Chapter 48: Shenanigans

Chapter 48: Shenanigans Athena contemplated the final consequence of the results she had in her hand, concerning Ewan’s brain issues, and sighed resignedly. There was no way around it. She thought sadly, having made calls to various brain specialists around the globe. She deliberated telling the news to Ewan, but changed her mind. From the way he had responded earlier, she was sure he would refuse to be tested and treated now, citing the company as an excuse. Exhaling softly, she rested her back squarely on the chair, and let it swirl her. What should she do? Her mind chose that moment to tease her. Why was she worrying about Ewan? Athena pouted. It was a doctor’s sense of duty. Nothing more. Nothing less. Just an insistent, passionate sense of duty. Her phone dinged with a text. She quickly reverted the chair to its center position, and picked her phone from the table. It was a text from Kathleen. ’Mom, when are you coming back? We miss you!’ Athena smiled, her sad countenance lifting immediately. Pushing thoughts of Ewan aside, she quickly got up from her seat, after checking the large minimalist clock on the wall opposite her. She had spent more time at work today than she had promised her children! Because it was the weekend, she had promised she would return earlier, but being the president of the entire Whitman hospitals wasn’t a joke. Her time was easily swamped with duties here and there. She even brought work home sometimes! She didn’t like the development at all. She would need to have another sit down with Zane and his father. They needed to go through the clauses in the contract again. As she packed her stuff into her work bag, she texted her friend, Chelsea, to know if the latter had got the hair strand in one piece—she had a courier do the job. She received a text right away. ’I did! See you soon, my love!’ Athena was amused. See you soon? Chelsea made it seem like they were in the same country! Well, if there was someone unpredictable, it was her close colleague—one of the good friends she had made during her time in exile. Athena shut down her laptop, closed the drapes of the large windows, and slung her bag across her shoulder. She was already walking toward her door when she heard the first shout. She stopped, wondering what was going on. Did Alfonso and his reckless daughter come back again? Athena frowned, and continued walking. If they came back to make trouble, she would make sure that the security men showed them no mercy. However, as she neared her door, she discovered that the male shouting wasn’t Alfonso. It was Zack Moore! Athena halted for the second time. Sighing tiredly, she rubbed her forehead weakly, laying mental curses on the male behind the door. At least Alfonso was wise enough to pretend, and fast to scurry away when she told him to because he knew she owed him nothing, but Zack Moore was a different case. He believed she owed him something. He felt entitled to her attention and help. His sheer arrogance was sickening! Normally, Athena would love to put him in his place, but she was so tired that she only wanted to see her children, eat and then sleep deeply. She had no strength to entertain shenanigans! Her mind made up, she opened her phone, about to text the security team herself, when a harsh knock dropped on her door. Right at the same moment, Ciara’s call came into her phone. Athena didn’t bother picking the call. There was no need. She inhaled deeply, seeking to quell the anger that was rolling over her, so that it wouldn’t show on her face—she didn’t want Zack to think he had power over her. When she was sure her feelings were under wraps, she opened her door. Zack was standing right at the doorstep, his hand raised to drop another harsh knock. "There you are!" He yelled with a frown, staring at her distastefully. Athena didn’t bother giving him attention, neither did she welcome him into her office. She stepped out fully from her office, locked the door, and walked past him to Ciara. "I’ll be heading out now, dear. You can finish later. But try heading home earlier today; it’s the weekend." Ciara nodded with a smile, and bid her goodbye, without making reference to Zack who was watching the spectacle in disbelief. If her boss had ignored the male, who was she to pay him attention? After all, wasn’t his company in shambles? Ciara was curious though, on why these big men were searching for her boss recently. Were they infected with the prevailing disease or was there something else? She exhaled softly, letting it go. None of it was her business. She watched in pride as Athena strolled out of the office space, and wished to be like the latter soonest. She held back a laugh when she heard Zack croak out indiscernible words. He was lost for words? Oh, he should have been around when Alfonso Adams had visited then! She huffed in annoyance, watching Zack hurry after Athena as he called her name intermittently. Hoping her boss would put the arrogant male in his place, she returned to her duties. Meanwhile... "Athena! Stop there..." Athena kept moving. She refused to be ordered anymore by a man with no shame. When Zack finally caught up with her and held her by the arm, she shook him off instantly, and told one of the nurses, who was watching them, to call the security. "Athena, please...listen..." Athena frowned, and turned to Zack then; a Zack who stomped his anger down as he finally understood something. So, she was waiting for him to use the ’please’ word? She must be so full of herself! "What do you want, Zack?" Zack scowled, still not used to being addressed rudely by his name. Worse, it was done by a girl who had been his daughter at one time. But he ignored it. He had something important to ask for. "I want our relationship back..." Athena laughed. "There was never a relationship between us, Zack. Stop deluding yourself. If this is what you came here for, I suggest you run along. The security team will be here soon, and I doubt you will want to be dragged out of the hospital, considering your reputation." Zack fisted his palms in anger, then splayed them on his thighs when he remembered what was at stake. Temporarily pushing the remnant of his dignity away, he slowly knelt down before Athena—mentally invoking hail and brimstones on her as he did so. "Please, Athena, forgive me..."