Chapter 24

Athena Lemiere
"You look beautiful, Athena. It reminds me of your mother." My dad said as I tried the wedding dress for the last time before the big day tomorrow.
"Thanks, dad." I forced myself to smile. I felt my eyes hurting a lot because I've been crying lately. I put a lot of ice packs everynight but it seems it can't heal my eyes that fast. Jacob asked me a couple of times for it but I just lied to him that a bug bit my eyes.
"I hope I won't trip ober my dress tomorrow." I said trying to laugh but it came out as a really boring joke. I saw my dad smiled through the mirror.
"Your mom did.. she was the clumsiest person in this world." My dad said and I chuckled.
"Wow.. I can't believe that I will get married this young." I said and at the same time, Jacob walked into the room. I turned my body to him and showed him my wedding dress.
"What do you think?" I asked him and he looked at me completely in awe.
"You look beautiful." He said and I smiled at him.
"Please pray for me so I won't trip on it tomorrow." I said and Jacob laughed. My dad walked out leaving me and Jacob alone.
"I will be the happiest man alive tomorrow.. I love you so much, Athena." He said and I nodded.
"Love you too, Jacob." He walked to me and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back and then he held the both of my hands.
"Why? Am I that beautiful? Until you can't take your eyes of me?" I joked and I felt he's taking off my ring. My eyes widen and looked at him disbelief.
"Jacob?" I looked at him a little bit suspicious.
"What a lucky bastard?! After he hurted you.. he still has your heart." My breath hitched when he said that. He put the ring to his pocket and I shook my head.
"Jacob, don't be ridiculous!" I hissed angrily and he took a step back.
"I already cancelled the wedding 3 months ago.. all your family knew that along with mine."
"What?" I asked him disbelief and he just looked at me sadly.
"Jacob.. no." I shook my head and he smiled.
"I realize that I can't make you happy." I shook my head trying to walk to him but he.. walked backwards.
"Jacob.. please."
"There was no wedding in the first place, Athena. I already know where it will go 3 months ago. I just realize that you always said 'Love you too' instead of 'I love you too' and I'm really jealous of Redent, how can he still be a jerk and still get you?"
"I don't love him, Jacob. You know that!"
"You don't but deep down inside.. you want him." I tried to reach for him but he kept walking backwards avoiding me.
"Jacob, don't do this to me." I shook my head and he sighed.
"At first, I tried to get you because I wanted to unite Camery and Lemiere but I ended up falling in love with you. I guess.. it's even now." I looked at him in disbelief.
"You're lying, Jacob. It's useless if you want to make me hate you or mad at you because I don't." I said and he scoffed.
"I told the press that the marriage will be in private so everyone still thinks that you and I will get married. I hope you will keep that way so Redent will get you that easily. He needs to earn you.. what a lucky bastard!" Jacob said and tears came out from my eyes. I saw Jacob looking down with a really sad expression. I walked to him and hugged him tightly.
"I will always love you."
"As a brother." He added and I can't deny that.
"I'm sorry for lying to you.. you worked so hard but it ended up like this."
"It's okay besides.. I get to spend time with you." I said honestly and I smiled at him. He wiped my tears and he kissed my cheek.
"Keep it a secret.. okay?" He said and I nodded.
"Now go.. your jet is already waiting for you to go to New York." My eyes widen and he smiled nodding. I know that he's smiling but he was broken inside.
"Go.. but please come back here for my birthday."
"I will, I promise." I said and he hugged me one last time.
"I will talk to King Darren and-"
"Not now.. My mom knee it but not my dad. Please comeback here next month and then talk to him." He said and I looked at him a little bit worried.
"Just go.. please."
"But.." I shook my head.
"Just trust me, everything will be okay." He smiled assuring me and I sighed nodding.
"Jacob, you will find someone who will love you uncon-"
"Before you say that.. I found her already." He chuckled and my eyes widen.
"What?"
"Go now! I will tell you next month." He said as he pushed me towards the door. He opened the door and my dad was already waiting for me. He smiled and gestured me to go. My dad hugged Jacob one last time and we both go out from the palace.
"We never thought you would.. keep giving in till' the end, Athena." My dad said.
"I don't know what I want until I get his letter." I said honestly.
"So.. let's just keep the lies going on." My dad said and I nodded.
"Will do.. and besides I need time, dad."
"Lawsuit.. he still ignores it." My dad hissed and I still can see my dad hates him. Even though we have no plan for the land in Colorado but you know.. he's breaking the rules.
"I'll take care of it." I smirked.