Chapter 14

ATHENA

The stranger held his smile as he stared into my eyes.

"I knew I could recognize that blonde hair anywhere. There aren't many werewolves with blonde hair, you see."

"That doesn't answer my question," I replied, my frown deepening. "Who are you?"

The stranger was about 6'2, a little lanky for a werewolf but his red eyes seemed to glow like rubies in the low light. His facial features are quite prominent and he had an annoying smile stretching his lips as he stared at me.

He was holding a half filled wine glass which swirled idly as he talked.

"Gerard Finch," Bella said with an exaggerated boredom in her voice. "He's the heir to the Finch Empire and the heir to the Alpha of the Glades Pack."

I lifted an eyebrow at that.

"I don't believe we've ever had any personal connections."

"A travesty perpetrated by a character I would not grace with my attention," he replied smoothly, his annoying smile still etched on his face.

"In other words, me," Bella sighed. "He's been asking to meet you for about a year now. When he heard you were back, he damn near harassed me to let him talk to you."

I turned my frown to Bella.

"Is that what this is about?" I asked. "Asking me to go out?"

She gave me a calm look.

"Does this seem like I arranged it? We both have an equal dislike for each other. The last person I would arrange for you to meet is him."

"I bet she also didn't tell you that I am one of your biggest clients," he said as he flashed a set of one of my favourite designs.

"Unfortunately, he is our fifth biggest client," Bella said with a sigh. "I regret coming to eat here."

"Fifth?" I asked as I turned back to him with a smile. "I'm sorry for Bella's blatant rudeness."

He seemed to enjoy that so much that his smile turned into an annoying grin.

"It's disrespectful to you that I'm just fifth," he said. "I want to commission three projects if your highest quality. Charge me whatever you want."

I turned to Bella with a puzzled look.

"Unfortunately, he can pay for it," she sighed. "He's already running his father's company bankrupt as it is."

"Shut your mouth, wench!" Gerard hissed. "My father's empire isn't so fragile that it will ever be bankrupt. Don't speak like you know a thing about my expenses!"

That sounds exactly like what a rick kid who hasn't worked a day in his life would say.

"I'm sorry but I am fully booked for now," I smiled apologetically. "In fact, I am on a break at the moment so business related topics can be discussed by next week when I will be back to work."

"Then, let me buy you lunch," he smiled. "I can suggest a few dishes you'd like."

"I'm sorry, but I already have a lunch partner," I said apologetically as I gestured to Bella.

"Her?" He scoffed. "She is just a workhorse. She can eat on her own and I'll even be generous enough to buy her meal."

"I'd rather eat horse shit than eat anything you buy," Bella replied calmly.

It amused me that she wasn't already mad at his words and comments by now. She was in fact quite skilled at dealing with rich brats.

Gerard gave a disgusted look.

"I won't be surprised."

"And I won't be surprised if you get cut off from your father's fortune eventually," Bella retorted. "You are scum."

"You can't talk to me like that!" Gerard yelled.

"Alright!" I yelled at them both. "Gerard, if you want to buy me a meal then invite me sometime. For today, I'm with Bella and I would appreciate it if you let me enjoy my meal."

I turned my attention to Bella.

"Not another word from you. He's a client and an important one. I expected more professionalism from you, Bella."

"She is rabid!" Gerard hissed. "You should fire her immediately. There are a lot of refined ladies to choose from. I could even help you find one."

"I appreciate the thought, Gerard," I replied. "I will handle my business by myself though. I will deal with Bella in my own way."

He hesitated for a few seconds but eventually seemed to accept my word as his glare eventually softened as he turned to stare at me.

"I will send you an invitation for dinner soon," he smiled. "It was a pleasure to meet you, miss Athena Montgomery."

He gave an elegant bow, his slick brown hair almost coming undone.

He flashed me one last smile and shot Bella one last scowl before he turned to leave.

"You should have let me keep talking, ma'am," she said with a sigh. "He deserves to be knocked down a peg or two."

"He's a paying customer, Bella," I said as I leaned on the table. "I shouldn't have had to remind you of that."

"He won't stop no matter what I tell him," she replied with a shrug. "He seems quite obsessed with you."

"Is it true though?" I asked. "Is he really running his father bankrupt?"

"Yes," she sighed. "Our services are by no means cheap, and Gerard in the past year has ordered more than anyone else from us. About forty percent of the pieces you've made in the past year were requested by him."

"Then why is he fifth?" I asked. "He should be first."

"He is our most loyal customer," she replied. "He just isn't as rich as the other four. The highest being Alpha Sebastian."

"What does he want though?" I asked.

"To date you, I would assume," she shrugged. "Even though I think he should be younger than you are."

"He is," I said.

I pondered on that for a few seconds but out food arrived and the aroma pulled me out of my thoughts almost immediately.

"Welp," I sighed. "We can talk about this when we're done eating.”