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
“How do I look?” Athena smiled from ear to ear as she asked Maxime about her outfit.Athena was wearing a red Gail strapless bandage dress that ended above her knees, which she paired with a black 4-inch stiletto, and a Gucci sling bag. She used light makeup tied up her long wavy hair in a high ponytail.“Well, you look gorgeous as ever.” Maxime smiled as she sat on the bed carrying her baby. She looked at her friend with delight as she prepared for her date.“What time is your dinner with Stephen?” She asked.“I told him I’d meet him at 7 pm at our favorite restaurant.” She smiled.“It’s not even 6, isn’t it too early?” Athena shook her head.
“What do you think you're doing?!” Gnashing his teeth, Stephen grabbed Ethan’s collar over the table, rattling the silverware and catching the attention of the people around them. He wanted to punch the guy in front of him but he was afraid that Athena might misunderstand him.Athena had excused herself to go to the washroom and because Stephen couldn’t handle his anger anymore he took the opportunity to let Ethan know about it while Athena was away.Ethan grinned evilly and looked around. People from the other tables were looking at them, frightened.“What do you think?” He smirked and raised his brow. “You know what? You should keep your temper down… People are watching… If you punch me I’ll have plenty of witnesses. They can testify to your wrongdoings
“What was that?”Athena said nothing and sat back down beside Stephen.“Do you like him?” He asked, not looking at Athena, but glaring at the food in front of him.“W-what are you talking about, Stephen? And where is this coming from?” She asked.Stephen scoffed. ‘Trying to fool me? Huh!’ He thought.“I want to go home, Stephen.”“Why? We haven’t started our date yet.” Stephen glared at her sideways.“But you look tired… A-and I’m tired too. I think this is not the right time for us to date.” Athena tried to calm him down as she felt the tension between her and Stephen.‘Bam!’ Stephen slammed his hand on the table, causing Athena to get scared. She started shaking, and her heart pounded so fast. She didn’t like how Stephen acted, so she composed herself before standing up.“If you don’t want to send me home, I will go by myself. Let’s talk about what’s bothering you next time.” Her knees were wobbling, but she managed to walk out of the restaurant
“I know your intentions are clear, Mr. Reed… But you should have asked me first before talking to him.”“I’m sorry, Athena. You’re right, I really should have asked you first.” Ethan apologized.“It’s alright,” she smiled to reassure him it was fine. Ethan asked her permission to put more ointment on her arm, and she agreed. “Thank you,” she smiled.They stayed on the swing for a while until Ethan offered to take her home. “It’s getting late. I need to send you back home. They’re all probably worried about you.” Athena chuckled.“What am I? A child?” She shook her head, laughing.“I missed you,” he blurted, which had Athena stop laughing. She looked at Ethan, who looked at her with a serious expression.Her heart skipped a beat with the way he stared at her. Longing, regret, and love.Ethan saw how confused Athena was. ‘I wanted to inform her… So she’ll come back to me. I don’t care what will happen after my declaration… But I want her to choose. It’
‘Did she say? That she remembers everything? How? Is it because of what I said? This wasn’t supposed to happen.’ Ethan was supposed to make amends with her and try to win her heart before he explained all the horrible things he had done to her, but now that Athena’s memories were back, he doubted it would ever happen.Athena wore a stoic look on her face after wiping the tears away. “I remember everything now. And when I say everything… It means from being imprisoned by Andrew Morgan until the moment you saved me and made me your sex slave.” She looked at Ethan with so much hatred. “Until you got me pregnant and married me. Then you went to country Y to fix the problem in your company so Ina could execute your plan. She pushed me down the stairs because you asked her to get rid of my child.” Ethan frowned at what she said.“What are you saying?” Ethan looked at her in disbelief. ‘I did not ask Ina to harm Athena nor kill her.’ He thought. “I did not ask her to do that,”
“Athena!!! Open this damn door!” Austin kept banging on her door. He looked like he was ready to kill someone with his brows knitted together, his teeth gritting against each other, and his fists clenched.Austin was about to kick open Athena’s door when she opened it, leaving his foot in the air.“What?” she asked, nonchalantly.He frowned. “What did that bastard say to you? Why are you acting like this? And what is this?” He looked at the luggage lined up alongside Athena’s bed. “Why are you packing your things? Where do you think you’re going? Do you think I will allow you to leave this place?” Athena chuckled at what he said like she heard him say something hilarious, making Austin frown in confusion.“Do you think I will let anyone manipulate me again? He never told me anything. I decided to go with him on my own. And this is the freedom I’ve been waiting for so long. Even you, my brother, can’t stop me from leaving this place,” she said while taking her luggage