CHAPTER 357: WRONG DATE? III

"I think we should head home. Or do you want something else? Maybe a different flavor of ice cream?" Antonio’s heart, as he attempted patience, shook with giddiness while contemplating their next move for the night.

Home had never sounded better.

Unfortunately, Athena didn’t share the same ideas with him. "Yes, I think we should head home. The twins will be expecting me."

For a second, Antonio was confused.

What twins was she talking about? He wondered, before he understood that Athena was making a clear pointer that she wouldn’t be following him home.

That didn’t sit well with him.

"You are not checking out my house tonight?" A sad voice.

A sad tune that rang in Athena’s ears but went unappreciated.

She was an adult, had seen and heard her fair share of lines, and she knew that following a man to his new place to check it out mostly connoted sharing the new bed with him.

She wasn’t even relaxed enough to kiss him fully, not to mention spend a couple of hours with him—maybe under candlelight?(who knows what else he has planned?--talking around topics.

Too bad, she wouldn’t be there to see it.

"No, not tonight. Maybe I will call on you tomorrow afternoon with the kids. Is that okay?" She finally spoke, maintaining an innocent smile.

It wasn’t okay with Antonio, who had been banking on some alone time, but he nodded all the same. "That’s alright. I’m sure they are curious to see my place too. But do we get to have alone time still...?"

A pause. "Athena, you seem to be avoiding me."

Athena licked her lower lip. "Give me time, Antonio. That’s all I request. Not your money, or the publicity... just time. Is that much?"

Yes. "No. I can wait. I’ve been waiting for a long time, after all." He said, grabbing her hands smoothly, rubbing them gently, meeting her smiling gaze tenderly.

What did a couple of months matter? He wondered, winking at her, enjoying hearing her laugh.

She was his now, and forever.

"So, home?" She tried again with flirtatious looks and smiles, appeasing him.

"Of course." Antonio agreed, swearing to steal a kiss at least for the troubles of tonight.

He gentlemanly ushered her from her seat into his arms, smiling at her like the valuable woman she was.

"I love you, Athena. Thanks for being my date tonight."

Athena smiled in response. "It was a pleasure, boyfriend."

This term caused Antonio to blush to his roots. He felt like beating his chest like a gorilla, then grabbing a mic and announcing to the world that he had finally won the game.

And when he passed by Ewan’s table as they left the restaurant, noticing that Athena showed no regard for the table or even threw a greeting to her friends, he fixed them a victory look—knowing they were watching.

And surely, they were watching.

Ewan, already in a sour mood, wouldn’t talk with his fake date for the night—the one Zane had brought from wherever; his friend was responsible for the three women hanging on their arms.

"He’s so full of himself," Sandro started, a frown in place, watching the couple stroll leisurely toward the restaurant’s exit. "To think he hired the paparazzi to record the moment. Damn insensitive!"

Ewan had no words to say, rather fixing his eyes on the departing couple, and on the exit door when he could no longer see them.

He sighed weakly when Zane tapped him on the arm.

"Leave Athena for now, and concentrate on the beauty beside you. Can’t you see she’s curvaceous?"

A drawl, a chuckle.

Sandro slapped him on the back of the head. "I told you to quit that. Besides, do you think Ewan would choose these bimbos..."

"Hey!!" The bimbo on his arm called out, aggrieved at being called a lesser fellow than Doctor Athena—not that she couldn’t see the difference between them.

But she would rather it not be mentioned in her face. It was a full-blown insult.

"Ewan..." Zane drawled. He was mildly drunk, so Ewan paid no attention. He rather got to his feet, ready to leave.

His main reason for coming there had been checked off. There was no need to spend more time here.

Sandro tried to get up after him, while Zane clamored for him, with drawls, to remain and party with the girls.

But Ewan wasn’t having it. "Stay with him, please. The paparazzi are still around. Let’s not give them some news to put on the tabloids—news that wouldn’t please Herbert, nor Zane if he becomes sober, especially when Antonio receives another promotion because of it."

Sandro nodded and settled back into his seat, albeit grudgingly. He eyed Zane badly, but the latter was already drinking from a flute of champagne.

Sandro sighed wearily and reclined into his seat, allowing the lady beside him to drape herself on his arms. She was his usual type, after all.

With curious eyes, he watched as Ewan exited the restaurant and wondered where his friend was heading—to home? Or Athena’s home?

He sighed and accepted the flute of champagne from his date. Ewan would be fine.

Meanwhile, moments later, Antonio stopped in front of the Thorne’s mansion.

"Thanks for tonight, Antonio..." Athena started, turning aside to convey her gratitude, even though most of the night had been uncomfortable.

"You’re welcome, beautiful," he muttered, just before dropping a kiss on her lips.

However, he didn’t pull back or wish her goodnight. Instead, he hovered around her lips, waiting for any signal at all to devour her mouth.

Athena held back a sigh. It seemed her boyfriend forgot things easily. What did he think "giving her space" meant?

Well... she dropped a kiss on his lips, mouth slightly open to receive him; and she did receive his fervent kisses, which distracted her from her thoughts for a while.

But when his hands started roaming around her body, she broke it off with a charming smile.

"I will see you tomorrow, Antonio."

He nodded, eyes still lidded with want, with lust.

He watched as she walked out of the car and into the compound, then started the car and drove away.

Five minutes later, however, he contemplated returning and spending the night in the Thorne’s mansion—he had just seen Ewan’s car driving past him, toward the mansion.

Could the leech just disappear?!