TimeNovelATHENA
"I don't believe that shit for a second!" Isabelle holds her hip as she watchesbrush my hair.
"You look beautiful with your hair down." A certain voice | shouldn't have in my head whispers, making my heart
clench.
"Not everything has to do with Alex, 1zzy. | won a prize and took it." | watch her through the mirror.
She straightens and walks towards me. Still in scrubs and looking tired as hell.
"You should rest."
"Nope. | have to see your dress and see your full look. Otherwise, I'll have a sleepless night." She walks to the
bag where the dress is.
Noticing how silent it has been, | turn and find Isabelle standing with her mouth half open.
"You don't like it?" | bite my lip.
The women kept on recommending it to me, and | ended up convinced.
"Girl, how much was this dress? | have no words for it. It's so gorgeous." She carefully places it on the bed like
she's holding something fragile.
Then she takes her phone to take a picture of the dress.
"What are you doing?" | laugh.
"Checking the price. This dress looks like it can buya car. In Fact two." She says, and | roll my eyes.
"Izzy, put your damn phone dow-"
"$10,000?" Her wide eyes look at me.
What?
"That's not possible. Mine should be an imitation." | state the obvious. "Now unless you wantto be late, help
Isabelle's hands are cold as she helps zipup, muttering under her breath.
"If this is an imitation, then I'm Beyoncé."
| laugh despite the growing nerves in my stomach.
The fabric hugslike it was made for my skin. It's the kind of dress that makes you stand taller, breathe
slower. Midnight blue, velvet-like texture with a thigh-high slit and a delicate shimmer that catches the light
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtevery t| move.
| feel like a stranger in my own skin. A more powerful, less breakable version of me.
"| swear to God," Isabelle murmurs, circlingslowly, "If I didn't know you, I'd think you were a... fefatale
in a Bond movie. One look and men drop dead."
| snort. "Not exactly the goal, but I'll take it."
She grins and moves to fix a strand of my hair, her fingers softer now. "You've never looked like this before.
Like... you're about to burn the world down and not apologize for it."
That earns a softer laugh from me, though my throat tightens. "Maybe | am."
"Good," she says. "They deserve the fire."
The doorbell rings, making us both turn around.
"Are you expecting someone?" She asks, and | shake my head no.
"Letcheck it out then." She says, and | nod.
| do a final touch-up and grab my purse.
I'm walking downstairs when Isabelle's eyes meethalfway.
She looks flushed, and I've known Isabelle long enough to know she never blushes.
"Who is it?" | ask, breaking the silence.
"Hi Mrs King." Lucas's annoying voice answers my question.
Luca is usually in his army uniform, so I'm shocked to see him wearing a black T shirt and dark jeans.
"Didn't take you for the type to have ink on." | divert the conversation.
He chuckles.
"Oh this? Don't mind it." He pushes away from my counter.
His arm is curved in ink, sintricate design | can't make out under the low light.
"What are you doing here?" | ask.
Because we both know he didn't pass through to check on me, and I'm already-
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"What?" Isabelle asks.
But | ignore her and shoot Luca a glare.
"I'm not going anywhere with you?"
"Relax," he adds, "You're the safest with eitheror Alex, and since he can't be here, | have to be. Or should
kgive him a call? ¢'m not even in the mood to babysit after all." s
"I'll be with lan." | argue.
lan, | can tolerate. These two, | can't. It's like choosing a lesser evil.
"lan is going to be late. He is with Sloane." He says, makinghalt.
| look up, my eyes sizing into slits.
"You're lying."
He chuckles.
"Call him then. When you do, joinin the car." He starts walking towards the
exit before winking at Isabelle.
I don't call lan.
It's possible he used Sloane to keepfrom calling him, but it's also possible lan
is actually there. He does sleep in the hospital most nights.
| just wish my best friend could wake up so we can talk about how they fell in love.
I'd do anything to see that sparkle in her eyes one more time.
Isabelle watchesclosely, her lips pursed. Something she does when she's being self-conscious.
"You wantto cwith you?"
| shake my head. "Even if | did. It's not possible. Sleepover tonight. Rayen will be
thrilled to see you when he comes back tomorrow."
"1 will."
We hug briefly, and she squeezes my hand before | step outside.
The evening air bites, but | barely
feel it. Luca leans against a sleemet
black car, his face holding the sirritated expression, he has on 30% of the time. s
"Backseat or front?" he asks.
I slide into the front without a word.
The drive is quiet the entire tas | zone out into my own dreamland.
"Athena."
"Hmmmm." | don't even bother turning my head knowing he will probably say something to pissoff.
"Listen tovery carefully.
Apparently, the guest list tonight has
a few people
Alex doesn't trust. |
have something | need to do so can't go in with you. Stay where he see you and for crying out loud don't take
drinks from anyone." s
"If it's dangerous, then why am | here?" | ask.
We both know the voting shit was a lie and lan is in on it. Alex ocherstrated the
whole thing.
But why?
Instead of givingan answer, Luca shrugs.
"Why don't you ask your husband?" Luca raises his brow, makingwant to
punch him.
He is huge and will probably break me, but it's worth a try.
I'm about to color him with insults when the side of my door opens and when | turn
to see who just opened it,
I'm met with green eyes.
word
word
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