Chapter 69: Patience
"It’s about you and Enzo. I’ve noticed how much you care about him. I found it strange. Athena... Before Lanny and Enzo, were you two in a relationship?"
Athena: "..."
She didn’t expect to hear that question from Vladimir. ’What made him think Enzo and I were a couple?’
Noticing Athena’s puzzled look, Vladimir continued talking.
"Lanny also told me something. I know it sounds ridiculous... but I want to hear it from you. She said... the three of you are a throuple."
Athena blinked in amusement. After his words sunk in, she erupted into a peal of laughter. She could already tell that Lanny made up a story, teasing and deceiving her brother.
"Pfffft! V, you are overthinking," Athena couldn’t stop laughing, tapping Vladimir’s back.
"Enzo and I were never in a relationship... And no, the three of us were definitely not in a throuple," Athena clarified, astonished that Vladimir would even entertain the notion of Lanny’s joke being true.
Vladimir’s face reddened in embarrassment. He regretted believing his sister’s nonsense. He became a laughingstock in front of Athena.
’Lanny Ivankov! I’m gonna make you pay for this!’ Vladimir slammed his eyes shut, covering his face using both hands.
Athena stopped laughing when she saw Vladimir feeling embarrassed. "It’s fine, V. Don’t feel embarrassed. Lanny is always playful and naughty. Next time, don’t believe her taunting words quickly."
Vladimir could only sigh helplessly, nodding in agreement. "Yes. I’ve learned my lesson."
"However, Athena... I am still curious. Is Enzo only a friend of yours? Why do I feel like he is so special for you."
Athena hesitated for a moment. She didn’t know how she should respond to Vladimir’s query. He was seeking some truths.
"I know... and I can feel it. You and Lanny are still hiding a lot of things from me," Vladimir remarked, his voice tinged with sadness and disappointment.
"Why can’t you trust me, Athena? What should I do to earn your trust completely?" He glanced at her with his pleading eyes, feeling desperate.
"Is it because of my profession... and my background? You don’t trust me because I’m a bad guy..." Vladimir looked down, disheartened. He felt insecure because Athena wanted to rely more on Lanny than him.
Athena was dumbfounded by Vladimir’s words. She didn’t mean to hurt him as if she was taking him for granted, not trusting him.
"Athena..." Vladimir moved closer to Athena, holding her shoulders. "I’m sorry. I just want to let this out and be honest with you. I’ve been waiting for you to open up with me. I just want to help you and assist you with everything I can."
"I don’t care if you will just use me as an instrument for your revenge. But I’m always willing to support you... letting you utilize my power and influence here." Vladimir sincerely confided to her with his inner feelings.
"Don’t hesitate to ask for my help..." he added.
"V," Athena finally found her voice to speak up. She looked up, meeting Vladimir’s gaze. "I appreciate everything you’ve done for me... and I’m grateful for those things you are willing to do for me." She smiled faintly.
"In my eyes... you are a good guy. Not a bad guy. Believe me. I’m telling this from the bottom of my heart." Athena hugged Vladimir, making him feel how special he was for her.
"I’ve promised you... that once I’m ready, I’ll tell you everything... about my past... about my revenge, and about my real self."
"Please, V... don’t rush things." She pleaded.
"I know I can always rely on you and Lanny. But there are things I must do by myself. I have to get the closure that I want... for me to finally move on and start anew. And when it happens, I hope you and Lanny are still there for me... no matter what will be the outcome of my plan."
"V... Right now... the Athena in front of you... is a broken woman. I’m striving to piece myself back together," Athena confided sincerely to Vladimir.
When Vladimir heard those words, he could only bob his head, tightening his grip on Athena’s body as he engulfed her in his strong arms.
"I understand, Athena. I’ll be patient. I will wait for you. Just remember. I’m always here for you."
Athena nodded as she buried her face on Vladimir’s chest. After a while, she finally freed herself from Vladimir’s embrace.
"By the way, V... Enzo is just like a brother to me," she clarified.
Vladimir felt relieved when he heard that. He was glad that Athena didn’t have romantic feelings for Enzo. He felt reassured now.
"I believe you," he replied.
"Good. Now, V. Let’s call it a night. Shall we go home now?"
"Alright. Let me send you back." Vladimir opened the car door for her.
After this heart-to-heart talk, he could tell that Athena was no longer in the mood to party more tonight. She wanted also to reflect on her feelings and think things over.
Half an hour later, Athena and Vladimir reached her home. She expressed her gratitude toward Vladimir before she bade him farewell.
"Let me know when you get home safely. Goodnight, V. Take care on the road," Athena said softly, waving her hand.
"Will do. Talk to you later, Lady Boss!" Vladimir chuckled before rolling up his car window.
Athena stood in front of her penthouse, her gaze fixed on Vladimir’s car as he drove away. Their conversation had been heavy and she knew that she wasn’t ready to tell him everything.
"Not now, V... but someday... I will be honest with you," she softly mumbled. She couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty as his car disappeared into the night.
With a heavy sigh, Athena turned back towards her house. She was about to enter the gate when suddenly someone grabbed her wrist, spinning her around and pressing her against the concrete wall of the gate.
Startled, she found herself face to face with Dominique, his eyes ablaze. "Dom— Mr. Smith? What are you doing here?!"
Athena’s mind raced with questions, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t understand why Dominique’s intense gaze made her body tremble.
’How did he find my place? Why is he here? Did he see Vladimir and me earlier? How long he has been watching us?’
Meanwhile, Dominique remained tight-lipped as he trapped her between the wall and his body. He was grasping her wrists tightly, holding her in place. His emotions boiled inside him, beyond his control.
After discovering Athena’s address, Dominique felt compelled to pay her a visit. His mind had been consumed by various thoughts all day, and the urge for fresh air led him to drive to Athena’s address.
However, he didn’t expect her to be with someone. A guy dropped her in front of her house. After seeing Athena smile while conversing cheerfully with Vladimir, Dominique was immediately consumed by jealousy.
Before he knew it, Dominique found himself grabbing Athena, stopping her from entering the gate.
"Mr. Smith, let go of me. You’re hurting me." Athena complained as she struggled against his tight grip.
When Dominique heard that, he loosened his grip but he still didn’t let go of her.
"Hey, what’s wrong with you? What do you want from me?" Athena snapped, unable to contain her annoyance as she confronted Dominique.
Dominique had appeared out of nowhere, catching Athena off guard. She hadn’t prepared herself to interact with him in a friendly manner as she had planned.
His unexpected presence heightened her frustration, and she glared at him, awaiting his response with defiance.
Dominique stared at her intently, searching for the right words to justify his actions. He couldn’t tell her he was jealous. And he didn’t have the right to question her about her relationship with the other guy.
In the end, Dominique had to say the first reasonable excuse that crossed his mind.
"I came here to warn you," Dominique sternly said, trying to conceal his jealousy with his threatening tone.
Athena’s brows knitted together in a deep frown of confusion. "Warn me about what?"
"I heard you’re going to work with my wife, Sasha," Dominique began, his voice tense with warning. "What happened between us at the Hilton Bay Hotel should stay buried. Don’t you dare breathe a word of it to her. What happened between us was just a mistake. It won’t happen again."
Athena arched her eyebrow. She was displeased when Sasha’s name was mentioned. She clenched her fists tightly, suppressing the anger bubbling within her. ’So he came here in the middle of the night just to warn me because he doesn’t want to jeopardize their relationship as a married couple. Is he going to ask me to stay away from him?’
For some unknown reason, Athena could feel the bitterness inside her heart. She thought Dominique was so determined to remain faithful to his wife. ’So he truly loves Sasha.’
"Mr. Smith, no need to worry. I’m not one to kiss and tell," Athena maintained her sweet smile, concealing her anger and annoyance. "Release me now. And go home!"
"Or perhaps you’d prefer to spend the night here with me, Mr. Smith?" Athena teased playfully, maintaining her composure as she remained focused on her goal of seducing Dominique to destroy his marriage.