Troy And Athena (Forbidden Love Series Book 15)

After twenty minutes, Bill Gates drove through the massive wrought iron gates of the most spectacular mansion Athena had ever seen. They had left Las Vegas behind and reached Henderson in Nevada where each mansion was a luxurious masterpiece. 

A distinctively modern, sprawling estate, Troy's parents' home was an epitome of sophistication and incomparable opulence. It was so huge, that Athena hesitated having second thoughts about going inside. She hadn't expected it to be a castle after all! Bill Gates led her towards the front door but as she approached it, the huge paneled doors flew open and Troy emerged with a grin on his face. 

"Ah! Here you are at last!" He said, pulling her into a side hug. Athena was surprised at the warm welcome. What was wrong with him? Why was he hugging her? And then he pecked her mouth and Athena's eyes went round with horror. A tremor ran down her and she froze. Bill Gates realized who she was and rushed towards the garage. However, before she could ask Troy whether he lost his memory or not, he leaned towards her.

"Mom's watching us from her window," he whispered. 

"Oh, but am I not just your teacher?" She asked him but he just grinned and pulled her along with his arm possessively fixed around her waist. He led her inside without answering her question. Athena was impressed by the luxurious interiors. It seemed like those fairy tale palaces that she'd seen in movies.

A man with nearly combed, salt and pepper hair, wearing a white shirt and a pair of well-tailored gray trousers came towards them with a pleasant smile on his face. His resemblance to Troy made Athena conclude that this would have to be his dad. "Won't you introduce me to your fiancée, son?" He asked, making Athena's heart skip a beat. Fiancée? Who's fiancée? What the hell was going on?

"Dad, this is Athena Harrison," he said. "Athena, this is my dad, Terence Wagner, " he introduced with a smile seeing her thunderstruck expression.

"Good evening, Mr Wagner, " she said shyly. 

"Ah Athena! I'm so glad that at last my son has found a woman. We were having second thoughts about his orientation, " chuckled his dad. Athena didn't know what to say to the father and son duo. They seemed to of the same type, brazen, confident, fearless and outspoken! 

"Haha, dad! You had to say that, right?" Said Troy, not in the least bit affected. 

"You both are embarrassing the girl! Can't you both have a filter to your mouths?" Asked a woman who came into the room slowly using a walker. She was beautiful with the same hazel eyes as her son. Athena instantly knew that she was Troy's mom. 

"Why did you have to come out, mom?" Asked Troy looking worried. He rushed to her and helped her sit down on the sofa nearby. 

"What else could I do? You weren't bringing your girl to meet me," she complained. Athena was in a dilemma. Should she clarify that she wasn't what they thought she was? She wasn't Troy's fiancée but then who was she to Troy? What would she tell them? Troy looked at her. 

"Come here, Athena. Meet my mom, Sally Wagner, " he introduced. 

"Hello Mrs Wagner, " she said, formally, looking a little nervous. 

"Oh, call me mom, dear," she corrected her. "Come and sit beside me. Let's get to know one another, " she said to Athena. A uniformed housekeeper came towards them while Troy tried to shoo her away discreetly. 

"Do you like Grapefruit margarita, Athena?" Asked Troy's mom. Athena nodded her head.

"Yeah, " she said, looking at the housekeeper with confusion. Troy said that she needed to cook dinner for them but they had a housekeeper already. She looked at Troy who was avoiding her eyes. 

"Athena, this is our housekeeper, Joanna. Joanna, this is Troy's fiancée, Athena, " his mom introduced. "Joanna please can you get us your Grapefruit margaritas?" Asked his mom.

"Sure, Mrs Wagner," said Joanna, giving Athena a dazzling smile.

"Joanna was on leave. She just joined back to work this evening, thankfully. I had been calling her to come back for the last two days," said her mom. Athena nodded. Now she realized that Troy wasn't lying when he spoke to her in the afternoon. 

"Oh. Troy told me that he wanted me to make dinner tonight," said Athena. 

"Yes, he told me that you make 'earth-shattering and mind-blowing food," laughed his mom. Athena smiled but gaped at Troy. How could food be described that way! Those were the terms used for describing lovemaking experiences in romance novels. Troy winked at her behind his mom's back, making her blush and look away. 

"So, Athena, what do you do?" Asked Troy's dad, coming to sit with them sipping his whiskey.

"I teach fine arts at Merryhill Elementary School, Mr Wagner, " she answered him.

"Good good, so you're a teacher! Teaching is a very noble profession, " said his dad.

"So, when are you two planning your wedding?" Asked Troy's mom, going straight to the point.

"Mom, at least not before the next six months. What's the hurry?" Asked Troy, not even looking at Athena. 

"Six months? That's a long time!" Gasped his mom.

"Mom, Athena's granny is unwell, so we can't hurry with this," said Troy while Athena gaped at him. Joanna brought them the cocktails and while Troy declined, Athena and his mom picked up a glass full for themselves. 

"Is that the ring my son got for you?" Asked his mom, picking up Athena's hand and scrutinizing the ring that Brandon gave. Before Athena could answer, Troy groaned.

"Why? What's wrong with that ring, now?" He asked. 

"It's horrible and ugly. We deal with precious stones and make such beautiful pieces of jewelry and that's all you could buy for your soul mate? Replace that ring, son. I hate it already, " said his mom. 

"Okay mom. I will," said Troy, looking at Athena who stared at him with her mouth hanging open. What was going on? Why couldn't he tell them the truth?

"Now that he's already engaged, why don't you decline Mrs. Garrison's marriage proposal for her daughter, Sally? You should even inform Janette, Mrs. Browning's daughter, Troy's already taken. Shouldn't you?" Asked Troy's dad. Athena noticed the look of relief on Troy's face. So that was the reason why he was putting up this charade?

"I know. I will," said his mom, getting up. "Hang on, I have just the thing for you," she said, getting up. 

"Troy, come and help me," she said. Troy rolled his eyes and helped his mom to her room. "Mom, what are you looking for?" He asked with a puzzled look on his face as she scanned her jewelry box. 

"Found it, " said his mom, giving him a triumphant look as she took out a pouch. Opening it, she took out an exquisitely crafted diamond ring with tiny emeralds handcrafted around a stunning solitaire. The ring was a masterpiece! His mom had the habit of collecting beautiful pieces of jewelry which caught her eye and this one was one of those rare collections of hers. Troy's jaws dropped as he gaped at his mom. She took out it's matching band which Athena could place on his finger. 

"Mom, do we have to do this now?" He asked with dread. Athena would never agree to take off Brandon's ring and neither would she place that ring on his finger! What would he do now? His mom was taking this charade too far now but he knew how stubborn she was. She wouldn't let this go so easily. 

"Yes, I don't like the one on Athena's finger. She's our future daughter-in-law. That ring is a shame! I want you to replace that with this," she said, handing him the rings.

"This won't fit, mom," he tried to reason. His mom scoffed at his words.

"Of course it will and even if it doesn't, get it altered from Laurence," she shrugged. Troy helped her back to the living room where his dad was in deep conversation with Athena about art exhibitions. 

"You should put up your work at galleries. If it sells, you'll  earn a name for yourself too, not to speak of the money that would come pouring in," said Troy's dad. 

"I'll think about it later, Mr Wagner. Right now with my granny unwell, I really don't get the time to sit down and create masterpieces," she told him. Terence Wagner nodded in understanding. 

"Athena, this ring is very special to me but now I want you to wear it. You can replace that horrendous ring with this one. C'mon Troy, sit beside Athena," said his mom. Athena's jaws dropped realizing what she was expecting them to do. 

"We can do it later, mom," she tried to protest, wanting to escape the torture. Now she realized what she had gotten herself into. She looked at Troy who sat beside her, holding her hand in his. Maybe he was scared knowing that she was planning to run for the hills.