Chapter 3 ONE FRIEND IS ENOUGH TO TRUST

Sam had witnessed how Terrence tried to control Athena during their teenage years out of coincidental circumstances, thus he was certainly aware of the guy's reaction to her especially when he was around as he became closer to Athena during the days that she was needing a friend to rely on.

Terrence might refuse to admit it but Sam was able to read his actions as an observer. He was certain that he harbored a hidden affection towards the woman because of how he always acted vigilant when it comes to him. He concluded that the guy appeared in denial with his true feelings, after all, they had a big misunderstanding back then. Furthermore, there's nothing more precise explanation for doing such a thing unless the guy felt like he was being threatened over his possession.

Showing off his dominant side whenever Sam tried to get closer to her was his usual behavior and he was used to it but Terrence's constant protest barely holds his patience this time. He was fed up with the latter's nonsense and he wanted to be Athena's protector just this once even if she was secretly committed to him legally. Moreover, the latter was currently in a relationship yet he still wanted to grip the woman in her throat. It was too unfair for her in his point of view as he always thought that Athena would remain silent and tolerant as before. He genuinely felt sorry for her and now he wanted to cut the guy's madness in order to give Athena a peace of mind.

With this thought, he eyed the man from head to toe and sneered. "Aren't you having enough of dominating Athena when we're all still children? Why not dominate your girlfriend instead and stay my friend out of it?"

"My dear Athena, come…" Sam urged fondly, dragging her closer to him. "I'll give you a ride... You must be feeling exhausted being cornered by some irrelevant people upon hopping out from the plane..." He murmured blatantly ignoring Terrence and Hannah completely.

Athena chuckled in amusement. "Thank God, you're here… You're always been my hero ever since..." She chirped remarkably which earned a proud smile from the latter.

Speechless, Terrence could only stare at Sam's complacent smile in frustration. His insides were screaming to retort, wanting to give him a dose of his own medicine, however, he restrained himself and swallowed his words back in his throat, pursing his lips into a thin line. How could he tell him that he had the right to dominate the woman because she is his legal wife? He certainly can't…

He didn't want Hannah to know that he has been long committed to the person that once made her feel miserable as he expected that she would go berserk and break up with him for that! She has once appeared as Athena's victim and he pitied her for that and the least he could do is to protect her from Athena's vicious claws. That was the least he knew as Hannah made sure of that…

He darted his gaze to his nominal wife only to find her acting unperturbed and unbothered while watching them arguing. He couldn't help clenching his fist in irritation. 'How dare this woman feign an innocent look in her face and ignore me completely!' His nose was now flaring up and he was seething in rage within…

Hannah seemed to be observing everything around the corner. Her eyes flashed a vicious glint when it fell on her boyfriend's furious face. This kind of expression was so familiar to her… Her man was obviously jealous of Sam… Her face turned ghastly at that and her composure slowly shattered in pieces. She stood there sullenly clenching her fists letting her long nails pierced her palms, almost drawing out blood to keep her sober.

'How dare you, Athena! You still managed to make him this mad after what I had done to ruin your friendship!' She hissed silently, grinding her teeth.

"Come on, let's go…" Sam then urged casually, draping his arm over Athena's shoulder.

Athena grinned widely. "That's why I love to be with you so much! You are really treating me well unlike the others who were so blind and muddle-headed to some certain things." She mumbled meaningfully. "They're far more pathetic than stupid!" She added with sarcasm, holding Sam's arm.

The couple glared at them hearing such blatant remarks but the duo remained nonchalant…

"Terrence! Hannah! We'll be leaving ahead of you guys…" Sam announced and went. "See you some other time..." With that being said, he snatched Athena's suitcase and numbled tenderly. "Let me carry your suitcase, Athena, I think that's too heavy...."

The two then hopped in Sam's car leaving the couple behind.

On the other hand…

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Terrence kicked his car's wheel furiously whilst watching the car dissipate from his sight...

He was so furious and he couldn't explain why. The thought of Athena and Sam going somewhere together made his blood simmer. Could it be that he was so angry because his father's task assigned to him failed miserably?

Nah! He didn't think so as he didn't think straight. He completely forgot his girlfriend's presence and all he could think was Athena and Sam. How would he be able to face his father without giving him an earshot? Would he even be spared for a few seconds before he went on criticizing him? Impossible!

"Terrence, what's wrong with you? Why are you so… angry?" Hanna asked, pretending to be curious.

"Nothing." Was his curt reply. He faced her after calming down in a few seconds and asked, "Where is your friend? I thought you're picking her up?"

”Ah, yes..." Hannah mumbled hesitantly. "I need to go and get her." She muttered, flashing a smile.

"I would like to meet her." Terrence uttered calmly.

Hannah's eyes widened horrified by his words, deep within she was panicking. Shaking her head, she lied, "... her flight was delayed, love. I have to wait for her for another hour…"

She couldn't let him know that she was actually waiting for a man. Her stepbrother…

She has been aiming to be Terrence's wife for a long time and she badly needed his help. She needs someone to work side by side to make some improvements on her relationship with him… Especially now that the huge thorn of her life had returned…

She must deal with Athena real quick before everything turns out to be a big mess…

What if she decided to open her mouth and spill everything from the past? She was scared of this thought… Terrence would definitely make a sharp turn and throw her out of his life without hesitation. He would come running after Athena but she wouldn't allow that to happen!

Back then, she asked for her mother's help to conduct a secret investigation to find anything about Athena's background because she is a Stanford yet they couldn't find anything suspicious. The information she gathered was simple. She was adopted by the Stanfords that's why she was living in their villa. Aside from having that surname, there is nothing relevant about her… No signs of living luxuriously… She was also looking simple, similar to the Stanford's house staff therefore, she was confident that she won't bite her back even if she stomped her with her feet... It would cost her a lot if she tries to fought against her... That's how Hannah assumed...

Terrence peered on his wrist watch and sighed. "I can't wait for another hour. I have to go."

"Yes, of course. You may go on ahead, love." Hannah felt at ease knowing that he was leaving. She gazed at him tenderly, silently asking for a quick kiss but Terrence had already turned around his back, getting into his car. She could only wave her hand as she watched him drive off out of her sight.

'There you are again! Treating me coldly after seeing that bitch!' she fumed.

Meanwhile on the other hand..

"Athena, have you gone nuts?" Sam berated his friend with intense displeasure evident in his voice.

She gives out an exhausted sigh while gazing at the moving scenery outside the window in a daze. "I'm not here for them but if they tried to pull me down just like before, I won't be too forgiving…"

"You're joining your family business this time?" Sam asked.

"Perhaps... I don't know yet..." She sighs again. Recalling his sudden appearance at the airport, she darted her gaze at him and began to ask, "What were you doing at the airport huh?"

"My girlfriend went on a business trip with her boss..."

Athena snickered. "Can I borrow you while she's away?"

"I would love to... You've been gone for too long. We had a lot to catch up on!" Sam mumbled in excitement as he grinned from ear to ear.

"Drinks on me... But that would be on the next day. I want to dive on a soft and comfortable bed for now." She announced tiredly.

"Where shall I send you then?" Sam asked right away, feeling sorry for his friend as he understood how tired she was based on her haggard appearance.

"The nearest hotel, please..." Athena mumbled, closing her eyes.

"Why not go home? I'll send you there..." Sam suggested.

"Maybe tomorrow... I don't want to hear them cursing me for not following their stupid arrangements. I just really want a peaceful sleep right now..." Athena gruffly retorted.

"Your husband will… They would surely grill him hard!" Sam chuckled in amusement.

As Athena's close friend, he was used to her temperament. Her aloofness, indifference and humble nature was all known to him as well as her real identity. She had trusted him so much that she chose to let him know whatever her problems were after pestering her for too long… He also knows why she left her town and chose to stay away from her family. He knows everything about her.

Back then, Sam witnessed Hannah framing Athena by coincidence which caused a huge gap between the two.

Terrence was there watching the drama created by Hannah but he failed to realize the truth and chose to believe the woman's lies. He defended her with all his might, forgetting who his real friend was…

He was about to spill the truth to clean up Athena's name but she shook her head, telling him. "If there's someone who had known me from the very start, It was you…" she said. "Let him believe what he saw, let him loathe me… I don't give a damn to people who chose to be stupid rather than to search for the truth…"

"But Athena, he has to know..." He protested grimly.

"My silence didn't mean tolerance towards them. I just thought that I should not be wasting my time dealing with irrelevant people like them. One friend to trust is enough for me. I don't need someone else…"

She successfully shut his mouth with those words until now…

It's been years had passed since that incident and he wondered if Athena even thought of clearing things out this time…

"What's your plan?" He asked as he maneuvers the steering wheel.

Athena smirked, evilly. "I'll give her a dose of her own medicine and slap him with the truth…"

Sam laughed. "Sounds very exciting…"

"I would definitely make it more exciting to entertain you in just a couple of weeks…"