Chapter 8: Denial

Athena kept a perfunctory smile on her lips as Zane led her to greet many people. Her arm enclosed in his, she was aware they were passing an image that they were together.

At first, she had wanted to create a chasm, an awareness that it wasn't so, but now she decided to let the impression continue, not in the least ready to make an explanation to her father, who was approaching her now.

Walking arm in arm with him was a middle-aged lady she hadn't seen in her entire life. Did the old man get married again?

Nevertheless, she maintained an aloof countenance when Zane did an introduction; an aloofness, which didn't disappear when her father chuckled drily, before speaking.

"There is no need for an introduction, Mr. Zane. Doctor Athena is my daughter."

It was Zane's turn to chuckle. "Mr Zack, your last name is Moore. I may not be good with remembering names, but I remember yours..."

Mr Zack blushed in happiness, pleased that the almighty Zane remembered his name. This caused him to raise his shoulders in pride; an act which caused Athena to pique an eyebrow. Her father was still the same, after six years.

"You are right, Mr. Zane. Moore is my last name. But Caddels is my late wife's last name. There had been a slight altercation in the family a few years ago, after my wife's death, and my daughter had left. It's no surprise that she had changed her name; however, it would explain why I had been unable to find her."

Unable to find her? Athena held back a bitter chuckle. She hadn't changed her name for the longest time after her exile from the city.

She found the lie amusing, but she said nothing. There was no need for that. She wasn't planning to accept the man back as her father. He wasn't even that, in the truest sense.

So she stayed quiet, waiting for the lifting of the stillness, which transcended past their orbit and infiltrated the spheres of the other party attendees.

"Is this true, Athena?'' Zane broke the ice finally; his voice a template for coldness.

Athena had told him that her parents were dead. Had she lied to him?

"Not at all, Zane. I don't know the old geezer. I'm flattered, however, that he thought me beautiful and valuable enough to claim as his daughter..."

A snide chuckle followed Athena's answer, unsettling her father.

He didn't like the cold aura she was emitting; a material that only got worse, when she shifted her attention from Zane to him, and spoke;

"But it's too bad Mr. Zack. I'm not looking for a father."

on his quest for

I know you are still upset about the little problem that had happened six years ago, but let

Zack

am sorry for my anger, Athena. I'm really sorry, my beloved. You know

her hand casually, as if

attention, old man. But I don't desire it. I am

white face, a sheet of anger and frustration, and turned to Zane, sporting an icy smile on

get out of this space?

in fear, especially as two

your time here is up. Leave now. I won't tolerate anyone disturbing

quality in Zane's voice, one that Athena has heard a few times; dangerous and terrible. Despite his jolly nature, this bristle voice quality, which came up once in a while, was why she thought

father's reaction of terror, it seemed

of the hall with his date. Before he left from

seen it; she knew her father would pay for

And although it scared

about how he would make her father pay. Two seconds later, she

didn't care or shiver either when her eyes met Ewan's at the far end of the hall, not even when he started walking toward her,

the

focus to Zane, who was looking

father? Do you both have a

sighed. There was no way she was escaping this. Lying would only cause more

at his barn by someone. A someone, who he cursed repeatedly before throwing me out of

ruminated on this.

profitable to him." Athena stated casually when Ewan came to stand before them

have you been,

of greeting her ex-husband, when he stepped forward and engulfed

Wow, what

up the reins of conversation. But Athena wasn't fooled. She knew he would continue his drilling about her history when the party was

me to your wedding ceremony, friend. That should be a new low for

her heart. She secretly pinched herself, after the hearty chuckle sent tendrils of

saw Ewan smile. But she would rather be dead than pine for Ewan,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255