Chapter 8: Denial
Athena kept a perfunctory smile on her lips as Zane led her to greet many people. Her arm enclosed in his, she was aware they were passing an image that they were together.
At first, she had wanted to create a chasm, an awareness that it wasn't so, but now she decided to let the impression continue, not in the least ready to make an explanation to her father, who was approaching her now.
Walking arm in arm with him was a middle-aged lady she hadn't seen in her entire life. Did the old man get married again?
Nevertheless, she maintained an aloof countenance when Zane did an introduction; an aloofness, which didn't disappear when her father chuckled drily, before speaking.
"There is no need for an introduction, Mr. Zane. Doctor Athena is my daughter."
It was Zane's turn to chuckle. "Mr Zack, your last name is Moore. I may not be good with remembering names, but I remember yours..."
Mr Zack blushed in happiness, pleased that the almighty Zane remembered his name. This caused him to raise his shoulders in pride; an act which caused Athena to pique an eyebrow. Her father was still the same, after six years.
"You are right, Mr. Zane. Moore is my last name. But Caddels is my late wife's last name. There had been a slight altercation in the family a few years ago, after my wife's death, and my daughter had left. It's no surprise that she had changed her name; however, it would explain why I had been unable to find her."
Unable to find her? Athena held back a bitter chuckle. She hadn't changed her name for the longest time after her exile from the city.
She found the lie amusing, but she said nothing. There was no need for that. She wasn't planning to accept the man back as her father. He wasn't even that, in the truest sense.
So she stayed quiet, waiting for the lifting of the stillness, which transcended past their orbit and infiltrated the spheres of the other party attendees.