Chapter 6
Athena is now looking at her reflection in the vanity mirror inside her room, as her mother speak. "You look gorgeous sweetie." Mrs. Jodie said as she saw her daughter Athena wearing a pink Gorgeous Tulle & Satin Off-the-shoulder Neckline Ball Gown With Lace Appliques, her blonde hair is styled in a fish braid in all, she looks stunning. She smiled at her mother and mouthed, thanks.
"You're now a fine lady. Here, take this. This is my gift for you. Happy Birthday sweetie." Mrs Jodie gave a small box to Athena. She opened the box, and her eyes widened as she saw the set of beautiful white gold necklace with a letter A pendant on it together with the pair of earrings with a small diamond. "This is too much mom." She said with a teary eye. "Darling you are more precious than that. And you deserve it. Come on, you should wear this." Her mother smiled. "Thank you mom." She hugged her mother.
They turn their gaze to the door when the door suddenly open, and they saw her father Mr. Robert, wearing a three-piece suit. Mr Robert kissed Mrs Jodie and Athena's forehead. "My two lovely girls are looking gorgeous, do I need to guard you two from those men who will eye on you?" Mr Robert cracked a joke. The two ladies are chuckling. Mr Robert noticed the necklace, Athena is wearing. " Baby, happy birthday. By the way your necklace and the earrings suits you well. You look very beautiful." He smiled. "Thanks Dad." She said. Her father informed them that the party will start soon.
Her parents went out of her room. And she is now guided by the organizer of the event.
Tonight is her 18th birthday. She felt nervous, for she knew that Michael is coming home for a summer vacation. And he will be the escort of the debutant. They never got the chance to communicate.
She started to walk down the stairs smiling. And when she saw the man waiting for her at the end of the stairs looking at her intently, she felt nervous. The man is wearing a three-piece suit with a thick glasses on it. Although it can be said that many have changed him, it is undeniable that he is Michael his friend. He is looking at her intently with a stern face.
She approached the young man her nervousness increased. Michael Angelo offered his hand to Athena and Athena hold him tight. She smiled slightly. "Hi."
"Happy birthday." Michael said in a cold tone. Her smile faded. You changed a lot. She thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Michael felt nervous, because this is the first time they talked after two years. He didn't know what to say. He felt disappointed to what he said to Athena awhile ago. Really Michael? Just a happy birthday? He said to himself.
Everyone gasps as they saw the beautiful lady in front of them.
The emcee got their attention and announce that the program will start. Athena is now sitting in a cream-colored elegant couch in the middle of the stage. She was smiling all the time.
Meanwhile, while others are busy eating, some are talking about tonight's event and some are listening attentively to what the emcee says, Michael Angelo received a call from his superior. He
"Chief, how may I help you?" He asked courteously.
"You are in the Philippines aren't you?" The chief asked.
"Yes I am here. Why chief?" his brows knitted. He thinks he knew it already.
" Well Agent Y is on his way there now. You have another assignment. I will send the details through email and Agent Y will explain to you. Expect his arrival tomorrow morning." And the chief turned off the call.
Michael Angelo didn't utter a single word as the call ends… He is already used to it the way his superior talk to them, he was as cold as ice. After five minutes he received the email from his superior. He put back his phone inside his pocket, and get back inside the party.
The traditional 18 roses has already started. Mr. Anthony was the first one to dance with her daughter and Michael Angelo will be her last dance. Michael Angelo fixed his eye glasses as he waited for his turn. He couldn't help himself but to be felt nervous and excited at the same time. This will be the first time he will dance with Athena, and he can't help but shudder.
Michel Angelo stood up from his seat and walk towards the center of the stage where Athena is waiting, holding her 17 roses. He slowly walked, holding a stem of rose that he will give to Athena. They looked at each other as if no one's around. Athena couldn't help but impressed Michael's transformation, it became muscular, and even though he was wearing thick glasses the young man was undeniably become more handsome. Michael stopped in front of Athena. "Hi. Can I have this dance?" He asked courteously.
"M-my pleasure" Athena stuttered. Michael smirked and gave the 18th rose to her, and they started to dance.
"H-how are y-you." Athena asked after a minute of silence.
"Good. How about you?" he asked.
"Good. Fine. Hmm... Sorry about what happened from the past." she said and looked down as she couldn't look at the young man, because she felt guilty. Michael held Athena's chin up using his finger and looked at her in the eye. Athena stared at him, and she saw pain and longing in his eyes. "It's okay. It's all in the past." He smiled.
"You looked very lovely today." He said. Athena couldn't help it but to blush from what he said. "T-thank you." After their dance, he escorted the debutant to her seat. Then he came back to his assigned seat beside his parents. Athena and Michael's parents are happy to see their children are okay now.
While they were dancing their parents talked about their wedding. Their parents decided to get them married immediately, while Michael was on vacation here in the Philippines. They will tell it to their children, after the party, and they already have a date, and that was three weeks from now. Mr. And Mrs Smith both giggles as they saw their son and their soon-to-be daughter-in-law dancing. "They looked lovely" Mrs Adelaine said. "Yes they are." Mr Robert agreed.