At The Villa Ch 25 Lydia.
Sam's Athens Christmas Visit.
"Note:- Before one start reading the "At The Villa" series, you have to read the 2 episodes "On The Boat", Chapters 1 and 2 where Sam was seduced by Olympia, who had the hidden Agenda; followed by "After the Boat Trip. Then it should be followed by "At The Villa" Series. The first stories I wrote with Sam as the protagonist were "Unforgettable Sexual Encounters" Chapter 1 to 11. These stories are the follow up of "At The Villa" stories."
The harvest was bounty and Sam had to employ a young guy to help him harvest the olives. He found a guy of about twenty three years old whose name was Antonis. Officially he had a full time job in one of the island's hotels, but off season he had a lot of spare time. Most of the hotels on the Greek islands usually close down during the winter months. Naturally the workers work the same number of hours as if they had worked during a year of twelve months. Therefore they enjoy a four to five months holidays, which on many occasions they use it diligently.
Antonis was a very good handy man as that was how he was employed in the hotel where he worked. Sam was happy to have him at least for the five months or so during the low season as he can do a lot of repairs. He liked gardening and so he gave a hand to Sam to keep the garden in order. Living on an island surrounded by the sea was another of his fascinations. With the sea kicking on the rocks and the fish jumping, Antonis loved to go fishing in his off season spare time. Unfortunately he could not afford to buy a small boat but Sam had one; therefore it was a very good combination.
Antonis was not only good at a lot of things but also managed to hook a beautiful young lady, who was about two years younger. Adriana barley knew per parents as they had died in a car accident when she was about five yeas old. Fortunately on that dreadful evening the young lady was left at home with her unmarried auntie, who ended to assume the role of a mother after the loss her sister.
She looked after her as if it was her own daughter and even sacrificed everything to make sure, that her niece would grow up healthy and educated. She managed to achieve all that as she dedicated her life to her and Adriana appreciated all the sacrifices her auntie, whom she always called mum, did for her.
The worries for her auntie started as soon as she reached and passed the teenage years. At least she was pleased that Adriana did not start going out with boys earlier. She was over twenty years old when she started dating Antonis, behind her auntie's knowledge.
At first her auntie started to get worried and just watched from a distance, but then she had to take some action. Living on a small island, scandals are blown up beyond anybody's imagination. She confronted Adriana and made sure that she knew all she had to know; and importantly about what may and what may not happen. She also put in some rules and she also gave Antonis a few rules by which he had to abide; when they can meet, where to go and at what time she had to be, back home. Naturally Antonis was not so happy about the new restrictions, but he loved Adriana for her personal qualities, which in his opinion, he was lucky in meeting her.
The olive harvest was ready and Sam and Antonis spent a couple of days at sea. They were very lucky because the catch was more than enough for a month. It was an enjoyable experience for Sam as there was not only the satisfaction of the catch but he also got to know Antonis better.
Middle of the first week of November, Prodromos, his next door neighbour arrived at Sam's villa, unexpectedly. He was in his mid sixty's, but looked rather fragile for his rather young age. They rarely met, but Sam had always invited him and his daughter Athina to spend Christmas day with him.
His wife had passed away when his daughter was only twelve years old. She never married and dedicated her life to look after her father, whom she knew he was sick; even though he tried to keep the actual cause concealed from her.
Athina never asked about her father's health problems as she knew that he would be hurt. She knew it was something which had to do with his heart. Her only worry was her cousin Kristos, whom she was sure on her father's demise she will loose the Garden the house, not to mention the animals and anything else.
Originally Prodromos owned the whole garden before one of his nephew decided that Prodromos had too much property which he did not need. Kristos was the nephew's name. He was arrogant and was known as the black sheep of the family. One way or the other what he decides; most times, had to be accepted by the rest of the family, who were big as property dealers. They were involved in property businesses in most of Greece and the islands. Where they smell money one finds them there.
Sam welcomed Prodromos and invited him in the dinning room where they shared some drinks. 'So, first of all how do you feel?' Sam asked.
'Sam, I need some help and it will be rather urgent.' He put his hand inside his shirt and from there he pulled out a document. 'This is the 'Will'; the merciless 'Will' which states that when I die; my property can only be inherited by the first born male. I don't have a son, Sam, I have a daughter. You see; when I die my daughter will have nothing.' He described his situation nearly crying, while he handed the document over to Sam.
'Have you tried to get a public notary?' Sam asked. 'Ohh! By the way, how is Athina?'
'She's ok. But I know she's worried about my health, although we are both scarred to discuss the issue.'
'What's the problem? I believe that she should know how you feel.' Sam tried to get Prodromos feelings.
'I don't like to hurt her; we are too close and I think both of us avoid talking about the problem. The big problem is, how to change that 'Will' so my daughter could inherit what is ours, by right. This is my main problem Sam.'
Prodrome, relaxed drinking the water he asked for, gave Sam the time to read it without interrupting him. 'Prodrome, I will read it again and we will meet again tomorrow. I have friends and I may fix something; but I don't promise anything. Who wrote this document seems to be looking just at the money.'
Sam and Prodromos chatted for a few more minutes before he left. He really wanted to say something more to Sam, but he decided maybe next time. There was one thing he felt; some relief. He believed in Sam and he was sure Sam will find something that can change the 'Will'.
Sam went through the four page document in a few minutes. He read it about three times while he analyzed every word. He also wrote some notes down on a piece of paper. At the end of the whole exercise he looked satisfied. By early afternoon he had made four different versions of the 'Will'. In a way it was very straight forward, except for reasons unknown, there were too many contradictory clauses. Sam managed to bypass some, while he found those which gave him the opportunity to write a new and decent 'Will'. In the end the 'Will' will recognise Athina, as the main heir of the property; and all that is within the boundary, with all rights that she can do what she liked with it.
On Sam's insistence, his lawyer and one of his associate and the public notary were invited over to Sam's villa to discuss the matter of that controversial 'Will'. They all came over and after a short chat, Sam presented the original 'Will'. The newcomers immediately jumped as they saw the first pages of the 'Will'.
'Sam for reasons unknown, this document should not be changed in any way.' The notary immediately intervened.
'Let's cut the shit. There is hidden or rather a couple of words which oppose all what you are saying. I made four different versions, and when you read them, you can tell me who is right or who is wrong?' Sam wanted a right answer as he passed the new versions, both to his lawyer and the notary.
Minutes passed and the two guests had gone through the four documents. When they were ready, first they looked at each other, and then at Sam. It seemed that they had no answer. If they did, they knew that their company will loose the handsome monthly retainer Sam paid them, for their services.
'Sam; it could be, that both of us are wondering, if you had studied law?' The Lawyer very politely asked.
'If you want a sincere answer; it is no.' Sam answered. 'Why?'
'Because we had another query regarding this 'Will' but we could not arrive at what you had uncovered yourself. I'm sorry Sam, for a few legal corrections here and there; you had done a fantastic job. So what do you want now?' The notary asked.
'Tomorrow morning I will come to your offices and there we will sign the revised version of this 'Will'. This should be kept as discreet as it could be. Then I want you to be very discreet when you register it here on the island; in Athens and in Thessaloniki, again I insist very discreetly.' Sam described precisely what he wanted done.
'That may cost quit a bit of money Sam; you know what I mean.' The notary said.
'That should not be a problem; as the discretion is more important than the money. Make sure that you keep the details of the guys who register them. Do we have a deal, gentleman? If you do it right, you will also get a bonus.' Sam tried to make sure that they really understood precisely, what he had in mind.
'Who is going to forge the money?' The lawyer asked.
'Does it matter who? You just present the bill and you will be paid; partly in cash. Please don't ask any more questions.'
'So it's agreed.' The notary said.
'Be here tomorrow morning with the new write up of the 'Will' by nine. Make sure there will be no fucking around.' Sam again insisted that they will leave no tails.
