Adam's Secret (standard:mystery, 4010 words)
Author: Hulsey	Added: May 25 2002	Views/Reads: 4758/2605	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Adam is an archaeologist working in Crete. A beautiful Greek girl captures his heart but are her intentions honourable? A complex tale of love and deception.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

here, I left for Crete immediately.” 

“Where are you staying?” 

“A hotel in Heraklion.” 

“Well Calandria, I'll get someone to pick up your things and move them
to the Alexander Hotel. That is one of the only luxuries of this 
project we can afford. In fact, the hotel is being paid for by the 
Greek Archaeological Service; one of our chief investors in the 
project.” 

“So where do I start?” she asked. 

“You can help George and Alexi over there. What we hope to unearth here
is evidence that the city expanded to the south. Other so-called 
experts have insisted that this is not so, but I'm convinced Knossos 
was a city on a much greater scale than was first thought.” 

His eyes followed the graceful movement of the girl as she joined the
others who were scraping the earth, hoping to unearth treasures. He lit 
a cigar and smiled, a contented smile. He knew in his heart that he 
would have employed this girl no matter what. 

Adam climbed aboard the chariot and lifted the veil to kiss his new
bride. Calandria looked radiant in her white wedding dress, her head 
donning a crown, not unlike her husband's. They held hands and the 
chariot moved slowly towards their new home. They took in the spectacle 
of Athens at night, countless lights like fireflies, illuminating the 
dark sky. 

They turned towards Calandria's family and friends who were following on
foot and bearing gifts, which was a tradition at an Athenian wedding. 
Calandria blew kisses at her weeping mother who carried torches, 
apparently to emphasise her protective role. The flames of the torches 
and the Greek music functioned against the evil spirits that intended 
to harm the bride, or so the custom goes. 

They clenched hands and looked towards the Acropolis, feeling infinity
with each other. After reaching the house, they indulged in a splendid 
feast, and no expense was spared as the joyous revellers danced and 
dined late into the early hours of the morning. 

Adam caught Calandria's father scrutinising him more than once. It was
common knowledge that his wishes were for his only daughter to marry an 
Athenian and not a foreigner. Adam would be thirty-eight on his next 
birthday and Calandria only twenty-three, but the age difference was 
not what bothered Stepan her father; it was the obscurity of the man 
who had married his baby. 

Little was known about Adam apart from him being an archaeologist; and
the absence of any forthcoming kin at the wedding further ignited 
Stepan's suspicion. 

“My parents are dead and I have no brothers or sisters,” insisted Adam. 

His best man at the wedding was George, his right hand man and Greek
interpreter. 

It was only two months since that glorious day in June when Calandria
had appeared to him, but their mutual attraction for each other soon 
turned into love. They had the same interests and she was apparently 
besotted by this imposing figure of a man. 

Adam had shared with Calandria something he had never ever divulged to
another being, his wealth. Adam was not as poor as he often made out, 
and could comfortably afford to finance the Knossos project himself, 
but his greed ordained that he pleaded to backers, cap in hand. 

He had made his new wife swear an oath that she would never reveal his
secret. She agreed after much haggling, attempting to convince her 
husband to pay his workers a reasonable wage, but her pleas were 
unheard. The house he had purchased in Athens did not come cheaply, and 
the price was more enhanced, considering the time they would spend 
there, but Adam was trying to impress his new father in law. 

That morning they made love enthusiastically, looking forward to the
honeymoon the following evening, a world cruise. Calandria embraced her 
husband and kissed him before asking, “Adam, do you truly love me?” 

“What a strange thing to say on our wedding night my Athenian pearl. Of
course I love you... Why do you ask?” 

“No reason.” She kissed him again and closed her eyes. 

Adam, transfixed by her beauty watched her as she slept, as he did
often. His gluttonous nature would not leave him, and he often wondered 
if this beautiful young girl would be sharing his bed if it were not 
for his money and his notoriety. He, as usual put it to the back of his 
mind, after all, Calandria knew nothing of his opulence until after 
they were engaged. He kissed her on her forehead and pushed her dark 
hair away from her eyes, before slumbering peacefully in the knowledge 
that his affluence meant nothing to her. 

Adam and Calandria stood on the upper deck and looked out towards the
coast of North Africa, feeling the warm sea breeze in their faces. They 
clasped hands tightly and talked, but Adam's thoughts were elsewhere, 
in another continent. Like a child brooding for a lost toy, Adam, she 
suspected was aching to return to his beloved Knossos, and only this 
morning he had received news that a fragment of pottery had been found. 
With this exciting news, she realised that her husband was wishing the 
time away, and what should have been a celebratory and memorable voyage 
offered no such joy. 

They entered the elegant dining room, opting not to dine at the
Captain's table tonight, as Adam wanted them to celebrate their good 
news alone. They were ushered to a table and Calandria marvelled at the 
grand surroundings, taking in the crystal chandeliers and marble 
pillars. 

“Isn't this so wonderful, Adam?” 

“You'd better make the most of it, Calandria; there'll not be so many
such voyages in the future... I intend to fully concentrate on the dig 
when we're back in Crete.” 

As they devoured their superb dinner, Adam talked only of the project
and the renown it would bring him. He ordered champagne and drank to 
their success, and of course to Knossos. 

Calandria watched the blood drain from her husband's face as he almost
choked on his champagne. He was looking past her, and Calandria turned 
to see what had caused such a distressing change in her husband. 

“What is it, Adam?” 

“Nothing darling, just a bit of food gone down the wrong way.” 

“I'll be only a few minutes, Adam. I need the ladies room.” 

He watched Calandria head towards the powder room, as immaculate as ever
in her sky blue dress. His other eye was firmly focused on the 
attractive lady who was being escorted to a table by the waiter. 

With her mass of red locks and her unmistakable walk, she excelled in
wiggling her so trim bottom. She had not changed. She was elegantly 
attired in a white trouser suit, her perfectly applied make-up and fine 
arched eyebrows enhancing those so blue eyes; her rouge, highlighting 
her fine cheekbones. The petite upturned nose confirmed her identity. 
She had never aged a day. She could still pass as someone ten years her 
junior, instead of thirty-four, her true age. 

Adam picked up the menu and peered over the top of it to see she had
opted for a table facing his. He swallowed his champagne, still hiding 
behind his menu, and afforded another glance. The redhead was wiggling 
her fingers at him. 

He approached her table, looking around to ensure his wife was not on
her way back. He towered over her and she smiled at him, raising her 
right eyebrow, as she always did when she was in control. 

“Well, Adam, isn't this a surprise?” She sniffed the air. “I see you're
still wearing that awful after shave.” 

“Melissa, what're you doing here?” 

“Well I haven't come here for the skiing have I? Incidentally, did you
get your newspaper?” 

Adam blushed. “Listen, Melissa,” he stuttered, looking around nervously.
“Our marriage was going nowhere. It was stale and we weren't even 
sleeping together.” 

Melissa grinned. “Hmm, I was about the only female in Kensington who
wasn't sleeping with you.” 

“Why are you here? Revenge, is that it?” 

“Sit down Adam and stop being so melodramatic.” 

“I have company... Er, a business acquaintance,” he lied. 

“Really?” 

“Yes really... Now tell me what you want? Our marriage is well and truly
dead Melissa; in fact it's been cremated and the ashes deposited down 
the lavatory.” 

Melissa fluttered her long eyelashes. “Charming as always eh my pumpkin?
Don't flatter yourself; I've no wish to rekindle our marriage... You 
bastard! Did you honestly think I would let you just walk away and get 
away with it?” she said, raising her voice and attracting stares from 
other diners. 

Adam lowered his voice. “We hated each other Melissa; besides, I left
you with an ample bank account. Enough to keep you in comfort for the 
rest of your life.” 

“Shit! You're bloody serious... You are bloody serious aren't you? Do
you think fifty thousand pounds was going to last me a lifetime? You 
skinflint. You haven't changed a bit; in fact I'm surprised you 
splashed out for this cruise.” 

“I've told you, I'm here on business.” 

“Champagne and a whore on your arm... No, you definitely haven't
changed. Who is she?” 

“I've told you; she's a business acquaintance.” 

“Yeah, yeah.” 

He again glanced over his shoulder. “Listen Melissa; this is a very
important business deal. I'm trying to persuade her to part with some 
of her riches and partly finance my newest venture. If she agrees then 
the skies the limit.” 

Melissa yawned and looked at her fingernails. 

“Please, don't spoil this for me,” he begged. He saw Melissa smiling and
looking past his shoulder. He turned to see Calandria had returned and 
was looking in his direction, shrugging her shoulders and mouthing, 
“What?” 

“What's it worth for me then?” asked Melissa. 

Adam reluctantly conceded. “Quarter of a million. How I'm going to
explain you though is something else.” 

“A quarter of a million,” she moaned... “Make it half a million and you
have a deal?” 

Adam's troubled mind was working overtime. “Okay, but you say nothing of
who you are. You're a business acquaintance, have you got that?” 

“Adam, your champagne is going flat. Aren't you going to introduce us?”
asked Calandria. 

“Calandria, this is Melissa, a business associate. Melissa, this is
Calandria.” 

“A business associate? How come she is on this cruise?” asked the Greek
beauty. 

“Come on back to our table, Calandria and I'll explain.” 

“Won't you join us, Melissa?” prompted Calandria. 

“No she's...” 

“I'd love to... I'll just powder my nose first. I love champagne.” 

The couple returned to their table. “So what's going on, Adam?” quizzed
Calandria. 

“I was going to tell you... The meeting wasn't planned until later on in
the week, but what the hell... Calandria, I want you to listen 
carefully. The entire Knossos project could depend on that woman. I 
want you to pretend you're a prospective sponsor. You see, if you can 
convince her you're about to donate a large sum of money to the 
project, then there's a good chance she will follow. We need to 
convince her that the dig has much potential.” 

“Are you serious? Who is she?” 

“She's a rich widower who has money to burn, and she's a lover of
archaeology. “ 

“I don‘t know Adam; you know how I feel about dishonesty.” 

“Please, Calandria,” he pleaded, as he eyed the returning fiery redhead.


The content redhead sat opposite the couple. “Ah that‘s better. Now for
that champers... Pour please Adam,” Melissa demanded, holding out her 
glass. 

Adam spoke. “Yes, Calandria, as I was telling you, Melissa is also
considering donating a sum towards the dig at Knossos.” 

Melissa raised her eyebrow and sneered at her deceitful husband.
Calandria spoke. “I've seen your work and am impressed, therefore I'm 
willing to make a donation of say, one hundred thousand pounds.” 

Adam appeared pleased. “Well that's very generous of you. I'm sure your
involvement will be well rewarded.” 

“How?” asked Melissa. 

Adam looked towards her and wished that he could pull that irritating
eyebrow from her face. “Pardon?” 

“How will her involvement be rewarded? If I'm to donate such a sum, what
will I get for my money?” She removed a silver cigarette box from her 
handbag and offered one to her associates, which they both declined. 
Adam watched in horror as she lit the cigarette with the silver 
engraved lighter that he had given her on her birthday. The words stood 
out as he gazed upon it. To Melissa, love Adam. She rubbed her fingers 
along the lighter teasingly and blew out a plume of smoke towards the 
ceiling, before placing the lighter on the table next to Calandria. 

He loosened his tie and felt the perspiration running down his face,
inwardly harbouring dreams of reaching across the table and throttling 
the cow. 

“Well, what do I get?” asked Melissa. 

“Em, of course you get to be named as a founder of the dig, and you'll
no doubt be featured in many magazines, portrayed as a generous woman, 
if that is your wish.” 

Melissa rolled her eyes. “Is that it? If I put in the big bucks then I
expect to get something more rewarding out of it, if you get my 
meaning?” 

Adam scowled at her, as it was apparent that she was enjoying seeing him
squirm. “This is not a money making venture, but I'm sure a little 
trinket would not go amiss, seeing as we're sitting on a potential 
goldmine,” he smiled. 

Calandria slammed down her glass on the table. “Mr Tobias! That is an
outrage. I was under the impression that everything unearthed at 
Knossos would be handed over to the Greek Archaeology Service to 
exhibit in the museum?” 

He narrowed his eyes at her, realising that she was overplaying her
role. He dabbed his glistening forehead with his initialled 
handkerchief, the complicated scenario obviously affecting him. 

“Officially it does, but a little trinket would be just reward for our
enterprise.” 

He felt a foot rubbing against his, and he blushed, attempting to
conceal his apparent embarrassment. The foot climbed higher towards his 
groin, and he swallowed his champagne greedily. Calandria was obviously 
enjoying her role more than he thought. 

He looked into the eyes of Melissa and she blew smoke into his face,
which was one of his pet hates. He coughed and felt another foot 
massage his leg, this time belonging to the redhead. 

Adam, in an attempt to conclude the meeting spoke up. “Well our business
is concluded. If you'd hand me your cheques before the end of the 
voyage, I'll be most grateful.” 

“How grateful, Mr Tobias,” asked Melissa, emphasising the word Tobias. 

He accepted that she would never forgive him for changing his surname.
He looked towards Calandria who was glowering at Melissa. This was 
getting out of hand. 

“May I have a receipt please?” asked Melissa. 

“What?” 

She winked. “A receipt saying I'm a partner in the enterprise. That's of
course if you trust me to give you the cheque later.” He offered her a 
bogus smile and removed his pen from his inside pocket. She passed him 
over a notebook from her handbag and he scribbled away. 

“And I'm sure Calandria would like a receipt too,” insisted Melissa. 

He nodded and complied with her wish, after all, it was not for real. He
once more felt the offending feet rubbing against his groin and rose 
up, revealing to all his bulging embarrassment. The women laughed in 
unison, watching an elderly woman gasp at his predicament. Adam left 
the table and headed for the bar, several smirks directed towards him 
when he tried to conceal his erection. 

Adam reached his cabin about midnight, expecting Calandria to be asleep.
The more he drank, the more he felt satisfied with the day's unexpected 
events. Things had turned out not too bad after all, and he had handled 
himself admirably. 

He slipped off his trousers and staggered into the dressing table,
putting a finger up to his mouth. “Shhh!” He switched on the light and 
the sight that greeted him almost sobered him up. 

Calandria and Melissa were lying in each other's arms, as naked as the
day they were born. They sat up and smiled at the bemused intruder. 

“What is the meaning of this? Calandria, how could you?” 

“Doesn't it turn you on, Adam? Two of your wives naked in bed together?”
teased Melissa. 

“You know?” gasped Adam. 

Calandria giggled and nuzzled Melissa's neck “Give us some credit you
moron; of course we know.” 

“You do? But...” 

The two women kissed and faced their tormentor. 

Melissa giggled. “Sit down Adam; I'm sure you'll need a seat after what
you're about to hear.” 

He slumped into the chair and Melissa continued. “After you left me, I
grieved for a while, until I realised that I didn't love you. I wanted 
to get back at you in any way I could and hired a private investigator 
to track you down. All roads led to Athens, but that's as far as it 
got... It made sense you being there, as you're obsessed by old 
ruins... Anyway, I flew to Athens and was about to give up, when I saw 
your loathsome, pathetic face staring up at me from a newspaper stand. 
You, in your arrogance had chosen to be interviewed in an 
archaeological magazine, and I read of your venture in Crete. That is 
when I met Calandria and fell in love.” 

“What? You're, you're l...l...les...?” 

“Lesbians? What's a matter, can't you say it? We're lovers, and with
Calandria, I found what real love was. Anyway, that's another story... 
We came up with an elaborate plot to hurt you, and the only way to do 
so was hit you where it hurts, in the wallet. I knew you would be only 
too willing to accommodate Calandria, and she had no trouble in 
seducing you. The rest is history.” 

Adam squirmed as the two women again kissed. “Whoa! I don't
understand... What have you gained from this? Okay, I lose two wives; I 
can live with that.” 

Melissa grinned. “You don't understand do you? Your arrogance prompted
you to divulge to Calandria just how much you're worth. So what we 
require from you is two and a half million pounds.” “Ah! Do you think 
I'm stupid?” 

Melissa manoeuvred the sheets to purposely expose the breasts of the two
women, before continuing. “Yes I do. Stupid for thinking you could walk 
out on me, and stupid for letting your ugly mug be displayed on the 
front of the magazine. Also, stupid for believing that Calandria could 
love you.” 

“But she put her family through the marriage. Her name will be disgraced
and she'll not be allowed a divorce.” 

Melissa continued. “Oh, but she's not legally married to you is she, as
we never divorced? You're a bigamist, you bastard... Now you have a 
decision to make. You hand us over the two and a half million and 
Calandria will remain married to you, separated of course, but I'm sure 
the money will more than compensate for her sorrow.” 

“And if I don't?” 

“Well I'm not certain the length of a prison sentence in Greece for
bigamy, but I 'm sure it ‘l be long. I'm not a greedy woman; I'll leave 
you with ample funds to live comfortably. Let's say fifty thousand 
pounds.” 

Adam was enraged. “You cow! Why don't you castrate me while you're
here?” 

Melissa smirked. “Oh, and one more thing I forgot to mention. You now
have two partners.” 

“No way! I'll give you the money, but Knossos is mine!” 

“We have receipts to say otherwise... I'm not an unreasonable woman.
I'll tell you what; sell us your share of the project and you‘ll never 
see us again.” 

“Never! Absolutely not.” 

“Then you have two new partners.” 

“Those receipts mean nothing.” 

“Really? Shall we let a court decide?” smiled Melissa. 

There was a respite in communication before Adam spoke. “How did you
know what was going to happen in the dining room?” 

Calandria spoke for the first time. “We didn't. We only intended to take
your money, but as things turned out, Melissa saw the opportunity to 
take something from you that is dear to your heart.” 

“But I don't understand. Why go through with the fiasco in the dining
room? Why didn't you just get straight to the point?” 

“Because I wanted to see you squirm,” interrupted Melissa. “The more the
conversation progressed, the more you dug yourself into a hole... We 
revelled in your misery.” 

“And the feet beneath the table?” he quizzed. 

The women looked to each other and laughed. “Seeing someone being
tortured is an aphrodisiac Adam. You're a greedy and ruthless man, and 
I can't find it in my heart to pity you. In the end Adam, your vanity 
betrayed you. Now if you'll be so kind, put the light out on your way 
out.” 


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