18

'I'm stuck between a rock and someone I want to hit with it!'

_ _ _

-Kara-

"Gatáki", a gruff voice interrupted me while I was instructing the lot. I recognized the Greek immediately.

"Pappoús! ", I squealed and ran into my grandfather's arms. He hugged me warmly and gave me a kiss on my forehead. Killian too came from the far end of the room and hugged him.

I clasped my grandfather's hand and took him to the kitchen and dining. On the way, we started talking in Greek.

"Grandfather, I missed you so much. Why haven't you visited more? I know you're sad about mother but you shouldn't forget your grandchildren.", I said and frowned.

"No, my little kitten. How could I forget my little spitfire? I love all of you so much. But after the death of your mother, I slacked in my work and when I finally came to my senses everything was a mess. It took me a long time to set it all right.", he said sadly.

"Oh Pappoús! ", I said and hugged him.

Caden, Killian, and the boys took this moment to enter the dining room. Tyler was laughing loudly. Seth rubbed his stomach and groaned.

"I'm hung-...Sir! ", he said as he spotted my grandfather.

"Ah... The grandfather and his gatáki are bonding I see.", Killian said as he poured himself some coffee.

"What's gatáki? ", I heard Caden whisper in Killian's ear.

"It's Greek for kitten. ", Killian replied.

I heard pappoús say something but my attention was diverted by two sapphire gems. Caden's eyes were smoldering with a swirl of emotions.

"Gatáki! Are you listening?", grandfather's stern voice said.

"Uh-huh yeah. ", I murmured.

"Killian! afíste mas móno gia éna leptó. (Leave us alone for minute). ", he instructed.

"Let's go guys. ", Killian said and left with the others.

As soon as they left pappoús turned his grey eyes towards me.

"Listen to me carefully gatáki... As your pappo��s I have arranged a marriage for you. I will-", he started.

"What?! Marriage? Pappoús, I just turned 17.", I said cutting him off.

"You are Greek, gatáki. You are a Sideris. You must follow the customs of us Greeks. The boy will come to meet you in 2 weeks. ", he said.

"Wait. Has father agreed to this?", I asked.

"He is not Greek. He does not have a say in this matter. ", pappoús stated bluntly. "Be ready. You'll be married within the next three months. "

He got up, gave me a peck on the cheek, and left while I stood there like a motherfucking statue with my mouth wide open in shock and horror.

***

Pappoús sudden decision left me a confused mess. I couldn't concentrate the rest of the day. All I could think about was how I could get out of the marriage situation. I mean seriously, I had just turned 17 a few days ago. Oh boy! Did I remember the happy experience.

---flashback---

I had woken up on my birthday to my room covered with balloons and candies...

Just kidding!

My room was bare so was the house below. Everyone just gave me a hug, a peck on the cheek, and wished me a gloomy 'happy birthday'. I had stopped celebrating after the death of my sister. So it was a bittersweet day for all of us.

Caden had entered with an aura as bright as the sun and had engulfed me in a bear hug.

"Happy birthday, Kara babe!", he had said. I was sure everyone behind me was giving him worried expressions of 'No, no, no, don't do it! Oh, you idiot!' and were thwacking their heads.

I had just replied with a slight smile, "Thank you"

We had gone to school together. When school was over I told him, I was going home with the boys.

"Come with me. ", he had said and taken me out the door to the rooftop of an abandoned building a few miles out of town. As we reached the top, he had covered my eyes with his hands.

"What-"

"Shhh"

Then he uncovered my eyes. The whole rooftop was covered in soft grass and there was a picnic blanket in the middle with a picnic basket and a few wine bottles. The sun was setting and the view was so beautiful that I almost forgot my worries and pains. We ate the food, drank the wine and frankly, enjoyed each other 's company.

Caden got up and told me he'd be back and went somewhere. I was busy looking at the stars. I saw a firefly in front of me, then another and another.

Fireflies on the rooftop?

I was dreaming. I was a bit tipsy.

I looked back and saw Caden come toward me with a swarm of fireflies around him. My eyes widened in surprise.

"How did you get the fireflies? there's so many...", I murmured.

"I'd do anything for you. ", he said and cupped my face.

I stared into his eyes. I knew this was my... our moment.

"I love you, Caden.", I said.

His face lit up like a thousand suns. Like a little kid getting a room filled with gifts on Christmas. Hell, he looked like he owned the world.

Without a whisper, he crashed his lips against mine. The time had come.

When we had finished we had lain in each other's arms completely spent. Caden had been a little disappointed that I hadn't been a virgin but come on he wasn't either. I was exhausted and my eyes were drooping. As I closed my eyes, Caden whispered in my ear.

"I love you, Kara. With all my heart. "

I had gone to sleep smiling.

---flashback over---

That night when Caden came home, he noticed my change in mood. I mean, I even dodged a kiss.

"What happened? ", he asked.

"Pappoús wants me married. "

"Well, that's not so bad. It's earlier than planned but I'll have you all to myself soon. ", he said with a smile.

"Arranged marriage to a Greek boy.", I specified. "He's coming to see me in 2 weeks. Pappoús wants me married in 3 months."

Caden clenched his fists. Defiance and sheer determination shone in his eyes. He hugged me protectively.

"You're mine, Kara. I won't ever let you go.", he said. "That punk's dead if he gets within a mile's radius near you. "

I believed him. And for the love of God, I hoped we could convince pappoús.