Troy And Athena (Forbidden Love Series Book 15)

Athena was in high spirits when she returned home from her school. She kissed granny and sat down to eat lunch with her. "I hope you haven't forgotten about that date of yours?" Asked granny, ready to give her a piece of her mind if she did. Athena rolled her eyes.

"How can I? You've already reminded me fifteen times already, " she pointed out. Granny had called her throughout the day to remind her of her date with Troy. As if she would forget! Now she realized why Troy told her granny instead of her. He was too clever that she couldn't deny it. Granny chuckled. 

"Wear something se*y," she said all of a sudden, making Athena cough up a storm as the food went into the wrong tube out of shock. 

"Granny, please let me decide on the outfit, " she said in a protest.

"No. I don't want you to end up in that horrible pair of  jeans, " said granny with displeasure. 

"Okay, I won't wear that. I'll wear a dress. Happy now?" She asked, looking pissied off. Granny nodded. Yes she was relieved that Athena had agreed so easily. Her duty was done and could now sleep in peace. 

After dinner, Athena walked up to her room to check the drawing sheets that were submitted for correction. The next two hours she was too busy with her work. Granny was resting in her room so she made some coffee and continued with her work. It was five o'clock when she completed the last sheet and put it all away. Stretching and laying down for a while, wondering where Troy would be taking her. She had never gone out on a date her entire life and couldn't stop the excitement coursing through her body. Getting up, she went to take a shower. 

She stood in front of her closet, not knowing what to wear. She was so engrossed in her correction work that she had forgotten to select a dress. She went through her collection and then found what she wanted. It was a peach colored, a-line, crepe dress with thin shoulder straps that molded perfectly to her body. Blow-drying and curling her long chocolate brown hair, she left it untied. Clipping on a pair of crystal earrings, she applied some matching lipstick and a moisturizer. Looking at herself, she was quite satisfied with her look. As she climbed down the staircase, she could hear Troy's deep baritone voice coming from granny's room. Her heart skipped a beat! So he was here already!

She stood at the foot of the staircase, breathing deeply, in and out. As she walked towards granny's room, her hearing was beating so fast that she was afraid that it would crash out of her ribcage. She went into the room and all eyes turned towards her. There was a pin drop silence in the room which finally granny broke.

"Good heavens, is that you my dear? You really look like some Greek Goddess," said her granny, making Athena blush. She avoided Troy's piercing gaze glued upon her. Gwen chuckled. 

"I swear I couldn't recognize you, Athena, " she said. 

"Thanks, " mumbled Athena, wanting to evaporate already. 

"Troy, what do you think?" Prodded her granny. Troy nodded. 

"Nice," he said as a faint color rushed to his cheeks. Granny nudged him and he got up. 

"Ready? Shall we go?" He asked. Athena nodded. She was too embarrassed by her granny and her companion's comments. 

"If it gets late, you don't need to rush home. I'm fine and I'll be alive till tomorrow morning. So you can come home tomorrow," said granny with a shrug. Athena gave her a look while Troy laughed. He kissed her granny on her cheek and whispered something into her ear which seemed to make her immensely happy. 

"Enjoy Athena and stop scowling, " said her granny. 

"Bye, granny," said Athena with an eye roll and walked out with a happy Troy following her hot on her heels. 

He helped her to his car and then went around and climbed into the driver's seat. "So, ready for our first date?" He asked, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly and then looking straight at her.

"Ready for the first date of my life," she admitted with a smile. Troy's eyes widened with surprise. 

"Really? It's a privilege then to be the first man to take your out on a date," he told her, his mouth lifting up into a smile. 

"So, where are we going?" She asked him. 

"My apartment? I've made dinner for you, " he told her. Athena gaped at him. He couldn't cook anything, how did he manage to make dinner? 

"How? You said you can't cook," she asked with confusion. 

"Mom taught me an easy dish," he told her. "I made it for you." Athena was so touched, she could kiss him silly. He took so much pains for her. After a full day at work, he cooked for her too. 

"I can't wait to taste it," she told him excitedly. Troy's cheeks colored a little. 

"It's not that special. I don't know whether it's edible or not," he shrugged. 

"It's special for me, Troy. I'll eat it, even if it's not edible because you've made it for me," she told him. Troy smiled and drove on. He just couldn't wait to have her in his arms and kiss her. He would listen to granny and not let her go tonight. 

They reached his condominium in about twenty minutes and he parked his car in the underground parking area. "I'm remembering the last time you were here. It seems just like yesterday, " said Troy. 

Athena smiled. "I left my dress here last time," she pointed out. 

"Yeah, you can use that this time. I've had it freshly laundered, " he told her.

"Use it? How can I use that?" She asked. Was he planning on making her stay the night? Troy chuckled.

"You'll see," he shrugged as they climbed up the elevator. 

"I'm not staying over," she told him.

"Granny wants you to and so do I, " he shrugged. 

"So, both of you were plotting behind my back?" She asked. Troy laughed.

"Why didn't you tell me about this date? Why did you tell granny?" She asked although she knew the answer very well.

"You know why," smirked Troy, punching in his security code. "She would never let you forget about it even for a second," he pointed out. 'Cheeky fellow! Just as I thought!' She thought. 

"I knew it," she smiled. They went inside his house and Athena could feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach with apprehension. What would they do now? Being alone with him would be the most thrilling adventure of her life. She had no idea what he would do!

"Shall we eat first?" Asked Troy, looking a little nervous. Athena nodded. 

"Sure," she agreed. 

"I've got a good movie that we could watch," he told her. They discussed their favorite movies as Troy served them the pasta carbonara that he had made. There was readily bought garlic bread and a black forest cake too. She had to accept that he really made an effort for her. It filled her heart with pleasure and made her feel special for the first time in her life. 

"How's it?" He asked, holding his breath with anticipation. The pasta was delicious. Athena was bowled over by the wholesome taste in her mouth.

"Delicious, I still can't figure out how you managed," she said with disbelief. "This is actually the most awesome pasta I've ever had," she gasped. Troy looked extremely pleased. 

"Joanna helped me with the eggs and the bacon. She helped me with the cooking range. It was like rocket science and I couldn't have figured it out without her. So it was actually a joint effort. Are you disappointed in me?" Asked Troy. Athena laughed,

"No, why should I be disappointed in you. You at least tried to do something for me. That thought alone makes me feel special already," she told him honestly. Troy looked happy with her answer. They finished dinner and then rinsed and placed the dishes into the dishwasher. Athena showed him how to operate it. 

"Good, now I know how to use that thing," he smiled. "So, when are you and granny moving into my house?" He asked, making Athena's jaws drop. Where did that come from? 

"Were we supposed to? I don't think we have any such plans," she told him. Troy looked at her with surprise. 

"So, are you willing to leave granny alone and move in with me?" He asked with disbelief. 

"I didn't agree yet, Troy. With granny unwell, I haven't been able to give this much thought," she told him honestly. Troy looked a little upset.

"Then why don't you and granny both just move in along with me? You wouldn't need to think much," he said. 

"I'll talk to granny about it, Troy. Please don't rush this," she said. 

"I don't have a choice, Athena. I can't sleep alone anymore. I need you," he said with earnestness.