"Hey, Ivy? Is this the form you were looking for?" Keiran asked.
I briefly glanced at the forms my assistant was holding.
"Yes," I confirmed, scribbling my signature. Send these as soon as possible. I need this alcohol for tonight's wedding."
Keiran shook his head with a chuckle.
"What now?" I asked.
"You have a hang bar on the ceiling so your bartenders can dance around like Coyote Ugly, yet spend millions of dollars for your high-end wedding services."
"I'm versatile," I joked.
"This bar is known for its weddings," he teased.
"Fair," I reasoned. "Alright. Please send those; I gotta get home."
"See you tomorrow, Boss. By the way, Happy Birthday," he replied.
I gave a slight nod before exiting my bar.
"Wow," I hushed to myself.
I forgot it was my thirty-first birthday. I'd been so wrapped up in the bar and its success that I'd forgotten it was my birthday. I was also learning to plan events since sitting alone at home grew boring. I like my life now. I have no worries, no fears, not one in the world. There may be one exception, but we'll get to that later.
I walked inside my quiet, empty home and sat on the back terrace, admiring the waves and the orange-fuchsia sunset.
Knock, Knock, Knock.
"Who is it?" I asked.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Who is it?" I repeated while opening the peephole.
He looked familiar, with touseled blonde hair and baby blue eyes.
"Do I know you?" I asked.
"You did," he answered. I'm Cameron. You knew my mom, Tanya."
I froze in shock, uncertain of how to respond. Should I let him in? Should I close the door and act like I never acknowledged that he had even come? What should I do?
"H-how did you know where I lived?" I hesitated.
"I'm sorry. I know you own the bar up the road, and I followed you back here," Cameron confessed.
"It's not creepy at all," I mumbled. Unwittingly, I unlocked the door and smiled, "Come in."
I examined him briefly, and he was handsome. Even though he was maybe twenty-two, he still had a young face. He was in much better physical shape now that he was older. I caught myself staring and turned away.
"Sorry, I thought you were on some big football team now," I diverted.
"I am, but it's off-season," he reminded.
"Oh, right," I sighed. "W-what brings you here, Cameron?"
Cameron shifted uncomfortably. "I wanted to know what happened that night. I wasn't ready to hear it back then; I was upset and angry, I do not know. I hit it out of me on the team. I'm ready now."
He followed me back to the terrace as I downed my glass of wine. "Are you sure about that?" I asked, sitting on the lounge chair. "Truly?"
Cameron sat beside me and drank the contents remaining in the wine bottle. "I'm ready."
Now, I was uncomfortable, and how he looked into my eyes made me feel like he was trying to decipher the code to my soul and secrets.
"Well," I started, "It all happened very fast. Firstly, I was unaware she and Zeus had a relationship; they never told me or showed it. When she confessed that day, Zeus broke her heart and raged. Eve, Zeus's other woman, shot her and killed her."
Cameron dropped his head but had an understanding look in his eyes.
"She didn't feel any pain," I consoled. "I ran afterward, and the rest..."
"Sorry," Cameron apologized, "I didn't realize you still weren't over it."
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Was I still upset by it? Or was it my secret? Not a soul in this world will ever know.
"I try not to think about it," I said. "It's not something I care to remember."
He ran his fingers through his hair before glancing back over at me. His thunderous eyes locked onto mine.
"You know, Zeus was like a father figure to me for nearly three years," he confessed, "The longest a man had ever been in my life. I thought he cared. He seemed like he cared for me, not my mother. Even at that age, I knew he didn't love her and that he was using her."
"Do you want something to drink?" I offered.
"That would be nice," he nodded.
Cameron followed me inside as I poured a massive glass of whiskey over ice for the both of us. Why was I feeling so nervous? What's wrong with me?
"Thank," he smiled before taking a large gulp.
He placed the glass on the bar top, peculiarly looking at me. In a way that made my cheeks blush, "Why are you looking at me like that, Cameron?"
"Why can't I?" he asked.
"Because it's not right," I groaned.
I couldn't look him in the eyes and tell him I fucked his mother after explaining to her how she died. I wasn't that cruel...yet. Instead, I shook my head.
"What's so wrong with it?" he asked while approaching me.
"Don't-"
Before I could finish, he cut me off and pressed his lips upon mine. Holy fuck, what is happening? He's kissing me?!
"Wait-"
I tried pushing him off, but it was useless; his strength overpowered me, and he was on me once more.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Both of our eyes shot open, and we looked at one another.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Expecting company?" Cameron asked.
"I wasn't expecting anyone tonight," I huffed while walking to my front door. Without bothering to see who it was, I threw open the door.
"Hello- fuck Reign!" I blurted.
"Good to see you too," Reign greeted.
Well, happy fucking birthday to me."