REJECTED BRIDE

CHAPTER 1:

Athena rubbed at her palms before knocking at the door. Not long after, the door flew open and Aurora looked out. She then gave a slight laugh before sighing.

“That fast?” she asked while opening the door.

Athena gave her a side glance before sighing. “How slow did you want me to be? Am I to come in or not?”

“Wait… what is it with your mood today?” Aurora asked with a frown. “Did something happen?”

Athena stepped into the house and roughed her hair as she poured herself a glass of cold water and took it down in one huge gulp. At the time, Aurora glanced at her weirdly all the while as she shook her head. Athena could feel the glances on her back but assumed everything as she placed the glass back in place.

“Umm… you called me?” Athena turned around and her long black waterfall of hair flew all over her face before settling on her shoulders and falling down her waist.

“Yeah… I did.” Aurora hesitated before adjusting her dress. “I just didn’t know you would be this weird. Did they piss you off?”

“A lot… I’m just not in a position to talk right now!” Athena replied in a swift.

“Then that means I shouldn’t even start talking. I might piss you off even more!” Aurora tried to smile, but it didn’t turn out as beautiful as how it turns out in normal days. Athena was likely to throw a tantrum when she was angry and right now, it wasn’t any better.

“Excuse me?” Athena frowned.

“Sorry, I actually wanted to tell you something stupid… maybe I should drop it. Are you willing to talk right now? You know I will always be there for you!” Aurora sat on the couch cupping her chin in her palms to give her that good girl look.

“Will you just go straight to the point?” Athena leaned on the table and asked.

“Well, I know you’re on an off right now, but I want you to do something for me… cover me up tonight.” Aurora said sweetly.

“Ooh…” she sighed and smiled lightly. “I’ll take it. At least I will be off some stress and focus on work!”

“What stress are you talking about?” she became curious.

“Well… a wedding crushed, and I was the bride!” Athena summarized the whole day in few words.

“What? Are you kidding me right now?” Aurora stood up abruptly. “Athena?”

“You know, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this earlier, it was because this whole wedding thing was never my idea…”

“Is that why you asked for an off?” Aurora frowned. “You were supposed… who was the groom? Whose idea was it?”

“My dad’s. Isaac didn’t turn up all day, and I was stranded in the church like some silly girl. God! I can’t believe I accepted to all this crap!” Athena felt really depressed at the moment.

“Wait, Isaac Blackwood? That blonde sly boy heir of the Blackwood family?” Aurora asked with a bigger frown. “And you didn’t tell me all this? Are we even friends?”

“That should just tell you, I wasn’t ready for some arranged marriage ok?” Athena said casually before glancing at her watch. “Babe, if you’re supposed to be on duty tonight, I better get going.”

Aurora sighed for a while before turning to look at the wall clock. Then with a swift turn, she stuffed some cards in her handbag before turning around. “hmm… I’m happy you’re here to take my place dear. We can always talk, and remember I am here every time you need me.”

Athena became emotional as she looked outside the window. “Thank you for understanding.” Then she turned to look at her with those big sky blue eyes, “Is there something tonight?”

“Nothing serious.” Aurora rubbed her chin. “Family issues. My sister is causing all chaos and I have to check on them.”

“Be safe.” She said before hugging her tight.

As Aurora rushed in the bathroom for a bath, Athena stepped in the elevator and waited to get to the ground floor.

Athena Hensen, a twenty five year old lady was a certified doctor at Serenity Private Hospital, and had worked there for two years now. She was well dedicated to her work, and as far as her family was concerned, they were a bit worried about her love life.

Athena has never had a boyfriend. She was either at work, home or having a chat with her partner Aurora. Although Mr. Erick Hensen had tried to help, there was something about Isaac that pushed him to select him as the best bride, regardless of Athena’s rebellion towards the idea.

The Blackwood family was way richer than the Hensen family, and him marrying his daughter to that family meant business partnership and a prosperous future. Athena knew little about Isaac. This was because she spend most of her time at the medical school, and when she came out, she immediately got dedicated to work. She was against the marriage generally because she never liked the guy. They’d met several times yet, but she was either too busy or too unconcerned to give him a good glance.

“Ooh!” Athena curved her mouth upwards and smiled at the taxi driver. She payed and quickly alighted, rushing in through the gates. After the usual reporting signature, she walked on the corridor towards her office when footsteps came behind her. She turned around and…

“Whoa… you look like a princess!”

“Robert?” Athena smiled before looking at herself. She was still in that simple white dress since this wasn’t any serious wedding. What can generally be termed as… low key.

“You look good!” Robert said while adjusting the white robe. “Did you have some low key wedding and kept it a secret?”

“Stop!” Athena laughed. “I wanted to dress white today. Is there something wrong with that?”

“No… that dress gives the wedding aesthetics ok?” Robert said.

“I wanted to shock some guys who thought I was a single dog!” she joked.

“Well, I don’t…”

“Why?”

“Wait, I thought you were supposed to be on an off?”

CHAPTER 2: VIP PATIENT

“I’ll be in first.” Athena said and turned to go and change.

She slipped into her office and changed into the white robe before getting out and starting her normal rounds at the wards. Athena has been doing this work for a while and she really enjoyed it. She carried that kind and lulling aura wherever she went. Beside her, Robert watched her graceful appearance and sighed.

It would be a lie if he said he had no crush on her. The shiny waterfall of black hair that hanged freely on her wait, the creamy skin and the graceful walking style was enough to drive him crazy. He too was happy that he got to see her as often.

Behind her, Nurse Stacy changed the IV drops and delivered other medicine. Athena went through the files one by one attending to the patient with that assuring calm face that spoke peace, love and grace.

As she finished the round, her phone rung. Looking at the caller, she frowned. “Why would the manager call me now? H