Story

Summer Love

Part 1-Portugal

I’m here to tell my story. I’m sixty-five years old. I’ve had it all, and I’ve lost it all. Times change, and nothing is as it was. In my time, only a few would get together for love. Family, and above all, wealth mattered more than any feeling or emotion. Only the poor had the gift of choosing. I belonged to the wealthy part of the average society, and so I was destined to someone I didn’t love. So I decide to leave everything behind and run. When I came clown to it I was all alone, in the alleys of the city with nothing, but the wish oh meeting someone and end my loneliness. I got a job as a servant of a rich family. And that’s when I meet her.

She was pale, with a soft skin, like a snow-flake, with long blond curly hair that shined just like gold. And her eyes… oh, those big blue eyes that penetrate, and dazzled me. I’m loving her since the first time I saw her!

I couldn’t resist, even thought the moral tried to matter.

While she was there by the window, I would flirt (how they say these days) with her, and think about how god would crucify me for my inappropriate thoughts.

It was sin. Sin I tell you!

I couldn’t resist, I dared as the liberal boy I was.

I started to meet the young lady behind everyone back and I felt the biggest happiness I’ve ever felt, she loved me back. It was love!

Love, but not just it, it was madness, I desired her, I wanted her, to touch her and live it like there was no tomorrow. If it had been today, it would be different and I would have had the opportunity of living the moments of pleasure I’ve always longed for.

Her body was sweet, I wanted it, but I couldn’t, no! I could never challenge that white beard man that always watched her and stopped her from being mine, from loving me so completely, and from living freely! I decided to leave a flower in her bedroom. A red rose, burning like what I felt. I was afraid, I feared her reaction, when she came to me I didn’t knew what to wait. But she kissed me, and grabbed me in a warm hug, that joined our bodies. It made us look so light, like if we could fly.

We were taking it slow, step by step. During the day it was all professional, I was the waiter, and she, the lady, but in the end of the afternoon it was love. We used to take long walks by the lake, on the beach… but it didn’t last long. It was one of the very afternoons in the park where we were taking a walk, and the old family “chef”, Joseph, followed us and found it out.

It was over! It was the end. I was fired and my poor Elizabeth was forced to marry.

I travelled, and didn’t want to face the truth. From London to Portugal. New lands, new languages, new people.

I got a job, much like the last one, in the house of an English family that soon teached me Portuguese…


Part 2-Greece

They say that time heals. Not always. I never forgot Elizabeth, no matter how good life I had in Portugal.

Sitting by the pool, under the warm rays of the Greek sun, my mind is drifting back in time. I remember the day I received a telegram from London, 18 years after leaving my birth town for good. I had lost every contact with my family and the telegram was a great surprise, since it was sent by my mother. Her brother had passed away, my dear uncle Harry, leaving all his fortune to me, as I was his beloved nephew. The lawyers did all the arrangements. I didn’t want to travel back in England, but there was a trip I couldn’t avoid. I had inherited a small hotel in Crete, the Greek island that my uncle had loved from the days he had served in the secret services of the Allies, there during the Second World War. I had to go there and decide what to do with it.

I couldn’t imagine myself leaving Portugal. I had loved that country and its people. Although no woman had managed to make me forget Elizabeth, I was in love with the smiling and warm people of Lisbon.

The trip to Crete and finally to the south-eastern part of it, where the hotel was located, lasted too long. I was so tired when I arrived to Koutsounari that all I wanted was to go to sleep. But the view from the hotel was breathtaking. Built on a hill, facing a long sandy beach and looking at the infinite blue of the Libyan sea... I stayed there, breathing the salty air, listening nothing but the cicadas, I felt that this was the place I could live for the rest of my life.

I met Manos a few days later, after having taken the decision to keep the hotel and run it on my own. I knew about management, as my employer back in Portugal had given me the opportunity to study while working. I owed so much to him! I had so much money now that I didn’t need to work at all, but I wanted that hotel and I also wanted to keep my relation with Portugal. So, during summer I would be living in Crete and during winter I would be back in Portugal. I had my friends there, so many years of good living that I wouldn’t like to exclude from my future. Manos was my assistant, a young man that I had initially hired for barman but he was so clever that soon he was helping me in everything concerning the hotel. I trusted him, although he was just 19 years old. He was reminding me of myself!

Manos was a handsome young Cretan, with green eyes and dark hair. He was very popular among the young female tourists and taking advantage of his looks, he was often having sexual relations with them. Since they wanted him, why to refuse? Her mother was telling him to be careful with those blond tourists. “Take precautions Manos. Don’t let any girl pregnant!”, she was telling to him. Manos was laughing. He knew what he should do.

It was late August when Christine arrived. She was 17 years old, blond as the shining moon, pretty as the colours of the sky in the sunset, with the smile of an angel. That’s what Manos thought when he saw her for the very first time.

One day, he talked to me about her. She had a strange impact on him. He was not only attracted by her but he wanted to protect her, take care of her. And the weirdest of all was that for a week now they had never talked to each other. All day long, all he could think of, was her. He knew that she wouldn’t stay longer than one more week and he couldn’t though do anything to approach her. For the first time in his life he didn’t know how to deal with his feelings for a woman. Was he in love?

It was Sunday evening and an informal beach-party had begun. There was a fire burning in the middle and most residents of the hotel were sitting around, listening to Giorgos, the receptionist, who was playing the guitar. Manos was there, sitting by chance opposite Christine. They were exchanging glances all the time. Manos took the guitar and started playing a love song, looking at Christine. It was late midnight and the happy gathering was about to split, when one of the men approached Christine and started teasing her. She was annoyed but he insisted. Manos got furious and asked him to leave her alone. He was drunk and he pushed Manos back violently. They started fighting and two more drunk men came against Manos, who was very strong though and managed to make them go away. His lips were bleeding and Christine offered to help him, thanking him for his support. As she was cleaning the blood from his face, he was staring at her and she felt that those green eyes of his were penetrating her soul.

Next morning, Christine was looking for Manos. She wanted to thank him once more for the previous night. She found him by the pool and sat next to him. They had a coffee and talked like knowing each other for a long time- an astonishing feeling in their acquaintance. They arranged a date for an evening walk at the beach. For the following days no one could separate them. Even when Manos was working at the bar, Christine was there. The days were passing by and Manos knew that soon she would have to leave. He couldn’t accept the idea. He asked her to stay with him. Christine wanted that young man. Her friends were teasing her for not having sexual relations yet, but she
wanted to fall in love first and she was refusing so far to have sex. For her, emotions were counting more. And now she wanted Manos, but she was also afraid to show it to him. She didn’t want him to think that she was like the female tourists that were chasing him all the time.

Last night of her stay in Crete, they went to the beach. It was a full moon and the sea was so calm that Christine wanted to swim. Under the moonlight they dived, but soon Christine got afraid of the darkness of the water and came into Manos’ hug. They kissed ...and kissed...and kissed and everything around them started to disappear. There were only them and their love....no thoughts...no worries...nothing but them....their bodies...their desire....

Christine left. Manos went desperate. Every night they were on the phone and their heart was trembling on anticipation to hear each other’s voice. Two months later, Christine realized she was pregnant. She got panicked and told him about it. He was surprised by the news but he wanted her and he proposed to marry her. Christine talked to her mother, who went crazy about it. Christine was too young to become a mother and Manos was an unknown man, living so far away. He wasn’t wealthy either. She was so angry! Why should her own daughter meet the same fate, a forbidden love, like the one she had experienced in her youth? Now things were worse, because there was a pregnancy too. Elizabeth was desperate. Her daughter, Christine wanted that man, she wanted that baby but it seemed so wrong! She needed time to think what to do and in the meantime she forbade Christine to phone Manos again.

Manos had no doubt about what to do. He was in love with Christine, she wanted him, so they should get married. If her mother didn’t approve this marriage, he didn’t care. He would do what Cretan men used to do in such cases: “steal” Christine. He had my support in this. When I learnt the whole story, I told him that money was not a problem for him. I made him a partner in the hotel-business and told him that from now on he could consider me as his father, since his real father was dead. Everything I owned would become his someday. I had no kids of my own and it was time for me to help someone who reminded me so intensely of my own youth.

Manos kissed me before leaving for London and asked me for my blessing. He was going to meet Christine and “kidnap” her. At the same time, Elizabeth was kissing Christine good-bye. She was about to travel to Greece, find and meet this man named Manos and learn about him and his intentions. Christine would stay with her aunt, under strict restrictions.



Part 3-Poland

The next morning Manos arrived in London. Even though he was exhausted, he started looking for Christine and Elizabeth. After two hard days he finally found Christine’s address, so he immediately went there. Manos was very nervous. He didn’t know what he should do, how to behave during the meeting with Christine’s mother. He knew that she would never let them get married. He was waiting for a few hours before he decided to get into the house.


Manos knocked, the door was opened by a woman. She was quite old with long, curly, black hair and she didn’t take after Christine on no account. Manos started explaining who he was, and what was he doing there. The woman disrupted him and she invited him into the living room.

While Manos was explaining everything, Christine came into the room. When she saw him, she started screaming. She couldn’t believe her eyes. He could see her beautiful, big, green eyes which he loved so much. They were hugging and kissing like that unforgettable night when they were alone on the beach. They felt their hearts beating. The woman stopped it and said: ‘Manos, I’m not Christine’s mother. She went to your hotel, because she wanted to meet you. I’m her aunt, I love Christine and I can see that you love her too, so I will help you. I hope, you’re a sensible and a mature man. I have a great idea! I will let you go to Creta with Christine in spite of Elizabeth’s ban. There, you’ll meet her mother and you should talk with her and explain everything.’

‘Thank you auntie so much! I love you! You’re fantastic, and, don’t worry about us. Everything’s gonna be OK!’ ,Christine said gratefully.

Christine went upstairs, because she had to pack her bags. At the same time Manos was relaxing on the sofa and he was talking with Christine’s aunt. When she finished packing her bags, her aunt kissed her before leaving for Creta. She wished them a lot of happiness.

The next day they were on Creta. When they arrived to the hotel, Elizabeth was waiting for them in a hotel’s cafe. She knew about the things which happened the day before, because Christine’s aunt called her and told her everything.

‘Good evening Mrs. Elizabeth, I’m Manos, I don’t ...’, manos started his sentence. ‘I wish I didn’t let you get married’, her mother disrupted him. ‘Christine, you know that I love you so much, but I’m afraid that you’ll make the same mistakes that I did. Fortunately, I understand that it’s your life and you can make a decision only on your own. I can’t impose you my opinions’, she continued. ‘Mum, I’m very happy. Thank you’, Christine whispered.

Christine and Elizabeth stayed with Manos on Creta, because he had the hotel there. After a few months Christine gave a birth to a sweet boy with brown skin, black hair and the same big, beautiful, green eyes as his mother had. They named him Max. Elizabeth loved her grandson very much, and she didn’t think the world of him.

Max grew up, everything was fantastic… but not for long...

One day, someone arrived at the hotel. It was a slim, tall and very beautiful woman. She looked like an angel and she was the fulfillment of every man’s dream. Her skin was spotless, just perfect, her sight was flirtatious. Men couldn’t resist her. She went to the reception. She was wearing a short, tight-fitting, red dress.

‘Hi, I’m Pati, and I’m looking for Manos. Where can I meet him?’, she asked. ‘He’s gone for a walk with Christine’, the answer was. ‘Christine? Who is she?’, she continued. ‘It’s his wife’, she said with her gentle voice. ‘His wife?!?! But I.... Never mind. When can I talk with him?’, Pati asked. ‘Now. Look. He has just come’, said Elizabeth.

‘Hi Manos, do you remember me?’, she asked. ‘Pati ?! When... Why... What are you doing here?’, Manos was wondering. ‘Who is she, Manos?’, Christine asked. ‘Christine, please take Max to our room. He looks sleepy. I have to talk with Pati. I’ll be back in a few minutes’, said Manos looking at Christine. ‘No. Christine should stay and listen to it. It’s important’, Pati said. ‘What’s the matter?’, Christine asked. ‘So.. it’s a long story... I was here on holiday about three years ago. I fell in love with Manos. It’s normal, he is very handsome and certainly he took advantage of that situation. I remember that day, it was late Friday afternoon, we were on the beach, we were kissing.... and...’. ‘Please STOP! It was three years ago!’, Manos shouted. ‘Yes... but I have a son with you! Mados my son needs a father! You must be responsible for your exploits’, Pati said.



Part 4-Romania

Christine was shocked. She could not believe her ears. She had felt the same; she had fallen in love, too. She wondered: “How could I have been so stupid?!” Manos looked at Christine. He was crying: “Don’t believe her, please. It is not true, pumpkin.” Christine could say nothing. She felt disappointed. All she wanted to do was to take Max and go away….leave for good and never come back. At that moment, Manor asked her once again to believe him, to trust him because he had never loved another woman. His tears were rolling down his cheeks while hugging Christine. Christine pushed Manor aside: “Go away. Be happy with your new family”. Christine left leaving Manor and Pati behind. She did not dare to have a last look at the man whom she loved madly.


Pati was a very beautiful woman. She felt victorious but still not happy. It was an uncontrolled feeling which made her feel sorry. She looked at Manor and told him to come and see his son. My son, Mados, wants to meet his father. While driving to Pati’s house he kept thinking of Pati and when she had met her. He could not remember the smell skin, her attitude and gestures. He did not remember anything…….but when he saw Mados he was shocked. Mados had wonderful blue eyes; deep as the sea…..he was handsome and fragile. He looked like Pedro. Manor knelt down Mados and hugged him: “Oh, my little Pedro!”

Pati kept quiet. She asked Manor: “Who is Pedro? I have never seen him in my life!”

Manor explained to Pati that Pedro was his twin brother and Mados age corresponds to the time Pedro came to Greece. Pedro and Manor had been separated since they were little. They had been raised by their mother’s grandmother their parents had died in a car accident. Pedro was adopted by one of the family friend who was very rich. He inherited all the fortune. Manor was abandoned in front of a house. They found out about each other by chance when Pedro had come to stay to our hotel. He was on holiday.

Pati was very surprised: “I can’t believe! It is indeed amazing. Now I have ruined your life, too. I am very sorry”. I could swear that it was you because you are so much alike. “Manor, tell me please where Pedro is. I must meet him and tell him the whole truth!”. “Unfortunately, Pati, my twin brother died in a car accident. He enjoyed life so much! He led an extravagant life….he liked to party and drink a lot. But as your son is my nephew he inherits all the fortune. I am the inheritor but now Mados is in charge of all Pedro’s wealth”.

Pati glanced at Manor. She felt sorry for having disturbed Manor and for having ruined his life. At that moment she told him: “Go to Christine. She loves you so much. I have to apologize to you and your son“.

Manor left Pati and Mados. He went home to talk to Christine, to hold her in his arms, to kiss her strongly and to taste her peachy lips. When he entered the house, he had a strange feeling. He kept on walking but suddenly he saw a pink note on the wooden table: “Manor, I love you but we cannot go on living like that. Enjoy your life with Pati”. Manos started to cry. He left quickly to the airport. He called me very quickly and told me that he needed help. He would not dare to call Elizabeth. He called me and we left in a hurry to the airport. Once we have arrived there we have looked at all the passengers. Max and Christine were nowhere. But while looking for them I saw Elizabeth. She was still beautiful. “Charming, indeed, I told to myself!”. We went towards her and in a moment Christine and Max arrived with the tickets holding in her hand. Manor went to them and hugged them deeply. Christine wanted to push him back but she wanted to feel once again the last warmth of his arms. Max climbed up into his father’s arms: “Daddy, come with us, please”. Manor told Christine the whole truth. They all started to cry. Elizabeth was happy and she kept saying:” I knew you would not disappoint me and my daughter”. We all left the airport together. I was in Elizabeth arms and Manor in Christine’s arms. And we all lived happily together.