Demetrio's POV

I was sitting on my couch, in my penthouse on the top floor of one of the Grandt Pallos-Petropoulis Hotels, a luxurious hotel, with thousands of chains around the world owned by my friend and me.

I was staring at the grand ceiling but not seeing it. I've been ruminating on that pesky woman who seemed to have invaded my peaceful system.

For the past six years, Nicholas and I turned this business into billions. We also own hundreds of private beaches and restaurants around the world. I shared this success with my friend, Nicolas Petropoulis where the name came from, Grand PP Hotel.

A loud rap on my door broke into my train of thought.

Finally, he came. Our HR director, Kurt Thompson.

There has been a complaint from one of our premium customers on the 46 floors, Mr. Daniel Smith. Our Manager suddenly left the position for an unknown reason, so I had to deal with it.

Daniel Smith is a businessman in his early thirties.

He complained about this new waitress who served his meal one day.

How and why she splashed the cold water on his face, was something that I wanted to know.

This girl had intrigued me.

I know Mr. Smith was a bit bastard sometimes, but he is a valued customer.

I rose to my feet and headed for the door.

I opened it, and there, Mr. Thompson, clad in a black suit standing in my doorway. He is a bit taller, just enough to cover the girl who caused the ruckus in my hotel three days ago. Her head was hanging low, so it was hard to see her face.

Mr. Thompson was looking worried and apologetic. He is in his mid-late thirties.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your rest, Mr. Pallos, but I have Athena here with me." He uttered apologetically as he moved to the side and turned his head to face the woman.

I shoved my hands in my pocket and watched the girl, named Athena De Rossi, as she moved forward and looked up.

I felt that kick in my chest, and then my heart started to drum like a mad drummer.

My body stiffened, and my lips curled upward into a smirk when our eyes met, and I saw that fiery spirit again.

Hello there, my quick-tempered temptress!

"You?!" I asked when I finally pulled my shit together. "Your name is Yvonne..." almost mumbled as I controlled that sudden excitement, and for the life of me, can't understand where it was coming from.

"Athena Yvonne De Rossi, Sir!" she corrected dryly.

I am still stunned at how pretty she is, even when she is only wearing her black and white uniform with her golden brown hair, tied in a bun like our librarian back in our high school days.

She wasn't wearing any face paint and yet she was a stunner. With her natural red bow lips, deep-set eyes, and a few specks of freckles in her upturned nose, she looks perfect, absolutely gorgeous.

I have never seen a girl with a bare face before except our employees at home, but she could give those women I've bedded before a run for their money.

"Ehem!" she faked a cough to get my attention.

"Do you still need my presence, Mr. Pallos?" Kurt's voice snapped me back out of my wayward thoughts.

I stood upright and straightened my shoulders as I tried to pull my shit together. It's only a few minutes in front of her and I'm acting like a love-struck fool.

I forgot why she was here when we come face to face and she hasn't done anything yet, other than throwing me a venomous glare.

"You may go, Mr. Thompson. I'll have a word with Ms. De Rossi," I replied coldly as I nodded at him. He nodded back his head, then he turned on his heel, back to the elevator.

"Come in, Ms. De Rossi," I welcomed her inside, stepping to the side so she can pass.

I ignored her faint scent that wafted through the air and stirred strange feelings deep within me.

As soon as she walked in, I briefly shut my eyes and breathed hard, letting her sweet, sensual scent that was so feminine fill my lungs.

"It wasn't my fault!" she snapped angrily, and my eyes snapped open, and I closed the door before turning to face her wrath.

I met her eyes spitting with fire like a dragon. "He insulted me that son of a bitch. He asked for sex, and he called me slut. He even tried to ki-"

"It's not what I heard, Ms. De Rossi!" I retorted acidly, cutting her off.

I knew he did something to aggravate her.

I have met her already, and I know that she's not going to do something if she wasn't provoked.

So, I did what it has to be done.

Kicking Daniel Smith out of our hotel, and I don't care if he has been our valued customer since time immemorial.

"Really? You do have such a big head for such a small brain, Mr. Pallos. What else is inside that head ... Air?" she mocked me sarcastically, with her hands on her hips. Her eyes glared at me furiously.

I stepped closer to intimidate her, but she stood her ground.

FIERY LITTLE MISSY!

I grinned inwardly.

She probably stood about 5'6, looking so short next to me, but she wasn't intimidated. She didn't flinch nor fazed at all.

I like that, I thought.

I smirked.

Her cheeks were red and it complemented her face beautifully.

"He insulted me, so I did what I needed to do... to those perverts!" she spat out in disgust, then she tipped her head up, and looked at me defensively." And, I never regretted it. He deserved it!" she added with vehemence. She was clenching her hands tightly on her sides.

"But, you know the rules before you started this job, Ms. De Rossi. Am I right?" I provoked.

I don't know what Am I doing. Perhaps a knob of my head is loose.

Perhaps I'm waiting for a slap from her, then it will knock some sense into me. And it's not far from coming seeing how her eyes sparked with fury and turned into slits.

Well... I'm having a good time watching how her eyes scorched as she looked at me, with her cheeks turning beet red whenever she is provoked.

She looked completely deceiving. Her face looked sweet and calm, but boy when she's angry, she reminds me of a tiger.

Fiery, feisty, and ready to fight!

I was holding the urge to laugh.

"I know. And, I'm ready to face any of the consequences. Just don't let me apologize to him," she heaved a deep sigh, and I could tell, she was trying to be polite to me. I could feel her indifference to me she was trying to veil.

And at the same time, she looked torn.

She wanted the job, but she didn't want to apologize.

I'm happy that she wanted the job. I don't want to fire her either as I have another plan for her.

Yes, another plan ... I grinned inwardly.

"I need this job, so please, don't fire me," she begged suddenly, and I was taken aback.

I didn't see that coming after she showed so much bravery just a minute ago.

I raised an eyebrow.

Looked like I'm winning this time.

Since I met her, she never backed down.

She always stood her ground and it irked and frustrates me, but there was also that curiosity that kept on nagging me.

"Mr. Smith is gone, Ms. De Rossi. I don't think he is ready to accept your apology either. And, we just lost one valued customer," I replied in a tone that lack of sympathy.

I was looking at her challengingly, waiting for her response.

We are still standing a few ft. away from each other in the foyer.

Then, her shoulder slumped in defeat, with her head hanging low.

"I will let you continue your job," her head whipped back upward and stared at me, with those eyes filled with hope as she trained it on me. "In one condition .." I negotiated.

One eyebrow hastily cocked up. I could tell she was inwardly battling if she would squirm or listen to me.

"You will be my exclusive waiter." She opened her mouth but I beat her. "I want you to serve my meal every time I'm here in Athens. Kurt will let you know when I'm here. But you must always be ready, at my beck-and-call." I elaborated further my gaze never leaving her beautiful face.

Her lips twitched for seconds and she looked at me incredulously.

"That is like working with you for 24 hours, Mr. Pallos," she remarked with displeasure.

"Yes, Indeed!" I agreed. "But, you're only working with me. If I'm here, you will serve me, if I'm away, you can stay home, but there would be a time when I need you to come with me. But, for now, you will start a new beginning. As my exclusive waiter," I smirked.

"Just to be your waiter, Mr. Pallos," she confirmed, looking blankly into my eyes.

I know what she means and I didn't like it. She was thinking I am a pervert, just like that Smith.

"Yes," I responded curtly.

"When do you want me to start?" she asked looking at me, less ecstatic in her placid tone.

"Now," I smirked.

She looked at me challengingly. Then, she opened her mouth but closed it after.

I know she wanted to object, but she must have thought otherwise. It will only cost her her job.

I smirked. At least, she knew it better! Smart thought.

Now, I got you, Yvonne, or Athena!

I grinned. I'm going to stay more in Athens for sure...

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A/N: HERE WE GO, ANOTHER START FOR MY FOURTH BOOK...

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