2

ATHENA

It was as though the world had titled on its axis.

I could not catch my breath and he kept his eyes on me as though waiting for me to say something.

But what could one say when a man makes a promise to kill for you.

“I-” I sputtered, clearing my throat slightly.

“We are here” He announced.

He got out of the car and circled round to hold the door open and help me out of it.

The moment was already broken but I could not stop thinking about what he said.

He followed me into the bar.

Did that mean that he meant to meet with me? Or he was merely curious as to what was wrong with me or both.

A waiter greeted us with a smile on her face and so did the receptionist.

“Mr Hall, it has been a long time since you graced us with your presence.” She commented right before turning to me.

The smile dropped from her face.

There was no doubt she used to harbor feelings for Rafael and probably thought me a competition.

“This is Athena and we will be having the special”

The girl smiled again as she turned him and called for the attention of the chef, not acknowledging the introduction that had been made between us

“Such a rude bitch” I commented.

“Let us sit” He said  not responding to my comment.

He chose the end of the room where a single table and two chairs sat. I noticed that some of the people in the bar greeted him but other than that, there was no fawning over him and no overreaction at his presence.

I found it weird seeing as he was a popular billionaire.

“If you want to stand while eating then I will humor you” His cutting voice brought me out of my thoughts.

I slid into the chair he held out, my eyes dark.

“As you know I do not even want to be here with you so pardon me if I am not showing as much enthusiasm as the receptionist.”

He sighed.

“She is someone I used to know… we both attended the same school”

“I did not ask for a break down of your life or that of the people you know so you can spare me the knowledge, Mr Hall” I mimicked, scoffing.

“Then why are you acting like a bitch?”

I scoffed, eyeing him.

“Of course you will think that because I am not groveling at your feet and worshiping the ground you are walking on.”

He leaned forward, his lips turning up in a smile.

“I did not ask you to but it would be nice”

“In your fucking dreams” I snapped.

His smile only grew wider as I said this.

That absolutely beautiful and infuriating smile,

It made my knees weak just by flashing in my direction.

I shook my head.

Athena, you are not weak and the only reason you are reacting this way is because you are pregnant. Your emotions and feelings are very heightened so I do not blame you.

I tried to reassure myself while we waited for food.

“Tell me about yourself” He changed the subject.

“I do not want to” I countered.

“For fuck sake, woman… you do not have to be so difficult all the time, you know and I was merely making conversation”

“If that is the case then tell me about yourself instead” I smirked, folding my arms across my chest.

“Very well” He murmured.

“My name is Rafael Hall as you well know and I was adopted as a boy of fifteen.”

I did not know that, I thought.

“You were an orphan?” I asked, my interest suddenly piqued.

“I was kidnapped when I was twelve and so I have no idea about my family”

What the fuck, I thought.

“Are you messing with me?” My eyes narrowed.

He did not look like he was telling a joke and I felt suddenly sorry for him. He was kidnapped and then what happened? I did not think any story like this was in the media.

“What happened after your kidnap?” I asked

“I do not remember but one day I was in the streets and taken to an orphanage and the next week, I was adopted by some rich family. The last thing I remember is the kidnap” He smiled sadly.

Three years of his life and he could not remember a thing, now that would drive anyone fucking crazy.

“I am sorry” I told him.

“There is nothing to be sorry about” He raised his head, the sadness in his eyes gone.

“Is that why you want this baby so much?”

“That is partly the reason why and the second is I do not believe in abortions. Athena and if I must have a child, it might as well be you.”

“Now, what the hell is that supposed to mean?” I glowered at him.

“You are presentable… your facial features are not bad in any way”

I should feel offended if I wasn’t feeling giddy at his somewhat praise of my beauty.

I tried to feel offended but I could not.

“Facial… presentable?” I scoffed.

I was just about to launch into a detail of myself from high school where boys chased me around but we were interrupted by the arrival of the food.

It was a large meal.

“Thank you, please make sure we are not interrupted” He smiled, putting some dollar bills in the hands of the waiter.

The man’s face lit up like a Christmas tree and he bowed his head as low as he could before dashing off to no doubt fulfil Rafael’s command.

“You sure know how to get them moving” I commented, picking up my spoon.

The meal tasted like heaven and I dug into it with a gusto that surprised me while he watched, picking at his food.

He had something on his mind judging by the way his eyes never left me.

“I do not eat too much on a normal day” I defended.

“I am sure you don’t, Athena” He mocked.

“I really do not” I countered. “I think it is the baby needing more and more from me”

He chuckled at this.

“It doesn’t matter how much you eat… I am very capable of taking care of you and my baby”

I tried not to blush but my cheeks reddened considerably.

Who was this man? I thought.

I wanted to think that since he was holding me against my will minus the contract I had signed, I could have been long gone from here but I wasn’t moving.

He had peaked my interest quite alright and it wasn’t so easily peaked.

I patted a hand to my stomach, rubbing it gently.

I felt it then, a kick.

My face lit up with excitement.

“What is it?” He asked me, his eyes filled with concern.

“I think the baby just kicked” I answered in wonder.

“Really?” He smiled.

I nodded vigorously, patting my stomach lightly again then rubbing it. There it was… another kick.

I reached for his hand instinctively and placed it to my stomach so he could feel the next kick.

It did something to him when he felt it… the facade for a moment stripped away and my skin crawled at the cold and empty look in his eyes.