Appointed by a Billionaire to be his Heir's Girlfriend

Chapter 17

Nate Van Warner POV

It had been hours since I parked my car in this spot, a few meters away from the front door of Athena’s house. My eyes are heavy and my stomach is empty. Where on earth did she go? I checked the time. 11PM.

Her mother told me she had been out since 8am but she did not tell me where.

So I had been forced to wait for her since 6 in the evening. I think my butt is numb already. I opened the windows, letting the cool autumn breeze get in my stuffy car.

Then I saw headlights blazing, drawing near and near. It was a handsome Mercedes, yes. I wonder what it is doing in front of the Vanderbilt’s home. Then, a guy, probably a year older than me, got out and held out his hand to someone. Athena…?

Then he led her to the front door and they talked for a bit and…

He hugged her.

I can feel a turmoil building inside me. How can he just do that? I know Athena. She’ll never let anyone…just anyone… hug her. I remember that distant memory when I got my only chance to hug her with her permission. That morning when Alex took a picture of together… wait! The pictures! Yes I completely forgot them. I smiled sadly.

I was helpless as I watched the car drove away and Athena went inside.

My first thought was: Who on earth is this guy?

Second is: Why on earth did he hug Athena, my Athena, my warden?

Third: What on earth are they doing that Athena came home one hour before midnight?

Fourth: Are they dating now?

Fifth: Am I too late?

I sighed heavily and grabbed the bouquet of white peonies and lilies at the passenger seat.

I would lose nothing if I’ll try, right? Just my heart...

I walked over in front of their door and took deep breaths.

I stared at the rather huge bouquet of white peonies and lilies. The two flowers aren’t really the perfect combination but they are beautiful and pure. They really are. Just like the person I’m giving them to.

I laid the flowers at the doorstep and knocked thrice. Then I walked fast towards my car.

Stupid, Nate. Why can’t you face her now?

After a few seconds, I saw Athena got out. She was already wearing her pajamas. She looked around and saw no one and then the flowers caught her attention from below.

I carefully watched her face. She was surprised, yes. Very surprised.

She picked up the flowers and looked around. Nope, she would never see me. My car is hidden and anyway, the windows are tinted.

She was still looking around but… the small card fell out and she read it and her face dawned with comprehension. But I was really relieved to see it did not contort into anger.

“Nate? Are you there?” she called out in the darkness.

Should I answer or not? I can’t decide on my hesitation.

“Nate?” she called out again. This time, she already went out of the door and started pacing the sidewalks.

I hesitated again. But then, maybe I should do what I ought to do when I decided to come over.

I took a deep breath and showed myself.

She spotted me and our eyes met briefly. For the first time in weeks, her eyes weren’t glaring.

Neither of us was keen to make the first move but I decided to speak first. She’d like that.

“How did you know it was me?”

Again, she surprised me by smiling at me. Was she really touched by my gesture of apology? She wasn’t smiling at me for the past weeks.

“I think I only know one rich boy in my life.” She said.

I returned her smile, feeling relieved. Happy. Whatever you call this feeling.

“So can I ask for your answer now?” I asked, hoping…

She was silent for a few seconds and then she said, “We’ll talk first, okay?”

We walked to a nearby café, remaining silent all through out those fifteen minutes.

Upon entering the café, she picked a table and sat. I went to the counter and ordered two caramel lattes. I came back and she murmured “thanks”.

To be honest, my mouth was itching to ask who was that guy she was with earlier. But I restrained myself. We need to make-up first.

“So how did you know lilies and peonies are my flowers?” she asked.

“From Chloe Dupont.” I answered truthfully. She wasn’t expecting my answer and she didn’t say anything.

She took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. Then she looked at me firmly and asked, “Okay, rich boy. Let’s not beat around the bush. What exactly do you want to happen now?”

So she was giving me the chance to tell her what I want to happen now. Seems fair?

I looked at her and she looked back without hesitations. She had become stronger than before. I tried to fathom the emotions on her face, if ever there is any shown, but I have a feeling she’s trying to keep her face neutral.

I sighed, “Athena, can we just start all over again? I mean, the, ugh, you know, thing we had before was much messed up, I know. And let’s just do it again. I swear I’m going to be much nicer.”

She chuckled, “Nicer?”

I smiled at her. “Yes, I promise.”

“Is this your father’s wishes or yours?” she asked , her eyes boring into mine.

What am I to answer? Yes, I do want her back. But… I dunno… I’ve been unsure about this thing I feel for her. Ugh crap. This sucks.

“Both, I think?” I said.

Now I’ve said it! Wish I hadn’t. I sounded a bit unsure.

She twirled a bit of her hair, as if she was thinking hard. It took a whole full minute, which honestly felt like a whole decade, before she said her answer.

“Okay, sure.” She said as she started to drink her latte again.

I blinked, “Really? Just like that?”

“Really. Why?” she said questioningly.

“N-nothing.” I said, apparently surprised at her sudden decision. I started drinking my latte too, feeling the comforting warm liquid down my throat.

She laughed, “You know, Nate, I’m a lady who keeps her word. Remember our conversation in Carlyle?”

Oh right… The thing with dad. She was dating me so she could accompany me and to guide me and crap like that. Truth is, she had already done to me what my father wanted her to do. She already tamed me. Unknowingly.

Athena Vanderbilt POV

“You’re beauty is ethereal as these flowers. Will you please be a warden to a rich boy again?”

It was unsigned. But… warden… Only one person calls me this… Rich boy… I only call one person this.

“Nate? Are you there?” I called out.

There was no reply. No movements in the darkness. Not even an exhale of carbon dioxide can be heard. Weird. How can he left that fast?

How did he know they are my favorites when he just tried giving me roses yesterday!? And… is he the one asking for a second chance now? Why would he want that? Is that his father’s orders? Or is it him?

“Nate?” I called out once more.

It was a few moments after that he showed himself. Our eyes met.

My heart is as confused as ever. I swore I severed my ties to him but why am I so happy to see him right now?

“How did you know it was me?” he asked me.

I can’t help but smile, “I think I only know one rich boy in my life.”

He got what I meant because he smiled back, as dazzling as ever.

“So can I ask for your answer now?” he asked me.

It took me a moment to answer. Wait up. How am I supposed to answer him on such short notice?! Wait up again. Haven’t I made up my mind that I’m better off without him? Ugh. This is pure mind t*****e.

“Let’s walk first.” I told him since he seemed to be expecting for a non-existing answer.

Our fifteen-minute walk’s destination seemed to be a nearby café.

We walked in and I picked a table by the window. He went and ordered some drinks. Caramel latte. I thanked him.

“So how did you know lilies and peonies are my flowers?” I started, enveloping the mug in between my cold hands. For crying out loud, I’m in pajamas!

“From Chloe Dupont.” he answered.

Oh.

I took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. Then I did my best to look at him much more firmly than before and said, “Okay, rich boy. Let’s not beat around the bush. What exactly do you want to happen now?”

Well, I don’t really know why I said that but… It’s just that I really wanted to know if he meant that message and flowers or not. I wanted to know his thoughts first. Understanding guys is like finding a needle in a pitch black room.

He sighed, “Athena, can we just start all over again? I mean, the, ugh, you know, thing we had before was much messed up, I know. And let’s just do it again. I swear I’m going to be much nicer.”

“Nicer?” I echoed, laughing. But then, correct me if I’m wrong, he wanted me back, regardless of the thing that he doesn’t like me like I like him.

“Yes, I promise.” He said solemnly.

“Is this your father’s wishes or yours?” I asked him and once I’ve said it, I regretted it.

“Both, I think?” he replied, sounding a bit uncertain.

I started twirling my hair, a habit of mine whenever I’m nervous or when I’m kinda unsure what to do.

Maybe the best I could do is accept his offer and everything will be at peace again. Mom and Mr. Charles can stop badgering me and I might even have a slightly peaceful life at school. Right?

“Okay, sure.” I started sipping my drink.

He seemed surprise by my abrupt answer. “Really? Just like that?”

“Really. Why?”

“Nothing.”

“You know, Nate, I’m a lady who keeps her word. Remember our conversation in Carlyle?” I told him, forcing him to remember that Friday evening. It was when his father introduced me as his appointed girlfriend. The meeting that changed everything between us.

“How can I ever forget that night?” he said, lost in his thoughts.

I snorted, “You were so arrogant that time. Not that I’m saying you’ve changed.”

He smirked, “Yeah right. I missed that sharp tongue of yours.”

I looked around frantically and whispered, “Scratch that. People might interpret that differently.”

He let out a barking laugh, “What a mind you have! I didn’t even think of that when I said that!”

“Shut up.” I said sulkily as I started drinking the rest of my latte.

“I’m going home. See you at school.” I said to him and stood up.

“I’ll accompany you home.” He told me.

“Good. You’re learning, rich boy. Keep up the good work.” I told him with that smile I know he knows too well.