Athena's POV

After an hour or so, we finally returned to Max's house. I'm still shocked that Max dragged me through all these expensive stores and got me tons of clothes. John was following me with all the shopping bags in his hands while Max was walking beside me, with his phone stuck to his ear. "John you know I can carry the bags myself," I told him for what seemed like the tenth time. "I cannot let that happen, Miss Demetrius," he said making me roll my eyes.

"Be ready by 7:30 little dove," he said as we got to my room. After John placed all the shopping bags on my bed. I thanked him as he turned to leave. Picking all the bags, I dropped them in the walk-in closet. Well now surely the closet is going to get filled with all the new clothes Max got me today. I went to my backpack and took out a notebook to note the amount of money I need to return him. "Now I need to get ready," I said to myself as I placed the blue dress on the bed.

After taking a relaxing shower, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror as I took in my appearance. I quickly dried my body with what felt like the softest towel I've ever felt. Okay so I need to try and look good because I am accompanying Max and I have to be up to the expectation people have. Oh no maybe I just shouldn't care about what people think. Well basically I need to look good because Max has a reputation and well I should be on that level. Oh man I am overthinking again.

After moisturizing my entire body, I slipped into the beautiful velvety dress. The dress fit me like a glove and just looking at myself in the mirror, I just felt beautiful. Truly it made me feel comfortable in my own skin. Putting my left leg forward, I stared at the slit in the dress. Going to sit back on my bed, I grabbed the matching heels which again, Max has bought. "Oh well I guess I look nice," I told myself as I smiled in satisfaction. Grabbing my favorite lipstick, I put it on. Well now I'm finally ready. Thank God that my hair looked fine because I don't even know how to style my hair.

Looking at the clock on the wall, I realised that I am very early. I still have thirty minutes before we leave so I might as well just kill some time. I took the heels off and grabbed my sketchbook. I started drawing intertwined hands as I remembered my hands locked in Max's hand earlier. His hand holding mine surely sent shivers down my spine. His hand was way bigger than mine but my hand fit perfectly in his.

Finishing the sketch with a few shadings here and there, I looked at the drawing with a smile. His rough hand holding mine was an image that was currently stuck in my mind. I was suddenly brought out of my thoughts with a knock on the door. Grabbing my heels, I made my way to the door.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw Max standing in front of me dressed every elegantly. Well I'm sure women will be throwing themselves at him. "You look ravishing Athena," he said making me blush uncontrollably. Hearing him just say my name give me some strange and new sensations in my stomach. "Thank you. You look good too," I said in a low voice. I heard him chuckled but that only made me blush even more. Oh man why can't I control that.

As we got to the car, John opened the door for me and Max helped me to get inside. Shortly after, we were on our way to the business party and well for some odd reasons, I was getting a weird feeling that something might go wrong tonight. I'll definitely be out of place in the middle of all these rich people.

As we were submerged in the silence, I couldn't help but stare at Max who was busy looking at his emails on his laptop. Seeing that he was about to look up, I quickly looked away. "Little dove, give me your hand," he said out of no where. I looked at him with a frown. "Come on quick," he said chuckling at my expression. I extended my right hand towards him but he shook my hand and pointed towards my left hand. So I extended my left hand forward. He fished something from his pocket and took out a velvet box, opening it to reveal a gorgeous shimmering ring. He took it out of the box and slipped it in my ring finger. Retreating my hand back, I stared at the rock on my finger. "This is your engagement ring," he said with a small smile looking contented. "But-," I was about to protest but he silenced me by shaking his head. "There is no discussion about that," he said before going back to his laptop.

After about thirty minutes, we finally reached the venue which was flooded with paparazzi. At that moment, I couldn't help but start getting nervous. I felt someone's hand on my shoulder so I looked back and saw Max with a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay," he asked seeming genuinely concerned. I smiled at him and nodded. "Okay then let's get out of this car," he said as John opened the door for us.

As soon as we got out, the paparazzi came surrounding us. The other bodyguards, who I didn't even know were following us, came and backed off the crowd. They were literally screaming all type of question. "Mr Knight is this your new girlfriend... Who is this woman, Mr Knight.... Is she the flavor of the week," they were yelling out as we made our way inside. Thinking at what they were saying, I couldn't help but frown.

As we got to the carpet leading inside, Max let go of my hand and slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "Don't worry I'll be by your side the entire night," Max said as if he read my mind. "Thank you," I said as I gave him a small smile. With that, I felt ready to go inside.

As soon as we entered the room full of sophisticated people, I couldn't help but gulp. Everyone turned to look at us as we walked in. Looking around, I started to hear people murmuring while looking at us. I started to feel uncomfortable with all the eyes on us. Some women were even glaring at me as if they were ready to pounce on me. "Please God I hope this night goes smoothly," I whispered to myself as I felt Max's hand tighten around my waist. Looking a him, I saw him in his very intimidating self.

"Look who finally decided to show up," said an oddly familiar voice. I turned to look who it was but the back of Max was blocking my view. "You came alone," Max said in a teasing way. "Oh well but I won't be leaving alone though," the voice said. "Who is that behind you," the man said and Max turned, giving me access to see who it was. As soon as I saw the face of the person, I gasped. "Adriano," I said in utmost shock. "Athena," he said at the same time.

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