Chapter 9

Athena's POV

I woke up turning off the alarm that kept ringing for the past five minutes

Pushing the covers off me I put on some sneakers and went for my morning workout

After lifting weights and a couple of miles on the treadmill I left to get a shower. I took a hot shower,brushing my teeth I stared at my reflection and was surprised to see my lips quirk up. Was I smiling involuntarily?

I finished up and went to my princess's room and she was still asleep.

I know I haven't been there for her lately. I should take a little vacation with her. I could always bring Esty along

Speaking of her am a little nervous about the whole telling her about me and also finding out if she swinged both ways

I could always force it out if her but knowing that could only make her hate me more I decided to go with the peaceful way. Just ask

I kissed my little girl on the forehead and went to make myself breakfast.

I made some toast and blueberrie pancakes for Diana. I ate up and drank my banana smoothie.

I should probably tell my mom I already found the one

Picking up my phone I dialed my mom. I wonder why she's always up so early yet she doesn't have anything to do not even work

"A good wife should never wake up after sunrise" she'd say

"Look who decided to call her momma" I heard her say

"Don't I always call you momma?"

"Yeah only to ask me about your dad"she huffed

"Okay mom I'm sorry"I sighed

"Much better,but why'd you call honey? Something bad happened?"

"Can't I call just to know how my lovely mom is doing?" I smirked

"Oh please honey I know you,now why'd you call?"

"Okay fine,you won't believe who I just found mom,"I said excitement in my voice

"You're forgetting about her because you finally found an existing woman you can wife?"my mom shrieked I had to get the phone off my ear

Rolling my eyes I scoffed,"No mother I didn't find anyone to marry."

"Oh..." Her voice dropped

"Come on mom I have good news don't go all sad on me now. I just found her." I said

"Who's her honey? Her as in Esty or her as in the wife to be?"

"Her mom.....her....the one and only Esty,I told you I'll wait for her. Now the only thing that's in the way is making her mine."

There was a bit silence before she said,"Where'd you find her honey"?You could tell she was happy for me

"Funny thing she's working for me as my assistant now but she doesn't remember me,still lost her memories" I said sadly

"Baby you don't need to worry,you know how fate works in different ways. Just take her slow,don't try to rush her to remember anything. With time she will remember everything and you'll get your girl back."

"I know mom I'll try everything,you know there's no one for me but her. So yeah I'm gonna get her even if it takes me years."

"That's the spirit honey,now if you'll excuse me your papa needs some morning "workout" if you know what I mean." she chuckled

"Gross mom I don't need to hear about my parents sex life" I fake gagged

"Oh hush honey,you know it's better than your non-existent one" she said

"That's my cue to hang up,bye mom" I laughed

"Bye honey" I heard and hanged up

Now to get my ass to work. Am really looking forward to seeing her.

Getting to work early as always I made my way to my office..before I could make it I took a detour to Esty's office because I saw it slightly open

Did she get here before me? That's some commitment

Knocking I heard a soft "come in"

She gasped and stood up when she saw me

"G...good morning Miss Ealwood what can I do for you?"she stuttered

"Good morning Miss Hernandez,lovely day isn't it?"

She just gaped at me. What? Can't I be anything less than a bitch?

"N..no...I mean yes it's a lovely day."

I wanted to laugh so bad,am I that intimidating?

"Well since you got here early, do you mind having coffee with me?" I questioned half expecting her to say no

"Sure I'd love to".She didn't hesitate to say and I felt relieved,maybe....just maybe I may get a shot at this. I thought

"Well then I'll see you in my office,"I said and walked out

Of course I have a coffee maker in my office because I love working early and late and coffee keeps me on track. That and not to toot my own horn but I make the best coffee you'll ever taste

Not a minute later she walks in."Have a seat Miss Hernandez." I said

"Thank you" she said as she sat on the couch

Making two cups of coffee I gave her one and sat across her

She took a sip and glanced at me. I could tell she was uncomfortable so I decided to lighten up the mood

"Miss Hernandez mind telling me about yourself?Outside work of course.Anything about you."

"Uh...yeah sure"

"It's not an interrogation Hestia am only trying to know you more. You know? Outside business and all. It's okay if you don't tell me though." I said chuckling

"No I'd love to tell you Miss Ealwood, it's just unexpected."

"You can call me Athena." I said watching her eyes widen in shock

"But that's disrespectful you're my boss."she mumbled

"Call me Athena when we're alone or with family I insist."

I couldn't have her call me Miss when we're alone it just doesn't sound right now

She was hesitant but went with it

"Okay Mi...I raised my eyebrows,and she quickly changed it,...okay Athena"

"Well I have two moms,Lilith and Alexis and three best friends,Jade Clarke,Charles Hart- and Blair Hime."

I looked her in the eyes and watched as her eyes lit up when she talked about those people close to her. I wish I was one.

Although I already knew most of the things she said to me it was really fascinating to listen and watch the glimmer in her eyes

....."my pet Cuddles is back at my mom's place I couldn't keep him with all the moving and searching for a job...." she continued

I watched her tiny pinkish and kissable lips move against each other and wanted to separate them with my own

I noticed how she never once mentioned about her ex. It must be a sensitive subject for her.

I could notice the little freckles that were almost unnoticeable around her button nose. The way her nose would scrunch when she was not liking something. How eyebrows furrowed and her tongue darted out when she was thinking hard or trying to figure something out. How her cheeks would turn the darkest shade of red when she's blushing or reminiscing an embarrassing moment.

Call me a creep but I had to know everything about Esty. No matter what it takes me I'll figure her out and I'm gonna make her mine

...."that's how I got him to buy the space downtown and make his own dance studio."

She was talking about how she got her friend Charles to own his dance studio. She really is kind hearted

"How about you?" She asked

"How about me what?" I asked back

"What's your little story?" she smiled

Her smile.....god her smile made my insides flatter. Could anyone be this beautiful?

"Oh honey you wouldn't wanna know my ol' boring self."I chuckled

"Believe me I do" she smirked

Someone's a little brave today. I thought. Maybe I could tell her about Rose and about "my little buddy"and see how she takes it

"Well alright what do you wanna know?"I asked

"Anything and don't tell me how you own a chain of jewellery stores because everyone knows that,she giggled,I want to know what's behind the successful woman we all see and adore."

She adores me..my heart started throbbing..she actually adores me.I hope she means it. Because it would hurt bad if she didn't

"Well you already know about my little girl. Her name's Roselia. She's five now and is homeschooled that's why not even the media knows about her. I got her as an accident but not an ounce in me regrets taking her from her mother...." I paused

Seeing her listen as though her life depended on it I continued.."Her mother handed her to me when she found out a woman impregnated her."

"What do you mean?" She asked

Here goes nothing Athy

"I'm Intersex Hestia,I have a penis and I'm capable of having kids,so that's how I got Rose,my ex left me after finding out. Not once had we had sex because I knew she wasn't ready for the truth and one night of drinking we just let go and everything went down the drain.I'm not ashamed of myself at all and I try to be there for my baby even though I have a lot of work I'm still always there for her."

"Is she in the picture?"

Out of everything I've said that's her question?I expected her to freak out but not this

" No her mom is not in the picture that's why I didn't want you to receive any calls from her, she's a manipulative woman and I don't want her in my daughter's life"

"That's her loss Athena,I think you're amazing and having a daughter is just the cherry on top. You are successful,have a beautiful daughter I know and you're really beautiful. Anyone would be lucky to be with you and your daughter" she smiled

She didn't have a disgusted look when she said that. Her smile was genuine and I knew she meant every word

"Even you?"I teased

She immediately tensed," I didn't mean it I'm sorry Hestia."I apologized

"N...no it's not that I'm sorry I...I...I'm just...I don't swing that way Athena."

I felt a pang cut through my heart but smiled anyway

"It's okay I understand I was only teasing"I chuckled trying to ease her

She chuckled along.

I'm just glad she doesn't see me differently now I'm definitely not going to stop until I have her no matter how far she pushes me

I'll always reach out to her

"It's already eight am we've been here quite long why don't we get on with our day?." I said

"Sure,thank you for the coffee and the conversation Athy."

Did she just say Athy? I mean am used to people close to me calling me that but how she said it fluttered my heart

"You're a goner"

"I'm loving this"

I agree with my heart,I'm definitely loving this

"It was nothing don't mention it Esty," I said and she walked out

Throwing my fist in the air like some teenager I smiled big. I have to tell Cleo and Harry about this