Athena's Pov

My smile drops when he starts sucking my neck.

I immediately push at his chest and he pulls back to look at me. I try to sit up but he gently places his hands on my sides and presses down his body on mine so I keep laying on the bed.

“What happened?” He asked softly and caressed my cheek. I love when he does that.

“You said we were just cuddling…” I mumbled.

He promised he wouldn't ask for anything more. I skipped school for him. I lied to grandpa and Tristan, he can't do that to me now.

I just wanted to cuddle. I told him I didn't want to do anything else. I just wanted someone to hold me. I wanted to be cared for. I wanted to feel like I matter to someone. I wanted to feel loved.

Richard has kids of his own, there was no one better to show to me what the warmth of a protector feels like. I wanted to feel the embrace of someone who wants me unconditionally.

“We will cuddle, little doll. I promise. But I want to make love to you before that. Just twenty minutes, okay?” He requests me so politely that it's hard to decline now.

“But I'm not ready… Not today, please.” I whisper not meeting his gentle eyes.

He holds my chin and lifts my face so I look at him. “You know I love you more than any man has ever, right? I want to give you the world.”

I was about to request some other day when he cut me off. “How about after this, we cuddle for a full hour then I'll take you out for ice cream and I'll also get you those sneakers that you wanted?”

I considered the offer. “Can we stay at home and just cuddle to sleep after this?”

“Whatever you say my love.” He smiles at me.

I suck in a harsh breath as his lips land on mine. I try to concentrate but being intimate with someone so older than me is terribly uncomfortable. I really didn't plan for our relationship to become so strange.

My eyes shoot open and I’m met with the white ceiling. I sigh in relief and wipe away the droplets of sweat on my forehead.

I can't believe I was so stupid just three years ago.

I really thought he would be okay with just cuddles. But everyone's selfish in this world. No one does a favor without an expectation to get something in return.

That day I learnt a very valuable lesson. Every man wants one thing and if you want them to care for you, you need to be open at offering that.

Sure I didn't want to have sex but it wasn't bad. In fact in comparison to amateur boys my age, Richard was mind-blowing. And the best part was how he cuddled me for three hours. We then had another quick round before I had to finally go back home.

If it wasn't for his sudden aroused love for his wife —that he separated with for three months before we met— we might've lasted longer than we did.

He was kinder than men I've been with. I first met him at a park when he came to the park with his six year old daughter. I was thirteen but she was fun to play with. All the time that I spent with her I was so fascinated by the way Richard treated her.

He was always looking out for her, making sure she was okay. He was carrying all her stuff and even lifted her up in his arms and sat her on his lap when she hurt herself. He was always making her laugh with silly jokes or tickles.

It was so cute to watch.

I couldn't help but want the same thing. And so when he asked if I wanted to get coffee while his daughter slept in the car, I couldn't decline.

Soon I started going to their home when I knew she wouldn't be home so I could meet her father alone. He understood I liked him and I confessed how much I'm charmed by the way he's with his daughter.

And so he started treating me like her. He said he can take care of me too. He let me sit on his lap and even made me food sometimes. I loved each part of it.

I blink and try to adjust my eyes to the brightness in the room. The curtains are drawn now which means it's evening. I probably slept for more than four hours on the living room floor.

When I look around I see grandpa sitting on the sofa next to me wearing his reading glasses with one of his depressing books in hand.

Ares sits next to him looking at his phone and silently laughing at something. The other two brothers sit in front of me on a couch. Hades is typing away on his laptop as Zephyr narrates something to him.

I rub my eyes with the back of my hand and sit up stretching my limbs to relax my muscles. The movement caught grandpa’s attention and he smiled at me.

“Enjoyed your nap?”

“I swear I love sleeping on the floor.” I replied, mimicking his smile.

“Remind me to get your bed removed so you can sleep better.” Ares interjected.

I scowl. “What’s his problem? Did I talk to him? Why is he talking to me?” I complain.

“Ares-”

“Dad, it was a joke.” What made him think he can joke with me? “Do you think I would go on and get her bed removed?” He raised and dropped his hands in frustration.

“She doesn't like your jokes.” Grandpa sighed. “Can't you guys not fight for one single day?”

“It wasn't my fault.” I said immediately.

“Don’t include us.” Hades gestured to himself and Zephyr. “We’re literally sitting here minding our own business.”

Ares made a face looking at me but I kept my expressions neutral to act like an adult. I’ve been trying to not give them the satisfaction of seeing my hurt or annoyance.

When I was sure I'd won another small argument, I picked up my phone that I had placed next to me before dozing off and dropped a message to Tristan letting him know I woke up alive from another nap.

I then opened the comment section of my latest post. The pictures I've taken in this mansion have all done better than others. Everyone’s always attracted to wealth.

From my own selfies to portraits of the antique looking exquisite decors here, everything is just a hit with my audience. I plan on using this stay to the maximum which includes taking as many insta-worthy-photos as possible.

I have a little over eight hundred followers. Most of them are people I know and the rest are either complete strangers or weirdos that slide into my dms with their dick pics, only to be ignored.

As I scroll through my daily feed, a reel of a brownie catches my attention. The sauce drizzled on it like it's seducing me and the ice cream laid on top made my mouth water.

I put the phone aside and stood up. I went to sit next to grandpa and for a few minutes took interest in his book, reading with him until he closed it and turned to me with a questioning look.

“What?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nothing. I just came to sit with you. I missed you.” I kissed his cheek and took him in a hug.

He reciprocated but when we pulled back he narrowed his eyes at me. “What do you want?”

“I don't want anything.” I said and almost stomped my foot on the floor in fake frustration while getting up from the sofa. “That's so unfair that you think I want something whenever I show my affection.”

“I can bet she wants something. Ares did the same shit back in the day.” Zephyr commented.

“You don't get to talk between us.” I said harshly. “And I'm nothing like your brother. Don't compare me to him.”

“He used to get really angry when we rightfully accused him.” He said, like it proves his point.

“I'm not like him. You can't-”

Grandpa cuts me off. “Thena, what do you want?”

I tried to look disinterested as I went to sit next to him again. “Well if you really want to give me something…” I made a show to think. “How about we have brownie and ice cream for dinner?”

“After dinner.” He said immediately.

“No. Please.” I knelt down in front of him and held his foot trying to act like a helpless slave. “Please grandpa, let me have some fun in life. I don't feel like eating rice or whatever we’re having. Can I please have just brownies for dinner? I promise I'll eat twice my meal size tomorrow for dinner. But not today. Pwetty pleaseeeeee.” I begged.

“Athena, get up.” He sighs. I sit on the sofa next to him again with a huge smile on my face, knowing well I've already won the case. “Only today. I’m not against desserts but I don't want you to substitute it for dinner.”

“Thank you, grandpa. I love you. Honestly I couldn't have asked for a better parent. You're the best.” I jump in excitement and hug him once again. “I promise no more desserts in my life. This is the last one then I'm taking celibacy from desserts.”

“Is this how easy it is to win over kids? Wonder why the kidnapping rate is going up.” Hades muttered.

I didn't engage in an argument and started scrolling on a food delivery app to find the best price for a good amount of brownies that can substitute for a whole meal.

“There's this one,” I showed grandpa the photo. “It looks better and ice cream is included in the deal but this one,” I showed him another one. “They're giving a free muffin with every five brownies bought and then there's this one,” I showed him the last option. “They're offering twenty percent off on the next order and they even have the cheapest price but their picture sucks. I don't know if I can trust them.”

“Which one do you want?” He asked.

“I don't know, that's why I'm asking you.”

“You’ve tried none of these, you won't know which is good until you taste it. So get whichever one you feel like trying right now.”

“Okay I'm getting the cheapest one and I'm adding an ice cream milkshake too.”

“Get the one that you want, Athena. Don't think of the price. Quality always justifies the money spent.” Zephyr spoke between us for no reason.

“I don't have as much money as you, Mr Zephyr Konstantinos.” I shrug.

“I'll pay. Get what you want.”

My eyes widened at his words. I didn't expect him to be so kind. I don't know why he just acted like everything was cool between us. If he thinks getting me a fucking brownie will make me forget everything and let him steal my only family, then he is wrong.

“No thanks. My grandpa can pay for me.”

Technically the money he gives me is theirs but I'm trying not to overthink this. It's another one of my childish decisions to separate any emotions from my financial aid.

I don't have to always curse my fate about how I had my whole life paid for by the men I hate the most. I can find better reasons to cry myself to sleep.

“Take it as a good gesture from his side, Athena. He’s been an ass with you.” Hades said, not bothering to look up from his laptop.

I scoffed at his suggestion. “You two weren't any better. Why don't all of you give me some pocket change as compensation?”

Fortunately I wasn't such a golddigger to let them put a price on the suffering I endured because of their arrogance and incompetency to own up to the consequences of their mistake.

“Don't be difficult. It's just a simple payment. You won't die if you take something from us.” Zephyr wasn't in a good mood as always.

“Actually, I would rather choose to die.” I state.

“Here.” Grandpa hands me a crisp hundred dollar bill ignoring the whole banter. “Do cash on delivery, I don't think I've put any cash on my debit.”

I take it from him and he tells me he’s going to go take a shower before dinner. When he leaves I take another ten minutes to again go over the best options then decide on my very first choice.

But when I was about to enter the mode of payment, a black credit card was placed on my phone screen. I followed the hand up to its owner which turned out to be Hades.

“Get a brownie for me too. I'll cover the bill.” He ordered.

I removed the card along with his hand off my phone. “I don't want your money. Didn't you hear me the first time?”

“I'm not giving you my money, I'm just paying for my share.”

“I'm doing cash on delivery so give me cash if you're so dying for a dessert.”

“I don't carry cash. Pay with the card.”

“Then how am I supposed to return you? I won't give you all of my hundred dollars.”

He rolled his eyes. “I wasn't asking for your money. Return me when you have the change. For now, pay with my card.”

I know he's trapping me. They want me to do what they ordered. They don't like it that I make my own choice. I'm damn sure they get a kick out of making me comply.

They know how much I hate that grandpa took money from them but they still wanna force me into submission. They want to make me feel pathetic.

But on second thought… if I took the credit card then I can keep the hundred dollars for something else. I could go give it to the asshole calling me day and night for the rent.

There's no other way I can get one whole hundred dollars in just a few days. And the calls won't stop until I pay some amount even if it's totally not my responsibility.

After a few seconds of contemplation, I finally grabbed the card from his hand. “Just because you want one and I won't pay for yours with my money.”

He didn't argue and just went to sit back with his laptop in his lap. I entered the card and ordered our food, also adding a complimentary frappe for him because he was being nice for a change.

“Here,” I said with a neutral voice and forwarded the card to him after payment. “I'll pay you back as soon as I can.”

“You can keep it. I don't really use it anyway.” He said nonchalantly.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Does he think I'm so poor that he should give me a permanent source of money? I'm not a pity case.

“You must've heard charity begins at home and took it really seriously.” I said with distaste. “I don't need your mercy.”

“We know dad wants to discipline you but you deserve to have a thing or two every now and then. Take it, I won't tell him.”

“Don't think you know better how to handle me. He’s doing what's right. I would rather not change my spending habits and go against my grandpa for you.”

I placed the card on the sofa next to him and walked out of there. If he thinks I'm such a sucker for money that I'll take his help then he’s so off.

And if he was trying to spoil my mind against grandpa then it was a really horrible attempt. No matter how much I hate his rules, I know those are necessary for me.

I was consumed by my thoughts when the ringing of my cell startled me. I scowled at the caller ID and pick up the call with frustration.

“Before you say anything, I have a hundred dollars. That's all I can give you.” I said, skipping on unnecessary greetings.

“Thank you, that would be amazing. You don't know how much of a help that is. I can't keep my landlord waiting any longer. You're such a great-”

“Cut the bullshit.” I said harshly. “I'll meet you tomorrow, same place.”

“They're letting you out?” I roll my eyes at the question.

“You think they would? I'll try to sneak out. If it works I’ll give you the cash or else there's nothing I can do and you'll stop eating my brain.”

I know it's a shitty plan but it's the only way.