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Carter's POV

She never changed. Still the same ungrateful hot-tempered bitch I knew. I was doing her a favor by saving her of being charged in illegal parking and yet she was instantly mad at me again. What did I do? It seemed like I could not do anything right with her.

It was a surprise seeing her here in the Old Smith Art Museum. I never knew she was interested in arts. It was a new discovery for someone who only love to party, shop, travel, hang out with friends and squander her parents money. 

A lucky girl who had everything she had served on a golden plate without getting her hands dirty. I glanced at her flashy Ferrari with distaste. Her parents spoiled her a lot. Whatever she wanted, she got it. 

She never went to university either. I heard that she did not pass the Stanford University entrance exam. Who wouldn't? That's for students with academic excellence. The school was one of the world's leading teaching and research institutions. She got the same result on her applications to other universities in New York. 

So instead of getting a proper education, she opted to travel with her friends, having a good time in Asia and Africa. And now, she worked as a model,  posing provocative photos for the world to see.

How could her parents tolerate her actions? She could have helped them in their business.

Yeah, I avoid self-centered and spoiled girls like Athena Niarchos. They only live to enjoy life, be drop dead gorgeous and catch the richest man on earth! 

I went inside the museum and instantly saw Mr. Jameson Murphy behind his antique huge desk examining a small object on his hand with a magnifying glass. 

My late grandfather Enrique Monteiro talked to him about buying his property but he was a very stubborn man and adamant to let go of his museum. The main reason why we could not build a hotel in this area because his museum was blocking our property from the main road. The narrow road leading to our property at the back plus the eerie look of the museum was not very appealing to the tourists especially at night. 

Mr. Murphy called a week ago that he wanted to see me about his property. He was quite a demanding man wanting to see me right there and then. I told him to give me a week since I was still in California for the opening of our new hotel. I sent my lawyer yesterday but he refused to talk to him.

Very stubborn and grumpy at eighty five. I got a feeling that he was ready to sell his property to us now. 

"Good afternoon, Mr. Murphy."

The old man looked up and peered at me. Then he stood up and greeted me. "Hello, young man. Welcome to my museum. What piece of art are you looking for?"

"I'm Carter Monteiro, Mr. Murphy." I extended my hand for a handshake and his fragile hand took it.

"Who?" He lifted his head a little.

My bad, he could not hear me right. I said it again and louder this time. "I'm Carter Monteiro. Remember?"

"Yeah... Yeah. I forgot I have an appointment with you today. Sit down Hunter."

"It's Carter." I corrected him.

"Yeah, Hunter." He nodded and settled back on his chair. 

I did not push him in getting my name correctly. I sat down on one of the wicker chairs in front of the table ready to discuss about his property.

"I apologize for the delay of this meeting Mr. Murphy. I would love to come sooner, but too many problems came up before the opening of our hotel in California, I could not leave immediately. But I am here now, at your full disposal." I said in a very apologetic voice.

"Thats' okay Hunter. I understand."

Did he? I wonder if he heard me at all or just mouth reading. 

"Gina!" Mr. Murphy's face lifted up. I turned around and saw Athena walking towards us. 

Gina? Oh my God, he could never say her name right either. 

Athena's POV

"Hello Mr. Murphy." I smiled at Mr. Murphy and ignored Carter whom I caught laughing. 

It irked me that Mr. Murphy could not say my name right, and it was humiliating that he said it in front of no other than, the beast himself Carter Monteiro. I knew the outcome of this, he would ridicule and annoy me.

"Sit down dear." Mr. Murphy pointed the vacant chair. But before I could sit down, he introduced me to my nemesis. "By the way, I want you to meet Hunter."

"Hunter?" I frowned and looked at Carter, whose eyebrows rose mockingly.

"Hunter Monteiro. You know him?"

I was holding my laugh and cleared my throat. Mr. Murphy had a problem in hearing. He did not want to use a hearing aide and prefer to read people's lips. 

"I don't know any..."

I stopped when Carter stood up and took my hand. "Hello Gina Niarchos. It's a pleasure meeting you here."

I snatched my hand away and settled on the chair opposite him. 

I turned to Mr. Murphy and gave him my sweetest smile. 

"So, this is it. I made my decision Mr. Murphy. I'm going to buy your property and everything inside this museum."

"What?"

I turned to Carter and saw the shocked expression on his face, the way I planned it. His eyes shifted from me to Mr. Murphy.

"You heard me, I'm buying this museum."

Carter immediately directed his attention to Mr. Murphy. 

"Mr. Murphy, you know that my family wishes to buy your property for decades now. It would be so bias on our part if you sell it to someone else."

"I've been thinking about that Mr. Monteiro, but you are interested only of the property. Whereas Gina here will buy everything, including all the items."

Carter turned to me again with an agitated expression. I held my head high proudly, I could smell the victory. He could not take the museum away from me, I'd make sure of that. 

"That's right Mr. Murphy, and I won't tear the building down. I'll just renovate it back to its original structure, the way it was before." I said in triumph.

"You're right, that is my intention Gina. I'm a sentimental person. I value every collection here that passed from my ancestors."

Carter's dark eyebrows arched mischievously. "You did not tell us that that's what you want, Mr. Murphy. Of course! We would be so happy to preserve the museum and every single item here. Actually, we're aiming to make the museum as the main attraction of the hotel." He smiled brightly as Mr. Murphy looked at him with amazement. "Nah-ah... we won't change the name, it would be the same - Old Smith Art Museum. Can you imagine? It would be known worldwide!"

Asshole! I can't believe this is happening. Carter was determined to buy the museum and I was losing my chances. I would not let him win. 

"Excuse me? I'm the one buying the property. You're late already, we are here to finalize our agreement."

"Gina, this property had been promised to the Monteiros before you were even born. This property is very valuable to us."

"You think it's not valuable to me too? These pieces of arts are very precious. They need someone who would love and take care of them."

He gave me this odd expression like I was talking nonsense, his head went closer to me. 

"Just because you fancy some pieces of arts, you feel like an expert and decided to buy the whole museum. Find other diversion Athena, running a museum is too complicated for you." He murmured in a whisper.

"How. Dare. You." I gritted my teeth, eyeing him with contempt. 

We heard Mr. Murphy coughed and both of us straightened on our seats and turned to him. 

"I should give you a tour of the museum first and show you the expensive paintings and artifacts. Let's see if you still wanted to buy everything here."

"Oh! There's no doubt about that Mr. Murphy. I saw everything already and I would love to preserve all the items here." I said, giving him assurance that I was a determined buyer. Nothing could change my mind.

"That's good Gina, let's see what Hunter would have to say. Let's start in the basement." 

"The basement?"

"Yeah. You haven't been there?" Mr. Murphy stood up and led us to the basement.

"Not yet." I answered excitedly. Definitely, the basement was the place he hid his rare artifacts collections and priceless arts.

But I was so wrong.

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