Thank you for selecting my story.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of my imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright © Rituparna Darolia.

All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.

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Prologue

Granny Bridgette looked at Athena with curiosity. "Are you not going out with Brandon tonight?" She asked Athena, who walked towards the kitchen to make dinner instead of getting ready to go out.

Athena shrugged. "He called me to say that he couldn't pick me up. He asked me to take a cab and go, but I really don't feel like it. Brooke isn't at all close to me. She has seven bridesmaids to help her. Then why should I take all the pains? She just wants to make me jealous," said Athena with a gloomy expression.

"You don't need to go," granny said, waving her hand, dismissing the topic. Athena nodded, knowing very well that granny didn't like her relationship with Brandon. She liked Brandon only as a friend, but not as a life partner. However, Athena knew Brandon used to be very caring before. It was Sarah's death that had turned his heart to stone, frozen his feelings. He needed true love to make him normal again.

However, whatever she did throughout the evening, all she could think about was what Troy told her. His hazel eyes hounded her, and she didn't get a moment of respite. Why was he so determined to learn to sketch from her? It wasn't like he couldn't draw. He could manage well. He really didn't need to learn it!

Troy drove home deep in thought. He was a go-getter, a very determined guy. He always did what he wanted to do and nothing could deter his intentions. If he set his heart upon something, he didn't rest till he had achieved it. This was the quality that made him so successful at such a young age. He practiced what he preached. What he told Athena was the hard truth of his life. Even after a tiring and exhaustive day at work, he found the time to visit Laurence, and now he would find the time to chase Athena.

"Athena! If only you knew how crazy I'm going for you!" He whispered into the close confines of his car. To date, he had laughed at his friends who told him their love-at-first-sight stories. He never believed that such a thing ever existed, but after meeting Athena, he felt a strange excitement in his heart, as if his heart could connect to hers instantly. He felt a connection that he never felt with anyone in his entire twenty-six years of life.

With his good looks and financial position, he was very much in demand everywhere. His female employees could stoop to any level to get his attention, but he had stringent rules at the office and no one dared to approach him. At his club where he played tennis and billiards, there were plenty of females who wanted to get into his pants but he didn't do flings. He didn't have time for that anymore. He had outgrown that stage after college when he started taking an interest in his business. 

He remembered those careless days of college when he and his group of friends would venture into anything and everything. They would go to clubs, drink, and hook up, and he had been happy that way. His cheerful nature and fun-loving personality had made him a recent favorite amongst all. However, it was only after falling into the clutches of Jessica Maine, who was a drug addict, did he come to his senses? Those were the days that he would never want to go back to. Those were the darkest days of his life. He avoided her at all costs after that and was thankful that she left him alone after a year of pursuing.

That bitter experience taught him an important lesson in life. Never indulge in flings and meaningless s*x with strangers!

He drove into the driveway of Galaxie Towers, a 30-story, high-rise, luxurious condominium just minutes from the Strip, where his penthouse was on the top level with direct elevator access. He had moved out of his parent's house when Jessica used to bother him there consistently, inconveniencing his parents all the time. Ever since, this penthouse had been his private retreat, although he did regularly visit his parents on weekends and holidays. Tiredly, he punched in his security code and the doors opened.

He walked in and dumped his laptop bag on the sofa, loosening his tie and getting rid of the suit. It was a lonely life for him when he returned home. More so because Laurence and his other friends were all married and busy with their own families. The whole day he kept himself busy, but the nights were too lonely and he too longed for a love like Laurence and Arianna's.

He poured himself a drink and stood at the huge floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic views of dark and looming Red Rock mountains beyond a dimly lit golf course and a dazzlingly lit city. He stared at the well-lit Strip where people enjoyed all around the clock. It had been a long time since he really went out to enjoy himself. It had been only work and Laurence's house for the last four years of his life.

Sipping his drink, he thought about Athena. She didn't look like she was in love with her fiancé since their conversation lacked the warmth and love couples usually display. Something was amiss, and he wanted to find out where she had taught. What were her school timings? And so on. He had to find out more about her. For that, he had to spend more time with her, for which he had to meet her more. Meeting her more meant he would have to chase her! He grinned, finishing his drink in one gulp. Right! He would chase her!

He went to the adjoining gourmet kitchen and rinsed his glass. The views from the kitchen were to die for, but he hardly cooked. He was clumsy in the kitchen despite his mom's efforts at teaching him to make basic meals. A vast terrace space, including a gas fireplace and an outdoor grill wrapped around the penthouse, but he hardly hosted any get-togethers. In fact, apart from Laurence,  he had invited no one to his home, and he preferred it that way.

He walked to his bedroom, which was a private oasis, a complete retreat with terrace access and a breakfast bar with a small refrigerator, custom closet, and dressing area. The spa-like en-suite had a walk-in shower, corner soaking tub, and dual vanities. It had every imaginable luxury that a person could ask for, but for Troy, they didn't mean a thing, since he longed for only one thing. A life partner who would love him, only him, and not his bank balance.

After a quick shower, he changed and walked towards his kitchen. He heated the food that Sandra had packed for him and ate it up. He hated cooking and eating alone and that was the reason he always went either to his house or Laurence's after work. Finishing his lonely dinner, he went to his bedroom. As he lay on his bed, he thought of the drawing that he had created with Athena.

Getting up, he took it out from the pocket of his trousers and again lay down to inspect it. A basket of zucchini!

He had to give it to her to come up with that. He was trying to be difficult and challenge her, but she was great at her work. A small smile lit his face as he thought about his class coming up after a day. He couldn't wait for it. If he could have had his way, he would love to have classes every day with her, but that wasn't possible, since Lauren needed her more than he did. So he had to wait a day to see her.

"Who's asking you to wait that long to see her?" He chuckled as he talked to himself. He could see her tomorrow, since she would teach Lauren. Keeping the drawing back, he closed his eyes. He would ask her about her payment in the next class. If he paid her well, maybe she would teach him longer. He chuckled. "Genius, " he whispered to himself.

As he closed his eyes to sleep but couldn't. The memory of the angry and pissed-off look on her face when she had concluded that he was married kept him awake. He was sure that he had seen her look frustrated when she thought that his pregnant wife was waiting for him at home. What did it mean? Did she feel an attraction towards him, just like he felt towards her?

"You're an enigma, Athena, and I'm sure that I will figure you out one day. That day I'll make you mine. This is a promise to you," he swore in the stillness of his home. It calmed him and he finally closed his eyes to sleep dreaming of a certain Greek Goddess of war.