At the touch of love every man becomes a poet- Plato

Athena's POV.

An unbelievable amount of hurt went directly to my heart as I looked on at the empty spot.

'What was I expecting?' was the first thought that my mind had screamed at me. Swallowing the lump past my clogged throat, I willed the tears away as unconsciously my hand came up to caress the still warm spot.

A part of me had felt like I had deserved to be left alone while the other, the more naïve part had desperately hoped against hope that things would have been different. Maybe my subconscious was right.

What was I truly expecting?

An awakening from a satiated slumber to a morning filled with kisses and a confession or even a change of heart?

'I will never love you'

His not too distant words echoed throughout my head. It seemed as though his heartbreaking words strewn at me was eons ago when it was only the previously day.

Was it wrong to feel foolish?

Was it wrong to shamelessly succumb to his charmingly seductive persona yet again?

Why was doing wrong always feels right yet I ended up in misery and heartache?

I felt like I was unfair to myself. It was however, without a doubt my body yearned for him but my mind constricted my throat threatening to suffocate me. All it took was one more night in his bed...in his arms, for me to fall headfirst once again. This time was different though. I knew what I was up against...and yet I fell deeper anyway. I could go on and on questioning all the wrongs that was with me but what good would it do? Being with him felt right. Even after the soul consuming hurt and heart-wrenching pain or was I so deluded and lacking love that I so easily settled?

But wasn't that every girl's fear?

Just then a soft knock intercepted my unsettling thoughts as a middle aged woman appeared at the door balancing a tray filled will teapots, cups and various platters.

"Good morning madam." She greeted kindly, "I am Mrs. Smith the housekeeper. Mr. Kourakis has instructed you have a light breakfast as you are expected to join him for lunch at midday."

"Pardon?" I questioned both confused and mortified as I was naked under the soft duvet.

Her smiling eyes made the best attempt to ensure a comfortable atmosphere but my burning cheeks did nothing to appease either of us. Dressed in a loose fitting pair of black trousers and a white shirt, she daintily set the tray atop the coffee table before turning to face me once again.

"My husband Henri, Mr. Kourakis personal driver whom I should assume you met previously..." waiting on my affirmation she continued on, "Will take you out to lunch as per Mr. Kourakis request. He sends his apologies for not being here this morning and wishes to see you soon."

All I could have done was nod at her.

"If there is anything you require madam please feel free to call." And with that she exited with the same English grace.

Glancing at the clock, my heart leaped into my throat to learn that it was just past 11 o'clock. Certain that I was alone, I hurriedly exited the warmth of the luxurious bed and donned the fluffy white robe I found in the bathroom. Polishing down the soothing warm tea and scones, I jumped into the shower under the blissfully rainy spray as memories of the previous night came rushing back. Inner frustration with myself forced me to push the sensual thoughts away as I focused on getting dressed.

Glancing through the heavy curtains to see the bright blue English sky a brief sense of home sickness lodged its way into my heart.

"Beyond even the darkest clouds, the wide, open, blue sky goes on forever. Trust, let go and allow yourself to take flight. So Fly! Only then you can soar." Martta Karol once said.

Wasn't that the sign I was desperately in need off?

Only now, I felt like I was the dark cloud. Ironic wasn't it? The horrid English weather displeased me to such an extent that I never realized when I had become just like it. Or maybe we were always one of the same.

All in the most innocent way of love.

In-taking a ragged breath, I quickly toweled dried myself as I donned on a smart pair of denims and a loose fitting sweater completed with a tan trench coat incase the weather was to be changed. I was never one to trust the English weather I said to myself as I swiped a baby pink gloss across my lips and a little bit of makeup. Nerves settled into the pit of my stomach as I descended the staircase just as Henri crossed the foyer.

"All ready madam?" He asked upon seeing me.

**

As the car entered the city my burning curiosity could have no longer been abated and so I had to ask...

"Pardon me Henri." I said interrupting the light music that was being played as he turned it off.

"Yes madam." He responded.

"Do you know where exactly I am going?" Internally cringing at myself I briefly caught his eye in the mirror and felt an ounce of a lot better about myself.

Of course he knew where I was going. He was driving wasn't he?

"Mr. Kourakis requested that you await his arrival at La Cuppa, the coffee shop near The Palace Hotel."

Vaguely I remembered visiting the quaint coffee shop on my first visit to meet Nico. I couldn't help but think of the drastic changes that had happened since I last exited its strong wooden doors.

"He never runs late so you shan't be alone for too long a time." Henri went on saying in his attempt I would imagine to take the flutters away.

"Umm...do I...am I dressed appropriately?" I asked quite nervously.

As the car came to an effective halt, he turned and offered a comforting smile, "You look lovely madam and now, we have arrived."

Before I could have further responded he was opening my door for me to exit.

"Shall I escort you in?" He offered.

"No thank you." I replied as I waved him off.

Standing out on the busy pavements I looked around at the busy pedestrians, the tourists and the drifters as they moved about. It was like seeing the city for the first time or maybe it was that my vision was no longer clouded with burning tears. Just a few feet away was the royal architectural structure of the magnificent Palace Hotel. The very modern yet historical built of the design was a dream to look at; I had not realized I was strolling forward until I came directly under the building's entrance looking on in awe at the spectacular chandelier. Just then I felt a small tug as I looked down and saw the most beautiful baby boy grinning cheekily up at me showcasing his four little teeth as he hid between my legs.

"Theo!" Presumably his mother called out approaching us as she attempted to coax him back into her arms.

"I am so sorry." She responded in the gentlest melodic voice, "Ever since he started walking he's been on the run."

"That's okay." I replied as I looked on at his smiling chubby cheeks stained with a light red from his short scamper. His brandy colored mop of curls flayed about as he outstretched his little arms to be picked up. Smitten with his adorable looks I gave into demand and lifted his small body into my arms as he enveloped me into a hug. A burst of emotion swelled within me as I inhaled the comforting smell of talcum powder and his very own sweet baby scent.

"He is very cute." I said to his mother as she looked on at our display of affection.

"Thank you." She replied in a voice filled with motherly pride, "You look quite natural...do you have children?"

"Oh no." I replied, "But one day hopefully."

Understanding dawned in her deep grey eyes as she said to the baby in my arms, "Are you ready to go Theo?"

Peeking from his spot under my neck, his tiny fist tightened as he stuck his tongue out at her.

"Theo!" She admonished exasperatedly as we shared a laugh at his playful antics, "You have to excuse his naughty tricks that his uncles taught him."

"Come on baby..." She encouraged, "Shall we go see daddy?" She asked as his bright honey colored eyes lit up. As I handed him over he instantly grasped onto his mother's hold as an unnamed feeling pierced through me.

"It was lovely to meet you..."

"Athena." I offered up.

"Athena. I am Katy by the way and this is Theo." She said smiling down at her boy as he rose up upon hearing his name.

Waving goodbye I made the first few steps towards the café as Nico advanced towards me, clear anger radiating of him in waves as his unsmiling mouth thinned in pre-concealed fury.

"Where the hell have you been?" He snapped as he grasped my shoulders doing a double take, "Clearly you aren't injured."

"Why would I be injured?" I questioned in utter confusion.

"You...." Never mind he muttered releasing me as he huffed out a breath before he started again trying his best to remain calm, "Where were you? I have been calling your cellphone for the last ten minutes and Henri was certain he dropped you off more than half hour ago...do you have any idea how worr...?...Let's just go." And with that he all but dragged me into the café as we took a seat down to the far end on the opposite side of the windows.

It was an odd place to sit but comfortable nonetheless and I refrained from saying anything judging his thunderous mood.

A waiter soon came by to take our order as Nico looked on at me bristling with impatience.

Glancing at the menu once again, I was about to place my request as I looked up at the waiter...

"Wait a minute...I think I remember you." He said to me as his warm brown eyes sparkled in recognition, "Weren't you hear a while back?"

"A couple months ago." I replied.

"I know your order; will it be a ham and cheese club sandwich and a regular cream tea extra sweet?" He asked.

"You remembered?" I asked astonished and self-conscious from my previous state of puffy eyes and red cheeks worrying my bottom lip in remembrance of what would have been a first impression.

"You are very beautiful, I could never forget you." He replied as a low animal like growl came from the opposite end of the table.

Completely unaware of Nico's ill mannerism, he kept chatting on as I met Nico's cold frosty eyes across the table. His demeanor looked as if he was about to pounce and I internally shivered.

"I'll be back with your order shortly." He said as he hurried off behind the wooden counters abandoning me to what was akin to a wild animal.

Gathering my internal courage I faced him yet again...

A/N: Surprise update! Did you notice the familiar face in this chapter anyone? ;) I absolutely loved the surprise interaction that happened. Well I'm off to my very late but definitely overdue summer vacation and September will be massively busy for me but I hope to be back soon.

 Enjoy this long update  and as always VOTE, COMMENT and drop a message by. I  love hearing from you all and I really really appreciate the support. If you were as smitten with baby Theo as I was... be sure to check out his mum and dad's story entitled 'THE BILLIONAIRE'S ULTIMATUM' available on my page. His auntie is also pretty sassy so I assure you 'THE BILLIONAIRE'S MATCH' is worth the read and uncle Dillon is better than ever in 'THE BILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS REVENGE.' 

See you soon...

oxoxox...Allison :)