Chapter Twenty-seven

Athena's POV

Alex's background—his life—his past. How could I tell her? I couldn't. His background involves his past which is mostly about his parents. That they are divorced and that his mother passed away. Knowing that if I tell Joanna, I can never remove the guilt. I can never let myself feel that I betrayed him.

''Joanna, the deal is off.'' I mutter, ''There's nothing to this. If you want information, you'll get it yourself. It's your job anyway.''

She keeps quiet for awhile, ''What are you talking about? This deal isn't off.'' From her voice, she sounds a little bit pissed.

''It's off.'' I repeat, ''Our deal was about Alex but you wrote about me. I'm not a part of the deal. You lied so the deal is off.'' I say, trying my best to find ways to break off the deal, ''I don't need to tell you otherwise.''

Joanna chuckles, ''Oh dear. You don't know who you're dealing with.'' Before I could say anything, she cuts me to it, ''I will make you pay, Athena. You should've given me information about Alex but somehow, you neglected me. You want out, I give you out but I will make you see, who you're dealing with. Have a good day and a successful marriage ahead of you, Mrs. Herrera.'' Then she hangs up the phone.

I stare blankly at my phone but I quickly put it back on my lap. Running my hands on my face, I let out a sigh—feeling relief—because I got out from the deal but feeling anxious from the fact that she will prove to me that she will get anything she wants.

With a sigh, I stand up and walk out of the cafe in a hurry. As soon as I turn around, I bump into someone's chest. I back up a little, looking up at the figure in front of me. His green eyes look back at me with curiosity as he furrow his thick eyebrows.

Quickly removing his arm away from my waist, i look away, ''I'm sorry.'' And start to walk but one of his hand grab onto my forearm, causing me to stop.

Our eyes meet again. He looks down at my body before looking up at my face once more, ''I think I know you.'' The way he speaks, it has some kind of attraction that any girl would be falling over his feet.

Shaking my head as I lift my lips for a light smile, ''I don't think so, you must have got the wrong person.'' When I try to remove his hand, he keeps on gripping harder. My eyes widen in disbeiief, ''Um, excuse me?'' I point at his hand.

''No no, I really do know you. I've seen you somewhere.'' He keeps on looking into my eyes.

Before I could respond, ''Athena!'' A familiar voice calls out my name. I turn to look at the figure who calls my name and of course, who else would it be—Liam. He grins widely at me before running toward me and the stranger in front of me.

''Oh hey, how nice seeing you here.'' I roll my eyes and I know he notice my sarcasm but he just chuckle.

The stranger's mouth widen in an 'O' shape before letting go of my arm, ''I knew it. She's Alex's wife.'' He says, nodding his head in agreement—finally figuring out who I am.

Liam smirks, ''Right, so Athena, this is Jon.'' Pointing at Jon who is now smiling at me. His hair long and messy but in an attractive way, oops don't tell Alex.

''I was there at your wedding.'' Jon shrugs, ''I'm also in Alex's team. We are in the same team.'' I was a bit surprise to realise that he doesn't have a Spanish accent. Not even Liam to be honest.

''Where's Alex?'' Liam turns around, as if looking for someone before his eyes landed on mine.

''He's not here.'' I clear my throat, ''Obviously.''

Liam frowns, ''Well me and Jon are going to get coffee. Maybe you should come with us and call Alex so he could also join us.'' Jon just nods at Liam's idea.

I look down, trying to think of excuses. My head starts to wander around, looking anywhere but at both of them. Putting both of my hands in my back jeans' pocket, ''Well I didn't bring my phone and Alex told me to not—''

I couldn't finish my lie because Jon cuts me off as he look at Liam, ''I could call him.'' Then he takes out his phone, scrolling through the contacts.

''Yeah, come on Athena.'' Liam throws his arm over my shoulder before pulling me toward him so that my arm is hitting the side of his chest. He keeps on smiling as we both walk forward.

I shift awkwardly but I leave his arm over my shoulder. Jon lifts his phone up to his ear, waiting for Alex to pick up. We keep on walking until a cafe came into view.

''Hey man.'' Jon says as soon as Alex picks up the call.

I hear noises from the other line but not really clear enough for me to hear what he's saying. Jon turns to look at me, ''Yeah well me and Liam bumped into Athena earlier and we are going to get coffee, maybe you should come too.''

Jon stays quiet, listening to Alex's respond.

''Alright, cool.'' Jon replies before ending the call and putting his phone back in his jeans' pocket. He turns to look at both me and Liam, ''He's on his way.''

We both enter the cafe and Liam finally remove his arm over my shoulder. We find a table for four. Liam and Jon sits the opposite from me as I sit next to an empty seat. Jon runs his hand through his messy hair before cracking his knuckles, ''So, was it true about what happened in Rome?'' He asks.

I glance at Liam, seeing him focusing on his phone, not even looking at Jon and me, ''Yeah, well um, it's kind of personal.''

Jon shrugs, ''I just want to know if what's the media saying is true because you can never really trust them.'' He stops for awhile before continuing, ''Of course, I won't push you into it.''

I nod lightly before looking down at my own hands.

Within seconds, my phone starts to ring and my eyes shot up to look at a confused Liam. He looks at me with a raised eyebrow. As for Jon, he just looks around, searching for the noise. I bite my lower lip, cursing mentally. Taking out my phone from the pocket, ''Oh wow, I did bring my phone.'' My eyes widening in fake surprise.

Jon chuckles and Liam just smirk at me, completely not believing my lie.

I look down at the caller ID, seeing Alex calling me. Raising the phone to my ear, I keep my head down, ''Yeah?'' I start.

''Which cafe?'' He asks, his voice sounding a bit huskier in the phone—a bit different.

I turn around to look at the sign, ''Culture Espresso.'' I mutter.

''Alright, I'm almost there.'' Then he hangs up the phone. I furrow my eyebrows but shrug it off and just put my phone on my lap. Looking back up at Liam and Jon, I see both of them smirking at me, ''What?'' I raise an eyebrow.

''Nothing.'' They reply in unison before continuing to check on their phone.

The bell on the door starts to ring, catching Jon and Liam's attention. Jon raises his hand and when I turn around, I see Alex walking in with a smile on his face. He's wearing a black sweatshirt and a black shirt underneath, matching with his black jeans and black nike. Easy to say, he's wearing all black.

He looks at me, his smile not leaving his face. I awkwardly turn around and he sits beside me, pulling the seat closer toward me. Once he has fully sit down, I can smell his cologne which somehow turns me on. When a guy smells good, it's always a turn on.

''Have you guys ordered?'' Alex clears his throat.

''Not yet,'' Liam shrugs, ''What do you guys want? I'll go order.'' He takes out his wallet as he stands up, looking down at me, Alex and Jon.

''Americano for me.'' Jon replies.

Alex turns to look at me, ''What do you want?'' Resting both of his elbows on the table and rubbing his palms together.

''Cappucino, I think?'' I raise an eyebrow, quite unsure. Actually I want to order a Frappucino but it's still early and it might not be good for the tummy.

''Same goes with me.'' Alex nods and turning his head to look at Liam.

Liam walks away toward the counter, leaving the three of us. Alex looks at Jon who is trying his best to stay out of our way. He looks back at Alex, ''Don't worry, I won't listen.'' Putting both of his hands up in surrender and let out a light chuckle.

Alex smirks before looking back at me, ''How'd you meet up with Jon?''

I glance at Jon who say truthfully to his words. He is right now just messing with his hair, not even glancing our way, ''I just bump into him.'' I answer simply.

''I thought you were getting food.'' He raises an eyebrow at me.

''Well I was going to...'' I turn and look away from him, ''But I didn't.''

Alex smirks before leaning in and surprise me with a kiss on the lips. My eyes widen but slowly shut them off as soon as his lips move slowly on mine. He touches my jawline, pulling my face closer to deepen the kiss. I kiss him back just as slow.

He bites lightly on my bottom lip and I let him in.

I hear someone clears their throat from beside so I lightly break the kiss and turn around to see Liam staring at us with slightly parted lips. He is holding a tray which has our coffees. Jon just let out a chuckle as he look away from us.

Alex looks up at him, nothing else but just look. Liam returns the gaze but Alex stops to glance my way, ''What can I say, she attracts me.'' He replies before drinking his coffee, a smirk appearing as soon as he puts it down.

Liam face palm himself, ''And you.'' He turns to look at Jon, ''You just watch them?''

Jon shrugs as he smiles lightly, ''It's quite cute.''

''I'm done.'' Liam drinks his coffee and running his fingers through his hand—glaring at Alex. Alex just ignore his glare as he keeps on looking at me.

I take a sip my coffee awkwardly, letting my hair fall and cover the side of my face. Alex runs his finger to touch my cheek and tuck the hair to the back of my ear. I hear Liam make a disgusting voice but Jon just look at us with a smile.

''You're just jealous.'' Jon says, catching my attention.

Liam's eyes widen, ''No I'm not!'' He denies as soon as possible.

Alex runs his thumb onto my cheek without looking at me as he keeps on looking at Liam. He takes another sip, using his other hand, ''You should get a girlfriend.'' He says.

Liam rolls his eyes, ''I don't need one.''

The rest is filled with Alex mostly touching me and looking at me. As for Liam, he keeps on glaring or rolling his eyes in annoyed. Well, Jon just smile or play with his phone—not even slightly affected by the fact that Alex keeps on acting like we're madly in love with each other. I know from the look Alex is giving Liam, there's a meaning behind it.

Liam was busy glaring at us that he didn't even notice he has been sipping into his empty cup for the past ten minutes. Jon reminded him and he just went to the counter to order another one. When Liam couldn't stand enough, he invited Jon to head to the gym. Jon agreed.

And right now, here we are. The four of us standing in front of the cafe.

Alex has both of his hands in his jeans' pocket as he stands beside me. Liam looks at me before looking at Alex, ''It was nice, except for the part where you keep on looking at her as if you wanted to take her right at the spot.'' Liam adds.

Jon just smiles as he look at me. The boys know something for sure.

I pull Liam for a friendly hug and he seems surprised at my sudden action. I pat on his back but he slowly wrap me in his arms. When I realise that the friendly hug somehow turns passionate, I lightly break it, ''Bye Liam.'' I mutter.

Liam clears his throat, breaking the sudden awkwardness, ''Right, bye guys.'' Then he pats on Jon's arm, before they both walk away to the other path.

When I turn to look at Alex, he is looking up at the sky—until he caught me staring—he looks down, his blue eyes somehow clearer and lighter, ''What?'' He asks.

Great, he's back to the cold Alex. I know what happened in the cafe or what happened yesterday or earlier this morning was too good to be true.

''Nothing.'' I reply effortlessly.

He rolls his eyes as he starts to walk to the other way, which is the opposite way home. I follow him, not questioning any further. As we pass through people, some of them stop and stare but some just walk away after glancing. Some notice, some don't. Alex just ignore them as he keeps on walking.

When his car came into view, he starts to head toward the driver's side. I quickly enter when he has fully enter—not bothering to be left behind. I smell his cologne once more. God, did he even put it in his car? What is wrong with him? Wanting me to choke as I get turned on?

Without me realising, we have already arrive at the nearest park. He steps out and I follow after. We both walk side by side until we find an empty bench. He sits down, leaving me standing. I furrow my eyebrows as I see kids running around as their nannies go after them.

''What are we doing here?'' I start to ask.

''I don't know.'' He replies with a shrug, ''By the way, you remember the photo shoot we had before we go to Rome?''

''Yeah?'' I look straight into his eyes.

''I got the magazine earlier while you were out. You might want to check it out when we get back.'' He says.

''Really—''

''Athena!''

I was cut off by a familiar voice shouting my name. I turn around to see Colton grinning widely at me. He is holding Clara's hand as they walk side by side.

Clara looks up at me and she starts to smile.

Colton runs toward me and he quickly hug me around my waist. I chuckle and crouch down to his height. He pulls me in for another hug and I hug him back just as tight. When he breaks the hug, I see that Alex has already crouch down so that he would also be almost the same height as Colton, even though Alex is way taller.

''Hey, little buddy.'' Alex runs his hand through Colton's hair.

Colton laughs and starts to run his hand through Alex's hair as well. I seem surprise at Colton's action but Alex just laugh. His hair is now in different directions but somehow make him look a little bit more sexy.

I look up to see Clara looking at us with a smile.

I stand up straight, walking toward her—leaving Colton and Alex.

Clara smiles at me before pulling me in for a hug. I rub her back soothingly, knowing that something is wrong. As soon as we break the hug, a tear fall from her eyes, ''I got divorced.''