"When you truly care for someone, their mistakes never change your feelings because it's the mind that gets angry but the heart still cares." -- TheloveBits

Athena's POV

"So this guy keeps you busy."

I jolted dropping my paint brush on the floor when I heard my dad, Ares Niarchos' voice behind me.

"Easy." He hissed as he held my arms to keep me steady. I was in a danger of bumping the table beside me. It would be a disaster if the cans of coloured paint would follow the brush on the floor.

I was not expecting my dad to be home in a Monday afternoon. Normally he was in the office or out of the country doing business. Seeing him down here in the basement was very unusual.

The basement was one of the abandoned areas of this huge house that no one in my family really cared to visit. I had it cleaned and became my working space for the past two years. It was very quiet that I could concentrate very well in working on my paintings with no distractions.

I was always fascinated with arts and paintings since I was a kid. I loved to draw and play with the colors. I could relate on it easily because it was not as complicated as reading and writing words and numbers.

It helped also that I studied a vocational course on the different types of painting techniques and styles after I graduated senior high. It enhanced my knowledge and made me more passionate in the subject of arts and paintings, to the point that I wanted to have my own gallery or a museum.

I did several of my own work already, bringing my ideas on the canvas with a mixture of modernism, abstract and surreal painting techniques-- using oil, watercolor, charcoal, pastel, acrylic, spray, enamel and so on. I wanted to be inventive sometimes that I used sand, pebbles, salt and hot wax. With art, it was limitless. You could use whatever you want and you could paint whatever or whoever you want.

Yeah... whoever you want. You could express your feelings for that person through the canvas. Like what I did at that moment. I could not stop thinking of Carter like my head would explode.

I kept on reminiscing the moments we actually conversed -- his ideas and opinions on a certain topic, his principles and values in life... I found out that he was really a good guy. Too different from the rich narcissistic arrogant guys I knew. And the more I knew him better, the more I was drawn onto him.

I had made too many sketches of Carter last night, the evidence was scattered on the floor. This morning I was so inspired that I woke up at four in the morning and came down here in the basement to make an oil painting of him. Right now I was almost done. I just made some finishing touches to enhance the painting to make him look more real and breathing.

And now, being caught by my dad made me feel very embarrassed.

"Hmm... this guy doesn't look like Zion." He stared at the canvas then forced a smile.

"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in the office." I asked him evading to answer anything about the picture in the canvas.

"I just attended an important meeting then decided to come home." He settled in the armchair and flexed his neck. He looked tired and looked his age of fifty. He needed to dye his gray hair, it was showing above his temple already.

My heart was rendering. I knew from that frown on his face and that sad eyes, something was bothering him.

I wiped my hands and went to sat on the arm of the chair he was sitting. I back hugged his neck and settled my chin above his shoulder.

"Dad..."

"Yeah?"

"What's wrong?"

I felt him heaved a long sigh. "I talked to your mom this morning. She told me."

I knew what he meant. Mom told him that my engagement with Zion was off.

"Are you disappointed?"

He let out a little laugh. "A bit. You uncle Eros and I wished for it... but who we are to deprive both of your happiness."

"Oh dad..." I planted a brief kiss on his cheek. I knew he would understand.

"Your mother and I are here to guide and help you to make a better future. But it's still you who hold the key Athena. You're old enough to make a decision and you yourself know what's best for you." He clasped my hands gently and continued. "The best thing that we could do is to support you."

"Thank you dad."

"I was worried of you. I could not concentrate at the meeting thinking that my girl is heartbroken. I know it's not easy being heartbroken, I've experienced it before with your mom and it felt so awful."

"Don't worry too much, I'm okay. I swear."

"Yeah, it figures." He pointed at the image on the canvas. "But what worries me now is how easily you found a replacement. You're not even in good terms with Carter Monteiro right? You hate each other!"

I rose one eyebrow and laughed at him. "That's what you think, dad."

"Really? Tell me about it." He let out a teasing smile and encouraged me to continue.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent talking about Carter. What I thought of him and my feelings for him. I was so glad that I was able to open up with dad and he gave me some advices on the man's point of view and how to deal with men like Carter.

"Definitely, he likes you. It was pretty hard suppressing his feelings knowing that his cousin was engaged to the girl he likes. That's so awful. His brain was telling him to hate you, but his heart could not lie his real feelings."

"What do you think I should do?"

"At the moment? Nothing. If a man is really in love, he'll do something about it. I know Carter, I saw him grew up. He's the type of guy who doesn't rush things and waits for the right timing. Give it some time, you just broke your engagement. He thought that you're still mending your broken heart."

"Yeah. I wish I could tell him that it was his engagement that really broke my heart." I exhaled heavily.

"Tell him later. He would be relieved once he'd learn that." Dad chuckled. "That's the problem of being in love. Too many broken hearts because of miscommunications." He stood up and gave me a hug.

"Thanks dad, you're the best."

"I love you princess." He kissed my forehead and reassured me. "Don't worry, everything will fall right into places."

***

Three days later, I finished three paintings of Carter already but still haven't heard of him. Until I received a phone call from Carter's sister, Kimberly inviting me to her birthday dinner on Friday night.

"I'm sorry Athena, you have to see Carter. I know how you hate my brother so much for being so mean to you, but don't worry, I'll make sure that he won't come near you, okay? I know how you're feeling right now... we're here for you... blah blah blah..."

I was actually half listening. The thought of seeing Carter sent all the tiny bits of my heart alive.

Carter's POV

That's not fair.

Athena was placed beside Aaron Latsis at the dining table. From the looks of it, Kimberly and Emerald was playing matchmakers to the two.

True to mother's words, she was placed at the end of the thirty two seater table with the younger generation while I was at the other end with the older guests.

Twice I caught eyes with Athena. The first when she arrived. I was on my way to greet her when Emerald stopped me.

"Hey... hey! Where are you going?"

I halted on my track then faced my cousin. "What's wrong in greeting a guest?"

"Not Athena. You'll just ruin the evening Carter. Sit down." She pointed the armchair in the living room.

"Dammit, Emerald. I'm not a dog." I said with gritted teeth.

"Then stop acting like one and behave." She said firmly. "This night is very important for your sister, I'm just helping her, okay? So please cooperate."

"Bitch." I muttered.

"What did you say?" Emerald rose one eyebrow and glared at me angrily.

The second time I held eyes with Athena was when she was in the corner of the living room, standing alone.

I went to the mini bar to get her a drink then walked towards her. I almost got near her when Daniel stopped me.

"Where are you going?" Daniel held my arm tightly.

"Come on, don't tell me you're into this also. I just want to give her a drink."

Daniel looked at the glass of sherry in my hand. "I'll give it to her."

"No...no." I protested but Daniel snatched the drink off my hand.

"Stay away from her brother. This is Kimmy's night. Respect. Make her happy."

"Don't talk about respect, Daniel. You don't even know the meaning of the word."

Daniel roared into laughter, making all the girls turned to him. "I love you brother. Peace!" He shouted and went to Athena. "Hello Athena! You look gorgeous as always. I got you your favorite drink."

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