Chapter 90 See Him Again
Byron sat in his car, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly, but his mind was somewhere else entirely. He couldn’t stop thinking about Athena, the way she had spoken to him so coldly earlier. The mention of Heather had stung, even though he had tried to mask it. He hated how she called Heather “Mrs. Crawford,” as if she knew the marriage between him and Heather was nothing more than a business arrangement. Athena could see through him, and that was a problem. But there was more to it—there was the way she pulled away from him, her coldness cutting through him like a knife.
Lola’s disapproving gaze, when she had heard of Athena’s impact on Byron, only fueled his frustration. It wasn’t like things had been easy with Heather, but his mother’s obsession with family status and future legacy had always come first. Now, things were changing. Things were shifting because of Athena, and it was unsettling.
As the taxi pulled up to Evie’s apartment building, Athena stepped out and made her way inside. She was trying to shut down her thoughts, to compartmentalize everything that had happened. Byron was a part of her world now, whether she liked it or not. And it hurt more than she cared to admit.
Evie was already waiting for her, setting the table in the restaurant downstairs, clearly excited for Athena’s return. But Athena couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at her. She had hoped for a peaceful evening, but the weight of everything seemed too much to ignore.
“I thought you wouldn’t come back this quickly,” Evie teased as she cut a piece of steak and added it to Athena’s plate.
Athena smiled weakly. “I haven’t finished the handover yet. It got pushed, and I had to wrap things up. So, here I am.”
Evie raised an eyebrow. “Imbe Group sounds pretty pushy,” she remarked. “But hey, at least it’s the reason you’re living here with me!”
Athena took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “Actually, I need to move out,” she said, her voice flat.
Evie’s knife stopped in mid-air. “What? Why?”
Athena paused for a moment before answering. “I’ll explain later.”
Evie’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Is this about a guy?” she asked, her tone growing more excited. “Are you moving in with someone?”
Athena’s face softened in an almost imperceptible way. “No, it’s not like that,” she replied, trying to brush it off.
Evie let out a relieved sigh. “Thank goodness! I’ve been planning something for you… a surprise. I didn’t want it to get complicated.”
Athena gave her a confused look. “What kind of surprise?”
Evie leaned in closer, her smile widening. “Let’s just say I’ve found the perfect beaux for you!”
Athena blinked. “Beaux? What are you talking about?”
Evie’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “I’ve set up a night for you to meet some very eligible men. Don’t worry, I’ve got everything under control.”
Athena’s laughter was soft, but it was clear she wasn’t sold on the idea. She had enough of complicated relationships and misunderstandings to last her a lifetime. But she allowed Evie to drag her to the bar anyway.
The scene inside the bar was chaotic. The air was thick with music, laughter, and the scent of alcohol. People were dancing, shouting, flirting—all trying to catch someone’s attention. Athena sat quietly in the corner, watching the chaos unfold around her. She wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but she knew it wasn’t here. She felt strangely detached from the whole scene.
“I know these guys,” Evie whispered in her ear, nudging her gently. “They’re all from wealthy families, well-educated, and they’re good people. Pick the one you like, and I’ll make it happen.”
Athena glanced at the men who surrounded them. None of them could hold a candle to Byron. She didn’t want to be reminded of him here, but it was impossible not to. The men here were polished, dressed well, but they didn’t have the same intensity as Byron. They weren’t the ones she wanted.
“Why are you so quiet?” Evie asked, her tone teasing. “These guys are just staring at you, and you’re not saying anything!”
Before Athena could respond, a man walked over to their table. He was tall and well-dressed, his presence commanding attention. His eyes landed on Athena, and for a brief moment, he froze, his expression faltering as if he had just seen a ghost.
“Baxter?” Evie asked, surprised by his hesitation. “What’s the matter? Don’t you know me?” She playfully leaned on Athena’s shoulder, her tone flirtatious and teasing.
Athena’s heart skipped a beat. She turned her head slightly, feeling a wave of familiarity and discomfort wash over her. Baxter. The name struck a chord deep inside her. She hadn’t seen him in years, not since those chaotic days abroad. They hadn’t parted on the best terms, and Athena hadn’t spoken of him since.
The last thing she had expected was for Baxter to show up here, standing before her like some sort of ghost from her past. His face was still as familiar as ever, though his expression was more guarded than she remembered.
Baxter seemed to snap out of his daze and smiled awkwardly. “Evie, it’s been a long time. I didn’t expect to run into you here.” But his eyes, those familiar dark eyes, never left Athena.
Evie didn’t seem to notice the tension. She was too busy trying to smooth over the awkwardness. “Ah, don’t worry about it! Let’s all sit down. Athena, you’ve got to get to know Baxter again, he’s a great guy.”
Athena barely heard her. She was too busy trying to make sense of the situation. Baxter, here, of all places. How had he ended up in this circle?
Her thoughts raced. Was this coincidence, or something more? And why did her heart still ache when she looked at him, even after all this time?