Chapter 9

ATHENA

"The car is ready, ma'am," Bella's voice informed me from outside my bedroom door. "I've arranged for one of the guards to drive us as well.

"Good, Bella," I replied. "I'll be out in a minute."

I stared at the mirror for a few seconds, checking out my body more than I did my outfit. I wanted to make sure my bruises were gone. The last thing I wanted was for Sienna to see even an ounce of weakness in me.

When she called me, I was sure she was about to yell at me for keeping Sebastian until so late.

It was surprising that all she asked for was a meeting between us alone, but that already sent alarm bells ringing in my head.

With Bella there, I'm assuming her intentions would be a little more subdued. I still can't take chances so a guard will be driving us as well instead of the regular chauffeur.

I stepped out of my bedroom once I was ready, my blonde hair tied in a ponytail and my penciled skirt hugging my curves.

Bella was waiting in the living room and rose to her feet once she saw me.

Her dressing was identical to mine.

A white long sleeved shirt, a black penciled skirt, a black suit and black heels to match. Even our hair was identically held back in a ponytail.

"Ready?" I asked as I walked towards the door.

"Yes, ma'am," she replied as she fell in step behind me, her tablet cradled on her forearm. "I cancelled all of your meetings for the week except this one. I told them you had an emergency project. We're trying to keep any news of your attack private so as not to give more people idea."

"Smart," I nodded as I strolled into the open door of the Rolls Royce. "Has there been any changes to the venue?"

"No, ma'am," she shook her head as she entered the car as well and the guard shut it behind her. "I made sure to ask her assistant a few times to be sure there were no changes. Hillview Restaurant is still the location."

'Hillview,' I thought as I stared out of the window.

I have been there a few times but only bad memories lingered there. It might be one of the top restaurants for the wealthy, but I most likely would never visit that place of my own accord.

She probably knew that and still made me go there anyways.

That annoying woman.

As we drove out of the bubbling city, into the serene countryside of lush green grass and rolling hills, we could already see a glimpse of the magnificent edifice that was Hillview from the distance.

Hillview was built on the tallest hill in the countryside, and the name was just as literal as it sounds.

The view was breathtaking.

It made eating a fun and relaxed affair.

At least for most people.

They were quite strategic as well, making sure they were just far enough from the city to get away from the noise, but not far enough that it becomes a bother to go there or that the city is lost from view.

That was one of the many things that earned it its well deserved popularity.

At least for some people.

I have been inside that damn place as someone that didn't belong.

All I saw was greed, mockery and deceit.

The view while beautiful, disgusts me to no end.

Once we arrived at the foot of the hill, we were greeted by another one of its awe-inspiring attractions.

A gate leading into the hill.

The gate opened as we arrived, revealing a beautifully decorated platform with chairs, tables and whatnot.

A waiting room of sorts.

I rolled my eyes at the sight.

I've always found this unnecessary.

This platform was basically a lift for carrying cars to the top of the hill, and obviously, the base of the restaurant.

For some reason, they had decided that building the lift inside the hill which took more work and resources was a lot easier than doing it outside where it was easier and accessible. They then made the lift into a waiting room of sorts, as if anyone would want to get out of their car when they didn't have to.

Or so I thought when I first got here.

I was quickly corrected as multiple times I've been here, sometimes we share the lift with two or three cars. They got out of their cars almost every time to "enjoy their money's worth".

It baffled me to no end.

Luckily, we were alone this time and Bella didn't look interested in going out. She barely even glanced at the plush furnitures, wine bars and whatnot. She was focused on her tab, most likely mapping out my schedule for next week.

The lift rose slowly until the roof of the hill opened, revealing the clear blue sky as it lifted us onto the top of the hill.

Bella stirred at the change in lighting, looking out of the window for a few seconds and then going back to her work.

She has been here before.

I wasn't exactly surprised since she handled all of my business before now. Of course, someone must have invited her here to talk business.

I still wanted to see her look surprised though.

I couldn't help but feel let down.

We got out now and I took in the fresh air, relishing the feeling of it.

This was the only redeeming thing about Hillview.

The air was fresh.

A valet was waiting for us by the time we were up and I instructed the guard to get a seat away from mine and keep an eye on us as we spoke. If it looked like I was in danger, he was to get us out of there as soon as possible.

With that, I strolled into the restaurant where Sienna was waiting for me with a fake smile on her face.

"Good day, Athena," she greeted cheerily.

I nodded in acknowledgement.

"Good day, Sienna."

I looked around the restaurant. It was empty save for the staff.

"There's no one here."

She nodded in acknowledgement, that creepy smile still plastered on her face.

"I rented the restaurant for the day."