Note: Words in Greek from Google Translator;

Giagia - pronounced as yaya, grandma in Greek.

Papou - grandpa in Greek, pronounced as pah-POO with a stress on the second syllable.

Theia - aunt in Greek, pronounced as thia.

Theios - uncle in Greek.

"We have to accept that there are certain things in our life that are inescapable. These are the things that come natural to us and are necessary to our existence."  — Auliq Ice

******

Lauren's POV

Money or love?

What will you choose?

Can't I have both?

I wish I could. I am rich, born with a silver spoon in my mouth yet lack of love, from my own parents. They seem to never exist in my life.

Can I say, life is unfair? Or because nothing is perfect. Nobody is created perfect. Well ... except for my Zandros. He's like one of Da Vinci's works, perfection.

"Argh, here you go again, Lauren. Stop with the Zandros already. He doesn't even see you as a woman, but just a little kid. And he hated you!" I snapped to myself. I felt like a stupid talking to myself alone.

I decided to turn the music on. I need some noise. I played a music on my old iPod mom gave me on my 8th birthday and plugged it with the speaker sitting on the right side of my cinnamon bedside table and put it on blast, feeling the walls are going to collapse from its loudness.

Then, my room then filled with Taylor Swift voice.

"That's what people say ... " I sang along as I sprawled back lazily on the bed, just wanting to forget about my life.

That's what people say

I go on too many dates

But I can't make them stay

At least, that's what people say

That's what people say

But I keep cruising

Can't stop, won't stop moving ...

Then I heard a banging on my door. I rolled my eyes. Probably my theia. (aunt in Greece, pronounced as thia- stretching the ei.)

She's not actually my aunt. She was my nanny since I was born, but she's more than a nanny to me. She was like my mother. She knew me well more than my own mother.

My parents are always on a business trip, now you can picture what I mean.

I used to be the tame and obedient kid, but when I stepped into high school, I became an attention seeker. I started going parties, wild parties, no less. But my parents didn't even care. I know they are working hard for my future, but I need their attention too. Not everything that matters in this world was all about money. But to them, it is everything.

Another loud bang on the door which made me jump on my feet, out of my bed. I turned the speaker off and stomped to my door.

Yanking the door open with my exasperated face, looking at theia. She looks downright vexed.

"You have a call, Missy!" theia frowned, shoving me the phone. I snatched it from her hand and shut the door in her face.

"Please turn the music down, Lauren, for crying out loud!" she yelled behind the door. I rolled my eyes. The music is off. Maybe she meant when I turn it back on, I'll make it low.

"Okay," I yelled back.

I'm not really bad. I just want attention. Theia wasn't bad either, sometimes she just gets aggravated when I don't listen. She's actually very sweet, most times. She's being tough to me sometimes, just because she wants me to grow up as a fine lady which of course I would.

I felt remorse every time I hardly listen and tried to minimize it but I always find myself on the same path.

"Lauren! Hello? Lauren?" Christine, my childhood best friend's voice screeches through the speaker making me cringe. I pulled the phone away from my ear. I thought It's going to break my eardrum.

"I'm here, Chrissy. What's up?" I started, walking back to my bed and lay on my back.

"Guess what?" she chanted, making me roll my eyes.

"He already confessed his undying love?" I lazily replied, forcing myself to act like I'm interested.

I was thinking that guy he told me in her class whom she always caught staring at her. I forgot the name. I don't understand why she likes guys that of the same age. They are very immature.

I love my best friend, don't get me wrong, but her taste in men is just unbearable. I like my man older than me. Maybe five years to nine years? Like her brother Zandros, but I knew he will never think of me as a lady, but a spoiled brat little girl with braces and pink dress with a pink teddy bear.

I hate him.

"Mom and dad decided to go back to Greece. We are coming home," she squealed exhilaratingly as she giggled, causing me to get thrilled and join her merriment. "Zandros will be left here, though," she added shortly as she sighs.

I was somewhat sad, but I thought it's for the better. I don't have to go neck in neck with him when I'm with his younger sister. That jerk hated me so much and I don't understand why.

Christine's family move to Russia after Zandros took over their company and that was five years ago. Her dad is a Russian while her mom is a Greek. They were our neighbors. My dad and his dad started hanging out because of golfing and they both love to go for fishing and cruising on the island. That's why their cliche right away.

My mom is an American. She's from New York while dad is from Greece.

"...in two days, you're officially twenty ..." she chanted dragging me back to reality.

I rolled my eyes.

Yes, I'm twenty and I'm still a virgin, but nobody knows because most of them thought I'm a slut.

Who doesn't?

Who wouldn't thought I'm not, when every night I go out clubbing, wild parties with friends and wearing skimpy dresses all the time, that almost doesn't hide anything. But, I don't care how they address me. I know myself more than anyone and I haven't done anything to be at receiving an end of such accusations and don't owe anyone any explanations.

Those big mouthed people are just too envious I had to live my life to the fullest without being bothered with their nasty feedbacks and thoughts.

I know I shouldn't act that way, but if that's the only way to get my parent's attention then be it, unfortunately, they didn't seem to believe, I am what I'm portraying.

I didn't know that one day it will all be changed.

"I'm happy, I'm going to see you again after five years," I replied not responding to her previous remarked.

I really missed her. She's the only one who knew me well other than Tata. "I can go night clubbing with my best friend .." I chanted merrily but she snorted my innuendo.

"I don't think Zandros would be happy about that," she sighed frustratedly. "He was becoming more and more strict, you know? I'm 20 and he treats me like 10 years old," she complained and I bet she's pouting right now while fiddling with her fingers. It's her habits that I remember whenever she's angry, or uncomfortable.

"Who says we will tell him? Besides you just said he's not going with you?" I chuckled at her. She was my opposite. She always listens and so scared when she break one of his brother's ridiculous rules.

"Yeah. As if we can get away from his prying eyes. He got many eyes, missy. Remember, last time?" she recalled.

I grinned.

"Yeah, but don't deny it, Chrissy, you had fun that night," I chortled recalling that night we sneaked out after knowing his brother went to hang out with his best friends.

Those well known black sheep billionaires, as the magazines dubbed them. And we ended up in a bar, not a kind of club that's for elite society, and we are just barely 15 that time.

We managed to sneak in since one of my friends was the daughter of the owner. Our makeup also helps hid our true age plus we are tall for 15.

We dance and drink cocktails although not hard, but enough to make us tipsy and gone a bit wild. Dancing and grinding with those drunk guys. She was very happy, but as soon as we got out of the bar, his brother was waiting for us with a murderous look.

He wasn't looking at his sister, but straight to my eyes. His two friends, the infamous Pallos and Petropoulis was leaning against their car grinning like a fool, even aggravating their friend's temper. I wanted to smack their handsome faces, instead of helping us to deflate his fury, but they just ignited it.

"Can you drop off my sister at my place, Nicolas? Mom and dad would be so upset if they found out she went clubbing if she goes home," he explained to his friends as he briefly averted his eyes from me. " I'll drive this spoiled brat to her place," he frowned to his friends and Nicolas nod and cock his head to Christine gesturing her to climb in his Lamborghini.

Christine grinned, looking cool not a hint of fright in her face, maybe because of the influence of the alcohol?

Waving goodbye she climbed in the car.

Not long, the three left leaving me, with the brute. I was honestly terrified, though. At first, his eyes softened but again, maybe I was too drawn to his charm that I'm seeing things differently plus the fact that I'm tipsy.

"Let's go!" he growled and I realized he was already in his expensive car.

Silver Bugatti Veyron.

I bit my bottom lip and reluctantly obeyed him. My heart was racing rapidly. I knew I was in trouble. It's what I want, to get my parent's attention, but my parents weren't home again. The longest they are at home was a month.

Inside the car, the tension was palpable. He was gripping the steering wheel like a vice, his knuckles are turning whiter how tightly it was gripped. He never glanced at my side making me sighed and just trained my eye out of the window.

He's the only guy who made me feel uncomfortable. I was pulling the hem of my dress since it became shorter when I sat. And if I'm not mistaken he could get a glance of what's under. I rested my clasped hands on my lap trying to cover it.

"Are your parent's home?" at last, he finally talked to me.

"E-er, um, n-no!" I stuttered, fumbling with my words. I wanted to smack myself for acting like a stupid. I looked down at my clasped hands ducking his frigid gaze.

Okay, why am I acting scared?

He's not my brother or parents. He's just the conceited brother of my best friend. I tried to feel relax and ignore his coldness. I shouldn't be intimidated by him.

Then he pulled the car not far from our house, on the side of the road barely lit with the street light. My heart was pounding hard. I don't know what he's up to.

I looked at him confused, giving me his poker face.

"I want you to stay away from my sister!" he warned me coldly, in his undertone but dangerous. I flinched inwardly.

I gathered myself and thought to stand my ground, he can't just order me around.

Who the hell is he?

"She's my best friend, and that depends on her. I can't just avoid her," I replied defiantly. How dare he, to ordering me around?

He grabs my arm and pulled me closer to him. I gasped when I smelled his breath, minty and intoxicating mixed with alcohol, yet still smells sexy. He was hurting me, but I care no less. I was fixed on his lips that were almost touching mine.

He stopped for a second, then he looked down on my lips, I thought for a second he's going to kiss me.

"She's very innocent, Lauren, so please, STAY AWAY FROM HER and don't drag her down to your slutty world," he warned accusingly, then he shoved me back into my seat.

I felt like my heart just ran over by a train until it was shred into pieces.

I blink back the tears that were threatening to fall. He just called me a slut and for some reasons, I felt so dirty and deeply humiliated. Why when he called me one, the impact is very heavy. Right into my heart.

I opened the door and climbed out before he could start the car. I walked/ran as fast as my legs could take me until I reached our house. I heard him calling me, but I ignored it. I was panting and my heart was very heavy, feeling like it's about to blast.

I hate him, I hate him. I kept chanting in my head as I fumbled with my keys trying to unlock the front door. I heard nothing behind me, so I thought he stop following me.

I let the tears fall. The first time I cried hard, and because of his him, of calling me a slut.

"LAUREN LEVENTIS!" Christine's snappy tone sounding so pissed, pierced my ears, dragging me out of my short reverie.

"I'm sorry, Christine, what were you saying?" I asked in an apologetic tone as I heaved a loud sigh.

"Never mind, dad's calling me. I gotta go! I'll see you on your birthday. We are leaving tonight," she squealed gleefully and ended the call.

I sprawled on my bed with my hands stretched out, the cordless phone fell on the floor with a thud, but I didn't bother to get up and pick it up.

I felt so empty. My parents are still in New York. They are leaving tomorrow for my 20th birthday as they promised.

Dad's secretary Liz was doing all the preparation. I'm not excited about it rather I'm excited that I had to celebrate with them. This only happens once in a blue moon, so I'm so happy that they will finally be here with me, on my special day.

I just graduated University with a degree in Hotel and Tourism Management . My parents weren't there when I received my diploma. And that was two weeks ago, which is why they promised me to be on my birthday instead, to make it up. Tata was there instead. I watched every parent with jealousy, they were beaming proudly with their sons and daughters' success.

I was disappointed with my parents but I tried to comfort myself. Some other kids are not lucky to graduate. They may have their parents beside them all the time, but they barely can go to high school due to lack of finances.

Stop it Lauren. Stop sulking, I chastised myself and shook off the bad vibes starting to grow in my chest again.

It's July here and it's summer. I should have been out with my family but instead, I'm in the house, sulking.

My friends already left Greece to find a job and start their career. While me? I don't know.

I love traveling, that's why I took Hotel and Tourism Management.

But, I don't have actually any plan yet as for the moment to find a job. I wanted to rest for few months before starting to land a job on.

I sighed.

I wish I had the same goals as my friends. Now most of them flew to New York, some in London. Others in Italy.

Although, I could work in our company, but I hate what my parents doing.

According to dad, the His'n'Hers clothing retail was based here in Greece. It was a family company, that soon expand greatly when dad and mom managed it after grandpa's death.

It's a Greece multinational retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers and children.

His 'n' Hers exists in sixty-eight countries with over nine thousand stores and as of 2015 employed around one hundred forty-eight thousand people. The first store was opened on the high street of Athens, Greece in 1956. It had three-thousand two-hundred eighty stores at the end of 2011, three thousand two hundred ninety-six stores at the end of September 2012 and opened its three-thousands store in September 2013 in Shanghai, China. It is ranked the third largest global clothing retailer.

The design team in the company's Greece office controls the steps of production, from merchandise planning to establishing specifications, and production is outsourced to approximately nine hundred factories in Europe and Asia. These facilities are used for horizontal division of labor, rather than being integrated.

That's always what my dad and mom say whenever we get a chance to talk, instead of asking me how's my life, my studies?

Instead, they will talk about how the company was doing, blah blah blah... So don't get me wrong if I grew hatred in what they are doing. Because I felt like the company took all of their time instead of sharing me some of their precious time.

I check at the time, It's just three in the afternoon. I decided to have a nap, but after a while, I just kept on tossing and turning. Even sleep was too selfish.

I'm starting to feel anxious for no reasons. I tried to calm myself and think of the nicest things, but each second I could feel my heart drumming.

Grunting softly, I decided to go downstairs and find theia. It's starting to terrify me. I hope this is not some symptoms of a terrible ill or whatsoever. I may hate my life, but I'm not prepared to die yet.

God No! I'm still a virgin.

At least, let me try to taste your opposite creation, hello?

I walked out of my door and into the spiral staircase.

I saw Fiona, one of out maids here, she's about 58 and she has been with our family since giagia (pronounced as yaya, grandma in Greek) and papou ( grandpa in Greek) were still alive.

I missed them. I was five when giagia died with cancer and soon papou followed just a few months after with diabetes.

"Have you seen theia, Fiona?" I asked the lady when I got down to the last step. She was heading to the kitchen.

"I saw her in the garden with Randolf. She's helping him pruning the bushes," Fiona replied inclining her head to the direction of the back door to the garden.

"Thanks, Fiona!" I smiled and headed to the back door.

I was still feeling uncomfortable. Maybe, I'll just sit on the patio in the back while watching them gardening or maybe I could help.

I grinned at the thought. I need a diversion. Definitely, gardening would help.

And, if I knew it was a sign, I would have called my parents and ask them to cancel their flight.

THE NEXT DAY, I received the most dreadful news. The plane my mom and dad were on, crashed upon landing, due to engine failure killing thirty-six people mostly at the business class seats including my parents and the pilots in the cockpits.

I was shaking and I don't know how many times I collapsed.

Theia didn't let me go with them when they retrieve their bodies.

Today, I'm staring blankly at their lifeless body in the casket. I don't want to see how they look like because it was just horrible.

I can't watch them. It hurt so much to see them die a horrible death.

This is not how I pictured my birthday. It was the worst, hellish nightmare. It wasn't the gift I expect.

A funeral on my birthday?

I hope it's just a dream and when I wake up, they are here with me, happy and alive.

All I did was crying. It didn't even register in my head the names of the people who came to give their prayers and supports. I am alive but dead inside. I wish they took me, too, with them.

My whole body was beyond exhausted. I don't know how long I was been up.

I just realized Chrissy was already here and her parents. Theia Beatriz was crying, too, and so as theios Vladimir.

I didn't see Zandros anywhere near them or around, which made me feel relieved since I don't need another imbecile to make my life miserable.

"Oh, Lauren sweety ..." Theia Beatriz cried and hug me real tight rubbing my back in circles which made me more emotional and feeling helpless, empty, remorseful, and hated the fate for this trial he just threw me in.

I'm definitely not ready for this. I never said I love you to them. All I did was giving them a headache and troubles. I never thank them for what they did to me. There's a lot of things I wanted to say, but, now they are gone, forever.

If only I could turn back time.

Why has to be me? Among others?

There were far worst people in the world.

And now, I'm alone.

The Mailov family was very supportive and was here at all times during their wake, until my parent's burial.

It's been two days since their burial. The more I felt their absence. It's hard. I don't know if I could keep going.

Chrissy was with me and even slept in our house, but it didn't lessen the emptiness and sadness I felt. My spirit is gone, left with them.

I'm just grateful the Mailov are still here. Grateful that Chrissy never left me. She was with me even when after the burial. I thought I'm going crazy. Waking up in the morning crying and before I go to sleep.

I forget that I need to eat to live and that there's still more life out there.

Chrissy was trying so hard to cheer me up. Even tempting me to go to the club but I was deeply scarred, to even think about clubbing.

And it only reminds me how ungrateful and inconsiderate child I was.

...........

Zandros POV

"Hey, Stavros just arrived today. I thought we could hang out at the bar tomorrow night," Nicolas phoned me as soon as he talked to Stavros Demakis. That shipping magnate. He was one of our best friends.

"What if I'll just throw a party at our villa? For tomorrow night," I suggest. It's been a while since I hosted a party.

"That would be awesome. We could party all night," Nicolas proclaimed excitedly.

"You could all stay overnight, too. Just like the old days," I suggest trying to recall the old days.

It's better to stay overnight especially when everyone is drunk.

"Great, I'll call Demetrio and Stavros to let them know. Maybe we could invite some old high school friends," he commented casually.

"That would be awesome. It will be fun, just like the old times," I grinned.

"Call me if you need anything. I'll call my hotel crew to cater and provide waiters for the party. Demetrio will provide the models. You know that guy?" he chuckled before ending the call.

Nicolas Petropoulis and Demetrio Pallos owned a chain of luxurious hotels, restaurants, and resorts around the world. They are very successful as well as Stavros Demakis.

Who would have thought that the "Four Black sheep Billionaires" of Greece was very successful? We used to be the day to day gossips of every newspaper in Greece, well even now, but it's more on our success, not some random troubles we were in.

I tossed my phone on the couch and plopped down. I just arrived yesterday here in Greece. I was trying to call mom, but I can't contact her even dad and my baby sister. They arrived four days ago. It's odd that all of them haven't called me back after I left a message.

I tried to shrugged it off thinking if would be better. I'll think about it when the party is over.

For now, I have a party to plan. And speaking of parties, I decided to leave my penthouse and drive to our villa. It's an hour drive. I glance at my watch, it's one in the afternoon.

I snatched my phone from the couch and stood up. Just as I slipped the phone in my pocket, it rang.

"Mailov," I began as soon as it connected.

"Zandros honey, so it's true you're back!" Kourtney's voice pierced my ears. I cringed.

"Hey, Kourt." I greeted sexily. Her name reminds me of that Kim Kardashian sister, but Kourt if more like Kim, with big boobs and big booty, making at all fun in the bed.

"Want to hit the club tonight?" she purred sensually. I wished I have no party to plan. I would love to bang that big rounded ass.

"I wish I could, Kourt, but I have some important things to do." I declined politely forcing a disappointed voice I could muster.

I could invite her, but that only ruined the fun. She's very possessive and clingy, mind you. And I don't want to give her the impression that we have a relationship or anything going. We had a great sex but that's all it is. And once is enough. If you give another shot that means a lot of them to think that we had something already.

Girls' thinking.

"Ohh, that's too bad!" she muttered in disappointment. "How about I'll drop by now? You know, your place is on my way to my place. I'm about done here at the salon," she said desperately.

"I'm sorry, Kourt but I really need to go," I replied unable to hide the boredom in my voice. This time, I didn't hide my growing annoyance.

"Well, Let me know then if you're available. Any time, any day honey!" she insisted tenaciously ignoring the changes in my tone.

"Okay," was all I said and I ended the call.

I walked to my room and decided to have a shower before I leave.

I started undressing and taking off my pants. I just tossed it on the chair when I heard a thud. I looked where the sound came from and saw my black bifold wallet dropped from my pants. Cards were scattered everywhere. I pick all the cards. When I slip it all back in the card pockets, I saw the picture.

The picture I stole from my sister's cell phone. The night they went to the bar. I made a copy of it and put few in my wallet. That night I forgot her age. She looks so beautiful. And that night, I almost kissed her. That night that made me until now couldn't find a girl that could match that excitement, or make my heart races rapidly, that only Lauren Leventis can.

I shook the thoughts off. I threw the pictures back in my wallet where it is hidden.

There are lots of things why I can't love her. One thing for sure is our age differences. I don't want to be called "cradle snatcher!"

.................

A/N: Please leave your thoughts. Thank you!

I'm trying to edit just little issues. Please do overlook them. I know even after editing it, there would always tons of mistakes. I apologize in advance.