CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: ATHENA

Today was Vera's birthday, and Sophia and I were getting ready upstairs. Sophia wore a blue off-the-shoulder mermaid gown with a string of pearls and black pumps, and her hair was styled in a bun with hair accessories. while I wore my red off-the-shoulder vintage floral lace hi-lo gown and let my hair fall.

"Do you think this gown is too much?" I asked Sophia as I lifted the sleeve's of the dress up to my shoulders

"No, you look really nice, honey," she said as she turned to admire my gown. She had a proud look on her face that made me smile.

"You look lovely, Sophia, Stephen will be so jealous he missed seeing you all dressed up," I said as Sophia smiled and hit me across the arm playfully.

Sophia and I were ready a long time ago, but because I was nervous about going downstairs to meet everyone, Sophia suggested we wait a little longer so I could calm down. I took out my phone and looked at the time; thirty minutes had passed.

"Shit, I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was already this late, let's just get it over with," I said, taking Sophia's purse in my hand as we made our way downstairs. The noise of people talking and music could be heard from the second floor hallway.

I'd never been to a party before because the guys made it difficult for me to be invited to any school parties so being here felt really strange and I didn't know how to act.

When we walked into the living room, people were dressed formally like us and mingling; as I scanned the room, I recognized a few of Uncle Jerry's friends.

We saw Uncle Jerry in the corner of the room and approached him. I began to feel nervous because people were staring and whispering. So I ignored them by fiddling with the necklace uncle Jerry gave me.

"Hey guys," Sophia said, as Uncle Jerry turned to face us with a huge smile on his face and his gaze running down our entire length.

"You girls look beautiful," Uncle Jerry said as he drew us into a hug and kissed our foreheads. "My beautiful butterfly, you look so grown up; I'll have to keep the guys away from you tonight."

"Thank you, Uncle Jerry," I said with a big smile.

"Aren't you going to introduce us, I'd like to know the names of the two prettiest ladies in the room," a guy standing near uncle Jerry said. I recognized him from one of the MMA fights Sophia and I watched together, his name was Pain or something along those lines.

"Jackson, this is my lovely step-sister Sophia, and this little butterfly is my step-niece, Athena," Uncle Jerry said proudly as he gazed lovingly at us.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you two, Jerry never stops talking about you to the point of becoming annoying," Jackson smiled, earning a punch in the arm from Uncle Jerry.

"Isn't it understandable given his obsession with us?" Sophia said with a mischievous smile, causing Uncle Jerry to roll his eyes at her, making everyone laugh.

"I already like your sister; I'm sure she keeps you in check," Jackson said.

"More like the annoying little sister who always wants to tell me what to do," Uncle Jerry said as he kissed Sophia on the cheek.

Then Vera came down the stairs, looking like an angel, her gaze met mine, and she smiled before walking towards us, she was wearing the gold off-the-shoulder low back gown with a flowing skirt we bought from Maria's, with a silver diamond encrusted necklace, and her hair was packed in a bun similar to Sophia's.

When she reached us, uncle Jerry kissed her on the cheek and said, "Happy birthday, my beautiful queen."

"Thank you darling," Vera said, a shy smile on her face.

"Happy birthday, Vera," Sophia and I say together; we hadn't had the chance to tell her before because she was preoccupied with party preparations.

"Thank you, you guys look stunning," Vera said, smiling.

"So do you, Jerry can't take his eyes off you," Sophia and I said with playful grins, and Vera's blush deepened.

"I hate you," Uncle Jerry said, causing Sophia and me to burst out laughing.

A young man my age stood beside uncle Jerry, smiling as he watched me.

"Oh, my manners, you guys, this is Adam, he is a new lightweight fighter under my care," Uncle Jerry said, pushing Adam forward so we could get a better look at him.

"Seriously Rage, I'm not that new, I've won a few matches," Adam said, a huge grin on his face. Rage was Uncle Jerry's fighter name, but I don't think it fits him because Uncle Jerry is usually as calm as a puppy, unless you offend him, his family or friends.

"Kid, you're just getting started, a few wins don't mean shit, so get off your high horse," Jackson said with a strained smile, I could sense a little hostility between them, maybe I'll ask uncle Jerry what's up with them later.

"Stop being a spoilsport, old man," Adam joked, and Jackson's smile faded.

"Watch yourself, kid, he can knock you out with one punch," Uncle Jerry warned, as if he had noticed Adam was becoming too cocky for his own good.

"I'll see you guys later," Jackson said as he turned to face Sophia and I, taking our hands in his and kissing each of them. "It was a pleasure meeting you as well, and I hope we get to see each other before the night is over."

"Stay away from my girls, Jackson, or I'll punch you in the face," Uncle Jerry warned, and Jackson started laughing.

"Overprotective as usual," Jackson said as he walked away. He was a nice guy, and I didn't want him to leave, but I guess he wasn't on good enough terms with Adam to stay near him any longer.

"Adam, have you met Athena? She's stunning, isn't she?" Vera said with a sly smirk, oh on what was she up to, I looked at Sophia hoping she could get me out of this, but she just smiled mischievously and went to the buffet table to join Jackson.

His graze ran down my body, his gaze fixed on my legs for a little longer than I was comfortable with, but I decided to be polite and say hello. "Hey,"

"You look incredible, it's nice to meet you, Athena," he said as he smiled at me.

"Same here, Adam,"

"It's strange to run into someone my age at an event like this; I usually keep to myself," Adam explained, "but this is the first time I've seen you; did you just move in with Rage?" But, before I could respond, Uncle Jerry appeared from nowhere and pulled me away from Adam.

"No way, Adam, you man-whore, stay away from my little butterfly," Uncle Jerry said sternly at first, but burst out laughing when Adam made a strange face.

"Uncle Jerry, be nice, we were just talking," I explained as I slapped his hands playfully.

"He was standing too close to you, which I didn't like," Uncle Jerry whined.

"Jerry, you old geezer, stop acting like an overprotective father and leave the girl alone," Sophia said, smiling as she walked over to us.

"Mind your own business, Sophia; this is between me, Athena, and Blondie over there."

"Jerry honey, stop terrorizing the poor boy, he was just trying to talk to someone his age," Vera said as she took his hands in hers, he looked down at her with a smile, he looked in love.

I couldn't believe it, uncle Jerry was actually falling in love with someone after so many failed relationships. I looked over at Sophia, who was also staring at them with a smile on her face.

I didn't even know Adam and had walked away after Uncle Jerry had berated him, so I figured it was best if I apologized in his place. He didn't mean to be impolite; he's just very protective of Sophia and me.

"How's it going?" I asked

"Good I guess," he said, his face devoid of emotion.

"I'm sorry about my uncle; he can be overprotective at times," I said, smiling.

"I don't blame him, every guy wants to be me right now, you are quite beautiful," Adam said, and my cheeks flushed.

"Oh, hmm, thank you, you don't look too bad yourself," I said, trying to hide my embarrassment; I rarely get compliments in Anwood, so I wasn't used to it.

While he wasn't looking, I studied his appearance: his dress shirt was rolled up to his elbow, his forearms were exposed, his shirt was tucked into a pair of black dress pants, and he looked good, but not as good as Leo or Austin, my best friends.

My gaze was drawn to Vera and Jerry as they approached the dance floor for the first dance, as the song All of Me by John Legend began to play. As the music played in the background, Vera wrapped her hand around uncle Jerry's neck and they began to dance slowly to the song.

As I stared at them, a smile formed on my face; they both looked in love with each other, and people began to join them after a while. I noticed Sophia and Jackson dancing also. She burst out laughing as they danced because of something he said.

While I was distracted, Adam lightly tugged on my hand, dragging me to the dance floor without even asking. I didn't want to overthink things, but it was a little rude.

"Aren't you going to ask me first?" I asked, giving him a questioning look.

He narrowed his eyes at me and a few minutes later the corner of his mouth formed a smirk and asked "Athena, would you like to dance with me?".

"Okay, I guess," I replied politely, not wanting to turn him down in front of all these people.

He led me to the dance floor, where I wrapped my arms around his neck and his hands found their way to my waist as we began to sway to the music.

While Adam and I danced, my attention was drawn back to Vera and Jerry, and they looked so happy. I hope to have that one day.

"I know it sounds corny, but I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to be dancing with you."

"Does that line really work on women?" I questioned, genuinely interested, because hearing him say it made me cringe.

"Yes, it does, which means I need to step up my game if it didn't work on you."

When the song finished, Jerry kissed Vera, and they both made their way to the centre of the room

"Hello everyone!" Vera says,

"I just want to express how grateful I am to each and every one of you for coming to my birthday party, dinner will be served soon, enjoy yourselves," she says as uncle Jerry kisses her cheek and leads her to the dining room, and everyone follows.

I drew away from Adam, staring at his ocean-blue eyes; something about them made me wary of him. "Thank you for the dance, I had a good time," I said.

"It was my pleasure; now let us go eat; maybe we'll meet again before the night is over."

"Maybe," I said as I walked over to the dining table and took the empty seat next to Sophia. Everyone in the room was conversing and exchanging smiles as Uncle Jerry was talking about his last match. Then I noticed Adam staring at me from the other side of the table, he smiled and raised his glass to me. I returned his smile before returning my attention to Vera and Uncle Jerry.

Adam was nice enough, but there was something about him that bothered me; I believe the good boy act is all a ruse so it's best to avoid him. After dinner, I exited the dining room and made my way to the balcony, where I sat on one of the benches and gazed at the stars when I heard a voice; one I had been trying to avoid for the past few hours.

"Hello, Athena! How's your evening going?" Adam asked as I cast a glance his way.

"Good, I suppose," I replied, trying to be polite as I had been since we met, my gaze returning to the stars, which were far away but beautiful.

"So we meet again," he said as he took the seat next to me. I moved away a little because he was too close for comfort, but he didn't get the hint and moved towards me again, this time with a smirk on his face.

"Yeah," I murmured.

"Have you got a boyfriend?" he inquired, his brow arched and a smirk on his face, but this one appeared more suspicious. I ignored him and groaned internally. I got up from the bench and walked towards the railings, assuming he was following me.

Can this guy just leave me alone? When I got to the railings, he was right behind me, and I turned to tell him that I wasn't comfortable with his proximity, but his long fingers grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him.

"It's impolite to ignore people, little butterfly," Adam said sinisterly, and a cold chill ran through my body; I needed to get away from him right now because the look he was giving me reminded me of Dylan and his friends.