'BANG BANG!'

With a loud gasp, Athena woke up. She clutched her loud beating heart and took a deep breath to calm herself down. It took her a moment to realize that her cheeks were drenched with tears.

"Again, that nightmare." A whisper left her lips. Moving to the side, she flicked the lights on and headed out of the bed. She made her way to the bathroom.

Athena turned the tap on and sighed at the feeling of cold water touching her skin. Her eyes unconsciously glanced down at her palm where an ugly scar resides. She clenched her fist with a look of disgust.

The scar was healed long ago but still it hurt everyday. At each night as the nightmare reoccurred. The nightmare where she is trapped again in that house by Angelo.

She washed her face, letting the cold water sooth her skin and made her way back to the room. Knowing that it was already 3 in the morning, she did not go back to sleep. Instead, she headed in the direction of her study table and opened her books to study.

At somewhere 5 in the morning, she let out a small yawn and stood up while stretching her arms. She changed into a black tracksuit and headed straight to the gym.

"Ah 356, 357, 358....." Ariana's voice reached her ears. Athena opened the door and stepped in.

Her eyes greeted the sight of Ariana doing push ups. Her body was covered with sweat and her arms were trembling badly. Crouching beside her was Vittorio. There was a wooden stick held loosely in his hand.

Athena winced at the sight.

"You are here?" Athena yelped a little in surprise and turned back to find Romeo behind her.

"You scared me."

He ignored her complaint and rubbed her head with a grin.

"Good morning." She politely greeted him and the other two.

Ariana huffed with a roll of her eyes. Vittorio walked towards Athena and looked at her face carefully.

"Your dark circles are getting bad."

"I'm fine." She smiled. Seeing her carefree persona, Vittorio did not push her anymore.

An hour later, Alexander passed by the gym but he paused after hearing the familiar sounds.

He peeked in through the open door. His eyes caught the sight of Athena and Vittorio. Athena was wearing boxing gloves. A certain look flickered in her eyes when she moved to punch Vittorio and each time he effortlessly blocked.

Alexander was stunned momentarily. Not only him but Romeo and Ariana too who were watching both of them training, while sitting at the bench nearby.

Ariana looked at Romeo with a small frown on her face.

Suddenly Athena's moves filled with blindness and aggressiveness. Romeo and Alexander watched on with concern.

On the spur of moment, Vittorio threw a punch in her direction. But on pure instinct, Athena dodged. The reaction speed stunned Ariana. Grinning, Vittorio's punches turned even more vicious but she blocked and dodged each one of them successfully.

"Is that all what you have got?" Vittorio teased. Athena's eyes narrowed and she lifted her foot to kick him but he blocked her effortlessly and kicked her hard in her stomach.

She managed to protect her stomach with her arm crossed over it but the force of Vittorio's foot pushed her back. Tears brimmed in the corner of her eyes involuntarily as the bare skin of her arm reddened.

There will be a painful bruise formed later on.

Ariana winced. Vittorio really does not know how to hold back when he is intrigued.

"That's enough." Alexander interrupted.

"Hold back next time." Ariana scolded.

"T-there's no need." While Athena said this a little breathlessly.

Ariana frowned again.

"I need the reality check." Athena stated.

Romeo smiled just like his other two brothers but Ariana was not really impressed.

"I know you want to prove yourself as capable but this is really--"

Alexander raised his hand, silencing her mid sentence.

"Leave it."

"Go take a shower you all. Breakfast will begin after half an hour."

Ariana was the first one to leave, followed by Vittorio and Romeo.

Athena sighed and moved her hand to remove her gloves but Alexander beat her to it. After pulling them off, he examined her arm.

"It will bruise. But I'm impressed that you have toughened up eventually."

Athena felt a smile forming on her lips.

"Become more strong." Alexander smiled back.

Athena nodded and left to her room.

After finishing breakfast, Vittorio took it as his responsibility to drive his sister and cousin to the school.

As the elder brothers were not at home and gone for a business conference out of the country, other three are busy handling the business here. So they had been skipping school since the last week.

The students crowded around as usually in the parking lot waiting for them. Ariana was the first one to jump out of her car. She rushed to meet Sarah and Max.

As Athena got out of the car, Max smiled at her while Sarah secretly rolled her eyes.

"Hey Athena.... How are you doing?" Max asked as he approached her.

Ariana watched the interaction through the corner of her eye, the corner of her lips curled up.

"I'm good Max. What about you?"

Ariana could not help but cough. 'They are talking like as if they are business partners. So formal and boring.'

"I'm good too. It's my birthday this weekend, remember I told you.... I would feel happy if you come." He said, the hopefulness in his eyes was bright like sun.

Before Athena could answer, rumbling of a car reached their ears. All of them look towards the sound.

A black rolls royce arrived slowly, catching everyone's attention. The door opened and a familiar figure steps out.

Athena could not help but watch him carefully. His attire was all black but casual, though he looked extraordinary.

The gold and silver rings on his long fingers made him look even more majestic.

Ariana was a little stunned, seeing him.

What is Stephan doing here? He was MIA since 5 months. Since that day.

She froze.... His eyes met hers before moving away after a moment and then he glanced at Athena.

But the certain look in his eyes when he did so had made Ariana feel uncomfortable somewhere.