"What?! Let me see that."
Jasmine hands the papers to me and my hopes gradually dwindle with each line I read.
No longer able to keep holding myself up, I sink into the nearest chair and heave a very long sigh. The anger in my spirit is slowly becoming mixed with helplessness and desperation.
"What are we gonna do now?" I whisper. "Where will I get that much money in thirty hours?"
I sense a presence in front of me and look up to find Hunter staring at me with a look of concern. I sit upright immediately. I almost forgot about him.
"Hunter, I…"
"Let me see that, please." He asks softly. So softly, I cannot refuse.
I hand the papers to him and when he's done reading, he looks at me with a frown.
"Can I know what's going on?"
I exchange glances with Jasmine.
"Uh… there's really no need for you to get involved in this, Hunter. I can handle it."
"Whatever the situation is, it looks like it's really weighing you down. Please tell me. I might be able to help you."
I open my mouth to speak but just then, Jasmine jumps off her perch on the table and snaps her fingers.
"Goddess, I'm smart! I just came up with a very wonderful plan."
I blink eagerly at her. "Well, spill."
"So, Hector keeps coming for you because you're still single, right? I mean, if you were in some kind of serious relationship or even married, he wouldn't go this far."
I'm confused as hell but I nod anyways.
"Yeah, I think so. But how does this…"
Jasmine waves a hand in the air, indicating that I shut the fuck up.
"I'm getting there." Her lips twist in a mysterious smile. "Right now, the only way you can get Hector off your back is if you're in a relationship."
She looks at Hunter suggestively and her devious plan suddenly dawns on me. I lean back and shake my head frantically.
"No, Jasmine. You're taking this too far. I can't accept…"
"Hey, Hunter." Jasmine calls, cutting me off once again. "You really want to help us, right?"
Hunter nods, "sure. Anything for Athena."
"Great, great. How do you feel about being Athena's fake boyfriend for a little while? Just until we're able to get her ex off our backs and figure out a solution to our problems."
I shake my head once again. "Jasmine, Hunter has to return to Europe today. He can't possibly…"
"I'll do it." Hunter says quietly, so quietly, I almost believe I'm beginning to imagine things.
"What did you say?" Jasmine asks eagerly.
His eyes clash with mine and darken with determination.
"Just tell me what needs to be done and how I'm supposed to do it. Leave the rest to me. I'm ready to become Athena's fake boyfriend or anything else if it stops some prick from harassing her."
My heart softens. "Oh, Hunter. You really don't have to…"
"So, Hunter," Jasmine cuts in hurriedly, "I'll give you the short version of the story. Hector Kensington is Athena's ex. Unfortunately, he's also the father of her children.
Three years ago, that bastard denied her pregnancy, rejected her and humiliated her before our entire pack. My baby girl and I had to leave that toxic pack and never return.
Now, three whole ass years later, he's back, and he wants Athena and their children to return to him. Crazy, right?"
Hunter nods slowly, his brows knitted in a frown.
"Hold on. When you say Hector Kensington, do you mean The Hector Kensington? CEO of Kensington Group?"
"Yes." Jasmine responds with a snarl. "That Hector."
"Why the hell is he harassing her? He abandoned her, didn't he? What does he want now?"
I lower my head in shame. "Um… I'm actually owing him ten million dollars. And some. It's a very long story."
Hunter's expression changes and I rush to add. "The money was for my company and I do intend to pay him back. I just need more time, but he's not willing to listen to me."
Hunter comes closer, pauses in front of me and takes my hands in his.
"I'll help you, Athena. In fact, the easiest way to make our fake relationship go viral is if the news is carried by the press. I have an invitation to an elite engagement party that's set to hold tomorrow night and I'm required to attend with a plus one.
The bride and groom are both from wealthy families so the press will obviously be there to cover the ceremony. If we're seen together, news will surely fly.
So what do you say, Athena? Will you attend the party with me?"
***
THE NEXT DAY
"Oh. My. Goddess. Chipmunk, you look absolutely gorgeous!!"Jasmine gasps, hopping around me with her hands clasped against her mouth.
"Mommy, you look so pweedy!!" Adara screams.
"Mommy is a fairy. A pweedy fairy!" Adras joins in the eulogy.
My heart is bursting with joy at the looks of pride and admiration in their eyes. My dress is a bit too tight but I ignore it, bend forward and scoop both my babies into my arms.
"Thank you so much, mommy's little angels. I love you so much." I smack kisses on both their cheeks and they burst into happy giggles.
"We love you the most, mommy." They both chorus.
I nearly burst into ugly tears right there.
Probably sensing that emotions are high, Jasmine shoos them out of the room.
"Come on, children, go to aunty Nana now. Give mommy some space to finish getting ready, okay?"
Adara grabs her brother by the arm and pulls him out of the room.
"Okay Jasmine. Bye, mommy!"
"Bye, my babies."
Yesterday, after Hunter left, I spent the entire afternoon at the park with my children.
After playing around for a while, Adara sat beside me and asked why I looked so exhausted lately. In her words;
"Are you tired mommy? Do you want to take a nap? Nana says that naps help to relieve stress. You look stressed, mommy. I hope you're okay."
I scooped her into my arms and held her very tightly to stop myself from crying all over the place.
The truth is that I'm stressed out. I haven't been eating or sleeping properly. If Hector succeeds in taking my company away, how will I feed my children? I hate him.
I hate him so, so much.
"I hope they know that every single thing I'm doing right now is for them." I whisper to Jasmine, trying to blink my tears away.
She wraps her arms around me and pats my back softly.
"Don't you dare start crying now, Chipmunk. I spent hours perfecting that makeup."
A giggle slips past my lips just as my ringtone pierces the air. Jasmine hurries to pick up the phone. After glancing at the screen, she says excitedly.
"It's Hunter. He's here."
My heartbeat accelerates violently as I look at my reflection in the mirror once more. Hunter is an icon in the fashion industry and he deserves only the most beautiful and sophisticated woman by his side, so I spent hours last night designing and styling the perfect dress for tonight's event.
The dress is made from a sheer, sparkly blue fabric. The upper part hugs me tightly, perfectly accentuating every single curve. It widens from the knees downwards and plunges so low at the back, leaving very little to the imagination.
My entire back is bare. My make-up is perfect. My hair is secured high above my head and perfect little tendrils escape to frame my face. The necklace which Hunter gifted me earlier sits perfectly on my neck like the icing on the cake.
I look like a million dollars and I feel like a goddess.
Five minutes later, after I bid my kids goodbye and have them "ooh and aah" at my outfit one last time, Jasmine escorts me outside where Hunter is already waiting beside his sleek Ferrari.
His eyes darken pleasantly when he sees me.
"Athena… you look magnificent."
I can already feel my cheeks heat.
"Thank you, Hunter. You look gorgeous as well."
His tuxedo and bow tie make his already wide shoulders seem broader. His entire outfit screams "fashion icon."
"Please take care of my chipmunk tonight. And I hope you still remember your storyline." Says Jasmine.
"Yup. Hunter and I met at a fashion conference here in New York a year ago. We instantly clicked, started talking and officially became partners three months ago."
Jasmine beams at me. "Wonderful! You're both good to go then."
I give her a long, tight hug as Hunter opens the door for me. He helps to tuck my dress and legs inside the car like the perfect gentleman that he is.
Minutes later, we're speeding down the freeway.
The engagement ceremony is being hosted at the Golden Gates Hotels, one of the most luxurious hotels in New York City. Judging from the long line of expensive cars waiting in line to get in, it's clear that the entire hotel was booked for the ceremony and only the rich and high class were invited.
We finally manage to make our way past the entrance doors. By this time, my fingers are already trembling.
Startled, I almost jump when Hunter takes my hand in his. I fix him with a shocked stare.
"We're a couple, remember? We have to hold hands."
I shake my head to clear the cobwebs in my mind.
"Of course. I'm sorry."
Another hostess confirms Hunter's name and his invitation card. Finally, we're let into the hall.
I barely start marveling at the opulent decorations when a very familiar female voice calls my name.
"Athena. Is that really you?"
Hunter and I turn around at the same time… and I blink in shock when I see Zara standing a few feet away from us.
Her lips lift in a wide, fake smile.
"It's really you. Unbelievable!"
When I don't smile back or even react to her fake enthusiasm, Hunter nudges me gently.
"Hey, Athena. Are you okay? Do you know her?"
I snap out of my daze and mutter through gritted teeth.
"Unfortunately, I do. Her name is Zara. She's my cousin."
She's the woman who agreed to get married to her cousin's boyfriend even after knowing I was pregnant for him.
She's the woman whom Hector chose over me.
To my absolute displeasure, she comes closer and leans in for a hug. I do not bother pretending like I'm happy to see her. I cringe away from her hug and she quickly steps back, letting out a little laugh of embarrassment.
"Oh, Athena. Don't be like this. Are you still angry that Hector chose to be with me? That was three years ago and besides, we were teenagers. Forget about it already."
My blood is already boiling at this point. I open my mouth to respond but just then, my worst nightmare appears from nowhere.
I hear his voice before I even see his face.
"Zara! I've been looking everywhere for you…"
His voice trails off when he finally notices me.
Hector Kensington.