COLD EMOTIONS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

The door bell rang at the wrong time. She had only just nodded off barely seconds after putting Nana to sleep.Her sleep was interrupted by only God knows who was at the door at such an hour. It was 6:15, not too late or early either to have someone ring the door bell so rashly,especially when it's festive.

Athena carefully released Nana's head on a pillow. She adjusted her skirt and went out of the room. The stairs were short, normal sized for a Mini-bungalow where she lived and resided therein, but today it seemed unusually endless,having walked down with a clouded eye.The sleep was just too good to be interrupted.The mysterious guest just had to be pleasant as well. Else!!. She swiftly adjusted the flowery Italian calico she wore. On getting to the door she made a quick wipe of her face,inhaled a deep breath and pulled the door open.

It was Cole. 

Cole Davidson.....standing straight up like a designed Christmas present sent to surprise her. He wore a bright smile which didn't look very good on him.

Seeing as it was Cole, Athena allowed him and watched him slam the door behind him.

Cole wasn't expecting her to not be surprised since not come unannounced on a festive Sunday evening.

''Do you perharps want to spurn me now'' Cole said, pulling off his muddy cold boots at the entrance.

Athena threw a skeptical gaze at him.

''what's the use now'''You're quite late. Nana fell asleep already'' Athena added indifferently.

Cole, a bit taken aback. He had promised Nana a full-time Easter Sunday of fun with three, just them. Nana loved the idea. After all, she really liked Cole,who in turn was very fond of her.

 Athena could't disregard the fact that Cole was very dear to Nana..but she knew and was darn sure that Nana was trying to set her up with Cole, an idea she didn't like. Cole was her friend, is still her friend. But Nana would not accept that, she is way too optimistic about Cole and thinks of him as her son-in-law that not even Athena's clamouring,complaints or even the highest order of justification could bring down Nana's adamance.

''Was she upset? Good I did try my possible best to make it to see her today, but the pressure was so intense I could't compromise and''

'' And it's all okay'' Athena interrupts''I could guess why you didn't come, so I made up for you,just do better next time and keep your promises..Nana doesn't like promises broken''Also you don't have to worry about Nana too much, she has her Grandaughter with her'' Athena said frankly.

''I didn't mean it that way'' Cole replied in an apologetic tone. Athena looked at him and gave a whiskey smile. ''I brought food on the thought that you hadn't had dinner yet'' he informed. Athena's eyes darted to the fancy plastic bag he was carefully dropping on the table.

''I appreciate that you care,but Nana is filled. She had an Easter feast with her friends not too long ago, which spared me making arrangements for dinner. She's fine''

''And you??? Have you eaten yet''

''I would have fixed something''

''That wouldn't do''

Athena gave him the look again, this time extra skeptical. The look was so fierce that he could pull words out of him.She didn't like it..she didn't like him bothering over her..he had come to bring food and see his friend and he were bothn't working. He'd better help him leave at the soonest.Athena resolved.

''you have brought this with pure intentions which, I do very much appreciate'' Athena moved the bag off the table'' I'll keep this safe and will also inform Nana that you are here'' she concluded.

''Don't keep the bags'' Cole unconsciously protested..overwhelmed by his own emotions.

Athena stopped,she turned to him''what do you mean''she asked bluntly.

''Could we have dinner together then,, Cole, with all due courage, managed to spew the words of his true intentions to her''hoping she'd agree with him. He,,,, sees her as a tigress who always has a fire burning deep within her deep ocean blue eyes.He had felt intimidated by her aura many times, so that, when he started liking her, he couldn't tell.He managed to form a casual friendship with her and,, If doubt, he, was sure, he liked her,.if not love' But unfortunately, Athena is so isolated in her own world that she dosen't see care for her in the eyes of others and he has to somehow manage to win her over wit his sincerity and being her friend just worth more than anything. He didn't want to loose his friendship with her, which got him very watchful of his composure around her.

surprisingly, Athena simply smiled softly. She sat down on the couch right opposite him and began unpacking the bag.. Without a hassle, Cole helped out with getting the dishes and the serving ritual..He had bought so much food that he cringed and might complain. Steak, apple pie,pasta,mackerel, caramel custard,salad and pickles.

''you bought so much food, enough to feed the whole neighbourhood'' Athena joked and laughed at her joke'.

Cole melted,smiling in admiration as they dug in.He wanted to tell her how good she looked when she laughed and even ask her which asked the food she liked the most.

In fact, all he wanted was a brief conversation with her.This was the very first time it was just the two of them together.Although they were friends but more like casual friends{if I could call it that}, Nana bonded them with that too, because Nana sees Cole as a good guy. He is the grandson of a friend of hers in Delaware..when Cole had come to Denver to continue the family jewelry business..he had squatted a week at Nana's behest before getting his own space.

Athena was unbothered about his staying...she was so constrained by work that they only bumped into each other by chance despite being in the same corners,under the same roof.He had wondered why and how a lady could be so driven,decisive and business-spirited.

in short he liked her vibe 

And Athena,she didn't have a problem with him. He's well to do, virile,and very very sincere.. but he's everything far from exciting.

 They ate away laconically, both buried in their own thoughts.

A loud scream defiles the silence in the building.

Athena's heart sank deep into her belly and she went numb...her brain slowly processing the swift occurrence. The scream came again.

They both rushed in the same direction.The direction of the noise upstairs.

They bumped over a few things,loud clattering erupted from the air wildly.

Nana was writing in pain helplessly on the floor.. Her breath had become slow and unsteady.

Athena rushed to her in utter dismay ,knelt and shook her subtly.

She had an attack.

Another attack.