Claimed by my Father's Friend

Athena’s POV I froze. No. No. No. This couldn’t be real. I came to Milan to surprise my boyfriend. Instead, I got the surprise of my life. From across the street, I locked eyes on a tall, lean figure whose walk I’d recognize in a crowd of a thousand—the knock-knees, the effortless swagger that somehow always made him look like he owned the room even when he didn’t have a cent in his pocket. Derek. Or at least… I prayed it wasn’t. But deep down, I already knew. Still, I had to get closer. I had to be sure. My legs moved on instinct, my steps quickening as I crossed the street. The man leaned in, lips brushing against the neck of a woman I’d never seen before. She giggled—one of those flirty, breathless laughs—and he leaned in even closer, whispering something into her ear. She threw her head back and laughed again, louder this time. I couldn’t hear what he said. I didn’t need to. My gut already screamed the truth. He was cheating on me. But my heart begged for confirmation, for even a sliver of doubt to hold on to. I followed them at a distance, watching them walk hand-in-hand through the glass doors of the Grayson Hotel and Resort. My mouth went dry. Grayson Hotel. One of the most exclusive, high-end luxury hotels in all of Europe. What the hell was Derek doing there? He couldn’t afford a broom closet in that place even if he saved every paycheck for a year. Note to self: Never trust a broke man who promises the world. He’ll cheat on you the second someone richer comes along. Fueled by rage, heartbreak, and adrenaline, I pushed through the golden revolving doors and made a beeline for the reception desk. “Good evening, ma’am. How may I help you?” the receptionist asked with a tight, professional smile. “A man just checked in. Derek Forest. Can you confirm if he’s staying here?” I asked, my voice barely steady. “I’m sorry, ma’am. We’re not allowed to disclose guest information.” I leaned in, lowering my voice. Desperation cracked through every word. “He’s my boyfriend. Please. I just need to know if it’s really him.” I slid a folded €200 note across the counter. “Just tell me if he’s here.” She hesitated, glanced around nervously, then typed something quickly into her system. “Room 248,” she whispered, sliding a key card toward me. “Don’t tell anyone I helped you.” “Thank you,” I murmured, my hand trembling as I grabbed the card and walked away. My heart pounded like a war drum in my chest. I pressed a palm over it, trying to calm the thunder, but it only grew louder. The elevator doors opened. I stepped inside and stabbed the button for the second floor. Every second crawled. Ding. The doors slid open, and as I stepped out, I nearly collided with a man in a dark, expensive suit. “Watch where you’re going,” I muttered, brushing past him. Before I could take two more steps, two large men stepped in front of me—bodyguards, judging by their size and the way they moved. “What now?” I snapped, already at my breaking point. “You didn’t apologize to our boss,” one of them said coolly. I turned back. And froze. Holy hell. Tall. Broad. Chiseled cheekbones. Cold, calculating eyes. Every inch of him screamed money, power, and danger. He looked like the devil in Armani—unbothered, untouchable, and used to getting exactly what he wanted. And older. Definitely older. Still, I didn’t care. I had bigger problems. “Hello, old... sir,” I said with a tight smile, arms folded. “What do you want? A thank-you note?” His brow twitched, like he wasn’t used to people talking to him like that. One of his guards let out a chuckle. The man silenced him with a glare sharp enough to draw blood. I sighed dramatically. “Fine. I apologize for bumping into you,” I said, my voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Even though, clearly, you were the one in the way.” His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say a word. I turned on my heel and made sure to bump into one of his guards on my way past. Room 248. My fingers trembled as I slid the key card into the lock. The green light blinked. The door clicked open. I slipped inside quietly, every nerve in my body screaming. Then I heard it. Moans. Soft. Intimate. Familiar. I crept toward the bedroom door, each step heavier than the last. I pressed my ear to the wood, breath held. “Come for me, baby,” Derek’s voice growled from inside. I didn’t wait. I pushed the door open with both hands. And there he was. Derek. Naked. On top of another woman. I let out a laugh. But it wasn’t joy—it was something broken. Raw. Humiliated. “Athena?” he gasped, eyes wide. “What a beautiful sight to behold,” I said, my voice laced with venom. The girl gasped and pulled the covers over her chest. “What’s going on, Derek?” “I’m his girlfriend,” I snapped before he could speak. “And you are?” “I’m… I’m his girlfriend too,” she stammered, looking just as shocked as I had moments ago. I laughed again, louder. Bitter. “Well, one of us just got played.” My eyes locked on Derek. Ice cold. “Tell me, Derek—who’s the other woman?” “Athena, I can explain—” “Don’t move,” I said, stepping closer. “Just answer the damn question.” He opened his mouth. Slap. My hand cracked across his cheek. Slap. The other side. And then— Bam. My knee shot up, slamming straight into his groin. He dropped like a brick, groaning in pain on the floor. “That’s for wasting four years of my life, you lying bastard.” I turned to the girl, who was still clutching the sheets like they were a shield. “He’ll cheat on you too, sweetheart. Just wait until someone with a bigger bank account walks by.” And with that, I turned and walked away. Head high. Shoulders squared. Heart shattered—but pride intact. A single tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it away before anyone could see. Then I slid on my sunglasses. Let him remember me like this—unbothered, unforgettable, and walking out like the storm I was.