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1065 Words
After finishing the photoshoot, Athena decided to visit Nathan’s office. She instructed the driver, and they set off, her bodyguards following closely behind.
Upon arriving at Nathan’s building, the security guards immediately recognized her and let her through, while her bodyguards remained in the designated security area.
Stepping into the executive elevator, Athena pressed the button for the top floor—Nathan’s office. The door opened, and Athena immediately saw Abbie, Nathan's secretary.
"Miss Athena, good morning," Abbie greeted with a polite smile. She was in her early forties and had been working for Nathan for three years.
"Hello, Abbie. Where’s Nathan?" Athena asked.
"He’s inside, Miss, but he’s not in a very good mood today," Abbie replied. Athena glanced at Nathan’s office door before nodding.
"I’ll head in," she replied.
"Would you like me to bring you anything, Miss?" Abbie offered. Athena shook her head.
"No, I’m good. Thank you," she answered.
She walked toward the office and pushed the door open. Inside, she found Nathan on the phone, laughing at something the person on the other end had said. Her brows furrowed—he hadn’t even noticed she had entered.
"Babe," she called.
Nathan’s head snapped up, surprise flashing across his face. He quickly ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket before standing up.
"Babe! What are you doing here?" he asked, stepping forward to press a kiss on her cheek. Athena crossed her arms.
"Why? Am I not allowed to visit you?" she asked. Nathan chuckled.
"Of course, you are. That’s not what I meant. I just wasn’t expecting you. I thought you worked today?" He guided her to the couch and sat beside her.
"I had a photoshoot with Courtney and two other women," she explained. She leaned back slightly before adding, "Abbie mentioned you were in a bad mood. What happened?" she added.
"Abbie..." Nathan said, frowning.
"Don't get mad at her," Athena said. "You forgot you left me last night in the middle of us making love? You didn't even contact me after that," she added, feeling upset.
"Are you here to start a fight with me?" Nathan asked in disbelief. Athena glared at him.
"I'm asking why you left in a hurry!" Athena exclaimed.
"It's Luciano Grey, alright! He stole my investors!" Nathan yelled. "That f*****g bastard!" he added, hand clenched into a fist. Athena pursed her lips and caressed Nathan's back.
"Do you want me to talk to Dad?" she asked. Nathan has been asking her to talk to the Hart patriarch, but Athena doesn't want to ask help from her parents as much as possible. Seeing Nathan struggling, she might really ask her father for help.
"You will do that for me?" Nathan asked. "I have been under stress lately. I have been eyeing those investors, but f*cking Grey took them away," he added, shaking his head..
"I will try," Athena said.
"You are really the best," Nathan said, grinning. He pulled her by the waist and kissed her deeply.
"What are your plans?" Athena asked.
"I plan on investing in the entertainment industry," he said. "The Y.K. Entertainment has been dominating the industry for a while now," he added.
"Alright, I will support you," she replied. "But I am still mad about last night," she added and raised her eyebrows.
"I promise I will make it up to you," Nathan said. Athena almost rolled her eyes hearing it. She had heard it so many times coming from Nathan that she's not believing it anymore.
"I don't know, babe," she whispered.
"What was that, babe?" Nathan asked.
"Nothing," she replied. "I'm going home. I'm tired," she added.
"Alright, I'll see you later," Nathan said and kissed her forehead.
Athena walked out of the office without sparing a glance at Nathan. She was pissed at him. Nathan didn’t even apologize. How could he act like nothing happened? Her bodyguards immediately saw her, and the head bodyguard approached her.
"Are we going home, Miss?" he asked.
Athena didn’t answer right away. She crossed her arms, staring at the cars passing outside the building.
“No, Marco," she finally said. “I want to go shopping," she said. Athena wanted to release the stress, and she knew shopping was the best remedy for it.
"Okay, Miss," Marco replied and gathered his team. They went out of the building, and the driver drove to her favorite stores.
Marco opened the door for her, and without waiting for a response, she started walking. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she passed luxury stores, but nothing caught her interest—until she saw the jewelry store. The soft glow of the display pulled her in.
"I need one," she whispered to herself.
The bell chimed as she stepped inside. The air was cool, the scent of polished wood and fresh flowers mixing with something else—something expensive.
She wandered toward a case filled with sapphire rings. One of them, deep blue and elegant, caught her eye. Her fingers hovered over the glass.
“That one suits you,” a deep voice said.
Athena turned slightly, her eyes meeting those of a tall man beside her. He wore a sharp black suit, his presence commanding without effort. His dark eyes held a quiet intensity, like he saw more than she wanted to show.
Athena knew him because who wouldn't? The man beside her is Luciano Grey, heir to the Grey Empire, the richest man in the country and Nathan's enemy.
"You think so?" she asked, her voice steady despite the strange pull she felt. Didn't he recognize her?
Luciano Grey gave a slow nod.
"It’s bold. Elegant. Like someone who knows what she wants," he said. A small scoff left her lips. If only that were true.
She slid the sapphire ring onto her finger, watching how it caught the light. For a moment, she forgot everything—Nathan, the frustration, the reason she had come here in the first place.
When she looked up again, Luciano was still watching her intensely. Before she could say anything, he gave her a slight nod.
"See you around, Athena Hart," he said and walked away. So he did recognize her!
Athena exhaled deeply and watched as Luciano went out of the store. She didn't know why, but for the first time that day, her mind was no longer on Nathan.
- Writer
