Gods amongs us-part XXII
Nora was a few meters away from the museum when she saw Mark standing right outside. He looked stunning. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a blue shirt that made his eyes even brighter.
He saw her approaching and took a deep breath. A Goddess, the familiar voice came back in his head.
“Hi” she said smiling
“Hi Nora” he replied.
“Apologies for being late” she said.
“Don’t apologize” he said and kissed her hand.
“Shall we?” she said
“Yes” he said and they headed towards the museum.
The rest were watching from a distance.
“So, this is how our brother looks like in this lifetime” Amy said.
“Father to some of us” Lilly commented.
“Handsome” Mary noted.
“Is funny how they are always a match” Kate said. “After all the fights, all the cheating, she keeps falling for him, every time, on every lifetime!”
“He is falling for her as well!" Phil said. “Anyway, we can go now, but keep in mind that we have to split into teams. Amy, Kate and myself one team, James, Lilly, Sarah and Tony another one and Mary, Alex and Kevin will be the third team. Make yourselves visible, make sure he sees you. Don't say anything to Nora. Just pass by them.”
“Yes sir” Alex said, making a military salute and everyone laughed.
The museum was crowded. A lot of people waited to get a ticket.
“I have the tickets, Mark said, no need to wait in the queue.”
“Awesome” Nora said.
“You look beautiful” he said and held her hand.
Nora looked at their hands. Suddenly a warm breeze passed by them. Nora took a deep breath. They are here, she thought.
It was the first time in this lifetime that they were all together at the same place.
She smiled at him
“Thank you” she said.
They entered the museum and looked around.
They joined a group of people that had a tour guide hired and at that point that they joined the tour guide was explaining the meaning of the statue that was in frond of them.
“I never thought you would do a VIP tour in a museum” Nora told him.
Mark smiled.
“As I said, I don’t know anything about Greek mythology, so I could use some help.”
Oh you know more than you think, Nora thought.
Lilly, Tony, Sarah and James passed by. Made eye contact with Nora and they looked at Mark. Mark saw them but he followed the group and did not pay any attention to them. OK, let’s see what happens with the next ones, Nora thought.
The group stopped in front of a painting showing the battle between the Titans and the Gods.
“In Greek mythology, the Titanomachy was a ten-year series of battles fought in Thessaly, consisting of most of the Titans (an older generation of Gods, based on Mount Othrys) fighting against the Olympians (the younger generations, who would come to reign on Mount Olympus) and their allies. This event is also known as the War of the Titans, Battle of the Titans, Battle of the Gods, or just the Titan War. The war was fought to decide which generation of Gods would have dominion over the universe; it ended in victory for the Olympian Gods." The tour guide explained.
Mark could not take away his eyes of the painting. Battle, Titans, Gods, a Goddess, the voice was still in his head.
Nora was observing him. He touched his forehead.
“Is everything OK?” Nora asked him by touching his shoulder
Mark looked at her hand. A battle, he kept thinking. Gods, Titans, what the hell?
“Mark?” Nora said again.
Mark looked at her eyes.
“Ahm yes, yes I am fine, just a headache that is all.”
“Would you like to go out for a while? To take some fresh air?” Nora asked.
“No, I am fine, no need to miss the tour just because of a stupid headache” he said.
Nora smiled at him and looked at the painting once again.
Mary, Kevin and Alex approach them.
“Guys look, this is Zeus fighting against the Titans.” She said to Alex and Kevin.
Mark turned towards Mary looking surprised.
“Zeus you said?”
Nora and Alex looked at each other whilst Kevin was looking at Mark.
Mary looked at him.
“Yes, in the painting, Zeus, the King of Gods, fighting against the Titans.”
“I see” he said confused and turned on Nora. “Shall we follow the group? We will miss them if we don’t.”
“Yes, let’s go.” Nora said with a smile. She gave them a quick but meaningful glance, they smiled at each other and continued walking.
An hour later, Mark was impressed and at the same time relieved that the tour was over.
“How are you?” Nora asked him once they got out of the museum.
“Better now that we are outside” he said.
Phil, Amy and Kate came out of the museum and were trying to find Nora and Mark.
“There” Phil said and moved towards them.
“Nora” Phil said.
Nora and Mark turned on Phil.
“Phil” she said smiling and hugged him.
Phil looked at Mark.
“I know you, he said. Mark, right?”
Mark looked at him.
“Yes, you are right, he said. We met few months ago in front of the office.”
“Indeed. I was waiting for her actually” Phil explained.
“I see” Mark said.
Amy and Kate came closer.
“This is Amy and Kate” Phil said. “ And this is Mark. You know Nora already.”
All four nodded.
“Did you like the exhibition?” Nora asked them.
“Yes, quite informative, Amy said. I loved the statue of goddess Demeter.”
“Who?” Mark asked.
“Goddess Demeter, the goddess of the harvest and agriculture” Amy explained.
“Are you all interested in mythology?” Mark asked.
Nora smiled.
“We like the stories, as I told you” she said.
“I see that” Mark smiled as well.
“OK guys, apologies, but we need to go. Was nice seeing you again Mark” Phil said.
“Indeed, Mark said. Nice meeting you all” he said to the rest.
Once they were alone, Mark put his hand at Nora 's waist.
“Hungry?”
Nora looked at him.
“Starving” she said.
“I know the perfect restaurant and it is close by. Would you like to go?”
“Sure” she said and they started walking.
Mark was thinking. Zeus, Goddess, Gods, Titans, a battle he heard in his head.
Nora was observing him.
“Is everything OK?” She asked.
Mark looked at her.
“I think so” he said. “OK here we are” he said and he opened the door to the restaurant.
They went in and sat by the window.
“Mark?” They heard a voice.
Mark was surprised . He looked on his right and saw JJ starring at him. Oh no, he thought, what on earth is she doing here?
“JJ” he said, “What are you doing here?”
“I am working here, remember?”
“Of course, I just thought that you were not working during the weekend” Mark said.
“Usually not, JJ said, but I am replacing a colleague now.”
“I see” Mark said.
JJ looked at Nora.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” she said smiling
Mark looked at her.
“Of course, he said unwillingly. This is Nora Williams, Nora this is JJ Lawrence.”
“Nice meeting you” Nora said smiling whilst they were shaking hands.
“Likewise” JJ said. She turned on Mark.
“What are you doing here?”
“We went to the museum”
JJ looked at him surprised.
“YOU went to a museum?” she asked Mark.
Mark got bothered by that comment.
“Yes I went, he said in a dry manner. And now if you excuse us, we would like to order”
JJ was surprised by his behavior. Nora as well. They were both looking at him confused.
“Yes of course, JJ said. Will you please tell Anna that I will call her for the wedding preparation?”
Marks eyes got darker. Suddenly the sky turned grey.
Oh no Nora thought.
“I will” he said between his teeth.
“Thank you, JJ said. And also, I will come by your place as I need her to try a few dresses on, she will be my maid of honor” she said looking at Nora.
A lightning crossed the sky. Nora was worried. She touched Marks hand.
“Congrats” she said smiling.
“Thank you” JJ said.
Mark stood up and he was starring at her.
“You were leaving” he told her.
“Yes, have a great time you two.” She said. Then, she turned to Mark and whispered
“What is this?”
Mark looked at her and whispered back
“None of your damn business.”
What's wrong with him? she thought but she chose to remain silent. She turned and left.
Mark sat down. Great he thought.
“Is everything OK?” she asked him
NO he wanted to yell.
“Yes” he said out loud. “Let’s eat .”
The waiter came and they ordered the food.
“How is your fish?” He asked her
“Very good, she said. And your steak?”
“Also good. I told you, this restaurant it really good” he said.
Nora smiled at him.
“So, tell me, how come you are so into mythology?” he asked.
Nora smiled.
“I just like it, she replied. No specific reason”
“I see” he said thinking.
“Did you like the exhibition?” she asked
“Yes, he said. Very interesting.”
“Was there one person that you liked more?”
“You mean one God?”
Nora smiled
“Yes, she said. Or a scene, something that got your attention. Today we heard of a lot of people. Was anyone that you still remember his or her name?”
Mark gave some thought on it.
“Cronos” he finally said.
Oh daddy, Nora thought.
“Interesting” she said
“And Zeus” he continued
Of course she thought.
“OK she said. It seems as if you learned something today.”
He laughed.
“Well a whole new world opened in front of me.”
You have no idea how right you are about that she thought.
“I am happy for you” she said out loud.
At the same time, JJ called Niko.
“Niko, she said, we need to talk, NOW.”
Niko was surprised. What the heck happened he thought.
“Why? What happened? Are you OK?” he asked.
“I am fine, she said, but can you please come at my work?”
“Yes of course, Niko answered worried. In 15 min I'll be there.”
“Great” she said and hung up the phone.
Oh my God she thought. What is going on? Why is he out with her whilst Anna is at her parents’ house?
Suddenly her phone rung. She took a look in the screen and saw Anna’s name blinking. Oh no, she is the last person that I'd like to talk to she thought.
After a few more rings the phone stopped ringing.
JJ took a deep breath of relief. Few seconds later she received a message from Anna: ”Where are you? Is everything ok? I am calling Mark and he is not answering, I called home as well and no one is answering either and now I am worried...”
JJ took the phone. OK she thought, let’s have a call.
Anna answered at the first ring bell.
“JJ, she yelled in agony, is everything ok?”
“Yes yes everything is fine, JJ said. Sorry about earlier was a bit busy.”
Anna took a deep breath.
“Oh OK, I am sorry is just that I got worried. No one was answering” Anna said.
JJ tried to calm her down.
“There is nothing to worry about. We are fine! How are you? How are your parents?”
“I am fine and they are good as well. Apologies again, she said. I was just worried but I am happy that everything is fine”
JJ smiled.
“No worries, I just have to go now, a customer just walked in. When will you come back?”
“Monday evening” she said.
“Good, then I 'll see once you're back. Take care and greetings to your parents.”
“Thanks JJ, bye.”
JJ hung up the phone and was still looking at it. Mark, you idiot she said.
Niko came in the gallery worried.
“What happened?” he said and hugged her.
JJ hugged him back.
“Oh Niko” she said
“What?” Niko asked
“I saw him.”
“You saw whom?”
“I saw Mark with a woman”
Niko looked at her surprised.
“With Nora?” He asked.
`”You know her?” JJ asked him surprised.
“He told me about her but he also said that is nothing. Where have you seen them?”
“In the restaurant at the corner.”
“Mark, you fool” Niko yelled and shook his head.
“JJ, he finally said, Anna should not find out about this. At least not from us. If he wants to tell her that's on him, but we should not meddle. “
JJ nodded.
“Agreed” she said.
GR: Ο Μαρκ κοίταξε το τηλέφωνο του. Ήταν 2.15 και η Νόρα δεν ειχε φανεί ακόμη. Οκ σκεφτηκε μπορει να αργησει λιγο.
Η Νόρα ήταν μόλις λίγα μέτρα μακριά από το μουσείο όταν είδε τον Μαρκ να την περιμένει. Ήταν πολυ όμορφος. Φορούσε τζιν και μια μπλε μπλούζα που τόνιζε τα ματιά του.
Την είδε να πλησιάζει και αναστέναξε με ανακούφιση. Θεα η γνωστή πλέον φωνή επέστρεψε στο μυαλό του.
“Γεια” του είπε χαμογελώντας.
“Γεια σου Νόρα” απάντησε.
“Συγνωμη για την αργοπορία” ειπε.
“Δεν χρειάζεται να ζητάς συγνώμη” της είπε και της φίλησε το χέρι.
“Παμε;” ειπε η Νόρα.
“Ναι” της απάντησε και ξεκίνησαν για τι μουσείο.
Οι υπόλοιποι τους παρακολούθησαν από απόσταση.
“Ωστε αυτός είναι αδερφός μας σε αυτή τη ζωή” ειπε η Έιμι.
“Πατερας για κάποιους από εμάς” σχολίασε η Λίλη.
“Όμορφος ” ειπε η Μαίρη.
“Ειναι αστείο το πως ταιριαζουν πάντα σε κάθε ζωη” ειπε η Κέιτ. “Παρολο τους καβγάδες, παρολο που την απατάει σχεδόν πάντα, αυτή συνεχίζει κ τον ερωτεύεται, κάθε φορά, σε κάθε ζωή!"
“Την ερωτεύεται κι αυτός κάθε φορα!" Ειπε ο Φιλ. “Τέλος πάντων μπορουμε να πάμε τώρα, αλλά να έχετε στο νου σας ότι θα χωριστουμε σε ομάδες. Η Έιμι, η Κέιτ κι εγώ μια ομάδα, ο Τζέιμς, η Λίλη, η Σάρα και ο Τόνι άλλη μια και ή Μαίρη, ο Άλεξ κι ο Κέβιν η τρίτη. Φροντίστε να σας δει, μην κρύβεστε. Μην μιλήσετε με την Νορα. Απλά περάστε από δίπλα τους.”
“Μαλιστε διοικητά” ειπε ο Άλεξ κάνοντας έναν στρατιωτικό χαιρετισμό και όλοι γέλασαν.
Το μουσείο ήταν γεμάτο κόσμο. Πολλοί περίμεναν να αγοράσουν ένα εισιτήριο.
“Εχω τα εισιτήρια δεν χρειάζεται να περιμένουμε στη σειρα” είπε ο Μαρκ.
“Τέλεια ” ειπε η Νόρα.
“Είσαι όμορφη ” της είπε και της έπιασε το χέρι.
Η Νόρα κοίταξε τα χέρια τους. Ξαφνικά ένα ζεστό αεράκι τους προσπέρασε. Η Νόρα αναστέναξε. Είναι εδώ σκέφτηκε.
Ηταν η πρώτη φορά σε αυτή τη ζωή που βρεθηκαν όλοι μαζί στο ίδιο μέρος.
Του χαμογέλασε.
“Ευχαριστώ” του είπε.
Μπήκαν μέσα και κοίταξαν γύρω τους.
Πήγαν με το γκρουπ με τον ξεναγό και εκείνη τη στιγμή ο ξεναγός τους εξηγούσε τη σημασία του αγάλματος που ήταν μπροστά τους.
“Ποτε δεν σκέφτηκα ότι θα ήθελες να εχεις ξεναγό σε μουσείο” του είπε η Νόρα.
Ο Μαρκ χαμογέλασε.
“Όπως είπα, δεν γνωρίζω τίποτα για την ελληνική μυθολογία, επομένως μια μικρή βοήθεια είναι απαραίτητη.”
Κι όμως, ξέρεις περισσότερα από ότι νομίζεις, σκέφτηκε η Νόρα.
Η Λίλη, ο Τόνι, η Σάρα και ο Τζέιμς πέρασαν από δίπλα τους. Κοίταξαν την Νόρα με νόημα και μετά τον Μαρκ. Ο Μαρκ τους είδε αλλά δεν τους έδωσε σημασία και ακολούθησε το γκρουπ. Οκ, ας δούμε τί θα γίνει με τους υπόλοιπους, σκεφτηκε η Νόρα.
Το γκρουπ σταμάτησε μπροστά από έναν πίνακα που απεικόνιζε την μάχη μεταξύ των τιτάνων και των ολύμπιων θεών.
“Στην ελληνική μυθολογία, η τιτανομαχια ήταν ένας δεκαετης πόλεμος που έγινε στην Θεσσαλία, μεταξύ των τιτάνων, παλαιότερη γενιά θεών, από το όρος Όθρυς, και των ολύμπιων θεών, τη νέα γενιά θεών που θα πήγαιναν στο όρος Όλυμπος και των συμμάχων τους. Αυτος ο πόλεμος είναι επίσης γνωστός ως ο πόλεμος των τιτάνων, η μάχη των θεών, η μάχη των τιτάνων ή απλά τιτανομαχια. Η μάχη δόθηκε για την απόφαση ποια γενιά θα κυριαρχούσε στο σύμπαν. Έληξε με την νίκη των Ολύμπιος θεών." Εξήγησε ο ξεναγός.
Ο Μαρκ δεν μπορούσε να πάρει τα μάτια του από τον πίνακα. Μάχη, Τιτάνες, θεοί, θέα η φωνή ήταν ακόμη μέσα στο κεφάλι του.
Η Νόρα τον παρακολουθούσε. Τον είδε να πιάνει το μέτωπο του.
“Όλα καλά;” τον ρώτησε αγγίζοντας τον ώμο του.
Ο Μαρκ κοίταξε το χέρι της. Μάχη, σκεφτόταν, θεοί, Τιτάνες τί στο καλο;
“Μαρκ;” ειπε η Νόρα ξανά.
Ο Μαρκ την κοίταξε στα μάτια.
“Εεε ναι ναι, είμαι καλά, λίγο πονοκέφαλο μόνο αυτό είναι όλο.”
“Θα'θελες να βγούμε έξω για λιγο; Να πάρεις λίγο αερα;” τον ρώτησε η Νόρα.
“Οχι, είμαι καλά, δεν θέλω να χάσουμε την ξενάγηση εξαιτίας ενός χαζού πονοκεφάλου” είπε.
Η Νόρα του χαμογελασε και κοίταξε τον πίνακα ξανά.
Η Μαίρη, ο Κέβιν και ο Άλεξ τους πλησίασαν.
“Παιδια, κοιτάξτε. Αυτός είναι ο Δίας που μάχεται εναντίον των τιτάνων.” ειπε στον Άλεξ και στον Κέβιν.
Ο Μαρκ γύρισε απότομα και κοίταξε την Μαίρη έκπληκτος.
“Διας ειπες;”
Η Νόρα και ο Αλεξ κοιταχτηκανε ενώ ο Κέβιν κοιτούσε τον Μαρκ.
Η Μαίρη κοιταξε τον Μαρκ.
“Ναι, στον πίνακα, ο Δίας, ο βασιλιάς των θεών, μάχεται εναντίων των τιτάνων. ”
“Μάλιστα” είπε μπερδεμένος και γύρισε προς στην Νόρα.
“Παμε στο γκρουπ; Θα τους χάσουμε αλλιώς.”
“Ναι πάμε.” ειπε η Νόρα χαμογελώντας. Τους κοίταξε φευγαλέα αλλά με ένα βλέμμα όλο νόημα, χαμογέλασαν αναμεταξύ τους και συνέχισαν να περπατούν.
Μια ώρα μετά, ο Μαρκ ήταν εντυπωσιασμένος και συγχρόνως ανακουφισμένος που η ξενάγηση τελείωσε.
“Πώς εισαι;” τον ρώτησε η Νόρα μόλις βγήκαν έξω από το μουσείο.
“Καλύτερα τωρα που βγήκαμε εξω” είπε.
Ο Φιλ, η Έιμι και η Κέιτ βγήκαν κι αυτοί από το μουσείο και προσπαθούσαν να βρουν τη Νόρα και τον Μαρκ.
“Εκεί” είπε ο Φιλ και πήγε προς το μέρος τους.
“Νόρα” είπε ο Φιλ.
Η Νόρα και ο Μαρκ γύρισαν προς το μέρος του.
“Φιλ” είπε χαμογελώντας και τον αγκάλιασε.
Ο Φιλ κοίταξε τον Μαρκ.
“Σε ξέρω εσένα, του είπε. Μαρκ, σωστά;”
Ο Μαρκ τον κοίταξε.
“Ναι σωστά, είπε. Γνωριστήκαμε λίγους μήνες πριν, μπροστά από το γραφείο.”
“Οντως. Βασικά, περίμενα την Νόρα" είπε ο Φιλ.
“Μάλιστα” ειπε ο Μαρκ.
Η Έιμι και η Κέιτ πλησίασαν.
“Απο δω η Κέιτ και η Έιμι" είπε ο Φιλ. “Κι αυτός ειναι ο Μαρκ. Την Νόρα την ξέρετε.”
Έγνεψαν ο ένας στον άλλον.
“Σας άρεσε η έκθεση;” ρωτησε η Νόρα.
“Ναι, είχε αρκετές πληροφορίες." Είπε η Έιμι. "Μου άρεσε πολύ το άγαλμα της θεάς Δήμητρας.”
“Ποιανής;” ρώτησε ο Μαρκ.
“Θεας Δήμητρας, της θεάς του θερισμού και της γεωργίας.” εξήγησε η Έιμι.
“Σε όλους σας, ενδιαφέρει η μυθολογία;” ρώτησε ο Μαρκ.
Η Νόρα χαμογέλασε.
“Μας αρέσουν οι ιστορίες, όπως σου έχω πει.” του είπε.
“Το βλέπω αυτό” ειπε ο Μαρκ χαμογελώντας κι αυτός.
“Παιδιά, λυπούμαστε, αλλα πρέπει να φύγουμε. Χάρηκα που σε είδα Μαρκ” είπε ο Φιλ.
“Παρομοίως, είπε ο Μαρκ. Χάρηκα για την γνωριμία” ειπε στους υπόλοιπους.
Μολις μείναν μόνοι, ο Μαρκ έπιασε την Νόρα από τη μέση.
“Πεινάς;”
Η Νόρα τον κοίταξε.
“Έχω ξεληγωθεί” ειπε.
“Ξέρω το καλύτερο εστιατόριο και είναι κοντά. Θες να πάμε;”
“Σίγουρα” είπε και ξεκίνησαν να περπατάνε.
Ο Μαρκ σκεφτόταν. Δίας, θέα, θεοί, Τιτάνες, μάχη άκουγε τη φωνή στο κεφάλι του.
Η Νόρα τον παρατηρούσε.
“Όλα καλά;” ρώτησε.
Ο Μαρκ την κοίταξε.
“Νομίζω. Οκ εδώ είμαστε." Είπε κι άνοιξε την πόρτα του εστιατορίου.
Μπήκαν μέσα κι έκατσαν δίπλα στο παράθυρο.
“Μαρκ;” ακουσαν μια φωνή.
Ο Μαρκ ήταν έκπληκτος. Κοίταξε στα δεξιά του και είδε την Τζέι-Τζέι να τον κοιτάει.
Ωχ όχι, σκέφτηκε. Τι στο καλό κάνει αυτή εδω;
“Τζέι-Τζέι” ειπε. “Τί κάνεις εσύ εδώ;”
“Δουλεύω εδώ, το ξέχασες;”
“Φυσικά κι όχι, απλά νόμιζα ότι δεν δουλεύεις τα σαββατοκύριακα." Είπε ο Μαρκ.
“Κανονικά όχι, είπε η Τζέι-Τζέι, αντικαθιστώ έναν συνάδελφο σήμερα."
“Κατάλαβα” ειπε ο Μαρκ.
Η Τζέι-Τζέι κοίταξε τη Νόρα.
“Δεν θα με συστήσεις στη φίλη σου;” είπε χαμογελώντας.
Ο Μαρκ την κοίταξε.
“Φυσικά, είπε απρόθυμα. Αυτή είναι η Νόρα Γουίλιαμς. Νόρα, από εδώ η Τζέι-Τζέι Λόρενς.”
“Χάρηκα” ειπε η Νόρα χαμογελώντας καθώς έκαναν χειραψία.
“Κι εγώ ” είπε η Τζέι-Τζέι. Γύρισε στον Μαρκ.
“Τί κάνεις εσύ εδώ;”
“Πήγαμε στο μουσείο.”
Η Τζέι-Τζέι τον κοίταξε έκπληκτη.
“ΕΣΥ πηγές στο μουσείο;” ρώτησε.
Ο Μαρκ ενοχλήθηκε από το σχόλιο.
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