A/N: So this takes place after Zeus got hit at this night event. Paparazzis are going crazy on him and camp outside of Tartarus buildings. Irina heard about the fight and decided to come visit him to give him some support and this is how the two love interests meet for the first time. This scene takes place after they met and just show the relationship between Irina and Zeus. (some of it)
Part1: first meeting
Part2: Compromise (Zeus and Irina and a little bit of Asma)
Part3: Maturity/let's panic together (Irina and Asma talking)
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Irina left Zeus office and went to the women's restroom in order to freshen up before her appointment. Her conversation with her fiancé went well and the blonde was hoping that the incident he was involved in a few weeks ago would be forgotten. It was difficult to escape from the paparazzi given how much they were preying on Zeus and his antics but Irina was hopeful. People eventually would get bored of him. What crime did he commit if not just be the son of one the most despicable men of America? His father conned people and stole their money. He preyed on the rich and the poor without discrimination and enriched himself in the process.
He was apprehended and put in jail after he pleaded guilty but that wasn't enough to calm the public's anger towards the man. They extended their hatred to his son. Ever since Hercules was incarcerated, Zeus had to fend for himself and fight tooth and nail to make a brand new reputation. The public was on a fence with him, hesitating between hating him because he was his father's son or hating on him because of his abrasive personality. They were completely disregarding the fact his company was not only legit since he took it over, but also gave back to the people who were spoiled by his father. Could he give that money back? Not really, his father conned thousands of people and refunding them was impossible. However, he invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into local companies that specifically were designed to help the most the people.
Yes, he fought against that other celebrity because he disrespected her and Irina couldn't help but find this chivalrous. As she went to the restroom to make sure her makeup was on point, she heard the noise of flushed toilets and saw Asma who left one of the boxes. Unaware of Irina's presence, she arranged her skirt for a few minutes before she headed towards the sink to wash her hands. Asma froze when she saw Irina, at a clear loss of words.
« You can come closer. I'm not going to eat you, I promise. » Irina joked while she took some lipstick from her purse and opened it. Asma took a deep breath and poured some soap all over her hands.
« I don't mean to disrespect you. I just.. I never thought I'd actually meet you someday. » And she had wished she never did. It already was horrible to endure Tom's taunts every day at the office, but it had been worse to eventually meet the reason of those taunts. Irina was sweet and kind. It might have been the first time they met each other, but Asma was an excellent judge of character and Irina was far from being vapid or self-centered. She glanced at Asma who was now washing her soaped hands and grinned at her.
« You're not disrespecting me. You've been spending the last few months with my fiancé and he is quite a lot to handle. I meant my words earlier. I am grateful you're around him because ever since you entered his life, he's become more... Mmhh relaxed. » She said, pursing her lips to make sure the lipstick was well applied. « I like him better this way. He's been worried almost all of his life and when it became tougher for him, you know when the public started to associate him with his father's crimes and seek for blood., they made him cruel. They made him angry and he started to lash out in spectacular fashion. » Her sweet blue eyes stopped at Asma's face while her hands rested on the sink before her.
« You love him huh ?.. » Asma didn't think twice as her lips worked faster than her brain.
Irina looked at her and blushed slightly. A quick nod of her head answered Asma's question. Of course, she loved Zeus. She had six years to get to know him and being one of the only few he allowed to be close to his heart felt like a privilege. He was a kind soul, a golden heart hidden by thorns and fire but one who would protect you fiercely if he cared about you. He cared a great deal about her, hence why he got in trouble in the first place. She fell in love with him over the years as she understood his soul a lot better and matured herself, on his sides. Asma expected the semi-confession to sting worse than a stingray but it didn't. It actually brought her peace. Irina knew Zeus, she was sincere in her love for the man and Asma could see that love radiate from her. Irina was relaxed when she talked about Zeus, her voice sounded warmer and if she paid attention, Asma could see that the blonde supermodel was breathing a lot harder. Her torso was heaving faster as Irina got flustered. How could Asma hate her?
She turned off the tap and grabbed some toilet paper to dry her hands. Her eyes averted from Irina to the mirror in front and tucked some hair behind her ear. She fell in love with Zeus and if she was honest with herself, loving someone implied she had to make sure they were happy. She had to make sure Zeus was and being with Irina was his choice. She made him happy, and because she did, Asma had to step aside and let him be happy. Her eyes betrayed her sadness as she kept drying her hands. It was painful for her, to force herself to give up on Zeus but it was the most mature decision she could take. Irina cleared her throat and gently put her hand over Asma's arm.
« You're taking such a good care of him Asma. I wanted to thank you for that. »
« I—I don't know what to say to that... I am just doing my job. »
« You have a good influence on him. You should take the compliment. » She said in a soft giggle before her hand stroked Asma's arm and she grabbed her purse. « I wish I could stay longer but I actually have an appointment in half an hour. I would have to leave but we should meet someday, just the two of us so we could talk about Zeus? I would love to. See you around. » She said with a warm smile on her lips.
« See you around. » Asma gave her a tight crooked smile and watched as the blonde left.
Her eyes were wide open and it only was because of her hands, now curled into fists, were hurting that the young woman realized that she was holding back. It hurt since the nails had pierced the skin and it forced Asma to put her hands in a cold stream of water. She was breathing heavily and felt her heartbeats go faster against her ribcage. The conversation was so casual and so charming that it turned her insides upside down. The enemy here wasn't Irina. It wasn't even Zeus. He was on a break when the kiss happened. He was single, technically so they didn't do anything wrong. In his efforts to regain Irina's affection and move on from learning Margot was heavily pregnant, he proposed to the blonde three days after she confessed her feelings to him. How could it not burn? How could it not hurt? Even now, right after she decided that the best thing she could do for both Zeus and herself, would be to let him pursue his life of happiness with Irina and not interfere. They loved each other, Asma was just a detail in their history, well at least she tried to rationalize that in front of the mirror. The tears that were dry a few minutes ago, fell once again and she used her cell phone to text Madeleine.
#Irina left, I have to return to the Boss. We've just met right after I peed. She likes me, of all people, she likes me. I decided to let this go. You were right. I have to.# She then waited for a text from her best friend who quickly responded.
#Yeah? She likes you? Talk about irony. Yeah, do yourself a service. Afterworks later? Girl, you need to drink! #
#Sounds like a plan. C U!#
She said as she put her phone back into her pocket. Her hand nervously ran through her dyed pink locks and she finally sobbed in silence. She knew her broken heart was still being broken and would need a lot more time to heal from that event. Running away from her feelings wasn't a solution anymore, so she wouldn't. Instead, she intended to go through the heartbreak like she should. A couple of sad songs, the company of friends and her best friend and maybe a rebound. Nothing happened with Zeus and nothing would so why put her heart into a twist? She was young, she could get over it. He used her pager to summon her into his office, so she knew that she would have to clean her face and hide all evidence of her turmoil. She wiped her tears off of her face and took another deep breath. She looked great, a gentle pinch on her chocolate cheeks, a subtle chew on her bottom lip and a dash of confidence would help her face her boss.
Little did she know that it only was the beginning of a more complicated dynamic. Little did she know.
(TBC)
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