The door slammed shut. There was a noise like a shot that echoed through the great hallway. It was the sound of endings. Not only the end of the conversation, but the end of obedience, of silence, of smallness.
Athena was on the other side, her chest a volcano of all she'd just put behind her. She squeezed her eyes shut, resting her head against the wood. The tension, the sickening pressure of her family's turmoil, and the weight of the ticking clock boiled under her skin.
Calm down. Just breathe.
She repeated them to herself as if they could erase the conversation she had just had with her family.
Roman saw her from where he stood just a few feet away.
Sharp suit. Glass of whiskey in hand. All arrogance and ease, until he saw her. Something about her posture, the way her shoulders stiffened in her perfectly tailored dress, made his cocky smirk soften, just a little.
"Excuse me, man," he said to his friend, already stepping away.
Mike grabbed his elbow. "Seriously? Now?"
"Yes, Mike. There's a damsel in distress over there," Roman said smoothly, adjusting his jacket.
Mike rolled his eyes. "You're unbelievable. This is the third damsel tonight. You know this conversation is important—"
"Five minutes," Roman called over his shoulder, already walking.
The click of his shoes echoed confidently as he approached. Athena took a single step forward and slammed right into him.
"Why don't you watch where you're going?" Athena snapped, her voice like a whip cracking through the air.
Roman didn't smirk right away. He studied her. The way her shoulders were trembling, the silent rage beneath her perfect posture. "Actually, I'm right where I need to be," he said, his voice smooth.
"You look like someone who's been saving herself for too long," he said, voice low. "I figured I'd offer you five minutes off-duty."
Athena blinked. That wasn't what she expected. Still, her jaw tightened, but she said nothing, refusing to waste another breath on him, or any man, for that matter. As far as she was concerned, he was just another suit with a savior complex.
Roman, undeterred, extended a hand toward her with a practiced smile. "My name is—"
"I don't care what your name is!" Athena shot back, cutting him off mid-sentence. "For your information, I do not need saving. Not by you, and certainly not by any other man.
So, excuse me," she added, her tone laced with finality, "Nonsense!"
She turned, brushing past him with the kind of fury that left no room for argument.
But before she could take another step, he gripped her arm not in a forceful way, but it was enough to make her heart skip a beat.
Athena's body froze as she spun back toward him, eyes like a storm brewing. She yanked her arm free like it burned. "Touch me again," she hissed, "and I swear—"
Roman smiled, though the expression was softer now, like he was savoring a challenge. "Why are you so angry?" he asked, his voice almost... teasing. "I was just trying to—"
"To what?" Athena cut in, stepping closer until her small frame was nearly pressed against his chest. She tilted her chin up, meeting his gaze head-on.
"Take control? Offer a shoulder I never asked for? Because you assume I'm too fragile to handle my own life?" Her voice dropped lower, a bite in every word. "Newsflash: I don't need your help!"
She brushed past him once more. "Men are all the same," she muttered, loud enough for him to hear. "Thinking women always need saving. Even waiters now think they need to save me. Pathetic."
Roman stood still, replaying her words. Not the insult, that was easy to shrug off. But the fire. The way her voice cracked, not with weakness, but restraint. She wasn't lashing out because she was fragile. She was building walls fast enough to keep the world from watching her fall apart.
And for the first time in years, Roman wasn't sure if he wanted to seduce this woman... or understand her.
"The billionaire playboy has finally met his match," Mike's voice cut through his thoughts, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I told you there's a woman out there who won't fall for your charm, but I didn't think you'd meet her this soon."
Roman's gaze remained fixed on Athena's back, her figure growing smaller in the distance as she walked away.
"She called me a waiter," he muttered, a mix of disbelief and something darker flickering in his eyes.
Mike blinked. "You? A waiter? Does she know how much your suit costs?"
Roman didn't even acknowledge his friend's words. His attention was entirely consumed by Athena's retreating form. He ran a hand through his hair, jaw tight.
"She looked down on me," he muttered. But there was no heat this time, just curiosity. "Now I get to look down at her... before I tear those walls down."
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going?"
Roman didn't answer. He followed her, his steps quick and determined, his eyes like a predator hunting its prey.
—
Meanwhile, Athena, unaware of the man still trailing her, found her best friend Ivy amidst a small group of people, laughter and conversation filling the air.
"Ivy, come with me," Athena said, her voice a mix of urgency and frustration.
Before Ivy could react, Athena grabbed her hand and yanked her away, practically pulling her into one of the quieter rooms on the ground floor. The door clicked shut behind them, and the chaos of the party felt like a distant echo.
"What's wrong, Athena? Why'd you drag me in here like this?" Ivy asked, her voice soft with concern.
Athena turned to face her, eyes wide with a storm of emotion. "There's a problem, Ivy."
Ivy's face softened. "A problem? Let me guess, your parents rubbished you again?"
Athena paused, biting the edge of her finger as she stood still for a moment, her thoughts running a mile a minute. "We are way past that."
Ivy's brows furrowed. "What's going on, then?"
Athena exhaled sharply, her fingers fidgeting as she walked to the window. "My father threatened to take away my inheritance if I don't get married in 90 days."
"Oh my God, Athena... that's... that's insane."
Athena nodded but didn't look back. "That's not even the worst part."
Ivy's eyes widened. "There's more?"
Athena's voice dropped to a whisper, full of disbelief. "I told him I'm getting married... in seven days."
Ivy's eyes bulged. "What?! You don't even have a boyfriend! Athena, why would you say something like that?"
Outside the room, Roman leaned against the wall, out of sight, as Athena's voice filtered through the cracked door.
"I was upset," Athena said as she collapsed onto the velvet chaise. "We have to make it happen. I don't care how. Even if I have to buy a husband, someone clean-cut, presentable. A man who knows how to charm high society and keep his mouth shut."
Ivy's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Buy a husband?! Are you crazy?"
"Keep it down!" Athena hissed, slapping her hand over Ivy's mouth. " If you think this is a bad idea, then tell me what else I can do. But I have seven days. That's it. Or I'll prove them right."
Ivy's brows furrowed deeper as she stood, hands wringing. "Athena, this is... I don't know if I can help you make this happen in time. What are you going to do? You can't fall in love in seven days."
"I'm not interested in love," Athena said coldly, standing up to face her best friend. "All I need is to prove I can be a woman and be in control. I'll get married, but on my terms."
Ivy paused, looking at her. "We can make it happen. We just need to find discreet matchmakers. I'm sure one of them can make it happen."
"Then, no more talking, Ivy," Athena said. "We need to find Mr. Right... or at least, Mr. Right Now.
Ivy nodded, releasing a long exhale. The two women left the room and joined the party once more.
Roman them go. He smiled to himself.
"Now, I know the plan… I just need to become part of it. Whether she wants me there or not." He stepped forward, eyes gleaming like a predator catching scent.
"No woman rejects me. Not for long. And Athena?" Roman's smile twisted. "She'll be mine, even if I have to play dirty."
He stood alone, quiet. Then he moved with the calm certainty of a man already playing his next move.