Athena's Pov

I can do it, it's not a big deal.

It's what I kept repeating to myself to calm my nerves.

I looked around again. For some reason I wanted someone to catch me red-handed so I won't have to do it. But there was literally no one in the back of the mansion.

It was deserted; a perfect location to sneak out. But I was having second thoughts seeing how high the roof was. If I fell from three stories, I will definitely break a couple of bones and possibly die too.

I wasn't scared of falling, I was scared of being at such a height. I had a really bad height phobia and I was almost certain I'd get a panic attack if I went through with my plan.

But I had no other choice. I was certain they wouldn't let me go out and I was mentally pressured to deliver the hundred euros as soon as possible.

I tried to shake off the fear and placed my foot on the first step of the ladder. It was secure but I kept feeling it was shaking and I would fall to my death if I climbed it.

I really need to get over this fear of mine. Maybe today is the right day for it. I thought finally gathering up the courage and brought my other foot on it too.

My breathing was getting heavier despite literally being a step off the ground. I was ultimately going to climb higher and that thought was fueling my anxiety.

I adjusted the bag on my shoulder which carried my phone, cash, gum and pepper spray. As I went one step higher and then another, I focused my mind on why I'm doing this.

Once I've successfully handed over the money, I won't be bothered by the guilt of not helping the asshole out when it isn't even my job.

It would be quick. I'll go there and once the burden is off my shoulders, I return here right away. I won't even stick to hear the fake affection or have coffee in unwatched cups.

I avoided looking down the whole way up and sighed when I finally reached up to the rooftop. I sat there on the slightly tilted surface and the moment my eyes met the ground, my heartbeat picked up.

I wasn't able to breath realizing how high I was right now. I started panicking and immediately looked at ways to get down. I couldn't take the ladder again. What if it does fall this time? I was too scared to think rationally.

When I looked to the other side my heart dropped seeing guards stationed there. Even if I managed to control my fear, I wouldn’t have been able to sneak out.

I was a fool to believe there would be a way to sneak out in this heavily guarded mansion.

But sneaking out wasn't my concern anymore. My heart was racing wild and I'm sure my blood pressure was increasing with each passing second.

I tried to calm my breathing but it was of no use. I carefully crawled to the point that felt safest but it wasn't doing anything to keep me sane.

I kept looking down and bent my knees to my chest. Tears started pricking my eyes and I let them loose. I didn't know what to do. It felt like I was gonna die.

Why couldn't I just wait another fifteen days until I'll be out of here?

I considered shouting for help. The guards were close enough to hear me. But I didn't want them to see me in this condition. I was a mess.

When my brain was finally able to think again, I took out my phone from my bag with shaky fingers and dialed grandpa’s number. But he didn't pick up.

I dialed him once, twice, thrice but he didn't answer. His phone must be on silent. It has always been a bad habit of his which will get me killed today.

I gulped and tried to breathe with my mouth but it felt like oxygen had decided to not get into my lungs. My head was running wild with the worst scenarios.

This was surely a bad cause to die for.

I was about to call Tristan but by the time he would reach here, I would be gone due to lack of air. So I took the very last option.

I decided to seek help from people I hate the most. I didn't have any of their real numbers, but I did have Hades emergency contact —which I called when grandpa got shot— so I opted to call on it.

There was no other way I could survive this. And so I choose my life over dignity.

He picked up within three heartbeats. “This number is for emergencies, Athena. You can't call here whenever you want. And can you please put your legs to use and walk to my office instead?”

“Hades,” I sobbed.

“W-what happened? Are you okay?” His voice had dropped the harshness.

“I need your help.” I barely managed to keep in another cry.

“What happened, Thena? Where are you? Are you in your room?”

“No. I…” I gulped to wet my throat so I can speak clearly. “Can you please come to the back of your mansion?”

“Okay, I'm coming there, stay wherever you are.” He said immediately and I heard ruffling noise from the other side letting me know he’s on his way.

I was lucky that he was home today. Otherwise it would've taken a while for him to let one of his brothers know, and then for them to come rescue me.

But I'm not even sure if they would’ve put in the effort. Hades has been tolerant of me for the last few days and so he was the best option to ask for a favor.

“I'm here. Where are you?” He asked, slightly panting.

He sure ran because he couldn't have come here all the way from his office in just a matter of seconds.

“On the very last rooftop, near the trees. Where there's a ladder.” I sniffled.

“What are you doing on the rooftop?” His voice came out shocked and furious.

“I… Please just come get me.” I sobbed.

I knew no one's gonna have a good reaction when they get to know that I've tried to sneak out. But I didn't want to take their scolding when I was on the edge of getting a heart attack.

My eyes met a figure running towards me on the ground. And just by the mere sight of him, I felt myself calm down. I didn't have any reason to believe he’s gonna save me but at that moment, I did put all of my trust in him.

He looked up at me with his phone pressed on his ear. “Get down.” He ordered.

He was pissed. I could see it on his face and hear it in his voice. But I wanted him to assess the situation and understand that I wasn't in my best state either.

“I can't…” Another trail of tears dripped from my eyes. “I- I'm gonna fall.” I said into the phone.

His eyebrows furrowed like he was finally understanding it. “Did anyone help you get up there?” He inquired. How do I tell him it's not the time to discuss that?

“No. I took the ladder.”

“Then use it to come down.” He said as if I was stupid to not get the obvious.

“I'm scared.” I broke into another round of cries feeling pathetic and helpless.

His eyes slightly widened before he said. “Okay, stop crying. I'm coming up there to get you.”

I watched as he cut the call and pocketed his phone. He rushed up the ladder like he was committed to save me. Like he wanted me to live.

I couldn't help but cry over the miserable situation I've put myself into that I'm forced to beg the man I hate to be my savior.

Each step he climbed closer to me, my nerves settled down. I felt safe knowing he's here. He won't let me die. He'll get me down on the ground safely.

When he took the last step, I instinctively reached my hand to him seeking comfort. I wanted to feel a human touch for reassurance. I wanted to know that he's going to protect me.

He looked at my outstretched hand then up to my face. I could see the questioning look in his eyes. He was as much weirded out by my behavior as I was myself.

But I wasn't willing to stop expecting from him. I didn't drop my hand. And when he saw the pleading look in my eyes, he slipped his hand in mine.

I pulled him towards me and he kneeled in front of me. His eyes were stuck on my face as he assessed my condition. He brought his free hand up and wiped a tear away from my face.

“Shh. Why are you crying? You're gonna be fine. It's just a few steps up. I'm gonna get you down, okay?”

He spoke so softly that it broke my heart. Why is he being so nice? I'm deemed to misunderstand his humanity for concern. But I can't trust him.

My brain is drawing false conclusions. I'm in such a messed up state of mind that I'm ready to trust him. Ready to want him. But he doesn't want me back and I can't force him to accept me.

I shouldn't forget all the things that I had to go through because of him and his brothers. They're monsters. They'll never give me the love and care I crave for.

“You're shaking, Athena. Please try to calm down. I'm here for you.”

Why is he saying everything that I want to hear?

I couldn't help but draw him into a hug. I clutched the back of his suit in a death grip and pulled him further towards myself.

I didn't want to let go of him.

I wanted him to stay. To protect me. To be what I always wanted. Just for today.

“Please don't leave me.” I whispered.

His body was rigid against mine like he was uncomfortable by my gesture. But when I said the words, I felt him inhaling deeply as if my words woke him up again and shook him to the core.

After some time he finally brought his arms around me and hugged me softly. He was so gentle. I couldn't believe this was my same person who hates the sight of me.

I was so comfortable in his arms that I nearly forgot I was stuck on a rooftop. He rubbed my back and reminded me that we still need to get down.

“Can you climb down with me or do you want me to carry you?”

I loved that he gave me a choice. It always makes me feel better when I know my life is in my control and I take my own decisions.

I pressed my face to his neck and tightened my grip on him. “I don't want to…” I sniffled. “I'm gonna fall.”

“Okay. I'm gonna carry you then.” He said caressing my back.

He then brought his hands to my thighs and effortlessly lifted me up like I weighed nothing. All the while I was worried he's gonna lose his balance and we will both fall to our death.

He even collected my phone from the roof and threw it in the bag before putting it on his shoulder. When he stood up wrapping my legs around his stomach, I closed my eyes to avoid reality. I kept thinking that we weren't where we were and that it was all just in my head.

I held onto him so tightly that even he couldn't get me off himself if I didn't let go. His one hand held me under my thigh and the other was on the ladder as he descended.

I didn't even realize that we were finally down until he told me. “We’re on the ground.”

I lifted my face up and looked at my surroundings. I finally relaxed in his arms and sighed with relief. My head was terribly hurting, all I wanted to do now was go to my room and sleep for atleast half a day.

“Now, it wasn't so hard, was it?” He asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“No.” I whispered. It was way worse than hard.

I rested my head comfortably on his shoulder. My eyes fell on the collar of his shirt. Without giving it a second thought, I went ahead and lifted it then dropped it back in place. It was fun.

He stayed quiet and took me inside the mansion. I didn't pay attention to where we were going and kept myself busy playing with his collar. I desperately needed to get my mind off the horrible event.