Appointed by a Billionaire to be his Heir's Girlfriend

Chapter 18

Athena Vanderbilt POV

Making up with Nate did not stop me from breaking my newly formed habit of going to school very early on Monday.

He sent me a text last night if I would let him join me for lunch today. I agreed. There’s not much to choose from. I decided to be civil with him anyway.

I went to sit by the front stairs and enjoyed a moment of solitude. I’ve learned and got used to being alone now. Well, it’s easy, if it’s the only choice you have left anyway.

There’s not a single soul at school, well except for me and the two people who were getting out of that familiar glossy car in front of the gates.

Since it’s a bit quiet due to the absence of chattering students, I slightly heard them.

“Hurry up then, Chris. It wasn’t my fault you forgot you’re homework last night and you need to procrastinate this morning.”

A boy with dark hair was putting on a backpack and fixing his tousled uniform. Then the taller guy, probably his brother, turned around to see him off.

I smiled. I knew that guy.

“Erik Carter!”

Erik looked around and saw me. He beamed at me, which I can’t help but return.

He and his little brother went towards me and joined me by the stairs.

“Lovely seeing you here first thing in the morning!” he said.

“Well, I’m an early bird.” I told him. We both laughed.

“Oh. This is Christoffer, my little brother.” He told me.

Chris smiled shyly at me and held out his hand. I shook it and introduced myself.

Well, Chris is like a miniature Erik. Handsome yet you can still see the childish features. He’s just a freshman highschool after all.

“I’m gonna go first, Erik, Athena. I need to finish my essay.” He told us and he ran off inside the hall.

We watched him go as Erik said, “Well, he’s usually a good student but he fell asleep last night.”

“Understandable.” I commented. He gave me a rare smirk.

“So, I’m really looking forward to my party’s guest of honor this Saturday night.” He chirped, giving me this one big smile I can’t resist returning.

“I’d be honored to attend.” I said solemnly, giving him a curtsy.

We both laughed. Then he suddenly said he’d better go because he needs to get some coffee before attending a class.

I went to my classroom and listened to some random song in my antique iPod. I closed my eyes for a while. I’ve been so used to being alone, really. The thought saddens me.

Several minutes passed and someone touched my arm. I opened my eyes to see Bliss smiling at me. I noticed some girls were already in the room, chatting, flipping their hair, texting on their phones. No one seemed to acknowledge the girl on her old iPod at the back of the room – me – except for Bliss.

I removed my earphones and said, “Hi Bliss. What’s up?”

“I heard the news from Nate. I’m really happy for both of you.” She said happily.

I smiled at her, “Yeah, thanks. Who would’ve though we’re together again, right?”

I scanned the room quietly and saw that Madeleine Wilhern doesn’t seem to be in a good mood. Her face wasn’t in her usual cheery mask. Oops.

“But I think your friend isn’t.” I added.

She nodded, which means she got what I meant, “Please understand, Athena. You’re both my friends and she’s been with him for quite some time. It must have been a shock for her.”

“Of course.” I said to her and she gave me a smile in response.

The bell rang, making her go back to her seat as the English teacher came in.

Maddie. She had been very civilized towards me after the little fight we had at Central Park few weeks back. She’s not shooting me daggers every time I pass by her in the hall way. She had been ignoring me completely which suits me just fine.

I scanned the room once more for Chloe. She wasn’t around. She had never been absent before. I wonder what happened. I wish I was the one who knew. I looked at her new friend Tallulah who was here though.

I sank lower to my seat as the teacher droned on some book I have read a dozen times already.

Soon enough it was lunch time and I sat by the benches on the student lounge to eat my yogurt in silence. I was halfway done when my phone ring and on its screen was a name I never expected to pop in my phone ever again.

It was Chloe.

I almost dropped my yogurt in my haste to answer.

“Hi?” I said breathlessly.

“Is this Athena?”

I blinked. That is not Chloe’s voice. It’s a man’s voice.

“Yes, Athena speaking. Who’s this?”

“Good. I assume you know a girl named Chloe since you’re the first name on her speed dial.” He said quickly. He seemed on the rush.

“I do. Why?”

All I’m thinking right now is that this is all very weird.

“You better come to the hospital. Your friend, Miss DuPont got into a car accident.”

What?

“A-a car a-accident?” I stammered.

“Yes, as quickly as you can please. I can’t contact her parents at the moment.” Said the guy.

“O-of course.”

Then he hang up.

I took a deep breath. That was not some call prank, was it? It was only a second of hesitation. I still think I ought to check if it was true anyway. I left my yogurt and ran outside the school gates. I got a cab and drove to the hospital without second thought.

The weird antiseptic scent welcomed me in the hospital. I immediately asked the receptionist on the front counter where I can find Chloe’s room.

I immediately ran to the elevator that took me to the seventh floor.

A man, no, a guy, was standing in front of the door of Chloe’s room. He was pacing the hallway in circles, looking very tired. He must have been the one who called me. His green sweater was covered in blood.

I stopped in front of him. He probably knew I was the one he called since he gave me a smile of recognition.

“I’ll explain.” Said the guy.

I hold up my hand, “Later, I want to see her first.”

I entered the room and what I saw made me almost cry. Chloe was lying on the hospital bed with so many contraptions surrounding her. A nasal cannula was on her nose and a tube was inserted in her mouth. Bandages covered her head. And she was asleep, unmoving.

I took refuge on the couch and sat. It took me several minutes of breathing exercises before I can take in what I was seeing in front of me.

I swallowed, “Now tell me what really happened.”

The guy was standing on the corner, his arms folded on his chest, looking weary as ever.

“Let me first introduce myself. I am Daniel. And I was the one who did this to your friend and I am really sorry about that.” He said, stooping down.

“W-what?” I asked.

“It was around five in the morning and I was driving in my car. I was drunk, I’ll admit. And it kinda happened all so fast. It was a bit dim in the road, or maybe that was the alcohol. And… and… I hit her. I didn’t know. It was all... very confusing.” He said. He was now crying. He’s crying in front of a stranger.

I am completely at a loss for words. My body went numb. It took me a few minutes to answer, “What did the doctor say?”

He stopped sobbing. “He said your friend was also drunk when she was crossing the road and it was a good thing she was rushed immediately to the hospital. There were no fatal effects. She just needs close monitoring. I called her parent’s number in her cell but they weren’t answering so I called the first person on her speed dial which is you.” He sat on the chair and sighed heavily.

I bit my lip, “She’s drunk?”

Chloe had never been drunk. Never. She might have the occasional drinks but never to the point she got drunk.

“Yes. Or she had drunk alcohol before the…you know… the accident happened.” Said the guy.

I was quiet then. I don’t know why. I probably should have shouted at him or hit him or do anything at all and I think he’s expecting me to but I never did. I just sat there and stared at poor Chloe on the bed and how on earth did this happen to her. It seemed so surreal that this kind of things can happen to someone. Just like my dad.

My dad. Who had been in a coma and I haven’t been able to see for several weeks now when he’s suffered so much.

That’s when I broke down in front of a total stranger who broke down too in front of a total stranger. I cried and cried and cried for Chloe. For Dad. It’s like I’m a balloon, being continuously filled with water and now was the time to burst.

Daniel went out of the room without a word. He was probably giving me time to be alone and the privacy to cry without anyone watching.

I sat on the chair near Chloe’s bed. All of this seemed so unreal. I slightly wondered if it would be okay for me to be with her now, since she officially ended our friendship weeks ago. But then, I would be here even if she wanted me here or not.

An hour had passed and no signs that Chloe will wake up soon was evident. Daniel came inside the room and sat on the couch.

“I already informed your school. Your headmistress will be coming over soon after she had informed her parents about it. She said they were overseas.” He said. I looked at him and saw the weariness on his face.

“Why don’t you rest first? I can handle it from here.” I told him. I’m not being kind or anything but I really think he should rest or he’ll collapse very soon. HE just looks so tired.

“No. I-I can’t. I’m the reason she’s lying there. I can’t. Really.” He said apologetically.

“Are you going to stay here until she wakes?” I asked him.

“Yes, until she recovers. I want to apologize to her in person. I want to really show I’m really sorry for what happened. My dad taught me not to run from responsibility.” He said as he laid his head on the couch and closed his eyes for a moment.

Half an hour later, the headmistress of Sta. Catalina’s went inside the room with the doctor, startling me and Daniel. The headmistress asked me and Daniel to have a coffee first downstairs so that she can talk to the doctor freely. We obliged. She’s not one you can cross.

It was a silent awkwardness between us. Well, we don’t really know each other anyway. But I gave it a try.

“Are you okay?” I asked him. To be honest, I meant that question.

He seemed surprise that I asked that.

“I’d be lying if I’ll tell you that I am. There’s just this thing, this painful thing, that won’t go away.” He said quietly as he holds his cup of coffee in his hands.

“Conscience.” I said to him.

He nodded. “I just really want to be assured that she’ll be okay because I’ve hurt her. I was the reason she was here, despite of the reasons we’re both drunk when it happened. And I don’t think I can bear the fact that if, you know, if something bad happens to her, it’s because of me.” He said and I realized he’d wanted to vent this to someone for the past few hours.

“Does your family know yet?” I asked, sipping from my cup.

“Yes. Like I said, my dad told me to take responsibility. To never run even if I’m scared to death that I might have killed someone.” He said and once again, I noticed his bloodstained shirt he covered with his jacket.

“She’s going to be fine. I know. She’s a strong girl.” I told him and I know I’ve been assuring both of us.

“Thank you. Funny you should say that. I’m the criminal here and you’re the victim’s friend. You should be mad at me but you doesn’t seem like it.” He told me and gave me a grateful smile.

I didn’t smile back for my face muscles felt numb. “What good would it do if I did?”

With that, I stood up and went upstairs once more. The headmistress was just getting out of Chloe’s room.

“Miss Vanderbilt, your behavior this afternoon is really surprising. I never expected a scholar like you to cut classes.” said the headmistress.

Before I could even open my mouth to protest she said again, “But I quite understand your situation so I’ll let you pass today. But I expect of you to never let this happen again. You must inform me first beforehand, alright?”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” I told her.

“I’ll leave now. Go home later.” She said. Then she gave me a pat on the back and left.

Before I could even enter the room, my hand was grabbed by someone. It was…

“Nate?! What are you doing here?! It’s class hours!” I told him.

He let go of my hand, “I could say the same for you.”

“Ha-ha. Of course I’m here. She’s my friend. What about you?” I told him and we both entered the room.

“Well you’re here. I want to be here for you.” He told me quietly.

I pursed my lips and scolded my heart internally for treacherously beating faster, “So is this part of your promise of being much nicer to me?”

He smiled. “I guess you can say that.”

I did not answer him.

“You didn’t meet me for lunch. Remember you agreed to let me join you?” he said further.

Shoot. Yeah. I forgot about the lunch thing with him. “Sorry. It all happened so fast.”

“No it’s fine. I understand.” He said gently.

We both sat on the couch and we talked no more. Yet the silence wasn’t awkward at all. It was even comforting. To know he’s there beside me is comforting. I’m glad to have him back. I would have been a real mess if I was alone. Again.

Daniel suddenly entered the room so I stood up so I can introduce him to Nate.

But the thing is…

“Nate?! What are you doing here, man?” exclaimed Daniel which made me frown in surprise. He went towards Nate and playfully put his arm around him.

I turned to look at Nate. He was looking amused as he removed Daniel’s arm

“Small world, cousin.” Nate said and my eyes widened in surprise.

Seriously? COUSIN? Nate has a cousin?! The idea seemed unimaginable. New York is way too small for the Van Warner clan. They need to stop propagating.

Daniel turned to me, “Uh, well he’s my cousin Nate and…”

“Don’t bother.” Nate interrupted him and Daniel, regaining a bit of his energy, raised an eyebrow

“Athena’s my girlfriend and I’m here for her.” Nate said firmly to him.

Daniel chuckled, “Oh. Right. Should have known you like her. Pretty and all.”

Nate rolled his eyes at him, “I’m not like before, Dan.”

Dan snorted, “Sure you are.”

I can’t help but laugh quietly. I absolutely know what they are talking about and they kept on pretending I’m not in front of them. They kept on bickering like little kids. Seriously.

An hour passed. I was sitting on a chair beside Chloe’s bed, waiting for signs that she’ll wake up soon. Daniel went out to buy us some snacks while Nate waited with me on the couch. He just kept on staring at me the whole time and I kept on pretending I wasn’t noticing. The doctor said Chloe’s fine and that we just need to wait for her to wake up.

I kept on staring at Chloe intently.

Then the most amazing thing happened… Her finger just twitched and her eyes slowly opened.