Chapter 18

SEBASTIAN

Athena stared at my hand for a few seconds Nd then stepped out of the helicopter on her own, without taking it.

"No, thank you," she said as she strolled past me. "I don't need your help."

That hurt.

I know I deserved it but that really hurt.

I forced a smile as I turned to walk beside her.

"People usually accept the hand out of courtesy, not out of necessity," I said with my smile still plastered on my face.

"Well, it wasn't necessary," she replied with a shrug and then to stare at me as she walked, causing me to stare back. "And I don't owe you any courtesy."

"That's fair enough," I nodded as we reached the elevator. "It was quite hurtful still."

"Too bad," she shrugged as she pressed the number six on the elevator.

It was a swift and silent ride down one floor and we were soon standing in a pretty wide hallway with her assistant who had been waiting in front of the elevator and seemed shocked to see me with Athena.

"Good morning, Alpha," she bowed in greeting. "I didn't expect that you would be accompanying the boss."

"A welcome coincidence," I chuckled. "She just happened to arrive when I was leaving for your office."

A blatant lie, but one I would stick to nonetheless.

I had been waiting for her for about twenty minutes before she arrived.

If she thought I was lying, Athena didn't show it as she immediately started walking away from us.

"Lead the way, Bella," she said as she went ahead.

Her assistant hurried in front of us as she led the way to a beautifully crafted door.

"I would have had your name in front of it but I didn't think you would like it."

"I wouldn't," Athena said as her assistant opened the door to usher her in.

The office was a beauty to behold, and this was just her assistant's. It was an expansive lobby complete with a small kitchen set, a bar, and a two separate living room setting on both ends of the space, to give waiting guests a relaxed atmosphere as they waited.

The assistant's desk was on the opposite side of the room directly facing the door and just beside her was the door leading to Athena's office.

I must admit that it was a lot more fancy than my assistant's office was.

I was quite amazed.

"Really impressive what you did with the place," Athena said as she looked around.

"I prioritized customer satisfaction over all else so I did my best to make it wasn't compromised in any way," the assistant smiled, obviously pleased with the praise.

She looked almost like a well trained dog being fed treats.

It was comical.

"Now, if you will allow me," she said after a few more seconds of looking around. "Let me introduce you to your office."

She crossed the space at a brisk pace, obviously a little excited at the prospect of showing off why I assume would be quite the view.

And I was right.

The door opened to a beautiful view of the district sprawled in front of us.

A window wall.

One that gives a breathtaking view of the district and as far as the high rise buildings let one see.

I hadn't thought about it before now but it was a sight to marvel at.

I made the decision to get a window wall in my office once I was done with my meeting here.

"Beautiful," Athena said with a smile as she strolled over to the window. "It's soothing too."

I watched her smile a genuine smile in a while.

I can't even remember the last time she smiled so freely. Her eyes fixed on the view.

It hurt my heart that it wasn't a smile aimed at me.

It hurt me that I couldn't make her smile like this.

"Ahem!" I said after about a minute of her taking in the view.

Both ladies' attention snapped towards me and I gave them an easy smile.

"I believe we are still scheduled for a meeting," I said to the assistant.

"Um, not really," she replied. "I wasn't infor-"

"I believe we are scheduled for a meeting right now, aren't we?" I cut her off, maintaining my smile.

"Of course," she said nervously. "You're already here so it's only right. I'll shift her other appointments."

"Thank you...., Bella?"

"Yes, Alpha. Bella," she bowed. "The pleasure is all mine."

With that, she scurried out of the office, carefully closing the door behind her.

"That's one smart girl you found yourself," I laughed. "Mine is quite capable herself, but she lacks grit. She gets scared too easily."

"You scared Bella off though," Athena said as she strolled over to her chair which looked as comfortable as it was attractive.

"With an effort," I said as I walked over to the seat opposite her.

"So, what do we have to discuss?" She asked, her expression turning stoic again.

"You tell me," I shrugged as I leaned back and got comfortable. "You're the designer."

"I know you enough to not need anything else," she replied. "So, I guess this meeting was for nothing."

We held each other's gaze for about a minute. Mine calm and easy, her's challenging.

"What do you feel when you look at me, Athena?"I asked eventually.

She cocked an eyebrow.

"Am I supposed to feel something?"

"You know you feel something," I insisted. You can lie and pretend all you want but you feel something for me, Athena. We are still bonded, remember?"

She seemed a little rattled by my last sentence, but she showed no sign of it, instead looking away.

"What do you think I feel, Sebastian?" She asked eventually, levelling her gaze to mine again.

"You tell me," I shrugged. "I'm tired of assuming things."

"Okay, Sebastian," she smiled as she leaned forward. I gave you years of my life. I loved you. I lived for you."

She paused as then sighed.

"But, you dashed me to the rocks. You ruined me and then left me to rot. You want to know what I feel for you? Tell me, Sebastian. What am I supposed to feel for the man who broke me?"

I knew the answer even without her saying it.

Hatred.