According to the Sun (Book 2 of According To Series)

Chapter 4

"Anything for you." His words were soft while they played in my mind, and my cheeks turned red. His gaze was still soft while he looked at me, and I had no idea why I felt so happy when he said that, but I did.

It felt as if he would do whatever it takes to make me happy, even though I didn't really know him, and he didn't really know me. He was doing so much for me that I had no idea how I could repay him and if this was a trap or something.

Apollo cleared his throat and looked away, his cheeks turning red. "Sorry," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, and his muscles bulged under his shirt that my eyes went wide because they were huge. "I didn't mean to say it like that."

I shook my head and cleared my throat before I licked my lips to make sure that my mouth was wet and not as dry from watching him. "It's ok," I said, smiling. I looked away from him and shifted on my feet. "Is... it ok if we get the bags to him so that I can go?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Sure," he said. He gestured to one of them. "Is it ok if I take one?" He raised an eyebrow, and a sly smile appeared on his lips, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was planning. "Unless you want to carry the whole thing."

My cheeks felt like they were turning redder, and I cleared my throat while I looked away. "You can take one if you want," I said. I felt nervous around him, nervous and excited, happy that I was in his presence, and I didn't like that feeling of mixed at all.

"Sure," he said. He grabbed two of my bags, both times his hand touching me, and I felt the same warmth that I felt the first time he shook my hand. "Come on," he said. "You still have to get to wherever you're going, and I have a feeling that it'll take you a while to get there."

My mouth went dry again, and all I did was nod and gestured for him to lead the way to the front desk.

All eyes were on me when Apollo led me to the front desk. Whispers appeared around me, and most of them were about me and how they thought that I was a gold digger, wanting to steal Apollo's money.

I grabbed one of my bags and set my jaw, biting my tongue. Anger filled my body, and it took all of my self-control not to turn towards them and give them a piece of my mind. I was not a gold digger and didn't care about any money that Apollo had.

I worked for my own stuff, and I was going to keep doing my own thing, making myself a living and going far on what I wanted to do. I didn't care what they had to say because all they saw was a girl in jeans and a button down shirt, trying to find a way to survive the city life, and I was going to do it. I was going to make a name for myself with or without their approval.

***

The male at the front desk stood up when Apollo went to him and bowed his head. He smiled, his blue eyes turning green. "Yes, Ma- Mr. Olympian?" he asked, his voice having a slightly Greecian tone to it. "What can I do for you?"

"Can you hold Miss..." He turned to me, and his cheeks turned slightly red. "I never got your last name," he said, sounding apologetic. "What is it again?" He cocked his head and studied me, waiting for me to tell him.

"Estrella," I said, shifting on my feet and feeling nervous underneath the front desk person's gaze. I cleared my throat and looked down, not wanting to meet his gaze any longer. "My name is Dysis Estrella."

"What about a middle name?" Apollo asked. He raised an eyebrow, and I could see that he was super curious as to what my full name was, even though he didn't have to be.

"Dysis Huang Estrella," I replied. I shrugged and stuffed my hands into my pockets, hiding the fact that my hands were shaking. "My Nǎinai, or my grandmother, was the one that chose the name Dysis."

"Interesting," Apollo said, nodding his head, and I could tell that he was interested in the reasoning as to why my name was made up of all three backgrounds. He looked at the front desk person. "Anyway, can you hold Miss Estrella's bag while she goes to find her place of work? She will be staying with me for the near future."

The front desk person nodded. An excited smile appeared on his face, and I had no idea what was going through his mind. "Of course," he said. "I can hold your bags here as long as you need." He cleared his throat. "I am Xander, by the way. It is nice to meet you, Miss Estrella." He held out his hand for me to shake, and I offered him a hesitant smile while I shook his hand.

"It's nice to meet you, too," I said. I shifted on my feet, feeling nervous about how long he was holding my hand. Slowly, I took my hand out of his and placed it behind my back and bag, letting my other hand meet it.

Xander cleared his throat and licked his lips. The excitement turned to nervousness while he glanced at Apollo before he looked at me. "I will make sure that your bags are safe. If you need any help, just let me know, and I will help you in any way I can."

I nodded. "Are there papers that I need to sign?" I asked, cocking my head. "I know that I'm going to have to sign a lease or whatever."

Xander waved indifferently, and I couldn't help but feel confused, wondering why he didn't give me any paperwork or have me go into an office or anything like that like normal renters had to do. "You can sign that after you are done with what you need to do," he replied. "I will also make sure to have a key ready for you to enter Mr. Olympian's apartment."

I nodded, feeling relieved. "Yes, Sir," I said. "Thank you."

Xander smiled and nodded. "My pleasure," he said. He cleared his throat. "Now, let us get those bags back here so that you can get going. I will see you when you get back."

I nodded again. "Of course," I replied. "Thank you."