he is her dream man and more. However, shady rumors surround his business, women throw themselves at him, and she fears he isn’t telling her everything. Angelo appears to only have eyes for Laura, but she can’t believe a young, wealthy, incredibly handsome and successful businessman like him could hold more than a passing interest in her, an average girl. She tries not to be another notch on his bedpost, but that’s getting harder with each passing day. Laura tries to temper the flames of passion, but they only grow hotter. Is she in over her head and will he break her heart for good?
View MoreAmira, gadis belasan tahun itu terlihat turun dari motor yang mengantarkannya ke tempat dingin ini. Memandangi rumah dengan bentuk lama tapi indah dan terawat dengan cahaya lampu yang terang.
Malam yang pekat tidak mengurangi keindahan rumah ini, yang mereka bilang sebagai Villa, itu yang didengar Amira. Entah untuk apa dia dibawa ke tempat ini, ternyata bukan Koh Abun yang ingin memakai jasanya, tetapi sepertinya orang yang ada di Villa ini.
"Kamu tunggu di sini, jangan kemana-mana."
"Baik, Bang," jawab pelan Amira.
Pria muda yang bersamanya segera masuk ke dalam vila tersebut, dan tidak beberapa lama keluar lagi bersama lelaki paruh baya yang sepertinya penunggu rumah villa ini.
"Kamu ikut Bapak ini. Setelah urusanmu selesai, tunggu saja di depan teras, nanti kujemput lagi," ucap pria muda itu mengingatkan.
Amira mengangguk, dan mulai mengikuti bapak tua itu masuk kedalam villa, dan si pria muda tersebut langsung berlalu dengan motornya.
"Duduk dulu, Neng!" ujar si bapak, setelah mereka berada di ruang tamu, dan dia langsung masuk ke ruangan dalam, kemudian langsung keluar rumah dan menutup pintu dari luar tanpa berbicara lagi kepada Amira.
Sendiri di ruang tamu yang lumayan luas, dengan map biru berada dipangkuan. Amira resah, gelisah ... apa yang akan terjadi dengan nasib dia selanjutnya. Apakah hanya akan berubah pemangsa saja? Terlepas sementara dari mulut Singa dan Srigala malah menjadi santapan Buaya. Amira hanya bisa berpasrah kepada pelindung takdir hidup.
Amira percaya, jika Sang Pelindung itu ada. Yang mengatur dan merencanakan hidup kedepannya. Tidak terlihat tetapi Dia yang mengatur semua.
kadang-kadang, mungkin karena keceplosan ataupun lelah dengan hidup yang dijalaninya. Tante banci pun suka bercerita tentang Tuhan, walaupun saat menyadarinya dia tidak mau lagi membahas tentang itu, tetapi dia selalu menggambarkan tentang sosok Tuhan yang dia ceritakan kepada Amira dan penghuni lainnya.
"Kamu siapa?"
suara berat bertanya kepada Amira. Sedikit mengagetkan buatnya di tengah-tengah lamunan tadi. Cepat Amira menoleh dan menatap mata pemilik suara berat tersebut. Seorang pria paruh baya bertubuh tegap dan entahlah, ada kesan kewibawaan dalam dirinya. Menatap Amira dalam dengan wajah bersihnya yang memancarkan cahaya ketenangan dan pesona yang terpancar.
Ada rasa nyaman merambat dalam diri Amira. Semoga apa yang terlihat dan terasa adalah bukan tipuan belaka. Harap hati gadis muda itu.
"Sa--saya, Amira, Tuan," jawab Amira sedikit terbata.
"Ada urusan apa kamu menemui saya?" selidiknya, sembari tetap melihat Amira dalam, dan gadis muda itu tertunduk, tidak mampu lagi melihat tatap mata pria gagah tersebut.
"Sa-saya, tidak tahu, Tuan," jawab Amira, pandangannya tetap menunduk dalam.
"Ko bisa, kamu sendiri tidak tahu lalu tiba-tiba ada di tempat penginapan saya?" Pertanyaannya masih tentang keberadaan Amira di villa miliknya.
"Saya hanya disuruh, Tuan. Tanpa saya tahu apa tujuannya."
Pria itu mendekati, dan duduk pas di bangku mebel depan Amira yang hanya terhalang oleh sebuah meja kayu berwarna coklat tua.
"Yang Kamu bawa itu apa?" tanyanya kembali.
"Entahlah Tuan, saya benar-benar tidak tahu."
"Coba Kamu berikan pada saya," ucapnya sambil menyodorkan tangannya ke arah Amira, meminta map biru yang sedari tadi ada di pangkuannya.
Amira memberikan map berisi dokumen tersebut, sembari memberanikan diri menatap ke arah lawan bicaranya.
Dibuka-bukanya map itu sebentar oleh pria tersebut, dan pria paruh baya itu lantas berkata, "Hmm ... benar ternyata."
Diletakkan map yang dibawa Amira tersebut di atas meja. Sesaat pria itu terdiam, sembari matanya tetap memperhatikan Amira dalam.
"Siapa Kamu sebenarnya? Apakah kamu semacam kado atau upeti yang diberikan untuk saya?" Terus saja mencecar Amira dengan banyak pertanyaan.
"Upeti itu apa, Tuan?" tanya Amira, karena memang tidak tahu maknanya.
"Sudahlah, jika kamu tidak tahu, tidak apa-apa." Dia seperti malas untuk menjelaskan.
Pria paruh baya itu lalu berdiri dan masuk ke ruangan dalam, tidak beberapa lama Ia keluar lagi dengan membawa dua gelas minuman.
"Minum dulu teh manis hangat ini, badanmu menggigil kedinginan," ujarnya sambil terus menatap tajam.
"Terima kasih, Tuan." Segera Amira mengambil gelas itu dan meminumnya perlahan. Pria dewasa ini memang benar, tubuh Amira menggigil kedinginan.
"Berapa usiamu?" tanyanya lagi.
"Jalan 14 tahun, Tuan."
"Kamu tahu, kenapa kamu disuruh menemui saya di sini, dan untuk apa?"
Amira terdiam, kembali menunduk, walaupun dia tahu tujuannya menemui pria ini, tetapi gadis itu tidak punya keberanian untuk menjelaskan.
"Kamu tahu, jika tubuhmu sengaja di serahkan untuk saya?" Ada penekanan pada ucapannya. Amira tetap tertunduk diam.
"Kamu suka rela menyerahkannya?"
Amira berusaha mengendalikan debar di dada, menarik napas dalam-dalam dan memberanikan diri memulai bicara.
"Itu bukan inginku, Tuan," jawab Amira, sesaat memberanikan diri melihat ke arah pria tersebut.
"Sedari kecil, aku tidak punya hak untuk menentukan hidupku sendiri. Semua sudah ditentukan oleh orang yang mengasuhku."
"Maksudnya?" tanyanya lagi, sambil meminum tehnya, tetapi tatap matanya tidak lepas ke arah Amira.
"Dari bayi, aku dan beberapa kawan yang lain, sengaja diasuh hanya untuk dijual keperawanannya, Tuan," jawab Amira terus terang. Air mata mulai mengembang di netranya.
Pria paruh baya yang tampan itu terlihat kaget mendengar penjelasan Amira, menarik napas panjang, dan mulai menyandarkan tubuhnya di kursi empuk.
"Siapa, namamu?" tanyanya, terus menatap lekat.
"Amira, Tuan, nama saya Amira."
Six months later, Laura woke up feeling happier and more complete than she ever had in her life. She was now Mrs. Tsarkopolis. She lay there for a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the soft light streaming through the white curtains. She smiled as she felt the soft swaying of the 120-foot luxury yacht, the Sea Star, that Angelo had chartered for their two-week honeymoon through the Greek islands. He had wanted to show her where his family was from and do it in style. She closed her eyes again. She found the sensation of being on the water relaxing. She stretched and yawned, then rolled over. Angelo was still sleeping. The white sheet had slipped down to around his waist. Laura lay there looking at her husband. They had just spent their first night together as husband and wife. His face looked peaceful. She looked at his thick, dark hair, all askew, framing his face; the humidity giving it a wilder look. She loved it; it gave him an almost boyish charm. She looked at his long
Laura's jaw dropped in total shock. She recognized the tune right away. She looked to Angelo. “This is my favorite song!” He smiled. “I know. Sarah was kind enough to provide me with some valuable intel.” Sarah winked at her. The guitarist and keyboardist started playing the familiar melody. It was instantly recognizable to the audience, who again cheered. Shanna closed her eyes, and swayed to the music. She started singing her song: Dreams Carried Me Through. Her distinctive, rich voice was clear and soulful. Laura’s eyes began tearing up as she listened. She loved this song. She couldn’t believe this was happening, what Angelo had done for her. He saw her reaction and held her close, kissing her cheek. Nikolas was swaying to the music. Sarah and Barry smiled at them and held hands. Sarah knew how much that song meant to Laura. She had talked about it often, how it spoke to her. The audience was rapt, listening to Shanna’s unique and beautiful voice singing the well-
Three weeks after Laura had enthusiastically accepted the offer of a future position within the soon-to-be newly formed Bell Star division of Tsar Enterprises, Angelo arranged a celebratory evening at Painter’s Cove on Saturday night. Along with Sarah and Barry, who was taking the night off to just enjoy himself, Angelo brought Nikolas along. Painter’s Cove was three quarters full at this point and felt warm with colorful lights strewn about, giving a soft glow over the murals. Nikolas commented how it was a welcoming place, not pretentious, just comfortable and artsy. The five of them sat down at the best table in the house, with a good view of the stage, which Barry had taken the liberty of reserving. Laura snuggled into Angelo, his arm wrapped around her shoulder. His thick, dark hair had his usual tousled look. He was dressed in casual black jeans, a dark grey jacket and light blue button down shirt that set off his eyes nicely. His shirt collar was open a tasteful thr
Laura slept in with Angelo on Saturday morning. They took a shower together and he made her breakfast. She needed to get home to Jasper, so he gave her a ride home to Brooklyn. They had agreed to meet at Angelo’s place, Sunday around 11 a.m. to help with the preparations for Nikolas’ move. She was excited to finally meet his brother. She spent a few hours doing things at home and had some quality kitty time with Jasper before meeting Sarah at Painter’s Cove for dinner and drinks to get caught up on one another’s love lives. When Laura arrived, Sarah was already there, sitting at the bar talking to Barry. She noticed immediately how affectionate they were with one another. After a quick greeting, she and Sarah went and sat down at their own table to talk privately. Laura was happy to learn that Sarah’s relationship with Barry had also progressed rather well. They toasted to the fact that they had both now fallen in love with great guys and secretly shared a few choice detai
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