Appointed by a Billionaire to be his Heir's Girlfriend

Chapter 8

-Athena Vanderbilt POV-

Gee. I was definitely right when I thought Alex is a kind person. And I can't help but smile at his thoughtfulness, despite of what happened earlier with Chloe.

*flashback*

"Athena?" it was Alex' voice.

Oh gosh! I quickly turned my back to him and wiped my tears fiercely. And I was calming myself for crying nonstop for an hour.

"Is that you, Athena?" he said again as I heard him walk closer to my hiding place.

I swallowed and he was suddenly in front of me and crouched down.

I covered my red eyes but I was still breathing heavily. Gee. I wish he won't notice.

He gently moved my right hand covering my eyes and looked at me with...concern?

"Why are you crying?" he asked quietly as he released my hand.

"Uh, no. I'm not. I was actually taking a nap." I lied. It was the best my brain thought for that moment.

"No you're not. You are crying ang hiding in this place." He said.

Why does he care? I'm just random person he met this evening, just another schoolmate.

"No, it's really nothing." I lied again and I remember the words Chloe said to me and I can't help but let my tears flow again. It was the first time, apart from Chloe, that someone actually cared to ask me small matters like this.

"Tell me about it, Athena. I'm your friend." He said assuringly as he gave me a warm smile.

And helplessly, I told him every detail of the fight I had with Chloe.

"Just talk to her tomorrow. Today might be a little tense but give her some time to calm down. You'll be fine." He said encouragingly as he gave me a tap on the shoulder.

How nice of him.

"Really? You think that'll work?" I asked, doubting.

"Maybe. Maybe not. There's no harm in trying."

I slumped my shoulders and hugged my knees tighter.

"It will be okay." He said as he gave me a one-arm hug.

*end of flashback*

"I'm really sorry for troubling you." I said to him, feeling genuinely grateful I had someone to talk to.

"It's okay. You're my bestfriend's girlfriend so treat me like a friend." He told me. He checked his watch.

"Oops. Bliss will be looking for me soon. I'll have to go. Call me if you need to talk, okay?" he said as he hurriedly gave me his phone number and walked back to the gazebo.

I turned to myself and cried. Alex's presence was the only thing keeping me from crying when he sat beside me. Now he's gone, I felt sad again.

"So, Athena, what's it like to flirt with Alex while you are my girlfriend?"

It was a voice out of nowhere and my heart almost popped out from shock.

It was Nate.

"Nate, don't talk when you don't know what happened, okay? And I'm not flirting with him." I told him, not facing him or else he'll see my eyes, all red and puffy from crying.

"OH. I shouldn't talk? You said I shouldn't cause trouble. I was actually a fool for following you and here you are, having so much fun with another guy while I'm all around, looking for you." He said in a tight voice.

He actually listened to me? What?

Okay. Okay. I figure out he's angry but that's the least of my problems right now. I don't really much care about it.

"I didn't tell you to look for me! And I didn't tell you not to have fun!" I shot back.

He grabbed my shoulder and turned me around before I could even protest.

I saw his angry face shift to an expression of shock and confusion.

"Have you been crying?" he asked in a more mellow tone.

I shook away his hands, "Why do you act like you care?!"

Tears are starting to form in the corners of my eyes and I tried hard not to blink or else they will fall.

"I care."

I blinked in surprise and a drop of tear fell down.

-Nate Van Warner POV-

Her eyes were red and watery and I felt a twang of guilt wash over me. I shouldn't have talked to her like that when she might be feeling so bad.

What am I supposed to do at times like this?

Athena seemed so fragile and vulnerable this time. She was hugging herself so tightly, afraid that she might break apart if she didn't. What the hell happened?! Did someone hurt her?

I can't help but feel...concerned? What's happening to me? I never felt this way before.

"Athena, what happened?" I asked.

She sobbed, "It's nothing."

She told Alex about it but she can't tell me? Does she really hate me that much? I am her boyfriend, for crying out loud! Or is just that really an act for her? Well, technically, she is my girlfriend and I accepted that.

"Why are you crying?" I tried again. It frustrates me so much that I am unable to do something for her when she's in this state. The hell. It feels so weird. But that's the least to think right now.

"I told you I'm fine! Just leave me alone and try helping me by not causing trouble!" she yelled as she stooped her head down to her knees. A light breeze blew and I noticed her shiver slightly. She was wearing only a few piece of clothing for such a cold night.

I sighed as I took off my coat and put it over her back.

She seemed to be a little surprised as she looked at me with her weary eyes.

"Thanks." She murmured lowly as she held my coat closer to her.

"Welcome." It was a reflex reaction for her and I even wondered if I really said the word.

I really want to know what happened to her that could make her look so...depressed.

I took a deep breath and sat beside her.

"What are you doing?" she asked me, her face still buried in her arms.

"Um, sitting?" I answered, not really sure what she's talking about.

She didn't answer but she kept crying silently. I could tell. Her back was rising and falling so hard, like she was trying to hold back herself.

I looked at her and listened to her quiet sobbing and the loud music from the gazebo.

I can't actually believe I'll say this but this is probably the best suggestion right now.

"I'll take you home, Athena. Come on." I said quietly and she looked at me again with those sad watery eyes.

"No. Go back, okay? This is a Mixer of our schools. You should be there." She said defensively.

I just shook my head.

"I'm spoiling your fun. Go back and talk to people. Isn't this what you want? But just promise me you won't do anything reckless." She said kindly. Her voice is so weak and husky from all that crying.

"No. I'll stay here." I said.

Yeah. It is weird that I'm actually staying with her, trying to comfort her with no success. I can't even understand why I am doing this. I just felt like... I want to do this.

"Why are you doing this?" she said, turning her head away from me.

Her question spoke the question I've been trying to ask myself.

Then I realized the answer.

"Because I am your boyfriend."

-Athena Vanderbilt POV-

“Oh.” was all I could say.

He’s staying beside me because he’s my boyfriend. In normal circumstances, that would be normal but hey, he doesn’t even like me. Why on earth is he doing his part so dutifully? Is he really going with the flow or does he truly care for me?

I smiled to myself as I was reminded he is a player. Of course he’s faking it. But I might as well go along with it.

We didn’t say a word to each other after that little awkward moment. I just succumbed to my sadness while he watched me do it.

I can’t help but feel self-conscious while he was staring at me shamelessly.

“Let me take you home, will you?” he asked again in that gentle tone.

Wow. So he has this gentle side of him?

I don’t want to face anyone right now and I can’t really face anyone right now because I’m sure my eyes will be so ugly.

I sighed. “Okay.”

He drove me home but our speed was much normal than his reckless driving last night.

He opened the car door again and I went out.

I was searching for my keys when I noticed him still standing beside me.

“What?” I asked him.

He raised one eyebrow, throwing a question back to me, “What what?”

I groaned. Sometimes, he doesn’t really understand me.

-Nate Van Warner POV-

“Why are you still here?” she muttered as she caught the key and unlocked the door.

I blinked. Yeah. Why am I still here? I can’t even answer my own question.

She came inside and turned on the lights. I automatically followed her.

She halted and turned to look at me weirdly. Even in a depressed state, she never fails to be cautious. I smiled to myself.

“I’m coming in, okay?” I said to her and she rolled her eyes.

I looked around. It is such a small place. It’s old and worn but considerably cozy and neat for her.

“Don’t insult our apartment or you’ll get a beating.” She told me as I noticed her opened the small fridge and searched for something. She found a bottle of Diet coke and threw it to me.

I caught it, “Thanks.”

“Don’t touch anything as you please, okay? I’ll change first.” She muttered in her still-weak voice as she went inside her bedroom on the left side.

I opened the soda and started drinking it when I noticed a line of photographs in wooden frames at the corner.

I walked closer. They were family photographs, of course. The first was a complete family picture. I frowned. Her mother looks eerily familiar. I’ve seen her before. Dad told us she was a family friend but how could be that she looks familiar when he never introduced her to us?

The second photograph was Athena and her sister with a blonde girl. It’s Chloe Dupont. I knew from her files (when I had some men search for her background) that she’s her bestfriend. But how come they didn’t meet at the mixer a while ago?

The third and fourth were both childhood pictures. Gee. I didn’t know Athena was much cuter when she was a child.

I sat down on the couch and tried to behave as I looked around the house. Okay. I’m not really used to a small space but I never thought I would like small spaces. Truth is, their house is pretty much the main bathroom back home.

I relaxed on my seat when I felt my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I took it out and saw 30 messages, all asking me where the hell did I go.

I only answered Alex’ text and replied, “took Athena home, trying 2 b a good boy. can’t attend d aftr-party.”

There’s supposed to be an after-party in Lower East Side but given the situation, I won’t attend. It’s a first time I won’t attend a party and I’m even amazed at myself for it. It’s the first time I’m going to miss a party. Wow.

He replied, “Good J”

Athena came out from her room wearing only a baggy t-shirt and sweatpants. Her curly hair was up in a messy bun.

She threw me the coat I put over her a while ago and caught it. She’s got a hobby of throwing things to me.

She sat cross-legged on the couch across me and folded her arms across her chest.

She already washed her face so she looks better than before.

“Hey, are you alright?” I asked her, again.

She gave me sarcastic smile, “Do I look like I’m okay?”

“No.” I answered. Devastated but she’s still being sarcastic. I like that side of hers.

“Then why do you still ask?” she shot as she checked her phone only to toss it back with a worried face. Maybe she doesn’t have any messages.

Silence ruled us for a minute.

“You could tell me everything, Athena.” I told her, wondering at myself why am I being like this to her.

She let out a sad heavy sigh before bursting into tears.

“My bestfriend asked me to stay away from her. We fought, okay? Are you happy now?” she cried as she wiped her tears from her red cheeks.

Then she ranted everything that happened earlier tonight. She ranted continuously and I listened intently.

I wasn’t able to say anything except for a small “It’ll be okay. Everything will be okay in the end.”

Gee. I’m really a stupid comforter. After her long monologue, all was I able to say was two sentences.

I expected at her to glare at me but instead she answered, “Yeah. Thanks.”

I was about to say something when I heard a loud grumble.

Her eyes widened.

I laughed loudly and she hit me on the head.

“Ow.” I muttered.

“So it’s my stomach and so what?” she pouted as she stretched her legs.

She’s hungry.

“Come on. Let’s have dinner outside.” I suggested as I stood up.

She fiercely shook her head.

“What? You said you’re hungry.” I said.

“Dummy. There’s no way I’m going out with these eyes!” she exclaimed and I realized it. Yes. Her eyes were swollen and red.

“You could wear shades.” I suggested.

“Well I don’t have one.” She argued again and I realized any argument will be invalid.

“Then what do we do?” I asked her.

“No. What do you do.” She corrected me again and I can’t help but smile.

I raised my eyebrow.

“You cook.” She gave me her trademark innocently deadly smile.

I bit my lip. That’s one thing I never tried before.