Chapter 7
The solid oak door of William's study clicked shut behind Alexa, but the echo of his intense gaze seemed to follow her into the hallway. She leaned against the wall for a moment, pressing a hand to her chest, feeling the frantic flutter of her heart. What was that? The briefing had been a success, but the entire encounter felt layered with something else, something unspoken and electric. She needed to find Marla. She needed a dose of normalcy.
Pushing off the wall, she re-entered the main gallery, the cacophony of cultured chatter now a welcome distraction. Her eyes scanned the crowd, flitting past tuxedos and glittering gowns until they landed on a familiar flash of red hair.
Marla was near a vibrant, modern sculpture, deep in conversation with a man Alexa didn’t recognize. He was young, dressed in a slightly too tight suit, gesturing animatedly at the artwork. Marla was laughing, her head tilted, completely engrossed. A genuine smile touched Alexa’s lips. She wouldn’t disturb her. Her best friend was in her element, and after the intensity of the study, that was a beautiful thing to see. Her official duty was done.
The weight of representing Hankook lifted from her shoulders, leaving behind a strange, buzzing lightness. She snagged a fresh flute of champagne from a passing tray and allowed herself to truly absorb the gallery. She drifted through the rooms, the art becoming a balm for her frayed nerves. Then, she saw it.
Tucked in a quieter alcove was a painting that seemed to pull all the light from the room. It wasn't large, but it was breathtaking. It depicted a scene from ancient Greek mythology, the goddess Athena, not in battle, but in a moment of quiet contemplation. She stood in a grove of olive trees, her helmet tucked under her arm, one hand resting on an owl perched on a stump. Her expression was one of profound wisdom and a touch of sadness.
The style was classical, but the emotion felt utterly modern. Alexa was transfixed. She stepped closer, her champagne forgotten in her hand. It was as if the artist had reached into her soul and painted the version of herself she’d been trying to channel all evening. She was so lost in the painting that she didn’t notice the presence until a shadow fell over her.
A familiar, low baritone cut through her reverie. “A beauty, isn’t it?” Alexa turned, her breath catching. William stood beside her, his hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze fixed on the painting. He had changed out of his tuxedo jacket, his white shirt rolled up at the sleeves, revealing strong forearms. He looked more approachable, yet his presence was, if possible, even more potent. She was momentarily speechless, the memory of their last interaction and her bold parting words flooding back.
“Yeah,” she managed, her voice a soft exhale. “It is". He turned his head, those grey eyes now studying her instead of the canvas. “You seems to have a liking for ancient Greek themes". Her pulse quickened. “How could you tell?”
A slow, knowing smile touched his lips as he gestured, not to the painting, but to her. His gaze swept over her emerald gown, the elegant drape of the fabric, the way her hair was styled. “The dress, the demeanor. It’s not just a fashion choice, is it? It’s an homage. Athena-like. The goddess of strategic wisdom, navigating a den of modern-day Titans". He paused, his eyes glinting with amusement. “And doing so rather impressively". Alexa felt a blush creep up her neck.
He hadn’t just seen a woman in a nice dress, he’d seen the intention behind it. The armor. “You noticed that”, she said, a statement of pure shock. “I notice a great many things, Ms. Walker", he replied, his tone dry.
They shared a look, and then, unexpectedly, a soft chuckle passed between them. The tension from the study melted, replaced by a spark of genuine connection.“I confess", William said, turning back to the painting, “I’ve always had a fondness for ancient Greek philosophy and mythology myself. There’s a clarity to it.
A framework for understanding human nature that never seems to age", William stated.
“The battles between passion and reason, destiny and free will", Alexa added, emboldened. “It’s all still happening, just in boardrooms and subway cars instead of on mountaintops", William looked at her, a new depth of interest in his eyes. “Precisely". Feeling a surge of courage, Alexa stretched out her hand, a playful, formal gesture.
“Well then, it’s nice to meet you, my fellow Greek enthusiast".
William, billionaire, gallery owner and man of immense power, let out a real, unguarded laugh. It was a rich, warm sound that transformed his entire face, making him look younger. He took her offered hand, his grasp firm and warm, sending a jolt of electricity straight up her arm.“The pleasure", he said, his voice dropping slightly, “is all mine, Athena". He held her hand a moment longer than necessary, his thumb brushing almost imperceptibly against her knuckles. In that suspended moment, the noise of the gallery faded.
There was only the painting of the goddess, the warmth of his hand, and the intensity in his eyes. It was a connection so sudden and so deep it felt like fate. But fate, it seemed, was impatient.“Mr. Reed? A word, if you please?”
A nervous looking man in a gallery security blazer hovered a few feet away. The spell was broken. William’s public mask slid back into place, though his eyes retained a lingering warmth as he released her hand. “If you’ll excuse me", he said, the words meant for her alone.“Of course", she murmured. He gave her one last, long look before turning to follow the security guard, his presence leaving a vacuum in the alcove.
Alexa stood frozen, her hand still tingling. She stared at the space where he had been, then back at the painting of Athena. He called me Athena. The name from her email, the name from her mother, the name she’d shared with a stranger in the dark. And now, William had said it with a familiarity that felt both thrilling and terrifying.
Her eyes drifted across the room, finding Marla again, still laughing with her new acquaintance. The world of magnificent paintings and flirty friends now seemed to exist on the other side of a glass wall. She was on the inside of a mystery, one that was becoming more intoxicating by the second.
A/N: OH. MY. GOD. The hand touch! The laugh! He called her ATHENA! I am literally swooning! Is William Reed Pegaseus?! The way he just gets her is everything! What did you think of their connection? This is getting so intense! Let me know your vote and your screaming theories in the comments! Don't forget to add this story to your library so you don't miss what happens next!
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