15 years ago

Feeling the cold water on my face woke me up instantly. I screamed before quickly shooting up. My father stood over me, his cold gaze terrified me.

"Father." I rubbed my eyes.

"Five in the morning. Get up." He said before walking out.

I sighed.

"If you aren't pushing yourself, you're weak." My father said as he ran on the treadmill. "Push yourself, Tobias."

I nodded while turning up the speed. I began running, trying to pace myself but ended up collapsing.

"My arm! Father my arm!" I yelled.

"Get up!" He yelled.

"What's going on in here?" My mother walked in. "Tobi! Are you okay baby?"

"Stop babying him. He's fine. We're done. Same time tomorrow." My dad said while wiping his face with a towel.

"It's broken, sweetie." My mom examined it.

But that didn't stop anything. The next day my dad made me run on the treadmill, cast and all.

Present Day

"No. I don't have the time." I paced back and forth before stopping in front of the window.

"Make time. You're a Landon. Be a Landon." My father said before hanging up.

I huffed while tossing my phone on the hotel bed. He was infuriating. 'Do this for the family, Tobias'. 'Don't be a coward, Tobias'. He was the biggest coward I knew.

I shook my head while sitting down at the desk. I stared at my computer before shaking my head.

Even if I wanted to work, I couldn't. My head was consumed with thoughts of what Athena could possibly be doing.

Was she asleep? Or painting a picture? Or sitting on the island, drinking her daily glass of wine while having her life-changing talks with Kaleb.

I was distracted, twenty-four-seven about Athena.

Athena Love Solana.

What was she doing to me? I wanted to check up on her. I wanted to call her and talk to her for forever. I missed her voice, her laugh, her jokes.

I stood up and grabbed my phone. I clicked her contact, staring intently. To my surprise, she had already texted me. I smiled softly.

Athena Solana
Look! I made a cake!
[Attachment: 1 image]

Looks wonderful

[Incoming call: Athena Solana]

"Hey, sorry if this isn't a good time." She said.

"No, it's perfect timing. Just writing some statements." I slowly paced the room. "Kaleb helped with the cake?"

"He gave me instructions, made it on my own. I'll try and save a piece for you." She chuckled.

"Please do."

"How's Chicago? Work beating your ass?"

"It is never easy. I have meetings for the marketing company and record label." I shook my head. "You? S&W wearing you out?"

"You've been gone for two days, nothing much has changed."

"True."

My phone buzzed and I checked the I.D.

"Athena?"

"Mhm?"

"I have to get to work. Can I call you later?"

"Yeah of course!"

"Be safe, okay?"

"Okay."

I hung up the phone.

~

"Mr. Goodwater." I nodded while sitting down in the chair. "Can we get straight to the meeting? I don't have a lot of time."

"Right." He nodded. "It's Goldwater."

"Where are the production sales? I don't have any of the stats in front of me? Marketing meetings? Commercial rates?" I questioned.

"Sorry. I'm sorry." His assistant nervously said while placing down the folder in front of me.

I opened it while slowly looking over it.

"Commercial rates are down five percent, why?"

"Uh- I couldn't tell you why, sir."

"Why can't you?" I questioned. "I can tell you why."

I closed the folder.

"Not connecting with the companies we're representing. Not pursuing other companies to market. Not checking with networks about commercials." I shrugged. "So basically, I'm wasting my time, coming down to Chicago to see that this marketing company is down five percent."

"With all due respect sir, five percent isn't a huge drop. We're still the leading marketing company."

"I've never dropped below three. Do your job, Goodwater, before I find someone to do it for you." I stood up.

"Fuck it. I quit. You Landon's are assholes. You're just a nepotism kid who wants to fill your dad's pants. Get the stick out of your ass. Commoners aren't your servants. Do you want your company to succeed? Do it your damn self." He slammed his folders on the desk before walking out.

I nodded while picking up the folder. His assistant stared at me, like a deer in headlights.

"Want a promotion?" I questioned.

She nodded quickly.

"You're hired." I grabbed my stuff before walking out.

I wasn't trying to fill my father's pants. I was trying to take on the responsibility of being a Landon. I had weights on my back. Brooks wasn't doing it so I had to.

I had to be the robot and carry myself as a well-oiled machine.

I had to 'be a Landon'. That meant being cutthroat. It's not who I wanted to be, but you don't earn respect by being nice. You take it.

"So, the assistant is the new head of the company? Is she even qualified Tobias?" Paul questioned.

Paul was the snoop for my dad. He reported everything I did to him. I hated Paul and Paul hated me.

"Fuck off." I huffed.

"I know we don't get along, but your father-"

"Screw my father!" I harshly turned around. "Screw him and screw you!"

We were gaining stares from the workers. I fixed my jacket before giving Paul one last look.

~

"Thank you for investing in IAS winery." I stared in the mirror. I shook my head before taking a sip of my bourbon. "Thank you for investing in us. We're truly a family."

I slammed down my glass and groaned. I was meeting with potential investors tomorrow- well technically today. It was two am and I stood trying to prepare myself.

My phone buzzed and I quickly picked it up without checking the caller I.D.

"Please call tomorrow-"

"Wait, Tobias."

"Athena? I didn't know it was you. Everything okay?"

"Uh. Yeah. Kinda." Her voice was shaking. "The power went out but it's fine! I'll call
tomorrow."

"I can stay on the phone with you."

"Please?"

"Anything for you." I smiled.

"I just need to get my mind off the possibility that there could be someone standing in the corner of my room with a knife." She said.

"Hey what's behind you?"

"So funny! You can't even see me." She huffed. I could hear the annoyance in her voice. "You're supposed to help me, not scare me even more."

"I have to get the route of why my multi-million-dollar penthouse loses power so quick."

"Bad storm."

"Is that man still standing in the corner?"

"Probably." She chuckled. "How was your day?"

"Stressful."

"Like always. Why don't you have fun?"

"Because I need to get things done. Can't have fun-"

"When you're a Landon." She finished. "It doesn't have to be that way."

"How was your day?"

"Eventful. Meetings with your mom about the wedding. Meetings with Val about the runway."

"Are you excited?"

"Excited but nervous."

"I hope I have a seat."

"Nope. You're not invited."

I laughed while turning off my lamp. I finished the rest of my bourbon before settling into bed.

"Wow. Not even back row seats?"

"Nope."

"That's why there's a man standing in the corner of your room with a knife."

"So not funny!" She exclaimed before busting out laughing. "You have a front-row seat, don't be silly."

"Amazing. I'll be the loudest person there, cheering you on."

"Thank you."

We talked for minutes more about nothing but everything. Our conversations were easy, we'd always find something to talk and joke about. I could hear her laugh all day.

"Athena?"

I heard her light snores.

"Goodnight, love," I said before turning to my side.