Be my Partner

Once the room is empty and only the two of them remain, Athena gazes at the man in front of her with her beautiful eyes.

"What were you doing in Warlow?" she questions, taking him by surprise. He laughs under his breath and shakes his breath.

Confused and annoyed, Athena cocks her eyebrow and asks, "Was that meant to be funny for you?"

"No, that's not. I am just hurt that you can ask about anything but me, and my feelings" he says, gazing at her with his hazel eyes filled with love for her.

"Answer me," she asks, pretending she doesn't hear what he said.

"I am Arcillia, true and I was in Warlow for some business purposes. I stayed there for five years and managed our joint company there."

"So you left all of that and came here because of me?" Athena says it with utmost disbelief.

"Yes, that is one reason and another is that the business is done over there. Someone else is managing the company, so I am free and all yours" he playfully winks and Athena rolls her eyes.

She takes a deep breath and speaks, "Look, you need to leave, from here and from my sight as well. You don't know what you getting yourself into."

He smirks, challenging her words. "I know very well what steps I am taking, Missy. You being a mafia head, killing people and all that, I don't care. I don't care about your status. I like you the way I met you at Warlow. Nothing's gonna change."

His words affect her and her heart beats crazily for the first time. Why? she wonders why she is affected by his words. All that is fake! Nothing is true!

"But I don't like you" she controls herself and tells him coldly. "And your presence here is not welcomed. So either you leave or my men will throw you out to your doorstep."

Vincent takes steps towards her with his face etched with hurt emotions. "I get that you don't like me. I get that it takes time for someone to like someone but why do you have to be so cold to me?"

He stops in front of her and their eyes meet. The atmosphere changes drastically the moment their eyes met. Electric sparks fly around.

He leans closer to her. "Why can you be a little gentle to me, hm?" he mumbles, caressing her cheeks with his one hand.

Athena's body fires up but she somehow manages to say, "Get away!" But Vincent's power is overshadowing her aura and she just melts in his eyes.

He leans more and plants his lips on hers. Athena can feel a tingling sensation from her head to her toes. This is wrong. She opens her eyes and pushes him back. "You are bold to do something like that!" she thunders, glaring that Vincent who takes a step back.

"You liked it. You want me too" he muses, "Athena, you can say it. It's fine."

"Shut your nonsense! Since you won't leave on your own, I will have to throw you out!" she yells. Her thunderous voice is heard out of the room as well and Cynthia gets an earful of it. She smiles to herself thinking, Vincent will get kicked out now.

Just then Cynthia gets a call from Santos saying he got the invitation card. "The party has begun. Tell lady to come soon. Has she considered how she will come here? They are checking IDs and business titles."

"Wait, let me take you to lady. You inform this to her" Cynthia says and goes to the Main Hall. Athena's glares fall on Cynthia which makes her a little nervous.

"My lady, Santos has something for you." She hands the phone to Athena and stands beside her.

While Athena talks with him, Cynthia throws mean glares at Vincent. Vincent gives her a smug smirk that she really has come to hate and tells her in a signal that he kissed Athena.

Cynthia's eyes widen but she doesn't want to believe that.

"Computer checkers? Are they even hosting a party?" Athena says with irritation and gets up from the seat. "No, I haven't yet. Keep checking. We are coming in an hour there." With that, she hangs the call and tosses the phone to Cynthia.

"My lady, how are we going there then?"

Annoyed, Athena snaps, "I fucking don't know! They specifically crossed out the company names where females are the CEOs."

"What is happening?" Vincent asks and gets glares from both women as a reply. "I can help."

"None of your business, arsehead."

"Athena, I can help. I know most of the businessmen here." Athena takes a moment to think about his offer but declines. She wants nothing from him anymore.

"No. You are leaving right now."

"Athena just try to understand. I really can help you with whatever problem you are facing. You said the computer checkers? My Dad's company had that too" he urges.

Should she let him help her? She has to go to that party and if he knows how to enter, why should she let this chance slip? "Do you know about Baron Sims? He is the one hosting the party and that's where we are going."

Cynthia looks at Athena with disbelief, not understanding why she tell him all that? Oh no, is she considering lending his help?

"Yes, I know him. I mean I heard of him of course." He pauses taking a moment to think of a solution. A smile comes to his face and he lights up, "I have an idea!"

"Probably a fluke" Cynthia mutters, rolling her eyes.

"What is it?" Athena asks, folding her arms before her chest.

"You can be my partner and I can go as the business head for my father's company" he suggests.

"Which company is it?"

"Orion Rising" he answers. Athena is surprised to know that the multinational company is his father's. Orion Rising is one of the large companies in Arcillia and also a good competitor to Followhill Empire.

The idea is decent but she isn't sure of agreeing with him. "I don't believe you."

"I can ring my father and then you might believe me?"

She nods and he takes his phone out from his jeans pocket. He waits for his father to pick up his call.

On the other hand, Athena and Cynthia argue about the decision.

"My lady, you cannot trust this man" Cynthia argues, only wanting the good for Athena.

"I am aware of that, my love. But do we have other choices? Please tell me if you have any other ideas. I would blindly agree with yours."

At that Cynthia's mouth gets shut because she doesn't have any other way. All the business partners they knew are of no help to them.

Vincent gestures for Athena to come forward to hear his father's words clearly. He puts the call on speaker. "Yes, Dad say again please?"

"The Sims Galaxy and our Orion Rising have a good bond. He will be pleased to have you there. You can take a partner for sure. Make sure to be a presentable son" says his father from the other line.

"Got it, Dad. Thanks. I will hang up now." He turns to Athena and asks gently, "Do you believe me now?"

She wonders why his father will lie so she has to believe him. "Tell me about your plan."