MATTIA
"And then he left and that's the last I ever heard from him"
I watched Athena frown as she looked out of the window. She hadn't broken eye contact until now. I'd told her the story about how I had to grow up faster than most kids because of my Dad. She'd been politely quiet and listened the whole way through.
"I'm sorry" she said, looking back at me "I know we've only known each other for 2 hours but I already know you're going to be special"
I smiled at her, watching her redo her hair as she looked around the room.
"What makes you think that?" I asked, intrigued to know more about her perspective of me.
"Your manner, the way you carry yourself, the way you speak so highly of your Mother and regard her as the most important woman in your life, it's rare"
"Rare? That I care about my only family?" I asked. She scoffed, shaking her head and sitting back.
"Trust me, wait till you meet my family"
I sat back, studying her carefully as I tried to figure out what she meant. But as she opened her mouth to say something, the door flew open, a woman walking in. She didn't look too pleased and something told me I'd no longer be waiting to see what Athena was talking about.
"Didn't I tell you to be at the shoot?" she demanded, looking over at me "who the hell are you?"
"The man who you're paying to protect me" she said blankly. She didn't even let a second pass, I hadn't even had a chance to speak.
"Don't use that tone with me, Athena"
"Mom I'm 20 years old" she argued, standing up. I stood up too, it would've been awkward to sit during a family crisis. I'd never see one, my mom and I had learned to live in a perfect harmony.
"Go to the shoot"
"But Mattia-"
"I'll be fine" I said quickly "once I'm done up here then I can meet you there?"
"Fine" she sighed, picking up her purse and leaving the room before another word could be said. I felt my palms turning sweaty as her Mother looked at me. She had a strange look. It was intimidating but at the same time laughable. More laughable.
"So, who do I need to meet?" I asked. She rolled her eyes, turning to walk out the room. I followed her, confused over the unnecessary attitude.
"You'll be meeting Athena's Father, you refer to him as 'Sir' nothing else" she said. I nodded as we entered a huge living area. My eyes wandered around the room but I snapped back to reality. I'd learned my lesson already.
"Mattia Polibio?"
I nodded at the gentleman who was sitting on a black couch. As expected, there was a chair opposite him for me. He was wearing a white floral shirt with white jeans. It screamed rich and privileged.
"Thank you for this opportunity, Sir"
I held out my hand for him to shake but he looked at it and then looked away. Embarrassed, I moved my hand back, sitting in the chair.
"There's only three rules I need you to follow" he said. I leaned forward a little in my chair, making sure I got every last detail. The Mother took a seat next to her husband, I assumed she'd have something to say about these rules too.
"There's a serial killer in town, I'm sure you've heard about him by now"
"I have, Sir. Alberto Forz"
"Yes, him" he nodded "he's out for my daughter, she practically lives in the public eye so it appears that she's an easy target, you will change that"
"He's good at manipulation and has been roaming Hollywood. The mans a complete psychopath and he's after celebrities or anyone with high profiles. It's your job to keep Athena well clear of him"
Keep her away from psycho killers. No problem.
"Two, simply keep her safe and out of harms way. If you need to take a bullet for her, take it. Your life is less valuable to me"
Ouch, dickhead. I nodded my head.
"Three, don't fall in love with my daughter"
Oh.
"Understood" I said, sitting up straight in my seat. I watched her Mother look me up and down, her lips curving downwards into an ugly frown.
"They wouldn't look good together anyway" she mumbled. I pressed my lips together, acting as if I didn't her comment. Since that was all that needed to be said, I stood up and walked over to the door, entering the location of Athena's shoot in my phone.
"Sir, your keys"
I looked up to see the valet owner handing me a set of keys. I looked at him, very confused.
"These aren't my keys, I don't own a-"
An engine revving in the distance caught my attention. My head snapped around to see a hot red Lamborghini coming towards us. If the love struck emoji was a person, it was me.
"You don't own a what, Sir?"
I looked over at the valet guy, flicking him off as he laughed at me. Walking over to the car I let my finger trace the hood.
Maybe I'd put up with her parents a little longer.
