I hummed to myself while staring at my outfit through the mirror. I sighed while attempting to zip up my dress. Tobias and I are attending a party thrown by Valeria.

I'd rather stay in bed and hide from the world. I wasn't ready for the questions of my disappearance or the judgmental states, but maybe leaping into the public will
make the drama calm.

"Ready?" Tobias leaned against the door.

"If you don't mind, can you zip up my dress?" I questioned.

He nodded while slowly walking over. He looked amazing. He had wore a black button-down shirt tucked into grey slacks. He accented his outfit with a gold watch and a simple gold chain.

He analyzed me through the mirror. His eyes met mine before looking at the red dress I wore then back to my eyes. My stomach fluttered as he continued staring into my eyes while zipping up my dress.

We stayed like that for a moment. Just staring at each other through the mirror, both content with each other's looks. I could smell the cologne on him, it smelled like heaven.

"We should, um." Tobias cleared his throat.

"Yeah." I nodded.

~

"How did you manage to leave Theo?" Valeria chuckled.

"He's with his mom at the moment. The results haven't come in yet." I sighed while sipping the champagne.

"Where did Tobias run off to?"

"The bathroom."

"Have a good night ladies?" Luca questioned.

Valeria nodded while looking at me. "I'll leave you two to chat."

She walked away.

"Everything alright?"

"Yeah. I just want to apologize for calling Tobias back in Turks and Caicos. I was worried because you were missing an-"

"It's okay. I appreciate your help, I needed it at that moment."

"If you couldn't tell, Tobias loves you. He looks at you with love in his eyes."

"Don't be silly. We care for each other, but I would say he loves me."

"Do you love him?"

I remained quiet while sipping my champagne.

"I rest my case."

"Everything alright?" Tobias walked up to us.

"Yeah man, I was just having a chat with Athena." Luca nodded. "I'll see you two later."

Luca walked away. Tobias gave me a slight smile before delicately grabbing my waist. His arm felt strong and defensive as if he was protecting me from something.

"Would you like to dance?" He questioned.

"I'm always up for a dance. One second." I quickly finished my champagne glass before placing it on a waiter's tray.

I led him to the floor before wrapping my arms around his neck. He stared into my eyes as we slowly swayed back and forth.

"You should be careful," Tobias said.

"Careful with?"

"Associating with Luca, you're the spectacle of this party and people will turn a little thing into something."

"Noted." I nodded.

"You look very nice, by the way. Can't remember if I told you that."

"You did." I chuckled. "But you look very handsome."

"Can I ask you something?" Tobias questioned.

I nodded.

"After we get married, are you leaving the penthouse?" He questioned.

"Why, you want me out?" I joked.

"I don't, actually." He mumbled.

"Well until the divorce, I still would be staying with you. So you're stuck with me." I smiled while looking into his eyes.

"I don't mind."

He twirled me out before pulling me back in. This time my back pressed against his chest as we continued to sway.

"You smell nice." He mumbled while sending chills down my spine.

"It's Chanel." I blushed.

I didn't want to move. My heartbeat was incredibly fast and my hands were sweaty. I was swooning for him in the middle of the dance floor. I wish we could do more than just dance, but that was the champagne speaking for me.

I turned back around, wrapping my arms around his neck and continuing our eye contact. We didn't speak, we just swayed back and forth while staring into each other's eyes.

He looked down at my lips before back at my eyes. I nodded as he came close. His thumb caressed my cheek before we both closed our eyes.

"Athena! We need to talk." Anteros walked up to us. "Sorry to interrupt but it's important."

I sighed before grabbing Anteros's hand and walking away.

"What?"

"You talked to mom and didn't tell me?"

"You didn't tell me that you were still in contact with her." I huffed while crossing my arms.

"She's trying to destroy your dad. Which he needs to be destroyed, but what you don't understand is that he could lose everything."

"I'll be okay. I'm set with my company."

"His company, Athena. He legally owns it, meaning you need to protect yourself. By giving her the box filled with records, you are handing her every penny of your dad's wealth."

"I'd be broke."

"Yes, that's why you need to keep those records and buy S&W from your dad."

"But that's a multi-million dollar company. I'd be spending half of my savings."

"I'm just saying. Protect yourself. Mom is out for revenge." Anteros sighed. "She loves you, but she's going to take your father down."

I sighed while grabbing a glass of champagne. "I need a lawyer."

"You do." Anteros nodded. "I'll see you later."

I sighed before shaking my head. I thought my mom coming back into my life would be easy, but more problems came along.

"Everything alright?" Tobias questioned.

"It's a lot, but we'll discuss it later. Let's drink!"

~

I huffed while attempting to zip down my dress. It didn't work. "Tobias?"

"Yes?"

"Sorry, can you help me get this zipper down?"

He nodded walking close and zipping down the dress. There was tension between us, not in a bad way, but the tension of wanting to kiss each other but not knowing how to go about it.

I turned around before stepping on my tip-toes. I crashed my lips into his and ran my fingers through his hair.

We made out for a second before he slowly began to place kisses down my neck. I moaned while throwing my head back. He trailed the tattoo on my collar bone before connecting back with my lips.

But then he stopped. He fixed his shirt before clearing his throat.

"I'm sorry." He shook his head before walking out.

What the fuck.