Chapter 1

Chapter one 

Aphrodite 

I watched the clock, willing the minutes to tick by. I just wanted to get out of this office, go home, and collapse onto my bed. The day's work had left me feeling drained, and I was just counting the minutes until I could leave. As I waited, I glanced around my office, not really paying attention to anything in particular. My gaze landed on a painting that had been placed there by the company. It depicted an eagle, gazing sorrowfully at a fish in the water. The fish looked sadly back at the eagle. 

It seemed like an impossible kind of love, doomed from the start. I wondered what had inspired the artist to paint such a scene. What had they been through that made them think of a love between a fish and a bird? I admired the way the painting captured such a strange and yet relatable feeling. Whenever I looked at it, I felt a sense of wonder and curiosity. 

As my eyes swept the room, taking in the vase of flowers, the fine wood of the desk, and the apple laptop that was provided by the company, the door crashed open, making me leap to my feet. 

"Oh my gosh, you scared me!" I exclaimed, my heart still pounding. I glared at Phoebe, who was snickering at me with a wicked grin on her face. She had clearly enjoyed scaring me, the little sneak!

"Sorry, scaredy cat," Phoebe said, clearly not sorry at all. She had done it on purpose, the little troublemaker! I'd met Phoebe on my second day at work when I'd gotten lost looking for my office. I'd confidently told the manager I could find my way around, but ended up walking into her office instead, thinking it was mine. She'd scrambled to hide the food she'd been snacking on, thinking it was the boss. When she realized it was just a newbie, we'd bonded over the mortifying situation and had become fast friends.

"What's got you so deep in thought?" she asked, interrupting my trip down memory lane.

"I was just remembering the day we met," I replied, smiling as Phoebe burst into laughter.

"I thought you were the manager doing an inspection, and I totally freaked out!" she said with a chuckle. "I bet you were so confused when you saw me stuffing a muffin into my mouth, huh?"

"You have no idea," I replied, laughing along with her. "So, do you have something important to tell me, or did you just come to scare the life out of me?" I teased.

"Oh yes, I had something important to tell you!" she said, giving me a mischievous smirk. Goosebumps rose on my skin as I waited for her to speak. "Tonight we're going out clubbing, and before you say no, you're coming whether you like it or not," she said firmly.

“I don’t think I will go with you this time, maybe a next time. I’ve got to really use my bed,” I argued weakly, and watched as she snickered at me.

“I don’t think I will go with you this time, maybe a next,” she mimicked me. “This is the same excuse you have been giving me, but this time, even if I have to drag you along, you are going. Now, get your bag and let’s go, it’s time to get ready, and buy the way I already bought you a dress, so there u it is no more excuses for you,” she said folding her hands as she smirked at the unhappy expression resting my face.

We glared at each other, neither one of us willing to back down. Finally, I caved in under her intense gaze. "Fine, I'll go with you," I relented.

Her eyes lit up as a grin spread across her face, making me momentarily forget that she had practically strong-armed me into coming along. I grabbed my handbag and my phone, slipping the device into the bag, and we left the office.

We greeted our coworkers as we made our way to the elevator. We stepped into the elevator, and soon we were exiting the building.

"By the way, I invited Bianca and Khloe," Phoebe said as we approached the parking garage. My eyebrows furrowed at the mention of Khloe's name.

"And why would you do that without telling me first? You know she doesn't like me, and I don't like her either," I said. Khloe and I were like oil and water; we didn't mix, and she seemed intent on making my life miserable. I didn't really care what she thought of me, but I didn't relish the thought of spending an evening in her company.

"I'm sorry," she said, sounding genuinely apologetic. "I was just so excited about going out, and I wasn't thinking when she asked if she could come along. I know you don't get along, and I never meant to upset you."

I sighed, my anger deflating in the face of her sincerity.  

"It's okay, as long as she keeps her mouth shut. Otherwise, I might just strangle her," I said, half-joking and half-serious. Phoebe's eyes widened in surprise, but before she could say anything, I heard my name being called from behind me.

"Aphrodite," I turned around and bumped into a solid wall of muscle. My pout grew more pronounced as I rubbed my already aching forehead.

"Ouch! I'm so sorry!" a deep, masculine voice said from above me. I looked up and saw a man looking down at me with concern. He was tall, with broad shoulders and tousled dark hair. There was a hint of laughter behind his apologetic eyes. I had the strange feeling that I knew him, though I couldn't quite place where I'd seen him before. 

“It’s alright, how can I help you?” I asked wondering how he knew my name, and where I had seen him.