The Devil CEO's Contract Wife novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Midnight City’s Goddess

[Music: Supermassive Black Hole By Muse]

I whipped my head to the sudden company, eyes widening in awe.

A woman stepped forward wearing an all-white outfit—a fitted blazer dress with gold buttons and cape-like sleeves. Underneath, a white turtleneck peeked out, paired with pearl jewelry and long white gloves, completed with knee-high boots.

She took off her cat sunglasses and flipped her straight blonde hair.

I’d kill for a hair like that.

"Interrupting? I was under the impression you were leading the media on with frolics. Imagine my surprise when I see you with a woman in your penthouse. Is the world ending, and I didn’t get the memo?"

I have only seen her in magazines, on social media, and at galas: Midnight City’s goddess and fashion icon, Athena King, Ares’s twin sister.

She flickered her steel blue eyes at me, and I tensed, trying to move, but Ares secured a hand on my waist to keep me still.

"You’re here on time."

Wait... did he... I cast a look at Ares. Of course! His sudden attempt to kiss me was just a show.

I should have sprinkled more pepper and watched until he choked to death.

I peeled his hand off my waist and stepped forward, fixing my smile. "Hi, I’m Catherine, delighted to meet you."

Athena’s lips spread in a wide smile. "At long last, I have met the mystery woman responsible for all the ear-piercing buzz. Lovely to make your acquaintance." She blew air kisses to both sides of my cheek. "Mua! Mua!"

"Likewise."

"Your voice sounds familiar. I never forget a voice. Are you by chance..."

"Yes."

I usually picked up her calls whenever Ares couldn’t.

"Oh my! The secretary... now that makes a lotta sense than my brother wifing up a random woman." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Apparently, I’m the only one who can walk through the icy territory of the infamous Ares King and come out of it alive."

Athena pressed the tip of her sunglasses between her lips, intrigue drowning her gaze. "Ares, I like her. She should join us at the equestrian."

"I won’t be able to make it."

"What? Don’t tell me you’re standing me up, you buffoon!"

Ares’ silence was all the answer she could need.

"Ugh, fine! Wifey here will join me. I don’t have to suck up to my overbearing brother now that I have you."

"No," Ares replied. "Catherine is gonna be busy with me today. She stays."

Athena dramatically seethed at Ares.

"Actually..." I cut through. "I’d love to go. This is my first time meeting your sister, and I think we should get to know each other more."

"How fantastic! You read my mind!" She did a little jump. "You’re gonna need an outfit for it, so shoppinggggg!" She screeched.

"Athena." Ares’ voice stopped us. "Behave."

"I’ll be good." Athena blew a kiss to him.

~☆~

Athena went on a shopping spree just for riding outfits. I had lost count of how many we had to try, and before I knew it, three hours had passed, and I had bags of outfit I wasn’t sure I’d need.

Finally, we arrived at the private estate grounds with vast acres of open land, a stable, and private riding trails designed for equestrian activities.

The only reason I agreed to this was to get back at Ares, and maybe because I didn’t trust my actions around him. That temptation to get on his bad side should not be addictive, but here we are.

The horse gave a low whicker as I petted him. The moment I strolled into the stables, he caught my eye, and I have been feeding him carrots ever since, like we were best buds.

I giggled when he licked my hand. "There, there, I’ll get you more."

"He likes you..." Athena remarked, stepping forward with her all-white riding outfit. Her taste for white in a place like this was bold.

She kicked the bucket out of the way, grinning ear to ear. "That’s Ares’ horse, the great Duke."

"How majestic, suits him."

"He’s the fastest one we have here, and there is Celeste."

She referred to a white horse just beside it. "A rare breed and my closest companion."

"She’s beautiful," I acknowledged.

She must really have a thing for white.

They weren’t exactly the kind of friends I expected Athena to have; they looked too... random? Don’t get me wrong, but I thought her taste would be on the bigger side. Oh, well.

Were they looking for a challenge?

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify