Is My Husband Gay?

"Dear, you need to come back to the United States, your father is ill and he needs you here."

Those were the words Athena heard from her mother, Elizabeth Scotts, before she board the first flight back to them.

She had to leave all her classes and important exams of her Master degree in business but she don't mind at all. Hopefully her father will get well and she'll be back soon.

She calmed herself down with some music as the flight took off. But that did nothing to stop her mind from wandering around.

"Hey Miss." Someone tapped her shoulders and brought her back to the present.

She looked to where the tapping was coming from and her eyes met with an amber brown ones.

The man was dressed like he was in a business meeting or is going to one. His tie is white with red stripes with matches the black suit he is wearing. His hair, dirty blonde is styled and gelled neatly backwards, which just suit his eyes.

In all, he was looking dashing with his muscular built body barely hidden in the clothes he wore.

"How may I help you sir?" Athena asked politely with her best pretentious smile.

He was on his feet in front of the seat next to her, the seat was close to the aisle where the flight attendants pass to serve the passengers.

"I'm so sorry for bothering you." He put his hands together in front of her and then rubbed them together begging. "But can I sit at the window seat instead?" He now had a sheepish smile and he looked nervous.

He was eyeing her, she looked sophisticated with her ginger red hair parted at the middle of her head and fall loosely at either sides of her shoulders.

Her makeup is light and simple and the man thought she did not need it as her face was flawless, looked soft and perfect but the makeup gave her the rich lady look.

Her floral dress did not scream expensive but it is inclusive in adding to her beauty at this particular time.

Athena looked through the little window of the plane besides her, she loved sitting at the window seat because she loved staring at the clouds as she flew. The clouds are one of the few sure things in her life, they are always there whenever she board the plane and travelled to other places.

She turned back to him, "Of course you can sit here." She smiled politely then exchanged seats with the man.

After sitting at her previous seat, the man calmed down a bit but still looked nervous while looking out through the windows.

"Will someone special be there?" Athena asked after her observation, she smiled warmly even though the man hasn't looked at her yet.

When he turned to face her, he met with her green eyes, she was smiling warmly at him and it reached her eyes.

"Huh?" He furrowed his brows questioningly. He was even surprised she spoke to him, she seemed like those rich proud girls that thinks highly of themselves and everyone else is beneath them.

She giving her seat was more then enough kindness he expected plus she is a very beautiful lady, and she most definitely knows it.

"Where you're going." She replied, "Will someone special be there? You look very nervous even after taking my seat, that spot should have done the trick of making you relaxed." She explained.

He nodded then sighed.

"Some people I really want to impress are there, I really want to see their faces lit up for once because of me." He disclosed to Athena.

Flight attendants stopped by the seats of the passengers and asked what they'll be eating? Soon, one of the women, dressed like a typical flight attendant with dark blue straight tight skirt, a dark blue suit on top of a white inner singlet, and her hair was made a neat bun on her head. Her makeup is heavy and professional.

"Good day Miss," she greeted Athena, "and sir," she directed to the man sitting with Athena. "Would any of you like anything to eat?" She asked politely.

"What are you offering?" Athena asked whilst looking at the service trolley beside the flight attendant.

"Some snacks and drinks. There's Coke oh and I have just one chicken sandwich left." The attendant listed.

"I'll have the sandwich." Athena requested, "With the coke."

It was handed to her and the flight attendant look over to the man. "Sir, won't you have anything? The flight is a long one."

"No don't worry." He shook his head.

"Okay sir." The flight attendant left.

"Hey you want some advice?" Athena asked suddenly after a while which made the man to turn his attention to Athena from the window of the airplane.

"Advise?" He furrowed his brows, "Sure if you as some." He pressed forward nevertheless. "But I don't think you'll understand my situation right now." He added.

His thoughts are that Athena is a pretty rich lady that was probably spoiled my mummy and daddy and doesn't have any idea of hard work or fighting for approval from someone.

Athena smiled at him genuinely this time and it reached her eyes and it showcased her dimples which could be easily missed cause they were not that deep.

At this his heart melt at her smile and he calmed down a bit and dropped his guard which he had up to because he was after all sitting with a very beautiful lady and he had too much of pretty ladies drama for another one in an airplane leading to the place where the people he is so nervous to face are.

"That's what everyone thinks." She laughs and the man felt a little bad for judging her like that, he after all does not know her and she did give him her seat which she probably enjoyed being in.

"But it's much more complicated than that, you see..." She sighs, "I'm dropping everything to go back home just at their command to do so. All my exams and study to go back to the US again and the course I'm studying isn't what I wanted to study in the first place. I have no other choice but to excel in that course no matter how much I don't like it and I did just to make them happy."

The sadness in her eyes could not be missed and her smile had fallen. The man could clearly see that she was really unhappy with her life and she must know a thing or two about suffering and working hard especially for someone's approval. This makes him feel more guilty.

"I'm sorry for judging you like that." He apologized sincerely to Athena and she just wave it off.

"Oh don't worry about that," she chuckles, "it's normal."

"So you were saying something about an advise?" He reminded her.

"Oh I just wanted to say, if you have done what ever it is you are supposed to do accordingly to how you were asked to without any of your opinion in the matter then you should rest assured that you'll make them happy." Athena answered.

"I see, thanks." He nodded, seeming in thoughts about what she had said.

"Just be sure that none of your view is in the matter and it's exactly what they want." She repeated.

"I understand." The man said and smiled for the first time. "My name is Asher by the way." He introduced himself.

Athena only nodded before turning away, "But remember that wanting to gain their approval nor making them happy is ever going to satisfy them. That will never be enough." She said in an undertone which Asher heard.

From her tone he understood that her words were true and that's that. Period. And also the end of the conversation.

Athena proceed to placing her earphones back in her ears.

*****

The plane finally landed, when she was done getting all her stuff she checked if someone was waiting to pick her up.

There was still a five percent probability which made her hope a little but that wasn't a good enough reason for her to stay and wait in case someone was coming and is late.

When she saw others picking up their loved ones and no one was there for her, she quickly regained herself.

She pushed away the little hurt she felt.

"Foolish woman, I wonder what's going on inside my head sometimes." She said to herself.

She sighed and left the airport and got into a cab.

She dialed her mother's number and she picked after five rings.

"Hello mother." She greeted.

"Have you land?" Her mother asked from the other end.

"Yes."

"Alright, use a bus and come." Her mother ordered.

"A bus? Why a bus?" She asked.

"Umm there's an issue, we need to save as much as possible for the hospital bills... So umm get into a bus, it's cheaper so long as you're not walking here." Mrs Scott replied.

Save? What was that? Athena thought to herself.

She was the daughter of a multimillionaire which companies and partners in many countries and she's talking about saving? How Ill was he? How big was the hospital bill? She questioned but it didn't leave her heart, she kept quiet.

"But I'm already in a cab. We're leaving already." She informed her mother instead.

"Then get off! Please don't waste money or else you'll pay for it." Her mother shouted immediately she words left Athena's mouth.

"I understand, I'll see you soon. Send me the address of the hospital."

"Don't worry just come home." Her mother instructed then hung up.

Athena sighed again then turned to the driver.

"Sir, I'm so sorry but I have to get down." She told him.

"Why sweetie? Change of plans?" The driver asked whilst smiling at her sweetly.

"Yes." She returned the smile.

"You know I can take you anywhere, don't worry I won't charge extra." The driver tried to persuade her.

"Regardless. Thanks for the help but I'll be getting down, I hope you get another passenger soon." She bid him goodbye and got out from the cab.

The driver drove away and her heart immediately sank.

She began to get anxious and goosebumps filled her arms. When she was out of the cab was when she realized what she was going to do next.

She was taking the bus, a public transportation that she has never used before, filled with lots of people.

She took a deep breath, and headed to a bus stop.

She sat at the bench waiting for her bus and soon some people joined her and they sat really close to her.

It was the first she had had such close communication with poor or average people.

Maybe when she was a baby she had had such interaction but it was long forgotten.

"Hi." A young lady sitting beside her greeted. She smiled sweetly at Athena and she couldn't help but return it.

It would be rude not to.

"Hello." She said in return.

"I'm Ashley." She introduced herself and reached out her hand for a hand shake.

Athena looked at the Lady properly, she's a beautiful brunette with forest green eyes and tanned skin. She looked around Athena's age, obviously in her early twenties.

She was dressed in completely in Dior and was wearing light makeup but she couldn't tell if she was well off or just a little bit more an average.

Her face was really friendly with the smile she was wearing but her eyes gave her away.

Athena directed her eyes to the hand waiting for a hand shake, without another thought she placed her hands inside the pocket of her coat.

"I'm sure you're aware of COVID-19." Athena said.

The girl chuckled. "Ah I see." She took her hand back. "I see you are the snubby rich girl type." She added with a frown on her face. "You've just confirmed it." She turned away.

Athena shook her head.

"No. There is nothing to confirm when you've already concluded." Athena corrected. Ashley turned to Athena again and Athena winked at her. A smirk appeared on Ashley's face.

"So um why are you at a bus stop sweetheart?" She asked with a mischievous look on her face.

"Why are you at a bus stop?" Athena asked instead.

"To transport myself somewhere obviously." Ashley answered like it's the most obvious thing in the world. But Athena just nodded and murmured "Exactly."

"Exactly?" Ashley questioned confused but soon realize what she meant. "Where's your personal driver?" She teased but there was some seriousness in her voice.

"Excuse me but have we met before?" Athena couldn't figure out why this Ashley girl is just too nosy and assuming things about her.

"No." She answered nonchalantly.

"Then why are so Judgy? And acting like you know me or something?" Athena asked seeming a bit pissed now and suspicious.

'What is this bitch deal?' she thought.

"I don't know you but I know your type, seem innocent but in side, you're a manipulative bitch." Ashley spat out.

"Oh wow, let me guess. You've had an experience with one and it wasn't pleasant."

"Yup."

"Aww too bad for you, I apologize on her behalf." Athena rushed and said then turn away to end the conversation. She was trying to be polite and nice and not get into any quarrel but she was having a difficult time dealing with the lady.

"Of course cause you're both the same." Ashley whispered in her ears regardless.

Athena turned to her again. "Woah this much resentment because I refused a handshake that could save our lives? I wonder how you'll treat me if I'd stolen your boyfriend." For some reason she couldn't stop replying her.

Ashley laughed, she was a bit amused and had a satisfied look on her face.

"I see. You can try but he's not into rich fakes."

"Hmm what makes you think I'm rich?"

"What?"

"I'm at a bus stop with you and not in a cab or a private car."

"Cause you keep yourself like that. It's so disgustingly noticeable. You're not better than us at the bus stop now are you?" Ashley replied with a little bit of hatred in her voice.

Athena sighed. That was a bit harsh for her cause she knew deep down she was right.

"No, I'm not." She mumbled, her voice a bit down then turned away from her again and directed her attention to the passing cars.

"What happened? I'd said something that touched your soul?" Ashley joked. She didn't seem remorseful at all. Athena rolled her eyes and didn't reply.

Ashley suddenly turned her towards herself to meet her eyes, "If that's the case then know I'm not sorry at all." She stated with a small smile on her face and Athena couldn't help but smile back to it. It was oddly comforting to her.

"Honestly what's your problem with me?" Athena asked.

"Haven't I already told you?"

"No there's more."

"Well I'm not telling 'The more', okay?"

"If so then get off my back."

"Nope."

"Ugh why?"

"Cause you seem interesting and too chatty for your type, maybe you're bored."

Athena rolled her eyes at her.

"By the way why are you at a bus stop again?"

"None of your business."

"I'll keep bugging you until you spill."

Athena took a deep breath, she had no idea who the hell this odd girl was but she was kinda glad she wasn't sucking up to her. If they weren't strangers and they've start off on the wrong note and they wouldn't want to meet each other again, Athena thought they might me best of friends.

"Daddy is sick so we've got to save." Athena answer.

"Daddy is sick and you automatically have to save?" She repeated and

Athena nodded.

"Girl are you a fool? that makes no sense, it sounds like bankruptcy to me." Ashley stated.

"I've been living a fools life ever since I was little, so yes, I am."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Ashley questioned. She was taken aback by what Athena had said. From everything that could possibly be Athena's reply to her she chose to say that. That was shocking for Ashley as she didn't expect that and it was written all over her face.

"Wait, don't tell me you have a very dark past?" Ashley inquired with a little curiosity and more excitement in her eyes as she questioned.

At that moment the bus arrives and Athena was thankful that it came to save her from the strange lady bugging her and digging into her life.

"I have somewhere important to be, excuse me." Athena announced then stood up to get into the bus.

Ashley also stood up and walked along with her.

Athena got irritated by this and turned to her ready to snap at her but Ashley spoke up first.

"What is it? I was waiting for the bus too." She said and walked ahead of Athena.

This definitely isn't how poor people behave, Athena was sure she was a weirdo or a foreigner or some idiot chatter box.

Athena also made her way to the bus, she saw Ashley sitting at the front seat and she made her way to the back before all the seats were taken.

As soon as her butt touched the old seat of the bus, Ashley appeared and sat next to her before the spot was taken.

"What are you doing?" Athena questioned, this was becoming too weird for her.

"What? This is a public bus and you seat wherever you want." Ashley stated then relaxed her back to enjoy the ride.

"Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm a stranger to you right? From the way you spoke earlier you hate me, right?" Athena asked.

Ashley shook her head. "We were strangers until we met. I didn't hate you, I was disgusted." Ashley replied. "Is that correction taken?"

Athena was speechless, no words could come out from her, she had never once met such a daring and stupid person who just talks her mind and do whatever she likes within caring about what people thought.

She was something new to her. She didn't know when her hands moved and it reached out to grab the neck of Ashley's dress. "Who are you."

"Good you're here, sit we have a lot to talk about." Mrs. Scott instructed immediately she saw Athena walking into the living room.

She was sitting on one of the sofas there looking all serious and grumpy.

Athena nodded and sat on the sofa at the right side of hers.

"Your father is in the room don't worry too much about him, he's okay now." Mrs Scott told her and Athena nodded.

Athena knew all too well that he was never at the hospital.

At first she had thought something bad had happened to him with her mother's worried call but when she landed in Las Vegas again after a long time she realized this was a ploy to get her here.

Bankruptcy was the obvious reason. That's why her mother was so stressed and worried on the call.

What now? Were they going to tell her to quit college?

What's the next order they'll be instructing her to do?

"How was school?" Mrs Scott questioned. The question took Athena off guard and she stared in awe at her mother.

What made Mrs Scott ask such a question? She has been informed of all of the activities of Athena over the past years and the grades she has been getting. Everything was reported to her so there was no need to ask Athena personally.

But why was the question asked now? It was really strange for Athena and she didn't know what to say or how to react.

That was what she didn't know, how to react to affections of a parent. She had had no personal experience so it was really difficult.

"Umm..." She hesitated not yet sure of what she should say. "It's going as planned." She answered with all honesty instead. It was going just accordingly as they planned it out.

No parties so she never attended one no matter what, No Bs so she never got one. No absence so she was never absent from a lecture no matter how sick she was.

There was a long bearable pause.

"How was your flight then?" Mrs Scott asked again.

Something was really wrong and Athena knew that.

She observed her mother's appearance, she was still looking well and stylishly dressed but the bags underneath her eyes didn't go unnoticed by Athena.

"How's it going with everything?" Athena asked instead.

"It's going okay, there were lot's of nurses to take care of him." Mrs Scott replied.

"No. You know what I mean." Athena's face was plain and held no emotion whatsoever.

But Mrs Scott knew exactly what she met.

"I knew you were smart." Mrs Scott sighed. "What to do. You didn't get it from us." Mrs Scott smiled at her menacing.

"I don't know what you mean?" Athena stated.

"Oh you haven't catched on to that yet?" Mrs Scott asked.

"I catch on to everything but only do whatever is best and in your interest, mother." Athena replied. "I don't think we should be talking about what I shouldn't know."

"When have I ever asked of what you thought?"

"I apologized mother."

"Don't let the questions I asked earlier catch you off guard next time. From now on you've got to act human and less like a robot okay. I wonder where I went wrong and you turned into this."

"Do you not like my response to you? What would you like me to say instead?" Athena question.

Mrs Scott rolled her eyes.

"Do you really not know anything? I want you to tell me that."

Athena stoped to think. Was drama what she needed? No, was it what Mrs Scott want?

"I know nothing unless you tell me. My knowledge is limited to what you tell me."

"What a pity! I thought I raised you well, how could your knowledge be limited like that. I wanted you to be a genius."

"I am sorry that I have failed you. I will do better and get a limitless knowledge."

"Whatever, that is not necessary anymore. Right now I want you to be the most dependent person in the world."

"Why if I may ask?"

"Well you realize we couldn't send as much money as we could before. That is because we are having a bit of a financial crisis but it's nothing serious and it will be resolved soon."

"I understand. What may I do to be of any assistance?"

"Oh you'll be of great assistance. You are the key."

"I am glad. This will give you peace and I cannot wait to get right on it. What does the company need?"

"The company needs an investor. Someone that will invest and finance the company so it doesn't go under."

"I understand. I shall prepare to conceive them right away. Who are going to be the investors?"

"The Hamiltons. I'm sure you know them."

"Yes I do. I have met them a couple of times and I must say you made the right choice in choosing to make them your investors, they will be able to support with their great influence and money. In fact this should have been done a long time ago."

"Better late than never."

"Noted." Athena sighed. She was not the slightest bit relieved although she had been reassured by her mother. She felt something was off and she knew it won't be easy making them an investor.

And she knows that their company has been facing bad management and misuse of company funds for a while now because of her father and who would trust a company like that? Definitely not her.

"Bit mother, you do know it won't be easy convincing the Hamilton about this partnership you have in mind." Athena need to state the facts to her mother and make it clear even though she will have to do her best, there are still chances that her very best will do nothing at all to move the Hamilton especially the current CEO.

But the next thing her mother said shocked her.

"Oh but they have already been convinced. They accepted." Mrs Scott informed her.

Although there was no expression on Athena's face, it was obvious she was shock and speechless.

She couldn't say anything for a while as different thoughts ran through her mind.

If they have successfully convinced the Hamiltons which she finds it really hard to believe then why was she called here? Why was she called the key! Why was she told she will be of great assistance? What did her mother mean by all what she said.

"Then what am I suppose to help out in?" She asked, she was dreading the answer cause knowing her mother, what's to come next can never be good.

"Oh well it's simple really and you can definitely pull it off. You see, the CEO agreed with a condition and we accepted it."

"And what is that condition?"

"That you will be marrying him for twenty years. It's that simple." Mrs Scott finally revealed.

Somehow, Athena was not surprised. She had expected to be married off one of these days and she had also prepared herself for the worst to come out from her mother's big mouth.

"I could try convincing them to agree without the marriage attached." Athena offered.

"There is no need for that really, we have already accepted and we will keep it that way."

"I understand. When will be the marriage?"

"In two weeks. The day after tomorrow is going to be your engagement party."

"I will prepare myself for it. If that is all, I will take my leave now." Athena excused herself then stood up to leave.

Mrs Scott did not stop her and just when she was almost out of the living room did Athena turn back.

"I have a question to ask." She said.

"What is it?" Mrs Scott asked without even looking back at her. She was satisfied that what she wanted will be done.

"Do you even like me?" Athena asked. It was now that she turned to Athena and with furrowed brows, glared at her. Athena has never asked a question like this before and this got her thinking.

Not about why she made that statement by why she is even asking. It was supposed to be clear.

"Well of course, you are my daughter right? Because you are considered family, that's the reason we are even making your future bright! Marrying into the Hamilton family will automatically mean that your future is bright and set for you." Mrs Scott answered.

"I never even said anything against that." With that, Athena turned back and walked away.

She went up to her room and went straight to her bed and crashed in.

She replayed the conversation she had with her mother and it was then the realization of her next task dawn on her.

She knew that she would one day have to get married to the man her parents choose.

What she thought she needed to do now was to make sure that this marriage is a success.

She has to see to it that the investment pushes through and saves her parents' company from the financial crisis it was facing now.

Her mind went to the guy she met on her flight to L.A. she hoped he does the right thing according to the people he wishes to impress, hoping that didn't mean taking his life to a different turn like hers.

She got up from her bed to freshen up after her long flight. She kept her luggages and went in to her room's bathroom to shower.

After she came out she took out clothes from her luggages and arranged them in her walk-in closet.

After she was done putting everything in other, she went into her bed again to rest for the day.

***

Athena wore a white dress which complimented her skin and made her look really elegant and it suited the scene she was in.

The party was filled with potential wedding party members both from each side of the family. Her parents had Invited some few office staffs that had high position in their company.

She was soon to be introduced to her soon-to-be husband.

And she wasn't even eager to meet him, she didn't care about any of it.

The host of the party came up on the stage to make an announcement to the guest present in the party

"Good day lovely ladies and gentlemen. I hope we are all enjoying ourselves today in this wonderful party today. we all know why we're here, and it is to celebrate the lovely engagement of Mr Hamilton and Ms. Scott. Please lovely Mr and Ms. come up on to the stage and show yourselves to this lovely people today.

Please ladies and gentlemen give a round of applause as we welcome the engaged couple as they come up on stage." The host said, then after he started the round of applause that soon circulated in the audience.

Athena took that as a cue to walk up on stage and greet the host with a handshake. She looked to her left and saw him. The man she has to spend the rest of her life with regardless of what she wants.

The tall hulk size man she stared at was looking at the crowd in front of them. He was about turning to her, for some reason she panicked and looked away and turn her attention to the crowd.

Soon after the claps from the audience subsided, all eyes were on the couple on the stage.

Athena sighted her mom in the audience and as soon as their eyes met. Her mother motioned her to react.

So Athena managed to turn around towards her fiance. He also turned to look at her, after a little hesitation they both hugged each other, in what the audience believed to be a display of affection from them. And they supported this with another round of applause.

They pulled away from each other soon and smiled back at their ever supportive audience.

Athena thought if they all really cared about their future and not what they would all gain if this pushes through. But she pushed those thoughts aside, fully convinced that this was what she was meant to do. This was the 'right thing' to do. So she shouldn't be thinking about what others thought about it.

She looked at her mother and father who were pleased, she could tell from the looks they gave her.

Her father, although looking older than she remembered looked very well and not at all sick. He dressed well to the occasion. He was in his favorite expensive blue tuxedo and her mother wore a blue dress to compliment it. They were sitting together at the front row like a happy couple and a supportive family.

After the host said some more things about their engagement they were both Allowed to come down from the elevated floor.

She went to meet with her parents, who lead her towards her fiance.

"Oh Mr Hamilton we're so happy that our family will soon be united. Oh sorry I shouldn't call you that, son-in-law." Her mother said with a little giggle.

The sound of the word "son-in-law" made Athena cringe, right there it dawned on her that she was engaged and not the kind of engagement every woman would love to have.

No proposal, only a trick that her mother played to get her here from school and marry their biggest investor and she was meeting him at their already arranged engagement party.

"Ms Scott I'm pleased to meet you." Mr Hamilton said while implanting a kiss on the hands of Athena.

She smiled politely at him and lean towards him to give him a peck on the cheek. This was what she thought she was supposed to do since they were engaged.

He smiled at Athena and she felt warm inside for an unknown reason.

His fine lips screamed to her to be kissed. She was sure girls would be lining up to get a feel on those lips of his.

He was attractive in all aspect and any girl would be happy to marry him, she thought. But not all. Not her. Attractive or not, he is not her choice and this is all business. She was sure he had no affection for her at all.

Mr Hamilton shook hands with Athena's parents then excused himself.

"See Athena he is a fine man, a good one for you no doubt." Athena's mom said to her.

She nodded her head.

She left her parents and got a drink from a waiter and downed the whole thing in one go.

"He is so hot, but I think what they say must be true." Someone from behind Athena said.

She turned to look to see three ladies holding a discussion over glasses of wine.

"What makes you so sure I mean, look his engaged now." One of them said.

"It might just be a cover, I still think his gay. I mean didn't you see how awkward they were while hugging! They didn't even kiss each other."

"Gay?" Athena whispered to herself.

Were they talking about her Fiance.

What a way to make him more good for her, she thought.

She searched for her Fiance in the crowd with her eyes and spotted him leaving the hall of the party.

She felt the urge to follow him and she did. He went down the hallway which was surprisingly quiet and she saw a man waiting at the end. The met up with the guy and they were talking about something, maybe business she thought.

She took a good look at what the other guy was wearing.

She saw that he was good looking also he was wearing a tuxedo but her eyes thrilled down, she saw that he was holding hands with her Fiance.

'what' she was wondering why he was holding hands with him. Were they that close.

Not wanting to be caught spying cause she was not in a hiding spot, she decided to return back to the party.

She tried to shake off what she saw with another drink, this time alcoholic but then she overhead another conversation behind her.

She listened closely to the Ladies who were discussing about her Fiancè.

"Do you think Mrs Scott knows about him being gay?" One of them asked.

"Of course she does, she just wanted his money and his good looks must have been an aiding factor for her to overlook his sexuality." Another lady said.

Was this a well known truth that he was gay? Did her parents know? Was the guy with him one of his fling that he brought along to his engagement party?

She shaked her head. She believed they might just be trying to start a false rumor.

She took In some more drinks and searched for her mother in the crowd.

She needed to find out if this was true, if she was going to be married to a homosexual.

She spotted her mother talking to some guests at the left corner of the Hall.

She walked over there and took her mother's hand interrupting their conversation.

She turned to face the guests and greeted them with a fake smile.

"Please I would like to borrow my mom for a minute." She said politely.

Her mother furrowed her brows not knowing what was going on, but she too put a smile on a face.

"Oh please do, she's all yours." The lady among the guests said in response.

"Thanks."

She took her mother to the end of the hall were no one was.

"What is this all about. I was busy speaking with some potential clients. What's has gotten in to you?" Athena's mom asked her angrily.

"Mother is Mr Hamilton gay?" She simply asked.

'please say no and let all of my doubts be cleared.' Athena prayed internally.

"Shush! Where did you hear that from? Don't mention that here, keep quiet" Her mother reprimanded her,

"Mother I need to know...."she was cut short by her mother.

"Not here Athena!." She said then left her daughter in dismay to the party.

Athena didn't know what to make of her mother's response to her question.

Not even a single word to defend him not being gay. Then was he truly?

Suddenly she couldn't stand being in this place anymore, filled with pretentious people with no care to anyone feelings.

She couldn't wait for this party to be over. She needed to be out of here ASAP.

Since they all came together in a limousine she had to take a cab home.

She went out from the hall of the party and to the street where she hailed a cab home.

As soon as she reached their Mansion she went into her room ignoring any house helps talking to her. She wasn't in the mood to say anything to anyone right now.

She dropped her purse on a round large table in the middle of her room.

And she went straight to her bed to crash there.

She couldn't wait for her mother to explain anything to her because she knew that her mother wouldn't think twice before lying to her about it.

She looked towards her bedside table and saw her phone charging.

She decided she was going to do a little stalking on her Fiance.

She was sure he might have done the same on her, because she was his future wife after all. So it wouldn't be bad if she did so too, right?

She waved those thoughts off and went ahead to unlock her phone and did some stalking.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing on her screen. They were really rumors circulating about him being Gay.

Did her parents just got her engaged to a homosexual? She just realized that they didn't really care about her.

And the way her mother acted at the engagement party when she had asked her about it confirmed that she already knew about it.

She had done all she can to do right with her parents. Going to study the course they choose and even went as far as accepting to marry someone she didn't even know. They didn't seem to care if he was the last man any one would marry as far as they got what they wanted and not what would be good for her.

Once again her mother lied to her.

She didn't like her in the slightest bit. All she was, was a tool for her parents.

She wondered if she was ever going to school again.

She sat on her bed with her phone on her hand near her bedside table. The mobile phone was slowly slipping away from her hold, as she looked at nowhere in particular. Her heart ached in pain as a tear slowly dropped on her cheek.

Athena's parents came home soon after the party was over.

They were welcomed warmly by the house helps of the Mansion, their house employees.

The butler came to greet them also. His name was Francesco, he has been their butler for Twenty seven years now. He was a good looking man In his mid forties who always dressed and address their family formally. He took good care of himself and was easy on the eyes.

"Francesco, has Athena come home?" Ms. Scott asked him.

"Yes ma'am, the lady is in her room." He answered.

"Tell her to come see us here, in the living room." Mr Scott ordered.

"Yes sir."

Francesco left their presence to go call Athena.

He went to her bedroom door and gave it few knocks.

Athena turned around abruptly eyeing the door.

"Ms. Athena, your mother and father calls for you at the living room." Francesco said from outside the room.

Athena relaxed hearing Francesco voice.

Athena was sure her mom and dad were both angry at the fact that she left the party without telling anyone. She was sorry but, she was a bit upset at both of them.

"I'll be out shortly." She simply responded after composing herself.

After that she stood up from

The heart shaped sofa she was sitting on.

She went out of her room and not surprising, she didn't see Francesco.

She knew he had left after reporting her parents' message, and hearing her response, even if she didn't hear him leave. No one ever hears his footsteps.

She went to the living room where she saw her mom and dad sitting on their enormous couch in the middle west of the living room looking towards the 32inches plasma in front of them as a news channel played on it.

Athena sat down on a couch a little bit further from the one her parents were on.

"You called." Athena said to her mother and father like an A.I robot.

Ms.scott facial expression then changed to a disappointed one as she turned towards the direction of where the voice of her robotic daughter was coming from.

"Why did you leave all of a sudden?" She asked Athena.

Athena couldn't believe her ears she was asking as if she didn't realized that Athena already knew she was marrying a gay man. Ok then she was going to play this game with her mom.

"I didn't want to be there anymore, I felt suffocated." Athena responded.

"Suffocated? What does that mean?" Mr Scott asked pretty pissed off by her response.

"You didn't think to let me know about this before you left?" Ms. Scott said increasing her voice in every word.

"I thought of that but you said we shouldn't talk there so we're here now. Let's talk." Athena spat back.

"Do you realize that you embarrassed me today? I don't know what comes to you as thinking straight." Ms.scott said with venom in her voice.

"I think the way you want me to mother, and I think you wouldn't want me hearing gossip about my fiance."

"Listen here young lady, you'll have to atone for your reckless behavior, stop giving stupid excuses." Mr Scott said.

Athena's mom couldn't quite catch up on what she was saying.

"What do you mean by gossip, Athena? You are Going to apologize to mr Hamilton for leaving like that, you'll make up for your mistake." Athena's mom said In agreement to what her husband said.

"I don't think I need an excuse mother." She told her mom.

"Then why did you leave? I was going to explain everything to you. But you had to act stupidly." Athena's mom said.

Mr Scott had now understand what she meant.

"Ok, explain to me why I'm marrying someone who is gay?"

"It's just rumours, You'll have to do it, to save our company." Ms. Scott said.

"So this is all about the company and not about me at all. I'm marrying a guy who is gay, for the company. To hell with my life and how I feel." Athena said with contempt in her voice.

"Stop acting like a child, this is for twenty years only. You just don't fall for him if he is really gay." Mr Scott said.

"Yes I'm acting like a child. Then why can't you just treat me like a child,....your child." Athena said hesitantly.

"You're not......" Athena's mom paused then continued. "You're not a little child Athena try to understand our situation here.

Athena knew what she wanted to say and she knew she didn't care.

"But, what about my studies abroad?" Athena asked them while standing up from the couch.

"That will be discontinued." Mr Scott said.

"What? I don't get it, this is what you guys wanted, for me to study that course and to study in that university." Athena asked feeling agitated.

"Athena the company is more important now, we can't let it go down after all our hard work. You'll have to stop." Ms Scott said.

"Dear I want you to get prepared the wedding is in one week." Ms. Scott said.

Athena was shocked at the date. The wedding day was nearby. She has a week to prepare to be sold. Yes, She only saw this wedding as a trade, This was a wedding of benefits only, not love, so she should had expected this.

"Alright, mom and dad. As you wish." Athena said then She left the room without saying another word.

She can't talk to her mom nor dad to see reasons with her. They all didn't care, no matter how hard she plead.

She had no idea how she was going to spend her life living with a guy like that.

She then did some more research on him, she thought that maybe they were just rumors and if she looked hard enough she might just see something that could prove that.

She went on to a publicity about him were it stated that he was caught On camera with one of his many boyfriends. She checked the picture and saw Mr Hamilton getting inappropriately close to a guy, and she recognized the guy.

This was the same man she saw him holding hands with at the engagement party.

Athena was disgusted with this discovery.

'he brought his boyfriend to his engagement party and make out with him there?' she believes he is a freak and really didn't want to marry him now.

All the good looks, she thought were all for nothing.

She waved that thought aside, she shouldn't care about his looks she wasn't going to like him. But she has to marry him.

Her parents were counting on her. Gay or not he could save her parents' company and the right thing to do was to do as they say. They had really taken care of her.

She was going to have to be her Gay-fiance's wife.

The days rolled by and before she knew it, it was her wedding day.

Her parents had hired a well-renowned make-up artist And hairstylist, Who did her bridal make-up and hair

Her wedding gown was sown specifically for her, by a well-known designer

Once her make-up and hair were made. She looked at her reflection on the mirror and saw that they did everything perfectly.

She looked Very beautiful on the outside, but was very sad on the inside.

She felt as if she was getting dolled up to be sold at a brothel.

She turned around and to see her entourage getting all excited at seeing the way she looked.

They were all probably wishing they were in her shoes, and she would had gladly switch the Situation.

Athena left the powder room and went out of the mansion along with her escorts to meet the driver holding out the back door seat of the white limousine.

She didn't feel the urge to go in.

So she stood there for a while, not until one of the bridesmaids nudged her and she went in hesitantly.

While in the car she just zoned out not caring about what the other girls were giggling excitedly about in the car. She wasn't in the mood to be in a discussion to find out right now.

Once they reached the venue which was a popular catholic church there in L.A. The driver stopped the car and came out of the driver's seat to open the door for Athena, while doing so he had to avoid the lights of the camera coming at him, as some news reporters kept on takIng pictures of him as he about to open the door for Athena

Once the door was opened more pictures were taken and some group of journalist came forward to ask Athena some questions.

"Ms. Scott, Ms.scott, how do you feel today on your wedding day?" One of them asked.

"Are you excited to be married today? Is it true Mr Hamilton is gay?" Another asked again.

The questions kept pouring as the driver and some bodyguards tried to pushed them away and make a clear path for Athena to pass through.

She soon reached the entrance of the church with the help she was given by her bodyguards and went she went in. She climbed up the stairs and followed the path that was made with rose petals to reach her soon-to-be husband who was standing near the alter with the priest on the stage above him. When the guest took notice of her presence they all stood up. Mr Hamilton looked really dashing in his white suit, but Athena didn't notice this. She wasn't aware of anything as she walked past the audience to her soon-to-be husband.

Everything just went by without a single hint of emotions on her face.

And it was the same for her soon-to-be husband. They took their vows nonchalantly and the crowd clapped their hands in support of them.

Athena couldn't hear a thing she was completely zoned out. The wedding reception was a bit sour as the bride and both the groom prepared nothing for the event to show their photos of the past or of them together. No sort of speech to express to the crowd of their love, because this was all business.

Her parents were the ones overjoyed with everything that was happening. They were more joyous than either of the two.

They couldn't see that their daughter felt miserable as a bride, it was as if no one saw this or no one cared, because they all had something to gain from this, which was definitely not her happiness.

When everything was over, the newly wedded couple entered a black limousine. They were set to go to their honeymoon destination.

The atmosphere was so tense in the back of the vehicle where the couples were.

Not one of them turned to look at the other, Mr Hamilton was busy on his phone, while Athena was busy looking out the window watching the passing sceneries, thinking of Lots of things about how will her life be now as a married woman.

Will she have to stay in the same room as her husband or will they stay in separate rooms?

Will she have to be a full time housewife? She would have preferred it if she worked and did something useful with her time.

Will she have to submit herself to her husband and have sex with him? Right now, thinking about that, she prayed he was actually gay.

Will her husband mistreat her or just ignore her existence.

What was his reason for marrying her like this if he's actually gay or if not, why marry her when there will be nothing for him to gain?

There was so many things for her to think about and her thoughts were all over the place worrying about things that might be important or not.

"Athena" it took her a while to figure out that her name was called. That brought her back to reality and stopped her train of thoughts.

She turned to look at her husband.

"Yes?" She answered like someone who hadn't been deliberating on how she would live her life. But like a submissive woman answering her husband.

It seemed Mr Hamilton was also startled at the way she responded, seeing he paused for a moment before he continued.

"We aren't going for our honeymoon in Hawaii, but we'll have to make the media believe we left to that destination." He said, his voice sounding very calm.

'If they weren't going for their honeymoon then How where they going to make the media believe they went' Athena wondered.

"How do we manage to make the media believe this?" Athena asked.

With what he was currently worried about, Athena was convinced that he was a man who only cared about what others thought of him.

"We'll be staying at my house for those three days." He replied to Athena. "Get yourself ready as we will be stopping at a hotel to change vehicles and then head over to my place." Mr Hamilton concluded.

"Ok then." She said and that ended their short conversation.

Soon, just as Mr Hamilton said, the driver stopped at a hotel. They got out of the car and two person, a man and a woman were standing in front of them, waiting patiently.

They walked closer once Athena and Mr Hamilton we're out. The man was dressed exactly like Mr Hamilton from his hair style to the expensive suit he was wearing. It was a duplicate of it and looking at both of them, one could mistake the man for Mr Hamilton if not careful or take a closer look.

It was the same for the woman. She was wearing a replica wedding gown as her's.

Seeing all this, Athena has understood what was going to go down.

Obviously there was still going to be reporters at the airport waiting for them and there will be a scandal if they did not turn up to board their flight.

The driver came out of the car then went to the back to take out all of Athena's belongings.

Mr Hamilton nodded at them and they immediately got into the limousine and drove away.

"Another car should arrive in any minute." Mr Hamilton said.

Athena nodded but after a minute passed and no car came, she had to call Mr Hamilton's attention.

"Can we go inside?"

"What for?"

"I would like to change out of this gown now, it's not like it's very comfortable." Athena explain.

Mr Hamilton seem to understand and nodded. He began walking inside and Athena followed closely behind him with a luggage.

He booked a room then left after he witnessed Athena getting the keys to the room.

Athena was given to room 309. When she got in, the first thing she did was to lie on the comfortable bed and take in a deep breath.

While in the session, she realized her heart was heavy and felt somewhat weird. She felt an emotion she never felt before hence she has no idea what to call the feeling.

After a few seconds of relaxing, she made herself get up and took out a black dress from the luggage and happily exited the wedding gown and put on the comfortable and free dress. She forced the wedding dress into the luggage then took it along with her outside of the room.

She didn't want to be taken as a slowpoke. She was definitely not it so she hurried there before he could go look for her and before the car arrived.

The car arrived shortly after she met up with Mr Hamilton again and they drove off.

After three hours they finally reached his house, which was also a mansion, but was two times bigger than the Scott's mansion.

No doubt the Hamiltons were richer than the Scotts

Athena and her husband both entered the magnificent building Of the Hamiltons and was greeted by the house helps of the mansion, in the living room.

Mr Hamilton called for his butler and a man whose jet black hair was jelled back, in a former uniform similar to the ones the other maids were wearing joined the maids in the living room.

His posture was somewhat animated, his appearance made him look like a man in his early thirties, but his face gave him away. His face could tell that he looked like a man in his mid forties.

Mr Hamilton introduced the house helps by simple stating their various duties in the mansion.

From his introduction Athena got the feeling that he didn't know his house employees very well. Because he kept correcting himself, since he couldn't quite get their roles in the house. But his flaws weren't quite obvious, since he always improvise with his words. But all of it wasn't missed by Athena.

She always got to know everyone whether their aware of it or not. She was an observant person.

But who was she kidding he was a busy person and didn't have the time to know each and every maid he employed. He must have other better things to do.

"Please, butler show Ms Scott...I mean My wife the room she'll be staying in. He asked the jolly looking man.

"Yes sir." He answered with a smile on his wrinkled face.

"Good I'll leave her to you then." Mr Hamilton said then he left their presence to a location unknown to Athena.

"My name is Leonardo and I'm the butler here at your service Ma'am." He said giving her a short introduction.

"Nice to meet you Leonardo." She simply said and followed Leonardo as he showed her to her room.

"The maids shall put your clothes in order ma'am. Please accompany me while I show you the rest part of the house." He offered with his hands out.

Athena couldn't Go on a tour right now she was emotionally and physically tired right now and what she needed was a quick bath and to just lay down on a bed.

"I'm sorry Leonardo, but I'll have to decline that offer, maybe some other time." She said In an apologetic manner

"Alright ma'am, if you need anything you could ask any maid, and they'll be ready to assist you." He said and bowed his head a little then left her at the entrance of her room.

Athena opened the bedroom door slowly and took in the sight in front of her. The place was beautifully decorated but it felt like a guest room.

Well of course it would be a guest room she will have to be staying. She definitely didn't expect to occupy the master bedroom.

She walked into the room and went straight to the bed which was gigantic and took her shoes off.

After a minute, three house helps came Into the room with her belongings. They all greeted Athena once they caught sight of her, then went to different sides of the room.

They kept her clothes in the closet and her shoes in a shoes closet then all her makeup essential on a table where there was a large mirror and chair beside the table.

A maid was about to open a particular luggage, which she brought from the car, but Athena stopped her instructing the maid to leave it unopened.

Once they were all through with everything, they left the room and one of them closed the door to the room.

Athena stood up from the bed towards the closet and she opened it and saw that the maids did a good job in folding the right clothes properly and hanging some of them.

She then saw the luggage she had asked one of the maid to leave unopened. Athena opened the luggage and brought out her wedding gown.

All the memories of what had happened today filled her thoughts, on seeing the gown.

She wasn't going to ever forget the faces of her parents on this day.

The day they sold her, the person who turned herself to a robot for them.

Athena kept the gown back in the luggage and she kept it in the innermost part of the closet, where it would be difficult for anyone to take note of it's presence in the closet.

*****

After hours of Athena just sitting on her bed doing nothing, it was time for dinner. She had refused to eat lunch and she had also not eaten anything in the morning either so she would be able fit into her wedding gown. This was the advice of her mother although Athena is already thin as a stick.

Her stomach grumbled for skipping two meal time and after a hour no food came, she had to get out of her room get something herself.

On getting to the kitchen, at the dinning room she found her husband eating happily without a care in the world.