Appointed by a Billionaire to be his Heir's Girlfriend

Chapter 12

-Athena Vanderbilt POV-

I stopped walking the moment I saw the familiar angel of the waters fountain. I’ve always admire that fountain. It looks so classic, so timeless. It’s the place where I used to hang out with Chloe but now we’re here to talk things up, hopefully to reconcile.

I felt my phone vibrate and I put it out to see one message from Chloe.

“Terrace. Now.”

I walked faster to the terrace and I was panting the second I reached it because of the shoes I’ve been wearing.

There are no people in the Terrace except from the familiar person standing in the middle.

Chloe was there, standing in an outfit I never ever saw her wear. The black pleated skirt she’s wearing beneath her thick trench coat is way too short. Much shorter than the one Bliss handed to me this morning. Her make-up was so thick that I can barely recognize the plain sweet Chloe in that mask of make-up layers. She never really put on a thick make-up. Never. What the hell happened to her?

I looked at her and her eyes looked distant and mean. I’m not used to it but I’m betting no reconciliation will happen today. But I’m still hoping though. I’m trying my best to be positive. I just can’t lose my bestfriend to some misunderstanding.

“So so. I think I’m not the only one who showed her true colors.” She started and I was taken aback by the different tone in her voice. She was gesturing to my designer clothes and my shoes. Oh. Wrong move.

“Chloe, let me explain first, okay?” I tried to say, ignoring her ‘introductory greeting’.

Okay, Athena. Calm down first and just hope that it’ll work out.

“No need. I am now enlightened. Tallulah is really right. I didn’t really understand myself why did I choose to befriend you when you are not even of my level. I regret that you were my bestfriend.” She gave me a cruel smile I’m not used to.

She spoke so casually of those hateful words which made me want to cry but I forced myself not to. And why is Tallulah Kip talking to her? She’s one snobby socialite. And her talking to Chloe is not a good sign.

So it all comes down to this? The only thing I was grateful for, that I have one loyal and true friend, becomes her regret.

I felt like I’ve been slapped a hundred times. Like a rock boulder was put on my chest. Like my life for three years had been a lie.

“Chloe, I know I have my flaws but I really didn’t ditch you for Nate and his friends. He may be my boyfriend but that’s only part of---“ I was about to confess about the deal with Nate’s father when I was cut short when she raised her hand.

“That’s the thing, Athena! You’ve always known I like Nate Van Warner and you stole him from me!” she cried.

Okay. I may be in the middle of an argument with her and I want Chloe back but Nate was never his, right? But I figured out that’s not a wise thing to say right now.

And what the hell?! She never did told me about that!

“What? You never said anything to me, Chloe.” I said quietly.

She snorted, “I thought that, being my ex-bestfriend, you would figure that out. Why do you think I reject all of the boys trying to ask me out? Just because I don’t want a boyfriend?!”

That was true. I guess I might have been ignorant about that. I figured out she wouldn’t want to be in a relationship so she was rejecting guys but I never thought she likes Nate. The possibility never crossed my mind but then again, the possibility of having Nate as my ‘boyfriend’ never even crossed me.

So I have my faults in this fight and she has hers. But this conversation is taking a toll on my energy and inner will. I don’t even get the point of our argument. It just started from a silly misunderstanding.

“You should have told me directly. Maybe I could have done something.” I murmured.

“Like what, Vanderbilt?” she muttered, folding her hands on her chest.

“Well, I’m so sorry about that. I just want us to be friends again like we used too. I’ll do anything.” I said, wanting to go for the most acceptable way.

All I want is to reconcile with her and have my bestfriend back. That is what I wanted right now.

“Anything, huh? So if I told you to break up with him, will you do it?” she said.

She is daring me. I could tell by the way she said it and the way she ‘smiled’.

What will I do?

I have this particular deal with Mr. Charles that is business enough to be taken much seriously. And here is Chloe, daring me to break it. If only I could tell her it had been a deal. But why couldn’t I bring myself to tell it to her now?

I never saw this mean girl in my life. Chloe is so much different now. She looks differently and she acts differently. Everything is just so wrong about her.

She wasn’t Chloe anymore. The cheerful and nice Chloe I know. This Chloe is not her. She is not the girl whom I treat as the closest thing next to my sister.

I tried to find my voice in my bone-dry throat, “I will not do it.”

“Then forget our friendship. It wasn’t that great anyway.” She muttered and with that, she walked away.

That’s when I started to feel my legs turn to jelly and I crashed on the concrete floor.

-Nate Van Warner POV-

Alex beat me.

He reached the fountain first and was looking smugly at me.

“The results never changes. Why is that?” I muttered as I temporarily sought refuge from the ground.

Alex sat down too “Because I’m Alexander the Great.”

“Not funny, man. History is not funny.”

He gave me tap on the shoulder and I know he’s being so smug about his winning. I never beat him in this kind of stuff.

We are both sweating and panting and we let a few minutes pass to regain our normal breathing.

“That was tough.” I said as I stood up and ran a hand through my disheveled hair.

“This will be tough.” Alex said. His face was damns serious and sort-of-worried as he pointed behind me.

I snorted, “Are you alright, Alex?”

He was shaking his head as he started to wave at someone I couldn’t see so I decided to turn around to see what he is on about.

Then somebody suddenly flung her arms around my neck. I was about to pull away when she kissed me full on the mouth and I was too taken aback to respond. And pull away.

WHOA!

She pulled away and with a jolt, I immediately recognized her. Of course I would.

“Long time no kiss, baby!”

She was smiling sweetly at me, the way she always do back then.

I glanced at Alex who was shaking his head in worry and disapproval. This is one big problem.

Madeleine Wilhern is back in the city.

-Athena Vanderbilt POV-

With all the courage I had left, I stood up and took a deep breath, which was pretty hard because I was really sobbing hard. I felt numb. Everything just felt numb. And that was good enough. I don’t want the pain to sink in that much. I was only crying without comprehending.

Stooping down so that people won’t see my eyes, I walk towards the Bethesda fountain. The sight of water always calm me down. I wish I could go down to the Hudson river. But the water there stinks anyway so never mind that.

I made it to the fountain without tripping on my own high-heeled shoes. And so I sat and took a deep breath.

This can’t be happening to me. Did I just lose my bestfriend? Noooooo. It can’t be. Maybe I’m just dreaming? No, this is a nightmare. A very long one. Maybe this is really a dream! Yeah! Because there is no way I’ll lose Chloe. It’s not right. It can’t be real.

But of course deep down, I’ve known I’m not dreaming. But then again denial is the first stage of the defense mechanism until you reach acceptance.

I sighed and shook my head. I need to unwind for a bit. I don’t wanna go home. The empty house makes me more depressed than I am right now.

Good thing New York is such a busy place so it’s a bit interesting to people-watch.

There was a little girl with blonde hair beside me who was playing with the fountain’s waters. I want to stop her because the water is not really clean-looking and a bit greenish but then her mother is playing with her so I assumed they are alright. Then there’s one man, about mid-thirties, who was taking pictures. Hmm. A typical tourist. He looks like an Asian. Then he caught me looking at him and smiled. I smiled back. Then there is a woman who was talking to someone on the phone. She looks really happy, which is totally ironic to what I’m feeling right now.

I moved 90 degrees to my right and people-watched again.

There’s this pretty girl about my age, with perfect blonde hair and the perfect height and the perfect pretty face and the supermodel legs, walking with a huge pair of shades. She looked excited as she flipped her hair. Well, she’s one of those you could expect from Gossip girl, the mean pretty popular girl. But then, I’m not judging or stereotyping. That’s just my first impression. She was wearing a mini-skirt and that is weird, considering it’s spring right now.

A smirk is now flashing on her face as she waved her hand and I turned my head for a bit to look. 10 meters away from her is Alex Burlington who was looking at her with an unreadable expression. WHAT?

In front of Alex was another guy, whose back was facing the pretty girl. Okay. I knew this guy’s back. It is Nate!

The girl was practically running now, unable to contain the excitement in her beaming face.

Alex started to wave at the girl and Nate turned around.

Then the girl kissed Nate.

And my jaw dropped.

***

I rubbed my eyes and checked if I’m really seeing Nate kissing another woman or I’m just hallucinating.

I swallowed. Nope. I’m pretty sure of what I’m seeing right now. My boyfriend is kissing another girl. It’s weird for me to say but why do I feel like I want to go there and pull out every strand of that pretty blond hair. Wow. I’ve never known I could be this possessive. The deal with Nate’s father really has its own complications.

My hands balled into hard fists as I watched the two of them pull away. Nate had that tone of surprise on his face. He looked- happy? Excited?

Why Nate? How could you…

“Long time no kiss baby!” I heard the girl say, who was smiling sweetly.

Baby? What b****y baby is she talking about?!

And who on earth is this girl anyway?

“Maddie, why are you here?” I heard Nate asked.

Maddie was still holding his hand as she answered, “I’m back for good! Don’t you just love it! I finally made my parents agree with me that London is really not my place. I love New York! It’s been 2 years! And I’m back, Nate!”

Nate withdrew his hand and glanced at Alex who was halfheartedly smiling.

“So you’re back for good?” Alex asked casually.

“Yeah! And good to see you Alex! I heard you and Bliss went steady! I’m so happy for both of you!” she gushed.

So they all knew each other way back. 2 years ago? Well I hadn’t been studying in Sta. Catalina’s then. I just transferred a year ago.

Maddie and Nate went talking in lower voice and I couldn’t hear them anymore. Nate actually looked relaxed, even though he was just kissed by a girl who is not his girlfriend.

Alex was looking quite uneasy as he started to look around and then he saw me and I smirked.

His eyes landed with mine and his expression turned to a mask of shock.

After a few seconds of recovery, he smiled nervously and gestured for me to come join them. Nate and the girl named Maddie didn’t even notice Alex gestures. They were busy talking. I snorted. This seems like this will be the first time my skills in taming the player will be tested.

I stood up courageously and walked towards them. I have to admit, these high-heeled shoes gave me the bounce that made me look like I’m walking the catwalk. I felt a bit confident especially with this kind of rich clothing I’m wearing. At the very least, I wouldn’t look that shabby compared to the girl. I am the legal girlfriend of Nate, not this random pretty girl out of nowhere. I have my own right and showing her that.

When I finally reached them, Alex gave me a brief smile as he tried nudging his bestfriend. But Nate was so busy talking to this Maddie girl. As an effort to help Alex, I cleared my throat loudly.

“Hello, Nate. I didn’t expect you and Alex to be here.” I said clearly, in a tone bit intimidating and imposing.

The girl suddenly looked at me in great annoyance, her blue eyes glaring at me to death.

Nate’s face was in shock. “Warden? I didn’t know you were here.”

He was speechless for a moment. I tried to keep my cool and I tried my best not to show my disappointment in him. Yes, I do feel disappointed that he did kiss this girl. And I don’t really know why does it bother me so much.

“Of course you wouldn’t. If you did know, you might have been a bit smarter to pick out a more private place for making out with another girl.” I muttered, making my voice a bit firmer than usual.

Nate looked like he was taken aback by my words, “Athena, you got it all wrong. I was ju-“

He was cut short when I gave a look that silenced him. Maddie stepped up and raised an eyebrow at me, “Excuse me? I’m not just another girl. I am his girl.”

“Maddie, just stay out of this,” Nate said to her.

I ignored Nate and snorted, “Oh really? His girl for what? Mouth cleaning? I know only sluts kiss the man of another girl.”

Okay. Kill me now. That was an embarrassing thing to say and hell I don’t even know where I got those words. I mean that was really harsh and I think that was too judgmental. But I just kept quiet anyway.

“Don’t call Madeleine a s**t, Athena.” Nate interfered with a quiet yet authoritative voice. I looked at him deliberately and I noticed his eyes were unreadable, as he avoided my gaze. He sounded a bit angry back there and that scared me a bit. Who is this girl for her?

I swallowed, “Did you hear me call her a s**t, Nathaniel?”

Wait. What am I doing? How did I get myself into this anyway?!

I glanced at Alex for some support and he just smiled at me encouragingly as he glanced at his phone.

Maddie was looking smug as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Who on earth are you anyway?”

“I am just Nate’s girlfriend. Problem?” I stated in a voice of as-a-matter-of-fact. I clenched my fists tightly and put on a fake smile for her.

She chuckled as if I just cracked a joke, “I am Nate’s girlfriend, right baby?” I almost flinched at the word ‘baby’ as she gestured to Nate who was looking at us quietly.

Nate looked at her once and for all, “We broke up a long time ago, Maddie.”

He suddenly grabbed my hand and stated, “And yes, she is my girlfriend now.”

Nate Van Warner POV

"Very well said, sweetheart." Athena said in that sick sweetly voice I dislike so much. she caressed my face in a way that send tingles down my spine.

I know she's just forced to do this. That she did not want any of this. I know how much I annoy her. she threw me a look that confirmed what I am thinking. A look that says I-am-not-liking-this-crap.

"Oh my gosh Nathaniel! i'm only out for a few years and you have to replace me with this..." Maddie trailed as she scrutinized Athena from head to toe, as if she was eyeing some piece of garbage, "...paygirl?!"

PAYGIRL?

I felt Athena stiffened beside me. I glanced briefly at her but I saw no sign of tension on her face. Did I just imagine that?

Wait... Paygirl. She called my warden a paygirl. I want to say something! To defend her and tell Maddie that is not true but somehow... I just can't open my mouth.

How pathetic I am.

I saw Athena glanced briefly at me and we look into each other's eyes for a few seconds. She was like... waiting for something. then she looked away with clear disappointment on her face.

"Excuse me miss?" Athena said in a voice higher than her normal, "PAYGIRL?"

"I'm not talking to you!" Maddie bellowed as she shook my shoulders, demanding an explanation.

I sighed and look at Maddie in the eyes. And I regretted it because all the memories flooded my mind...

Madeleine Wilhern is my first real girlfriend. The first girl I ever took seriously.

But she was also the first girl who took me for granted and broke my heart by going to London without saying a word. And rumors has it, without 'officially' breaking p with me, she had been dating guys over there.

she's the one who ended it between us. Why does she have to return now? Now that I'm perfectly happy in the company of one girl I barely know.

"Nathaniel." I heard Athena says.

I know she is perfectly confused on what is happening right now since she doesn't have an idea about who is Maddie in my life.

"Oh shut up, dammit." Maddie told her.

Alex kept quiet though. And I really don't know what to say...

or what to do...

or what to think...

Maddie is here for good. Or is it for bad? Should I be happy or angry or just nothing? What about Athena?!

I heard two girls' voices fighting in front of me. I sighed. I know what to do.

And forgive me... Athena..

Athena Vanderbilt POV

"I am his girlfriend, you dimwitted girl!" I muttered.

This argument is a complete nonsense. I'm arguing with a girl for a guy's heart.

No, scratch that. I'm arguing with a girl because it is my duty to be with the guy? Well It's much better than the last.

And I'm pretty sure this is inflating Nate's ego. 

Seriously, half of my head is wondering why am I fighting with a girl I barely know for a guy that annoys the hell out of me.

My life is so messed up.

"Oh shut up b*tch!" she bellowed and some passerbys stared at her.

(A/N: sorry for the language. But this is just Maddie's character.)

B*tch?!!?!??!?!!? She called me....a WHAT?!?!?!?!

I ignored the gawking passerbys. I'll have a go at someone who calls me something I'm not!!! I've never been insulted that much!

"Pardon? Are you talking about yourself?" I said.

Way too lame for a retaliation.

I can tell by the look on her face that she's totally pissed off right now. Maybe even angry. I don't care.

Then someone cupped his hands around my face and kissed me on the mouth. His lips were soft against mine. It was a brief moment but it changed everything. My body went rigid with shock.

And my knees felt like turning jelly.

and...

Maddie fell silent.

My eyes were wide with shock and my heart felt like leaping out of my rib cage.

I pushed him away and I ran away as fast as I could.

HOW DARE YOU TAKE AWAY MY FIRST KISS, NATHANIEL VAN WARNER?!