I was inside the hotel restaurant having lunch with the two representatives of the International Society of art museum appraisers. One guy a Singaporean Chinese and the other an Indian New Zealander. They proved to be very expert in the field of arts and artifacts museum collection.

"The old man wouldn't allow us to take a look at his collections. He was so mad when we went there and asked for his permission." Mr. Kho shook his head with dismay. "He even threatened to sue us if we would insist."

"But we found a way to get inside. We had three in our team, all Korean, disguised as tourists. They were able to assess almost everything with the help of Mr. Murphy's granddaughter. She happened to be a Kpop fan and she was very accommodating showing the team every corner of the museum. They even went to the basement." The other guy, Mr. Kaur fed me the details.

"So, what is the result? Were you able to make a rough estimate of all items?" I was curious to know if that museum really worth a fortune or full of trash.

"Yeah, they were able to list down the items that they found valuable." Mr. Kho answered.

"And?"

"You're right, Mr. Monteiro. Most of the items there don't have much worth. Many are replicas of original images or paintings. Well, there are some originals collections, but not really that valuable, like the vintage coins, figurines, gems, utensils and wares... you can find it in other museum as well."

"What about the vampire coffin? That skeleton standing at the basement he claimed as old as Cleopatra?"

"That coffin resembled the ones used in the circus by magicians, and that skeleton, there's a brand name stamped at the back, it's what medical students use in their human anatomy class. They also found out from his granddaughter that the knight armour suit was given by his nephew who worked as the costume designer of the movie King Arthur."

"Really? But did you find any special paintings or rare collections in there?"

"Yeah, but there are a few of them. When we'd appraise everything, his collection would only cost around one million dollars."

"One million!" I was so shocked.

The whole estate was approximately worth ten million, so the selling price of everything would only cost around eleven million. He could go a bit higher but that was it. Two billion dollars was too much!That man never changed, he was still a crook.

Athena should know about this. The old man fooled her by asking two billion dollars and to think she would give in. If not for my intervention, she probably signed the deed of sale and paid Mr. Murphy by now. She would be wasting her trust fund by investing on that museum.

I continued having lunch with the gentlemen but my mind still lingered at Athena.

Yeah, I hated Athena, I did not like her at all. But the thought of her being victimised by someone like Mr. Murphy, really bothered me, to the point that I became mad at her for being so dumb and stupid to agree easily on what was offered in front of her.

Someone should look at her business dealings, every contract and transaction she would enter. Her parents should monitor her actions and her boyfriend now turned fiancé Zion should help her make decisions. Why would they let her being on her own, it was too risky on her part.

My goodness. Didn't they realize that she was dumb?

I hate to say this, but it's true. She's dumb! I

It really angered me why she was dumb, and the people that surrounded her seemed to accept her that way. They tolerated her.

Well, if there was someone to blame, it would only be Athena. She was always absent in her class, hated school too much and refused to study. Lucky that she graduated senior high. From what I heard, it was really a big struggle for her.

I exhaled heavily and tried to forget about Athena. I diverted my attention to the blond girl that I saw at the pool today, she was gorgeous as hell. I could not wait to meet her and see if there would be a spark.

I wondered if Dilton was able to follow my instructions. To give her a complimentary drink and ask her for dinner. Who knows she will agree. Well, she would, if she was single and available. I smiled at the thought.

It was not my normal thing to have someone asked a girl for dinner on my behalf, but today was an exception, it was a very busy day for me.

Obviously I liked her... at first sight. I saw her as a potential girlfriend. I could not lose the chance of getting to know her. She could be the girl that I was looking for.

Late afternoon, my brother, Daniel was in my apartment helping me in picking a suit for dinner. He just turned twenty two and recently earned his Engineering degree just like me.

I was not very proud to say that he was a badass playboy. He loved girls and replaced girlfriends every week. He discarded them just like changing his sneakers. Many girls cried on him and there were even some who had the courage to contact me, telling me to talk to my brother.

Daniel was just like my great grandfather Enrique who was a player. But once he outgrew his bad habits and found his true love, he would behave and become very loyal.

"Just wear a button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up. Girls find it so hot. Exposed forearms are more sexual than an entirely naked man."

"God gracious, I thought engineering is your thing man. You're more expert about girls." I chuckled. "Dad and mom wasted their money on you."

Daniel laughed aloud and tossed a rolled shirt at me. "You're crazy."

"Wow, you have your masters degree on girls already." I teased him. "That's savage, bro."

"I can't help it, they keep on pursuing me. I don't want to hurt their feelings by saying no." He scanned my closet and took a shirt.

"But they still end up crying." I took the shirt he was holding and opened the buttons.

"So this girl you'll be having dinner with must be very special, huh?"

"Yeah, she looks very special to me."

"What's her name?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I still don't know. I'll find out tonight."

"Let me know later, okay. Who knows, I already dated her."

I frowned as I looked at my brother. That was really savage.

___

I arrived in the restaurant ten minutes before seven. Dilton set up the dinner in a private room for special occasions inside the restaurant.

The lights were dimmed in yellow, with decorating table chandeliers, candlelights, rainbow roses and glossy tablewares. Perfect! The way I wanted it. I hoped the set up would impress her.

I sat down at the dining table trying to ease the tension of nervousness and excitement running through me. I could say that I never experienced liking a girl this much in an instance. Maybe this is what they called Love at first sight? Well, let's see what will happen later.

The door opened and Dilton entered.

"She's here sir."

My heart jumped like a fish out of the water, fluttering wildly. "Show her in, Dilton." I immediately stood up waiting for her to come inside.

"Of course, sir." Dilton answered and opened the door wider.

I was out of breath the moment she appeared and entered the room. She was so beautiful walking gracefully towards me. Her blond hair swept at her back in soft curls, her pinkish red and tan dress was simple yet very stunning on her, emphasising every curve.

Our eyes met and we continued staring. I became so weak, my heart stopped beating. I was instantly drowned by her piercing dark eyes.

Oh God, I think I'm in love.