''Athena!!! It's so great to see you, I wish you'd called; we would have prepared for your arrival,'' Nancy practically yells when I walk in to the office the next morning.

''Surprise, I guess,'' I reply with the same level of enthusiasm, ''any good news for me?''

''Unfortunately no, we got this one manufacturer but his fees are double than what Scott used to charge us; I am on my way to a meeting with the board to see if they agree for us to partner with him,'' Nancy replies apprehensively.

''Well it's good that I'm here, why don't you quickly catch me up with everything as we make our way to the board room? Any news from Scott?'' I ask and she shakes her head. Damn it.

The board is clearly shocked to see me and after exchanging pleasantries we sit down for the meeting. After discussing about our current situation we come to a conclusion to partner with the other company; at least until we get a better offer from elsewhere. I had emailed the designs I created with Nadia to Nancy so she will liaise with the new company directly.

By noon I was done and decided to go back to the hotel. 

''You're back,'' Theo calls as I walk in. He is lounging on the bed but I can sense his nervousness. ''Theo are you okay, you seem nervous?''

''I'm fine love, totally fine. So I was thinking we go to the mall this afternoon, what say?''

''Sounds like a plan but lunch first please, I'm really hungry.''

''When are you not hungry babe?'' he jokes as he gets up and puts on his jacket. ''Something fancy, something healthy or junk food?''

I look at him as a crazy smile forms on my face,'' junk food of course!!''

We walk around town hand in hand and stop to eat some street food. This felt really good; it felt normal, we felt normal.

We are now at the mall when Theo tells me, ''well love I noticed that you packed only casual clothes; why don't you pick something fancy for our date?''

''If I'm not wrong; you've not asked me yet have you?'' I question back with a raise of my eyebrows and he chuckles, ''you got me there love.''

''Ahem so......Athena Robinson; would you like to go with me on a second date?'' he asks with a hopeful voice. 

''I'd love to,'' I reply and pull him in for a kiss. ''Good, now let's get that dress.''

We walk around the mall and into various shops, I must have tried over ten dresses by now but none of them felt like 'the one'. I could see Theo getting tired of me pulling him to different shops but he didn't complain, not even once.

''You know we can stop if you're tired and don't lie to me Theo I can see it and sense it too,'' I say sternly

 ''Not resting until we get that dress for you love,'' he replies and I smile.

I don't think I can fall in love more than I have with this man. '' You sure?'' I ask.

 ''One hundred percent sure, now come on let's find you that dress,'' he replies and urges me to walk forward.

We go into two more shops and now the fatigue starts to sit in me too. ''One last shop Theo, if we don't find it I'm coming in sweatpants, that's it!'' I say and pull him to the first shop that I see. 

''uhhh love....we...'' he starts but I just shush him and we walk in.

''Sir, Ma'am; you're back,'' The salesman says and I look at him confusion all over my face. ''That's what I was trying to tell you, we've been here already,'' Theo whispers.

''Oh well.... I think your selection is nice, mind if I go through the dresses again?'' I ask the man who is watching us intently. ''Sure ma'am, this way,'' and he leads us down the aisle.

I go through the same dresses again when suddenly my eyes land on a deep v neck, navy blue dress with white lace borders. I pull it out and rush to the changing room, put it on and squeal in delight. It fits and it looks amazing.

I quickly change back and walk with it to the counter. Theo eyes me, ''you finally found a dress and you didn't even show it to me.''

''it's a surprise you'll see it tomorrow night when we go for the date,'' I reply and he feigns a sad face. ''Nice try, but I'm not falling for it,'' I say and pat his cheek.

I remove my card to make the payment and Theo interjects, ''Excuse me, what do you think you're doing?'' and pushes my card away to replace it with his. ''Theo no, I can buy my own dress.''

''I'm sorry love but I'm not letting you pay for this,'' he states and ushers the woman at the counter to swipe his card; she gladly takes it and flutters her eyelashes at him flirtatiously.

''Put that card down this instant and use this one!'' I hand her mine and she looks between Theo and I not knowing what to do.

''Do not listen to her, do as I say and swipe my card,'' Theo replies and we start bickering over who will pay for it when he pulls me to the side, '' love for once can you leave your dominance aside, this once only please, let me buy this for you, '' he practically begs. 

I look around and see we have a small audience gathered who are looking at us skeptically. ''Theo you've already bought dresses for me before, let me get this one.''

''Athena, for the sake of the moon goddess please don't argue with me on this. I like doing these things for you. I want to do these kind of things for you and many more but you need to stop arguing with me every single time over it,'' he explains and I sigh defeated, there is no winning for me here this time.

''Excuse me ma'am, do you want this dress? I have other customers who need to be attended to,'' the teller asks and I catch a hint of rudeness from her tone.

''Yes I do. You can use his card,''' I answer her and she continues with the transaction. She hands Theo his card back fluttering her eyelashes more and smiling at him. 

''Watch out, those fake lashes might fall of with all that fluttering you're doing,'' I snap at her as I grab my stuff and walk out of the store, Theo at my heels.

''Jealous you is a serious turn on babe,'' he whispers as he catches up to me and I roll my eyes at him. ''Still pissed off at you Theo.''

 We reach back to our room and after a nice dinner and shower I go to sleep. Theo slides in and tries to pull me to him but I shove him off.

The next morning after breakfast I excuse myself and go for a walk. Tonight is my date with Theo and I don't want to go there being mad at him so I decide to buy him a gift too. He has done so much for me and now it's time for me to do something in return.

I spy a diamond store and walk in. I stroll around the shop until I spot a pair of rose gold diamond cuff links. Oh goddess these are amazing. I pay for them, get them packed and rush back to the hotel.

As soon I walk in Theo rushes to me, worry all over his face. ''Love where were you? are you okay?''

''I'm fine Theo, I just went for a walk,'' I reply and put my bag on one of the couches. ''Look I'm really sorry for how I acted yesterday, we're going for our date today and I don't want to be mad at you.''

''It's okay love but I'm not going to apologize for paying for the dress. I love you Athena and I will do anything for you, I understand where you're coming from; I understand you being independent and catering for your own expenses and I respect that but leave some spoiling and pampering for me too. Okay love?'' 

 ''Okay,'' I reply with a nod and hug him. '' They don't make men like you anymore Theo Argent,'' I state and he chuckles, ''I know love.''

The evening comes by fast. Theo and I start getting ready for our date. I walk out of the bathroom in my dress and Theo's jaw drops to the floor. ''I.... I.... sorry love, I'm going to need a moment here,'' he flusters and I smirk.

 ''I'm gluing myself to you the whole evening; can't have males walking up to you especially when you're looking like that,'' he says as a low growl rumbles from his chest and I whisper a thank you as a blush creeps up.

I put on my nude sandal heels, grab my clutch and coat and we leave. A car is waiting for us downstairs and the driver takes off as soon as we get in. ''Where are we going?'' I question.

''It's a surprise love but I'm sure you will love it,'' he says and I don't ask further questions knowing he won't answer them at all.

We begin to approach the lake and I see a lot of lights from the clubs and buildings. The driver parks the car by the dock and we get out only to be met by another man. ''Mr. Argent, Ma'am; this way please," he ushers us and we follow him.

When we come to a stop a gasp escapes me as I eye the yacht before me, ''oh my god, Theo.''

''Told you you'll love it,'' he says as he extends his arm towards me, ''Shall we, love?'' I take it and we walk up the steps to enter inside the yacht.

''Love, this is Joan and her team; they will be catering for us tonight,'' Theo introduces me to them and I smile in return.

''This way please Sir and Ma'am, ''Joan guides us to the deck where a round table has been placed with two chairs. I catch sight of a bucket of chilled wine, Theo is handed a bouquet of red roses and he gives them to me, ''Thank you,'' I say and blush as he winks at me.

We take our seats and I hear music playing softly over the speakers. ''Theo this is beautiful, thank you so much, '' I say with honesty.

''How many times have I told you not to thank me love, I love doing these things for you and I'll keep doing it until it sinks in your head that you deserve everything I do for you, stop thanking me every time okay?''

''Fine, I won't but this time I'm not letting you off the hook. I got you a gift,'' I say and pull out the box from my clutch and slide it to him, ''I hope you like it.''

He opens it and a huge smile forms on his face, ''Love, these are amazing. I love them but they must have cost you a fortune, you didn't....'' and I cut him off, ''seriously!! We just had this conversation, if I'm accepting a gift from you then you're accepting mine too. That's it!'' I command and he chuckles.

''You stubborn woman, there is no way I can win when it comes to you can I? You must have the last say,'' he chuckles and shakes his head.

 ''Well you're stuck with me, so deal with it.''

''You'll be the death of me Athena Robinson; I love you so much,'' he confesses. ''I love you too Theo, I will until my last breath,'' I say and he kisses me.

''I hope you like lobster?'' he questions as we pull apart. ''Are you kidding me, I love it!''

''of course you do love; is there anything you don't like? He jokes and I throw a piece of lettuce at him but he dodges it.

''As a matter of fact there is; I don't like fish,'' I state and he chokes on his wine.

 ''Really Athena, we have been together for what, eight months and you're telling me this now?''

''Yeah, because it never came up so I just let it slide. It's not a big deal,'' I reply and with that we continue with our conversation.

Once we are done with dessert we walk further up to the deck and Theo wraps his arms around me. ''Thank you for this wonderful evening, totally surpasses all the second dates in the world,'' I say as I look up at him.

''What did I say about the thank you love,'' he says sternly and I mouth a sorry, ''besides we are not done, there is one final thing left.

He shoves his hand in his pocket to retrieve something when his phone rings all of a sudden.

He removes it from the pocket of his blazer, ''it's Charles,'' he announces and answers the call.

''You guys need to come back as soon as possible, there has been a sighting along the borders of Crimson pack, a small army of rogues have set camp and are expected to attack soon,'' he says with urgency in his voice.

''We are catching the next flight out Charles, see you soon,'' Theo replies and cuts the call.

''Guess it's time to get back to reality, so much for having a normal weekend,'' I say as we get off the yacht and rush to the hotel.

''When is anything normal with us love?'' Theo replies.

''Touché,'' I respond.

***

Athena's date night dress as above.

What did you guys think about her buying a gift for Theo.

And what was it that Theo wanted to give her when they were interrupted?

Thoughts in the comment section below.

-Jessica.S