Rumors inside the ball were spreading as the bidding continued.“18 million,” Dr. Stephen yelled. ‘This will be my last bid. I have no more to give if he raises the price,’ he thought.“30 million,” Ethan said with a smirk. ‘You’ll probably go bankrupt if you make another bid.’ He thought as he glared at Stephen, who was now clenching his fist.‘Dammit! I can’t go over 30 million. What will I do?’ He thought as Athena held his hand and caressed it slowly, reassuring him it was alright.“Don’t worry about it. Everything’s going to be fine. At least you helped drive up the price of the jewelry, and the chosen charity will receive more than half of the proceeds. It can really hel
The event ended successfully, and a few guests were lingering at the ball, enjoying themselves and mingling with each other. Austin stayed, sending Athena, Stephen, and Maxime home to be escorted by the President’s security. They left way before the party even ended.Austin planned to keep Ethan busy with the help of the media. He was planning to confront Ethan after they all left because he didn’t want to drag his father’s reputation in the dirt and make an issue of what Ethan had declared earlier.Ethan knew Austin wanted to confront him, and he stayed because he wanted to know what his friend wanted to say. He considered Austin as his family and wanted to know why they didn’t confront him when they learned the truth. When the rest of the guests left, Ethan caught Austin standing in the corner, facing the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.“Do you think you can easily take Athena away from me?” Ethan said as he approached his friend.Instead of answering, Austin
The deafening sound of the alarm woke Athena up. Last night, she set her timer two hours earlier than usual.It’s been a week since the event, and since her foundation, Good Samaritan, was one of the chosen charities to receive the money from the auction, she treated the children from the foundation on a two-day overnight field trip. It excited the kids when they heard about it.Unfortunately, Maxime was scheduled for her pre-natal check-up, and Austin was accompanying her. Ever since he’d gotten famous, Stephen’s schedule at the hospital was always full. Only Marcus could come on the trip with her, aside from the security they assigned to Athena’s safety.“I wish I could really come with you… But sadly, I can’t. I don’t want to risk our baby’s health to go on a field trip. But next time, I will promise… I will accompany you.” Maxime swore.“Don’t worry about it, Maxime… We can go on another trip after you give birth to little Austin.” Maxime’s eyes widened and cover
‘This guy looks familiar… Where did I see him?’ Marcus wondered as he looked at the guy standing beside Athena.“Who is he?” Marcus asked with a frown. Marcus looked at him from head to toe. ‘It seems like he’ll give us trouble.’ He thought.“This is Mr. Ethan Reed. He will join us on our trip.” Athena said.‘Right! I remember him! I saw him on TV, he’s that guy from the news. He was the talk of the town last time when he declared being married on national tv.’ He thought.“Why is he joining us?” He asked.“He’s the person who won one of the jewelry sets at the auction last week. And since he picked out our name for the donation, he wanted to spend time with the kids and wanted to know them better. He has a charity in country P called Savior’s Foundation. So, I allowed him to join us.” Athena raised her brows and shrugged like she was saying we can’t do anything about it. Then she stood beside Marcus and whispered, “Please don’t tell Stephen about this.” She begg
“For today’s first game… We will play tug of war!” Kath, the guardian, announced. She is hosting the event that they prepared for the kids.“Divide the groups into 2. Mr. Marcus Strout will lead team 1, and Ms. Athena Morris will lead team 2.” She announced when Ethan raised his hand.“May I join the game too?” He asked, which made Marcus shake his head in disagreement.‘Why does he need to interrupt? We don’t need him in the games. He probably isn’t even fit to do anything but look good.’‘Why can’t he just sit and watch from the bench or enjoy the beauty of nature? Or stare at Athena from afar. We both know he came here for her.’ He wanted to tell him to stop interfering, but the kids were all present and he didn’t want to be the bad guy.“Oh, okay. Alright, Mr. Reed will join us too-”“My team is already full!” Marcus interrupts the host, and he grabs the other guardian, named Leo. But he regretted it as soon as he saw Ethan grin at him and went to Athena’
Two hours had passed, and there was still no news of the missing children. It was getting late, and the other guards who helped with the search together with Marcus had returned to the villa because they could not find them.“Where’s Athena? Is she in her room? Has she come back?” Marcus asked when he noticed that she was not around, and the guards started to panic.Ethan came to the lobby, oblivious to what was happening. ‘Why is everyone in chaos? What is going on?’ He wondered.“Is there any problem? What’s all this noise?” Ethan asked.“S-sir, 2 girls from the foundation went missing… And now, Ms. Athena hasn’
“I can’t explain everything to you right now… But all I can say is… I love you,” Using his right hand, Ethan pulled Athena closer to him while his other hand supported her back as he kissed her directly on the lips.Athena froze, and her eyes widened in shock. She couldn’t figure out what to do as she saw Ethan’s eyes close like he was savoring her lips. The minute he felt Athena stiffen, he took the opportunity to deepen their kiss. He bit her lips, making Athena gasp and part her lips.Athena’s mind went blank, but she felt something stir inside her. ‘The way he kisses feels very familiar to me.’ Her heart was pounding so fast, and she felt butterflies fluttering inside her stomach, which was something new to her. She was drowning in his kisses that she forgot why they were in the forest.‘Stephen kissed me before, but my body never reacted this way.’ Upon remembering her boyfriend, Athena pushed Ethan away. She covered her mouth with her hands because she felt guilty
Marcus sighed. “Fine. I won’t tell them. But promise me, from now on, you‘ll never keep secrets from me again.” Athena smiled widely and nodded her head in agreement.“By the way, did he say something to you?” Marcus narrowed his eyes at Athena, which made her frown. She was trying to recall what Ethan did, then she remembered the sweet nothings he said to her while she was at the peak of her breakdown just to console her. “Well, I don’t recall anything. Why’d you ask?” she denied while trying not to acknowledge that her face had turned pink.“Uh. nothing.” Marcus shook his head. ‘It seems like… Ethan said nothing to her.’When they were walking back to their rooms, Athena suddenly remembered the kiss. She ran her forefinger across her lips, recalling the feel of Ethan’s lips as he ran his tongue across them and into her mouth, touching her tongue. She closed her eyes and blushed. ‘Why do you have to remember that stupid thing? You should have forgotten about it alr
Everyone is busy preparing for the big event. It’s just a simple gathering, where they invited only the closest family members.They set the beach for the most awaited day. The wedding is finally happening. There were Chiavari chairs on both sides of the aisle, lined with pink roses placed on tall vases, requested specifically by the bride. In the center, curtains framed the altar pulled over to both sides to give the illusion that one was looking out a window into the pristine beach beyond.The guests wore pastel colors as the theme for the event. Albert and Austin wore a champagne-colored suit with white long-sleeves, while Maxime wore a halter turquoise-colored infinity dress and her son, Lucas, was wearing a suit that matched his father’s outfit.Maxime and Austin would stand as the best man and maid of honor, while their son Lucas would be the ring bearer. For their preparation, Ethan occupied the house they bought from the Scotts, while Athena checked in the hotel nearby. They
Athena’s Point of ViewI thought that… I would never feel the love and freedom that I longed for. I never thought this day would come. When I was young, all I had were the books my mom brought me to learn how to read and write. I remembered the moment I asked her… why I couldn’t live like a normal child… couldn’t do normal things like going to school, making friends with other kids, playing with them on the playground, and going to the mall? She just answered that Dad wanted to protect us from the people outside who wanted nothing to do but hurt us. And I believed in what she said.Even though I felt like I was in a cage, and I even saw Andrew hurt my mom… I felt horrified. And when mom died, he became more terrifying. He locked me inside our house. He didn’t even allow me to go to the garden… much less roam around the house. Instead, he locked me in my room. I could only sneak out when he was not there. But my luck vanished when he found out about my escapades and killed my closest
It was a late night. Athena and Ethan just finished preparing for bed. They had fun, enjoying their festive dinner with their families inside their compound and talking about the wedding that was about to happen. It was the wedding they’d all been waiting for. After their dinner, they invited everyone to stay over. Albert, Austin, and his family were happy to stay for the night just to be with Athena, whom they missed the most.“Hey, aren’t you getting sleepy? Wear this, or you might get cold.” Ethan placed a shawl on her shoulders, which Athena gladly received. He hugged her from behind while staring at the stars in the sky. They were both standing on the balcony of their room, appreciating the beauty of the night. They had the full moon giving light to their surroundings and the sound of the icy wind that touched the leaves of the trees, making the trees dance to the rhythm of their natural music.Athena shook her head. “I can’t sleep,” she said, which made Ethan frown.“Why? Is th
“What if I leave the underground world? Will you be happy and choose to stay with me?” Athena turned her head and looked at Ethan while slowly walking towards her, reaching for her hand.“I love you so much, Athena. And if you want me to quit the Mafia, I’ll do it for you. I will never hesitate to leave my organization if that will make you feel safe and happy. I will do it because I can’t live without you. So, please… please be with me.” His eyes pleaded as he looked Athena directly in the eye. He was full of hope that Athena would come back to him. “But the Mafia is like a family to you. Are you really abandoning them? How can you say that? Besides, you are popular in the underground world. Everyone knows you are their king.” Athena stated.Ethan walked closer, making her step backward until he cornered her on the wall. “I have my second in command. He will stay and guide the Mafia. I know he won’t leave the troops.” Ethan reached for her hand and pinned it to the wall.“Now, I wil
Ethan and Austin landed safely at the hotel they were checking in. Luckily, they had a helipad where he could land his chopper. Only both of them came without any troops as they knew the place was safe. Before Ethan and Austin came to the island, where Athena was hiding, Ethan called the couple, Marcia and Theodore, who saved her to inform them that they were coming to bring Athena back to the city. When they met, the couple was hesitant, because Athena asked them not to tell anyone she was hiding. But they also understood that her family was worried about her, so thecouple welcomed them and led the way to the resort.It was a private resort that only the people who owned properties were allowed to enter. From the highway, there was a narrow road that permitted one car to enter at a time. This area was hidden and surrounded by coconut trees. The entrance to their property had a bright red gate that was so huge you could not see what was inside. Plants and flowers dotted the path lea
EthanEthan was drinking whiskey while sitting in the kitchen. He was about to drink his next glass when Austin appeared and took the drink from him.“It’s not the time to drink, Ethan.” He said sternly.“What do you want me to do, then? Athena is still missing, and I don’t have any idea where the fuck they brought my pregnant wife--” Ethan couldn't finish what he was about to say when Austin stopped him from talking.“She called,” Austin said.“What?”“Athena called. She said that she’s fine and safe.”“Where is she?” Ethan grabbed Austin’s collar and pulled him closer. “When did she call? Why didn’t you call me? What did she say?” Austin shook his head as he looked at Ethan in his drunken state.Austin knew how hard it was for Ethan to lose her, and even when he was badly injured, he never stopped worrying and looking for Athena. Every single day that she was missing, Austin witnessed how Ethan used his connections to find her. But now that Athena called them and said she didn’t wan
AthenaAthena woke up hearing unfamiliar voices quarreling near her. When she opened her eyes, she immediately covered her body with the quilt, protecting her belly from the strangers in front of her. She looked at them and figured they were a couple whose ages ranged in their late 50s. Then she looked around and noticed that she was in an unfamiliar place. The house was made of wood, bamboo, and nipa leaves. It was a small and quaint house, but it was cozy. She was sitting in a bed that was very comfortable. It felt like her own bed at home. She looked at herself and noticed she was wearing different clothes.“Who are you? Where am I?” she asked.The lady’s eyes softened while looking at her pitifully. She shook her hand. “Don’t worry, we won’t hurt you. You are in our house because we found your unconscious body on the shore. At first, we thought you were dead, but thankfully, you were alive. So, we decided to bring you here to treat the wound on your head,” she explained.“How long
Ina bit her lower lip as she looked at Ethan seductively. “Sure… Anything for you, my love.”“Master!” One of his men called out. He just came out of Max’s cell. “The subject is dead,” He added in a whisper. His voice was so low that only Ethan could hear him. Ina frowned in confusion. He nodded and said he should go ahead and would follow behind him. “I’ll be back,” Ethan said to Ina before leaving and going back to Max’s cell.Ina glared at the person who called at Ethan. ‘Tss... Damn this guy! What did he have to call Ethan for?! He just wasted my opportunity to escape from this stinky cell… I hope Ethan will come back,’ she thought.Ina waited patiently until she heard her cell door open again. It was Ethan and a bunch of his troops who entered. Ethan ordered them to remove the chain from Ina’s cell, making her smile victoriously.Then they laid down a case that was filled with various tools. Ina frowned. There were pliers, needles, small knives, scissors, a container with a whit
“Give me good news. Have you found Athena?” Ethan asked the private investigator and his men about the progress of finding Athena.“Sir, we traced her using the tracking device you put on her engagement ring and found the location.” One of his men answered.“And where is it?” Ethan asked. The private investigator gave him the engagement ring.“We found it on the same island where they kept Athena, she must have dropped it. We’ve also searched the area and only saw these torn clothing.” The investigator gave him pieces of torn fragments they thought came from Athena’s gown.“We found this in the trash bin. According to the pattern, I think they chopped it on purpose.” One of his men said.“Maybe she was thrown to the sea–” The investigator was about to deliver his conclusion when a wine glass flew above his head. It was supposed to hit him, but luckily he had fast reflexes and bowed down just in time to evade the flying glass.“GET OUT OF MY OFFICE NOW!” Ethan’s voice roared, which mad