Chapter 8: Chapter Seven

Athena

''The flavor of the cake?'' The baker asks us, and I turn my head to look at Alex, and he does the same. We both stare at the cakes in awe. We really don't know which one. After tasting almost all of the cake, I got confused. There's this red velvet cake, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, cheesecake, rainbow cake.

''Um... would you give us a moment?'' I try to smile at the baker, but he rolls his eyes before walking away. I breathe out, ''Okay, so, which one?'' I turn to Alex.

Alex bites his lower lip as he furrows his eyebrows. Oh my god, what a sight to see! I shake my head, removing the thought, no, no bad thoughts, but I can't stop staring at his now red lips, ''I don't even know, this is all confusing.''

I wanted to give him a high five and hug him for having the same luck, but I hold that back. I turn to look at the cakes, ''Do you want to taste them again?''

''We tested them twice now.'' Alex raises an eyebrow at me before taking a spoon of vanilla cake, ''I don't mind, really. Your decision.''

''I can't decide, god damn it.'' I roll my eyes before eyeing all of the cakes. They all taste good, to be honest.

It was just four days ago that we went for our fitting, and Alex called me this morning to tell me that we're going for a cake tasting. I really couldn't deny it because hello? It's cake! Simon has given him a few days off from training to complete his wedding tasks.

''Well, I can't either!'' He raises his voice a little before cupping both of his cheeks, ''I never thought this would be hard.'' He groans this time before leaning back to his chair.

''It isn't hard. You're making it harder yourself.'' I roll my eyes once more. I can't really describe the feeling right now. I feel annoyed. He can just choose the freaking cake, but he wanted me to choose instead, and when I say I don't know, he would say he doesn't know either. We have been repeating the same conversation for the past thirty minutes!

''We are supposed to choose together.'' Alex points at each cake, ''You can't just leave it all on me.''

''I just did,'' I smirk at him, showing how annoyed I am, ''Come on, just choose a flavor and get this over with. I really am full, and I can't eat anymore.''

Alex ate a few bites of each while I have followed my instinct to take more bites. He says he doesn't want to ruin his own body since he just got back from the gym this morning. Well, I can't blame him. He has a hot smoking body tho.

''Fine, go with vanilla.'' I shrug.

''Are you sure?''

''Yes.''

''Are you really really sure?''

''Yes, I am really, really sure.''

''Okay...'' He nods before asking again, ''Are you sure? Like really?''

My eyes widen in anger before standing up and take a spoonful of vanilla cake. I chew harshly, ''I am hundred percent sure, Alex.'' I say through gritted teeth. I can just bite off his neck right now because I'm utterly pissed!

''Okay, okay.'' He raises both of his hands, ''Vanilla it is.'' And he starts to walk toward the counter to confirm our cake. We had chosen our design, so it's all done. It isn't an overly decorated cake. Well, Alex was the one who chose the design, so I don't really know. I'll just see you in a few days.

We walk out of the bakery, and I sigh at how full I feel right now. I need to work out because this isn't going to work if I gain weight before my so-called—wedding. I look up Alex, ''Where are we going now?'' I ask him. It's quite weird that we don't bump into some reporter for the past two days.

''We have done everything, actually.'' He shrugs as he stands beside me.

''Have we booked and decorate the venue?''

''Check.''

''Invitation cards?''

''Check.''

''How about—''

He cuts me off by showing the list. I see that everything has been checked, and it looks like we are done with everything. I nod my head before giving him back the list. He crumples it up before throwing it inside his pocket.

''So, we're done?'' I question again.

''Yes, Athena. We're done.'' He nods.

''Okay, I'll see you in three days for the wedding.'' I wave at him as I make my way toward the other direction. I feel his warm hands around my waist as he stops me from walking and pull me back slightly, ''What?'' I raise an eyebrow at him.

''Um, never mind.'' He rubs the back of his neck, ''You know, the cake is very small and simple. It's a private wedding after all.''

''Good, I like small cakes.'' I roll my eyes before unlocking his hands around my waist, ''See you on Friday, Alex.'' He just stands in front of me as I wave at him, and he waves back oddly. I turn my body, and I was already making my way toward a cafe Joanna, and I used to hang out when we go for lunch.

Well, I just want to meet Joanna. She has wanted to meet me and discuss her so-called plans. I arrive at the cafe, and I already see her sitting at the corner when I step inside. I walk toward her, and she smiles widely at me, ''How's the preparation going?''

''It's going on well, actually. We are done with everything. Now we just have to wait for our wedding day.'' I say. Joanna takes a sip of her hot chocolate before nodding.

''How about your parents? Do they know about this?''

That hit me like a sledgehammer. Damn it, is it Miley or Thor? I can't make up my mind! I shake my head before cursing under my breath, ''Shit, I totally forgot about that.'' I mutter under my breath.

''What do you mean you forgot?'' She raised an eyebrow at me and gave me a 'what—the—hell—Athena' look.

''They are in London right now. They'll be back tomorrow, I think?'' I gulp.

''I thought they know about this already?'' Joanna leans her head back on the seat, ''You're dead, I'm just saying.''

''Joanna!'' I shout a bit, which causes everyone to look at us. I mutter an apology before looking down at the table and glaring at Joanna, ''You have to help me.'' I furrow my eyebrows.

''Well, I can only give you a suggestion.''

''Fire away.''

''You have to let Alex meet your parents.'' That's when I flip.

My eyes widen at her suggestion, ''No! Joanna, no. I can't.''

''Then I can't help you. You're on your own.'' She crosses her arms after drinking her hot chocolate. 

If my mom finds out that I'm getting married, she is going to kill—and when I say kill, I am not playing around—my dad is also going to kill me, and they are going to bury me at the back of their house. I shiver at that thought. They would assume me getting pregnant. I mean, I have never told them I have a boyfriend and letting them know that I am marrying one of the famous footballers in the world isn't going to make it any better.

''I'm so dead.'' I cup my cheeks as I groan in frustration, ''This isn't working out, Joanna. I need something else, something that doesn't involve Alex.''

''Nope, that's the only suggestion I can give you.'' Joanna denies.

I can't. My mom would sharpen her knife and run to my apartment just to kill me. She might not bury me at the back of her house, and she might leave my body in the apartment instead. Not really a great thing to do, and let Alex find out about that in the news.

''Fine, I'll think what I can do,'' I mutter.

''Good.'' She takes a sip of her drink again.

I keep on cursing under my breath. How can I forget about my parents? Oh yeah, maybe because they have stayed in London for almost three months that I almost forgot about them? Not really. It's just that the last time they called was last month. I have been busy ever since Alex came into my life. Everything seems to be unexpected.

I head straight home after talking with Joanna. I don't really have the mood to talk about the little plan, so I walk straight home instead. She understands, and she said to give her a call in case my parents try to murder me. Well, I replied, saying that she might as well bring her phone everywhere she goes because I can't really confirm the time when my parents will start the murdering.

I step inside my apartment to find Alex lounging on my couch. I almost let out a scream, but I close the door immediately. Alex turns around to look at me before looking at the TV screen again, ''What are you doing here?!'' I shout at him.

He chuckles before shrugging, and he takes his phone from the coffee table.

''This needs to stop.'' I groan in frustration, ''I don't like it when you keep on appearing inside my apartment. You left me ridiculous notes or watched me as I sleep. This isn't funny, Alex. I can't believe you're a psycho.'' I end up breathing heavily.

Alex stands up, putting his phone down as he towers over me, ''I'm not a psycho.'' And he walks toward the kitchen, getting a bottle of cold water in the fridge. He walks to hit the spot, and he takes his phone once more.

''You have your own home, for god's sake.'' I cross my arms, but then something hits me, which causes me to smile. Right, if he thinks he can stay around and lounge, I might as well put on some pranks.

I put down my bag and walk toward the kitchen to take out some eggs and crack them in a bowl before mixing them with a few drops of water. I grin heavily at my invention. I walk back toward the living room, seeing that Alex is busy playing with his phone that he didn't even notice me.

''You know what, you can stay...'' I mutter nicely as I get close to him.

He smiles, but he isn't looking at me, ''Yeah, I'll stay.'' And he keeps on playing with his phone. I take this as a chance from heaven, so I immediately throw the mixture to his face, which goes down to his neck. I can see some hitting his phone.

My eyes widen at his sudden shock. He stops touching his phone as he stands up.

''Athena...'' He says angrily.

I laugh my ass off before I know he is after me. I run toward my room and lock the door behind me. I hear him knocking loudly on the door, which causes me to panic more.

''Shit.'' I curse when I find no place to hide. Well, I might as well get killed by him instead of my mom.

''Athena! Open the door!'' I hear him shout.

I let out a laugh, remembering his expression when I threw the mixture at him. He was speechless and what's funny is that the bowl ends up hitting his head before falling on the ground. God, I clutch my stomach, trying to bear the pain from laughing too much.

''Athena!'' I hear him banging on the door.

My phone suddenly rings, which causes me to check on the Caller ID. 

Mom.

What?! Is she back in New York already? I groan before looking at the door, Alex banging on the door loudly that he might break-in. I glance at my phone. She's going to be pissed if I don't pick up the call, so I press the green button.

''Hello?'' I say.

''Athena!'' I hear Alex shout, which causes me to bite my lower lip if my mom hears that.

''Hello, sweetie.'' My mom replies, and I hear her chuckle, ''I'm back in New York.''

I cross my arm as I nervously stare at the door, ''Oh, really?'' I bite on my lip cautiously.

''Yes, Hun.'' She went silent for a moment, but before she could say anything, a loud bang is heard on the door before everything falls silent. I breathe heavily, ''What was that?'' She asks from the other line.

''Oh, that was um... the cat.'' I furrow my eyebrows, what a stupid excuse! I mentally slap myself.

''The cat?'' I know from the way she asks, she doesn't trust me, ''Athena—''

Her voice got cut off when the door opens slowly, revealing a pissed Alex. He is holding onto the doorknob ever so tightly that he could have broken it. I shiver as his eyes landed on me. My eyes widen.

''Athena?'' I hear my mom calls out from the other line.

''Y—yes.'' I stutter, but my eyes keep on looking at Alex as he walks slowly toward me. His hair and half of his face are covered with the mixture. I can't move. I was supposed to run, but my legs were glued to the floor, and I can't even seem to look away. My heart beating as fast as it can.

''Um, are you okay, sweetie?'' My mom questions.

Alex grabs both of my wrists and pushes me slowly that we both fall on my bed. I groan when my phone falls beside me, clicking the loudspeaker accidentally. I look up to see my phone and try to reach it, but Alex's hand gripped my wrist from moving, and he puts both of my wrists up to my head.

''Athena? Your dad thinks it's good to meet you tomorrow, are you there?'' My mom keeps on speaking, and Alex heard it clearly. A smirk forms on his face before he leans in and breathes in my scent.

Shit. I think I know where this is heading.

He slowly kisses my neck, which causes me to arch my neck up and give him better access. My body somehow obeys him and isn't listening to me. I am shivering under his touch as his body is on top of me. I feel his warmth, which is weird because it feels good.

His moist lips went up to my jawline and slowly moving to my lips. He kisses me softly yet passionately, which causes me to kiss him back. Alex locks my wrist, and he is in the middle of my legs, which is spreading widely to give him space.

Alex bites my lower lip in pleasure, which causes me to moan a bit louder than intended. Shit! My mom surely heard that. I try to push him away, but his kisses move down to my neck and my collarbone. I keep on moaning lightly.

''Athena... what are you doing?'' My mother sounded concerned, yet she didn't end the call.

''A—Alex.'' I stutter as he slowly unbuttons my shirt with his teeth, not unlocking his grip on my wrists. Once he has finish unbuttoning, he kisses the middle of my chest down to my stomach. Oh my god, my body is burning!

''Athena!'' My mom calls out, but I am lost in my world.

I see Alex smirking as he makes me moan once more, this time louder when he bites my neck. He bites more, and I know they are going to leave marks. I close my eyes when I feel him rubbing my thigh soothingly. He had left my wrist, but I can't seem to reach for the phone.

My shirt remains untouched, but the buttons are entirely undone. I am breathing heavily, and I can see that Alex doesn't seem affected at all as he keeps on kissing me. This time, he attacks my lip by kissing me roughly but his rough kiss changes into a soft kiss, leaving pecks behind on my cheeks down to my collarbone again.

When I find that he has stopped, I open my eyes to find him smirking down at me. 

Wait... shit. He had won!

I can feel my neck all sticky from the mixture, but I ignore it as I stare into his eyes.

''This is what you get, Athena. I never lose a game.'' He whispers into my ear before leaning back from my body, and he winks at me. He eyes the phone before smiling and walking out of the room.

My eyes widen, shit shit shit!

I pick the phone from beside, and I quickly put it at my ear, turning off the loudspeaker.

''Mom!'' I say, my hands are still shaking from what had happened.

''Oh my god.'' I hear my mom breathing through the other line, ''Athena? Wh—who was that?''

''What?'' I curse mentally, ''Please tell me you didn't hear anything.''

''Honey, I heard everything!'' She shouts a bit, ''Wait! Who is he?''

That's when I know what Alex did to take revenge. He thought letting my mom hear me moan would make him win. Well, he did win, of course. He won.

''Athena!'' I hear her shout, ''This is not how I raised my daughter!''

''M—mom, I can explain. He's—''

She cuts me off, ''I am coming to your house this instant, young lady! Do not think about kicking the boy out.'' And with that, she hung up. I can't even say anything back. I turn around to find Alex leaning his side against the door, he's all cleaned up now, and his hair is wet.

Alex smiles at me as if he did nothing wrong.

''Looks like someone got into trouble.'' He smirks playfully as he keeps on eyeing me.

I take a pillow before putting it over my face, and I scream as loud as I can. 

Great, now my mom is coming here. Just great.