Chapter 25

Athena's POV

"Yeah... yeah... really? Huh? What? What did you say again?"

I was half listening, faking a smile and pretending to show interest in the conversation with anyone at the table. I was slightly annoyed also of the same question that everyone kept on throwing at me, am I okay?

They were all concern about my breakup with Zion and all I could do was nod and gave them a little smile. Thanks God, Zion could not attend the party. His sudden trip to Japan saved us the humiliation. It was still too fresh and people just wanted to talk about it.

'You should start yoga Athena, it's a good remedy for broken heart.' or 'You want to hang out with us tomorrow? There's too many gorgeous bachelors in the club.' or 'Have you seen Erkenci Kus? Watch it, it helped me a lot when I broke up with my ex. Can Yaman is so yummy!"

How I wish I could shout at them that I was not thinking of Zion at all. I almost forgot about him already. Aside from the 1% of my brain who thought that the food was really delicious and wished I could have another slice of that moist chocolate mousse, the 99% was occupied with the man sitting at the other end of the table.

Darn it, I could not help myself... Carter was at my peripheral vision all the time. My mind was not helping me at all. There was this argument inside my brain that kept me insane. The left side telling me to ignore him and whatever feeling I had for him. I was just wasting my time and energy since he did not feel the same way. And the other side was hoping, telling me that the feeling was mutual. It was evident on the way he looked at me, the way he acted... and the way he made me feel. Like a... very precious jewel.

But why didn't he contact me? I waited for his call, or even a text message. He knew my number, my email address and my social media accounts. But not a single 'hi' 'hello' or 'Are you still alive?'

I wondered what he was up to, or dad was right that he just gave me time to heal after my break up with Zion... hmm, most probably. Or he was just too shy to ask. I remembered Emerald telling me during middle school, that Carter was a coward when it comes to girls.

Hmm... let's see about that. I softly drummed my fingers on the table, thinking of ways to approach him.

"Athena, did you hear me?"

"Huh?" I turned to Aaron Latsis who was sitting beside me. He said something but my mind was too occupied that I did not hear him.

"Do you have any plans tomorrow night?"

"Oh! I... I don't know." I looked at Carter who drained his glass of wine and talked to the attractive fifty-year-old widowed woman sitting beside him. "But I... I probably be very busy. It's one of my close friends' birthday... my dad mentioned about a family outing and... yeah, I almost forgot, my grandma will arrive tomorrow... I have to finish the painting I started this morning, it's going to be my gift to her... and I have to feed my turtle at nine... " Oopss, I realized I don't have a turtle.

"No worries, I got it Athena." Aaron raised his hand to stop me from making further excuses. "I'm used to it."

"What do you mean?" I suddenly felt guilty and sorry for Aaron.

"I don't know what's in me. Women just don't want to date me." He said disappointedly.

"Of course they would."

He shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

I grinned and looked at him closely. He was a very good looking guy, very rich and well educated. His being too stiff, disciplined and perfect would intimidate any woman. One would fear to make any mistakes on him.

"Maybe Daniel can give you some tips." I looked at Daniel who was sitting across me. He dressed like a man with a bad reputation and yet stylish, his strong jawline and 5 o'clock stubbles made women flock around him.

***

After dinner, I saw Carter talking to the same woman again in the living room and drinking wine. This time they looked very intimate with their faces too close. Kimberly introduced me to her earlier, she was Mrs. Hardy, Kimberly's sexy swimming coach -- and Carter's and Daniel's.

Carter was flushing, I wondered how many glasses of wine he had already. I counted from the moment I arrived and at the dinner table. Probably his fifth or sixth glass?

Damn him. He's probably drunk right now and lost his mind flirting with that woman!

"Athena, come with me in the balcony." Kimberly said and held my arm. "I'm going to introduce you to my second cousin, Noah Valiente. I'm sure you'll like each other. He's also single!"

"Not again, Kimberly. I told you I'm okay."

"You're not okay. We have to remove that sad look in your eyes. It's not the end of the world Athena. Be happy."

"I am happy. Stop throwing me to your male cousins and friends. I don't need a man in order to be happy." I said in a frustrated voice.

"Okay... okay... I'm sorry, but Noah wants to meet you. Please... just say hi."

I nodded and went to the balcony with her. Though she wouldn't stop promoting his cousin to me like selling a brand new shampoo product. He's really gorgeous, smart and talented. Any woman would be so lucky to have him as a husband...

After a quick introduction, I hurried back to the living room and saw nothing of Carter nor Mrs. Hardy. Where the hell are they?

"Where's Carter?" I interrupted Daniel, who was busy flirting with the girls.

"I saw him with Mrs. Hardy." He answered with a malicious smile. "I'm sure they're just somewhere very private... try to look in his bedroom."

Damn Daniel!

I went to the kitchen to look for him, the garden, the poolside, the music room... everywhere in the ground floor of the house I explored. Maybe Daniel was right, he was in his bedroom with that woman! I groaned in frustration.

"Are you looking for someone?" I was so embarrassed when I heard Carter's mom, Chloe Monteiro voice behind me. I was in a big empty room-- like an extension of the living room.

"I... I'm looking for... um... I forgot my hand bag... I'm not sure if I brought one... um yeah, I guess I did. I think... I think I left it at Kimberly's bedroom." I pointed up, too nervous to continue talking. I was talking nonsense.

Mrs. Monteiro frowned and looked at my right hand. "It's in your hand Athena."

I looked down and saw that I was holding my handbag.

"Oh! I..." I was deeply humiliated. I knew I was blushing so hard. I was so stupid. Why am I so stupid! She probably thought that I'm abnormal now.

"Are you okay?" Mrs. Monteiro asked.

"I..." I could not control myself anymore. The suppressed feelings I could not bear. It was so painful already like I was about to explode. I burst out crying and Mrs. Monteiro hugged me instantly.

"Oh Athena... tell me what you feel. I swear you can rely on me. What's bothering you?"

Hot tears flowed on my cheeks as I hugged her back. She was so sweet and motherly allowing me to cry on her shoulders.

"It's about your son. I... "

"Oh God, I swear I'm going to murder him right now. Did he harass you?"

"No, of course not. I... I think I'm falling in love with him." I had to tell someone about my feelings, even that someone was his mother-- before I would have a heart attack.

"Tsk... tsk... no you don't. My goodness Athena, for your own good, please stay away from my son. I love him but he's no good for you. You're too sweet and kind for him. You deserve someone better."

"I just can't. It's not going to be easy. I... I never felt anything like this before with anyone. I love Carter so much."

I felt Mrs. Monteiro froze then followed by a soft chuckle. "Oh, you mean Carter? But that doesn't make sense. You hate him, right?"

"I tried, but I can't pretend anymore."

I felt a familiar hand that suddenly caressed my back. That moment, I knew who it was. My heart throbbed wildly as I removed my arms around Mrs. Monteiro and faced him. My pulse skittered alarmingly.

He looked gorgeous at a distance but face to face with him, he was breathtakingly handsome. His compelling eyes riveted me to the spot.

"Athena..."

I tingled as he said my name.

"Where have you been?" I asked him.

"Looking for you." He chuckled. "Can't believe that we were like playing hide and seek."

"Oh! Um... how long have you been standing there?"

He gave me a tantalising smile that made all my insides swirl. "Long enough to hear what I needed to hear."

I covered my face in embarrassment. I wished I turned to liquid, literally.

The next thing I knew, Carter pulled me in his arms. So tight that I could feel his heart thudding against my own.

"Tell me that you love me again, Athena. Make me believe that what I heard is true. I already stopped dreaming that someday I would hear you say the magical three words to me."

"Carter..."

Our faces were so near, our foreheads and noses were touching, and our breath mingled. The delicious sensations were like little sparks of current teasing my body.

"Say it. Please... I want to believe that this is real."

"I love you so much, Carter Monteiro."

"Oh God, my sweet wild beauty. I love you too so so much, Athena Niarchos. With all my heart and soul."

His hand supported my nape as his mouth claimed mine, giving me the sweetest most passionate kiss ever. The one that I craved, fantasized and dreamed of every single night since we had our first kiss. For a long moment, I felt like I was floating.

We stopped when we heard the clapping and loud cheering sound from the guests. I turned around and saw that the two sliding doors were already opened revealing everyone in the living room.

Kimberly and Emerald came towards us.

"What's going on in here?" Emerald shifted her eyes from Carter to mine. "I thought you hate each other."

"Yeah! Oh gosh... the effort that we made in keeping a distance between the two of you." Kimberly crossed her arms against her chest. "And this smooching is too much to bear. You just made me so jealous for not having a love life! Ugh!"

Everyone laughed and someone teased Kimberly to include her in the upcoming auction event.

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