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CHAPTER 3
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2024-08-29 20:27:15Athena's POV
We're in the water it's cold. He has his arms wrapped around me though, I feel so safe with him. He is touching me. I want his fingers everywhere. The space between my legs throbs, I want him touching me there.
"Touch me," I begged him. My fantasy was interrupted by the buzz of my alarm on my bedside table. Another dream about my mystery guy, apparently I have those all the time now. It's been 5 years, why can't I forget about him, I need to forget about him.Having an erotic dream about a mystery guy from 5 years ago was about the stupidest, most embarrassing, and confusing thing that had ever happened to me. But the impression of the dream, the heat and darkness and clutch-and-slide, lingered in the corner of my mind. It was the first time I'd ever been sexually attracted to a man I didn't know. How was that possible? But here I was, lusting after a stranger.
I get up grudgingly to get ready for work."So, what are your plans for this weekend?" Jess my friend asks. We're sitting in coffee shop few blocks away from my dad's office. Well technically my office too now that I'm officially working with him, learning the ropes like my dad says so I can take over someday.
"I don't know really, probably stay in and oversleep." I say with a happy grin. "What? No!" Jess exclaims. "What about Nick? Thought you two should be hot and heavy by now." Jess adds fishing for an update. "We went out for lunch on Monday, I mean it was nice and everything." I say. "But???" Jess asks sensing there's more. "But most especially I missed our friendships, glad to get that back but romantically there wasn't much spark." I explain and she rolls her eyes dramatically. "Who cares about a spark Tee, you're 23 years old. You should be enjoying your life and having meaningless sex." Jess says.She call me Tee, it's like a childhood nickname. "I mean I don't know, I do like Nick. We're also kind of good friends so I kind of don't want to complicate things." I say. Also, our relationship has to be a secret, my dad wouldn't approve. "Do you think Nick is hot?" She asks ignoring everything I just said. "Jess we both know he's gorgeous." I say. "Then the other things don't matter, just have fun and probably some amazing sex with him." Jess says and I grin, I mean she's right. There's no reason I shouldn't be having amazing sex, plus Nick is absolutely gorgeous. "Text him now." Jess adds. "Okay." I say then pull up my phone and text him. So what are we doing tomorrow night? I type then show it to Jess before pressing send and she jumps excitedly making everyone turn to look at us. "Let's get out of here." I say dragging her out with me. "Shoot! I have to join my dad on a meeting with Switzerland, in 20 minutes. I better go before I give him another reason to be more disappointed in me." I add checking the time. "Okay, I'll see you later. Go be a super star at Castell conglomerate corporation." Jess says air kissing my cheeks before grabbing a taxi and heading back home to do more social media influencer stuff.I manage to be on time for the meeting with my father and the Switzerland branch, with my newly personal assistance appointed by my father on my heels each step of the way. I have a theory, that she's here to spy on me for him.
The meeting goes well, mostly corporate tidings and plans for next. I do have a degree on Economics, and a MSc in international economics so I'm not totally clueless on the company. Plus like my dad says it is my legacy since I'm inheriting it and taking over. Like my dad like he took it over from his father and his father took it over from his father before him. The Castellanos have been the sole owners of the Castell Conglomerate dynasty for generations, mostly all male heirs taken over but I’m my father’s only heir and honestly, he’s a feminist so he doesn’t care.I love my father but I don't particularly have a great relationship with him, so I try to be difficult and sometimes I pretend I don't care about the company, but I do.
After the meeting my father asks me to walk with him back to his office. "So how are you liking the company, heard your meeting with media went well, great initiative with the whole approach." My dad says with a smile looking proud.Immediately I got back joining the company I got a huge new title Executive director Development and operations, a huge title with weight on it and of course various qualified candidates have been gunning for it who all think I got the title because its my family's company. Which they are not wrong about, but I also happen to be qualified for the job, I was brought up on the premise of taking over the Castell dynasty and have the education and training for it. So I do feel the hostility from the top management but there's nothing they can do, its my company after all.
"I'm really proud of you Athena." he adds.
"Thanks." I say a smiling back before he ruins my mood almost immediately.
"I mean I always knew you're smart, you just don't apply yourself but you joining me back here is a good thing." He says and I'm ready to leave because I know the next thing is to start with my character assassination, like he always does. Like he can't just praise me for anything, he always has to add something bad about me.
"Uhnm yeah dad, I'm going to go." I start to say but he stops me. "Your mother wanted to know if you can join her for lunch tomorrow?" He asks. "Why? And why can't she just ask me herself?" I say with a frown. "I don't know maybe you should answer her calls, so I don't have to be her messenger." My dad says almost frustrated. "What? She only called me once, and I was going to call her back after work." I say frustratedly. "You know what, just tell her I'm busy tomorrow." I say kissing my dad on the cheeks before turning away to leave. "Athena, please call your mother." He says as I leave. My relationship with my mother is something else, thinking about it hurts so I just avoid and avoid.I walk back to my office getting back to work trying to focus on something other than my overbearing parents.
My phone buzzes and I check to see it's Nick. He replied to my earlier message. He sent:
Taking you out on a date. I smile reading his message and I'm already planning outfits in my head and I don't even know where we're going.
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Athena's POVI'm going on a date with Nick today. You know the excitement of going on a date with a guy you like, all giddy and nervous? Well, I don't feel anything. If anything, I feel like cancelling, why the hell do I feel like I'm torturing myself.Jess is here watching me put on makeup. "Promise me you'll have sex tonight." She says and I roll my eyes at her. "I'm not promising anything." I say. "I don't even know where he's taking me or what we're doing." I add and it's her turn to roll her eyes. "Excuses excuses, at least have fun tonight, Tee." She says. "You used to be fun." She adds and that stings a little, but I don't say anything to her. I pull out a mid thigh skirt and a crop top to wear. Nick had not specified what we're doing so I'm going for a more casual look. When I'm fully dressed I stare myself in the mirror, I look hot, beautiful but my eyes there's something in them that I don't recognize. Maybe sadness or something. I take a deep breath at the same time a
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Mine to Lose CHAPTER 36
Pulling away to think straight. I can’t think straight with his lips on mine. It’s also risky being alone here we could be interrupted. I’d lost myself completely in it, but having Cassian so close, especially his mouth, clouded my judgment. I bridged the distance between us, brushing my lips across his.Cassian didn’t need another invitation. He tore the control over the kiss out of my hands and I let him, too delirious by every stroke of his tongue.His grip on my neck tightened as he deepened our kiss. He tasted like light and darkness, and he could kiss in a way I’d never considered possible. My body tingled from the simple friction of our lips, from the soft caress of his tongue and the taste of him. Soon the tingle turned into a pulsating need and my panties became damp. I was losing control of my body. I snapped back to attention, forcing my mind into stark focus and submitting my body to its command.I reached for his belt and unbuckled it, snatching my mouth away from Cassian
Mine to Lose CHAPTER 35
We walk around the room with my dad and Cassian. They’ve been getting along throughout the party, even during dinner, when Cassian sat beside my dad. I know I should be happy, but instead, I’m irritated—pissed off, even. This isn’t like my dad. He absolutely despises Cassian, so what could have possibly changed in just one day?After dinner, a string quartet plays “Love” by Lana Del Rey, while the room fills with champagne, laughter, and a sense of joy. Everyone seems to be having a great time, but I’m miserable. I haven’t had a single moment alone with Cassian since we arrived, and now it feels like my dad and he are best friends. I glance at Hailee, who’s enjoying herself, chatting with my mother and the model-turned-actress Andrea, who’s a close friend of hers.On the other side of the room, I spot Jess and Josh canoodling together, and it makes me want to throw up—not out of jealousy, but because they’re both horrible people. My eyes drift back to Cassian, and our gazes meet from
Mine to Lose CHAPTER 34
When I wake up the next morning, I’m alone. Cassian is gone, but he left behind a perfect sketch of me sleeping, with a note underneath: "So beautiful. See you later."I smile, feeling giddy with excitement, until reality hits—family dinner tonight, and Cassian will meet everyone together for the first time.Of course, my mother has already called a couple of times, and it’s just past 7 a.m. I call her back, and she answers on the first ring, as if she’s been waiting."Meu amor, good, you’re awake," she says right away. "Do you know what you’re wearing for the party tonight?""Party? Mom, it’s supposed to be just dinner with the family," I respond, confused."Yeah, I know, meu amor, but you got engaged and we haven’t celebrated yet," she replies, as if it's obvious."Mom, you're supposed to be getting to know Cassian, and a party will just be too much. And you're only telling me now that it’s a party? How many people are going to be there?" I ask, frustration creeping into my voice."
Mine to Lose CHAPTER 33
Athena's POVThe week flies by. Cassian is busy preparing for an exhibition at the end of the month in Copenhagen, Denmark—his first one there—so he’s been working tirelessly to ensure everything goes smoothly. Collette, his childhood friend and an art curator, is in charge of selecting and organizing the exhibition. She also sometimes assists with sales, so they’re practically inseparable.I’ve spent the week at the gallery, having lunch with Cassian whenever he could spare the time. When he was too busy, I’d hang out and eat with Hailee, all while feeling Collette’s icy stare burning holes into me. I’ve tried to be friendly—after all, she’s his childhood friend and will always be part of his life, plus they work together—but she doesn’t make it easy.Collette speaks English perfectly well, and she’ll chat with me and others in English. But the moment Cassian is around, she switches to French, deliberately excluding me from their conversations. Even when Cassian tries to bring me in
Mine to Lose CHAPTER 32
Athena's POVStill breathless from the most intense orgasm I have ever had, Cassian and I crashed down on the couch staring into each other’s eyes. "We didn’t use a condom." I blurted out after a bit. "Yesterday too." I added.“I’m sorry.” Cassian says his eyes never leaving mine. “It just got over my head at the moment, I know that’s a stupid excuse but I’m___” he adds but I stop him from finishing."It's okay, I'm on birth control, but we should still be careful," I say, watching him."Yeah, of course," Cassian agrees, nodding."I'm sorry, I just ruined the mood," I say, feeling the shift between us. "I just can't risk not being careful—I can't get pregnant.""What? No, you didn’t ruin anything, Athena," Cassian reassures me. "You can talk to me about anything. You don't want children?" he asks gently, his face soft and non-judgmental."Honestly, I don’t think so. I’m messed up enough as it is—I’d just mess up a child," I say, letting out a nervous laugh. "Do you want kids?" I ask,
Mine to Lose CHAPTER 31
Athena's POVAs soon as my parents leave, I call my grandmother. My dad was right—she's not happy about finding out about Cassian and me through her book club. Apparently, one of her friends, who she despises, showed up waving the newspaper with our picture printed on it. I have to apologize profusely, explaining I had no idea Cassian was going to propose.Like my father, she’s concerned about me being with a Covington, but when I ask her why, she doesn’t give me a clear answer. It’s obvious she knows more about the origin of the family feud, but just like my dad, she refuses to tell me anything.The call ends, but I’m left with even more questions. It reminds me that I need to get back to reading my great-grand aunt Melia’s journal to uncover more about her and Cassian Covington I, and the mysterious past that’s been kept from me.With the conversation weighing on my mind, I decide to tackle some work from home. After wrapping up a few online meetings, I find myself drawn to the jour
Mine to Lose CHAPTER 30
Athena's POVAfter the party, Cassian takes me home. Though I’m tempted to invite him in, I resist. The evening had been intense, and I knew we both needed some space to breathe. I kiss him goodnight and promise to call him tomorrow. As soon as I’m inside, I silence my phone and slip out of my dress, sinking into the soothing, bubble-filled tub. Only then do I glance at my phone and see the dozens of missed calls from my parents.Of course, the news about Cassian and me had reached them.I decide to ignore it for now. That's a problem for tomorrow. Right now, I’m too exhausted to deal with it. I scroll through my messages and spot several from my friends in our group chat, with a picture of Cassian and me at the party. His arm is wrapped around me, and they’re all asking if I got engaged and didn’t tell them.Curiosity gets the best of me, and I follow the link to see that we’ve gone viral on Instagram and Twitter. Several pictures of us are circulating, the captions proclaiming, "Ath
Mine to Lose CHAPTER 29
Athena's POV“Where are we going?” I ask as Cassian leads me upstairs and we continue walking down a long, quiet hall. The faint sound of music from the party downstairs barely reaches us, and I get the sense that we’re not supposed to be up here.“To my room,” he says casually.“Your room? You live here?” I ask, surprised, as he pulls out a key and unlocks the door.“When I was a kid,” he replies, and I feel a rush of excitement at the idea of seeing his childhood bedroom.He notices my smile. “A smile?” Cassian teases. “I’d love a peek into what you’re thinking right now.”I blush harder as we step inside, my mind racing with curiosity. But the room is nothing like what I expected. It’s bland, neutral—like a sterile hotel room, with none of the artistic flair I thought would define his space. I don’t know what I had imagined, but this wasn’t it.“This was your room as a child?” I ask, glancing around at the minimalist decor.Cassian nods, still holding my hand. Then he leads me to a
Mine to Lose CHAPTER 28
Athena's POVI wake up with a splitting headache, but the soft embrace of my Egyptian cotton duvet covers makes it bearable. Turning to my side, I spot Cassian lying on top of the covers, deeply engrossed in his sketchbook. He’s drawing something, his brow furrowed in concentration. Suddenly, I’m acutely aware of myself—my makeup, the clothes I passed out in last night. I peek under the covers and realize I’m no longer in last night’s clothes; instead, I’m wearing a comfortable shirt from my closet. I’m still in my underwear, which means Cassian must have helped me change without taking advantage of me while I was out cold.I shift slightly, and Cassian’s attention shifts to me. He drops the sketchbook, his face lighting up as he sees that I’m awake.“I passed out last night. I’m sorry,” I say, forcing a smile.“You have nothing to apologize for,” he replies, handing me a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water. “Your head must be killing you.”I nod, gratefully taking the aspirin and
