Chapter 5 Arrival With The Lover

The next morning, Athena, tired of the monotonous routine in the mansion where she spent most of her time alone, decided to invite her friend to share a drink in the living room and chat. While Layla was absorbed in her phone, scrolling her finger across the screen, Athena calmly filed her nails, occasionally glancing at her friend, who seemed more interested in chatting than paying attention. However, Athena finally broke the silence. “Last night, I had an argument with Valentino,” she confided, and Layla immediately looked up. “Again, about that woman named Lirio,” she sighed disinterestedly. “Doesn’t that guy ever get tired?” exclaimed Layla discontentedly. “What’s the problem? It’s just a marriage of convenience; no one is stopping him from keeping that woman with him.” “It’s because his father made a claim, as he didn’t want to give me the place I deserve in this mansion,” Athena yawned, then looked at her friend. "”Do you think I should cancel everything? This is getting a bit boring.” “I already told you, you should talk to your parents. If it were me, I wouldn’t put up with that bitter man; let him stay with his lover and let his factory collapse. After all, it’s not your problem,” she shrugged. Athena smiled broadly, shaking her head, and her friend looked at her with narrowed eyes, recognizing that mischievous laugh as a sign that she was up to something. Although Athena didn’t reveal her plans, Layla chose not to waste time asking questions. At that precise moment, the front door opened, breaking the tranquility of the two young women enjoying their space. Two unwelcome presences made their entrance: Valentino, just back from the company, accompanied by Lirio Moretti, who took his arm with a triumphant smile on her face. “How’s it going with your ‘friend,’ Layla?” Athena suddenly asked, ignoring the newcomers. “You haven’t told me anything since we arrived.” “Oh, about that…” “Apparently, your parents didn’t teach you good manners,” Valentino cut in, interrupting the conversation. “Don’t you see we just arrived?” “And what do you want, for me to kiss your feet or something?” inquired Athena without looking away from her nails. “Do what you have to do and leave us alone. Is that too much to ask?” “You’re still an arrogant, rude person,” her fiancé replied coldly. “Lirio will stay for dinner tonight.” “Perfect,” this time, Athena looked up with a smile on her lips. “I think it’s excellent because it seems that Miss Lirio has quite limited resources to afford the luxury of trying the exquisite dishes prepared in this splendid mansion. My parents taught me to help others.” “Valentino, I think it’s best if I leave…” Lirio murmured in a low tone, slightly squeezing Valentino’s arm as if feeling embarrassed. “No, you’re not going anywhere; this is my mansion,” he declared, wrapping his arm around her as Lirio discreetly smiled. Layla exchanged glances with Athena, who maintained an Impassive expression. “Athena, you better treat Lirio with respect; although you will be my wife, she is the woman I want.” “I know, darling, I know,” she sighed in response. “Isn’t it charming? The lover and the future wife under the same roof and at the same table. I only saw those things in soap operas,” she chuckled maliciously, while her friend felt the urge to unleash all the curses stuck in her throat. “Fine by me, go ahead. I have no problem with that; after all, the lover will only be that, a lover.” “Valentino, my love,” Lirio spoke to him in a sweet and seemingly calm voice, although he looked noticeably displeased. “Why don’t we go to your room? You seem a bit tired; I’ll give you a massage.” “Of course,” he replied, turning to her, took her face in his hands, and kissed her on the lips in front of Athena and Layla. “Come on, I want you to rest too.” And so, Valentino went upstairs, casting a harsh look at Athena before disappearing from her sight. Once they were both gone, Layla put down her phone and stood up, walking towards her friend. She took her arm firmly and looked into her eyes. “We’re getting out of this shit,” she said sternly. “Are you going to tolerate these humiliations from that man? Look at what he just did in front of us: bring his lover here, say she’ll stay for dinner, kiss her in front of his fiancée, and now take her to his room, surely to do who knows what. I can’t let you stay here.” “Don’t make such a big deal out of it,” she broke free from her grip, sighing. “Don’t you know me, Layla? Do you think something like that even tickles me? Let them laugh now; then it will be my turn.” “You really are hopeless, Athena,” her friend ran her fingers through her smooth hair in frustration. “If I were in your place, I would have given them both some poison. Those bastards do it on purpose.” “What can I say? I’m not a complicated woman who wastes her valuable energy on insignificant things like that.” “Hey,” Layla looked at her with interest. “Why don’t we go to the pool?” “What’s that about?” “The weather is nice for sunbathing. You’ve been busy with all the preparations for your wedding and putting up with that idiot, and I’ve been occupied with some work stuff. We deserve to relax,” she suggested, approaching her with a crooked smile. “Plus, show that cockroach that you’re not going to take it.” “Good idea,” Athena smiled conspiratorially. “Let’s go, I need a relaxing massage.” Once the decision was made, both women excitedly climbed the stairs and entered the room in search of their bikinis to enjoy the sun by the pool. Athena opted for a quite revealing two-piece set, just like her friend Layla, who chose a yellow one. Athena, on the other hand, went for a modern and simple red bikini. Both sets had triangle-shaped tops that accentuated their figures, and the high-cut bottoms elegantly and boldly revealed the curve of their hips. Once ready, they wrapped themselves in beach sarongs and headed toward the pool. There, they ordered some refreshing drinks that were placed on tables next to each sunbed. They also requested sunscreen and sunglasses to fully enjoy the day. “Scott, please apply sunscreen to my body,” Athena kindly requested of one of her subordinates present. The man, pleased, prepared to fulfill the order. Athena lay on the sunbed with her back facing up, slightly tilting her head to receive the sun, while Scott rolled up his sleeves to gently apply the cream to her hands and spread it on Athena’s back. She smiled mischievously, while her friend was absorbed in reading a magazine with sunglasses on, enjoying a fruit juice. On the other hand, Athena was aware that, in the distance, through one of the mansion's windows, other eyes were watching her. “Please, spread it all over my back and also on my legs,” she instructed, noticing Valentino standing near the window of his room, watching her as he brought a glass of liquor to his lips. Scott, following Athena’s instructions, began to apply sunscreen all over her body, delicately massaging her bare back, as well as her legs and thighs. He made circular movements, relaxing every muscle while Athena let herself go and kept her eyes fixed on the window. Valentino’s masculine silhouette continued to watch her closely, with his jaw clenched tightly and anger consuming him silently. “What are you planning, bitch?” her friend asked, noticing her intentions. “Do you want to make a man who hates you jealous? Don’t waste your time, believe me." “I know what I’m doing,” she calmly replied, as the man continued with his work. “I want him to be filled with rage, to see another man touching the body of his future wife, not out of jealousy, but out of pride. My intention is to directly hit his ego. Let him realize that nothing he does with his lover affects me at all.” “What a way,” her friend murmured without giving it much importance. Valentino went up to his room with Lirio and took off his jacket, leaving it on the bed. Afterwards, he took a seat on one of the sofas, hiding his anger and annoyance after receiving unpleasant comments from Athena. Despite wanting to express his truths directly to her, he chose to contain himself, showing a picture of fragility and defenselessness. “Are you okay?” Lirio asked Valentino, approaching. “That woman is very rude; she only says all that to bother me because she doesn’t want me here with you.” “Don’t pay attention to her. I already made it clear that the woman I want is you,” he replied, caressing her cheek, but then moved away to pour himself a drink. “Will your father be upset by my presence tonight?” she inquired cautiously. “It’s most likely, but I don’t care,” he said coldly, approaching the window of his room to observe the garden. “I talked to him and told him that I would be willing to marry that woman if he didn’t interfere with you or try to keep you away.” “Thank you so much, my love,” she smiled widely, and hugged him from behind. “I just wish all of this would end so we can finally be together, as we’ve always wanted.” “Yes… me too,” he replied, lost in his thoughts, not giving it much importance. At that moment, he watched as two women made their way to the pool, and he noticed how they settled into lounge chairs, ordering drinks, putting on sunglasses, and requesting sunscreen to tan. However, his eyes were particularly drawn to a small figure with fair skin, dark hair, and a perfectly sculpted body, resembling that of a model. The perfect curves, a large round bottom, and breasts outlined through the red bikini caught his attention. He frowned as he realized it was her, his fiancée, who smilingly sought the attention of one of the men present to apply sunscreen to her practically naked body, as it only covered the essential areas with two layers of fabric. He felt disgusted, unable to bear her arrogant behavior, especially when trying to get involved with Lirio, as he thought. His frown deepened as he saw a man deliberately massaging his fiancée’s body, running his hands over her bare back and legs, touching every inch of her skin as if he wasn't touching his future wife’s body. What bothered him the most was Athena’s shameless smile, as if she was enjoying the situation, unaware that she only enjoyed him watching her from afar. “Is something wrong, Valentino?” Lirio asked, noticing his unusual silence. “Yes, a lot of things are happening at this damn moment,” he replied, pushing the glass of liquor aside and freeing himself from Lirio’s grip to leave. “Where are you going?” she asked, surprised, but he had already left through the door in annoyance. She couldn’t understand until she looked out the window and saw Athena, in the distance at the pool, with that man massaging her inappropriately. The chestnut-haired woman clenched her fists in anger and left the room to follow Valentino, aware that he would surely cause a scene because of Athena’s shameless behavior in the mansion.