All Chapters of Mine to Lose: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Athena's POVWhen I get home, the first thing I do is hang the painting Cassian sent me in my bedroom. I step back to admire it, then take a photo of the artwork now displayed on my wall. Adding a brief message with my home address and a “For Next Time” note, I send it to Cassian.I watch the message show as it’s delivered and then shows read in a matter of seconds. I then see that he’s typing, and I wait for his reply, but it never comes. Deciding to occupy my brain because at this point, I was obsessing I open my laptop bringing open my Pinterest board.I was raised in a world infused with fashion due to my mother’s status as a fashion icon, I developed a deep passion for style very young. While fashion initially served as a bonding activity with my mother, it soon became a genuine interest of my own. Despite my occasional desire to run away from my mother’s interests being forced down my throat I fell in love with it. Now as hobby I spend much of my time curating the perfect outfit

Athena's POVAround 11 p.m., I sneak out of the house. Everyone had already retired to their bedrooms. Cassian was waiting for me by the beach, just a short distance from my house. He was dressed in all black, as usual, with his dark hair tousled and bright with a hint of the night’s sea breeze. His fingers were streaked with paint, indicating he had been busy creating.As soon as he saw me approaching, his grin widened. In all the times I’d seen him, his happiness was always so genuine and effortless. It was exhilarating to be in the presence of someone so cheerful, and I couldn’t help but wish that his joy remained a constant fixture in his life. The thought of him being unhappy, even for a moment, was devastating to me.“You came,” Cassian says, his smile lighting up his face.“I said I would,” I reply, returning his smile.“What do you want to do?” he asks, the sound of the ocean gently crashing around us.“I don’t know. What do you want to do?” I ask, watching him intently.“With

Athena's POVThe party is shaping up to be a typical affair—elegant but predictably tedious. My mother’s meticulous preparations are evident in every detail.My mother has spent years navigating the treacherous waters of high society, a world where her entry was never guaranteed. My father, despite being from one of the most prestigious families in the States, chose to marry outside of their well-heeled circle. My mother, a Brazilian from São Paulo, was raised in poverty, and at just sixteen, she stepped into the world of modelling to support her family. Her beauty, as my maternal grandmother used to joke, was their ticket out of poverty. She worked incredibly hard to build a life for herself before meeting my father, and I’m immensely proud of her for that.When my father proposed to her, his family was outraged. Not only was she from a poor background, but her career as a model, with her face plastered on billboards and magazine covers—including some with scantily clad poses—was con

Athena's POVMy father is in the office today, so I stop by to have coffee with him while he fills me in on some work projects. As expected, he asks about Josh. I’m puzzled as to why he’s so interested.“He mentioned to Wesley that you two have been hanging out,” Dad says, referring to Josh’s father.“Hanging out?” I ask, then laugh because the idea is absurd.“Isn’t that what you young people say now?” Dad inquires.“Yeah, Dad. Never say ‘hanging out’ again,” I reply, and he smiles.“Noted, my love. But my point is, it’s good if you and Josh are hanging out,” Dad continues.My mouth drops open in shock. Was he suggesting that Josh and I should date? The thought makes me shudder.“I’m going back to my office,” I say quickly.“Okay,” he responds. “We leave for Belize on Friday.”“Yeah, I’m ready,” I say with a genuine smile, I’m really excited for the trip.When I return to my office, I find a bouquet of flowers sitting on my desk.Is this from Cassian? I think to myself.I call my P.A

Athena's POVOnce I get my emotions in check and stop crying, I text Hailee.Hey Hailee, I need a boyfriend ASAP.Her reply comes back instantly.You’re back from Belize? Let’s get you a boyfriend! she responds with a dancing emoji.I haven’t told her I didn’t go to Belize, so I simply ask if she can come over and give her my home address. I also let the security know she’s on her way.About twenty minutes later, she arrives.“Athena!” she exclaims as I come down the stairs to greet her. “You live here? Oh my god! My whole apartment building would fit in here,” she marvels, and I laugh.“Do you want something? Tea? Coffee? Vodka?” I offer, and she laughs, shaking her head.I ask Kelly, the chef, to make us some Bellinis anyway. We head upstairs to my bedroom, where I fill Hailee in on what happened with my dad and why I need a boyfriend—real or fake—to show him.“I’m so tired of this,” I confess. “I just want to prove to him that I have a life of my own, not just be his pawn.”Hailee