Chapter 10 What's Your Connection

• As dawn broke, Athena stirred from her slumber, greeted by the sight of a cherubic form nestled by her side. The child lay in a peaceful state, adorned with lashes that delicately curled at their tips, their fair complexion akin to freshly fallen snow, exuding an ethereal fragility that stirred something profound within Athena's heart.
• Throughout her five years of life's journey, Athena had crossed paths with many children, each leaving an imprint upon her soul. Yet, none had ignited the same depth of intimacy, affection, and hesitancy to bid farewell as Ronnie did.
• Athena chuckled softly at her internal musings, mindful of the potential complications her attachment to the child might incur with the Sterling family. Lost in her thoughts, she silently rose from her bed, intent on preparing breakfast.
• However, as she entered the living room, Athena was surprised. Thaddeus, already awake, had meticulously arranged a sumptuous breakfast spread upon the table. Pancakes glistened with a golden drizzle of honey, an array of canapés beckoned invitingly, and a vibrant fruit platter adorned the scene.
• Athena's astonishment was palpable as she surveyed the feast before her. "This is...?" she began, her voice trailing off in wonder.
• "I just hopped in the car to grab this stuff. Didn't see any good spots nearby, and I was uncertain of your preferences, so I opted for a variety," Thaddeus responded nonchalantly, his voice resonating like a cello's melody-rich and magnetic with a lazy drawl yet undeniably pleasing to the ear.
• Athena felt drawn in by the easy rhythm of his voice, finding it surprisingly pleasant. "You're very generous. I don't have specific preferences; I'll happily eat whatever food is available," she said, genuinely surprised by his thoughtfulness.
• As Athena absorbed Thaddeus' easy demeanor, a silent complaint formed in her mind. The formidable Mr. Sterling had taken the initiative to get breakfast just for her, a gesture that could potentially spark envy among numerous women vying for his favor.
• Nevertheless, Thaddeus appeared unperturbed by such thoughts. "Well, if that's the case, excellent. You freshen up; I'll go rouse Ronnie," he remarked nonchalantly.
• Athena nodded absentmindedly, her thoughts swirling as she made her way to the bathroom to prepare for the day ahead.
• Fifteen minutes later, emerging from the bathroom, Athena discovered Ronnie already awake, cradled in his father's embrace, his reluctance evident in his demeanor.
• Thaddeus tenderly encouraged the child, his expression maintaining a stern facade despite his gentle coaxing.
• Observing the pair silently from a corner, Athena couldn't help but feel a swell of warmth within her. She mused on the identity of Ronnie's mother, contemplating the woman who had brought forth such a precious and endearing child—a true blessing, indeed.
• Athena's mind wandered, pondering why the mother wasn't included in the bond between father and son. Was it the disapproval of the Sterling family, or were there deeper reasons at play?
• Lost in contemplation, Athena was abruptly drawn back to the present as Ronnie, sensing her presence, silently extricated himself from his father's arms and made a beeline toward her.
• With a tender smile, Athena scooped him up, meeting his gaze. "Did you have a good night's sleep?" she inquired softly.
• "I slept really good," Ronnie replied, wrapping his arms around Athena's neck in a tight hug.
• Athena tousled his hair affectionately. "Time to eat breakfast."
• "Sure thing," Ronnie agreed softly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he eagerly tucked into his meal, swiftly polishing off the pancakes in front of him.
• Eyeing both of them, Thaddeus observed from the sidelines, his expression unreadable.
• In the past, family meals had been lively and animated, filled with chatter and laughter. However, he noted a stark difference now—Ronnie's demeanor was remarkably composed and well-behaved.
• Following breakfast, Athena prepared herself for the day ahead. Thaddeus kindly offered to give her a lift to work, as her destination was conveniently on his route.
• As Athena stepped out of the car upon reaching her destination, Ronnie clung tightly to her leg, displaying a reluctance to part ways.
• Athena chuckled softly, her heart warmed by Ronnie's attachment, even as she gently disengaged from his grasp. "Ronnie, sweetheart, I need to go to work now. I can't take you with me; you need to go back with your dad," she explained with a gentle sigh.
• Tears welled up in Ronnie's eyes, his silent plea evident in his reluctance to part ways with Athena.
• Athena felt a pang of guilt tug at her heartstrings as she almost relented under Ronnie's pleading gaze. However, the weight of her responsibilities resurfaced in her mind—the pressing need to maintain her job in order to support her mother's medical expenses.
• With a heavy heart, she turned to Thaddeus, her voice wavering slightly as she addressed him. "Mr. Sterling..."
• Thaddeus gently lifted Ronnie into his arms, offering him reassurance. "Athena needs to head to work, buddy. But you can take her phone number and give her a call when she's free. You can visit her after she finishes work in the evening."
• As Thaddeus spoke, Ronnie's initial sorrow transformed into a glimmer of hope, his eyes now fixed on Athena with a silent inquiry.
• His gaze seemed to ask, "Is that alright?"
• Unable to resist Ronnie's hopeful gaze, Athena smiled warmly. "Of course, I'll write down the number for you."
• With that, she began searching through her bag for a piece of paper and a pen.
• Thaddeus, ever practical, swiftly handed over his phone. "Just save it in my phone," he suggested, offering a convenient solution.
• Athena's eyes widened in response to his gesture. "Oh," she murmured as her fingers beat in the numbers on his phone.
• After handing it back, Ronnie's face lit up with delight as he clutched the phone like a cherished treasure. "See you, Athena. I'll definitely ring you up, so you better pick up the phone!" he declared with determination.
• Athena chuckled warmly. "Yes, I will," she promised, her smile reflecting the genuine affection she felt for the young boy.
• With a wave and a final exchange of farewells, Athena bid goodbye to the father and son duo before making her way into the company building.
• As soon as Athena stepped into the planning department, she felt a wave of scrutiny wash over her. All eyes seemed to be fixed on her. Their gazes were intense, causing a tingling sensation to creep up her scalp.
• Sensing something amiss, Athena turned to her close colleague, Helen, seeking an explanation. "What's happening, Helen?" she inquired, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.
• Without hesitation, Helen hurried over, wrapping Athena in a tight hug. "Thea, tell me the truth. How long have you known Mr. Sterling for?" she asked, her tone urgent and filled with concern.
• Athena had anticipated this line of questioning, so she responded calmly, her smile unwavering. "That's impossible. Mr. Sterling is the heir of the Sterling family. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him before."
• Helen furrowed her brow in confusion. "Well, that's odd. Why does he seem so fond of you then?"
• "That's right, he even stood up to Mrs. Young for you," another colleague chimed in.
• Unfolding before Athena was a flurry of inquiries and comments from her coworkers, all speaking at once.
• Amidst the clamor, one voice rose above the rest. "You might not be aware, but the general manager has officially promoted you to a full-fledged employee of the planning department and designated you as the project lead."
• Athena found herself at the center of attention, with her colleagues buzzing around her, eager for answers and insights.
• Athena felt a flicker of surprise at the news, but she swiftly composed herself, maintaining her poise amidst the flurry of attention.
• While she had harbored suspicions that the company might offer her a permanent position, she hadn't anticipated being entrusted with such a significant role as the overall project lead.
• In that instant, Helen leaned in close and murmured softly in Athena's ear, "Thea, you need to tread carefully going forward. Ivy doesn't appear to be in good spirits. She even had a confrontation with the general manager yesterday over this matter."
• "Thanks, Helen. I'll keep that in mind," she murmured in response.
• Before Athena could fully process the implication of Helen's words, her gaze shifted upward and landed on Ivy entering the room.
• The sudden appearance of Ivy prompted the other colleagues to scatter, leaving Athena to face her alone.
• Ivy's expression was stormy, her features contorted with anger as she forcefully deposited a stack of documents onto Athena's desk with a resounding thud.
• Among the documents Ivy had thrown down were the meticulous plans for Ronnie's upcoming birthday banquet, alongside crucial pre-investigated information.
• Previously under Ivy's jurisdiction, now everything lay in Athena's hands. The transition clearly did not sit well with Ivy. With a snarl, she spat out her displeasure, "Athena, stay in your lane. Don't presume you can climb to the top so quickly. Mind your limits, and don't overstep."
• Athena refused to yield, meeting Ivy's hostility with a calm smile. "Thank you for your concern, but I'm confident in my capabilities to manage this. You need not fret."
• Ivy's expression twisted with fury. "We'll see about that," she retorted sharply. "Just make sure you don't come back empty-handed and bring shame upon the company."
• With those cutting words, Ivy turned on her heel and departed without a backward glance, her departure signaling an end to the tense encounter.
• Athena's confident facade wavered as a wave of unease washed over her.
• Why did she relent so easily?
• Inwardly, she questioned herself. She knew of Ivy's tenacity and determination; she wasn't one to back down from a challenge without putting up a fight. This sudden meekness didn't align with her usual approach.
• Athena's heart constricted with apprehension, her instincts guiding her to the stack of documents on the table. Hastily, she began to sift through them, her eyes scanning each page with growing concern.
• It didn't take long for her to realize that something was amiss. Important information had been tampered with, and she noticed that several plans had been torn apart, disrupting the careful preparation for Ronnie's birthday banquet.