Athena's Pov

I refused to eat.

What else was I supposed to do when everyone was ganging up against me. Grandpa came with dinner and with breakfast the next morning but after what happened, he can't expect me to go back to normal.

I don't know what I expect from him or what I've deemed the criteria of forgiveness this time but I just couldn't let Eric’s death slide.

How could I forget that a human being died because of me. I can't help but imagine how sorted everything must've been if I didn't hit on him.

He was a nice guy. He would’ve never even looked at me if I didn't initiate. I wish I hadn't. I wish I didn't seek care from every older man in my life.

I sniffled again. I don't cry so often as it doesn't accomplish anything but ever since yesterday the stream of tears hadn't stopped flowing down my face.

I wonder if Eric's family would ever forgive me…

A knock sounded at my door and I flinched as the visuals of Zephyr bursting in my room before shooting Eric right between the eyes started playing in front of my eyes.

I blinked twice to come back to my senses and sniffled. “I’m not hungry, grandpa. Just leave me alone!” I choked on my words.

“It’s me, Thena.” I heard Tristan say.

My eyes widened and I immediately got up running to the door. I couldn't believe the brothers had allowed him to come here. I thought they would take every good thing in my life away.

It was possibly grandpa’s idea as he couldn't see me starve myself. He does care about me after all, even if his sons have manipulated him.

“Tristan.” I fell in his arms the moment I opened the door.

“It's okay, Thena. I'm here now.” He caressed my back and kissed the side of my head.

But suddenly I remembered the cameras and moved away from him in an instant. I could only hope they weren't checking the CCTV.

I pulled Tristan into the room and closed the door, clicking the lock in place. “Oh my god if they see you with me…”

I was starting to cry again. I couldn't lose my best friend, the only person I had left. The only person who has always prioritized me over everyone else in his life.

Tristan held my arm with one hand while the other rested on my cheek. “Nothing will happen, amorcito. You're fine, we’re fine. You don't have to worry about anything.”

I vigorously shook my head. “You don't know what hap-”

“I do.”

My eyes widened and I clutched his t-shirt in desperation so he wouldn't leave me until I explained myself. “Trust me, Tristan, if I had any idea that would happen, I would've never ever initiated anything. I didn't know. I could never guess Zephyr would turn out to be a murderer. If I could turn back time-”

“Shhh…” He whispered, drawing me in his arms.

“But-” He cuts me off.

“It's not your fault.”

That was all I've been wanting to hear. But still the guilt of a man dying because of our mutual attraction, didn't sit well with me.

Just like he always does, he lifts me up in his arms and I let him carry me to the bed. He sits me on his lap and keeps running his hand through my hair.

I liked having him this close. My craving for physical touch has always been most comforting when fulfilled by Tristan. Because I know when he touches me, he doesn't expect anything more than cuddles.

“Why did you refuse to eat?” He asked after a few comfortable moments of silence.

I moved back to look at his face. “You know.”

“I don't.” He shrugged. “Let me guess… because that pedo is no more?”

I scowled at him. “Because I’m the reason some kids lost their father.”

“Those kids lost their father because of his actions, not yours.”

“You're biased.” I grumbled and rested my head back on his chest.

Tristan has always been my comfort. So much that even talking about a man dying didn't feel too complicated with him. It was like I knew he's gonna sort out the messed up thoughts in my head.

Like I knew everything's gonna be fine if he's here.

“You know Athena, your grandpa and I have always told you it's wrong to sleep with such older men…” I hummed, twirling the hem of his t-shirt in my hand. “But maybe you needed something extreme to happen for the message to get through your thick skull.”

My lips fall apart as I look at him in disbelief. “Are you serious? Do you really think I deserved to see a man die? That too because of me?”

He shrugged again. “How else would you realize this is a big deal?”

I tried getting off of his lap but he tightened his hold on my waist. “What has grandpa fed you? You sound like a heartless man who isn't bothered by someone's death as long as it's serving his friend a good lesson.”

“We can argue about my morals but that doesn't change the fact that he deserved to die. He shouldn't have tried to get into the pants of a minor.”

“I’m not a kid.” I argued. “And he didn't force me, I allowed him. It's different.”

“Okay tell me, how does a… nineteen year old dating an eleven years old sound to you?”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course it's wrong. They're barely old enough to bathe by themselves. They're not ready to date adults.” I then narrowed my eyes at him. “But I'm not eleven.”

“I know. Anyways, a twenty year old dating a twelve year old is wrong too right?”

“Yes, it's wrong.”

“How about a twenty one year old with a thirteen year old?”

“Of course it's-” I snap my mouth shut when I realize what he’s done.

“Didn't you have a twenty one years old boyfriend when you were twelve?” He inquires with the calmest look on his face.

I bite my lip, not particularly happy with the conversation. “Okay that might've been wrong but I'm sixteen now. That's old enough to distinguish between good and bad men. I know who to sleep with and who to use for gifts.”

“When you were thirteen you thought that was the right age and now you're sixteen you think this is the right age.”

“Because I’m getting smarter each year. With your logic, even when I'm thirty I'd still be dumb to know who to date.”

“Even the law considers people younger than eighteen to be minors. There must be some reason all the adults collectively agreed on that age.”

“But I don't wanna miss out on teenage romance.” I pouted and looked away.

“Then date teenagers.” He gently held my chin and tilted it back to himself. “Morpheous won't stop you from it.”

“I told you they're not my type. I like older, provider type men who will take care of me. And teenagers can never be that.” I explained.

He inhaled and nodded. “I think you've had enough flings to last your teenage. Now avoid getting into unnecessary troubles and you better mend your ways.”

“Stop sounding like an old man.” I grumbled.

“An old and wise man.” He corrected.

“You're lucky we became best friends in our childhood or I would've never let you breathe the same air as me. You're so uncool.”

He chuckled and I leaned my head on his shoulder and hugged him. “If I stop dating then everything will be okay?”

“For the most part, yes. It would be the best step towards the right direction. It will give you time to focus on yourself.”

“What else is wrong with me?” I could ask him that because I knew he would be objective, neither biased nor judgmental.

“That you think you don't deserve love.”

“I don't think that.”

“You do. Which is why if someone shows you the least bit of affection —which is mostly fake— you are ready to do anything for them. Even if it means letting them use your body.”

I take a moment to consider his words. It felt too real. It was like he had seen inside my soul and studied the very piece I hid from myself.

“What else?”

“You trust too easily.”

“I don't. I judge a lot.”

“You believed Eric when he said he was separated from his wife.”

I didn't have anything to argue with, so I asked again, “What else?”

“You find comfort in things you shouldn't. Cigarettes, alcohol, smuts and sex.” He then added. “Even expensive items or luxurious places. They should give you joy but they shouldn't determine your happiness or worth. You shouldn't wish to get them if it costs your honor.”

I’m not an honorable person. I sold myself so many times that such words don't hold meaning in my context anymore.

“What else?”

“You don't understand that your grandpa is only trying to protect you. He’s not restricting you from living your life. He just wants to make sure you're fine. Don't forget he chose you over his sons. He loves you a lot, Thena.”

“I know that it's just… sometimes I forget that.” I then give him a small smile. “That's why I have you. You always remind me when I forget.”

“But you hurt him, by letting others hurt you.” The guilt seeped deeper inside me and Tristan drew me closer. “But it's never too late. Just one step at a time and we can get out of this.”

“You think so?” I asked with tears welling up in my eyes.

“I know so.” He told me without a doubt.

“But will they let me go now that they know I…?”

He stayed silent for a few seconds. “I’m not sure, neither is Morpheus but… maybe they have started caring about you…”

My eyebrows furrowed and I shook my head. “Don’t be ridiculous. Zephyr was just angry which is why he got so… protective of his father's granddaughter. He doesn't even like me.”

“I don't know…”

“I can't live with them after everything they've done to me. Grandpa may have forgiven them but I haven't.”

He hummed to my words. “For now just focus on yourself, everything else will eventually fall in place.”

Because Tristan said that, I believed him.

I was getting too comfortable sitting in his lap that I was dozing off now so he had to shake me awake. “Don’t you dare sleep. I'm bringing your lunch.”

“But I want to sleep.” I hugged him tighter as he tried to get up.

“No, get off me so I can get you something to eat and stay awake till I’m back.”

He nearly threw me on the bed and got up. Once he was out of the room, I completely ignored his orders and took off my pajamas to sleep before pulling up the comforter.

—————

It must've been ten minutes when I felt a hand slowly shaking me awake. I instantly had murder on my mind but when I opened my eyes and saw Tristan, I changed the time of the homicide to a later date.

“What?” I groaned in frustration.

“Get up and eat something.” He ordered and started taking off my comforter.

I quickly held it and tried kicking him away. “Get out! I haven't slept the whole night. Let me sleep.”

“You also haven't eaten anything either.” He argued.

“I’m not gonna die.”

He shook my shoulder again as I laid on my side now. “You're not sleeping. Get up!”

“Stop it or I'm never gonna talk to you again, Tristan.”

“Liar.” He continued to torment me.

Just then I came up with an incredible idea. “Okay, let's sleep for fifteen more minutes then we'll both eat together. Sounds good?”

“No.” He straight up refused. “You're just making excuses so I'll fall asleep and there won't be anyone telling you to bloody eat.”

“I promise I'm not. Just fifteen minutes. Come.” I said and tugged him to bed.

He freed his arm and stepped away. “Thena, no. Get up now or I'll pull you out of bed by the leg.”

I now had only one option left. I pulled off my comforter and showed him my outfit. I was wearing just my red cotton underwear and a fitted black tank top with no bra which ended over my belly button.

I was quite naked to say the least.

“C'mon. Don't let such a good chance slide.” I whispered seductively.

I know it's not gonna work. He’s never tempted by me. I don't think he even finds my body attractive so I shamelessly tease him for no reason.

His eyes slightly widened and he looked away. “Don’t test my patience. Get out of bed and wear something appropriate, we gotta put something in your stomach.”

“A baby?” I exclaimed.

He rolled his eyes. “You don't even like kids.”

“You do. I can bear one for you.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Seriously?”

“Yes. If you want to be a single dad, I'll happily get knocked up by you. But it'll cost something you're not ready to give anyone.” I chuckled. “Or we could do surrogacy.”

He ignored my words. “You're wide awake now so no more excuses.”

My sleep was in fact completely gone but I wasn't in the mood to comply so I grabbed his arm. Before he could register what I was doing, I was already tugging him towards myself.

Due to the sudden movement, he lost his balance and fell right on top of me on the bed. He instantly tried to get up but I brought my arms around his torso and hugged him close.

“Athena, leave me.” He warned, trying to get my hands off him but I only held him tighter. “I’m serious, I'm gonna kill you!”

I giggled harder and he continued struggling against me. I know he’s not putting in more strength to not hurt me and it’s so funny seeing him try his hardest but still get beaten by me.

His hands tried to pull off my arms but I locked them behind his waist. His face was right in front of mine and center was closer to my thighs.

I knew he'd remove my arms easily so I pulled my legs up and tried to wrap them around his torso. But I completely froze when I felt something. He lets out a hiss and his body turns stone.

I was in shock. I couldn't process what just happened. I didn't even know it was a possibility.

Tristan was hard.

He was turned on by me.