Chapter 1 - Insufferable

Eva

I put the car in park in front of the school.

“Be good for giagia, and I will see you tomorrow, moro mou (my baby),” I say to Katerina as she unbuckles herself and grabs her gear for dance class. 

She leans forward, placing a kiss on my cheek. “Nai, mama. Se agapo. (yes, mom)”

“Love you too,” I say, rolling down my window, looking around for my mama.

“I’m here, I’m here!” She yells, waving as she runs towards us.

If you can call what she’s doing running.

I lean in slightly so that Kat is the only one who can see me as I place my fist to my mouth to stop myself from laughing, while shaking my head and playfully exaggerating my eyeroll, making Kat giggle.

Mama stops in front of Kat and bends over to catch her breath in overdramatic fashion. After catching her breath, she stands up straight and gives Kat a bear hug.

“Geia sou, agapes mou! (Hello, my loves!).” She says, greeting me with a smile, and then looks down at Kat.

“All ready for class?” She asks Kat.

“Yup!” She says excitedly. 

I can’t help but smile while I look at my little girl.

My Katerina loves to dance and knows almost any type of dance, as well as various genres of music. She may have inherited her love for music and dance from me, but in my case, it’s simply a hobby/everyday thing and a way to filter out the outside world, whereas for her, it’s more than that.

I know her biggest aspiration in life is to become a dancer, but I am quite strict about schoolwork and about ensuring she earns good grades in case that dream doesn’t pan out.

Good lord, I mentally facepalm myself. I sound more and more like my mother with each passing day!

My mama clearing her throat breaks me out of my internal self-humiliating realization. “Is there something else, Eva?” She asks, her brow raised.

I know what she’s implying because usually I’m peeling out in a hurry, yelling out ‘I love you’ from the window like a maniac.

“Nah, all good, mama. I was just thinking it’s funny how the one time you are semi on time is the one time I am not in a rush to get somewhere.” I snicker. “I guess that means next time I won’t be so lucky.” I tease.

Her eyes narrowed into slits, clearly displeased by my teasing. She puts her arm around Katerina. “Say bye to your mama, Kit-Kat.” She simply says, ignoring me.

Yup, definitely hit a nerve.

Kat giggles behind her palm and does as she’s told before running off to join her friends.

Mama and I say our byes before I watch her join them, and they all go inside the dance studio. Once I can’t see them anymore, I pull out and drive away, my destination being to go straight home.

My plan for the evening consists of changing into my comfortable sweats, ordering a ridiculous amount of junk food, lounging on the couch like a house slob, and watching TV with my phone on silent mode. 

The gym and housework can wait until tomorrow, since I have a rare day off and it’s Friday, even better.

Woo!

As I’m driving, bopping to my music, my lovely ADHD brain decides to relive the moment where I realized I sounded exactly like my mother, and I cringe all over again.

Meh, now that I am older and a mother, I can see where her wisdom comes from, because I also pray to God that history doesn't repeat itself.

I mean, it wouldn't be the end of the world if it did, because she would have me, just like I had my mama, some of my family, and close friends. It's thanks to them that I was able to finish college, a year ahead, might I add, while juggling the responsibilities of being a teenage mom.

Soon after, I started working as a history teacher and am still doing it, as it's a job I genuinely enjoy. Also, double life bonus point because my mother was equal parts thrilled and relieved with my career choice.

It meant I had a secure and safe career path to fall back on, which was essential in her eyes. After all, certain securities, such as money, can disappear quickly, especially as a single mother.

She added the single mother bit when I told her about my divorce.

I outwardly let out a sigh and shook my head. Greek mothers and their so-called “life lessons”.

I mean, I know she wasn’t thrilled by it, but I refuse to stay with someone who cheated on me, but I think I was on the verge of leaving him anyway, so he kinda did us a favour, but that doesn’t mean I was sunshine and roses when I caught him mid-act in our family home.

My only thought at the time was thank goodness Kat wasn’t home, and that was it.

A week later, Kat and I left.

I reach over to the cup holder for a drink without taking my eyes off the road, and I bring my coffee to my lips for a sip, only to gag when it hits my mouth.

I hold it long enough to get the cap off and spit back into it.

“Shit!” I mumble, wiping my mouth with a napkin I pick up.

I glance over to the passenger seat for a drink, and I spot my water bottle.

“Thank God.” I say, leaning and grabbing it.

I quickly uncapped it and took a swig, swirling it in my mouth as I put it down and grabbed the old coffee, spitting in it.

I place the old cup farther away from me and get the water bottle again.

“Well, that’s gone,” I mumble, taking a sip of water as I spot one of my favorite coffee places.

I quickly turn my signal on and drive there.

Excellent, mama needs a fresh drink, and maybe I’ll treat myself to something sweet.

I look around the parking lot and inside the coffee shop as I park the car, and see it’s busy but not too busy.

Good, I won’t have to wait too long because there are quite a few episodes of my show to catch up on, and I can’t wait!

I’m smiling, feeling giddy, as I put my AirPods in and walk in.

I walk up to the counter and look in the display to see what’s there, while I tell the barista my drink order.

“Anything else?” She asks.

I purse my lips, tapping my chin before shaking my head. “No, thank you,” I say, tapping my card and moving to wait at the end of the counter, out of the way.

I spent the next few minutes subtly bopping my head to the music, mouthing the lyrics until my drink order was finally called. I grab some sugar from the side and go up to the counter, but someone else picks it up before I have a chance.

“Hey!” I say, taking out one of my AirPods so I can hear and talk.

“Unless you’ve changed your name since the last time I saw you, this ain’t yours, kuria (teach).” He smugly says.

I close my eyes and groan because I know that voice.

Unfortunately, that deep, sexy, husky voice belongs to the most irritating, cocky little playboy shit to have ever lived.

My best friend’s boyfriend’s best friend, Mr. Leo Andre.

Alright, keep calm.

I turn around to face him, and of course, he’s sporting a huge grin.

Okay, this will be easier than I thought because I’m SO not in the mood to be teased, and judging by that grin, it’s precisely what he’s planning to do.

Doesn’t this dude have any other hobbies besides sexing every hole he sees and annoying the living daylights out of me?!

Seriously, every freaking time.

I cross my arms. “Oh, great, it’s you." I say in a bored tone and sigh. "And here I was having such a good day.” I say, tilting my head, a fake smile plastered along with my resting bitch face.

He arches a brow, grin still in place. “You can talk. You ain’t exactly my idea of a good time either, Princess, especially with the bullshit you were blaring.”

I gasp, hand to chest.

How dare he insult my music?!

He bursts out laughing. “What are you doing out at this time? Isn’t it a school night?” He mocks.

I sigh, clicking my tongue.

I’m not doing it. I’m not going to give him another reaction.

“Uh, duh, getting coffee?” I mock, gesturing with my hands to the area where we are standing, like he’s an idiot.

He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, I know that part. Contrary to your belief, some of us have brains. It’s not just you. I’m just surprised to see you out.”

I chuckle, licking my lips because he just gave me an opening.

I gasp, placing my hand on my chest. “You have a brain? And it works?” I say, feigning disbelief, widening my eyes for added effect. “Well, colour me blue! Could have fooled me.” I say, flashing him a sweet smile, all teeth showing.

“Didn’t know I had a keeper, but if you must know, I have a day off tomorrow, and I was making a stop on my way home.” I shrug.

“You? Day off? Wow, well, color me fucking blue. And you’re going home? Shit, you are boring.” He says, copying my feigned disbelief, completely ignoring my comments.

I roll my eyes and scoff, flicking my wrist dismissively. I don’t care what he or anybody has to say about my evening plans.

“Roll your eyes at me again, and I’ll spank that ass, making them roll for a whole different reason, kuria (teach),” He says, smirking, looking me up and down.

Eh, he’ll what now?

I look down and clear my throat to compose myself because ooh, that was a little…Yeah.

God, I hope he didn’t notice.

I hear my name finally being called, so I look towards the counter, flicking my hair over my shoulder.

“Say it to someone who actually wants that from you because I can guarantee you that someone is definitely not me.” I scoff, adding sugar to my coffee.

He suddenly comes up behind me and lowers his voice. “I wish I could believe that, but your blush gave you away.” He whispers near my ear.

I fight the tiny shiver that travels through me.

“It’s okay to admit that you find me hot, you know? You wouldn’t be the first.” He says, and just like that, I’m back to being annoyed.

God, he’s insufferable.

I turn around, cup in hand, to see him casually shrugging like he’s won the argument or whatever it is we are doing here.

Either way, I’m done and ready to go home now.

“Uh, hate to disappoint, but nope, I don’t, and I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole, playboy.” I say with a fake smile.

I walk up to him, batting my eyelashes, running my finger over his chest.

Wow, he’s got muscles.

Not now, Eva!

I look up to him through my eyelashes, biting my lower lip, trying to act all sexy. “You see, I have this rule. I don’t fuck guys who fuck everything that moves. I’m too ‘boring’ for all that, plus I don’t fancy having an itchy pussy, thank you very much.” I say, using his own words, leaving him stunned.

I know, I don’t often curse anymore, especially like that, but that’s why I did it, as it gives me a chance to leave this conversation and place, finally.

As I reach the door, I glance back to see him still staring at me, his eyes wide in shock. I then turn around just enough to do the mic drop motion, with a smug and proud grin, before exiting the building quickly.

Five seconds later, I hear him call after me, and I sprint to my car as if my life depended on it.

Thank goodness, my heels are not too high.

I give him a wave, flashing a big ole' grin as I exit the parking lot.

I'm laughing hysterically while I turn the volume up, fist bumping to my ‘bullshit’ music as I relive and revel in Leo’s stunned expression.

As my favorite band sings 'I am the best!' muahahaha.

When I got home, I did everything I had planned to do, and it ended with me falling face-first into bed, a very contented lady.