Appointed by a Billionaire to be his Heir's Girlfriend

Chapter 15

Nate Van Warner POV

“Sirs, would you like anything?” I heard one butler call from the other side of my bedroom door.

I sighed, “No. Just leave us alone, okay?”

“Yes, sir.” I heard her say and go away.

I hit my forehead with my right hand and collapsed on my bed.

This unfamiliar feeling is getting on my nerves now. Why do I feel like I’m so irritated since that particular Sunday? It’s already Thursday. Almost two weeks had passed since then. Why can’t I stop thinking about that one girl? I can’t stop thinking about how I kissed her so suddenly. That feeling of being so close to her…

“You know, Nate, if it bothers you so much, why don’t you make up with her? Bliss is really getting annoyed too at Maddie for she keeps on insisting to see you and you keep on hiding from her. So please, just fix things with her. It will make everything better if you two talk.” I heard Alex say from the couch. He was playing Playstation. Yeah. Sometimes, we act like old-school.

I sat up, “Why should I?”

He shook his head and stopped the game he was playing. Then, he turned to face me.

“Because you miss her. And I want my bestfriend back. You aren’t the same old cocky Nate I know for years. The Nate I know doesn’t sulk whenever he breaks up with someone. He either leaves or make a move to get her back. I must say this is a first.” He said quietly.

His words hit me hard. Why am I really making a fuss out of it?

He’s saying the truth. I haven’t been my normal self. I go to school, as Athena would have wanted. I eat at the cafeteria during lunch. I go home after and locked myself in my room all night. I haven’t been out to a party for days. I shut myself out of everything.

Alex probably noticed my preoccupation so he spoke, “Nate, will you answer one question for me as honestly as you can?”

I looked at him, puzzled, but nodded at him anyway.

He looked at me in the eye and said, “Are you starting to like Athena?”

I was taken aback so it took a moment for that question to sink in my messed up brain.

“Why would you ask a question like that?” I asked, surprised.

Then he smirked, “Then I know something you don’t.” He picked up the controller again and started playing again.

I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him to get his attention back, “What do you mean you know something I don’t?”

The pillow hit him hard in the head so he stopped playing and looked back at me with that smirk again.

“Nate, Nate. Do you want me to tell you your own secret or do you want to figure it out?”he said superiorly.

I raised my eyebrows. What on earth is he talking about?

“Tell me then.” I said quietly.

He dropped the smirk and sighed instead.

“This situation is completely stupid, you know? I know you do like her. No don’t interrupt,” he said as I was about to open my mouth in protest, “You do very much even if you don’t realize it. How on earth would you be sulking like this if you don’t care about her?”

I immediately fell silent and stared out to the open window.

How is this possible? Alex’ question is absurd. Really absurd.

You know it’s true, said a small voice at the back of my head.

No, it’s not. Looking back, being with her is supposed to be my revenge. I was supposed to make her fall for me. Never the other way around.

But why does I keep on thinking about her when I’m not supposed to? I’m supposed to be fine with this because she was only appointed by my father to be my girlfriend. No emotional attachments. That should have been the case.

It was only short time. A very short time with her. Why does she matter so much?

“You know, it’s time for you to admit the fact that even players can fall for a girl seriously. That they can meet their match.”

Alex words registered in my mind.

Did I really meet my match, a player’s downfall?

I looked at Alex and tried to fathom my feelings.

I sighed in defeat and said the words that made Alex grin in triumph, “Yes, I think it’s time to realize she’s special to me in a way.”

Looking on the smug look on Alex face, I smacked a pillow right at it and said, “ But I’m not saying I’m falling in love with her!”

“Oh but you will. Very soon.” Alex teased, while holding the pillow I threw at him.

“Shut up, Alex.” I told him.

Athena Vanderbilt POV

I stared as the sun’s first rays of the day peek through my bedroom window. That means it is dawn already. And that means I haven’t sleep much again. The black circles under my eyes are getting more noticeable.

As I got up to prepare myself a cup of strong coffee, I reminded myself that it is Friday today and it will be weekend after and then there will be two days that I don’t have to endure all those judgmental whisperings, all those malicious stares. Those two days that I don’t have to sit alone and feel like a leper just because everyone avoids me.

You might be wondering by now what happened to that guy and me? Well, despite of my promise to his father that I will continue to help him, I still haven’t talked to him or acknowledged his existence in any way which is easy since I last saw him in that seminar.

I just don’t have the courage to approach him anymore. And he’s the same.

Well, it’s much better this way. Our connection was never meant to last in the first place. He’s one person I’m never meant to be with.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

Just before I twist the doorknob, my phone started ringing. I picked it up and answered.

“Hello?” I said in a groggy voice. Who on earth will call me at this hour? It is an unregistered number anyway.

“I’m Cheska Megalo. Remember me?” her voice is very enthusiastic and that’s saying something since it is the c***k of dawn.

“Oh! Yes, I remember. You’re from the modeling agency. Why did you call?” I asked, making myself a bit smarter as I remember that day two weeks ago.

“Well, a designer wants you to model for her line of dresses!” she said more enthusiastically, as if she was bursting to tell me this since last night.

“What?” was all I could say.

Is that designer in her right mind?! Who would actually pick my Polaroid when a few dozen girls from my school are much much prettier than me?! Did she really want me?

I heard her sigh over the phone, as if she didn’t get the effect of joy she wanted from me.

“I recommend you accept. She’s a very good designer and she particularly picked you. You know Venia Carter? That’s her. Besides, you’re not going on the runway. It’s just a photoshoot.” She explained in a still cheerful voice. How can she keep that up?

I thought it over for a moment. What harm can it bring? Besides, what I really need right now is a distraction from everything. I. NEED. DISTRACTION.

And seriously?! The Venia Carter?! Even I who shops in thrift stores and sample sales knows her. Her clothes are supposed to be really good. Who am I to say ‘no’ to the fashion goddesses?

“Okay. Count me in.” I said.

“Yes! The shoot will be tomorrow. I’ll just text you the location okay? Be there around 9 in the morning. Good day!” she said all of this very quickly and hung up.

Wow. That is a very life-changing minute.

Tomorrow. Hmm. This better be fun.

***

I dressed for school and went out before my mom and sister can even wake up. It is my routine now – to go to school before anybody else. That way I don’t have to face them.

I walked the sidewalks, savoring the cool New York morning breeze until I reached my dreaded destination.

As I reached the bronze gates, someone was sitting on the steps before the double doors. This has never happened before. I am always the first one to reach the school for the past week.

It’s a guy. Could it be… Alex?

Alex and Bliss sometimes come to me before and after school to hang out for a cup of coffee or sometimes just to check if I’m okay. That’s very nice of them to still talk to me even though the thread that first connected us is already broken.

He seemed to have heard my noisy steps because he looked up and I halted at my tracks in surprise.

It’s not Alex Burlington. It’s his bestfriend.

Our eyes are locked together in a second after having the sanity to look away and walk towards the side where I’ll just try to enter the side entrance.

“Athena, wait!” I heard him say.

I can feel my heart give a jolt when he said my name. Wow. I never thought I’ll hear that voice say my name again.

I bit my lip and stopped walking, my back facing him. I had to restrain every inch of myself not to run to him…not to talk to him.... How I wish we’re back to normal. But no. I’ve decided. We’re never ever getting back together.

I forced my voice to be steady as I say, “What now?”

“Can you please face me?” I heard him say.

I swallowed. It took all my determination not to cry at this second and face him, head high.

What on earth does he want now that I’ve given him almost everything, including my heart?  

Nate Van Warner POV

I held the bouquet of red roses tightly as she turned around, secretly anticipating for her reaction. Will she smile, or not?

Her eyes suddenly fell to the flowers I was holding out to her. But she did not smile. Her expression didn’t even soften. Instead, she frowned and then she looked up to me. Her used-to-be warm eyes turned cold for me as she met mine.

“Athena, I’m really sorry. For the kiss. For being a jerk. For being everything.” I said with all the sincerity I have deep down. I put every feeling I have in the past two weeks in my eyes, hoping she will see through it.

She just continued staring at my eyes, as if she’s figuring out if I’m being genuine or not. I noticed some black circles under her eyes. Isn’t she sleeping well?

It’s a long moment before neither of us broke the awkward silence.

“Why roses?” she asked, now looking at the roses I was still holding. She made no gesture that she’s going to take it.

“Isn’t it the most beautiful flower in the world?” I replied, a bit confused on why on earth she is asking a question like this at a moment like this.

“Oh really?”

“Well, every girl loves them, even Maddie and Bliss do.” I said.

Her expression changed for a second. It turned… somewhat mean and I know I’d said the wrong thing.

Hell yes, I did! Damn, I’m stupid.

“Oh right. You had a hundred girls before and all of them must had loved roses. Especially your precious little Maddie. Sorry I’m not like her. ” She said coldly before turning around to walk away.

“Athena, wait!” I said, grabbing her arm.

She stopped and shook my hand away. “What? You said sorry. It’s okay now. Aren’t you done?”

“Accept these flowers at least.” I said quietly.

“No thanks. Why don’t you give them to someone who likes them? Maddie perhaps?” And then she ran away from me and all I could do is look at her back.

I threw the roses away and sat on the steps, confused and sad as before. It was several seconds after that Alex showed up to give me a tap of comfort.

“You should have never mentioned Maddie. Or even Bliss.” He told me as he sat beside me.

I didn’t answer. I know he’s right. But I was so stupid. Dimwit. Brainless. I got my chance to say sorry and I blew it.

Then someone spoke.

“White Peony and white Lily. That’s her favorites.”

We both looked up. It was her used-to-be-BFF Chloe Dupont. Her words indicated that she witnessed everything.

Isn’t it they fought? And isn’t it because of me?

She started walking away from us but before that, she gestured to discarded roses at the edge of the steps, “She doesn’t really like them. Roses. Especially the red ones.”

Then she walked away without another word.

I looked at Alex, “This is seriously the worst apology I’ve ever made.”

Alex smiled apologetically, “No one knows she hates red roses the most.”

“I wonder why.” I said quietly.

Athena Vanderbilt POV

Why on earth does he have to mention that girl’s name when he’s supposed to be apologizing to me?! And also, why on earth would every guy thinks every girl is in love with red roses?! Why does he keep on stereotyping people?! I don’t like red roses very much. They’re so normal. So common. So typical. So worn out.

Why does he keep on thinking I am the same as the other girls he had?

But still… despite everything… I still appreciate the effort that he talked to me first.

He is obviously an arrogant, egoistic creature ever since I met him. It must be hard for him to do that kind of thing.

But… “Even Maddie and Bliss do”

Ugh. Okay. Time to remind myself that it’s just an apology for the stolen kiss. Nothing more. Nothing less.

He isn’t going back to me. He’s never going to do that. He hated me before… because I’m a living reminder of his father’s control over him… I embarrassed him before. There’s no reason for him to like me. The only thing that made us endure each other’s company before is the fact that we just need to do it. I needed to endure him because of Mr. Charles’ favor. He needed to endure me or else Mr. Charles will confiscate his car and freeze his bank account. I was playing his game and he was playing mine.

He never likes me as I like him. Meeting him in this lifetime is a complete mistake.

I directly went to our empty classroom and prayed to God that I’ll never have to see him again for the rest of the day… or if even possible…for the rest of my life.

***

As usual, I didn’t sleep much last night. A million thoughts are running in my head and it’s usually the first rays of sunlight that make me realize that I’ve gotten no sleep again.

It’s Saturday. Cheska already texted me the location of the photoshoot. It’s somewhere in the Lower East side. I better ask the cab driver later.

I took a long bath, hoping this might help my hair looks a bit better.

I stared at myself in the mirror. Long brown hair. The brown eyes. The full lips and long lashes. And apparently, black circles under my eyes. Am I really fit for a model? That seems highly unlikely. The designer must have weird tastes. Her new line of dresses must be for the upcoming Halloween or something and I’m the perfect model for it. Yeah. That must be it.

I took a cab and got out in front of a very old brownstone.

I went in hesitantly but I was greeted by a plump woman around the age of mid-thirties. She has curly black hair with purple highlights. Wow.

“You must be Athena!” she chirped and I can’t help but smile at her.

“Venia, she’s here!” she called out excitedly.

Then a woman came behind a door. She’s a very pretty woman, around her forties. Her red hair is in a chignon. The clothes look very expensive. The stereotype rich.

Yet she looks good-natured. She looks one of the people who smiles so often that they have smile wrinkles in their eyes.

“Hello. I’m Venia Carter.” She said warmly as she held out her hand.

I shook it, “I’m Athena Vanderbilt.”

“I’m not fooled by your Polaroid. You’re very beautiful in person.” She added kindly.

“Thank you.” Was all I could say. Who knew modeling jobs can be so awkward.

“Hey son! Come over here!” she called out.

Then one guy came again behind the door. He has dark hair, a pair of bright blue eyes but a bit darker than…his. And by the boyish look on his face, he is someone with some good sense of humor.

“Athena, this is my son, Erik, and he’ll be your partner in this photoshoot. Eat some donuts first, okay? And then they’ll do your hair and make-up.” She said as she gestured to the pile of Krispy Kreme donut boxes in a corner. Wow. I’ll totally love photoshoots if this is the case.

Venia left me with her son. How awkward can this get?

I risked a glance at her son and found out that this was a bad idea since he’s already grinning at me.