“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 guiltyMarcus 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
COUNTRY P“You can leave me here. I can manage by myself,” Athena said. They just arrived at the airport in country P using Ethan’s private plane.Ethan frowned. “And where do you think you’re going?”“No, I can’t leave you here alone. If you want, I’ll send you to the presidential palace or your dad’s private villa if you don’t want to stay at my house,” Ethan suggested.“No, I want to be alone. I will call you tomorrow.” She took her luggage and backpack and then left Ethan in the hallway. She decided she would stay in a small apartment, somewhere around the city and live freely. Ethan has no choice but to let Athena go, but he ordered one of his men to follow behind and make sure she'd be safe.
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