NEMESIS: HATE AT FIRST LOVE.

ORION.

I'd been craving something sweet, a delicious indulgence that would brighten my day. So, I decided to visit a cozy café nestled just a stone's throw from my office for lunch. The inviting aroma of freshly baked pastries and rich coffee greeted me as I entered, wrapping me in a warm embrace. After savoring a delightful treat, I began my journey back into the familiar confines of my office building. My phone was firmly clutched in my hand when it vibrated with a notification. A smile tugged at my lips as I glanced down and saw the name—the one that brought a flutter of excitement to my heart.

Incoming text–Time: 2:04PM, Monday. Sender's name: Harro. "Just made it back to my office after having lunch with a business associate. How was your lunch? I miss you so much! P.S. I'm still not over the fact that you refused to have lunch with me."

I chuckled, shaking my head as I read his text, finding his dramatic self amusing yet endearing. I could practically hear Harro's playful tone through his words as I stood in the hallway, the bustling sounds of office life swirling around me, I couldn't help but grin at his lighthearted jab.

We had been texting back and forth since last night after our date, the playful banter continuing into this morning as we both prepared for work.

I could still hear the warmth in his voice echoing in my mind as we exchanged words on my way to the office. A smile spread across my face as I recalled how he clung to me last night, his arms wrapped around me in a gentle embrace, refusing to say goodnight until the very last moment. That lingering warmth between us made the memory all the more precious, like a sweet secret I wanted to cherish forever.

Outgoing Text - Time: 2:06 PM, Monday, Sender: Me. "My lunch was delightful; I ate at a charming café right next to my office. We should visit together there sometime—it's a cozy spot, it'll be perfect for us. I miss you too! Just to clarify, I didn't decline your lunch invitation; rather, I suggested we have dinner instead. I'm back at my office now."

With a satisfied sigh, I hit send and stepped out of the elevator onto my office floor. Almost instantly, I heard the familiar ping of a response arriving on my phone.

Incoming text –Time: 2:07 PM, Monday. Sender's name: Harro."That's the same thing as refusing to have lunch with me, but I'm looking forward to dinner, so I won't be upset anymore. I would love to visit the cafe with you. I love you!" The accompanying smiley face and heart emoji only made my smile wider.

I quickly typed out a reply, my fingers flying across the screen. "I love you too! See you tonight" I sent the message, then tucked my phone into my suit jacket pocket, feeling a sense of warmth.

As I approached my secretary's desk, she greeted me with a polite smile and a nod. "Good afternoon, sir. You have a guest waiting in your office." Her expression was neutral, but a hint of mischief danced in her eyes. "It's a surprise."

My mind immediately jumped to Harro, wondering if he'd decided to surprise me with a visit. But as I pushed open the door to my office, I was taken aback to find Athena twirling in one of the chairs, a wide grin spreading across her face.

"Athena, it's so wonderful to have you back!" I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around her in a warm hug. I kissed her cheeks, I'm very happy to see her. "You didn't tell me you were in town," I added, a hint of playful scolding in my voice, as we pulled back to gaze at each other.

Athena's smile was radiant, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's great to be back, Riri! I missed you so much. I wanted to surprise you," she confessed, her voice barely containing her enthusiasm.

With a flourish, she handed me a small, elegantly wrapped gift bag. She bounced up and down in her seat, her anticipation infectious. I chuckled, intrigued, and carefully unwrapped the package. As the paper fell away, my eyes widened in surprise at the exquisite perfume bottle nestled in my palm.

I gasped in delight, my eyes fixed on the stunning perfume bottle. "You didn't! This is beautiful!" I exclaimed, running my fingers over the intricate design etched into the glass. Athena glowed with pride, her smile radiant.

"I told you I wouldn't rest until I got it right!" she said, her voice filled with satisfaction. "Try it!" she urged, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I carefully opened the bottle, afraid of shattering its delicate beauty. I sprayed a small amount onto my wrist, rubbed it in, and brought it to my nose. As the familiar scent wafted up, my eyes widened in pure joy. "You beautiful genius woman, I could fucking kiss you!" I exclaimed.

I rounded my office table and enveloped Athena in a warm hug, kissing her cheeks. She laughed heartily, her eyes shining with mirth. "Please don't say that again, your boyfriend will kill me," she teased, making me laugh.

I chuckled, realizing she was probably right. Harro's possessiveness could be overwhelming at times. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the joy of the moment.

My heart swelled with joy and gratitude as I spoke from the depths of my soul. "Tina, this means everything to me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay you for this incredible gift. Thank you!" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with emotion.

Athena's understanding nod and warm smile acknowledged the significance of this moment. She's the only one who truly grasps the sentimental value of this perfume. My late mother worked in a lab, it was mostly drug related. And she knew how much I hated the smell of drugs, she would always ensured that I was shielded from the pungent smell. Whenever she was near, I was enveloped in the sweet fragrance of fresh breeze and flowers – even in her final moments.

After her passing, I embarked on a quest to find a perfume that captured the essence of her scent. Athena stood by me through countless disappointments, and upon witnessing my frustration, she vowed to create a custom perfume that replicated the exact fragrance I cherished when she had her own perfume line. Now, she's handed me a bottle of her masterpiece – a perfume bearing my name, infused with the precise scent that transports me back to memories of my mother.

In times like this, I'm reminded of how blessed I am to have Athena in my life. I'm truly lucky, and it's a reality I need to acknowledge and cherish more often.

"Have you released it to the market yet? How's the sales?" I asked, still mesmerized by the elegant bottle cradled in my hand.

Athena's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's not out in the market yet, but the prospects are incredibly promising. People are already clamoring for it, especially after they learned the story behind the perfume. I wanted you to be the first person to experience it, though." Her gaze softened, filled with affection. "And don't forget, you have to come to the lunch! I'm really looking forward to it."

I nodded enthusiastically, a smile spreading across my face. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

"I'm beyond proud of you, Tina," I said, my voice filled with emotion. "Thank you again for creating this incredible perfume. You're the best, and I love you so much!" Athena beamed with pride, her face aglow with happiness.

"Of course, I'm the best," she said with a laugh, "and I love you too, Riri. But enough about me... how are things with Harro?" Her curious eyes locked onto mine, sparkling with interest.

"Things are... good with him," I said, searching for the right words to convey the complexity of my emotions. "Things are great between us, to be honest. So much has happened in such a short period of time that I can hardly wrap my head around it. But right now, it feels like we're really getting to know each other. This is uncharted territory for both of us, you know?" I explained, trying to put my feelings into words.

Athena listened attentively, her eyes sparkling with interest. When I finished speaking, she nodded thoughtfully, a warm smile spreading across her face.

"I'm beyond thrilled for you!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. "I've been rooting for this to happen for so long, and I'm overjoyed that it finally has." Her words caught me off guard, and I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her enthusiasm.

"You've always wanted me to date a man?" I asked, my tone laced with amusement, and Athena playfully glared at me, her eyes sparkling with mock annoyance. "I've always wanted you to find love, silly!" she replied, her voice infused with warmth. I laughed, feeling a sense of relief washed over me. Yeah, that made perfect sense. Athena had always been my biggest supporter, and her desire for my happiness was genuine.

But as I pondered the next question, my tone turned more serious. "How do you feel about all of this... me being with a man?" I asked, my voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. This was a question that had been lingering in the back of my mind for a while now.

Athena's expression turned thoughtful, her brow furrowing slightly as she took a moment to gather her thoughts. Then, her gaze locked onto mine, and I saw a deep sincerity in her eyes.

"Do you love him?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle. I answered without hesitation, and Athena nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Does he make you happy?" she added another question, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. Again, I answered without missing a heartbeat, and Athena's smile grew wider.

"That's the only thing that matters to me," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "Plus, the fact that he's incredibly hot," she added with a wink, making me laugh.

I sighed in relief, wondering why I was afraid to begin with. This was just like Athena – she had a way of making things less complicated, of cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of the matter.

"I'm so grateful, Tina. For always being there for me," I said, my voice filled with sincere appreciation. Athena nodded, her smile warm and encouraging.

"You can thank me by letting me meet your hot boyfriend," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I still have to give him my 'if you hurt my best friend' talk before anything," she added, her voice dripping with dramatic flair. I laughed, shaking my head in amusement.

I could already imagine how that meeting would play out – Athena and Harro would likely get along flawlessly, bonding over their shared tendency towards drama and stubbornness. The thought made me chuckle, and I looked forward to seeing how their encounter would unfold.