High Society Redefined

Chapitre 1

"Calling all fans of comedy and romance! If you love hometown boy meets rich girl storylines, this one's for you. Thanks for your support!"

Athena POV :

As usual, I found myself at the Cesar Mall Centre, my favorite shopping spot, as I accompanied my best friend Charlotte on our daily routine of visiting the most luxurious and high-end boutiques. The mall was my sanctuary, where I could shop to my heart's content and indulge in all the latest designer fashions.

"I always bought three to four items from my favorite boutique each day. Well, I come from the Astor family, a well-known and wealthy lineage. Spending money on luxuries was just a normal aspect of my lifestyle."

"I am Athena Astors, and even though I may not be in love with myself, I objectively acknowledge my striking appearance. I stand at 164 cm, a height that adds to my appeal. My hair, mid-length and straight, cascades to my shoulders in a flattering butterfly cut. My brown doe eyes, set in an oval face, are complemented by full lips, creating an overall visually captivating presence. Despite not being excessively tall, my allure lies in my attractive features and well-proportioned figure."

"Charlotte, my best friend, is a tall girl, measuring approximately 170 cm, with beautiful ginger hair styled in a bob haircut. Her captivating siren eyes, a stunning green color, perfectly complement her heart-shaped face. Like me, her lips are full and well-defined, adding to her natural grace and charm."

"I realize that by discussing myself and my friends, I may come across as a bit egocentric. Maybe I am one..."

"But let's be honest, with my stunning looks and wealthy background, can you blame me for having such a confident and self-assured demeanor? What more could a girl ask for?"

"Let's get back to shopping. First stop: Ashley and Co, a luxurious boutique where I'll be purchasing a new dress. The piece I have my eye on has been selling out left and right, but it's no match for my purchasing power. It retails at a modest $2,000, nothing out of the ordinary for my wallet."

"I confidently handed my father's black card to the cashier to make the purchase. However, just as I was about to finalize the transaction, the cashier spoke up, apologetic.
Cashier Girl: 'Sorry, Miss. The card isn't working.'

"I laughed off the situation, suggesting it was just a connection issue or something minor. The cashier tried again, but with the same result. She once again apologetically informed me, 'Miss, the card still isn't working.'

Charlotte interjected with, 'It's okay, Athena. I'll handle this for you.'
I protested, insisting it was unnecessary, but Charlotte emphatically stated, 'I won't leave until I do this for you.' She handed her card to the cashier, who completed the transaction.
Charlotte: 'There, it's done. I've bought the dress for you.'
I sighed, realizing there was no convincing her otherwise.

I thanked Charlotte, acknowledging her gesture but also expressing my frustration at the situation. I urgently needed to speak with my dad about the card issue, as it was highly unusual for the black card to fail.
Athena : 'Thank you, Charlotte, but you really shouldn't have. Let's go; I need to speak with my dad immediately. The card hasn't failed like this before. I don't know how I'll manage the rest of the day without it.'

Charlotte interjected, "Please, it's too early to head home now. You can talk to your dad during dinner time. Right now, let's go to that new café, Hello Café. I insist, I'll pay for it. Trust me, it's okay, really."

Athena attempted to protest, but Charlotte cut her off, reiterating, "I said no. You're coming with me to Hello Café, period."

Charlotte and I stepped into the new café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. We settled into a cozy corner, both of us craving something sweet. Charlotte, her eyes sparkling, went for a rich cheesecake and a latte. I, on the other hand, couldn't resist the irresistible allure of a luscious strawberry cake and a strong espresso.

Charlotte inquired, "Any news about your ex-boyfriend?"
Athena's expression instantly darkened, and she firmly replied, "I don't want to talk about him. That bastard betrayed me after three years together, cheating on me with someone who I used to call a friend."

Charlotte nodded in agreement, "Definitely. After what Alexandre and Bellatrix did, I get it. But let me tell you, Bellatrix was always envious of you."
Athena's irritation flared as she responded, "Oh, I know. Behaving nicely with me while secretly eyeing my boyfriend and then successfully stealing him... it was truly a sinister move."

Charlotte chimed in with a friendly tone, "Remember, I had warned you about Bellatrix. I never trusted her from the beginning. She tried to destroy our friendship, didn't she? That girl is basically a devil in disguise."
Athena sighed and replied mournfully, "I know, Char. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you back then. But hey, our friendship is even more unbreakable now, right?"

Charlotte informed her hesitantly, "I heard that they're getting married..."
A wave of sadness washed over Athena as she processed the news. Despite the fact that she had broken up with Alexandre seven months ago, her heart still harbored feelings for him. Her voice trembled with sorrow as she replied, "Well, then... congratulations to them."

Charlotte abruptly changed the subject, "Hey, how about we chat about something else, like my latest song 'Being Single From Like Forever'?"
Athena chuckled wholeheartedly and responded, "Honestly, Char, I can't understand how you can be single for so long. You're absolutely gorgeous!"

The girls continued their conversation, enjoying each other's company. Once it was time to leave, Athena retrieved her car keys and bid Charlotte farewell. she drove back to her own house, the drive home giving her time to reflect on their conversation and the recent news about Alexandre and Bellatrix's impending marriage.

As she closed the door behind her, Athena found herself in the spacious and airy foyer of her home. The polished black tile floor glimmered under the soft lighting, and the black marble wall on one side of the entryway contrasted beautifully with the crisp white walls of the hall to the left. The rich, modern style of the home's architecture continued with large windows framed by black window frames that let in an abundance of natural light. The entryway led to the living room, dining room, and home office respectively.

Athena entered the airy dining room, its high ceilings and large windows bathing the space in warm, natural light. Her parents, Klaus and Isabelle, sat at the table, along with her older sister Arachne.

Despite being American, Athena's parents had always been enamored with Greek mythology. Klaus and Isabelle had chosen to honor that passion by bestowing their daughters with names inspired by the ancient Greek legends. Arachne, the eldest, was known for her weaving skills and sharp intellect. She resembled her father in many ways, with his sharp jawline and intense gaze.