Athena
As I was working in the bakery, Remi sauntered up to me with a sly grin on her face. "Well, well, well. There's a hot hunk waiting for you outside beside his expensive ride," she said with a playful wiggle of her eyebrows.
I raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, what are you talking about?"
"Do not pretend as if you know nothing about it, there must be something going on. You are getting all these perfect males coming here looking for you, something sounds fishy," She said, "What are you up to?"
I rolled my eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about, and why would anybody come here to--" I trailed off as a thought crossed my mind, sending a rush of anxiety through me.
"So something is going on," Remi said, smirking and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Wait, who is it?" Overhearing the conversation, excited Georgia rushed towards our direction, "Is it the same guy from that day? The sexy one?"
"Well...this one is even sexier and sweet Jesus, his looks....and enchanting blue eyes," Remi threw her hands in the air in excitement, and her comment on the specific and most noticeable detail about him cleared my doubts but then her voice dropped a tone, "And he kinda looks familiar as well. I think I might have seen him before."
Suddenly she seemed like she was buried in deep thoughts.
"Wait, let me check," Georgia shoved her to the side and peered out of the window, training her gaze as far as she could.
"Hey!" Remi somehow balanced herself from falling.
"Holy shit! It's Sebastian Valdez— That rich businessman. An Alpha for god's sake!" Georgia said, in a high-pitched voice, "He's a whole package at once."
"What?!" Remi on the other hand seemed horrified, "Well, no! It's not good— I have heard that he has...committed more than quite a few murders and his father had a notorious reputation for killing people as well."
I found myself inhaling sharply, closing my eyes for a moment to regain my composure. Seemed like not many people in London were actually unaware of the Sebastian Valdez I had come to face once. How could they? He built his name all by himself and it wasn't going to fade that easily. Indeed, he was not someone to be taken lightly.
"Oh really?" Georgia looked back at Remi, seemingly not taking her seriously, "And where did you get this stupid af news from? WillyWonka?"
"Most of the people living in London know about him."
"Well, it's good. Who wouldn't want to know such a handsome man? I bet, even if he is responsible for any murder that is because of his looks— I mean, look at him. He can take anyone's breath away," She seemed to be lost in daydreaming, "I wished I'd that kind of a sexy man in my life and not to forget the fact that he's fucking rich."
"Okay, miss goldie," Remi mumbled under her breath.
"What did you just say?"
"Oh, nothing," She later laughed it off and none of them could get further with this banter as Shelly approached us.
"What's going on, guys?" Her eyes looked between the three of us, but they got fixated on me as she took on my shaky breathing I tried not to let on and hands fidgeting with my apron giving away more than I'd thought it would. She asked me through her gaze 'Are you okay' and I just nodded without actually meaning it.
"Shelly, Sebastian Valdez is out there, looking for Athena," Georgia strode to her and grabbed her hands in excitement, "Can you believe it?"
"Sorry, who is that, again?"
"My god, I can't believe you don't know him! The multi-millionaire, and perhaps a billionaire judging by the way how fast he is growing his business. He's the Alpha who has been dominating the rest of the packs in the United States despite not having any pack of his own."
"Okay, that seems interesting," She remarked, "Now you two, get back to work."
"What?" Remi was the first one to show disbelief.
"Get back to work, honey buns. The cakes are yet to be decorated."
"Shelly, it'd take only a few minutes, let us—"
"Uh-huh, none of that is working. Now go back to work or else, it'll affect your salary."
"God, Shelly. You can be so annoying sometimes." Remi was the first one to stroll back to her workstation and Georgia followed as well.
"Are you okay?" Shelly turned to me, already having an idea of what was actually going on sensing my unease.
"Yeah I am, I guess," I nervously tucked a hair behind my ear, rocking back and forth on my heels, with my eyes focused on the floor.
"You want to go and talk to him?"
"I-I....I don't really...I..."
"It's okay, just go."
Perhaps that was the assurance I needed to make a move because soon as the sentence fell off Shelly's lips, I found myself partially rushing out of the kitchen and heading straight out.
And I saw him standing there across the street, leaning against his car, looking distant as he stared at the sky, maybe trying to find something that did not catch anyone's interest except for his.
Suddenly his body froze, and his eyes trailed to look at me. I saw his lips part ever so slightly as if he was seeing me after years, "Athena..."
Gathering all my courage, I walked towards him and stood next to him. I did not know why I felt no rage as I looked at him, there was a strange ache in the middle of my chest, a longing I did not want to let myself get used to.
"Why are you here?" I asked, despite the fact, every part of me just wanted to keep staring at him till the end of the time.
As I observed him more closely. I couldn't help but notice how his features remained unchanged. Those gorgeous eyes still had the power to captivate me, and his tanned skin was now slightly more sun-kissed, enhancing his rugged appeal. His silky hair still fell over his forehead in a way that made my heart skip a beat, and his chiselled face was just as mesmerizing as ever. The only difference was the scruff that had grown, giving him a more rugged look.
But I could sense a void within him. He appeared to be more alone than I had ever seen him. The emptiness in his eyes was a clear indication that something was missing, and it tugged at my heartstrings.
"I just wanted to see you before I leave," He let out, the way he looked at me made my heart ache.
He was leaving?
Isn't that what I wanted? I wanted him to leave, go away from here and let me live my life the way I had been for the past few months. Then why did this news make me feel restless? Disheartened me?
"Oh," My voice cracked, "Are you done now?"
He looked hurt by my cold response. What did he expect? I'd kiss him goodbye.
Maybe, I would have if I didn't know myself so well. I knew I'd end up holding him for life if our lips collided again if I allowed myself to find peace through the sounds of his steady heartbeats and the comforting warmth he was willing to offer.
"I'd leave tonight," He stepped closer, a melancholic smile spreading on his lips, "I just want to tell you that, I'd always keep waiting for you to come back to me. If by any chance, you ever feel like giving me one last chance....remember the address for home is never going to change. I love you and I'll always love you, even after I die."
He was looking into my eyes, looking at the coldness that'd taken place in them instead of the love that he had once decided to overlook, and the pain in his, twisted around my bones, crushing me and seeking the deepest places where I suppress my love for him.
"If you can ever forgive me...." He stepped close, holding my hands in his, "Will you look back?"
"I don't know," My words trembled, "I just..."
"It's okay. I understand," He flashed me a small smile, and I knew how much struggle it took him to hide his pain beneath it, behind the curve of his lips that once perfectly moulded around mine, "I'll always love you. Not just because you fixed me when I had none to look out for, you embraced me when I was surrounded by the darkness that burned, but because....you deserve to be loved. You deserve the whole world. I can die for you....I wish you could give me the chance to live for you too."
"Sebastian...." A sigh left my mouth on its own, it was rather drenched in care and concern than just sympathy.
"No, it's fine. Trust me it's fine, I am not going to force you," This was when he pulled me incredibly close to him, his hands went around my waist and pulled me close ever so softly, and the sparks erupted giving fuel to the fire set between our bodies, the electrifying feeling passed through both of us.
I looked at him, entranced by his beauty like all the other times and mesmerised by the warmth that suddenly made all my wounds invisible.
"I don't intend to be the same man who once snatched everything from you by force but I know, my repentance is not going to be enough," He took my hand in his and raised it to kiss the back of it, his eyes were glistening with unshed tears, "You are a gem, Athena. Nothing in this world can ever be compared to the chance of being with you, standing beside, and holding you. I wish I had treated you right."
He entangled our fingers, and my hand perfectly fit in his as if it always belonged there. He pressed his forehead against mine, breathing in my scent, holding me so close and tight as if this was the last time he was seeing me. I didn't pull away, nor did I say a word.
I let him, and myself, relish this short-lasting moment of peace and solace none of us ever had before today.
"I love you," He whispered and kissed my forehead, and for the first time, I felt safe. In all these years of my life, this was that one moment when I felt my body collapsing into one collective sigh— Perhaps this was how being safe felt like. But alas! This had to end here.
"Don't hurt yourself, it's not going to bring you anything except for pain. It won't fix a thing." I breathed out, barely keeping it together.
I wanted to pull him in a hug, kiss him on the lips and tell him that it was okay to make mistakes but then again, I didn't know if I could forgive him or myself— We were not right for each other.
"Who told you I am hurting myself?" He asked, calm and quiet.
"It doesn't matter. Just don't do this to yourself, it's not gonna bring me peace knowing that you are punishing yourself in this way."
"Cora told you, didn't she?" He let out a small raspy chuckle, he closed his eyes, nuzzling my nose and a teardrop trailed down his cheek.
"Sebastian..."
"Thank you for everything, Athena. I hope, someday, you'll be able to forgive me and come back home but if not, then...goodbye."
With that, he let go of me and taking one last look at me, he got back inside his car and drove away.
I watched him go, feeling as though a piece of my soul was leaving with him. I knew that our paths might not cross again. I was left alone, with nothing but the memory of our time together to keep my company even if they were terrifying.
I dragged myself back into the bakery, and my exhaustion was evident. Shelly, noticed my distress and approached me with a concerned look.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
I shook my head, feeling the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes. "Not really," I croaked, as I collapsed into her arms, seeking solace.
Without hesitation, Shelly wrapped her arms around me, and her gentle touch gave me a sense of security. "That was..." I couldn't finish my sentence as my voice trailed off, unable to form coherent thoughts.
"I know," she murmured, stroking my hand to comfort me. "You don't have to explain."
I looked up at her with watery eyes, and my voice cracked as I spoke again. "I still love him, Shelly, I still..." My words hung in the air, unfinished, and heavy with emotions.
Abruptly, the chime of the bakery's entrance shattered my reverie and my eyes darted towards the sound, my heart leaping with anticipation that it might be my mate.
But, Alas, as I looked back, I saw that it wasn't him. Instead, it was Aaron.
"We need to talk."