Troy And Athena (Forbidden Love Series Book 15)

Brandon lay quietly unable to get even a wink of sleep with those two rattling their bed right above his head. His thoughts went to Camilla and the magic that he shared with her. All he wanted was to pull her against himself and make sweet promises to her but he was so fu*ked up in his head, he couldn't make promises which he would be unable to keep. 

"If I make you mine, I'll lose you forever just like I lost Sarah. I'm unlucky, Camilla. I'm doomed. I don't deserve someone like you," he whispered, closing his eyes. He had escaped like a coward instead of facing his feelings for her. Maybe she was devastated and crying. Images of her tear-stricken sweet angelic face caused him so much pain that he just got up from the bed, unable to lie still any longer. 

He walked towards the window to pull the curtain aside and look outside. "Camilla, I wish you didn't love me so much. I'm not good enough for you," he said brokenly. A flash of light, reflected from an apartment in the tower opposite to theirs. Brandon blinked twice and looked out. Was it lightning? But the sky was calm and normal. He watched the residential tower opposite them. It was the fifth tower of Troy's condominium. There, again he saw the reflection of light like a flash. It seemed as if someone was using a mirror or a piece of glass just opposite to Troy's apartment. Brandon watched with interest. 

After five minutes, a woman came out to the balcony with a pair of binoculars in her hand. Brandon hid himself and watched her. Who was she watching? She was adjusting the binoculars and looking towards Troy's apartment. In fact she was trying to watch what was going on in Troy's bedroom! Brandon gasped when he realized what was happening. The woman was watching Troy and Athena's se*ual exploits. But how? Did they keep their curtains drawn open? The woman went inside after some time at the same time that the noises stopped coming from Troy's bedroom. They must have gone off to sleep. 

Brandon was worried. He had to tell Troy and Athena about their nosy neighbor. He paced the floor waiting for them to wake up when his phone buzzed with an incoming call from the hospital. His sister had given birth to twins and his mom wanted him there. Excited, Brandon sent a message to Troy on his mobile that he had to leave as his sister had just delivered her babies and left quietly.

Troy and Athena woke up an hour later and found that Brandon had already left. "He's become an uncle, lucky guy!" Gasped Troy with a grin. 

"So are you, Troy. Laurence's children, Lauren and Aries love you as their own uncle. Don't they?" Asked Athena. Troy smiled. 

"Right. I'm already an uncle," he said with a grin. 

They decided to go out to the Strip and walk hand in hand like all couple do at Vegas. Troy was very excited. After years of watching couples walk hand in hand on the Strip, he finally would be able to do it with Athena. He wasn't lonely anymore. He too had his better half with him!

They dressed up and drove off towards their destination. Troy stared at Athena. She looked gorgeous in a milky white flowing dress, her long chocolate brown hair, a sharp contrast against the dress. Her warm brown eyes exuded a glow, a warmth making her look angelic and ethereal. Troy couldn't believe that this beautiful goddess, walking hand in hand with him was actually his. 

He drove towards The Strat, located on the boulevard. "Are we going to this place? It's very expensive!" Gasped Athena. 

"Relax Athena. I want you to see the most amazing sunset from the SkyPod. We'll have dinner afterwards, " said Troy, leading her to the elevator for a ride to the top. Athena knew that located on top, more than 800 feet above Las Vegas at The Strat hotel and Casino, the SkyPod was an iconic fixture of the world famous Las Vegas skyline. This was a place she had never visited since with the limited money she had, she never could afford such luxuries. 

Troy led her to the Indoor Observation Deck to view the city sitting hand in hand facing the angled windows, while taking in the beautiful sunset of Vegas.

"It's breathtaking, Troy. I've never seen something as beautiful as this," Gasped Athena but Troy was staring at her instead.

"I have, " he murmured softly. Athena turned towards him and blushed seeing the look in his eyes. "You. You're the most breathtaking and beautiful woman in the whole world and only mine," he whispered, pecking her mouth. 

Athena looked around to see if anyone was watching them. Relieved that everyone was busy doing their own thing, she kissed his cheek shyly. "You're the most wonderful person in the whole world and you're mine," she whispered. They took photographs and waited for the sun to completely set. 

Troy got up and suddenly went down on one knee right in front of her. Athena gasped realizing what he was about to do. Troy picked up her hand and looked into her eyes, his gaze holding a lot of promise and sincerity in their depths. 

"Athena, we know how much we love one another. We know that we're destined for one another. We already want to be with one another, forever. So let us give a new meaning to our journey of love. Let us give our relationship a name. I promise to give you all the happiness and love that you deserve, today, tomorrow and forever. So, will you marry me, babe?" He asked, hopefully. 

"Yes, Troy, " she whispered, with tears of joy in her eyes. 

Troy took out a ring from the pocket of his trousers and placed it on her fingers replacing the one which his parents had forced them to wear. Athen had never opened it the past one year. It was a beautiful sapphire and solitaire ring and Athena loved it more than anything else. Not for its price but because Troy got it for her. 

"I love it, Troy. It's so precious because you got it for me," she gasped. Troy stood up and kissed her. 

"I had it ordered especially for you," he told her. Feeling giddy with happiness, they walked hand in hand towards the award winning Top of the World restaurant. Troy already had booked in advance and they were shown to their seats. 

They ordered and as they waited for the food to arrive, they discussed their wedding plans. 

"I'm not waiting for months. We'll go home and inform my parents. I want to marry you in a week's time, " said Troy. Athena's jaws dropped. 

"My dress wouldn't be ready that early. Please give me at least a month's time," she pleaded. 

Troy thought for what seemed like minutes. "Fine, one month, max," he agreed. Athena thanked him excitedly just as their food arrived. Throughout the meal, Athena watched with awe the unparalleled views of the city as the restaurant revolved 360 degrees every 80 minutes. It was a really surreal date for her. Afterwards, they walked hand in hand down the Strip, getting the feel and vibe of the place.

"I've never come here in the last five years, only seen from my apartment, " admitted Troy as they walked down, watching the other couples walking around, lost in one another.

"Neither did I," said Athena. Troy looked at her with surprise. 

"Brandon never brought you here?" He asked curiously. Athena shook her head. 

"With granny always unwell, I never went out apart from school, college or for work, " she told him. "What about you? Why didn't you come here?" 

Troy looked at her and pulled her closer as they strolled slowly. "I was lonely when all my friends settled down. I needed someone. I needed you," he told her. "I would see the couples enjoying themselves here and it would make me lonelier than ever. I didn't want flings, I needed true love. And now that I have love, I have you, we can come here every evening," he said with an excited gleam in his eyes.

"Wow! I'd love that too. Although I've lived here all my life, I've never gone out and seen the city and it's many attractions, " she admitted.

"I'd love to show you around, babe," he said with a grin.

"I wish I had a few more days of leave," said Athena with a pout. Troy smiled.

"We can always enjoy ourselves after work in the evenings.  Then there are the weekends too. So give your best to your career, Athena. Learn all you can now that you're getting the opportunity to. Maybe one day you can start your own art gallery, " said Troy. Athena's eyes glittered with excitement. This had always been her secret dream but she hadn't ever spoken out aloud. How did Troy know about it? 

 "How did you know about my secret dream, Troy? I never told a soul," she said, looking baffled. 

"I love you so my heart could feel it," he told her. 

They were so engrossed with one another that they didn't notice a pair of angry and jealous eyes following them around the Strip.