Athena's POV

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.

"What is he doing here," I asked to myself. Suddenly I felt myself being pulled towards him as he enclosed me in a tight hug. "Athena," he said again. "It's bee so long," I said as I hugged him back. "Too long. How are you," he said as we pulled away. I was about to respond when Max beat me to it. "You guys know each other," he asked with a frown on his face. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that he was jealous. "Yes we do. I can't believe I'm seeing you again," Adriano said as he looked at me excitedly.

Adriano and me used to go to the same university. We actually bumped into each other at the campus and since then, we became close friends. Adriano was actually doing his final year while I just started university. So when he finished, we lost contacted.

"Well Adriano this is my fiance," Max said as he snaked his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "Fiance," Adriano said in utmost shock. "Since when do you have a fiance," he continued as he didn't look convinced. "That's not important. Besides we have to catch up on a lot of things," I said as I couldn't but smile. "Yes we do. I still can't believe that I'm seeing you after so long Athena. On top of that you look so beautiful," Adriano said quickly while looking deep into my eyes. I felt the arm of Max tighten around my waist but when I looked up at his face, he looked indifferent, maybe it's nothing.

After a few minutes of talking, Max asked me to dance. "Max I don't know how to dance," I whispered as I leaned near his ear. "Just follow my lead Athena," he said. Why is it that everytime he says my name, I get goosebumps? I was about to protest but just by looking at his face, I couldn't help but agree.

Guiding me to the dance floor where there were already a few people dancing, I felt like everyone was staring at us, well it's probably that they are looking at Max because oh my lord, the man look like a freaking God. As we swayed to the rhythm of the soft music, I couldn't help but stare at his face. His beautiful brown orbs were staring straight into mine. His hand on my waist sent a burning sensation through my skin making me drown in his touch. How is it possible that someone, whom I barely know, has so much effect on me? Just by the mere sight of this human being, my body reacts in some weird ways which I can't control. This truly frustrates me.

"Where are you lost little dove," he asked, bringing me out of my thoughts. "Nothing," I said as I looked to the ground. "Hey what's wrong," he said as he held my chin and made me look up into his eyes. "Well everyone is kind of staring at us for the entire time," I said. I wasn't technically lying because that was actually bothering me. "Well they are bound to stare at the beauty in my arms," he said in such a low voice that I almost didn't hear. At that moment, I bet you I looked like a freaking tomato.

We were then disturbed by Adriano who came to call Max. "There is Mr Denvers who is here," he said and Max nodded. "I'll wait for you here," I said as I walked back to the table we were at earlier. Max looked at me with hesitation in his eyes for a second before he nodded. "I'll be quick," Max said as he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. My heart literally skipped a beat as his lips touched my skin. Oh no this is not good.

Sitting at the table, I looked around, catching some men eyeing me up and down. Oh well that's uncomfortable. A few minutes passed when suddenly, I heard the the sound of someone in heels approaching me. Looking up, I saw a beautiful woman coming towards me. As she reached the table, she pulled the chair next to me and sat down. "So you are the new whore of Max," she said as she took in my appearance. What is wrong with her? I was about to talk when she just continued. "Well I already knew he wouldn't be able to do better than me," she said making my anger peek.

"Oh honey I don't care what you say. At least I am the one he comes to at the end of the night," I said surprisingly calmly. "Listen here you little whore, Max is mine and so you better know your place," she said, making me want to slap her so badly. "Well at least I know my place as this rock on my hand keeps reminding me," I said as I showed her the ring on my finger. She looked at me in disbelief. She was about to say something when her gaze was diverted to something behind me.

I was about to turn when I felt strong arms making their way around my waist. Looking back at the crazy woman in front of me, I saw that she was fuming. "I see you have met Megan," he said as he placed a kiss on my cheek. Thankfully, he was holding me as I felt my knees weakening. "Yea we just met. What a lovely woman," I said, glaring at her. "I've gotta go. It was nice seeing you Max," she said before taking off.

"Did she say something bad to you," Max asked as he turned me to face him. We were really close right now, too close if you ask me. My chest was pressed against his. "No. Nothing I can't handle," I said and I swear I saw him smiling but it disappearing quickly. "Oh by the way, we have to meet my parents soon," he said nonchalantly. "Yea sure, when exactly," I asked as I was still in his grip.

He was about to reply when he stopped. "Knight, who do we have here," I heard someone said in a raspy voice. "Smith, well this is my fiance," he said as he allowed me to turn by loosening his arms around me. "Oh so you finally decided to settle down. Well if I would have found you before, I would have done the same," the Smith guy said as he placed a kiss on the back of my hand. "Little dove, this is my cousin Alex," he said as he finally introduced me to him. For a second, I thought that they were business associates due to the formal start of the conversation.

"It's nice to meet you Alex, I'm Athena," I said with a smile. "How did you manage to get such a beautiful lady, Max," Alex said teasingly. "Okay well back off now Alex if you don't want my fist in your face," Max said, making me giggle. It's so funny to look at them fighting because I know they are not being serious. "Anyways I guess I will see you at the family dinners from now on," Alex said and Max nodded. "Are you coming to dinner at my parents' place on the weekends," Max asked and Alex nodded.

At this moment, I felt very comfortable being in Max's arms and talking to his cousin. Every touch of Max makes me feel some type of way that I have never felt before. I know that I am supposed to not feel this way but I can't help it. I barely know him and I'm literally craving for his touch. Remembering the feeling of his lips against my cheek makes me go insane. I can't let myself get hurt. You need to be strong Athena.

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-Love Mokshda