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CHAPTER 18

Penulis: M. Larae
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-09-11 17:12:37

They spend a week away, and not once do they call to check up on me. On a random Thursday, I receive a call from my P.A. She hadn’t contacted me while I was away because she knew I was traveling, and when I didn’t show up, she wasn’t sure what to do.

“Mr Castellanos is back and wants to know if you’ll be joining him for a meeting today,” she says. That’s how I find out he’s returned.

“I won’t be at work this week,” I reply, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. “And tell him I won’t be joining him. Also, you should take some time off, too.”

When she started working with me, I didn’t like her much, mainly because she reported every move to my father. But once I made it clear that she worked for me, not him, she began to behave differently.

Later, packages start arriving at my door—bags and bags of clothes and jewellery from my mother. It’s her way of showing love after abandoning me, though it only feels like another form of neglect. I don’t call to thank her.

My dad also calls, but
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  • Mine to Lose   CHAPTER 36

    Pulling away to think straight. I can’t think straight with his lips on mine. It’s also risky being alone here we could be interrupted. I’d lost myself completely in it, but having Cassian so close, especially his mouth, clouded my judgment. I bridged the distance between us, brushing my lips across his.Cassian didn’t need another invitation. He tore the control over the kiss out of my hands and I let him, too delirious by every stroke of his tongue.His grip on my neck tightened as he deepened our kiss. He tasted like light and darkness, and he could kiss in a way I’d never considered possible. My body tingled from the simple friction of our lips, from the soft caress of his tongue and the taste of him. Soon the tingle turned into a pulsating need and my panties became damp. I was losing control of my body. I snapped back to attention, forcing my mind into stark focus and submitting my body to its command.I reached for his belt and unbuckled it, snatching my mouth away from Cassian

  • Mine to Lose   CHAPTER 35

    We walk around the room with my dad and Cassian. They’ve been getting along throughout the party, even during dinner, when Cassian sat beside my dad. I know I should be happy, but instead, I’m irritated—pissed off, even. This isn’t like my dad. He absolutely despises Cassian, so what could have possibly changed in just one day?After dinner, a string quartet plays “Love” by Lana Del Rey, while the room fills with champagne, laughter, and a sense of joy. Everyone seems to be having a great time, but I’m miserable. I haven’t had a single moment alone with Cassian since we arrived, and now it feels like my dad and he are best friends. I glance at Hailee, who’s enjoying herself, chatting with my mother and the model-turned-actress Andrea, who’s a close friend of hers.On the other side of the room, I spot Jess and Josh canoodling together, and it makes me want to throw up—not out of jealousy, but because they’re both horrible people. My eyes drift back to Cassian, and our gazes meet from

  • Mine to Lose   CHAPTER 34

    When I wake up the next morning, I’m alone. Cassian is gone, but he left behind a perfect sketch of me sleeping, with a note underneath: "So beautiful. See you later."I smile, feeling giddy with excitement, until reality hits—family dinner tonight, and Cassian will meet everyone together for the first time.Of course, my mother has already called a couple of times, and it’s just past 7 a.m. I call her back, and she answers on the first ring, as if she’s been waiting."Meu amor, good, you’re awake," she says right away. "Do you know what you’re wearing for the party tonight?""Party? Mom, it’s supposed to be just dinner with the family," I respond, confused."Yeah, I know, meu amor, but you got engaged and we haven’t celebrated yet," she replies, as if it's obvious."Mom, you're supposed to be getting to know Cassian, and a party will just be too much. And you're only telling me now that it’s a party? How many people are going to be there?" I ask, frustration creeping into my voice."

  • Mine to Lose   CHAPTER 33

    Athena's POVThe week flies by. Cassian is busy preparing for an exhibition at the end of the month in Copenhagen, Denmark—his first one there—so he’s been working tirelessly to ensure everything goes smoothly. Collette, his childhood friend and an art curator, is in charge of selecting and organizing the exhibition. She also sometimes assists with sales, so they’re practically inseparable.I’ve spent the week at the gallery, having lunch with Cassian whenever he could spare the time. When he was too busy, I’d hang out and eat with Hailee, all while feeling Collette’s icy stare burning holes into me. I’ve tried to be friendly—after all, she’s his childhood friend and will always be part of his life, plus they work together—but she doesn’t make it easy.Collette speaks English perfectly well, and she’ll chat with me and others in English. But the moment Cassian is around, she switches to French, deliberately excluding me from their conversations. Even when Cassian tries to bring me in

  • Mine to Lose   CHAPTER 32

    Athena's POVStill breathless from the most intense orgasm I have ever had, Cassian and I crashed down on the couch staring into each other’s eyes. "We didn’t use a condom." I blurted out after a bit. "Yesterday too." I added.“I’m sorry.” Cassian says his eyes never leaving mine. “It just got over my head at the moment, I know that’s a stupid excuse but I’m___” he adds but I stop him from finishing."It's okay, I'm on birth control, but we should still be careful," I say, watching him."Yeah, of course," Cassian agrees, nodding."I'm sorry, I just ruined the mood," I say, feeling the shift between us. "I just can't risk not being careful—I can't get pregnant.""What? No, you didn’t ruin anything, Athena," Cassian reassures me. "You can talk to me about anything. You don't want children?" he asks gently, his face soft and non-judgmental."Honestly, I don’t think so. I’m messed up enough as it is—I’d just mess up a child," I say, letting out a nervous laugh. "Do you want kids?" I ask,

  • Mine to Lose   CHAPTER 31

    Athena's POVAs soon as my parents leave, I call my grandmother. My dad was right—she's not happy about finding out about Cassian and me through her book club. Apparently, one of her friends, who she despises, showed up waving the newspaper with our picture printed on it. I have to apologize profusely, explaining I had no idea Cassian was going to propose.Like my father, she’s concerned about me being with a Covington, but when I ask her why, she doesn’t give me a clear answer. It’s obvious she knows more about the origin of the family feud, but just like my dad, she refuses to tell me anything.The call ends, but I’m left with even more questions. It reminds me that I need to get back to reading my great-grand aunt Melia’s journal to uncover more about her and Cassian Covington I, and the mysterious past that’s been kept from me.With the conversation weighing on my mind, I decide to tackle some work from home. After wrapping up a few online meetings, I find myself drawn to the jour

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