Chapter 5 -Nate
1522 Words
-Nate Van Warner POV-
"Son, she's Athena. She's your official girlfriend on my official orders." Dad declared and I can't help but grin hugely on how things are turning out.
I saw her glanced at me and frown at my reaction.
Perfect. This is too perfect.
Now I can execute my plan more conveniently. Really, this is getting great.
A cocky smile was playing on my lips and her frown was getting deeper. She didn't get the reaction he wanted from me.
"Nathaniel"
I turned to my dad and let down the smile. He rarely addressed me by my complete name.
"Be a good boyfriend to her. Listen to her always because whatever you do, she'll report it to me. If I found out you're getting in trouble again, I'll know it because she'll accompany you anywhere you go. Oh,you've got punishment if you mess up. Credit card and bank account will be on freeze and I'll get your car. Are we clear?" he said in his serious business-like voice.
"Yeah. Do I have a choice when it comes to you?" I muttered. He really knows how to blackmail me.
The waiter arrived and he served the entrees.
Hmm. This is not usual. Why would Athena actually agree to be my girlfriend? Not that I mind. I'm wondering what did he offer her?
Right. I just forgot my dad's wealthy.
"Dad, did you pay her up for this?" I asked him and Athena's expression became alarmed as she looked at me from her dish.
"No." he simply answered and I noticed Athena relaxed on her seat.
"Then why did you put her up with this and why did she actually agree?" I asked. I must've looked like an i***t for asking so much questions but I need to get to the bottom of this.
Dad sighed and he took off his half-moon glasses.
"Nate, you see, her mother was my bestfriend since childhood. And Athena, as her daughter, agreed to help me for her mother's sake. Simple as that. She was kind enough to help us. She's going to help you."
Help. Help. They were talking about helping me in some piteous way like I need to go to some sort of rehab. Hell no.
They aren't messing with me!
"I don't need help. I'm going to live my life the way I want to. I don't anyone of you dictating what should I do! Mind your own business!" I bellowed and good thing we are the only ones in the reserved place.
"Nate, I'm just telling you that you don't need to party all night, go home drunk and be late for your first class tomorrow because you've got a hangover." Dad muttered. Oh great, this is going to lead on one of his sermons.
"I don't care! You aren't even home every day! You spend your life stuck in your office! Now that's a great way to spend life!" I muttered.
"Will you just shut up, rich boy?"
Athena spoke in a firm manner and realized she was still there.
She looked at me with loathing.
Dad turned to her in surprise.
"Don't talk to your father like you are the one with reason! And don't shout, okay? Your life's as garbage, thrown into nothing." She said to me, her greenish eyes looking straight to me in a strong intensity.
I was mesmerized. I never realized she was a beauty. Anger looks good on her, like sarcasm. Gee.
I wasn't able to respond and I sat down on my chair. I didn't even realize I stood up.
Even I was amazed on how was I able to shut myself that time. This girl is really something.
-Athena Vanderbilt POV-
He sat down quietly and I felt my cheeks become hotter as I quietly stared on my dish.
Well, I couldn't just take him shouting to his dad. He doesn't realize how lucky he is to have a dad beside him who truly cares for him. Bastard.
Mr. Charles chuckled, "That was tense. Let's just have dinner, first, okay?"
We all ate in silence. I could feel the tension in our table.
"So, the mixer will be tomorrow night. I say you have to come together at the mixer."
I noticed Nate Van Warner glanced at me and I glanced back with a crafty glare.
"Miss Athena," Mr. Charles turned to me, "I'll have a car fetch you tomorrow noon so you can go to our penthouse. Someone will be waiting for you there to get you ready"
I swallowed. I'll be going to their home. And I have to go to that party. Tomorrow, the real job begins.
I nodded.
Mr. Charles' phone rang and he excused himself. He got up and went outside.
Now it's me and the rich boy left on the area.
"So, Athena, you are my girlfriend now, huh? Who would have see that coming?" he said, his voice deep as he relaxed on his seat.
"Shut up." I muttered.
"Ooh. Touchy." He teased as he drank from his wine glass.
"I'm doing this for your dad's sake. I am technically your girlfriend so deal with it." I grumbled, putting great emphasis on the word 'techincally'.
"I know." He said wickedly as he stood up and sat on the chair beside me.
"What now?" I mumbled as I saw him staring at me with some unreadable expression.
He suddenly hold my right hand that was resting on my lap.
I shook it away immediately.
"No skinship, got it?" I said in a firm voice.
He gave me a smirk, "No promises, warden."
I snorted. Warden? If he wasn't so annoying, I may have laughed.
Suddenly, I remembered his threat at his car last Monday. I didn't apologize in public, but he never did report anything.
"Hey Van Warner, "I started. I still don't call him by his first name. We aren't that close anyway. "Why didn't you report my case? I thought you were telling the social services?" I asked quietly.
"Warden, call me Nate, okay?" he said in his nonchalant voice.
"Nate." I said, feeling a bit weird. We speak so casual now. That's weird.
"Why didn't you do it?" I asked again, curious.
"Well, do you want me to?" he said as he started to play with the table napkin.
"UH. No. No." I quickly answered, waving my hands in a desperate gesture.
"I thought so." He gave me a smile. A kind one.
I caught myself. I should not let down my guard. He is a player, I remind myself. For all I know that' smile was a flirtatious one.
I smiled back innocently. This is going to be one hard game.
-Nate Van Warner POV-
She actually smiled back! I never expected her to bite in my little trap smile.
I quietly smiled to myself. This is going to be pretty easy.
Dad suddenly came back.
"Son, an urgent situation came up. Will you please do your duty as his boyfriend and send her home safely? I already paid the bill." he said hurriedly as he collected his folders on the table.
"Miss Athena, thank you for coming." He smiled at Athena and she smiled back.
Dad left us again without a word.
"So, you heard him." I said to her.
I am supposed to take her home. That is a duty of a boyfriend? I've never done it though. I mean, let's face it, all the girls I dated have their own cars.
"No, you heard him. Take me home safely." She corrected, emphasizing the word safely.
"Of course, Warden. Come on." I said as I stood up and led the way out of the restaurant. She followed timidly.
Warden. I smiled to myself. How did I come up with that alias for her? She didn't complain about it though.
I sighed. Dad left a car, a BMW convertible. Yeah. Same old.
I went for the driver's seat and held the steering wheel properly.
Athena just stood there, staring at me with her innocent deadly smile.
"What? Come in. Do you want me to drag you inside?" I muttered, a bit of confused why the hell is she just standing there, smiling at me like an i***t.
She folded her hands on his chest and shook her head in disapproval.
"Nate, remember, I report to your father. You must do better than that."
Again, that innocent deadly smile. She's making it her trademark already.
I blinked. Oh I get it now. I remembered that specific 'rule of a gentleman' my dad told me a billion times when I was young.
With a loud groan for her to hear, I got out and walked over to her side and opened the door for her gently.
"Good boy." She said kindly and patted my head like a puppy. Damn. She's got attitude.
As soon as she was seated, she said, "Thanks, Nate."
Oh now she's back to the plain sweet Athena.
I smiled sarcastically as I get inside the car, "At your service, Warden."
This turns out to be harder than I thought.
- Writer
