Everything you never had: on hold

13

Damiens POV:

Something seemed off.

Athena wasn't acting the same last night. I could tell with how rigid her body turned sitting next to her father, her eyes always landing on the flight of stairs as if something would creep down after she had returned with Miguel.

I made it my mission to ask him what had happened because something definitely seemed wrong.

A gentle knock came from the door and I permitted whoever was behind it to enter. Athena stood in front of the threshold, her beautiful self beaming like always.

"You have a meeting in 45minutes with the marketing department" she mumbled me my tasks, her eyes remaining on the iPad "also a Mr has arranged a meet up for you in 10 minutes time, would you like me to tell him you're busy or do you want to proceed".

"No, tell him that should be fine"

She nodded turning her body, but my words caught on to her quicker "I need a word with you" I said staring at her back, waiting for her to turn.

Her head slowly moved to face my direction, hesitating on her next move. She was hiding something, I could see it in the tremble of her fingers or how her hands clenched and unclenches on her side.

Athena moved to the seat across from my desk, patting down her skirt from any dusk before taking her seat "what do you want to talk about" her eyes remaining on her lap as if she was caught doing something.

"Is everything alright" I arched a brow. Truly I was concerned, she seemed to be stuck in a small world in her mind.

"I'm fine why wouldn't I be?" She questioned.

I got up from my seat moving to stand in front of her "don't lie to me" placing my thumb and finger on her chin, lifting my eyes to meet her stare "has something happened?".

I watched the Bob of her throat "nothings wrong really"

"I don't believe you, you're a terrible liar or have you forgotten" smirking at a certain memory. Her face turned a pinkish colour like she was remembering.

"Damien" she whispered my name and it felt like a sweet melody "don't do this"

"I'm not doing anything, shortcake" I returned in a low voice.

My eyes landed on her lips whilst she bit them unconsciously and I wanted to remember what they taste like, how they felt on mine.

Involuntarily, my head began lowering to hers, the connection I had with this woman was too tempting that I needed to remember. I needed to remember her summer smile and wild blush.

Our lips inches closer that if she made one move, they would meet in the middle.

"Damien" she whispered again, feeling her hot breath.

But before I could seal our lips together, I knock appeared from the door and in an instant Athena got up from her seat moving across the room.

The knock appeared again "come in" I instructed to the person behind the door.

Inside stepped Mr grey. He was man surrounded in wealth and power. He had a round belly and grey hair matching the same colour as his beard.

"Damien" he smiled making his way closer to my desk " I keep sending you invites, yet you seem to always refuse them" he laughed taking a seat.

"I'm a busy man" I clipped returning back to my seat behind the desk.

"If you don't mind I'll make myself out" Athena interrupted, her feet dragging on the floor as she hurried out the door.

I watched her the whole way, until she was no longer in sight. Only then did I return my gaze back to the man sitting in front of me "what seems to be issue" getting straight to the point.

"Your father called" he began "he suggests we plan a date for you to announce your engagement to my daughter."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you Mr grey but I had never agreed on marrying your daughter." Shaking my head.

"You are not obliged to agree or disagree Damien, you just need to show up to the announcement and the wedding" he argued "and once you have produced us a grandson you are to do whatever you wish."

"You and my father seem to have my life worked out" grinding my teeth together.  "What about Elizabeth?"

"She seems to be on board with the idea" slouching deeper into the chair "this alliance is the perfect opportunity, think about it? The brand deals, the sponsors you would get by the media. The marriage of a Grey and Fitzgerald. It would strengthen your company".

I wasn't thinking about it, I never did. Don't get me wrong the money and power felt good but the cost of it isn't worth all this yet I already paid for my consequences and there was no turning back.

"I will speak with my father" I sighed through my nose.

"Excellent" he clasped his hands together in approval " we are hosting a dinner party, take this as a personal invitation and be there" getting up.

His heavy footsteps made it to the door, closing it on his way out.

I wouldn't go threw it, it didn't matter what my father said or did, I simply wouldn't go through this.

My head rested at the top of the chairs head, a small headache forming at the constant work. Slowly it began drifting to that woman sitting in her desk just out side my door. The memories of our time together seemed to rest my mind.

Reaching for my phone, I brought up the name Charlie. He had been tracking down where Athena had been these past few years.

I wanted to know why she left, why she had to leave me here on my own with no one but my inner thoughts and self loathing.

The day she had left, I had felt like I had lost the other part of me, the part where I actually cared about something. Someone I could look forward to seeing, but when I retrieved that envelope from that swing....

"This is Charlie" the other line rang.

A waited a few moments before speaking "Is there anything new?"

"Oh Damien" he spoke " I do have something, but I'm not sure you'd like it..."