Athena's Pov

“Last one.” I reassured.

It was hard doing this with so much pressure. Grandpa has always been so patient but these three men watching over me were anything but kind enough to spare me some precious minutes.

“How long is this gonna take?” Zephyr grumbled.

“Give her some time, it's not that easy.” Grandpa comes to my defense.

“The food's gonna get cold.” Ares said, irritated.

I ignored each of them and focused on getting the angle right. I clicked another picture and checked if it turned out the way I intended.

I smiled looking at it. If anything living here has given me then it's good pictures. Everything here is so classy and fancy. It's heaven for an aspiring photographer like me.

Today when I saw the dinner set up like the royals were eating it, I had to run back to my room and grab my camera. The brothers didn't like that they had to wait because of me but grandpa was there to take my side.

The brothers have gotten quite tolerant of me now. We still don't like each other but we're trying to be civil for one person’s sake —who we love the most.

“I'm done!” I declared, overjoyed by my work. “Sorry and thank you lads,” I gestured to the trio. “...and gentleman.” I bowed to grandpa and blew him a kiss. “You may resume your dinner now.”

“Finally.” Ares scoffed.

He’s been patient with me for the last couple of days but he’s deemed to lose his patience if I hold him off for five minutes when his food is right before his eyes.

He doesn't bother me much. He usually stays away from me unless I speak about Tristan or any guy for that matter. Among all three he has settled well with my presence.

He sometimes unintentionally includes me in his and grandpa’s conversations and even tells me funny stories about his business partners.

I sat down on my seat and started going through all the pictures I just took to determine which one’s the best. While grandpa fixed a plate for me.

“She's old enough to do that herself.” Zephyr muttered.

So far he's the most irritating one. He always has to interfere in my matters. My hate for all of them is unwearying but he has a special place on my list.

“Why are you so jealous if grandpa likes me more than you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He rolled his eyes. “You're just blind to reality.”

“You-” I fell silent when I felt something moving between my legs.

Now I know why my back hurts since last night.

I immediately get up and try to keep my legs closed so I don't make a big mess that I will have to clean later. I was about to turn around when Hades stopped me.

“What happened?” He asked, seeing the panicked look on my face.

Him and I haven't had a lot of conversations since he rescued me from the roof three days ago. He avoids me and that's exactly what I want. I feel weird with him after he’s seen me in such a miserable state.

“I just remembered something. I’ll be back.” I said and rushed back to my room.

I went directly to my closet and searched for tampons. Luckily I had one left and took it inside the bathroom. I was fortunate enough to have not ruined another pair of white panties but the subtle pain started to escalate immediately.

Once I was done, I went back to the dining room and acted normal but Hades still had to ask me a follow up question. “What did you went to do?”

“Something.” I said nonchalantly.

“Can you ever just give a straight answer to a normal question?” Zephyr asked, glaring at me.

“Unfortunately that's beyond my capabilities.” I gave him a sad look.

He shook his head in disappointment like he always does. He shouldn't expect anything from me in the first place so he doesn't get disheartened.

“I'm leaving then.” Hades said as he finished his meal.

“Where are you going?” I asked out of curiosity.

“I have a meeting in two hours.”

“So like eleven pm. It's too late. Can't you schedule it for the morning?” Why do I sound like a paranoid mother?

“Those are some important clients and they prefer this time.” He shrugs.

“Why the hell are your clients behaving like gangs and underworld who only meet at night in shady clubs?” I asked because I really didn't like the arrangement.

“It's just how it is. Don't think too much about it.” Zephyr said immediately.

“But Hades, you should stand up for yourself. They can't force you to stay up at night. Does this happen often?”

“Athena, it's normal in our line of work. Let it be.”

“But-” Grandpa cuts me off.

“It's their work, sweetheart. Let them handle it the way they prefer.” He advises.

“I was just saying for his own good…” I mumbled and decided to focus on my dinner instead.

“I'm coming with you. Drop me to Natelie’s.” Ares said, taking the last bite off his plate.

I dropped my spoon back in the soup and made a face of disgust. “Don't mention that in front of me. I didn't want to know you're gonna be banging tonight.”

“I'm not- Natellie and I um… we have something important to talk about.”

“Like what? The STDs she got from you?” I chuckled.

My words earned me a smack on the back of my head from grandpa. “Keep your mouth shut sometimes.”

I rubbed the spot where he hit me. “C'mon, it was a good joke.”

“Do you see your hypocrisy, Athena?” Ares asked seriously and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. “You don't like it when we crack jokes on you or meddle in your business but when you do it, it's fair and square.”

“That's because…” I trailed off thinking about some valid reason.

“And if we try to have a normal conversation with you, you somehow make it into a debate.” Zephyr adds on his brother's point.

“Stop ganging up against her. She's just a child.” Grandpa said, saving me from the dominance-hungry beasts.

“Right! It isn't even my fault if my surroundings suck and I have to act in self-defense.” I pouted at him because he understands me.

“Self-defense? From us?” Zephyr narrowed his eyes on me.

“Zephyr, can you brief me on the exports project you discussed with Ethan?” Hades asked before I could reply to him.

Zephyr looked at him for a few seconds before nodding and leaving with him, followed by Ares who looked dressed for a night out.

I sighed in relief that they didn't spoil my mood on my periods because I either get too angry or terribly hurt during my cycle.

When I was finally alone with grandpa I turned to him. “I'm out of tampons. There was just one left.”

Just then Zephyr walks back in to grab his phone that he left on the table. Before he could turn around and leave again, grandpa stopped him.

“I wanted to go to a pharmacy, tell one of your drivers to come with me.”

Zephyr’s expressions dropped into one of panic. “Are you okay? Should I call Alex over? Does it hurt anywhere? Your wound?”

“I'm fine. I just have to buy something.”

“I’ll take you. What do you wanna buy?”

“Tampons.” I answered.

Grandpa was avoiding saying that because he respects my privacy but he should know by now that I never shy away from anything. And periods shouldn't be a taboo in the first place.

Zephyr ignores me and addresses grandpa. “I’ll go grab my car keys, meet me in the front.”

When he left I turned to grandpa as he swapped his slippers for boots. “Can I come too?”

“Yes but brush your hair first, it looks like you just got out of bed.” I nod and run out when he shouts after me. “And put some moisturizer on your hands.”

“Okay!” I shout back.

When I finally came down after doing both things that were instructed, Zephyr frowned looking at me from the driving seat. I pretended I didn't see him and simply went to sit in the passenger seat.

“I was saving this seat for my father.”

“Your father would happily give me his entire property, a seat is nothing in comparison.” I grinned at him.

He was surely irritated but he opted to scroll through emails on his phone rather than engage in another debate with me. I appreciated his lack of effort and texted Tristan that I'm finally leaving this hell for some time. We have to keep each other updated.

When grandpa got here, he wordlessly took the backseat because Zephyr had already gotten offended in his place —not that grandpa ever minds such a silly little thing like a baby.

We talked the whole ten minute ride while Zephyr rolled his eyes multiple times and even interfered in some of our conversations with his weird point of views.

“Let's go.” I said to grandpa when he doesn't move to get out.

“I'll stay here, it's too hot outside. You go get it and Zephyr,” He turns to him next. “Go with her, you’re paying.”

Zephyr takes out his card and forwards it to me. “Go.”

He didn't bother explaining why he can't come with me or that he wasn't really needed in the one person job. He simply does what he thinks is right.

But his decision this time was correct. It wasn't his responsibility to come with me. Neither do I need his help in my life.

I didn't wait for grandpa to jump in to scold him and wordlessly took the card. I closed the door and entered inside without sparing a glance to the college dude checking out my ass.

He was cute. If my mood wasn't fluctuating due to periods, I would've given him some attention —atleast a wink. But right now I was feeling something I couldn't name. Something that I felt because of how Zephyr disregarded me.

And to top it off, my whole lower region was hurting so bad that it made walking difficult. But it was usual because each of my cycle hurt like a bitch. Thus I shrugged it off.

I skimmed through the store until I found the aisle I was looking for. There were so many options but not the brand that I usually use so I started to think which one to get.

“First periods?” I heard someone ask and turned to him.

It was the same dude from earlier. He was even handsome up close and the football jersey he was wearing looked nice on him. But I really wasn't in a mood to flirt. I felt exhausted all of a sudden.

I ignored him and continued reading the prices along with the number of tampons in each pack. I just wanted to get back to my temporary accommodation as soon as possible.

From my peripheral view I could see his eyes fixed on the view my tight leggings and the crop top was giving him. He came to stand closer but still two feet apart for a better angle.

“Mute or you have an attitude?”

“Fuck off man.” I said, giving him a nasty look.

“Baby girl, don't be so rude.” He chuckled.

I didn't find it funny and turned towards him to insult but out of nowhere Zephyr came to stand between us. His eyes were hard on the guy as he spoke to me.

“What’s the matter here?”

“This guy keeps talking to me even when I politely told him to leave me alone. I think he wants something from me —hopefully it's just my number.”

I didn't care about snitching on him. I told him to fuck off, he should've listened to me.

Why do I have to be the greater person?

“I wasn't bothering her! She's lying!” He defended immediately. “She was the one who approached me first.”

I just scoffed. I wasn't gonna defend myself in front of Zephyr. I didn't care what he thought of me. If he wants to believe I was trying to get with him then I won't go on to prove I wasn't.

Approaching him is definitely something I would’ve done on a normal day. But even then I wouldn't do it when out with grandpa. Not only I’d hate getting caught by him but I also don't want him to start beating up the guy I approach.

It happened once. The guy was stronger and heavier than grandpa but he punched him for calling me hot stuff. Fortunately, Oliver was nearby and interfered otherwise the situation could've gone very wrong.

Grandpa doesn't know about my so-called companions —either for sex, care, luxury or to pass time— but the only two that he found out have police complaints on their names.

It did scare away some guys but mostly the older ones are more courageous —a trait that I love— and so they don't really care if they accidentally got to know about the cases that didn't lead to anything.

Both of the men got off with a warning and a restraining order. None of them served time in jail as grandpa wanted. One got away because of lack of proof and the other pleaded innocent even with the perfect evidence against him. He was rich so he naturally had a good team of lawyers backing him up.

But since then I have been extremely careful, I never want to experience that again. It was so embarrassing confessing everything to the officers and then them trying to convince me that I was being manipulated.

Zephyr grabbed the collar of the guy with one hand and pulled him closer. The guy was about to struggle when Zephyr pulled his jacket aside and his gaze fell on something.

It must've been a pocket knife or something that scary looking men like Zephyr carry with themselves to feel cool. But the guy was definitely overreacting seeing it.

Or maybe Zephyr just showed him his dick?

His eyes widened and his breathing visibly hitched as he begged Zephyr with his eyes to let him go. He was such a coward, atleast fight to free yourself from his hold.

“First you check her out and then you have the audacity to lie to my face?” Zephyr said in a voice that sent shivers down my spine.

Now I get why he's here. He must've seen the weirdo appreciating my ass as I walked in and decided to play the hero. But I don't need his protection because I know he doesn't even like my existence.

“I'm sorry, I won't do it again.” The guy says in the lightest of voice like he's afraid Zephyr would snap his neck if he spoke loud.

He was tiptoeing as Zephyr pulled him up to meet his eyes. I wondered how the scene would drastically change if they just kissed at this moment. I would pay to watch that.

Zephyr finally leaves him with a shove that sends him to the floor. “Ten seconds and you better be out of this store.”

The guy didn't reply as he was busy trying to get up and run for his life. I shook my head at his cowardice and turned back to the aisle I was looking at.

“You should’ve called me when he tried to talk with you.” Zephyr scolds me like he has a right to.

“I can handle my matters very well.” I said without looking at him.

“You're a child, you’re supposed to take an adult's help. You shouldn't handle your matters yourself.”

“Says you.” I dry chuckled.

He stayed silent after that and I didn't turn to see the look on his face. I better do what I'm here for. I took some time and grabbed the pack I wanted.

“I'm done. Let's go.”

“Wait,” He stopped me. “You got the cheapest one.” He said, like it means something.

I turned to him with a frown. “And…?”

“I don't think it would be the best quality.”

“I've used it before, it's not that bad.” I don't know why we were discussing my tampon choices.

“It's not that bad but it isn't the best. You should have the best.”

“If good enough does the job too then why waste money?”

“Athena, you shouldn't just get anything. It's going inside-” He cuts himself off mid sentence. “What I'm trying to say is that you should get the better product over the better priced.” He looked at the aisle and picked the most expensive one. “Get this one. See, even its packaging is high quality.”

I showed him the one I picked and argued. “Yours only has eighteen tampons, mine has forty two but it's still a few euros cheaper and there's even a free mini hand cream in it.”

“Don't be so greedy for a hand cream. If you want one, I'll get you one separately but you're not getting it with those cheap tampons.”

“But I want-” He cuts me off.

“No arguments. We're getting the one I picked. Put that one back on the shelf.” He ordered.

I know it's the bloody hormones that made me feel like crying. I was on the verge of a meltdown because he didn't let me buy the tampons I wanted.

If it's his way of caring then he really needs to change it. Because it came off as nothing but authoritative. And I wanted to kill him for making me feel so powerless.

I wanted to tell him he can't do that. I wanted to tell him he can't force his opinion on me. I wanted to argue until he backed down. But I was feeling so lost that I wanted to just end this.

“Okay.” I mumbled, dropping the pack back on the shelf as instructed.

It was ultimately his money, I can only get what he approves.

“How many do you want? Is one good?” I hummed looking around to not overthink what just happened. “Should I get more?” He asked, then answered his own question. “Scratch that. You're gonna need it anyways. I'm getting five.”

I didn't tell him he's buying a good months’ worth. He won't listen to me, so why should I waste my energy on him?

I shouldn't be bothered if he doesn't care about my opinion. I think I'm only hurt because I didn't get the free hand cream, there's no other reason for the pain in my heart and pounding in my head.

I hate periods. It makes me feel so helpless and miserable.

When he stopped near an ice cream aisle, I didn't ask him to hurry up or get one for me because I craved it during my bloody days. I just stood there as he selected almost ten different icecreams for himself and probably his brothers.

When it was time for check out, he also slid in four chocolate bars. I handed him back his card so he could pay and waited as the cashier bagged our items.

When we were near the car, he forwarded the bags towards me. I thanked him and took the one with the packs of tampons but he pushed the other one to me as well.

“This is also yours.” He informed me.

My eyes widened and I was about to decline it but he didn't wait for me to speak. Instead, he went to the driver seat and climbed in.

As always, even his charity was forced.

And I hate dictatorship.

When I got in I instantly tried to give it back. “Thanks but I can't take it.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“I don't.”

“You do.”

During this, grandpa leaned forwards and took the bag from my lap to see what we're fighting over. But he didn't interfere and simply set the bags beside himself.

“No, I don't.”

“Don't stress me out, my head’s already fucked up.” I groaned.

“Then just shut up and take it.”

His words infuriated me so I said what I didn't intend to initially. “I only take things from friends or family. You’re neither.”

He looked like he was a second away from my cold-blooded murder. But then he turned to grandpa. “Don't ever tell me I’m not nice to her. I was giving her stuff to help with cramps but she just doesn't appreciate kindness.”

“I never asked for your kindness.” I spat the words at him.

“You don't deserve it either.” He said and put the car on drive.

Something in me broke with those words. I felt my heart contracting and my breathing picked up. I barely managed to push the tears back and keep my voice even as I harshly whispered.

“You neither.”

He speeds off at such a high speed that it looks like he intends to kill himself, grandpa and I in his rage. But then he gets scolded and obediently slows down.

My days living with the Konstantinos brothers were already bad and periods are bound to make things worse. I think I should just go hide in my room until I get a grip of my emotions again.