16 Apologies
Athena mused as she returned her files into their cabinets after suspending her other appointments of the day–an unforeseen, yet important, interruption had occurred.
Gianna had called a few minutes ago to inform her that she had a work emergency, she wouldn’t be able to pick up the twins from school today.
Athena would have sent Alden, her personal driver, to pick them up, but the male’s name wasn’t registered on the school’s system as one of the people slated to pick her kids up.
Sighing tiredly, she shut down her laptop. Today has been hectic.
As she checked items into her bag, she wondered if it had been a good idea taking this job. But even as the thought came, she trashed it. The job was worth the stress. And she needed it.
Striding out of her office, with her bag slung across her shoulder, into her assistant’s space, she spotted Zane talking to Ciara.
Oh no. Not another ruckus. She thought, biting her lower lip. She was tired. She had to avoid a confrontation now, at all costs.
Before, she would have stopped to admire and tease Zane; to make small talk and laugh over little blessings; but now, she walked past him, with her eyes trained on the exit door–would have been successful with the escape mission, if he hadn’t called her back.
“Athena, please wait…”
Athena inhaled deeply to calm her conflicting emotions and waited. Zane deserved that much.
Still, was be here to convince her to take Ewan as a patient? Was that why he had called earlier?
“Athena, I’m sorry about last night. I should have done my due research before acting out of character. I should have thought of my god–son and god–daughter. I should have thought of the sincerity of our friendship, and your integrity…”
Zane paused, and looked at a gaping Clara.
The assistant blanched, picked some files from her table, and ran out of the common room.
Ciara knew her employer’s moods well enough to know that Zane considered it a sacrilege to be seen as anything but cold.
In her absence, Zane recovered momentum. He approached Athena gently, and continued his apology. “I’m sorry, Athena. It won’t happen again.”
Athena, though finding the situation amusing, nodded stiffly. “That’s okay. Can we head out? I’m in a hurry.
Zane let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you!”
Together, they walked out of the hospital.
10 Apologies
“Where are you heading to? We can talk while on transit.
Athena furrowed her eyebrows. She didn’t want to go anywhere with Zane. She didn’t want to talk about Ewan and his loose fiancée. So, she said nothing
Zane stopped walking. I’m sorry, Athena. I allowed emotions to blind me.”
He was ready to apologize as many times as possible, to have Athena back as before.
With the chance of losing her present, Zane discovered he couldn’t let go of Athena. When she had ignored his calls this morning, he had almost lost it.
Right now, he discarded the coldness that was him, and allowed the boyish charm and demeanor to resurface.
It didn’t work on Athena.
“Have you done your research, Zane? What did you find out?” Athena cut straight to the chase. She knew enough of the Pattersons family and their connections.
Zane sighed, but nodded. “To be honest, I did research on you when father had hired you to treat him. And though I suspected some shady business, I had let it go, not caring what your past was, so long as you healed my father.”
A pause.
“But yesterday, I had my men do a more thorough investigation on what had actually happened six years ago. There had been no conclusive evidence that you had cheated on Ewan.”
They stopped at his car, and Zane opened the door for her.
Athena stared at him contemplatively. Noting the plea in his eyes, she shook her head and entered the car. Hadn’t she decided to give him a second chance?
At least he wasn’t gullible as Ewan, who she had given numerous chances during the three years. of their marriage.
“As a matter of fact, I believe your side of the story. There were a lot of loopholes to Luca’s story. Speaking about Luca… Where is he now?”
Athena shrugged her shoulders. “Paying for his crimes.
Zane piqued an eyebrow, but Athena said nothing more.
He shook his head, while a smile played on his lips.
Mystery was one of the things that attracted him to Athena. As much as she was simple, she was a won who knew what she wanted, and how she wanted it.
Already, he could imagine what torture Luca might be facing now. Good for him.
Well, it was better that the young man fell under Athena’s hands. It would have been a different
case under him.
“So, you are choosing me over your best friend?” Athena asked some minutes later, interrupting
16 Apologies
“Not exactly. I trust your story, so I will try convincing Ewan to see things clearly. I need to gather more evidence. The CCTV of the hotel had been wiped clean.
Didn’t she know? Athena chuckled bitterly. It had been one of the things she had tried getting her hands on after she stood back on her feet.
Fiona and her father had really been thorough. Unfortunately, Luca hadn’t been so.
Just then her phone rang. The phone number was an unknown one. Athena furrowed her eyebrows. Who could be this calling her private number?
She cocked her head to the side, but went ahead to answer the call.
“Hello, Athena, it’s your father…”
Athena ended the call. “Who gave the bagger my phone number?”
“Who was that?”
“Mr Zack Moore. Did your investigators let you know that he isn’t my real father?”
“That part was true?”
Athena glared at Zane who muttered an apology before parking his car at the school’s garage. “I wasn’t informed. How did you find out?”
“He told me.
“You don’t think it was something said out of anger?”
Zane received another glare, and muttered another apology.
“No, it wasn’t. I know he is not my father. It had put things on a clearer perspective six years
ago.
“That’s crazy. You should block his number then. Zane advised before killing the engine.
They both stepped out of the car, and walked inside the school.
“So, Zane, I have a question for you, and I request an honest reply.”
Zane piqued up. Athena rarely made requests.
“Sure, go ahead! So long as it doesn’t have to do with the money in my bank account.”
Athena laughed, understanding the joke, to Zane’s relief. He had realized a little too late that his statement was in line with the allegation that had been levied against Athena last night.
He had to sue two press companies for it last night!
“Trust me, Zane, I have no interest in your money. Athena started.
But Zane was already aware of this fact. “What do you want to know, Athena?“
“Last six years, when I asked Ewan for a divorce, there had been talks about being a breeder, and my father’s role in our marriage. Last night, Ewan mentioned it too. What was he talking about?”
