Torn between two

Chapter 1

Dunya’s POV

It’s finally happening! Greece here I come!

I was so excited when I first heard that I got the job! When I saw the add online, I just thought to myself, why the hell not? I applied, had a facetime interview and a few days later I heard that I was accepted. I had a month to think about it, and think I did. It is a big decision! Moving to Greece all by myself! I would be leaving my whole life behind, everyone and everything I know.

Deep down, I already knew the answer. Of course, I would do it, why wouldn’t I? What was really even holding me back? I asked for my friend’s opinions and everyone was super supportive and excited for me! I have an adoptive brother, Markus, who doesn’t really give a rats-ass about me, and when I talked to him about it, his answer was basically go ahead. Not that it mattered what he thought, I mean we were never close, but we talked from time to time. Well, we were close as kids, but then he changed completely. He just said that I can do whatever I liked, so I did exactly that! I accepted the position!

This was just exactly what I have been craving for, a brand-new start on life. I knew, that it didn’t fix all my problems; like this deep feeling that I’m not where I’m supposed to be or that I’m just missing something big in life. You know, the usual existential crisis you come across in your life. But living in sunny and warm Greece was a hell of a start!

I’ve craved going to Greece for a while now, the culture, the history, the mythology, the food and I mean, they call handsome guys Greek gods for a reason. I liked living in Finland, don’t get me wrong. it’s a good country to live in, but I didn’t always feel at home there. Maybe it’s the fact, that I’m originally from Iran and I was adopted. I have lived over 20 years here in Finland and I’m glad to have called it home.

I was never bullied or discriminated by the fact that I was from Iran and looked the part. I’ve always been different than the average Finnish girl, with their blonde and straight hair, blue eyes and almond white skin. I’m almost the exact opposite. I have darker olive skin, dark brown naturally curly hair and dark brown eyes. I’m only 5’4 inches and I have an hourglass body that I'm really proud of, even though I’m not as fit as I’d like to be.

My exotic looks have always drawn many men, but somehow, I’ve never been in a serious relationship. I’ve always wanted to find someone and something more serious, but every guy I’ve ever been with wanted me for one thing; s*x.

I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me, am I too needy? Why wouldn't anyone want to be with me? Am I so annoying, or do I need to lose weight for them to want me? I could never figure that out... So, I stopped searching, I don’t need a man to be happy. I just need a new country, a new job and my pink little battery-charged friend.

*

My best friend Anna insisted on taking me to the airport, I have been crashing at her place for a week after giving my own apartment up. We’ve been best friends since high school, even though we lived in different cities and saw each other maybe four times a year, we always kept in touch. She has been like a sister to me, I can share my deepest and darkest secrets with her and vice versa. When life gets tough, she’s the shoulder I cry on. Which makes me leaving a little bit harder, but I know she’s there for me, even though we’re a few countries apart.

Anna and me finally stopped to take a breath. She had helped me carry my heavy big-ass luggage's to the check-in. Of course, I had to carry almost every piece of clothing that I had with me; I just hope the weight limit doesn’t go over.

“Älä unohda soittaa minulle joka viikko! Ja pidä pliis itsestäsi. Huolta!” (Don't forget to call every week! And please take care of yourself!) Anna said with teary eyes.

“Kyllä, kyllä, lupaan” (yes, yes, I promise) I said holding back my own tears, that just started to prickle my eyes. “Sanoit, ettet itke! En ole kuolemassa tai mitään. Se on vaan muutama tunnin päässä, ja sitäpaitsi, voit aina tulla käymään. Ja minä tulen käymään aina kun voin” (you said you wouldn’t cry! I’m not dying or anything. It’s only few hours away, and besides, you can always visit. And I will come to visit you whenever I can”

“Pitää mennä nyt, etten myöhästy lennolta!” (I have to go now, so I won't miss my flight!) I said wiping away the tears from my cheeks.

We continued to chat and say our goodbyes for a few minutes longer. We hugged each other probably for the hundredth time that day. Finally, when we were able to let go of each other, I went to check in.

*

Dunya’s POV



When I finally got to Greece two days ago, Toni (my supervisor) was waiting for me and my 6 other co-workers, who came on the same flight with me from Finland. He showed our apartments first, so we could leave all our belonging there and then we headed to the office to sign our contracts.

Rest of the day he showed us around Athens, we opened up a Greek bank account and got ourselves Greek telephone subscriptions so we could actually call one another. We exchanged our numbers and already formed a work text group.

We have four days for ourselves, till our work-training actually begins, so we all made plans to get to know each other and the city a little bit better. The first night, we hung around in our yard, just chatting and hanging. We all thought we’d go explore Athens night life the next day, since none of us had really been to the city before.

Me and two other co-workers decided to spend the next day hitting shopping malls before hitting the nightlife, since you know; a girl can’t have enough clothes. Tiina and Minna wanted to come shopping with me, while the rest just wanted to lay on the beach all day, so we made plans to meet in front of the building at 10 am. We googled the nearest shopping center which was Metro mall and went there by a taxi.

It took us a good 3 hours to finally find something good for clubbing. By the time we were done, I was so hungry that I was being grumpy. We quickly searched for a restaurant, and went to eat lunch. I got a chicken salad, because I didn’t want to bloat like a balloon for tonight. I wanted to look hot in my new clothes, even though that was impossible for me with all of this extra weight.

After our late lunch, we just walked around. We spotted this cute café by the docks and went in. I got a text from Anna and read it while I walked inside. Next thing I know, I bump into a wall. I looked up, obviously ashamed for being so clumsy and not looking at my surrounding, and I noticed it wasn’t a wall at all, but a giant man towering over me.

I apologized immediately “hups, anteeks”. I facepalmed myself right when I realized that I said it in Finnish. “I mean I’m sorry” I said and looked up at him. And I’m not kidding, I took a few steps back, so I could see his face properly. Our eyes met and I just stared at him with an open mouth.

He was gorgeous! So handsome! He had tan skin, intense ocean blue eyes, short ash brown hair that was combed back with gel and an extremely worked up body. He looked mouth-watering yummy in his plain white t-shirt, that hugged his body perfectly, accentuating his muscles and dark denim jeans. His sunglasses were hanging from his neckline, their weight pulling his shirt down just enough to see his mildly hairy chest. Every inch of this man was picture perfect, he looked like he was too good to be true.

I was drawn to him immediately, I got lost in his eyes, it was almost as if time had stood still. It felt like we’d been staring at each other for years. I had to literally shake myself to get back to the real world, I cleared my throat which felt like someone had fed me sand and tried to open my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. My heart had started pounding like crazy and I could feel my cheeks burning up under this Gods gaze.

I almost wanted to stay and talk to him, but sudden realization hit me. There’s no way a man like that is interested in me, I looked like a fat kid next to him. I closed my mouth before drool dropped out of it and walked quickly back to my friends after saying sorry to him once more. He was almost blocking the whole entrance, but I barely snuck in from his side.

I was so embarrassed that I just bumped into such a handsome man. I mean, of course I would’ve been embarrassed no matter who it was, but this one stung a little more. I found Tiina and Minna by the counter and they were gawking with their mouths open at the guy and probably the whole situation. They didn’t even notice me when I got to them.

“Tuo oli ehkä nolointa, mitä mulle on käynyt” (That was maybe the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me) I said my cheeks burning red and my heart pounding out of my chest.

“Herran Jumala miten kuuma mies!” (oh my god what a hot guy) Tiina said still with an open mouth. “Se jäi tuijottamaan sun perään, mikset jäänyt juttelee?” (He’s still staring at you, why didn’t you stay and talk to him) she continued while still gawking his way.

“Way out of my league. Ei noin kuuma jätkä, voi olla mitenkään kiinnostunut mun näköisestä naisesta” (There’s no change that a hot guy like that is interested in a woman like me) I said rolling my eyes.

“Mitä sä selität, sä oot upee nainen! Mee juttelee sille!” (What are you talking about, you’re a gorgeous woman! Go and talk to him!) Minna said to me with a furrowed brow.

I mean I knew I was pretty and that my hourglass body always caught the attention of men, especially my big boobs, but there was no way that this God of a man, would find me that attractive. He probably stared at me because I walked straight into him.

With a little bit of hope, that he was actually interested I looked back at door, but he was nowhere to be found. Even though I knew there was not a chance, it still stung to be “rejected” by him, if that makes any sense.

I just shrugged my shoulders and went to order a matcha latte. Back to reality I guess.