Episode 103 (1)

(The episode begins with a two-minute introduction of what happened from the beginning)

Alexis is kissing Maria. She seems very surprised at first but then she kisses him back.  Suddenly she pushes him away.  
M. No, no, we shouldn’t! It’s not right! 
A. Maria… 
M. No Mr. Alexis, you got carried away and so did I! Christ! You are drunk; you don’t know what you are doing! I have to go. (She runs away) 
A. No Maria, wait a minute…. (The waiter stops him) 
W. Is your girlfriend alright? 
A. She is not my girlfriend! W. If you say so… but can you please pay the bill? 
A. In a minute (he tries to follow her) 
W. I could think that you escorted this beauty and staged the whole thing so you can eat for free. First your friend leaves in a hurry, then she does and now you. Who is going to pay the bill? 
A. How can someone think of such a thing! Anyway, follow me, I will pay you.

Maria is standing out of the restaurant and she is thinking: "He kissed me. I can’t believe it; he kissed me. It can’t be…. No, no, he is drunk…. He is getting married to Marcella… It’s not possible. Oh God, help me, I am going crazy. What is happening to me? He didn’t run after me, he didn’t run after me…"
Alexis is sitting at the table thinking: "I kissed her! No, it’s not possible! I did it; I kissed her! I am sorry Marcella." The waiter comes back. W. Your change. A. Thank you but don’t expect a tip. Just as he is getting up to leave he notices Maria’s bag and blouse. A. Her bag….
Outside Maria is calling a taxi. T.D. Sorry miss, but it’s the end of my shift. M. Please, please I will pay you double! A. Maria… (they look at each other.) M. (to the taxi driver) Please…  He takes her in his cub. A. Maria, stop!

In the park Angelliki finds out that her mysterious admirer is her stepfather, who was abusing her and her mother and just got out of jail. He blames her because she testified against him and points a gun at her. Nicolas is watching the whole situation hidden behind some bushes.

In the taxi, Maria is sitting very quietly. T.D. Was he chasing you? M. Pardon? T.D. That guy! I didn’t like his face. I don’t like yours either….

Angeliki’s stepfather wants her to open the pastry shop for him so he can steal some money. Nicolas tries to help her but is caught in some branches. Suddenly a young policeman comes and saves her.

Maria arrives at her house and suddenly realizes that she doesn’t have her bag. The taxi driver is angry and Maria has only one option: to wake her father up.

The policeman arrests Angeliki's stepfather. He introduces himself. He is Sotiris and Angeliki is very grateful to him. Nicolas is very disappointed in himself.

Maria gets in the house followed by her dad in his pajamas.
M. Thank you father. 
I. You thank me… What can I say? 
M. I am sorry, it will not happen again. Besides I am sure I didn’t wake you. I am sure you were looking out the window for me. 
I. You are being impertinent. 
M. I am sorry. 
I. You are walking in the wrong path and I don’t know where it will lead you. 
M. To hell? I mean… I am not making fun of you father but…. 
I. Why didn’t Mr. Mantas drive you here? He makes you work late and he lets you come home alone. 
M. He put me in the taxi father. 
I. How could you forget your bag? Are you drunk? Let me smell your breath! 
M. No father, I have eaten garlic. I ... I am going to bed.

Sotiris and Angeliki are having drinks and he seems to like her very much.

Maria is writing in her diary: “ I could never have imagined it! Is it possible that the biggest dream of my life came true? Alexis, Alexis kissed me! I still feel his kiss! I can’t stop feeling it. He said that he is in love with me, that he is jealous of Nicolas and he kissed me. I can repeat it a hundred times and I still can’t believe it. (We see Alexis at Marcella’s house looking troubled). It’s not another one of my fantasies. It’s real! It was Alexis in the flesh, and he was kissing me. But… something very strange is happening to me. One minute I am happy and the other one I am scared. (We see Alexis go into Marcella’s bedroom) . Beautiful women always surround him and he is getting married to a very beautiful one, Marcella. He was drunk; He must have been very drunk to kiss me! That’s it! He will regret it in the morning and he will not want to see me any more. What kind of a person I am? How can I be happy in someone else's expense? What scares me he most is myself.”
Alexis is watching Marcella while she sleeps and whispers “ I am sorry” She wakes up. Marc. Alexis, I didn’t hear you come in. 
A. I didn’t want to wake you. 
Marc. Come to bed, I missed you… were you drinking? 
A. A little… 
Marc. Why? Everything is going great!  
A. Yes, but tomorrow I won’t be able to pay my employees. Marc. Don’t worry… A. I love you…
Maria is still writing. “ That kiss might be my death… When the effects of the wine go away, he will look at me as a stain that must be cleaned! And if that is not possible he would throw me out of his life, I will loose my job! I wish the new day never came…

Lilian is also thinking that she wished it never dawned again so Dimitris would stay with her forever. She thinks: “Well mother? Are you happy? I am going to tell him the truth and I am going to be alone again!"

The next morning Maria’s mum is saying to her dad that he should not be hard on Maria because she is working very hard. Maria comes in with wet hair but her mother insists that she must dry it.
Dimitris is asking Lilian to set a date for their marriage but she looks very troubled.
At Ecomoda, Jerry is very worried because Christina is late. He calls her house and finds out from her mum that she didn’t sleep there.
The girls ask Maria if the cards came true because she looked like she didn’t sleep at all. Maria is very upset and runs to her office.

Alexis and Marcella come in. He is holding a bag and looks like he has a headache. 
A. (To Jerry) Good morning Christina. 
J. Good one Mr. Mantas! 
Marc. Where is Christina? 
J. She is in the bathroom… 
Marc. Tell her to come to her desk immediately. Let’s go Alexis….  You should have taken a pill for your headache! 
A. No, I am fine. 
Marc. What’s in that bag? 
A. Dimitris left some staff in my car.

Maria hears him get in his office and decides to come out of hers. 
M. Good morning. 
A. Good morning Maria, did you sleep well? M. very well. And you? 
A. Good. And your parents? Are they ok? 
M. Yes. And yours? 
A. They are ok, I mean we don’t communicate that often but they are ok. Ahhh… last night you left rather suddenly and you forgot (he hears Dimitri’s voice saying: “your slipper”)…your bag. 
M. Thank you… I am so absent minded! I hope it was not a burden to you. 
A. No…(he looks like he is in pain). 
M. You drank too much last night! You might even not remember everything very well! 
A. (looking surprised) Ehhh... 
M. I will get you a painkiller! 
A. Yes, why not! He looks more uncomfortable by the minute. 
A. (to himself) Calm down... Maria brings him the pill. 
A. Thank you. 
M. Can I get you some water? 
A. No thank you. Let’s see what problems, I mean loose ends we have today. 
M. There is the matter of the salaries.We will pay as soon as we get the first money from our sales. Maria, let me ask you something… Can Terramoda lend us some money?

The girls are very worried because they haven’t been paid yet. Lilian and Dimitris arrive. Lilian looks at them wondering who sends her the threatening notes.

At the office: 
A. Maria, aren’t you saying anything? 
M. I have to ask Nicolas. 
A. Of course! Nicolas. Dimitris comes in. 
D. What’s going on with Nicolas? 
M. Nothing, nothing, we were just discussing the payroll. 
D.(to Alexis) Let’s go for a coffee. You seem like you had a long night!

At the coffee shop: 
A. You must not do that ever again! You must not make your little jokes in front of Maria! Do you understand? Oh my head! 
D. Did you get that drunk? He orders coffee. 
D. Tell me now; did you seduce our Maria?

Maria is talking to Nicolas and is very sorry that he wasn’t able to save Angeliki. She then asks him for money for Eomoda.

At the coffee shop: 
D. (shouting very exited) What did you say? You are my hero! 
A. Stop shouting, everyone is listening. 
D. Do you think that the whole universe is interested in you? 
A. No you are and that’s enough to ruin my life! 
D. I am getting crazy here! Tell me everything! Was it a dramatic experience? Did you have your eyes closed? Do you have the headache because of the kiss? 
A. What are you talking about? Stop it! 
D. Let me see your mouth! 
A. Stop it, sit down! 
D. I want to check if any of your teeth got caught in her braces. 
A. Stop talking! 
D. Did you like it? 
A. I didn’t say that. It just wasn’t as terrifying as you describe it. Her kiss was fine! 
D. Hold it there, Alexis! Don’t tell me that it was a long one too? 
A. Come on now… 
D. Alexis, look me in the eyes and explain yourself! Was there a moment during the kiss when you actually kissed her because you liked it? It’s very important. 
A. What’s important is that I understood a lot from her kiss... 
D. Like what? 
A. Maria is in love with me… Dimitris looks very happy. 
D. Isn’t that what we wanted? Mission accomplished! 
A. It’s not the same. I felt that she already has feelings for me. It was the strangest kiss of my life. 
D. I don’t understand! Is it possible that you are falling in love with her? 
A. You don’t get it. We are playing a very nasty game to her. 
D. What’s nastier, the game or her face? 
A. I am leaving….really! 
D. Sit down, I was only joking. How did she react to it? Did she faint? 
A. She left! 
D. Was your kiss so bad? …. 
A. Today, she only hinted about last night. 
D. Were these hints of a romantic nature? 
A. On the contrary. She told me I was very drunk and even wondered if I have any memory loss concerning last night! I think that she wanted to forget our kiss more than I do. 
D. And what did you say? 
A. Nothing. 
D. It seems like that kiss affected you more that it did her! 
A. Of course it did! If I am right and she has feelings for me then I am making the biggest crime of my life, pretending to be in love. 
D. I have to admit you are right. 
A. It would be an unnecessary crime if it turns out she is not in love with Nicolas. Do you see what I mean. She is so kind, she offers her love so generously, I feel I am deceiving an angel. 
D. You are making me feel terrible too now. Isn’t it possible that she ran away because she is in love with Nicolas and felt guilty? 
A. I don’t know… 
D. Let’s say that she is in love with you… if you leave her after the kiss she will feel betrayed and she will fall in the arms of the first man that comes around. Who is he? 
A. Nicolas. Are you saying I have to kiss her again? 
D. Yes. 
A. I will end up an alcoholic if I continue. I had 2 bottles of wine for that kiss. 
D. You have to be sober for that one! 
A. What? 
D. If she thinks that you kissed her because you were drunk, you have to be sober so she will believe you. 
A. Maybe I could get advantage of the hint about the memory loss and get out of the whole situation! 
D. I will say one thing to you: Nicolas! Do you want to give him Ecomoda?

Nicolas is very upset because Angelliki is not in the pastry shop yet.

Alexis comes back at the office. 
M. Are you feeling any better? 
A. Only a little. My head is killing me. 
M. Can I do anything for you? I mean can I make you some Chamomile tea? 
A. No thank you. You can tell me you can give Ecomoda the money I asked for. 
M. I am afraid I can’t! 
A. What? Why?  
M. You see, Nicolas has bought some stocks and we can’t liquidate at the moment. 
A. Your Nicolas has great ideas! 
M. He is not my Nicolas Mr. Mantas. 
A. Ok. Then go and ask Marcella how are the sales at her department going. 
M. Marcella? 
A. Yes. Is there some kind of problem?
Lilian and Maria are worried for their own reasons. Maria asks her if she feels ok. Lilian goes into Dimitris office and tells him that she wants to talk to him. Maria is outside Marcella's office wondering how she could face her. When she goes in, Marcella rudely asks her what she wants.

Episode 104 (2)

Maria is standing in front of Marcella and she is feeling so guilty that she has another of her usual daydreams.
Lilian visits Dimitris in his office looking very sad and when he asks her if there is any problem with the baby she tells him that there is no baby.
Maria dreams that she asking Marcella to forgive her. Marcella is furious and accuses her of stealing her husband and Maria is trying to make excuses for him saying that he was drunk and the kiss didn’t mean anything. Maria wakes up and sees Marcella really angry with her. 
Marc. Are you crazy? You barge in here and interrupt my phone call and then you say nothing. What' wrong with you? 
M. You are right.I remembered something. 
Marc. Perhaps that you forgot to comb your hair! 
M. …. 
Marc. I am sorry Maria. I shouldn’t have said that. Well, what do you want? 
Maria explains the reason of her visit and Marcella says that she is waiting for the sales figures. Maria asks her to let her know as soon as she has them and Marcella says that she wouldn’t dream of forgetting Mr. Mantas’s protégée.
Dimitris is very disappointed that he is not going to become a father. Lilian lies to him once more saying that both the pregnancy test and the blood test were wrong. Dimitris gets suspicious and asks her if she was ever pregnant.
Maria rushes into Alexis’s office, banging the door, which makes his headache even worse. 
M. Sorry Mr. Mantas! Do you still have a headache? 
A. Don’t worry Maria. Something tells me that this headache will last forever. 
M. Pardon? 
A. Nothing! Well, what did Marcella say? 
M. She is still waiting for the figures and she will let us know as soon as she gets them. 
A. All right Maria. Go to your office. 
M. Yes, Mr. Mantas. 
A. That is if you want to. If you want to stay here, you can stay. What I wanted to say is that if you want to stay, it would be ok. I mean…. Have a seat Maria. 
M. Thank you but I have to go to my office. I have a lot to do. 
A. As you wish…
Lilian pretends to be offended. She tells Dimitris that if she wanted to deceive him she would have waited to tell him about the baby after the marriage. Dimitris is convinced. He feels very sorry for the baby and Lilian. He tells her that there are not going to be married, but they will continue their relationship. Lilian is disappointed and returns the ring. It turns out that the cleaning lady had the original pregnancy test.
Christina arrives late and lies to Jerry saying that her little boy was sick. When he tells her that he already called her house and her boy was not sick she tells him that she was out with some friends. She tells him that she wants him to be her friend and that she doesn’t want to hurt him. He asks her if she has a boyfriend and when she says no, he is happy again. It turns out that she lied again because someone calls her on the phone.
The girls notice that Lilian is crying and wonder what’s wrong. Jerry brings Lilian more bills. She calls Maria to find out when they are going to be paid and when she finds out that this will not happen that day she goes to Alexis's office. 
A. As Maria told you there is a slight problem there. 
L. I have problems too. 
A. You are right. You will get paid tomorrow. I am sorry Lilian; please understand. 
L. Ok Alexis, there is no harm done. (When Maria and Alexis look at her like they don’t believe their ears she starts crying again) I am not a shrew! You have all misunderstood me! 
She leaves crying. 
A. Did we say something to offend her?
At the pastry shop, Angelliki finally arrivesto work.
Lilian is looking at a wedding magazine and cries again. Marcella sees her and orders her to go to her office and explain. Marianna overhears their conversation.
At he pastry shop,  Argiro feels very badly because she advised Angeliki to go to a blind date but she reassures her that there is no harm done because she met a very interesting man.
Marcella can’t believe what happened but advises Lilian to try and not be pushy. She says that this is the only chance she has to win Dimitris in time.
Nicolas is very jealous and is trying to convince Angeliki that Sotiris is not such a great catch.
Marianna informs all the girls that Lilian finally told Dimitris almost part of  the truth and they are all very excited. Maria comes out of her office and tells them that Alexis gave her permission to go to lunch because Dimitris wanted to talk to him. When she finds out that the girls have no money she offers to pay for lunch.
At Alexis’s office: 
A. This is the best piece of news all day! I think that even my headache is over! Or is it because we sent Maria to lunch. 
D. You have to treat our Maria better. She seemed very sad. She didn’t even look me in the eyes just now! 
A. What can I do if she changed her mind! I can’t force her! 
D. I will say only one thing to you: Nicolas! 
A. All right, I know. I will see what I can do. Do you want us to have a drink to celebrate your freedom? 
D. Stop shouting! Lilian might hear you! 
A. And why not? 
D. Stop it! I felt sorry for her. 
A. Don’t worry, she will get over it! 
D. Maria will get over your kiss if you don’t remind her! Tonight you will go out with her again and you will kiss her again, without the noble contribution of alcohol! She has to believe you mean what you say. 
A. You make it sound so good! 
D. You try and be good in kissing her! I am leaving now… As he goes out of the office he bumps into Christo. 
Chr. Watch it! Don’t make me get excited! Alexis, I have to tell you that Odysseas Danezis is coming at  6. 
A. Who is he? 
Chr. He is a very good photographer. He will take photos for our catalogue. 
A. Interview him yourself. I totally trust you. Now leave. 
Chr. You are right because you look terrible today! You would scare the poor man.
The girls are talking about Lilian and they can’t believe that she decided to tell the truth.
Lilian asks Dimitris out for a drink but he refuses saying that he is very tired.
Alexis has a vision of Maria in a wedding dress saying to him:" Am I on time Mr. Mantas? Did I keep you waiting?"  Alexis looks terrified. In reality Maria asks him: 
M. Are you ok? What 's wrong? 
A. Nothing! The headache came back! 
M. I am sorry if I was late. 
A. No it’s ok. Perhaps I should take another painkiller. 
M. You can’t but you have to get a good night’s sleep. 
A. That’s it. I have to sleep well tonight!
Dimitris is sleeping at his office when he receives a phone call. Then he calls Alexis on the phone: 
D. I have good news! 
A. Did Maria get pretty? 
D. Not that good! We have the fist cash coming! Tomorrow we will be able to pay our employees. 
A. I will inform Maria. 
D. Speaking of Maria, I hope you invited her out tonight! 
A. …. 
D. You didn’t! 
A.   What am I going to do with Marcella?
Marcella and Lilian are talking in the bathroom. Marcella mentions that Alexis was out with Maria and Dimitris the night before but Lilian tells her that Dimitris was with her. 
Marc. So he was alone with Maria. That explains why he came home totally drunk! He couldn’t stand her sober! 
L. That, or he is having and affair with her. 
Marc. Very fumy! Can you imagine me being jealous of her? 
L. I was only kidding. Marc. I would make a scene for a woman that deserves it. Think of how embarrassed he must have felt to be seen publicly with her. Marcella and Lilian leave and Maria comes out of one of the toilets looking very sad.
The new photographer, Odysseas, arrives at Ecomoda and asks for Christo.
Marcella is arguing with Alexis over the phone. She is furious because he just told her that he would not go out with her that night. Odysseas goes into her office by mistake and hears everything. When Marcella sees him she gets very angry with him and insults him but he seems to really like her.
Dimitris comes into Alexis's office. 
D. I came to check what’s going on! 
A. You have become a nightmare! 
D. Shhh. (he tries look into Maria’s office through the keyhole) I can’t believe it! Are you like that the hole day? With the door closed? 
A. It’s not my fault! She insists on staying in her office! I have seen her so little today! 
D. This has to change! You are leaving together tonight! I am leaving in a while and I am not leaving alone. You aren't either. 
A. Can we go out together? 
D. No! I am going out with one of Christo’s models and you are going out with Maria. 
A. Some friend you are! 
D. When you forced me to go out with Lilian, I don’t recall you coming along! 
A. Stop yelling. Are you serious? There is a difference between Lilian and Maria! 
D. Not if you use a little imagination… 
A. A lot of imagination! 
D. Don’t tell Christo I am going out with a model. He doesn’t like it. 
A. My lips are sealed! 
D. Now, go and take the poor girl out of there! And check if she is alive!
Maria is planning on leaving with the girls. She goes to his office but hits him with the door because he was standing outside her office. 
M. Does your head hurt? 
A. Terribly! 
M. You must not stay late! 
A. Thank you for your kind interest Maria. 
M. Can I go? The girls are waiting for me. 
A. No Maria you cannot! We still have to work. Tell them that you are not going with them. I will take you home tonight!

Episode 107 (5)

Maria wakes up the next morning feeling very happy. She starts looking in her closet for a dress. Her parents are in their room where her mother watches a TV show that gives beauty tips to women, in order to advise Maria. Maria’s dad tells her that Maria is very beautiful and doesn’t need all that. Maria comes into their room and asks her mum for a favor. She wants to wear her mum’s black dress that has a broach on. Her mum gladly gives her the dress. Maria also wants some of her mum’s perfume but her mum tells her to be very careful not to overdo it. At the breakfast table Maria’s dad is looking at some bills. Nicolas arrives and when he sees Maria he finds her a little overdressed. Maria wonders if she should change but her mum tells her she looks great. Nicolas tells Maria that the lawyer called him again and he insisted that they should take possession of Ecomoda immediately. Maria tells him he has to make him stop.

Lillian is on her way to Ecomoda but she runs out of fuel.

Maria arrives at Ecomoda and asks Jerry if Alexis has arrived. Jerry looks very worried because Christina is late again. Maria takes the elevator. Alexis and Marcella arrive and wonder where Christina is.

Lilian gets out of her car and is trying to find her phone when Nicolas arrives. He is ecstatic but Lillian doesn’t remember him and insults him once more. Afterwards she wonders if he has a phone but when he says yes she rembers that she left hers in the car. She calls Marcella.

Marcella tells her that he will send Jerry to bring her some fuel. Christina arrives and Marcella tells her that she should stop arriving late every morning.

Maria places a chocolate on Alexis’ desk. He comes in and smiles at her.
A. Good morning Maria. (he notices her black outfit) Is everything ok? Is something wrong?
M. No everything is great Mr. Mantas.
A. I am glad...
M. I am going to my office now…

Maria goes in her office thinking: “I wonder if he noticed the dress. He didn’t say anything about my perfume. Maybe I should put some more on. My mum says that I should not overdo it. Oh well, she is always exaggerating….”  At that moment her phone rings. It’s Nicolas who called to tell her about his meeting with Lillian. Maria keeps spraying herself with perfume while she talks on the phone.

At the pastry shop, Angelliki arrives looking very happy. Argiro is a little sorry she likes the policeman and not Nicolas but Angelliki tells her that Nicolas will never forgive her.

Alexis is playing nervously with his ball. He accidentally throws the ball and hits Maria who is coming through the door.
A. Are you all right?  I didn’t do that on purpose, I swear!
M. It’s Ok Mr. Mantas. I believe you. Why should you do it on purpose?
A. Why indeed!
Alexis sneezes.
A. Do you smell something too?
Maria realizes that she did put a lot of perfume on. She sneezes too.
M. It must be coming from outside.
A. Right.It's coming from outside...
Alexis notices the chocolate.
A. What’s that?
M. It’s a milk chocolate. It’s for you…
A. Thank you. That’s very sweet!
M. Literally!
They both sneeze.
M. I am going to wash… I mean I have to go to the bathroom.
A. Yes Maria, do that.
Maria bumps onto Dimitris on her way out.
M. I am so sorry….
D. Don’t worry Maria, I am used to it…..  what’s going on Maria? Are you all right? Did anyone die?
M. No!
Maria leaves.
D. What happened to her? Did the black bride take a dive into perfume?
A. Don’t talk to me! Because of you, I kissed her twice last night. Thank God she didn’t wear any perfume.
D. You did? It’s a good thing one of us managed something last night.
A. What did you say?
D. Nothing! I am dying for a cup of coffee. Let’s go before the killer with the perfume returns!
At the coffee shop.
A. Do you understand what I am saying? Maria didn’t want to believe that I am really in love with her. I did everything in my power to change her mind. That thought is killing me...
D. You are not wrong… Too much thinking is not good… Look where it got me!
A. Why do I think that we are talking about two different things?
D. Because you are clever! That’s why you are president of Ecomoda. You know what you have to do to remain in your seat!
A. Are you listening to me or not? Maria couldn’t believe that I could be interested about a woman like her!
D. Of course not! She is ugly, not silly! She has seen herself in the mirror.
A. You cannot imagine what I said to her in order to make her believe I was serious.
D. I can’t believe it! Don’t tell me you made a real love declaration to her?
A. The only thing I didn’t do, is recite poetry to her.
D. And I wasn’t present to witness these great moments! Well I was trying to get something else going…
A. Did you have car trouble too?
D. Yes… Let’s talk about you now.
A. Look… Although I told her a million things, even called her beautiful….
D. There is no way of stopping you once you get started….
A. She didn’t open up to me. She didn’t tell me she loved me… it’s not that she doesn’t have feelings for me but…. you know…
D. Maybe she is still thinking about Nicolas.
A. You think so?
D. You have to get him out of her brain and out of the company.
A. What more can I do? I've already kissed her twice last night. I kissed her once in the restaurant so I have kissed someone wearing braces 3 times in two nights!
D. And you are going to kiss her thirteen times and every night if you have too. But that’s not enough you know…
A. What? No, no you must take that thought out of your mind!
D. What a dirty mind you have! Girls like Maria need other things too. They are more romantic… They like little presents, poems, chocolates…
A. Now that you mention it, she gave me a chocolate… a milk chocolate… she left it on my desk!
D. That means that she accepts your love.
A. Then everything is ok.
D. No it’s not. You have to do more or you will lose her.
A. What more can I do? Tell me!
D. Get up! We have to go for our first lesson!
A. Lesson?
D. You have the opportunity to be taught by the guru in the art of love… until recently…
A. Yes. Guru! Tell me guru, how are things with Lillian?
D. Don’t talk to me about Lilian! Never again! I don’t want to hear anything about her!

Back at Ecomoda, Lillian comes in. She is very angry at Jerry because he only offered her a ride on his bike and not pay for some gas, like Marcella said. Jerry makes fun of her hair and tells her that Marcella didn’t give him any money for her gas.

Alexis and Dimitris are going into the boardroom. Alexis is eating Maria’s chocolate.
A. I don’t understand why you made me eat the chocolate!
D. Shut up! Lesson number one! Sit down!
A. There?
D. Yes. Let us begin! A young girl has to know that her loved one, that’s you, appreciates her gifts!
A. Yes but I hate milk chocolates. He crinkles the chocolate wrapping in his hands.
D. What are you doing? Are you crazy? That’s precious!
A. The chocolate wrapping is precious?
D. That’s not just any wrap. It’s the proof of your love. You will place this wrap on your desk, so Maria will understand that you kept it as a souvenir.
A. You are mad.
D. I can see that you don’t have any experience in romantic souls. Anyway, you will keep this as a reminder of her first present!
A. Sir! Can I go to the bathroom? I have to pee...
D. You are very impertinent! Now we move to more important things!
A. What can be more important than a chocolate wrap? I am all ears…
D. It’s the small details that make the difference!
A. Such as? A diamond necklace perhaps?
D. No, no, no! At first, and only at first, a romantic soul is interested in smaller things, such as little stuffed animals holding hearts, love letters, poems…
A. Poems? Should I write a poem for Maria?
D. Do you want to sing her a song?
A. I can’t take any of this any more. I can’t digest so much information all at once!
D. Think of Vicky and improvise!
A. Ok… let’s see: “Vicky you are beautiful and your legs make me joyful…”
D. Ok… Forget it. I will be in charge of your poems.
A. Why? Are you a poet?
D. I am not a poet, but I know where I can buy love letters and which books have great love poems!
A. You are very well informed!
D. You can be as ironic as you want. I will buy for you all those little things that will make Maria stay in love only with you.

Marcella is in her office and calls Christo on the phone but he doesn’t answer. He is busy introducing Odysseas to the models. Odysseas tells him that his models are very beautiful but he is interested in a different kind of woman. Marcella comes in and is very surprised to see him again. He points out that she has a face that he finds very interesting. Christo tells Marcella that Odysseas is their new photographer and she is furious at him. She calls Christo in her office. She demands that he fires Odysseas but Christo tells her that this is impossible. He even hints that Marcella is interested in him. She gets mad at Christo!

At the board room:
A. Dimitri, have mercy on me! I can’t take any more lectures!
D. Alexis, sit down or I will have you expelled! I said, sit! Tell me now what have you learned today? What must you do so you will not loose Maria?
A. Not loose Maria! My God, what are we talking about?
D. Alexis Mantas,concentrate and tell me what you’ve learned!
A. I have to buy her little presents and make her compliments!
D. Very good! You will compliment her on her perfume, her hair… For example you will say to her: “Maria, your hair looks beautiful today!” or “Maria this color looks great on you!”
A. Or “what a lovely broach! Is it an antique?” or “You look great in black! Every day with you is like a funeral!”
D. Come on Alexis, stop saying things like that! I know you love her deep down!
A. Ok, ok… I will try and do the things you said but I can’t go out with Maria every night!

At the pastry shop Argiro tells Angeliki that she has to be very careful in choosing a husband and not do the same mistakes she made! She tells her that she was very unlucky because Nicolas’ father left them when Nicola’s was 7 years old.

In the boardroom:
D. I will only say one thing to you! Nicolas!
A. I wish he would take her out! How can I go out with her?
D. Relax! I will make a list of discreet places for you!
A. And what will Maria think if I take her to places like that?
D. You did tell her that you have to be discreet!
A. Yes I did!
D. Then she will understand! You should trust Maria more!

At the pastry shop, Argyro tells Angeliki the story of her marriage. She tells her that her husband was a musician and left them without saying a word because he wanted to pursue his carrier in the USA and his family was a burden. Suddenly a man comes in and tells Argiro that she hasn’t changed one bit!

In the boardroom:
A. I don’t know….
D. Why are you torturing yourself? Stop feeling guilty! Listen to me! You are offering Maria the dream that any woman, especially when she is not good-looking, has!
A. All that is great! But when everything is over and we are living happily ever after, what will happen to Maria?
D. You mean, after you get Ecomoda back?
A. Precisely! What will happen to Maria then?
D. I think that we don’t have any other choice…. We have to fire her…

Episode 108 (6)

D. I am afraid the only choice we have is to fire her.
A. What are you saying?
D. There is no other option! Don’t you understand?
A. Maybe I should fire you instead!
D. I don’t understand you! What are you thinking of doing? Marrying her?
A. Are you saying to me that the only two options I have are either to marry her or fire her? Isn’t there a third solution?
D. I really want to know what you propose. When Ecomoda is safely in your hands, Maria will be waiting for you to propose marriage to her.
A. How can I fire her?
D. Can you see any other option? Do you want to have Maria working here and running around, crying at the same time? What a scandal that will be!
A. My God! What am I going to do? What am I going to do?
D. You will tell her that you cannot break up with Marcella because she is going through a tough phase, so the best thing for everyone is to stop your relationship.
A. What kind of a man I am!
D. Come on Alexis, you will not throw her in the street! You will compensate her; give her a letter of recommendation… You can even find her another job to some other company we know… No… don’t do that… It’s not a good idea… it might create more trouble!
A. Are you finished? I am going to my office.
D. Wait! You forgot the chocolate wrap!
He gives him the piece of paper.
D. You have to put it where she can see it!

At the pastry shop, Argiro gives Angeliki the day off because she wants to be alone with the man who’s name is Nikitas and is her husband.

At the office, Maria notices that the chocolate is not on Alexis’ desk.
M. He ate it! Perhaps I should bring him another one!
Lilian comes in shouting:
L. That’s enough! I can’t take it anymore!
M. Lilian, what's happened to your hair?
L. Where is Alexis?
M. I think he is talking with Dimitris.
L. Some secretary you are… You don’t know where your boss is!
M. I am not a secretary any more Lilian!
Alexis comes in.
A. What’s wrong Lilian? I could hear your voice from a mile!
L. I have a very serious problem and I have to talk to you.
A. Not now Lilian! I had a very exhausting meeting…
L. It will only take a minute!
A. All right! Your time starts now. Fifty-nine, fifty-eight, fifty-seven…
L. I can’t talk to you like that!
A. Fifty-six, fifty-four…
L. Maria, say something!
A. Maria, please continue with the countdown.
M. Where were we?
A. Forty-nine!
While Maria is counting, Lilian says that she has to get paid. Alexis makes it clear that she will get paid on Friday. Lilian insists on getting paid before the other employees because she is used to a very different kind of life. Maria is counting but is also very annoyed with what Lilian is saying. Alexis makes fun of Lilian and then asks Maria if they can make an exception for her.
M. No Mr. Mantas. It will not be fair to the other employees!
A. You are right! Where are we with the countdown?
M. Three, two, one.
A. End of time! Go to your office Lilian. Off you go, now!

Lilian leaves very angry. She receives a call from Sergios.
Argiro is not very happy to see her husband. She tells him that he is dead to her because he didn’t care for them all these years.
Sergios finds out that Lilian is not pregnant and is very insulting to her. During their conversation, he discovers that the employees are not paid yet. He finds that information very interesting.

Argiro closes her shop. She asks her husband how he could forget his only son! Nikitas says that he was too ashamed to contact them. Argiro is very hard on him. She says that she managed on her own, without his help.

The girls are talking about the new photographer. Dimitris asks Monica if she talked to anyone about last night’s unfortunate incident. She says she didn’t.

Argiro tells her husband that she doesn’t want him to upset Nicolas. Her husband looks sick.
The girls want to go to lunch but they can’t afford it. Maria comes out of the office and offers to buy them lunch…
Christina. Again? How can you afford it? Are you having an affair with Mr. Mantas?
Loukia. What are you saying to her? Stop it!
Lilian. Really Maria, I am wandering where you get all that money. Perhaps you are stealing from Ecomoda.
Sofia. Stop it, all of you! Aren’t you forgetting that Maria is not one of us? She is earning more money.
Martha. And she has a rich boyfriend!
Lilian. You must be joking! Maria has a boyfriend? Is he blind?

Dimitris calls Alexis and invites him to lunch.
The girls are still talking:
L. I can’t believe it!
Martha. He has his own company and a huge fortune.
M. Martha, stop it!
L. Don’t make me laugh.
Maria begs them to go.

Lilian tells the news to Marcella and Christo:
L. Maria has a boyfriend! And he is rich too!
Marc. Really? And who is the lucky man?
Alexis appears as she asks that question. 
L. Donald Trump, Bill Gates…
Chr. An alien…
A. What are you all laughing about?
Marc. About Maria’s boyfriend.
A. Who?
Marc. Your Maria has a rich boyfriend! Did you know that?

Maria is very angry and tells the girls that she doesn’t want remarks on her personal life.
Back at Ecomoda:
A. That’s a good joke Marcella.
Marc. You didn’t know anything about that?
A. It might sound strange to you but I am not interested in Maria’s personal life.
L. Do you think it’s true?
Chr. If it is, I am dying to meet him. He is a rare specimen of a rich man who is still myopic.
A. You must all be mistaken.
Marc. I can’t believe that Maria found a man. A rich one…
L. That explains why she can afford to buy her friends lunches.
A. Perhaps she doesn’t spend her money in nonsense.
Marc. She can’t have a boyfriend. Unless he is blind…
A. Marcella stop saying things like that!
Chr. Yes Marcella, stop it! Don’t talk like that in front of Alexis. You cannot insult his precious rose!
A. Christo stop talking like that!
Chr. Perhaps Maria can introduce you to him so you can do business together.
Dimitis arrives.
D. Hi all! Are you coming with us?
Marc. No. I don’t want to spoil your mood. I might say something about Maria and Alexis will get mad!
She leaves with Christo and Lilian.
D. What happened?
A. I am going to kill her…

At the restaurant Maria tells the girls that she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Christina tells her that if she is in love with Nicolas she has to make the first move.
Alexis and Dimitris arrive at the restaurant. Dimitris can’t believe that Maria said something like that. Alexis sees Maria.

At the pastry shop, Nikitas tells Argyro that he came back for his mother’s funeral.

At the restaurant the girls are feeling uncomfortable because Alexis is looking at them. Christina asks Maria if she had ever made love. Dimitris and Alexis are talking:
D. Why is Maria looking at you?
A. Perhaps she senses that the end is coming.
D. Funny boy! Do you think she meant you?
A. No, I think she meant Nicolas.
D. Did it ever cross your mind that she may have a relationship with both of you?
A. What? What are you talking about?
D. Even the thought can kill you! She could be playing with both of you!
A. Maria… Playing with us….
D. You have lost your sense of humor…
The girls advise Maria to buy some new clothes, go to the hairdresser’s so she will win Nicolas (Alexis looks very worried). Maria tells them that she doesn’t want people in Ecomoda talking about her.
A. She is looking at me…. She knows that what she did was wrong..
D. Perhaps she is admiring you…

Maria decides to leave. All the girls follow her.
D. Your girl is leaving.
A. Perhaps she is going to spread the news to the rest of Ecomoda.
D. I think that they all know by now.
Alexis shouts at the girls because they are not in their offices yet and he hints that some of them don’t have to work! Christina says to Maria that her boss has heard the news and he is jealous.

Argiro is very sad about her mother’s in law death.
At Maria’s house her dad tries to remind his wife that they have their anniversary with no luck.

At the restaurant.
D. I am bored. Let’s go!
A. Let me finish my coffee.
D. The time has come for you! You have to face Ecomoda’s cute little monster.

Maria places a heart shaped lollipop on Alexis's desk.
Alexis comes in banging the door.
M. You scared me Mr. Mantas. Did you have a good lunch?
A. Very good. You?
M. I talked to the bank and we shall be able to pay the employees tomorrow.
A. So everything is ok then?
M. I am sorry… Can I ask you something?
A. You know that I am all ears for you…
M. Are you angry with me?

At the pastry shop, Argiro decides not to accept her husband’s presents and sends him away. Nicolas comes in and wonders who that man is.

Episode 111 (9)

The models go into Alexis's office and say to him that they are very sad and they want him to make them happy. He asks them: “here, now?” and they start complaining about the money. Monica tells him that they have to get paid immediately. Maria reads her card and is very happy. Alexis tells the girls that he will arrange things tomorrow and they decide to search in his pockets for money. Maria comes in and finds him in a very compromising position. When he sees Maria he gets up.
A. Stop it! Have you no respect for the president? Go!!!
He sends them away.
A. No respect at all! Maria!  Didn’t see you standing there!
M. Yes I just came in! I wanted to thank you for the card and the chocolate. It was very kind of you!
A. It was the least I could do after what you’ve done for me! You’ve changed my life! I wanted to thank you!
Maria goes into her office and is crying from joy.

The models are wondering what they can do to get their money and when Dimitris appears they try to persuade him. Dimitris invites Monica to escort him to a client’s party and give him another chance and she agrees. Lilian is very jealous. He goes into Alexis' office.

At the pastry shop Argiro agrees to meet her husband later because he says he has something important to tell her.

At Alexis office.
A. Again? Are you crazy? I can’t keep doing this!
D. I am fed up with you! You can’t leave her like that! By the way you have to admit that the chocolate and the card really made Maria melt.
A. Marcella will kill me if I don’t go out with her tonight. She called and she is already making plans for dinner tonight.
D. You will say to her that something came up!
A. Something with braces and glasses!
D. You are so lucky!
A. Get it in your head! I can’t go out with Maria tonight! Marcella will think that I am canceling because I am cheating on her!
D. She will not think that!
A. Why?
D. Because you are going to ask her to join you!
A. what did you say?
D. You will tell her that you can’t go out because something came up!
A. Go on…
D. ... that you have an opening-party to go to and she can escort you if she wants.
A. But she will say yes!
D. She will say "no" because it’s the party of Color express.
A. I forgot that! The owner sent me an invitation!
D. Marcella hates him so she will not want to go!
A. You have a point there…
D. And to make it certain, we will tell her that I am escorting Monica. She hates Monica too and she will not want to be in our company!
A. Yes, she is very stubborn!
Marcella comes in.
Marc. Who is stubborn?

At the front desk jerry asks Christina out but she tells him that she has to go out with a girlfriend.

At Alexis office.
Marc. Are you serious or should I start screaming? (Maria overhears their conversation)
A. We will go out tomorrow!
Marc. You promised me that you would spend some time with me tonight!
A. But you can come along!
Marc. You know I can’t stand that man!
D. Don’t make a big deal out of it Marcella! We will not be with him all the time! Monica doesn’t like him too!
Marc. Is Monica coming too?
D. She will be escorting me!
Marc. Do whatever you want Alexis! I am going! I am fed up!
She gets out slamming the door.
Marc. Idiot!
She invites Lillian for a coffee.

At the pastry shop Nicolas tells his mother that he wants to change his last name

Marcella tells Lillian that she suspects  Alexis has an affair. Lilian proposes to follow him. Marcella tells her that she can’t do that but she has another plan!

At the office
A. Nice plan! Now she is certain I am cheating on her!
D. Marcella is always certain you are cheating on her! She just can’t prove it!
A. She will be calling everyone tomorrow to check if they saw me there!
D. Let her do that! You will be there….

Later Alexis is pacing in his office while Maria is getting ready to leave.
She opens the door and almost hits him!
M. I am sorry! Did I hit you?
A. No Maria, don’t worry!
M. This is always happening to me!
A. Not to you but to me…
M. Excuse me?
A. Nothing! We are getting synchronized and…
M. That’s it! We are synchronized! Isn’t that great?
A. It is! Are you leaving?
M. Yes, but if you need anything more I can stay!
A. No! But I will drive you home!
M. As you wish!
A. Don’t make it sound like an order!
M. No. no...
A. If you don’t want to…
M. I want to! Very much! But that’s the way I am expressing myself. I am sorry…
A. Stop apologizing all the time! You didn’t do anything wrong! Let me get my things!
M. I will wait…
A. I will not take you straight home. We can go for a drink! Would you like that?

At the pastry shop Argiro is trying to persuade Nicolas to go home because she doesn’t want him to know that his dad is coming to talk to her.

The girls are getting ready to leave and they invite Maria but Alexis tells them that he is taking Maria home. The girls look surprised. The security guard tells jerry that he is certain Christina has a date with a man. The girls, Maria and Alexis get out of the elevator and the girls notice that Mr. Mantas is so polite and attentive with Maria that she is in danger of falling in love with him. Loukia points out that Maria is very sensible and in love with someone else.

 Argiro meets her husband.

Alexis and Maria are outside Ecomoda and he is saying to her: "I don’t understand you Maria, why are you objecting?" Lilian comes out of the building and Alexis tells Maria they should hide behind the car. When Lilian is gone they come out.
A. It would be awful to have to explain myself to Lilian.
M. I think that the best thing for you is to go to the party…
A. But I told you that everything is arranged! I will take you to the place Dimitris told me about, I will drop by the party and then I will come back and we will have a drink and a wonderful time together! Why don’t you agree to that?
M. Because I accidentally overheard the way Miss Marcella reacted earlier. I don’t want to cause you any trouble!
A. You don’t! Why don’t you trust me?
M. I trust you…Sorry...
A. Then please get into the car, before someone else comes by…
M. Ok.
A. And please, don’t say you are sorry again! At least for tonight!
M. Sorr… I mean I won’t!
She hits her head while getting in the car.
A. Are you all right?
M. Yes, I am used to it! It happens to me all the time.

Nikitas tells Argiro that he is sick.
Maria’s dad is once more wondering why Maria is late again.

Maria and Alexis arrive outside the bar.
A. You will go in, you will find a discreet table, you will sit down, order a drink and wait for me.
M. I understand Mr. Mantas!
A. And when we are alone I want you to call me Alexis and not Mr. Mantas. It's safer that way.
M. I keep forgetting that!
A. It doesn’t matter. Now go inside and I won’t be late! I will hurry back!
Maria expects a kiss and he reluctantly gives her one.
A. Wait for me!
M. I will (and she is thinking: "I’ve been waiting for you for so long")

Nikitas tells Argiro that he needs a kidney transplant and implies that he needs Nicolas to become a donor for him. Argiro is furious at him! Nicolas comes in.

At the party Dimitris is talking and flirting with Monica when Alexis arrives.
D. Did you deliver the package?
A. Yes but I can’t leave it alone for long?
D. You don’t have to worry; no one will open that package. You will find it untouched!
A. Stop talking like that! I am in no mood for your jokes!
D. Sorry!
A. Are you certain that there is no way we will meet someone we know in that disco?
D. Don’t worry! It’s a very old fashioned place. Our friends would never go there.
A. I am going to circulate, so I will be seen and then I am off!
D. But you just came! Boy, you are in love!

Maria sits at a table and orders an orange juice but the waiter tells her she has to order a bottle of whisky or wine. Maria orders a bottle of whisky with two glasses. She is thinking: "I hope he is not late! Where are you Alexis! Please don’t leave me alone in the place for long!"
Alexis is talking to the owner of the store and is tying to make a deal with him for Ecomoda.
Maria is sitting alone and has one of her daydreams: " Alexis comes and tells her that he had to fly to Paris to find the perfect ring for her. He then gets down on one knee and asks her to marry him! ”
At the party;
D. Did everybody see you?
A. Yes, I think I am ready to go! Did Monica forgive you?
D. I must forgive her!
A. Stop spilling your testosterone on the floor! Someone might slip and fall down!
Marc. Guess who! Surprise!

Episode 112 ( 10 )

A. Marcella!
Marc. Surprise! Not an unpleasant one I hope!
A. Of course not! I am very happy to see you, although I didn’t expect you!
Marc. I know! I only hope I will be able to avoid Lakis, the owner!
D. I don’t think this is possible so perhaps you should go…
Marc. What’s going on Dimitris? Are you trying to get rid of me? Where is your date? Did she get bored?
D. She saw you coming and got scared! Would you like me to call her?
Marc. You must be out of your mind!
She leaves to order some champagne.
A. Well wise guy! What are we going to do know? You didn’t see that coming, did you?
D. It was a bit unpredictable!
A. A bit? Think of something and be quick! I can’t leave Maria waiting for me in that dreadful place!

Maria is waiting for Alexis. Her dad calls and she tells him that she is at a party with Mr. Mantas. Her father is very displeased that she is again with her boss. When he hangs up he says to his wife that he doesn’t trust Mr. Mantas because he is a womanizer! He decides to speak to Nicolas about Maria.

Nicolas has heard everything his dad said. He asks his mum to leave them alone.

At the party.
A. Well, what do you think about the place?
Marc. Not bad for someone with low taste like Lakis.
Monica joins the party.
Mon. There are a lot of interesting people here. Marcella! I thought you weren’t coming!
Marc. I am sorry I’ve ruined it for you! Alexis, I can see that everyone knows my business!
A. But she just asked a simple question!
Mon. it’s getting very boring here…
D. Say when, and we are leaving!
A. (Whispering to him) You are not going anywhere until you get me out of this mess!
Marc. You two little boys are always whispering tonight! Are you having secrets?
D. From you? Never!
A. Never! Don’t be like that!
Marc. Monica, are you here alone? Didn’t you bring one of your friends along?
Mon. I came with Dimitris, Marcella.
Marc.  Is she telling the truth? Didn’t she bring one of her friends for you?
A. Marcella, what are you saying to her?
Mon. My friends don’t go out with almost married men!
Marc. But they don’t hesitate if they are already married…
Mon. Dimitris, let’s go…
D. Yes my love. Let’s leave those two alone!
A. What came over you? Tell me! Why did you treat the girl that way? Have you completely lost it?

At the pastry shop Nicolas doesn't believe his dad when he tells him he feels sorry. He describes to his dad all the difficult moments he had during his absence. He tells me that it’s too late to apologize now. He also tells him that he doesn’t want to become a donor for him.

At the party.
Marc. Why are you defending her? Is she Dimitris' girlfriend or yours?
A. Is that why you came here? To spy on me? Are you making stories about me and other women again?
Marc. Are they only in my imagination?
A. I thought we were beyond that insanity; that things were better between us!
Marc. But they are!
A. Are they? I don’t see that! How can things be good when you don’t trust me!
At that moment the owner approaches them and is very pleased to see Marcella. She is very rude to him and when he asks her why she dislikes him she says that she can’t forgive him for covering for Alexis in the past. Alexis invites him to go to his office and talk some business.
A. Would you like to come along my love? Maybe you would like to search under the desk for women.
Marc. Very funny! I don’t want you to think I don’t trust you!
A. Would you like to go?
Marc. No I will wait for you!
A. As you wish!

Maria is having a terrible time. She is thinking: Did he forget me? What am I going to do?
At the party Lakis asks Alexis what’s going on!

At Marcella’s flat Eleonora is very board because she is alone. Even Didi is not with her because he is sick. The doorbell rings. She runs to the door thinking it’s Didi but she sees Odysseas instead!
E. Didi! You are white!  
O. Excuse me?
E. You are not Didi!
O. I am sorry! I thought Marcella lived alone!
E. She is chasing after Alexis now .
O. I am sorry to bother you! Goodnight!
E. I am Eleonora, Marcella’s younger   :D  sister!
O. Glad to meet you.
E. Is the wine for her? She will be back soon! She will have a fight with him and come back alone.
Eleonora invites him in.

At the party.
Lak. I knew it there was a woman involved.
A. Marcella must not know this.
Lak. And I thought you stopped fooling around and I was disappointed!
A. It’s not like that this time…
Lak. Don't tell me that this one is different; that she is not like all the others?
A. She is not like the rest of them!
Lak. These women are the most dangerous! Be careful not to fall in love with her!
A. There is no such chance.
Lak. And what is she doing now? Waiting for you?
A. Yes. That’s why I have to stay here until Marcella gets bored and goes.
Lak. So you can go to the other one! But will she be waiting for you?
A. Oh my God! I forgot to tell her I would be late!
Lak. You are so insensitive! You left her there without telling her you will be late? The poor girl must be wondering if something has happened to you!

Maria is thinking: “Maybe something happened to him! Should I call him? Will I bother him? Should I call the hospitals or the police? Not the police. My dad always calls the hospitals.” She receives an sms from Alexis: “Marcella showed up! I am trying to escape! Please be patient!” Maria says, “ I will be as patient as you want!”

Eleonora and Odysseas are drinking the wine and getting to know each other. They are talking about Marcella and Eleonora reveals to him that Marcella loved taking photos but she stopped when she came second at a contest. Odysseas asks Eleonora if she has some of Marcella’s photos.

Alexis has an sms from Maria: “don’t worry Mr. Mantas”
Lak. Is she calling you Mr. Mantas?
A. She forgets herself sometimes. I mean it’s a game we play between us! She will wait for me…
Lak. If I were in her place I would have left!
A. That’s the way Mar.. I mean that girl is! She is not like the others… She trusts me.
Marcella comes in.
Marc. I am bored! Are you going to be long?
Lak. Come on Marcella! This is business!
A. Are you tired my love?
Marc. No! I am thrilled to sit on my own and look at Dimitris and Monica kissing. I am sure Christo would be thrilled too if he knew this.
A. You must not say a word to him!
Marc. I will not say a thing if you come home early!
A. So you are leaving! I am going to stay and talk some more and then I think I will go home. I don’t want to wake you!
Marc. You are coming to my house! Lakis, don’t keep him too long!
Lak. I will do my best…..(when the door is closed behind her)  to save him from your claws! She is finally gone!
A. I have to make sure!
He calls Dimitris
D. Yes my friend?
A. Since you haven’t done anything to help me perhaps you can make sure that Marcella is gone.
D. I am at your service!

Eleonora gives Odysseas some photos that Marcella took. He is very interested in them.

Dimitris follows Marcella until she leaves and calls Alexis:
D. Experienced stork is calling dump bird! The bat has flown!

Maria is getting ready to drink some whisky when she has a vision of her dad in his pajamas. He tells her that what she is doing is not right. She has no right to take another woman’s man. Maria starts crying and says that he doesn’t love her any more, so she is not doing anything wrong. Her dad tells her that she has no self-respect! Maria is crying.
A. Maria! Are you all right? Are you crying because of me? I am so sorry I am late!

Odysseas is very impressed by Marcella’s talent. He tries to understand her through her photos. Eleonora is very confused by his thoughts.

At the bar.
A. Maria, I couldn’t do otherwise. I had to wait for Marcella to leave.
M. I understand!
A. I am sorry I didn’t send you a message earlier but things were crazy there! He notices the whisky and the two glasses. Tell me, were you drinking alone?
M. I had to order it and I drank a little!
A. Perfect.
M. Alexis, didn’t Marcella suspect anything?
A. I don’t think so… She was mad because I told her that I would not sleep…. I mean go to her flat tonight!
M. Maybe it would be best if you took me home now! I can take a taxi too!
A. What are you saying? We had a date tonight! Didn’t we?
M. Yes but this entire thing with Marcella… It’s not right! She will be waiting for you!
A. But I told her I was not going!
M. Yes but you are going to get into trouble anyway!
A. What do you think I am Maria? Do you think I am afraid of Marcella? Eh?
M. No, no, I didn’t say that! It’s just that I don’t feel comfortable with this entire situation and I am certain that you don’t feel comfortable either!
A. Yes but for other reasons.
M. What did you say?
A. Maria, we have been through this a million times! I need some time to prepare her.
M. Yes but..
A. Listen to me! You way of thinking is very honorable! But you have to believe me… Marcella is not in love with me anymore! She will not get hurt! She is staying with me because she is used to it!
M. Are you telling me the truth?
A. Have I ever lied to you? Eh?
M. No! Never!
A. So… can we relax now?
M. Yes.
He tries to put his arm around her.
M. Perhaps you should think about this again!

Eleonora tells Odysseas that Eleonra has destroyed all her other photos. She tells him that Marcella is a perfectionist. She hides the photos and as Odysseas is getting ready to leave Marcella gets in and is very surprised and displeased to see him!

Episode 115  (13)

Marcella is determined to find out what time Alexis left the party and asks Lillian for help. Lillian is reluctant to help her because she is afraid of Alexis. Lillian tells her he is not going to find out because she is going to call a woman who was there and is a big gossip. She tells Lillian that it will be very easy to get this information.
Dimitris meets Alexis outside Ecomoda. He invites him for a cup of coffee and notices that he doesn’t look very well. He also mentions that perhaps Alexis should go to the office because a lot of people are looking for him. Alexis says that this is precisely why he doesn’t want to go to Ecomoda yet!
Jerry receives a call from Marcella and tells her that Alexis is not back yet! When Marcella tells him that she is coming to the office he asks her to bring him a cup of coffee. Marcella is heard yelling to him on the phone: “Are you crazy?” Jerry has to tell her he was joking.
Alexis and Dimitris are on their way to the coffee shop when they see Marcella and Lillian coming. They hide behind some bushes to avoid them.
Maria is calling Alexis but his phone is still turned off. She says to herself: “Where are you? Why is your phone turned off?”
Alexis and Dimitris sit at a table.
A. Tell me!
D. What?
A. About last night!
D. I don’t think you want to hear. You will be green with envy I don’t want to make you feel bad!
A. You don’t say, you Latin lover!
D. We had three explosions last night!
A. In a row?
D. Yes! My sheets were on fire!
A. Really? Will Monica be able to work today? You are going to get into trouble with Christo!
D. I really doubt that!
A. You should be careful so Lillian doesn’t find out. She could attack Monica.
D. I have sorted things with Lillian out. You should be careful so Marcella doesn’t find out!

Marcella and Lillian arrive at Ecomoda. Lillian begs Marcella to try to call Alexis one more time so she wouldn’t have to make the call to the gossip. Marcella does that but his phone is still off. Martha hears everything and informs Sofia that Alexis is in danger!

At the coffee shop:
A. Now that we are talking about me, I forgot to thank you for the place you send Maria and me last night!
D. Wasn’t it great? I told you so!
A. Of course you did! You said it was very discreet! You said that no one knows it! You said that we wouldn’t meet anyone we know!
D. Alexis, why are you looking at me like that? You are scaring me!
A. Really? I was also scared last night!
D. That’s happening to you every time you go out with Maria. You should have gotten used to it by now!
A. Get used to what? That I would go out with Maria and suddenly I would have a spot light on my face and Maria singing to me in public?
D. I can’t believe that! It’s too funny! It didn’t happen!
A. But it did! I had Maria singing to me Whitney Houston’s “ I will always love you” with her sweet yet out of tune voice!
D. Whitney! Christ! I am going crazy!
A. And I owe all these moments to you, my dear friend Dimitris!
D. Come on Alexis. The last time I was in that place they didn’t have a karaoke!
A. And of course you didn’t see anyone you know!
D. No!
A. Because last night, Christina honored us with her presence!
D. Our Christina? I hope she didn’t see you!
A. She almost did!
D. Then everything is ok!
A. Of course! If you don’t take into account that I almost had ten strokes, two heart attacks and fell unconscious once, everything was great! I hope Marcella won’t be too hard on me today!
D. I forgot to tell you…
A. You are scaring me!
D. She called me last night but I didn’t answer.
A. She called me too, she made me furious and I turned my phone off….. Oh my God I forgot to turn it back on!
D. I bet you have a lot of calls from both of them. I am sure Maria is worried for you too!

Maria is copying a poem, signs it with the name of the poet and addresses it to Alexis. She takes it to his office and places it on his desk on the chocolate wrap. Martha comes in and tells her that Alexis is in danger.

At Marcella’s flat, Eleonora has invited a hypnotist because she wants to get rid of her habit of biting her nails.

At the office Maria is terrified by the news and doesn’t know how she can help Alexis. Martha tells her that he must have been with another woman but Maria insists that he might have been tired. Martha says that the other woman must be a tramp and Maria tells her that if there is another woman, she might be in love with him. Martha insists that this doesn’t give her the right to be with a man who is engaged!
Lillian makes the call and learns that Alexis left the party at 10. Marcella realizes that he left the same time she did.

The hypnotist is trying to make Eleonora sleep, with no success. He says that Didi must leave the house because he has negative energy!

When Marcella realizes that Alexis lied to her when she called him at 10.30 and he was not at the party, she gets very angry. She orders Lillian to inform her the minute he comes in.

Christina arrives at Ecomoda and Jerry tries to show her that he doesn’t care about her. She says she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
Alexis comes in and asks Christina why she was late again and she answers that her kid doesn’t sleep well the last few nights!

Eleonora can’t get hypnotized but the hypnotist says that she must give him the expensive locket she is wearing so he can use it. She does that and finally she is asleep! The hypnotist, who is really a thief, starts searching Marcella’s apartment.

At Ecomoda, Alexis and Dimitris get out of the elevator.
L. Alexis! You are here! Are you all right? We were worried!
A. You were worried because I was late once? Then I should worry for you every day!
At Alexis office:
M. I don’t think that Mr. Mantas is cheating on Marcella.
Martha. It seems like you are not defending Alexis but his girlfriend!
M. Me? Never!
Martha. I know you are very loyal to him but that is too much.
Alexis comes in.
A. Good morning
M and Martha. Good morning Mr. Mantas!
A. Are you having your morning gossip?
Martha. It’s not morning!
A. Sorry! I will let you know next time I am late!
Martha. But I came to warn you!
A. About what?
M. Alex… Mr. Mantas, Marcella was worried about you last night and…
Martha. …she is trying to find out what time you left the party.
A. What?
Marcella comes in.
Marc. All of you out! I want to talk to my future husband!

The thief leaves the flat leaving Eleonora asleep!

At the office.
A. What happened to your manners? Why did you treat Maria and Martha like that?
Marc. You should watch the way I am going to treat you!
A. I just realized I had my phone turned off! I was going to call you!
M. Really? Well here I am!
A. You are clearly very angry!
Marc. You are so clever!
A. Can’t we talk like intelligent human beings?
Marc. No because you are a pig.
A. Did Sergios teach you these manners?
Marc. Leave my brother out of this. Why was your phone off?
A. I was tired and wanted to sleep!
Marc. What time did you leave the party?
A. I don’t know! I didn’t see my watch!
Marc. When I called you at 10.30 you said that you were still there!
A. Then I must have been there!
Marc. Someone told me that you left at 10!
A. You are getting paranoid for half an hour’s difference!
Marc. Are you calling me a paranoid?
A. Enough! Has it occurred to you that she might be wrong? We are fighting about something ridiculous!
M. It’s useless to discuss it. I am sure that you were with someone else and I will find out with whom!
A. If you are sure, then break up with me! Why are you looking at me! I am tired of trying to explain the obvious all the time. Either you stay with me and trust me or you stay with your suspicions and we break up! What do you say?

Eleonora wakes up and realizes that something is wrong.

At the office.
A. Well? I am waiting!
Marc. Don’t provoke me!
A. Do you know how much I am hurt by your suspicions? I can’t stand you questioning my loyalty all the time.
Marc. I don’t want us to fight!
A. Either you believe me or not!
Marc. I believe you.
A. Not like that! You have to say it with your heart!
Marc. I believe you.
A. That’s better.
They kiss. Marcella’s phone rings. It’s Eleonora who tells her that men with black hoods attacked her and robbed Marcella’s jewelry. Marcella tells her that her jewelry is at the safety deposit box in the bank.

At Maria’s house her mother is reading an article. Her father decides to see what his wife is reading and finds out that it’s an article on the relationships between people working together and especially between bosses and their secretaries. He tells his wife that if that happens to Maria and her boss hurts her feelings he will regret it!

At the office. Marcella is kissing Alexis again when she touches the chocolate wrap on his desk.
Marc. What’s that? Since when are you leaving garbage on your desk? Chocolate? You don’t like chocolate!
A. People change tastes!
She notices the poem.
Marc. What’s that?
A. What?
Marc. (reading) For Alexis! And it has a heat too. Interesting!
A. Marcella, I swear I have no idea what that is!
Marc. I am sure you don’t. What’s the meaning of this? Who is leaving love poems on your desk?

Episode 116 (14)

Marc. Who is leaving love poems on your desk?
A. What are you saying my love? What poem?
Marc. I am not saying anything! The poem speaks for itself!: “ I was waiting to hear your footsteps. They are like the morning sun for me”...
A. I don’t understand…
Marc. What can’t you understand? The footsteps or the morning sun?
A. Please, listen to me…I don’t know who left that thing on my desk!
Marc. Thing? This beautiful poem?
A. I am telling you; I don’t understand what’s going on!
Marc. Maybe the poem can reveal who left it…Let’s see… “It was raining inside the house and I was waiting for you to appear”. Are you listening? She says she was waiting for you to appear! Why didn’t you appear?
A. Because I don’t know who was waiting for me!
Marc. So you admit that someone was waiting for you!
A. Where? Inside the house, where it rained? Let’s get serious! I have no idea how that got here!
Marc. “Out there in the secret city, in the field where the smiles bloom and clueless ladybugs promise spring”.  Clueless ladybugs.... is she referring to you my love?
A. You cannot imagine that I...
Marc. “ I know you have arrived although you are not there. I always hear your footsteps. I always hear your footsteps inside me. I will always be waiting for you to appear” . Are you listening to this? She will always be waiting for you this…. Antigoni Grigoriou ...and she is writing her name too!
A. Antigoni Grigoriou?
Marc. Don’t pretend you don’t know her! She is hearing your footsteps inside of her and you don’t have a clue, my clueless ladybug?
A. Please my love! I have no idea who that crazy woman is!
Marc. I am crazy for believing you!
A. Perhaps it’s for someone else and Jerry made a mistake!
Marc. It says here: for Alexis. Is there another Alexis in Ecomoda?
A. Isn't there? Have you checked the middle names too?
Marc. Stop joking! Are you making fun of me? (she is crying) I have loved you all these years and I have given you everything!
A. I love you too…
Marc. Really? How? By deceiving me and making me feel inadequate all the time?
A. Do I make you feel that way?
Marc. Of course! I am always feeling guilty for my suspicions and I try not to show anything because I know you work hard and are tired.
A. Marcella, my love…
Marc. My love? Do you think you can call me that and I will forgive you?
A. You are being unfair!
Marc. Unfair? You almost made me apologize to you earlier and you are cheating on me with someone who calls you a ladybug!
A. I don’t think she meant it literally.
M. Stop correcting me! You are an insensitive pig, a bastard.
She gets out of the office.
A. Marcella, my love…
Marc. Go to your girlfriend Antigoni who is writing poems to you…
She leaves while all the girls pretend to be doing something else.
A. What are you all ooking at?
He goes back to his office.
Lillian follows Marcella and asks her if she knows who the other woman is and Marcella says she is planning to find out.
At the office Alexis is pacing saying ” I am not going to kill her! I am not going to kill her!” Then he shouts:
A. Maria! Maria! Come out! Are you hiding?
M. God! Please help me!
She goes in his office!
M. Mr. Mantas… Alexis I wanted to explain…
A. Explain what? That you love poetry? Now we know! All of us and Marcella first of all!

Marcella and Lillian go to the coffee shop. Marcella is very angry.

At the office.
M. I am an idiot! I just wanted to give you something in return for the card you gave me!
A. Some gift! Thank you so much! What are you going to give me next? Are you going to hang a photo of us kissing on the wall?
M. You are right! How could I be so stupid? I am so sorry!
A. The good thing is that you didn’t sign with your real name…
M. No this is…
A. What am I going to do with Marcella now?
M. I can’t believe this is happening!
A. Me too! What am I going to do? The scandal! My parents!
M. I am doing you harm Alexis! I am! And I can’t stand that!
A. Shhh! Don’t shout! They will hear us!
M. And not only you! Marcella loves you very much! I didn’t realize that until today!
A. Maria…
M. Let me finish please. It’s easy to say that I love you too and justify myself but I was not raised like that! These are not the principles my parents gave me!
A. Maria, times change!
M. Really? Does pain change too? Does it become less? Because I think it remains the same! Does someone ,who finds out he is being deceived, hurt less just because deceit is common these days? I don’t believe that!
A. What are you saying Maria?
M. I am saying that I don’t want to do to others the things I don’t want done to me. How can I build my happiness on another person’s misery?
A. I don’t understand you!  What are you suggesting?
M. We have to break up! There is no other way!

Lillian and Marcella are talking. Lillian can’t believe Alexis is involved with that kind of a woman and not a model. Marcella says that she is probably a model who copied a poem.

At the office:
M. I am not joking Alexis. There is no other way! We cannot be together!
A. Maria, what are you talking about! You are still affected! Please don’t make any hasty decisions!
M. I am glad I am affected! I thank God for that! What happened here today was bad for you but it was the best thing for me!
A. Excuse me?
M. It helped me open my eyes to the truth! I saw what I was about to do. So, from now on we will be what we were! I will be Maria and you will be Mr. Mantas, my boss who is yelling at me.
A. Maria, wait a minute!
M. I will be the financial manager and you the president; our relationship will be strictly professional…. And now if you’ll excuse me…
She goes in her office.
A. (whispering) Don’t let me keep you…
He looks shocked while Maria is crying in her office.

Lillian thinks Antigoni must be a new model and Marcella decides to call Christo, who knows everyone. He is too busy and hangs up.

At Maria’s house her parents are waiting for their niece and her baby to come for lunch! They are wondering if the baby looks like their niece.

At Dimitris’ office.
A. We broke up!
D. Take it easy! You are becoming as reckless as Maria!
A. Are you listening to me? We broke up!
D. You broke up with Marcella? It’s not so tragic unless she found out about Maria!
A. Maria broke up with me! And Marcella is going to break up with me too!
D. Are you serious? The little monster dumped you? How did you manage that?

The girls are talking about what happened earlier and decide to go and ask Maria.
At Maria’s house, her parents are having a great time watching the baby.

Maria is crying in her office looking at Alexis photo:“ there is no other way Alexis. It’s the best thing for everyone! I knew from the beginning that my dream would never come true” . The girls come in and wonder why she is crying. They ask her what happened but Maria sends them away without telling them anything. She says to herself:” no! There is no other way!”
At Dimitris' office.
A. Aren’t you listening to me? It’s final!
D. Are you going to allow this to yourself? What a humiliation!
A. Don’t you understand what happened?
D. I do! A woman in love left you a poem and a shrew wants to break up with you! If the woman in love weren’t that ugly, I would say that you are the luckiest man!
A. Dimitris…
D. What am I talking about! Even the woman in love broke up with you! Nobody wants you! Maybe you should explore other options! You never know!
A. Keep joking!
D. Seriously now! You have to get Maria back because she can fall into Nicolas hands! And then….
A. I know…
D. It’s a good thing she didn’t use her real name!
A. Where did she come up with that name?

At the coffee shop, Christo tells Marcella and Lillian that he doesn’t know any model with that name but he will try and find out who the mystery woman is.

At Dimitris office
D. Maybe she likes to be called that in her more intimate moments!
A. I implore you! I don’t want to fantasize about that!
D. That’s too bad because you may have to go beyond fantasizing! What are you looking at? You have to win Maria back unless you want the company that your father founded to fall into Nicolas'' hands.

At the pastry shop Argiro receives a call from Nicolas' cell phone. It’s from the Russian girl who stole his phone. She says she wants to meet him so she can return it!

At the coffee shop, Christo promises Marcella he will soon have all the information on the mystery woman. She thanks him.

At Maria’s house her parents and their niece are trying to find a suitable name for the baby. Maria’s dad insists that she should follow tradition and name the baby after her father in law.

Maria is still crying and remembers all the times she had with Alexis.: the first time she saw him, the beach, their kisses... Finally she says: “No! I will not fall apart! I must not fall apart! I made the right choice! I can’t do that to Marcella.”

Marcella tells Lillian that she is thinking of hiring a detective. She says she is going to Alexis' office to talk to Maria now that he is hiding in Dimitris’ office!

Christo calls Lillian and tells her that he found out who the mysterious woman is!

Episode 119 (17)

Alexis drives away with Maria.
M. But I don’t understand where…
A. Do you think I can understand anything?
M. Alexis, what are you doing? Where are we going?
A. Don’t worry Maria.
M. But they are waiting for me…. My father will…
A. Don’t worry Maria. We are going for a short drive. I am not abducting you.
M. My parents will be very worried, Nicolas too… I told them it would only take a minute!
A. Nicolas, Nicolas and Nicolas. It’s always him.
M. I don’t understand you Alexis! Nicolas…
A. He is always there Maria. Is Nicolas calling? Maria must run to him! Is Nicolas calling on your cell phone? Maria obeys him. Nicolas, Nicolas, Nicolas! We are not talking about anyone else! Only him!
M. But I have explained it to you Alexis a million times! We are just friends!
A. Just friends?
M. What else? Good friends!
A. Then why are you worrying so much about him Maria?
M. I am not worrying! It’s just…
A. Is it because you are afraid your good friend will get jealous now that you are with me?
M. Get jealous? Of course not! Alexis, please stop.
A. Then you simply prefer Nicolas Maria! It’s the only thing I can assume! You prefer Nicolas to me!
M. No, no…
A. And you admit it to my face! You don’t care about me! You don’t care about what I am feeling….
M. I care! I care! I really care…
A. You say that and then there he is again! We have to get some things cleared Maria.
M. Alexis, where are we going?
A. I told you Maria; we are going for a short walk. We have to discuss a few things.

At Maria’s house her father is very upset by this situation. He doesn’t like the fact that Alexis keeps his daughter out. His wife tells him he is overreacting. He is determined to go out and search for her if she doesn’t return in five minutes.

Maria and Alexis are walking in a playground.
A. Let’s go and sit over there on the small bench.
M. Swings!
She runs and sits on one. He goes behind her and pushes her so she can swing higher.
A. Are you all right now?
M. Yes Alexis…
He sits on the other swing.
A. Maria, sorry I yelled at you earlier…
M. No, Alexis, it doesn’t matter; I understand.
A. Good. Now we can talk more calmly. Let’s start from the beginning. The last few days, I feel as if I have reached my hand and touched the sky. I feel as if I’ve found my paradise…
M. Really Mr. Mantas? I mean Alexis…
A. I feel very lucky, Maria, because what we experience, comes only once in a man’s life. If he is lucky…and what do you do? You ruin everything and throw me to hell, just like that! Coldly…
M. That’s not true, Mr. Alexis. I am not cold! I too lived the most beautiful moments of my life… I…I thought that all my dreams came true!
A. Then why? What happened? Why are you destroying everything?
M. I told you… When I saw how upset Marcella was about the poem, I understood how much she loves you.
A. She doesn’t love me…
M. She does! Let’s not fool ourselves Alexis!
A. Maria…
M. Please, let me finish. I’ve thought of everything and I said to myself: “no, it can’t go on!" Such deceit, such betrayal! I can’t hurt so many people, I just can’t. I can’t carry so much weight Mr. Alexis…
A. Maria, I understand, but tell me honestly now; do you prefer not to experience all the things you 've dreamt about, all the things we dreamt about? What is more important to you?
M. Don’t do this to me! Don’t make me choose between my conscience and us.
He gets up and approaches her.
A. I want to live this Maria…You feel the same too… Do you want to deprive yourself of that great joy?
M. You are right but…
He kneels in front of her.
A. I want to live all the nights of my life like this Maria…
M. Alexis...
They kiss...
Three of the neighborhood boys, including Lambis (the one who always makes fun of her) arrive and start talking. They notice Alexis and Maria who are still kissing and start teasing them.
M. Alexis, Alexis they are looking at us…
A. Don’t pay any attention to them. Let them look… there is only you and me now. There is only us… no one can get between us…
M. But…
A. No one can get between us… Stop it. Kiss me…
They kiss again…

At Marcela’s flat, Lou is describing all of Odysseas’ qualities to Marcella. She asks her for help with him and then tells her that they should go out for a cup of coffee some day. She even invites her to her exhibition because she is a very promising sculptress. She leaves and Odysseas comes out of his hiding place. Odysseas insists that Lou is crazy and asks Marcella if she would like to invite him for a glass of wine. She accepts.

At the playground Alexis and Maria are still kissing…
M. Alexis, this has to stop! It can’t be…
A. Don’t ask me to stop! I can’t!
M. But you have to! Marcella…
A. It’s true that I can’t break up with her soon. If she finds out ,she would take her shares away before things get back to normal at Ecomoda…
M. I understand Alexis. I totally understand that’s why we should end this here. You can’t risk so many things for me…
A. Maria, I am not saying that! What I am saying is that we have to be careful… please understand me…
M. Mr. Mantas we have to end this before things get any worse.
A. Please don’t leave me alone…. Don’t leave me alone…
He kisses her…
The boys approach them and when they see Maria they are surprised. They ask her where she found her boyfriend and if he is blind.
A. What’s going on Maria? Do you know these guys?
M. Leave them Alexis; they are not worth the trouble. Ignore them…
L. What’s wrong with you? Are you kissing her? She is so ugly! You are a hero…
M. Lambis, leave us alone right now…
L. Is she paying you? How much? Although you seem to have money. Nice suite, expansive tie…
A. Keep your hands down!
L. Tell us your secret Maria… How did you manage to get him? Was it your beauty?
A. Take that back! Take that back now!
L. Why? Is Maria’s lover going to beat us?
Alexis punches him and they start fighting.
M. No, no leave him!

Maria’s dad is determined to go and find Maria…

At the playground.
L. Did you punch me? Do you know who I am?
M. Stop it! I will tell you who he is…
A. Stand back Maria.
L. We care about Maria too and we want you to look like her.
M. Alexis… stop it please…
A. No Maria! I will not let anyone insult you like this!

Marcela and Odysseas are talking about Alexis and Marcella makes it clear to him that she is totally faithful to him. He asks her about her hobby with photography but she doesn’t seem to want to talk about it. He asks her to show him some of her work and finally she agrees. She starts showing him more and more photos…He admires them and insists that she should start taking pictures again.

At the playground the three boys beat Alexis pretty badly.
M. Help! Help!
He dad appears.
M. Father, how did you get here?
I. How did I get here? How did YOU get here…
The boys decide to run away…
I. (to Alexis) Are you all right? (to Maria) how did you get here?
M. Mr. Mantas asked me to escort him so he can buy cigarettes.
I. You should quit smoking young man. It’s not good for your health.
A. Yes…
M. We stopped here so he could smoke and they saw us… and you know how they are…
I. What did they say to you?
M. It’s not important father… you know what they are saying to me…
A. What happened is this: they spoke very badly to Maria and I could not have this so I punched one of them and then we started fighting…
I. Yes but what did they say to you?
M. You know they always make fun of me because I am ugly…
A. I don’t accept that! Maria deserves to be respected by everyone! And I couldn’t tolerate such behavior.
I. Mr. Alexis, it’s a shame that things like that happen…that’s why I told you Maria that you should invite Mr. Mantas in the house.
A. It’s not Maria’s fault! I came unexpectedly and…
I. Maria knows she can’t be alone in the street with these guys around. They have already beaten Nicolas once.
A. Nicolas? Really?
I. I punch them once in a while too…
A. Now they are gone…the case is closed…
M. Yes father. Everything is over… I can’t deal with any more problems tonight!
I. No Maria! The case is not closed. Mr. Mantas you have to come to our house so my wife can treat your wounds.
A. Don’t worry. I’d better drive you home and go to my place.
I. Is miss Marcella waiting for you?
A. Ehhh? Yes, she will be worried.
I. I wonder what she will say when she sees you like that…
A. Don’t worry! I will not tell her that this incident happened in Maria’s neighborhood. You can relax Mr. Iraklis.

Marcella and Odysseas get to know each other better. They talk about relationships and they decide to be friends. He realizes that it’s late and leaves thanking her…

Alexis and Maria are talking near his car.
M. Alexis, are you sure you don’t want to come inside for a while? I can’t let you go like this!
A. There is no need Maria. Don’t worry!
M. You shouldn’t have gotten into a fight for me… I don’t deserve it!
A. Don’t say that! Don’t say you don’t deserve it! I couldn’t allow them to make fun of you! But I am not the only one! Nicolas has defended you too! Isn’t that so?
M. Yes! It happened only once!
A. Did they see you together, like we were tonight?
M. No, no, don’t pay attention to them. They want to tease me…
A. Are you sure?
M. Yes Alexis!
A. And he is in the house now?
M. Who, Nicolas? I think so, but he will leave early.
A. All right… so I am going too…
M. Are you sure you are ok?
A. No Maria, I am not! I came here to get back together with you and what do I accomplish instead? I leave empty-handed and with my face bruised.
M. I don’t want you to go empty-handed... I don’t want you to go at all but we have to be careful! We can’t go out that often!
A. So…. You changed your mind? You are not leaving me? (she nods “yes”) Maria, we will have all the time in the world together…
M. Alexis, I have noticed that you are bothered every time I mention Nicolas.
A. All right, if you say that there is nothing going on between you, I will stop doing that.
M. Yes Alexis. I swear!
A. Really? You don’t know how happy you make me! You are so beautiful… Can I ask you a favor?
M what is it?
A. Maybe you can let everyone think that you are having a relationship with Nicolas…
M. Excuse me?
A. No one would suspect us that way!
M. Ok Alexis!
A. Great! I can’t kiss you again because we are in front of your house and your father might see us.
M. Ok Alexis… see you tomorrow. (she kisses him on the cheek and goes in her house).
Her father is describing the whole incident to her mother and Nicolas. Maria and Nicolas are talking about Nicolas’ father. He also says to Maria that he has lost Angeliki too.
Angeliki and Sotiris are still having drinks.

Alexis arrives at Marcella’s apartment.
Marc. Why are you that late? Did they have great offers at the super market?
A. Marcella, please stop it…
Marc. Alexis! What happened to you? Did some crazy housewife attack you because you took the last detergent?
A. What are you talking about? I got into trouble!
Marc. I can see that!
A. A taxi driver almost hit me and then we got into a fight!
Marc. How could you get into fights in the middle of the street! Let me see that. It could be worse…
A. I know that.
Marc. Let me get you some ice.
A. I see you had a visitor…
Marc. Yes I had a visitor!
A. Good…
Marc. Aren’t you going to ask me who it was?
A. No Marcella… I am going to take a shower.

Sotiris asks Angeliki if she was ever involved with Nicolas. She says no.

Maria is writing in her diary: “ I will do everything he asked me to…no one has ever talked to me like he did. Although he likes me just the way I am and he defended me, I want to try and change… for him… I will change… he got beaten tonight because of me, because I am ugly. No! This must not happen again! I will become another woman for his sake. I will not be the same Maria. I will not be Maria the ugly ever again…”

Episode 120 ( 18 )

Alexis is looking at Marcella:
A. You are so beautiful…
Marc. Sometimes you look at me as if you are seeing me for the first time.
She tries to kiss him but he is in pain.
Marc. The ice didn’t do much good…
A. I hope it will not be swollen tomorrow…
Marc. I don’t know about that but you will definitely be bruised…
A. I will hate listening to their remarks. I will not be able to stand their questions.
Marc. What about their comments behind your back? The president of Ecomoda getting into a fight with a lowly taxi driver!
A. Next time I will get into a fight with someone more glamourous. A politician, a businessman perhaps? Is that prestigious enough for you?
Marc. It’s not like you to get into a fight!
A. My nerves are not in a good state...
Marc. I don’t understand the reason...
A.   Are you looking for a quarrel? I have a million things on my mind until the next board meeting…and I have you with your suspicions…
Marc. So it’s my fault you pretended to be Rambo?
A. I am always tense; can’t you understand that?
Marc. No, I can’t. I also got stressed when I found the love note on your desk, but I idn’t run around hitting people…
A. It was not a love note; it was a poem…
Marc. Big difference!
A. …and I told you I have no idea how this got on my desk! When are you going to trust me?
Marc. Are you in pain baby?
A. Yes I am…
Marc. Let’s get you to bed…
A. I will go to bed but how can I sleep when I know that you are thinking nonsense about me?
Marc. You are exaggerating…
A. Am I? How can I lie next to a woman who doesn’t trust me?
Marc. I trust you… Let’s go now…
They go into the room.
Maria is talking in her sleep: “I will be beautiful…” , while Marcella is trying to kiss Alexis, who is obviously in a lot of pain.
Next morning, Maria’s parents are eating breakfast. Maria comes into the dinning room very happy. Her mother tells her that her boss is quite a gentleman because he got beaten for her sake. Her father says that Mr. Mantas has won his esteem. Maria asks her mother for the address of the clothes manufacturer she knows. Maria tells them that she decided to change her appearance. Her father doesn’t agree with that. Maria says she is going to look in other places too. She also decides to call her boss to let him know she is going to be late.
Alexis and Marcella are in her apartment.
A. I think I will take the day off… I can’t show myself looking like that.
Marc. I offered to cover it for you with some make-up but you refused.
A. Maybe you can also give me one of your dresses so I can earn my living…
Marc. Then stay looking like that…
His phone rings.
A. It's Maria...
Marc. I don’t believe it! Did she dream about you tonight? Aren’t going to answer?
A. Yes…Maria, hi…
M. Good morning… I am sorry I am calling so early! Are you at the office?
A. Not yet.
M. Sorry again.
A. What’s the matter?
M. Is Miss Marcella there with you?
A. Yes.
M. I understand… I wanted to ask your permission to come a little later today.
A. Why?
M. Something came up and…
A. What time are you going to come?
M. Around 11 or 12…
A. That late?
Marc. What’s going on? Did she party all night and now she is too tired to come to work? She kisses Alexis loudly.
A. All right Maria… try not to be late… Ok? 
M. ….
A. Maria…. Are you listening to me?
M. …
A. Maria… Maria…
M. Yes, Mr. Mantas. I heard you very well. Thank you.
She hangs up.
A. Next time I am on the phone, I don’t want you to bother me!
Marc. Why? Are you afraid Maria would be shocked? Don’t worry… even if she heard the sound of a kiss, she would not be able to recognize it…
A. I have to go to the office now that Maria isn’t there.
Marc. What a disaster! Who is going to cover your dirty work now?
A. Don’t start again…
Marc. Can I kiss you now that no one is listening?
She does but he is n pain and orders her to be careful.

At Maria’s house her mother notices that Maria looks sad but she is certain that her mood will change once she goes to the shops. Nicolas comes in and wants to copy some files from her PC. When he hears that Maria wants to change her appearance, he asks her if she is going to a plastic surgeon but Maria says that she only needs  new clothes and a dood haidresser. When she sees that Nicolas has Lillian’s photo glued on his notebook, she makes fun of him.

Lillian arrives at Ecomoda and notices that Christina is late again. She mentions that to Jerry who defends Christina.
At the pastry shop Angeliki tells Argiro about her husbands visit.

Lillian tells Stergiou that Christina is late again. Stergiou doesn’t like it and says that something must be done.

Angeliki says to Argyro that perhaps her husband wants to spend his last days with his son. Argiro gets angry and says that Nicolas has decided not to see him again.

At the coffee shop, Odysseas is talking to Christo on the phone. Marcella and Alexis arrive and Marcella introduces them.
A. I am sorry I neglected to invite you to my office earlier.
O. There is a lot of tension in Ecomoda. I am trying  to talk to Christo about my ideas and he is always busy.
A. It’s true. We are very busy…
O. You have to loosen up. There are other ways to live.
A. There is no other way...
He orders a cup of coffee and Odysseas invites Marcella to sit with him because he wants her opinion on his ideas for the photo shoot. Alexis is surprised because Marcella doesn’t know anything about photos. Odysseas tells him that she is a great photographer and looks surprised that he doesn’t know something so important about his future wife. Marcella is in a very difficult position.
O. You obviously don’t know your future wife very well.
A. Obviously… I am leaving you two photographers to work.
He leaves. Marcella calls him back but he is gone. Marcella is very angry with Odysseas but he says that he couldn’t imagine that she didn't reveal this side of herself to a man she says she loves. He asks her to forgive him and says that nothing serious happened because Alexis is too involved with other matters to notice it. Marcella agrees with him.

Alexis arrives at Ecomoda and is very displeased to see that Christina is not in her place. Lillian and Stergiou get out of the elevator. Alexis wants to know what’s going on.
L. As I was telling Mr. Stergiou, Christina is always late. Maria is late too I see…
A. And you are always on time! I gave Maria permission to be late.
L. Anyway… Christina is late.
A. You are always late too…
L. Yes but not two days in a row.
Stergiou says that they must fire Christina.

Marcella and Odysseas are talking about his idea to take pictures of the models in various shipwrecks but Marcella thinks it will be too expensive and Maria wouldn’t agree to that. When she notices a small boy, Odysseas tells her that he’s got a new idea. He will photograph the models playing children’s games. He also wants her to pose for him but she refuses.

At Ecomoda Jerry is trying to defend Christina but Alexis tells him that this is not his business. Lillian makes fun of him.
A. This is not funny Lillian! We are discussing about firing someone! Can’t you pretend to be serious once in your life?
Marcella finds them talking.
Marc. What’s going on? I hope you didn’t beat anyone Alexis.
L. What happened to him Marcella? Did you punch him during a fight?  
Marc. Stop saying nonsense Lillian.
L. Christina is late again!
Marc. That cannot go on. She has to understand…
St. She will, when she gets fired.
Martha learns from Jerry that they are planning to fire Christina.
Lilian asks Marcella if Christina will be able to find another job but Marcella says that she is not getting a letter of recommendation from them. Stergiou says that Christina’s place must be filled at once and Alexis proposes that Lilian should do this.

Argiro is feeling a little guilty about her behavior to her sick husband

At Ecomoda.
L. You can’t be serious!
A. Of course I am! You will have to come in at 8 instead of 9 though…otherwise you will be fired too.
L. Please don’t do this to me! Marcella say something!
Marc. Stop whinning Lillian. Alexis, isn’t there another way?
A. Don’t you believe your friend is going to make it? Lillian, gather your things and go down.
L. Well. She was late only a couple of times.
A. Really? That’s not what you said before!
Marc. She will get fired and that’s the end of it.
Christo arrives saying he is too tired. He sees Alexis’ face.
Chr. What happened to you? Did Marcella beat you? 
A. Go to hell…He goes to his office
Chr. Well done!
Dimitris comes out of the elevator and asks Marcella if Alexis is in his office. Lillian is very jealous of Monica but Dimitris doesn’t pay any attention to her. He goes into Alexis' office.
D. My dear friend! (He notices Alexis face). What happened to you? Don’t tell me Marcella beat you… 

Marcella orders Lilian to do what Alexis asked her. Martha and Sandra decide to have a meeting so they can save Christina.

At Alexis office.
D. What did you say? Maria’s friends beat you?
A. First of all, they didn’t beat me! I punched them!
D. I can see that!
A. And second, they are not her friends. They are living in her neighborhood.
D. I don’t believe you started a fight! You didn’t do that even when the kids at school called you “mummy’s little boy”
A. They never called me that!
D. That’s not what I’ve heard…
A. You want me to punch you too?
D. Now that you’ve started there is no wayof stopping you!
A. That’s not funny.
D. You have to understand that this is a side of you, I didn’t know existed. Rambo Mantas.
A. Go on; joke all you want! What else could I do? If you only heard what they said to her…
D. Shame on them…
A. These punks; how could they make fun of her like that!
D. To her beautiful face! (Alexis looks at him angrily) OK. Please don’t hit me too.
A. Sometimes you are so insensitive.
D. You on the other hand are a knight in shinning armor. Maria’s knight! Anyway, I think that with that, you stole her hart forever.
A. That’s not why I did it!
D. Yes, I know and that worries me… Anyway, where is the beauty?
Maria is looking at dresses and imagines she is wearing them. She goes into the shop but the salesgirls look at her astonished.

Episode 123 (21)

Marcella and Lillian are making fun of Maria.
L. Can you imagine what happens when she goes to the doctor? She would say: “Would you like me to get undressed?” and he will answer: “No, please, I am begging you… Don’t do it!” Can you imagine what happens when she is with her boyfriend?
Marc. Poor man! She must be giving him strokes instead of kisses.
Alexis comes out of his office.
A. Are you still making fun of Maria? Don’t you have anything else to do?

At the pastry shop, Sotiris is very grateful about the tickets. Argiro seems to be bothered by something.

At Ecomoda:
A. I am asking you! Are you still making fun of Maria?
Marc. We are not making fun of her but of her boyfriend! Can you imagine his shock, when he sees her tonight?
A. Maybe he has already seen her!
Marc. Poor man!
Maria comes out of the office. Christo sees her too.
Chr. What happened to her? Didn’t anyone tell her not to stick her finger in the socket? What is that costume she is wearing?
A. Christo, don’t you have to go and finish your creations?
Chr. I will go but what will happen with this abomination here?
A. You should mind your own business! All of you! I will not repeat it!
He leaves...
Marc. I think you crossed the line Christo!
Chr. Don’t tell me it’s her cousin? If I find out that there is tow of them, I will quit now!
L. It’s her but her second edition!
Marc. An improved one!
Chr. She is not improved! If a bird saw her in the street it would think it had found a nest for the next ten years!
L. I can’t laugh anymore. My stomach hurts.
Marc. I think hairstylists and designers must hate her.
Chr. I see that ugliness multiplies and beauty is very hard to find.
Sofia and Martha are very sorry for Maria. Martha says that they must do something about it!

At the pastry shop, Argiro is very displeased because Nicolas accepted the tickets his dad gave him. Nicolas says that perhaps he is really sorry but Argiro things that he is only thinking about his health and the kidney transplant.

At Econoda, Alexis comes into Maria’s office:
A. Maria, please give this list to Sofia. I don’t need it anymore.
M. Yes Mr. Alexis….
He leaves and waves at her.

The girls are looking at pictures of famous stars, who looked terrible when they were young. Maria gives the list to Sofia. Jerry comes in and makes a funny comment on Maria’s appearance.
Odysseas brings Michalakis to his mother and she thanks him for his help. He goes to Christo and reveals to him the concept of the photo shoot. Christo finds it interesting. Odysseas thinks that Popi must be one of the models. Christo doesn’t like the idea at all.
Alexis is looking at photos in a magazine and suddenly realizes that he visualizes Maria replacing the model in the photo. He seems very upset. Maria is looking at herself in the mirror.

Christo doesn’t like the idea of Popi posing because he thinks she is too dump. Odysseas insists on using her. Popi invites Jerry to dinner.

Dimitris comes into Alexis office:
D. I salute all the beautiful people!
A. Cut it out my friend, because I am very stressed.
D. Why? What 's happened? Is there a company crisis?
A. You are not well informed. The only thing our employees are doing today is to make fun of Maria.
D. She looks that bad?
A. Worse! You can see for yourself if you don’t believe me.
D. But you stood firm, didn’t you? I hope you weren’t tempted to make fun of her?
A. Of course not!
D. Good!
A. It annoys me very much when they make fun of Maria.
D. Very good!
A. It really annoys me to see how they are joking about her new look! If you can call it that…
D. Very good! Is the beauty of the day in her office?
Alexis nods “yes”. Dimitris goes into Maria’s office:
D. Maria, can you give me the sales reports?
M. Certainly…
He is gone before she has the chance to give the papers to him.
D. (laughing) It’s true! You have to see it to believe it!
A. Lower your voice! She will hear us.
D. And all this happened just because you kissed her?
A. It seems that way…
D. It’s fortunate she didn’t turn into a frog! I hope you made some kind of compliment on her new look!
A. You must be joking!
D. Are you out of your mind? There is nothing worse than what you did!
A. What did I do?
D. There is nothing more humiliating for a woman’s ego than the lack of compliments on her new look!
A. Look! I can cheer three times “hooray”! Will that be enough?
D. Maria is not the first woman who tried to change her appearance and failed! You on the other hand must tell her you like it. It’s that simple. A woman changes appearance to please either her husband or her boyfriend.
A. You don’t get it! All the employees are making fun of her. If I say to her that I like it she will think that I am trying to console her or that I am lying to her and that’s worse.
D. Maria must feel that you are serious about her. That your love for her goes beyond her looks.
A. Isn’t that obvious?
D. No, it’s not! You have to let her know that you love her despite her dress, shoes, hairdo, myopic eyes, braces, …and it’s a long list, damn...
A. Are you getting somewhere?
D. What I would do if I were you, who thank God I am not, is to make love to Maria just the way she is. It’s the only way to convince her that you truly love her.
A. Watch it! The fact that I kissed her will haunt me all my life! I can’t do this to her! Do you hear me? I can’t do this to her! I can’t deceive her that way!
D. You will be doing her a favor!
A. A favor? I don’t call that kind of a deception a favor! This girl has been supporting and helping me from the first day! Forget it! There is no way I am doing this! This is not going to happen! Never!   Only thinking about it makes me shiver.
D. Then you have to be prepared. Forget about Vicky! Adriana is your girl from now on….
A. I don’t think she can help me…
D. Shame on you…
A. Shame on me…
Maria walks in.
M. Here are the reports you asked Mr. Dimitris.
D. Thank you Maria.
M. Mr. Alexis, can I go and have lunch?
A. Of course you can Maria.
Maria calls Christina to let her know she will be coming to lunch.

Dimitris is on the phone talking to Monica when Alexis comes into his office.
A. Hung up! We need to talk.
D. Monica, I have to go now. A client just came in. I am listening!
A. How can you be so insensitive! I am living in hell and you are sweet-talking to women?

At the restaurant the girls ask Maria if her relationship with Nicolas is official. She says that they decided to give it a try and that they have been going out for a couple of dates. The girls congratulate her.

In Dimitris’ office:
A. I was thinking about what you said earlier.
D. Good. Did you come to your senses?
A. No! I can’t believe you are serious when you ask me to make love to Maria.

At the restaurant
Christ. Have you and Nicolas made love yet?
M. Of course not!
Christ. Are you telling me that he is holding your hand and you are having conversations? I can’t believe this.
M. Christina, I think you are in a hurry! We haven’t been going out that long!
Christ. But you waited for him for so long and you said that many women are after him. He is also rich…
M. Yes but he is very down to earth and a gentleman.
Christ. You cannot keep a man with talks and a couple of kisses unless you are very beautiful.
M. I know that I ma not beautiful...
Christ. Sorry… Tell me, when is it going to happen?
M. What?
Christ. Sleeping with him!
M. I ….I
Christ. You of course! Don’tell me you don’t want to make love to him!

At Dimitris’ office:
D. Come on Alexis. You can do it for the experience!
A. You can go rafting for the experience, do bungee jumping for the experience but you cannot, and I repeat it, you cannot make love to Maria for the experience.
D. Why not? It’s more extreme from all the things you said.
A. I told you I don’t want to hurt her and I am not going to make love to her.
D. Yeahh, yeahh, I’ve heard that before, when you refused to kiss her but it turned out to be easier than you thought.
A. Yes, with a bottle of whisky and Adriana on my mind it would be easy. Don’t you understand that it’s immoral? And there is another thing.
D. What?
A. She has never proposed that we will make love. Not even a hint.

At the restaurant:
M. Making love is not in our immediate plans. He has never told me anything.
Christ. Are you telling me that he has never shown you that he likes you as a woman?
M. You don’t understand! Our relationship is different. It’s a spiritual one! It’s based on books, poetry, economy…
Christ. Stop it! What are you describing to me? How boring can this be? You have a relationship without passionate kisses...
M. There are kisses…
Christ. I am afraid this is as far as you will go.

At Dimitris office.
D. Does that mean that you will spend a whole year with kisses? Do you think that just because Maria is ugly, she doesn’t need sex?
A. Stop it! Stop it!
D. You are mistaken! Maria I like a volcano! A volcano, which is ready to erupt, and lava will cover everything!

At the restaurant.
Christ. Don’t you want him?
M. I want him but I don’t want to pressure him and I am feeling so embarrassed …
Christ. You don’t have to pressure him or feel embarrassed. If you want him and he wants you, things will come naturally. You will have him naked in front of you in no time!
M. But he is not that kind of man…He is romantic, tender…
Christ. Then you have to make the first move!
M. Me?
Christ. You will get him drunk and then you will get him!

At Dimitris office.
A. Do you think she can suddenly “attack” me?
D. I don’t know. She is crazy about you! What will you do if that happens? Are you going to run?
A. Not possible ehh?
D. No. That’s why you have to be ready.
A. My relationship with Maria is based on other things. Not on sex.

At the restaurant
M. Sex isn’t everything… It’s not a priority for us.
Christ. Maybe not for you... Be careful though because it may be his and then he will find someone else!

At Dimitris office.
D. And you?
A. What?
D. Don’t you need a woman in your bed?
A. Aren't you forgeting Marcella? I have a passionate relationship with her. On the other hand I have a mental relationship with Maria.
D. The brain… my second favorite organ…

At the restaurant.
Christ. Relationships are not based only on the brain but on sex too.
M. I think that he likes me for my personality and my knowledge. I don’t think wants me in bed….
Christ. If he doesn’t want to make love to you he is either gay or he doesn’t love you.

At Dimitris office.
D. It would be better if she thought you were gay instead of thinking you don’t want her. You know that the only way to convince a woman of your feelings is sex.
A. I don’t want to convince her and I don’t want to make love to her, especially now that she looks like a Zulu warrior.
D. Poor girl! She looks scary but who can tell her the truth?
A. I hope that the girls will find the courage to tell her.
D. I don’t have the courage. I am hungry. Do you want to order something?
A. I’ve lost my appetite!

At the restaurant Sandra thinks that they should tell Maria the truth. She decides to do it herself.

Episode 124 (22)

Sandra decides to tell the truth about her appearance to Maria but it’s not as easy as it seems. Maria is very happy about it and she also tells them that she did try clothes to regular shops but they seemed strange on her.

At Dimitris office:
D. This sandwich is great! Are you sure you don’t want a bite?
A. I told you, I am not hungry.
D. Did you break a tooth during the fight and now you can’t eat?
A. Don’t worry, all my teeth are intact!
D. What about your mood? My poor lad… my poor Rambo…
A. Dimitris! Please!
D. Ok. “Rambo, the first blood”! Tell me now, what’s wrong with you today?
A. What do you think is wrong? First they humiliate her in front of me and I get into a fight! Then she comes here wearing that costume and they all laugh at her behind her back...
D. Is that all? Or it bothers you that you have to see her in her new form? “Dressed to kill” literally!
A. Come on Dimitris, cut it out!
D. I can’t understand that girl! She is constantly surprising me! How could she get more ugly and when will this end?
A. I said cut it out!
D. Why? Are you feeling sorry for her?
A. Think of yourself in her place...
D. Me? God forbid!
A. See? You wouldn’t like it!
D. I don’t want you to say these things, even if you are joking! Can you imagine me with that hair, the glasses and the braces? The moustache might look good on me though…
A. I knew I couldn’t have a serious talk with you.
D. My friend, we are going to have a serious talk now! I am ready for you!
A. Think how hard it is to be like Maria! To have everyone make fun of you! Not to have someone to really fall in love with you! To have someone pretend to be in love with you, just because he has to gain something!
D. I’ve got it! You are feeling guilty but I beg you to fight it! It’s for our cause!
A. Our cause…
D. Yes, our cause! After what happened last night, Maria sees you as her hero!
A. Some hero…
D. This girl changed her looks for you… Well… at least she tried. You should be happy and not look like that!
A. Happy? I would have been happy if she hadn’t been through all this! If today no one ridiculed her behind her back.
D. Only you had to go through this. Maria doesn’t know anything!
A. Are you so clueless? Can’t you imagine what it feels like to go through all that? Why do you thing she went to the shops to change her looks today?
D. Because she is in love with you!
A. What happened last night left a scar on her…
D. I see scars only on your face…
A. Can you imagine how hard it is when everybody is making jokes at your expense? When they humiliate you because of the way you look?
D. No, because it’s universally known that I am a doll!
A. And a pig too! Close your mouth when you chew!
D. Don’t talk to me like that! I don’t get it! You became very sensitive all of a sudden! Be careful! These “ugly” friends will spoil your character!
A. I don’t want you to joke about Maria ever again!
D. Really? Now I see that this whole story has affected you a lot! You don’t like when people talk like that about “your Maria’'. You feel compassion for her…You don’t want people to make fun of her, to tease her, to hurt her...
A. Not all people are as insensitive as you…
D. Or as in love as you are…
A. I didn’t get that!
D. Alexis, be careful! You are falling in love with her!  

At Maria’s house her father has received an invitation to go to a reunion of his classmates from the University.

Marcella and Lillian are talking in the ladies room and Marcella tells Lillian that she stopped fighting with Alexis because she was tired, but she hasn’t forgotten the poem. She is sure there is another woman in Alexis’ life.

Maria is drawing harts on her napkin….

At Maria’s house her mum is very displeased because her husband doesn’t want to take her with him to the reunion.

At Ecomoda Marcella and Lillian hear a telephone ringing from Alexis’ office. They wonder where Alexis and Maria are and they both go into the office. When they realize that it’s Maria’s phone that’s ringing, Marcella orders Lillian to get it because it might be Alexis’ new girlfriend.

At Dimitris office.
A. Dimitris, if you say something so stupid for Maria and me again, I will send you in her arms.
D. Don’t get so upset! It was just a thought!
A. The only woman I am in love with is Marcella. Remember this!

At Maria’s office Lillian picks the phone up, while Marcella is searching for clues. It’s Nicolas and he wants to leave a message to Maria, but when he realizes that he is talking to Lillian he starts acting like a rich businessman to impress her. He also tells Lillian that he owns a company named Terramoda. When he hangs up he gets a lot of applause from his mother, Angeliki and a customer.
Lillian is wondering why she hasn’t heard about Terramoda again. Marcella notices the magazine with Adriana on Alexis’ office and is convinced that she is the other woman in his life!

Maria and the girls arrive at Ecomoda and Christina’s little boy says to Maria that she is an alien and that she hides secret weapons in her hair.

Marcella is furious and tells Lillian that she is tired of being disappointed all the time. She decides to go for a cup of coffee by herself! On her way out she sees Maria and the girls returning from their lunch-break. She tells them that they are late and leaves. Lillian tells Maria that she has to make shorter breaks because she had to pick up her calls but Maria answers that she is always taking Lillian’s calls and never complained. Lillian tells her that Nicolas Markakis from Terramoda called and wondered why she hasn’t heard it before. Martha reveals to Lillian that Nicolas is Maria’s rich boyfriend.

Marcella orders a glass of wine and sits very sad when Odysseas approaches her.

At Ecomoda Lillian doesn’t believe Martha, insults the girls and tells them that she has a lot of real admirers. Sergios arrives.

Marcella says to Odysseas that she is tired but he asks her if she is like that because of Alexis. Marcella reveals to him that she thinks that Alexis is cheating on her. She also tells him that she should have known that just at the moment someone thinks he has reached happiness, he realizes that it’s not true. Odysseas asks her if she is talking about Alexis or something else. She reveals to him that when she was young she discovered during her mother’s birthday party that her mother was having an affair with a friend of the family. She photographed them by mistake and this was the last photo she took. Odysseas tells here that this incident must have affected her a lot and she answers that both she and Sergios were not the same after that.

Sergios wonders if the employees of Ecomoda have nothing better to do than listen to Lillian brag about her conquests. Lillian tells Sergios that Maria is bragging that the owner of Teramoda is her boyfriend. Maria gets very upset and tries to avoid any questions Sergios might have.

Odysseas thinks that Marcella isn’t thinking clearly and Alexis might be innocent.

Maria begs the girls to stop talking about Nicolas and Teramoda because she doesn’t want everyone to talk about him.

At Maria’s house, her mum is very annoyed because her husband’s old sweetheart will be at the reunion.

Maria is at Alexis office looking at the photo of Adriana when Sergios comes in.
S. Are you searching Alexis' things?
M. Mr. Stefanellis, I didn’t hear you come in.
S. I am sorry… I didn’t mean to interrupt you... You can continue your search.
M. I wasn’t searching. I was tidying…
S. Maria, I didn’t notice you before because I was occupied with your useless secretary… Did something happen to you? Did you have some kind of accident? Were you electrocuted?
M. No… I don’t understand what you are talking about.
S. Then why is your hair like that?
M. My hair? What about it?
S. I am sorry, I should have expressed myself differently, but you have to do something about that, my girl…This is not a suitable appearance for a fashion company. Didn’t anyone tell you anything about it?

Maria’s mum is dressed to go out and tells her husband that she made plans with her friends to go to a new restaurant. Maria’s dad is against that.

In Alexis’ office.
M. I don’t understand what you mean… What’s wrong with my appearance?
S. I see, they didn’t tell you anything… It’s not acceptable for you to run around here dresses like that. A little respect for the place you work in won’t hurt you.
M. But I really want to fit Ecomoda’s profile!
S. Really? Is that why you wear these clothes and your hair is almost reaching the ceiling?
M. But… I… I bought these clothes today so that…
S. I don’t want to upset you Maria, but I am a shareholder in this firm and I care about Ecomoda’s image. You are damaging that image.(Alexis is standing by the door)
M. Me? Am I damaging Ecomoda?
A. Segrios, get the hell out of my office!
S. Alexis, I am always impressed by your good manners.
A. Didn’t you hear what I said? Get lost!