Carter's POV

"I love him!" My sister Kimberly giggled as she continued singing along with Bruno Mars as he sang Versace On The Floor onstage. 

"Whoa!" Daniel exclaimed grabbing Emerald's hand. "Let's dance."

"Are you crazy? Dad will get mad. The party hasn't really started." Emerald brushed off Daniel's hand.

"Where are all the pretty girls? There are not enough young women here." Daniel complained, his eyes were roaming around the room. 

"I saw Meg Erquita awhile ago." Kimberly said.

"No way! I already hooked up with her." 

"You mean, you only hook up once with a girl?" Emerald asked curiously.

"Yeah. I'm being careful. You know, you girls often misinterpreted hooking up as love already. You became clingy, demanding, keep checking on us and treat us like puppies." 

"What? My goodness Dan, how could you say something like that!" Emerald shook her head, giving Daniel a disappointed look.

"That's why I'm ashamed to have him as my brother sometimes." Kimberly turned to Emerald, then back to Daniel. "I don't know where you get that idea about us girls."

"Of course from experience." Daniel chuckled and stood up. "I'll get Athena. Look how gorgeous she is in that sexy gold dress. She looks like a goddess. Wow!"

"Sit down Daniel." I snapped at him and he easily complied but with a mocking expression.

"Okay, manong. Killjoy jud ni sya oi, maoy di kauyab." He answered, provoking me again. Growing up in Cebu Philippines, we learned to speak Cebuano. Manong was the term used for older brother, could be someone who was a disciplinarian and old fashion.

"Buang ay." Kimberly was the one who responded to Daniel, she was defending me.

The problem with my younger brother, he did not care about other people as long as he had a good time. The reason he often got into trouble. But he easily get out of it because he could easily charm anyone, especially the women.

We were in the Petrakis Towers attending the celebratory event of the Petrakis Holdings Company's merger with the Erquita Metal Company. Aside from being part of the Petrakis clan, our family owned twenty five percent shares of stocks in the Petrakis Holdings.

All the introductions and speeches regarding the merger were done and everyone was having a good time listening to Bruno Mars. The younger generations were swaying their bodies on their seats controlling themselves to stand up and dance at the center, while the sleepy senior citizens became wide awake.

But to the surprise and disappointment of everyone, the music suddenly died.

"Mic test... mic test." Uncle Eros said as he went up of the stage standing beside Bruno Mars. Everyone irked and clamped their ears when he tapped the mic for sound testing followed by a squealing sound. 

"I wonder what he's up to. Don't tell me he's going to sing." Emerald groaned aloud.

The room was filled with silence when uncle Eros started talking. 

"In behalf of the whole Petrakis clan, I'd like to say that we're so honored to have you all here, celebrating the merger of two companies. Petrakis Steel and Erquita Metal Industries." Uncle Eros paused as everyone clapped. He raised his hand for silence as he continued. "Furthermore, I'd like to share also the happiness of our family by making this huge announcement. This is not just a merger... but a union, for life. As the evening continues, I'm inviting all of you to celebrate with us the engagement of my son, Zion to Athena. Cheers!"

Suddenly, the room roared with clapping, cheering, laughter and best wishes for Zion and Athena. All raised their glasses to the engaged couple in a toast. 

There was a weird feeling inside me. Like bitterness. Yeah, exactly... bitterness, jealousy and in rage. I could not explain what I was feeling that I stood up and left the room bringing a half empty bottle of wine with me. 

I was in the lobby staring at the Arowana fish inside a huge aquarium. My mind was blank. I was filled with too many emotions that my heart could not process everything. I was afraid that it would stop functioning and I would collapse on the floor. 

I knew they were engaged but hearing it announced to everyone was like a big blow. I could not accept it. They were not meant to be together. 

I drank the wine straight from the bottle when someone tapped my shoulder.

"Hey, stop staring at that fish. I'm sure there are sashimi and sushi dishes inside." It was Izzy, Zion's best friend in high school

"What are you doing here outside?"

"I've just arrived from Dubai. Harry called me saying that the boys are gathered here."

"Yeah, yeah. I saw your soccer coach Garette and Norman inside." I responded and took another gulp of the wine.

"Are you trying to get drunk?"

"This?" I looked at the wine and shrugged my shoulders. "At least this will make a good company tonight."

"Well, enjoy your night buddy. I have to go inside. It seems like the fun have already started." Izzy said pointing at the loud sound of laughter and music inside. 

I left the Petrakis Tower and headed home to my apartment. That night, I've never been so drunk in my whole life.

Athena's POV

I saw Claire Olsen, Zion's ex entered the grand ballroom of the Petrakis Tower. She looked so beautiful and stunning in her red gown. It hurt to admit the truth, but she was a perfect girl for Zion. The girl that could break his shell. 

Zion was very stubborn, so did Claire. They would not admit that they still have feelings for each other. What they had before was very special, but a turn of events made them break up and avoid each other. 

I had to talk to Zion and end up our engagement. I did not want to deprive him and Claire of their happiness. They belonged together.

My eyes shifted to the table beside ours. I tried to keep my eyes straight but the image of Carter in my peripheral vision was very distracting. I could not help but to glance at him from time to time. 

He was wearing a tuxedo tonight. I did not know what he ate this morning that made him wear a gorgeous suit. He looked so fresh, clean and extremely handsome... that it was hard to take my eyes off him. I longed to be in his arms, close my eyes and smell his wonderful scent. I would love to stay there forever. 

I counted everytime our eyes met... twice... three times... fourth... and fifth... 

I had this frustrated feelings inside me. Something that was so suppressed that I wanted to let go.

"... As the evening continues, I'm inviting all of you to celebrate with us the engagement of my son, Zion to Athena. Cheers!" 

I was out of my reverie when I heard my name mentioned by Zion's dad, Eros Petrakis. Then I was crowded by many people, hugging, kissing my cheeks, clasping my hands congratulating me and saying best wishes. 

Oh my goodness! What's going on? 

My mind was in turmoil. Zion's dad just announced our engagement! I was caught off guard and when I looked at Zion, I could see his agitated face. I had a feeling that he did not know anything about this announcement too. And later, I saw him so upset talking to his dad. 

"Athena."

I turned around when I heard my dad. He hugged me so tightly and kissed my cheeks. 

"I'm so proud of you my princess. Do you know that the Wang Enterprises of Beijing China is happy to invest more in our company because of your engagement with Zion? The same with the Golden Swan and Datu Puti companies in the Philippines. Isn't that amazing?"

I forced a smile to my dad and nodded. "Of course dad... that's really amazing."

"I can't wait for you to marry Zion. It's a dream come true for me and Eros, that our kids would get married and unite our companies. I'm so happy Athena... you don't know how much you made me so happy."

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