Chapter 10: Chapter Nine

Athena

Knowing that I wake up alone without him by my side somehow makes me feel sad, but I remove that thought away. We don't have any serious relationship together, so it shouldn't bother me anyway. I sit up straight, stretching my arms. 

Sleeping on the couch has really hurt my back. When I stand up, I find a note on the kitchen counter. I pick it up before reading it;

It looks like you had a good night's sleep in my arms. Glad you did. Unfortunately, you sleep like the dead, and I couldn't wake you. You really just end up ignoring me and snuggle closer. Not like it matters, anyway. 

Had to leave, football practice.

Meet me at the same building you were dragged if you want to come. 

p.s; The sexiest man alive I roll my eyes when I see the end. He needs to be hit on the head so that he could realize that he's not the sexiest man alive. I put the note back down before walking more in-depth into the kitchen and prepare myself a bowl of cereal. I press the home button on my phone, and the time shows exactly 

11.36 am.

He must still be in practice. Should I go, or should I just ignore the note and act like I didn't receive it? I take a spoonful of my cereal as I think about whether I should go or not.  

I am walking toward the building as I see my reflection in the mirror. I am wearing a white long-sleeved shirt which ends right on my stomach and pair up with a washed-out high waisted ripped jeans. And before I went out, I tie my hair up into a messy high bun and take my pair of beige flats with a beige colored handbag. 

I enter the building, and right after I enter, I can see the field. The glass windows are setting the field and the lobby apart. I can see Alex tugging at his shirt as he talks to one of his teammates. I find myself smiling that I never really notice him until now. I used to join my dad to watch football, and it's obvious that we watched a few matches that involve Alex, but I never noticed him or remembered his name.

I make my way toward the field entrance, and I am now sitting on the bleachers watching him from afar. He hasn't seen me yet, and I want to keep it that way until he finishes practice. I find that one of his teammates has already seen me, but they just can't really determine who I am. From afar, it's quite hard to see my features. 

When one of Alex's teammates scored a goal, he starts to talk to Alex, and Alex just nods. I find Alex walking toward the bleachers, but he really hasn't noticed me. He keeps on walking until he reaches his bottle of water, and he takes large gulps of it. He looks around before our eyes meet. Alex seems surprised because his eyes widen, and he put the bottle down immediately.

I smile unknowingly—seeing his expression—so I look down, avoiding any more eye contact. 

But when I look down at him again, he gestures me to come down. I take my handbag before slowly walking down the bleachers. Each step leads me closer toward him. He seems impatient when he keeps on tapping onto the railing. One last step, we are close enough.

''You came.'' He says, and I can still smell his vanilla cologne even though he has been sweating. I find him attractive when he's sweating, which is weird; I never put much interest in guys who sweat.

''Yeah, don't really have anything to do.'' I shrug, and I can see one of his teammates calling out for him, ''Alex.'' I say, and Alex looks at me with a frown before pointing at his teammate with my lips. He turns around, facing his teammate. 

Alex turns back, facing me, ''Look, I'll just finish this, and we could go out or something.'' 

I nod at him, and he walks toward his teammate. They both talk about something, and I can see Alex glancing at me. His brown hair is a bit messy and wet from the sweat. 

Okay, let's be honest, a footballer's butt is the best part. 

I cup my cheeks as I continue to watch him play. Once in a while, I can see him looking toward my direction, but I don't give him any expression. I just stare unknowingly at the goalkeeper, the sky, the ball, or even the grass. 

''Athena.'' I hear someone calls out for me, and I turn to find Simon standing a few meters away.

''Oh, Simon.'' I sit up straight.

''Everything going on well with Alex?'' From the way he looks at me, I know he just wants everything to go well with Alex and me because if things don't, then he might blackmail me with the freaking agreement again. 

I clear my throat as I look up at Alex, who is now making a goal. He turns to look at me immediately, and I can see him frowning when he sees Simon.

''Yeah, everything is fine,'' I replied carelessly.

''Good.'' Then he starts to walk away from the field, heading toward the other direction. Good thing that he's out of my sight now, or I might end up throwing my flats at him. 

After about ten minutes, Alex walks back toward me with his other teammates. They laugh about something, and I start to feel uncomfortable because they are all walking in the same direction. Luckily enough, some walk down toward the locker room. 

Alex touches my hand unknowingly, and I can feel something, but I immediately shake my head from thinking nonsense. He is still talking with one of his teammates before looking at me, ''What did Simon say?'' He asks.

''He just asks if things are well between you and me,'' I reply.

He nods. Some of his teammates look in our direction, and an unknown man walks toward Alex, ''Alex, you free after this?''

Alex let go of my hand to hold onto the railing, ''Why?'' 

''We're going out, and if you are not doing anything with your fiancèe, then we thought you might want to come with us.'' He smiles a bit at me, and I smile back. It was more like a friendly smile and sort of like he's asking for my permission. Alex looks at me before turning back to look at his friend.

I just hope that Alex says no or something because I came all the way, and he can't just leave me alone. But then again, it doesn't matter.

Before he could answer, I take my bag, and Alex looks at me confusingly, ''Where are you going?'' He asks, his voice a bit deeper than before. 

''I—um, I'm going to—'' 

He cuts me off as he turns to look at his friend, ''Actually, no. We have dinner with Athena's parents.'' Alex says. 

I didn't even remember about that? Guess he does. Wouldn't really think he would remember because it's not something important or whatsoever. 

The guy nods knowingly, ''Okay, nice seeing you, Athena.'' And he starts to walk away with the others.

Alex picks up his bottle as he takes another gulp. I think to break the silence, questions need to be provided, ''How come you guys train in New York?'' I raise an eyebrow at him.

''What do you mean?'' He raises an eyebrow back at me. 

''Well... aren't you guys from Spain, so why do you train in America?'' It was the most stupid question at the moment, but I don't seem to care. 

Alex chuckles lightly, ''Not all of us live in Spain, Athena. Those who live in Spain train in Spain. Those who live in New York train in New York. Those who live in other places train there. It goes on. We only meet up whenever we have a big tournament coming up.'' He shrugs as he picks up his bottle and gives me his hand. I look at his hand for a while before taking it, and we start to walk toward the lobby, ''Simple as that, don't really stuff your mind with something so complicated.'' He continues.

I end up frowning before laughing, ''I think. I didn't really think you would remember that my mom invited us for dinner.'' 

''It's hard to forget.'' He shrugs before putting his bottle down, ''I'm going to take a quick shower and change. You wait here; I'll be back in a few, okay?'' 

''Okay.'' And he starts to walk away toward the locker room. I sit down on one of the sofas as I stare at his water bottle. It's almost empty now. I look around to find people walking in and out. Some of Alex's teammates have already walked out. 

There isn't anything to do so I end up staring at my own feet. 

It feels like hours, but it has only been ten minutes. I hear footsteps coming closer, and I look up to see Alex walking toward me. He is just wearing a plain white shirt that shows off his biceps nicely and dark jeans. 

''Okay, let's go.'' He says, and I stand up as I follow him out of the building. He parks his car near the entrance, and it took me a while to even notice his car is just right there. 

Alex and I are both standing in front of my parents. I turn to face him and see that he has both of his hands in his jeans' pocket, ''What?'' He raises an eyebrow at me before looking at the front door again. We haven't ring the bells yet, ''Don't you think we are a bit earlier?'' 

''We don't really have anywhere else to go; why not come and help my mom prepare dinner?'' I roll my eyes at him before pressing the doorbell. I can hear the bell rings from inside. 

The front door swings open, revealing my mom. Her eyes widen before smiling widely, ''Athena, Alex, you both are here early?'' She questions—opening the door wider.

''We don't really have anything to do. We thought that we could help you prepare dinner.'' I repeat the same sentence.

''Alright, come on in.'' She moves aside, letting us step inside. 

I can smell home right after I step inside. It feels like I haven't come here since forever. I love how they haven't put down my decorations on the mirror near the wall. I smile to myself, knowing that there were a few pictures of me when I was a baby up till I graduate from high school near the TV. 

''Do you guys need anything to drink?'' My mom asks from behind. 

I turn to see Alex shaking his head and smiling at my mom. I sigh, ''No, Mom, we don't need anything.'' And I see Alex sitting on the couch—at my favorite spot—but I just look away to find my mom notice it too. She wiggles her eyebrow at me as she walks toward the kitchen.

''Alright, make yourselves at home.'' She says from afar. 

I look down at Alex, who is eyeing the whole house. I beside him, letting out a deep sigh, ''I hope my mom doesn't show baby pictures of me or when I was a toddler.'' I cringe my nose at that thought. Oh, and yes, did I tell them that they have a picture of me chewing a condom? And I was holding the box too. Bummer.

They find it funny up till now. Sometimes my relatives would tease me for it. 

''Why not?'' Alex raises an eyebrow at me as a smirk appears on his lips. 

''Just...'' I furrow my eyebrows, ''I don't know.'' 

We both end up in silence, and Alex seems like he doesn't mind either. He just leans his head on my shoulder, closing his eyes. His face looks relaxed, and the way he snuggles closer to me amused me, ''You seem tired?'' I question.

''That's what training does to you.'' He responded without opening his eyes, but he just snuggles closer to me. 

My heart is beating faster from our position, but he doesn't seem affected at all. He just touches my arm before pulling it closer to him. He acts like a kid, and I can't deny the fact that I like it. I look down at him and see that his breathing is slow and steady—his messy hair covering a bit of his forehead. 

I can't help but stare.

Admit it, you kind of like him.

I do not! 

Yes, you do...

You know nothing.

I know since I can feel how nervous you are whenever you are close to him. 

Whatever, shut up.

Haha, you like him.

I end up closing my eyes and exhale deeply. I lean my head next to his, and I keep myself prepared to move away if he moves, but he didn't, so I stay still. I can feel his soft hair touching the side of my cheek. It feels soothingly calming. Without a doubt, I join him into a deep slumber. 

Alex touches my waist, slowly rubbing the side of my stomach as he pulls me closer toward him on his lap. My eyes flashed red at our intimacy, but I can't help but touch his cheeks and caress them. He closes his eyes, enjoying the touch. 

''Alex,'' I mutter under my breath, and he opens his eyes. They were showing something that I can hardly recall. They were showing emotions, different emotions. I love how they never fail to amuse me with awe. 

His index finger moves up to my lips, slowly touching the tips of my lips. I can feel myself shiver, and he seems to notice, but he keeps on playing with my lips. This time, his thumb soothingly rub onto my lips—making them slightly puckering—and I can't help but lean in closer toward him.

Within seconds, his hands move to both of my arms and pull off my cardigan slowly. I am left with the cardigan falling loosely to my waist, leaving me in my tank top. He looks down at my body before putting his head on my stomach, caressing my arms. 

''You're beautiful.'' I hear him whisper. 

I chuckle when he looks up, staring at my lips. I lean in, slightly brushing his lip on the way. He tense, but he remains calm, remains at his spot. I touch his jaw as my lips touch his. He instantly kisses me back—his grip on my waist tighten—I am pushed toward him, we are close enough to feel each other's warmth. 

Alex moves his head deeper into my neck, trailing soft kisses, leaving me to shiver with his touch. His moist lips make me arch my back instantly and giving him better access to my neck. I feel him biting onto my neck, which causes me to moan lightly. His warm breathing calms me down but turns me on at the same time. 

''You're always beautiful.'' He says again, this time throwing my tank top on the floor. 

I see his eyes eyeing every inch of my body, never leaving my chest before slowly touching my stomach. My cheeks burning up as I try to cover myself, but he holds my hands away from my body, smiling at me. His smile makes me weak instantly.

''Don't... you're beautiful,'' Alex whispers into my ear, his lips brushing against my earlobe. 

''But—'' He cuts me off by kissing me passionately. I reply the kiss as I wrap my hands around the nape of his neck—playing with the tips of his hair.

He looks directly into my eyes, and I was determined to look back. When he lays me on my back, and he is hovering on top of me, he caressed the side of my cheek, giving one of his breathtaking smile, ''Athena...'' He calls out my name, his eyes stop at my lips, ''I love—''

The sound of glass shatters into pieces makes me open my eyes widely. I look around the room to find that I am still in the living room. My breathing slows down little by little, and I try to close my eyes again, but...

Wait, why does everything seem sideways? 

I open them again, and when I turn my head to look up, I see Alex's eyes shut. He is still leaning his head to the couch. I can see how red his lips are from here and how they are so tempting. Oh, and I forgot to mention, I am on his lap! 

How did I end up being on his lap? 

Slowly, I try to sit up straight without waking him up. I keep my eye on him all the time to see if I bother him. Lucky enough, he didn't move a bit. He stays in his position, and one of his hands is supporting his head from falling. 

Did he let me sleep on his lap? 

''Sweetie.'' I hear my mom call, and I look up to find my mom staring at both of us, ''Oh, he fell asleep, didn't he?'' She continues, but this time, her voice sounded more like a whisper. 

''Um, yeah.'' I nod as I turn to look at him again. 

''It's okay, let him rest.'' She smiles at me before gesturing me to come to the kitchen with her. I stand up on my feet—my eyes never leaving Alex's figure—I find it funny how he doesn't even move a slight bit from the noise and the movements I made. 

I arrive in the kitchen, and my mom is standing near the kitchen island. She is holding a picture, and I can't see whom it belongs to, ''What's wrong?'' I sit down on one of the chairs. 

''How'd you met him?'' Our eyes meet, and I feel like my heart stops for a while.

''W—why?'' I stutter a bit, but I clear my throat at the end, covering it up.

She shrugs, ''Well... I saw this.'' And she shows me her phone. I look down to find a picture of us kissing in front of the bar on our first time meeting each other, ''I thought you were with Jeremy?'' She continues. 

''Mom...'' I sigh, ''I caught Jeremy cheating,'' 

''That doesn't explain this.'' She points at the article of Alex and me. I know one way or another, she would bring it up when she finds out. Especially that Alex is a famous footballer, she probably searches the internet and finds out lots of things about him. 

''Actually...'' I furrow my eyebrows. What kind of excuse should I use? ''I met him a year back.'' 

''You did?'' She gives me a confused look.

''Yeah, I just... didn't tell you.'' I shrug as I look down at my fingers, playing with the tips of my nails. I can't lie to her face, and I can't really lie. When she finds out that this whole marriage is a scam, I can't bear seeing her face and how hurt she is. 

''So, have you been cheating on Jeremy too?'' 

Her voice sounded a bit concern.

I look up, a bit surprised myself, ''No! Mom, no.'' I shake my head, ''He was just a friend back then. Nothing more. I was serious with Jeremy. He just didn't feel the same toward me. Unfortunately, he has been cheating on me long enough. I caught him three times,'' 

''But you didn't tell me.'' She leans away from the kitchen counter, ''Honey—'' 

''I know, I know. I can always tell you everything, but I just don't want you to worry. It's not a big deal.'' I shrug again before sighing. This time, the sigh end up a bit longer and deeper. 

''Do you still love him?'' She takes a seat, ''Jeremy, I mean.'' 

It didn't even take me a second to reply. I already know the answer, and I won't hesitate, ''No. I used to, but I just can't feel that anymore toward him. He hurt me, you know.'' 

''I know, sweetie.'' She sighs. ''I'm surprised when I found out that you're engaged. Not just that, to a footballer?'' She chuckles a bit, ''This is just news for me, Athena. I just wanted to know if you're okay. Day to day, I feel like I'm losing my daughter, and I don't want that.'' I feel her grabbing my hand slowly, ''You can always tell me everything.''

Not everything.

I smile at her. God, it pains me to lie. 

''Whose picture is that?'' I point at the picture she was holding.

''Oh, this is a picture of your dad and me.'' She shows me, and I look down to see a younger version of my parents. They were both happy, smiling widely at the camera. My dad has his arm around her shoulder, and she has hers on his waist. 

''You both looked happy,'' I mutter under my breath.

"'We still are, you know.'' She laughs, ''I want you to know that marriage isn't easy.'' 

It feels like she knows everything already.

I keep quiet as I let her continue, ''You face everything together. You aim for a better future together. Marriage is supposed to fix each other and make each other happy. I want to make sure that you both love each other for who you are because marrying someone means that you both are happy and want to spend the rest of your lives together. Not the other way around.'' 

''You sound like my counselor.'' I joke, and she just smiles at me.

''I'm serious, Athena.'' 

''I know, mom.'' I sigh again. 

''I can tell that he really cares about you. Just seeing you two makes me remember the old days with your dad and me.'' She starts to sniff, and I rub her hand soothingly, ''I want you to be happy, Athena. I want you always to be happy.'' 

We end up enjoying the silence, and none of us said a word. I keep on looking down at the engagement ring. I can't take my eyes off of it. Mom seems to notice it, and she said how lucky I am to wear such a beautiful engagement ring, but she also said the meaning behind it is what matters most. It doesn't really matter how much it costs or looks like. 

I totally agree.

I guess she would have punched me in the face if she finds out that this marriage is just a part of an agreement and that this would all end in six months? She would definitely bury me for real. 

''Oh, Alex, you're awake.'' I hear my mom says, and I turn around to find Alex, his arm against the wall, a smile forming on his lips. He looks at my mother before looking at me. 

''Um, yeah, I had training before I came here.'' He replies as he sits down beside me, rubbing both of his hands together to produce warmth. 

''I see. Are you still tired? Athena, you should show him the guest room so he could rest.'' My mom says as she stands in front of us, looking at both of us. 

''Oh no no, Mrs. Delaney, I'm fine. I had a great nap.'' Alex chuckles a bit, and it took me a while to realize how sexy his voice sounds right now. I never really get a chance to hear a guy's voice right after they wake up, and now I can't deny the fact that it is truly turning me on. 

I sit up straight, trying to breathe. 

''Alessa, Alex.'' She corrected, and I see Alex nod his head.

''Right, Alessa. But thank you.'' He responds.

How polite. I roll my eyes.

My mom chuckles as she walks toward the living room, ''I'm going to search for a few candles.'' And she is finally out of sight. I sigh as I know that me and Alex are alone in the kitchen.

''You had a great nap?'' I turn to look at him and find him yawn.

He looks back at me confusingly before nodding his head, ''Yeah yeah, did you?'' His eyes are a bit teary from the yawn, and he didn't even bother to blink away the tears. 

I clear my throat; if it involves me sleeping on your lap, then yes, ''Yeah, it was good.'' I mutter quietly.

''What?'' I hear him ask.

''You heard me.'' I narrow my eyes at him.

Alex chuckles lightly, a smile forming, ''I didn't, princess.'' And he went running his fingers through his hair.

Princess? I wanted to ask him why he called me that, but I just remove the thought, and I stare blankly at my feet. I turn around to see that Alex is putting his head on the kitchen island, both of his eyes are closed, and his left hand is supporting his head as a pillow. I smile mentally, seeing him feeling all tired and sleepy. He looks cute.

The front door open.

The sound of the front door open makes me turn my head and see that my dad is already standing there with a paper bag in his hand. I smile to myself before waving at him. He sees me, and he walks toward me immediately, ''Athena.'' He says before pulling me in for a hug. I eye Alex to find that he is already sleeping. He sleeps like the dead, I swear. 

I chuckle as dad lifts my feet off the ground. He smiles at me, and he turns to look at Alex. When he sees Alex, his smile drops immediately and turns into a scowl. 

My eyes widen, ''Um... you okay?'' I ask him. 

''Who's this?'' He points at Alex, and at the same time, my mom walks into the kitchen. Her eyes widen when he sees dad, but she quickly replaces it with a smile.

''Oh, you're home.'' She says as she walks toward me. We three are staring at a sleeping Alex, which sounds funny. 

''Who's this?'' Dad asks again, and this time I can see my mom avoiding our eye contact. 

I shake my head, ''Dad...'' I mutter lightly, ''This is my fiancè, Alex.'' 

His eyes widen immediately, ''Fiancè?!'' He raises his voice, and I can see Alex quickly sit up straight. He looks around, and his eyes end up looking at me, my mom, and my dad. He stands up with wide eyes, not removing eye contact with me. He looks confused, but I am much more confused myself. 

''Um...'' Alex mutter under his breath, and I can hear him let out a few curses.

''Mom...'' I turn to my mother, who is smiling like a sheep. She grins widely at my dad, ''Care to explain?'' I continue.

''Well...'' She rubs dad's arm, ''I forgot to tell him.'' 

And that's, ladies and gentlemen, how I facepalm myself.