Chapter 8 Alex Spanos

• Alex Spanos
• This morning we woke up early to deliver the pieces from our family’s art collection. It’s not a large collection, but it holds immense value, both financial and sentimental.
• Some pieces were inherited by my parents from my grandparents, which makes them even more special. My father is a close friend of President Katerina Pappas, who somehow managed to appoint her own brother as the museum director.
• Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to be managing the museum’s government funding very well. Of course, he’s stealing, but my father, being a good friend of the president, decided to help.
• We left the house and arrived at the museum within minutes. I was still curious to understand why my mother was so upset about us coming here.
• "You’re really not going to tell me?" I asked my father, who was sitting beside me in the car.
• "Shut the hell up, Alex..." his tone only made me more curious to find out what was going on.
• Apparently, there’s a part of my parents’ story that neither of them has ever told me, or my sister Selma. My gaze met Paulo’s, and from the way he looked at us, I could tell he knew something. I decided not to bring it up again, at least not for now. Maybe another time.
• When we arrived at the museum, we entered through the basement with three suitcases carrying the most valuable items from our collection. We left Paulo in the car and went upstairs only with the family lawyer to take care of the legal formalities of the donation.
• "We’re Marius and Alex Spanos. We’re here to speak with Miss Dimou. She’s the supervisor in charge of the auction, correct?" my father told the receptionist.
• "Of course, you can go through that door. I’m sure her assistant will be there to receive you." I smiled, realizing my father was talking about Murilo’s daughter.
• I vaguely remembered young Dimou, I was never around much growing up, and even less so after I began my training. I went through such intense experiences that all I wanted was to be alone, away from people. The only person who managed to stay by my side was Demetrius, who put up with a lot.
• As we walked through the double doors into a restricted employee area, we saw a woman who was attractive, but not enough to catch my attention for even a night in my bed. We introduced ourselves, and she stood up and entered another room, I figured it was a break room. She wasn’t gone long and soon took us to a meeting room.
• "Miss Dimou will be here shortly. She’s just finishing something and will be right in." she said, then left the room.
• "She’s probably finishing a cup of coffee..." I muttered, rolling my eyes in irritation at the lack of professionalism. "I think there’s still time to change our minds, Dad."
• "Alex, enough!"
• I took a deep breath and stepped aside with our lawyer. I didn’t really want to be here, after all, one day I want to have a child, even with a threat still hanging over my head. It reminded me that it was long past time to put an end to that situation.
• While the supervisor’s assistant arranged the donated pieces on the table for the auction, I tried not to get too upset about losing such valuable items. When we decided to part with this part of our family’s legacy, it became clear that the entire value of the auction would go toward saving the museum, which was facing serious financial trouble.
• Our only condition was that, after the auction, the amount raised would be made public, especially to our family. I want to make sure none of the money gets siphoned off.
• I’m certain the museum is sinking and losing support due to the corruption of the director, who’s probably sitting somewhere in this building right now. I turned toward my father and saw the door open.
• Suddenly, a stunning red-haired woman walked in, wearing a white blouse and a skirt that fell just below the knees. I felt an erection trying to take over me. I took a deep breath, observing every one of her curves. She was wearing huge red heels, and only when she approached my father with such familiarity did I realize I must know her too.
• I was thrown off when she said my father had managed to straighten out his son. As if I were some delinquent.
• The truth is, I’m worse than a delinquent, at least once I step outside my house.
• I was captivated by the woman beside me. I felt like I had seen her somewhere before, outside of my house or the photos my mother used to show me. Our meeting lasted a few hours. Miss Dimou made it very clear she was heartbroken about having to organize this auction just to save the museum, and I could see in her eyes how deeply she loves this place.
• She explained that it had been necessary to select pieces from the public exhibition to include in the auction in order to increase the final proceeds.
• "I don’t like this situation either, not because we’re donating, but because I know the funds allocated to the museum are more than enough to cover all expenses," I told her. "There’s a major embezzlement going on here, and I’ll find out who’s behind it."
• I noticed her eyes sparkled, and I wasn’t sure why.
• "I really hope you do. The jobs of many people are at risk because of this mismanagement we’re dealing with." She gave me a timid smile and looked back at the table.
• While we were talking, the door suddenly opened and an older man burst in, visibly agitated.
• I straightened my posture and fought the urge to draw the pistol at my waist. Miss Dimou didn’t deserve to be humiliated the way he was doing it.
• I barely knew her, but one thing was clear, the daughter of Murilo didn’t deserve to be belittled by a man I was sure was stealing the very money he was supposed to be managing responsibly.
• "What exactly are you insinuating, you stupid little woman?"
• I stepped between them to protect this beautiful redhead.
• "I think it would be best if you lowered your voice right now and apologized to the young lady who’s just doing her job," I said firmly.
• He shrank back the moment he realized I wasn’t backing down and that I meant business.
• "I will order a full investigation into the museum’s financial records. You’ll be at the top of the list. Because there’s no way the value of these pieces we’re donating will end up in your pocket."
• I watched his face turn red. I hadn’t wanted to make a scene in front of her, but this old man had pissed me off in too many ways since I found out what was going on in this place.
• "Maybe you don’t know who I am, but rest assured, I’ll make your life a living hell starting today," I said, and then Bonnie looked at me.
• Hearing that woman stand up for herself in a way I didn’t expect, honestly, I found it beautiful. Her composure while facing the entire situation with her head held high impressed me.
• "Show some respect. You don’t know my character, and I’ve never disrespected you. And in case you didn’t notice, I’m in a meeting with the owner of the private collection," she told him, standing her ground.
• She didn’t lose her composure for a second, and the director finally realized who I was. I watched his face go pale, and he started stammering. I waited for him to regain his posture.
• "Forgive me, Mr. Spanos. We’re having some internal conflicts, and I let my frustration get the better of me over being accused of something I didn’t do." Nikolai tried to justify himself, but I completely ignored him.
• "As far as I know, the young lady never mentioned your name. In case you’re unaware, making false accusations is a crime, and prosecutable. So I suggest you leave this room and close the door behind you because my meeting with Miss Dimou is not yet over."
• I saw him huff in anger. But thankfully, he left the room, and judging by the way he slammed the door, he was furious. Still, if he dares to cause me any more trouble, maybe I’ll take him somewhere very special for the night.
• Once he was out of sight, this beautiful woman collapsed into the chair beside her and started crying.
• I looked at my lawyer, startled. I had no idea what to do.