Chapter 53

Sean stood in the balcony with a drink in his hand, he watched as Rodger loads Athena s bags into the car, TB was standing beside her, probably trying to talk her out of leaving but from the looks of it, he don t think he was winning. After leaving her in the living room early this morning, he had not been able to sleep. He had gone through so many things in his mind, he had wondered if he should go to her room, tell her how he feels and wait to know if she would change her mind for him. Or if he should go to her room, seduce her and make sweet love to her, but that would make her hate him forever.
He had thought about going with drinks and getting her drunk and then sleeping with her just like their first night together, she might woke up and classify it as mistake like she did the first night and he would be hurt when she does that. He had thought of many ways to approach her and even thought about begging her not to leave and stay with him but that was against his morals, he doesn t beg, he never did and doesn t plan on doing so. But a small part of him knew he would do that if only it would get her to stay.
After so much scheming and pondering, he had forced himself to sleep and this morning, he had refused to see her, he doesn t want his feelings to be shown on his face so he had asked Esther to bring his breakfast to his bedroom and he had his lunch in his study. Now she was leaving, he watched her from his balcony, hoping for her to look up so that he would see her face one last time and at the same time hoping for her not to.
When Rodger was done loading her bags, Athena sighed, she was leaving with more than she came with, she had wanted to leave everything Sean bought for her, it didn t feel right taking them when she could feel that he was angry with her, after all, he had avoided her all day. She had packed only the things she came with but TB had came in then and told her that if she doesn t want to sever all ties with Sean then she better leave with the things he bought for her and that had got her packing every single thing.
It had been hard sleeping after Sean left her in the living room, she had even left her room and stood in front of his door, for some reason, she wanted to be with him before she leaves, or maybe, if she throw herself at him one last time, he could be able to see how she feels for him but the image of the night in his study was hard to get off from her mind. She had raised her hand to knock a thousand times but at the end, she just left and returned to her room then forced herself to sleep.
"Call me if you need anything, okay? Sean might just be angry that you are leaving before the agreed time but don t worry, he would come around," TB said beside her and she sighed, she hopes he does. "I m sure as hell going to miss you, this house had been more fun with you around. Remember, if that idiot tries as much as make you angry or sad, call me and I am coming over there with Smith and Rodger to beat the hell out of him."
Athena chuckled lightly and she turned and hugged him, "I will miss you, TB, please keep in touch."
"Of course I will and don t forget, your shooting is on Wednesday, don t miss it."
"I won t," how could she? The only chance she could be able to make Sean remember her forever. At least, whenever he goes to work, he would be seeing her face in every turn he makes, just as Esperanza s own was everywhere in the company and she had been jealous the first time she saw it.
"Good," TB smiled and then sighed, "take care Athena, I might come visit you tomorrow if I am not too busy."
Athena nodded, "sure, take your time."
TB kissed her both cheeks and Rodger opened the door of the backseat for her, she let go of TB and waved at him but as she turned to get into the car, she paused and looked up, then she saw him, her heart missed series of beats and she couldn t look away. She finally saw him, she thought she wouldn t. She was overcame with the urge of running inside and upstairs to him and throw herself into his arms but before she could decide whether to do just that, he turned and walked into the house.
Athena felt her heart clench in sadness, it was almost as if it wanted to consume her with its pain and it took all the strength in her to keep the tears in. she looked at TB to see that he was watching her and she forced a smile but even her smile revealed her pain.
TB walked up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder calmly, "are you sure you are doing the right thing? Are you sure this is what you want?"
Athena didn t answer, she only smiled and got into the car, she heard TB sigh but didn t look at him, the door closed and she closed her eyes, the tears sipped from her eyelashes and down her cheeks. She heard Rodger came in but didn t bother to look up or even dry her tears. The car started and soon there were in motion and she couldn t bear to look back at the house, the house she had came into to become better ended up making her that but took something from her as well.
***
Frank was waiting in front of his building, when he saw the car coming, a car he had seen Sean in number of times, he was a little worried that he was dropping her off. He was a little reluctant to meet him, especially since he knows he had to thank him for paying for the sewing machine for him and that was something he definitely doesn t want to do. It was a good thing the paparazzi doesn t know about it, it would have damaged his reputation for sure.
When the car stopped in front of him, he saw a man got out and knew who it was, it was one of Sean s security guards but he wasn t Smith so he knew Sean wasn t in the car, he has never seen him without Smith and if it was Rodger that came, it means he was just dropping her off. But he must admit that he was surprised, he never expected Sean to let her go just like that, it could only prove one thing, Esperanza was right, they weren t really dating and it was just to spite him. He smiled at that and went to open the door for Athena. She came down but didn t even bother to smile at him; she had taken the whole ride to get her emotion in check.
Rodger brought out her bags and looked at them, his face devoid of any emotion as usually, "that will be all," he did a slight bow with his head, got into the car and drove off.
"Well," Frank chuckled, "when you told me you were coming over, I really didn t believe it and now, here you are." He smiled and meant to tuck her hair behind her ear but she avoided his touch. He chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head, "let s go in, it s a little cold out here."
Athena grabbed one of her bags and started going into the building, she knows his floor and his apartment so she didn t bother to wait for him. Frank grabbed the rest of the bags and followed her. He was able to meet her in the elevator and they remained silent during the few seconds ride to the floor. When the doors opened, Athena saw a man walking up to them; she smiled immediately and waited for him to recognize her.
When he did, his eyes bulged up, "Athena?"
"Hi Fred," she said, walking up to him to shake hands with him.
"Wow, wow, wow, wow," Fred said, looking her up and down, "you look stunning."
"Thank you," she smiled.
Fred looked from her to the frowning Frank and nodded, "hmm, you guys are back, that s…unexpected, but it s great to see you again," he smiled, "I m kind of in a rush now, I m having dinner with my fiancé s family, I will see you tomorrow, okay?" He let go of her hand and shook Frank s before walking behind them to get into the elevator.
Athena smiled at what he had said, when she had first met him, it had been 'Girlfriend and now it s 'Fiancé, it s good to know that his relationship turned out well for him, unlike her who kept having her heart broken. Without a word to Frank, she strode to his door and he had to hurry up to unlock it for her.
When Athena stepped in, she remembered the first day she had come there, how he had refused to let her in, and now, here she was, standing in that very living room. If she hadn t been living in Sean s mansion, she would have classified the house as the best she had seen but now looking around at the white and red walls, a few art works no doubt he got from Fred because she could see his name on them and the white drapes and red couches, it was amazing but it was a little compared to the one she just moved out from.
"It s not much, I know, but we would move out when we plan to extend the family, I promise," Frank said behind her.