Athena's Pov

I know what hell feels like.

Been there since the last two days.

But I finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Never thought I'd be so fucking happy going to school. I was ten when I started seeing it as a jail. It was nothing but a bully ground that didn't care about anyone's feelings. Apart from Tristan, it has no redeeming factors. But today however, it's like the doors of heaven directly open to it.

I think for the next whole month, I'm gonna start falling in love with Mondays.

“Going somewhere?” Ares asks, eyeing the bag on my shoulder.

“School.” I take a seat at the dining table and set my bag on the ground next to me.

“You're not going anywhere.” Zephyr doesn't bother expanding on his order.

“Watch me.” I challenge.

This is how my weekend was. It started off with a small argument with one of the brothers, turned into a heated debate with the other two joining in on the fun. And finally grandpa scolded us all and settled the matter.

It's like I'm not the only teenager here.

Soon after breakfast, the trio would leave and I would start taking advantage of the horribly beautiful mansion. So far I've used their gym, home theater and sauna. I tried checking out the bar but the staff didn't let me inside.

I also spent a while looking around to find any place I could sneak out from but it was so difficult since they have guards stationed at each corner like an attack could happen on any given moment.

There was this one spot on the furthest rooftop at the back of the mansion. It's around three stories high and the only way up is through the ladder close to it. But I couldn't see beyond it so I'll have to climb it and check if there's more guards strolling there.

The only problem is, I'm scared of heights. Last time I went on a ferris wheel, I had a panic attack and that would certainly be the worst thing to be caught with while sneaking out.

Throughout the day Grandpa would keep checking up on me occasionally but mostly went back to his room to rest or had hour long conversation sessions with the staff. He even had the chefs make him fifteen different asian dishes yesterday and made me try each one of those with him.

By the evening when it's time for the trio to be back, I just go to my room to avoid them all together and then panic about how grandpa’s alone with the selfish men so I ultimately end up at the dinner table and eat with them each time.

“What's wrong with her going to school?” Grandpa asks, raising an eyebrow.

“It's a security threat, dad.” Hades explains.

“But-” Grandpa cuts himself off and his lips thin.

“Grandpa, I have to go.” I pout looking at him because I know he would find some way. “I can't miss school, I have homework to submit.”

He gives me a look that clearly says ‘when did you start caring about homework?’ But I'm glad he doesn't say that out loud because I don't want the brothers to know more of my bad qualities than they already do.

“Athena, you can't go to school. No matter what dad says, the threat will still remain. You should understand that.” Hades says it like he cares for my agreement.

“I can't keep skipping school for a whole month.” I said getting anxious.

“It’s just twenty eight more days, suffer through it.” Ares says.

He doesn't know how much I appreciate his words. Twenty eight days.

I was so worried that maybe one month was just a probable duration that Hades gave grandpa but it's not.

They're serious.

All of this will end in exactly twenty eight days. I'll finally be free again.

“So will we.” Zephyr mutters loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Oh c'mon. Stop with your victim complex.” I scoff.

His expressions drop down to threatening. “Stop being a br-” He exhales. “Leave it, you’re such a baby that these matters of life or death would go over your head.”

“Grandpa!” I shout rising up from my chair and point to Zephyr who's seated next to me. “He called me a bitch!”

Zephyr’s eyebrows knit together as a pure shock crossed his features. “I was calling you a brat. I didn't call you a bitch.”

“You're changing the word now. I know you were gonna call me a bitch if grandpa wasn't here.” I accuse and look at grandpa for help.

“Dad I swear I didn't say that, she’s making it up, you heard me.” Zephyr explained to the person whose opinion matters to him.

“Is she deaf or something? Because everyone in this room except her clearly heard what he was gonna say.” Ares comes up to support his brother.

Grandpa shakes his head. “Well whatever it was, let's just end the fight. Zephyr don't call her names again-” He was about to argue but grandpa cut him off. “I know what you said, don't say that either.” Zephyr nods with a displeased look on his face.

I was satisfied as he glared at me because I obviously won again. I decided to leave the topic —even if it's clearly implied that I lied— and asked the important question.

“So… I can go to school, right?”

“Yes-” Hades cuts off grandpa.

“It’s unsafe, dad. She can get hurt. Those men that attacked you, they know about her and after you she must be their prime target.”

Grandpa looks at him as his nostrils flare. The look he gave the three of them felt like he's scolding them for something but he isn't saying it out loud.

"She's going and that's final.” He states and my eyes widened.

I didn't think it would be that easy.

“Really? Thank you.” I give him a huge smile. “You’re the best, gramps.” I was about to blow him a kiss but I stopped mid way and wiped my hand and dipped my face into a scowl. “But don't think I forgot what you did.” I muttered.

I still wasn't talking to grandpa but we both knew I would soon. We can't live without each other. He’s my only family and I won't let a mistake define our relationship.

But I wanted to stay mad at him for atleast some days so he knows not to betray me again. And so he prioritizes me over everything —even his asshole sons.

The attention and care that's given when I'm mad is an added bonus.

“She's not going anywhere.” Ares said with his eyes hard on grandpa.

The brothers are so adamant on making me stay home because they must know how much I hate it. I don't believe they care about my safety, they just want to see me endure agony.

I've made up my mind. I'm definitely gonna sneak out to spite them.

“I don't understand how can you let her go out in such a dangerous situation?.” Hades asks and then turns to me. “Do you prefer to go to school with the possibility of getting shot or would you rather stay home and get bored?”

Home.

I always defined it as one where my grandpa is.

But today even with him here, this doesn't feel like home. It's a prison where I'm forced to live even if I didn't commit a crime.

I open my mouth and close it, having no idea what to say. My answer is clear but I don't want to do what they want. Neither do I want to get murdered at such a young age.

“The choice isn't that hard, Athena.” Ares encourages me to answer.

“I don't wanna stay at your home all day.” I mumble quietly.

An uncomfortable feeling sets in me. I hate the reminders of what I could’ve had and this mansion —or rather castle— is just that.

I’m trying to enjoy my time here but randomly a thought would cross my mind and ruin my mood. I don't want to stay here longer than necessary and keep thinking of how I was abandoned because I was just a liability to get rid of.

“You don't have a choice, do you?” Zephyr says sympathetically.

I can clearly see how much these brothers are enjoying stripping me off my happiness. I don't even know if this is because of their dislike of Tristan —because I will obviously meet him at school— or they just generally like to see me so miserable.

I don't reply to them and instead fill up a plate for myself. I'm not gonna starve because they ruined my day —next twenty eight days to be precise. I'm gonna go to my room and get even more depressed.

“Athena,” I look up at grandpa. “I'm allowing you, you can go to school and then come directly back home.”

“It’s okay, grandpa. It's just twenty eight days. And I don't wanna die.” I shrug trying to act like it isn't a big deal.

The trio continue eating their breakfast, not bothering to look at me as I grab my plate and backpack and leave the dining room.

I know grandpa hasn't followed me because he plans on giving his sons a lecture about how rude they've been. It was clear on his face that he's pissed. My sweet grandpa still thinks getting scolded would make a difference in their attitude.

In just two days I've gotten to know them enough to understand they're stone. They don't have feelings. I don't even know how they define the emotions they have for each other and their father. But it's clear to me that they don't care about anyone else in the world.

I was about to enter my room when I saw the sexy guard again. I wet my lips and try to smooth out my hair as much as possible with one of my hands holding the plate and the other balancing the slippery backpack on my shoulder.

I look around to make sure there isn't anyone but us in the hallway. He stood so attentively against the wall with his arms folded behind his back.

He looks so committed to his job like it's the only thing he’s born to do. His eyes are sharp on everything but each time I've crossed his path, he hasn't placed his sight on me. It's like I'm a distraction to his purpose and he doesn't want that.

Responsible men. They're the hottest.

I clear my throat when I'm close enough to him but he still doesn't look at me. “I'm Athena.” He simply nods, clearly not interested in the conversation. “What’s your name?”

“Eric.” Was all he said and I was dying hearing his hard and muscular voice.

He felt like the type of men who are hard to break into but once you get to know them, they're the sweetest. They're dick to everyone but you. And the care they provide is topnotch.

“Nice to meet you, Eric.” I try one more time.

“Likewise miss.”

I know this is not gonna work so I switch strategies and go for the attention grabbing question. “Are you single, Eric?”

His eyes finally drift to me. They're not sharp but not gentle either. It's like he's keeping it neutral so I won't get any wrong signals. Or he’s assessing me to see if I really asked that.

“I don't like to discuss my private life.” He finally says.

I take a look at his left hand. “You don't have a finger and if you were committed you would have said it already. So I'm assuming you're single…?”

He doesn't say anything. He didn't confirm it or deny it. Just kept looking at me with his gaze not sliding an inch from my face. I could tell he was a gentleman as he didn't check me out so I decided to go a step further with this.

I went closer and brushed my hand on his forearm. “I'm single.”

We both just stared at each other for a moment too long. The hallway was so silent that I could clearly hear my brain screaming at me to not repeat my mistakes but I conveniently ignored it.

“You should go, miss. Boss won't like me addressing you.”

I shook my head and gave him my best innocent look. “They don't care about me.” Then I drop my voice even further. “Nobody does.”

“How old are you?” He asks out of nowhere.

That's one thing I don't lie to people about. I know many could end up in jail for it so I make sure they know what they’re doing. Atleast one of us has to do the ethical thing.

“Sixteen.”

I wait for a negative reaction but he carries on the conversation. “My wife and I were sixteen when we started dating. Highschool sweethearts.”

Cute. I like men who mention their wives. It shows how loyal they are and it's good to see not all hope is lost in this world.

I drop my hand off his forearm and take a small step away. “What's her name?” I say just so it doesn't get too awkward but I've already given up on him.

I don't mess with married men.

Even though some turned out to be just that. But in my defense, I was genuinely oblivious. And the whore tag one of the wives put on me was so unnecessary because if I know a guy’s committed I don't make a move on him.

“We aren't together anymore.”

My eyebrows knit together at his confession. “But why?” I ask out of curiosity.

“You won't understand.” I nod thinking it must be something he doesn't want to talk about. “I'm not supposed to talk to a minor about it.” That got my interest.

“Wait, no. Tell me. I can understand.” I say instantly.

“You won't, kid. You’re too young to even know about the problems in a married life.” He shakes his head and straightens up to his previous position.

“I might be young but I'm not dumb and I'm certainly not innocent if you think that.” I say offended.

He looks at me for a brief moment. “I wouldn't know how much you know and if I'm spoiling your innocence by introducing you to stuff you shouldn't know about.”

“Please. How bad could it be? If you're saying it like that then it must be something to do with your performance in bed.” I scoff.

His face forms into hard lines and I reconsider if I should talk to such a scary man who can practically kill me without any effort.

“Hers actually.”

“She's not good in bed?”

“She lacks stamina and well lately…” He takes a pause. “Do you know what a head is? Not the one on your neck.”

“Who doesn't know what a head is? Kids nowadays are smarter than you think.” I say in a duh tone. I want him to know I'm not stupid.

“She sucks at giving head, neither is she flexible enough to bend the way I want her to.”

I don't like men who bitch about women, especially their sexual performance. But his problem seems genuine. He wasn't even willing to share it until I pressured him.

“You left her because she wasn't good for you anymore?” I ask, not liking how it sounds.

“No, I was still trying. But then she cheated on me.”

“Oh.” That's all I could say.

“You should go now. I really shouldn't be having this conversation with you and if boss gets to know about this, I'll be in big trouble.”

“Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.” I assure him and he nods. “You can talk to me whenever you want. We can be friends.”

“I’ve never had such a young friend.”

“There's always a first time.” I encourage.

“Fine. Friends.”

I gave him a smile and finally went to my room. I closed the door and a thrill spread through me. Eric seemed like a nice guy. If I'm not wrong, he gives good hugs.

I don't understand why people say it's hard making friends. If I want, I can make ten everyday. It just takes the right words and the right person.

Eric didn't even want to talk to me but in just a few minutes I made him agree to a friendship.

It won't be hard to get more.