"Athena, where are you?"
That was the first statement Athena heard from Antonio hours later when she picked his call. The little party in her honor—and well, Ewan’s too, since they had both cut the cake—had long ended. The children had gone to school, and the adults had gone about their business.
At the moment, she was in her office, going over some files Ciara had mentioned needed to be vetted by her, the feeling of contentment still lingering despite the chaos building from her enemies.
"At work," she replied, turning over the next page in the document she was reading.
"At work?" The sharp lowness of Antonio’s voice should have been a pointer that her fiancé was in a foul mood, but Athena’s mind was too preoccupied with the document before her.
"Yes. What about you?" she asked, too absorbed to notice the hesitation on the other end, just as she hadn’t noticed when he’d skipped the customary Darling, how are you?
Athena frowned sharply, pulling the phone away from her ear, annoyed at the sudden shout. What was the matter now?
She put the phone on loudspeaker and kept it on the table, eyes still fixed on the document—though her mind was already drifting.
"Why are you shouting, Antonio?" she asked, her tone tired but steady.
"Why am I shouting? Are you really that ignorant of what today is?"
For a second, Athena assumed he was talking about her birthday. "About that, I’m sorry you weren’t invited..." she said, curiosity stirring on how he’d even found out. "I was in the dark too. I had just come to work this morning, gone to my grandmother’s ward, only to be sung Happy Birthday
"I wasn’t aware. We can celebrate together later today," she added, wincing as she remembered the dinner date she had promised Ewan.
Hopefully, it can be moved, she thought. Surely, it could. She only had to—
"Your birthday was celebrated without me? And none of the family members could reach out to me? Even my children?" Hurt and disbelief laced his voice, the softness in it making Athena instantly apologetic.
"They must have been let in this morning..." she said, excusing her children. "They had even been in their uniforms."
Athena sighed now, already knowing where this was heading.
"He lives in the mansion now—well, on most days. So it’s not surprising that he would be aware of it..." she began, but bit her tongue before saying that the day had been Ewan’s birthday too. There was no need to.
"From the memo released by the company’s site and distributed in the KN newspapers, today is his birthday too. So, you two celebrated together, cut the cake together..."
Athena wisely kept her mouth shut, letting him vent. For more chapters visıt novel⦿fire.net
"...laughed together while I slaved away in the company for the both of us."
Athena frowned slightly, confusion flickering. For who now?
"And you wouldn’t even show me an atom of respect, especially since I will be your husband soon..."
Athena tried to be understanding as Antonio continued to ramble about respect and whatnot, but she couldn’t possibly see how she had disrespected him.
Yes, he should have been invited—would have been if she had organized the party—but was it her fault? And what was this nonsense he was saying about Ewan now?
"...that fool should be minding his business, not seeking to dip into a well that no longer belongs to him."
She blinked, incredulous. She was a well now?
"I’m still talking..."
Athena oohed quietly, leaning back in her chair, the prospect of being married to Antonio no longer looking as tantalizing as it once had. Each second of his tirade only confirmed it.
"And seeing as you forgot about inviting me to the party, you forgot too that today was supposed to be our engagement party," he continued, his tone edged with bitter laughter that grated on Athena’s nerves.
"I dressed up like a fool and came to the mansion with flowers and whatnots, with a few of my friends, and you embarrassed me! I had to learn from a common maid that you were out at work—that there had been a celebration! She was just as surprised as I was that I wasn’t aware."
A long pause followed.
"I don’t know how long I can take this disrespect, this disregard, this—"
"I’m sorry," Athena cut in, tired of hearing the endless rambling. And, to be fair, she should
"I should have informed you of the cancellation. I’m sorry, my love..."
"And why was it cancelled?" Antonio asked, annoyance seeping through his words, ignoring her effort at appeasement.
"Because I’m busy. Because I have the lives of people on my head... I told you that yesterday."
A pause stretched from the other end.
And the line went dead.
Athena frowned, peering at the phone, disbelief creasing her brows. Did he just hang up?
She called Antonio back, irritation simmering beneath her calm tone. "What the hell, Antonio? Why is it so hard for you to understand the situation of things?"
"And why is it so hard for you to carry me along?" Antonio shot back instantly. "I’m just tired of it all. Why can’t you treat me fairly?"
Athena pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling slowly. "I’ll be better," she said, her voice even. "And I’m sorry for cancelling the engagement without letting you know. My apologies too for embarrassing you in front..." She paused, pursing her lips. "You came with friends? I thought I asked for a private engagement."
"Surely, three people will make no difference. And your family was going to be there, so I thought to come with a few of my people..."
"I see..." she said dryly. "Didn’t know you had those. I’m happy for you."
"So, when is the engagement holding?" he asked after a while.
Athena licked her lower lip. "I’m not sure. Maybe after this madness."
"That’s not fair. This madness could last for months. I don’t want to wait that long."
Athena felt a headache building behind her eyes. She massaged her temple. "I’ll think about it and let you know, Antonio. I need to get back to work now."
"Of course. Take care...my love."
Athena ended the call before he could say anything else, staring at the silent phone for a long second before sighing. Her shoulders slumped. The weariness wasn’t just physical anymore—it was emotional too.