Chapter 97: The Gala

Chapter 97: The Gala "Mom, you look great!" Kate and Nathaniel exclaimed in unison as Athena stepped into the living room. Beside them, Kendra echoed the same compliment, beaming from ear to ear. Athena felt their excitement wash over her like a warm breeze—it was the kind of moment that could lighten even the heaviest of hearts. Dressed in a stunning silver gown that clung to her curves like a work of art, Athena felt a glow of confidence radiate from her very being. The gown hugged her shape perfectly, accentuating her waist and gracefully flaring out at the bottom. The back of the dress was elegantly designed, emphasizing the smooth lines of her back while leaving just enough to the imagination. A daring slit ran up to her thigh, adding a touch of boldness without compromising her grace. The neckline dipped just enough to show a hint of cleavage, striking the perfect balance between elegance and allure. With a sparkle of silver sequins twinkling with every movement, Athena looked like she had stepped out of a fairy tale. Areso had done a good job. She couldn’t help but smile as she walked towards her children. Leaning down, she kissed each of them on the forehead, breathing in their youthful energy. "Thank you, sweethearts!" Just then, Gianna joined her in the sitting room, and the moment was charged with a sense of glamour that felt almost palpable. Gianna was wearing a breathtaking blue gown that shimmered like the ocean under the moonlight. The gown hugged her figure in all the right places, the soft fabric falling gracefully to the floor, creating the illusion of waves cascading around her. The deep blue color complemented Gianna’s warm complexion perfectly, while delicate embellishments sparkled at her waist, drawing attention to its silhouette. "Wow, Gianna, you look absolutely stunning!" Athena remarked, trailing her eyes all over her friend. "And you, my dear, are a vision in silver!" Gianna grinned, both of them admiring each other’s beauty. As they examined their outfits, the twins and Kendra played around, their giggles echoing through the spacious room. "Okay, you three, let’s tone it down a bit before we leave," Athena admonished playfully. "Tonight is special, and we need you to be on your best behavior." "Promise, Mom!" They chimed, their eyes wide and earnest. Athena furrowed her eyebrows watching the twins. "Don’t spy on us." She whispered into their ears, while pretending to drop a kiss on their cheeks. The twins bobbled their heads. Athena said nothing after that. She would just have to trust them. "Let’s go, Athena. The gala has already started." Aiden was already waiting for them by the car when they stepped out of the building, his smile warm and inviting. "I can see why you both took your time..." He spoke as opened the car door, like a gentleman would, for them. A bittersweet feeling washed over Athena as she stepped in. This was her last drive with Aiden. "Aiden, you look dashing as always" Gianna greeted, taking note of his crisp suit. "Thank you, Giana." Aiden bowed, causing Gianna to chuckle softly. He risked a glance at Athena. She was looking out from the window. He sighed sadly, before shutting the door, and walking to the driver’s seat. "So, tonight is your last drive, huh?" Athena murmured, when the car started moving, trying to keep her voice light despite the twinges in her heart. "Yeah," Aiden replied, nodding as he pulled onto the road. "The new driver will start tomorrow. I’ll miss driving you around; it’s always a pleasure." "Same here," Athena said, her gaze drifting out of the window. "You’ve been wonderful, Aiden. Thank you for everything." "I’ll still be around, Athena," he reassured her. "Just a phone call away if you need anything." "True, but it won’t be the same," she admitted. She appreciated him more than words could express, and the thought of someone new stepping into his shoes felt strange. She glanced at Gianna, who was looking out the window, lost in thought, and wondered if the latter was remembering what had happened the last time they had dressed for a night out. She hoped not. "Hey, let’s not get too sentimental before the gala," Gianna suggested, breaking the silence after a while. "Tonight is about celebrating and having fun, right?" Athena nodded, trying to refocus her thoughts on the night ahead. "You’re right. The gala is a chance to unwind and enjoy ourselves." Aiden expertly navigated the streets, and before long, they arrived at the grand venue of the gala. The building loomed tall and majestic against the backdrop of the evening sky, lights twinkling like stars on Earth. Valets swarmed around, expertly managing cars as guests filtered in, each one dressed to the nines. Athena took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation as she stepped out of the car, gliding her fingers down the silky fabric of her gown. "Let’s make some memories tonight." She declared, boosting her own enthusiasm. Gianna echoed her sentiment immediately. As they entered the venue, they were greeted by a couple of familiar faces and valets, their expressions lighting up as they spotted the duo in their stunning gowns. "This way, ma’am..." Athena felt the muscles in her shoulders relax, and she smiled as compliments flowed in her direction from people who had visited the hospital at one time or another. They were swiftly ushered to the VIP section, a sought-after spot that offered an unobstructed view of the festivities. At the VIP section, Athena took note of Ewan and Fiona, sitting on a round table with Zane and Sandro. The atmosphere turned tense as she caught Ewan’s unapproving glance when he spotted her and Gianna. What now? Why was he looking at her like she had committed treason? Sensing the weight of the moment, Athena guided Gianna to a far corner of the VIP area. "We’re better off here," She whispered, casting one last glance toward Ewan, who still stared at her with those cold blue eyes of his which have gotten darker. Gianna nodded, her eyes scanning the room as they took their seats, far removed from the group. "I hope the slut doesn’t cause trouble again. I won’t take it lying low." Athena knew her friend was talking about Fiona. "She wouldn’t dare. This gala is organized by people she wouldn’t dare to offend." "Good," Gianna replied, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. "I’d rather keep my distance from that drama actually." Not long after they settled in, Sandro excused himself from the main table. Moving toward Athena and Gianna, a smile broke on his handsome face. "You two look incredible!" He said, genuine admiration etched on his features. "Thanks, Sandro! It’s so nice to see you!" Gianna exclaimed, her energy brightening the air around them. She was aware that Zane was staring at her, aware that the reason he wasn’t here fawning over Athena was because of her presence. Yet, she didn’t care. "I hope you won’t lose your job by being here with us? Your boss is glaring daggers at your back." Sandro laughed, and took a seat. "Don’t mind him. How have you been, Athena?" Athena shrugged her shoulders. "Been okay." Meanwhile, Ewan wasn’t pleased with Sandro’s display of friendship, nor was Fiona, who was brimming with annoyance and impatience. Fiona, who was giddy with anticipation, whose feet were making irregular tap dances on the floor. She couldn’t wait for her plans for tonight to come to pass.