"Thena! Hey doll, where is my son?" Beverly questioned.
"He's a little tied up with work, but he said that he'll come as soon as he's done." I smiled while hugging her. "This casino is beautiful Beverly."
"Thank you, love. Why is he working so late, it's almost midnight." She looked at her watch. "I mean, I just opened a brand new casino and he couldn't come? I blame his father. He made him like this."
I remained silent while taking in the venue. It was breathtaking, a chandelier hung from the ceilings. The bars were embedded with rhinestones. The lounge had velvet seats with mirror floors. I could tell that Beverly designed every detail. It had her touch.
"I have to check on my staff, but if you see Tobi before me, please let me know. VIP is open as well, order any wine you want."
I nodded before Beverly walked away. I took this opportunity to explore the venue. I went upstairs towards the VIP section. The security gave me a slight smile before opening the rope.
"Ms. Solana, a special wine is being chilled on ice for you. Would you like a glass?"
"Yes please." I nodded before walking in.
The VIP lounge was beautiful. Elite members were playing poker while men in tuxedos walked around with finger foods and trays of wine. Everything was white. The floors. The walls, even the ceiling. The couch was white.
I spotted an empty seat before walking towards it.
"Athena Solana."
"Shut up. Asher Jean, I'm a huge fan if you couldn't tell." I nervously chuckled.
"I know, I remember you screaming my name at a club once." He showed off his pearly whites.
"Oh my, that's so embarrassing, let's forget that ever happened." I shook my head.
"Gotcha. I was a bit surprised that I wasn't invited to perform at your fashion show." He sat down on the couch. I did the same while crossing my legs.
"You're so big-time, I didn't think you would be able to, but there's always room," I said while playing with the bracelets on my wrist.
"Sounds like a plan, I'll have my people get in touch with yours." He nodded.
"Ms. Solana, here's your glass. Mr. Jean, would you like a glass of champagne?" The waiter questioned while I grabbed my glass off of the tray. Asher nodded. "Right away."
The waiter walked off.
"I've always thought that you were very beautiful." He started.
"Really?" I questioned while slowly sipping my wine.
A couple of months ago, I would have been over the moon that Asher found me attractive, but my heart was elsewhere. No one could compare to Tobias. Asher was handsome, but Tobias was handsome-er. Tobias was kind and sweet and cared for every little thing.
"Mr. Asher. Your glass."
"Thank you."
Asher and I spent the next hour getting to know each other. We finished our glass before getting up to watch the poker game.
"You ever played?" Asher questioned.
"Never." I shook my head. "You?"
"Eh once. It's not my thing."
"I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"If you thought I was so beautiful, why have never spoken to me before?" I questioned.
"Because I'm a shy guy."
"Oh please." I playfully rolled my eyes.
"I am despite the songs I sing, I'm really shy. I have no game whatsoever." He chuckled while sipping his champagne.
"Chocolate-covered strawberries?" The waiter questioned.
"No thank you."
She nodded before walking away.
"So, Ms. Solana. What's your favorite song of mine?"
"Angel."
"Why?"
"Because it's beautiful. I like music with meaning. Meaning besides sex and how a girl looks. You made it about a girl's personality and the way she thinks."
"Beautifully said." He smiled.
"Thank you."
"How about I take you out some time? We can get to know each other more."
"She's okay." I heard the familiar voice. Tobias wrapped his arm around my waist. "Sorry I'm late, love."
Tobias had pure jealousy on his face. My heart fluttered but it also made me crack up on the inside.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that you two were"
"Engaged." Tobias finished.
"I'll bet out of your hair. I'm still interested in performing, Athena. Catch you later." Asher said before walking away.
"I'm glad you made it from work-"
"You need to stop giving people the impression that you're single. That's how rumors and scandals circulate." Tobias said.
"I'm sorry." I furrowed my eyebrows.
"I need to find my mom." Tobias walked off.
I huffed while shaking my head.
~
The car ride back to the penthouse was silent. I sensed Tobias was angry with me, but I couldn't understand why.
He opened the door and took off his coat.
"I'm sorry. I didn't lead Asher on in a way. We were just chatting."
He remained quiet while taking off his watch.
"I can't believe you're mad."
"I'm not mad."
"I mean you are. You haven't said a word to me all night and your jaw is clenched."
I said while taking off my coat.
"I don't have to talk twenty-four-seven, Athena."
"Oh my God." I shook my head. "Stop acting like nothing is wrong Tobias. You're angry with me so just say it."
"I just told you I wasn't. Stop trying to pull something out of me."
"I'm not but my God, stop shutting down every single time you're annoyed with me." I huffed. "Do you know how angry that makes me?"
"Athena. Seriously?"
"Yes seriously. You're driving me insane. One minute you're kissing me, then you're angry with me, then you're happy with me, then you're elsewhere." I kicked off my heels. "You're confusing the hell out of me."
Tobias remained quiet.
"You don't understand how much you're playing with my feelings." I said.
"That's never my intention."
"So what are your intentions? Because I know that the feelings I share for you aren't one-sided." I plopped my arms down. "Or maybe they are."
"They aren't, Athena."
"Well, that's what it seems like."
"I think about you all day. I think about you before I go to sleep and immediately when I wake up. I thought about you while I was in a relationship with Lauren. You have consumed my brain with endless thoughts of you." He started.
I remained quiet as he stared at me.
"So why don't you act on it. Why didn't you say anything?"
"I don't deserve you, Athena. You deserve someone who can give you the world. Someone who doesn't get angry with you."
"Don't be ridiculous." I shook my head. "You don't understand how much you've crossed my mind. How much I've doubted myself because I felt like I didn't deserve you."
Tobias walked closer with his hands in his pockets. I did the same.
"I know how much you care for me," I mumbled. "I care for you equally as much maybe more."
Tobias remained silent as I stepped closer, filling that gap between us.
"The feelings I have towards you, I've never felt them towards anyone," I admitted. "So everything is new to me and the things you do affect me greatly."
Tobias caressed my face as he continued to stare deep into my eyes.
"Do it. Don't run away this time." I mumbled.
Tobias kissed me. Nice, slow, and passionate. I felt his arms wrap around my waist before pressing close to me. I deepened the kiss moaning in the process.
"You drive me wild." He said in a low and husky voice. He began trailing those same kisses down my neck.
Tobias picked me up before placing me down on the couch. I pulled him closer and kissed him, but he stopped.
"Just lay with me tonight."
"Yeah."
~
"You're smiling too hard today." Kaleb squinted his eyes.
"Just hungry." I shrugged. "Tobias and I admitted our feelings for each other last night. We didn't do the deed which I don't mind."
"I knew it! I knew it!" Kaleb jumped around while doing a happy dance.
I chuckled.
"Wait." Kaleb paused.
"What?"
"Did Tobias ever get the results back for Theo?"