''Athena? I asked you something, what was that back there?''

''It was nothing Leo, I'm fine now.''

''What level of stupid do you think I am?'' he looks at me offended.

''Leo...I... it's complicated okay,'' I tell him.

''I can handle it Athena....and yes, I know you are an alpha female so no point in hiding that.''

My eyes widen in shock at this, ''how? Oh...of course you saw my eyes. You won't tell anyone right? The council can't know, please.''

''Athena.... the council knows and so does everyone else in the wolf community,'' Leo tells me. ''How do you not know this....it happened last year. In fact, Alexander is even on your side. He spoke to everyone at the alpha meeting and re-assured us that you're not a threat. You did too. That's where we first met.''

''Oh goddess......of course it happened last year, Damn it! Could this get any more complicated?!'' I groan in frustration.

''Do you mind sharing...maybe I can help,'' Leo says softly.

''That's the problem Leo. I have no idea what's wrong!!'' I yell at him and he backs away.

''If you don't want to tell me then it's fine Athena,'' and he starts to leave.

''No...no..no...you don't get it Leo, I actually don't know. I just found out 2 days ago that...I...oh goddess how do I say this.... umm...I have no memory of the past year. Nothing.''

''What....really? I mean, are you sure? ohhh that explains it. That's why you didn't recognize me when we met at the dinner,'' he says placing his hand on his forehead. ''Okay...it's all falling into place now. Tell me, how can I help you? I'll do whatever I can. Is there a way to get it all back?''

''You can't help me Leo, I'm broken,'' I say in a whisper.

''Heyy...heyy...look at me, you're not broken okay, you're strong,'' he walks back and crouches low ''Heck, you're an alpha female.''

I laugh a little at this and he smiles at me. ''You're beautiful Athena, strong, independent, so full of life, memory or no memory you're still you. We will work together to get your memory back, okay?''

''But that's the thing Leo,'' I get up from the couch and walk to the window, ''I don't think I want it back.''

''You can't be serious Athena...why would you not want it back?''

''because my father is dead and me getting my memories back means I will know how he died, I will re-live it and I don't think I can do that to myself, it will destroy me. I'm still not over his death and it's almost a month now.''

''Oh wow.... I'm sorry, I didn't know. My condolences to you.''

''Yeah...thanks. So now you know why I don't want my memories back.''

''But Athena what about your life there, your family, friends, your...umm people that you deeply care about?'' he asks me and I notice his heart-rate pick up.

''What's the point of going there when I can't remember them, right? Anyway I'm happy here and I love how things are going. It's like I'm starting afresh; a clean slate. Only that I'm not but yeah...''

''Well, I will respect your decision on that. if it's a new start you want then it's a new start you'll get. Hi I'm Leo, your new friend,'' he jokes and extends his hand for me to shake.

I giggle at his antics but play along, ''nice to meet you Leo, I'm Athena.''

The pain is now gone. But I've realized that every time I try to think of anything related to my past that's when the migraine happens. So I've now decided to not think about the past year at all, no matter what.

It's been three days since my revelation to Leo and he has been surprisingly very helpful about it. He does not ask me anything about the past year, keeping good of his promise of a fresh start.

It's Sunday today and I decided to go the mall to buy myself a dress for Scott/Leo's party. I walk around the mall looking at various gowns and dresses when my eye catches a familiar name.

I walk towards the store and look up at the sign, ''Kovar...hmm.'' I walk in and I'm left agape. This store is huge! I walk around and marvel at their designs. Dresses, tops, shorts, jeans, pants you name it. They have it all. ''I'm competing against this, man I need to up my game.''

''Scouting the competition are we?'' someone whispers from down the aisle. I peep through the clothes and see Nancy smirking at me.

''Nancy!! What the hell are you doing here?'' I whisper-shout. ''Same thing you're doing, I'm scouting.''

''I'm not scouting okay...I'm just...I'm just looking around.''

''Uhh huh... and I'm making pancakes here,'' she replies. ''Okay, cool it with the sarcasm. I was just mildly interested in knowing, that's it.''

''So, are you buying your dress for the big party from here?'' she comes around the aisle and asks me. ''What are you crazy? No way. I'm getting one from there,'' I say and point to a random shop.

She peeps over my shoulder and raises a questionable eyebrow, ''So you'll be wearing a lingerie to the party! Wild Athena, making it easier for Mr. Grey are you?''

''What!! No...I'm not wearing lingerie!'' I scoff. She turns me on my spot and points towards the shop I had pointed to. ''That is a lingerie store, so unless they have a secret gown section that I don't know about then I'm pretty sure that's what you're going to wear.''

''Okay fine!! I still don't know where I'm going to buy the gown from. I've been at it for 2 hours now. My feet are starting to hurt,'' I complain.

''Okay.... okay.... come on, i know this place where they sell amazing gowns at a good price, '' she pulls me with her and we take the elevator to the ground floor.

After walking for another 10 more minutes we come to a stop opposite a store which is filled with gowns. Glittery, shimmery gowns. ''damn!! It's like a unicorn threw up in here.''

''Yup...and we are going through the unicorn vomit until we get what you want,'' Nancy says and drags me inside with her.

''I love everything in here!'' I squeal like a little kid. I continue going through the gowns until my eyes land on a particular one. ''Nancy...this is it.... this is the one,'' I hold it out.

It's a shimmery gold, strapless gown with a thigh high slit on the left and a matching gold belt attached to it. ''Yes.... yes...go try it!''

I walk to the changing rooms and try the out the gown with the help of the sales assistant. As soon as I walk out of the room Nancy's jaw drops to the floor. ''This is it!! Buy it now!''

I walk back in, change back, gather the gown in my hand and walk to the cashier. After paying for the dress we both go our own ways. I drive back to my apartment, immediately change in to my comfy clothes and make myself comfortable on the couch, when my phone rings. ''Seriously! Can't a girl get her peace!'' I look at the caller ID but it's unknown.

''Honestly, I can't be bothered with this!'' I say as I put my phone on silent mode.

Monday comes by fast and we all get buried into our work. The office situation is almost similar to a market as everyone is running up and down, phones ringing in every direction. ''Athena...I just got a call from Mr. Grey's office, production has started, we should be able to launch the 04th line in a few months!''

''That's great Nancy, I hope it's a success. We need to cover up for the loss we incurred on the summer collection,'' I reply.

''Ohhh it will be, I'm sure of that.''

''Are you now? What makes you so sure?'' I quirk an eyebrow at her. ''Well, an insider at Grey's told me that Leo is personally overlooking this project. Now I'm not insinuating anything here but since when does a CEO overlook a production?'' she smiles slyly.

''Maybe he just loves his job too much, I mean he is new at the company, so he must show that he is not just one of those typical CEO's,'' I reply with a shrug of my shoulders.

''Well if you're done protecting your new boyfriend, take a look at this,'' she hands me today's newspaper.''

''He is not my boyfriend OK!'' I'm about to continue giving her a piece of my mind when my eyes zero in on the headline. ''Whoaaa, what the hell!''

''How? How is this happening? I need to know who the owner of Kovar is! How does one open 3 new stores in a week?!! This is insane!''

''Yup.... tell me about it. All I know is that it's a woman, don't know her name, don't know where she is from,'' Nancy states.

''Well whoever she is, she's starting to become a royal pain in the ass.'' I put the newspaper aside and get back to my work.

The week goes by and its now Friday morning. The party is tonight and Nancy seems to be over the moon about it. ''Athena, remember we are taking the afternoon off to get ready for the party. We have our nail appointment at 02:00pm,'' her voice buzzes through the receiver.

''You know you can just walk into my office and tell me that right?'' I roll my eyes at her. ''Yah-hah and where's the fun in that?'' she replies.

''Okay I'm cutting you off, this is not a game,''I disconnect the call. After wrapping up the work, we both head down to the canteen and have our lunch. ''Mani pedi time!!'' she yells as we drive to the salon.

''Oh goddess, I'm beginning to regret this,'' I whisper to myself as I park the car. We walk in and are ushered to the comfortable reclining chairs. ''I could get used to this,'' I say as I make myself comfortable.

In two hours' time we are done. ''See you in 3 hours,'' Nancy says as I drop her off at her place.

As soon as I get home, I first rummage through my fridge for leftovers. ''Ooooohhh pasta,'' I take the plate and heat it up, grab a fork and plop myself on the couch. I have some time to kill, might as well watch something. I go through my Netflix and decide to watch a chick flick.

''I should start getting ready now.'' I look at my clock and see the time.

I start with my make-up. I do a Smokey eye and then move to my hair. I do French braids on each side of my hair and leave the rest of it down. Then walk to the closet to get my gown. By the time I'm done, it's half past seven. ''well shit...the party started 30 minutes ago.''

I drive to the venue, which is not hard to miss. Whooaa Scott really outdid himself. This is extra. I give my keys to the valet and walk inside. The attendant takes my coat and I walk in the hall only to be blinded by flashes. Of course Scott called the media, what's next, flying horses?

''Ms. Robinson, Ms. Robinson.... here.... why are you alone? Why don't you have a date?'' The reporters start clamoring me with questions. I choose to ignore them and just smile for the cameras. As the wise penguins of Madagascar once said, 'just smile and wave, smile and wave.'

''Athena Robinson. A sight for sore eyes!!'' I see Scott coming towards me with his arms outstretched.

''Scott, so great to see you. You've outdone yourself here. This is so....so...umm...glamorous,'' I say as I look around the hall.

''Well precious, glad you liked it, come on, this way, you have lots of people to meet,'' he places his hand lightly on my back and guides me to where Nancy and few others are gathered.

As soon as Nancy sees me, she envelopes me into a hug, ''you look hot Athena,'' she whispers and I return the compliment.

I meet a lot of a people who I'm guessing are important to the company but my eyes keep searching for a certain blue eyed CEO. After exchanging pleasantries with everyone I decide to walk to the open bar but someone grabs my hand and pulls me to them.

''You were looking for me weren't you?'' he whispers and swirls me around to face him. ''Leo...hi there,'' I say my eyes widening in surprise, '' didn't see you when I came in, thought you bailed on your own party,'' I try to joke.

''I saw you the moment you walked in that door. I also saw you scanning around the room looking for someone. Now it couldn't have been Nancy because she was with you and Scott. So I wonder, who else it might be?'' he says and smirks at me.

''I'm not answering that,'' I tell him while chuckling. ''You don't have to, 'cause I know. Now, I know you don't remember but when we met first I asked you for a dance and you said no. So I'm asking again and this time I'm expecting a different answer. Dance?'' he holds out his hand.

I look down at his outstretched hand, ''maybe later,'' I reply with a wink and try to make a move but he blocks my path. ''Oh come on Athena.''

''You asked for a different answer didn't you?'' I smirk. He shakes his head at my cheekiness. ''Please, just one dance?''

''Okay fine,'' I agree. He leads me to the dance floor. ''My apologies for not telling you this before but you look really beautiful tonight,'' he whispers in my ear making my skin tingle. ''Calm down, I can hear your heart rate accelerate,'' he whispers again.

''I can't when you're doing that okay!'' I hiss at him. He pulls away and looks at me with feign innocence, ''doing what?''

''Oh don't act all innocent, you know what I'm talking about,'' I tell him.

''I have no idea what you're talking about Athena.''

Before I could tell him anything, we hear a tingling of a glass and everyone turns to the direction of the sound.

''Ladies & gentlemen, thank you so much for coming tonight. It gives me great pleasure to announce that I'm going into retirement and Mr Leonard Grey, will be taking over the company. Leo if you would please come forward.''

''Ladies and gentlemen......Leo Grey, the new CEO!!'' The whole room bursts in a loud applause.

Leo is soon surrounded by almost everyone. People congratulating him and wishing him the best on his new venture.

Scott comes to stand by my side and hands me a glass of champagne. ''How does it feel Scott?''

''Not as bad as I had expected precious. I think the company is in good hands, '' he replies. I detect a hint of sadness in his voice. ''it won't be the same without you,'' I tell him.

''Let's toast to that then,'' he says. ''To Scott,'' I tell him and we clink our glasses. I continue sipping on my champagne when Leo comes up to me. ''Athena I'd like you to meet someone.''

''Okay.... yeah sure,'' I put my glass on the nearby table and follow him, when I'm hit with a gut wrenching stench. What the hell!! My eyes widen in realization. Shit! There's a vampire present at this party! I look at Leo to see if he can smell it too but his face is void of emotion.

We come face to face with a woman. A very beautiful woman, I must say. With porcelain skin and hazel brown eyes. ''Leo, I see you brought a friend,'' she says. Whoa an accent too. who is she?

''Yes I did.... This is Athena Robinson, the owner of Nightshade. Athena, this is Amunet, the owner of Kovar,'' he introduces us. I'm left shocked at this revelation not knowing how to react.

''Hello...it's nice to meet you, Athena'' she extends her hand forward for me to shake, not missing the way she said my name with malice.

I hesitate at first but take it and immediately feel uneasy. I look into her eyes and see anger.

''It's a pleasure to meet you too,'' I reply uneasily as I feel her putting pressure on my hand. Damn she is strong. But she can't be, not stronger than me at least. Unless, unless she is not human. I meet her gaze once more and see the anger burning in her eyes.

Oh Goddess! She is the vampire! But why is she so angry at me? I've never met her before.Ever.

***

First of, what do you guys think of Athena & Leo's....umm friendship???

Thoughts on her dress?

and lastly who is Amunet and what's her deal with Athena??

For those of you who wanted vampires to be introduced.....here you go ;)

Happy Reading y'all!!

-Jessica.S