Athena's Pov

I yawned again as I quite literally crawled to my bedroom door in my pajamas. As I twisted the knob, my body went limp and I fell on the floor in exhaustion.

From the little gap, Ares stuck in his head and looked around trying to spot me. Finally his eyes fell on me ungracefully sprawled on the hardwood floor.

“What're you doing?” He asks, stepping inside the room after giving me a weird look.

“Chillin.” I yawned again.

Almost automatically my eyes closed and Ares asked, “Please tell me you're not drunk.”

I'm not that lucky to get my hands on your wine collection without going through an army of loyal servants.

I didn't have the energy to say all that. “Haven't slept.” I explained then turned away from him to resume my sleep. Because I was half unconscious, I didn't register his movement until his hand was on my back. He scooped me in his arms, taking me by surprise and I looked at him with half closed eyes.

“Sleep on the bed.”

I didn't argue because walking was actually a very tiring task right now. He gently placed me on the mattress and I instantly relaxed. He then tucked me into the comforter and I heard him turning on the air-conditioning which I had forgotten.

Not another was spoken and I dozed off before hearing him leave.

—————

I woke up feeling someone gently shake my arm and a voice telling me. “Wake up, Thena.”

When I opened my eyes, I was shocked to not find grandpa or Tristan. It was Ares. What was weirder was that he was being so gentle.

“Oh you're up.” He sighed in relief and sat back on my bed. “I've been trying to wake you up for fifteen minutes now.”

“I must be out bad.” I rubbed my eyes with my palms and tried looking at the clock which I couldn't see due to my blurry morning eyes. “Time?”

“Three in the afternoon. You've slept eight hours.”

My eyes widened. “I missed two meals?”

Since my self starving days ended, I've been paying extra attention to food because I was feeling too weak all of a sudden.

“That's… a valid concern.” He agreed. “But well according to the staff you had your last meal at four am this morning so I thought it's fine to let you catch up on your sleep.”

“You've been keeping tabs on me?” I sat up using a couple of pillows as a backrest.

“Just so I know you weren't passing out because of weakness but because you pulled an all-nighter.” He explained. “May I know the reason?”

“I didn't have my phone for four days and you know the internet is a never ending web of information or some shit, had to catch up on so much.” I exaggerated.

“This must be the right time to say kids these days.”

I huffed and asked. “Why are you here though? Is grandpa trying to get rid of his responsibility because his kids have gotten a little civil with me?”

He looks at me with a pointed look and says, “We’re much more than civil. You're just not in the mood to accept.”

“To be honest, I'll take this anyday in place of the treatment I was given when I first came here. So don't worry, I’m not trying to mess this up.” I told him genuinely. “I'm sure Zephyr will get his brains back soon and I'll be home. Then you and Hades won't have to pretend and suffer anymore because of him.”

A few heartbeats passed as we just looked at each other with my eyes holding indifference and his a strange emotion that I couldn't place. There was complete silence in the room and I could suddenly hear my own breathing.

“I didn't mean it in a bad way. I was just voicing the truth.” I tried easing the atmosphere.

“I know. It is in fact true. Hades and I are counting on Zephyr.”

His voice now didn't hold any softness. He suddenly felt so hostile. He didn't even take a pause uttering such cruel words. I thought we were at a stage now that they don't actively wish for me to leave. I hoped it was now easier for them to tolerate my presence.

I might say and want to believe otherwise, but I always expect they don't hate me so much to say such words to my face.

I hope the psychiatrist will help me to move on from the men that have unwillingly become a tiny little part of my life. Because I shouldn't care about their opinion and shouldn't be bothered by their words.

“To answer your question, I was already here so when dad came to wake you up, I said I'll do it.” He told me.

“Why were you already here?”

“Because I came to take you along in the morning.” He explained that it was a valid reason.

“But then you left and came back… right?”

“No. I was waiting for you to wake up.” He said nonchalantly.

“You were watching me sleep?” I was so creeped out.

“What nonsense.” He scoffed. “I was sitting on the sofa minding my own business, answering some important mails on my phone.”

“But you could’ve done that somewhere else. You can't sit in my room when I'm sleeping.” I protested.

“What's your problem, Athena? So what I sat in your room? I didn't wanna go and come back after some hours to check if you're up, what's the big deal?” He was frustrated now.

“Just leave it, none of you brothers would ever understand.” I gritted through my teeth. “There's no concept of personal space or privacy in your book when it comes to me.”

“Don't take it that far. Stop trying to prove we're monsters who are so unfair and hypocritical.”

“Then don't-”

“Alright, I won't do it again.” He cut me off then gulped down his anger to put up a more calmer look. “If I made you feel uncomfortable then I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention. I just wanted to be here when you wake up and didn't view it as something weird…”

The way he phrased it and the genuinity his voice now held, made me feel a little bad for flaring up so fast. Maybe this was just an unintentional act that I was taking as an offense.

“It's okay… it's not like nearstrangers haven't been in my room when I slept.” Fuck! I should stop oversharing just to make others feel better about themselves. “I meant like grandpa and Tristan.”

From the look on his face I could tell he didn't believe me, even if he did give me a nod. I decided to change the subject in hopes of preserving the rare moment of Ares being kinda nice.

“Did you need anything?” He gave me a confused look so I added. “You came to meet me… Was there something you wanna say or…” Surely he didn't just wanna hangout with me.

“Oh ya I completely forgot. I'm going shopping for the Gala, you can join me.” He told me as if going shopping with me was the most normal thing ever. “There’s a boutique in downtown, I usually get all our party wear from there since I shop for the other two as well.”

“Don’t worry about me, I have a couple of great dresses I can wear one of those.”

I declined because I don't want him to spend his money on me. Neither did I have tons to get a new dress since the said downtown boutique is destined to be expensive.

“Don't be stupid, you're not wearing old clothes at the Gala. I'm getting you something nice.”

“I don't need it, I have good clothes.” I protested even if the prospect of a new dress excited me.

“I'll get you better ones.”

“I don't want to spend your money.” I finally told him the truth.

He stays silent like he's trying to come up with a valid reason but he has none. I wasn't theirs to pay for ever since they abandoned me.

“It doesn't matter.”

“It does for me.” I whisper.

“It shouldn't! It's just money, don't make it a big deal.” He made a face of irritation and got up from my bed. “Be ready at six sharp.”

He didn't wait for a reply this time and left the room without a word. I didn't want to go with him and let him act like my provider but for some reason I didn't see any harm in just letting myself enjoy a little moment with him.

————

“I've never been to something so luxurious.” I instantly regretted telling him this.

But seeing such a fancy boutique with dim lights, minimal products on display, variety of snacks and an exotic vibe with a subtle smell of matcha was too overwhelming. This place screamed ‘expensive’.

We were seated on the softest, most fanciest couch ever while the staff showed us the latest collection. They weren't just limiting their sale's pitch to what we asked for, but kept introducing Ares to unrelated items like a men’s wallet and a diamond studded bracelet for me. Both of which he bought.

He gave me a nod, not knowing what to say to my words and we resumed looking through ball gowns, party dresses and even cocktail ones, putting aside some to try on.

“Ares,” We heard a woman exclaim and turned to look at her. “What a pleasant surprise.”

Ares smiles and stands up to greet her. She wraps her arms around his neck while he holds her waist as they hug like they've known each other for years.

“Astor Gala’s next week and I needed the finest clothes.” He grins at her. “Couldn’t think of anyone better than Leona Lakewood.”

“Oh you're such a charmer.” She laughs and hits his chest playfully.

Just then her eyes fall on me and confusion crosses her features. “That must be…?”

“Athena.” Was all that he said.

“Friend?”

He didn't reply. Instead, he gave her an uncertain nod which can't be categorized as yes or no.

“How do you know her?” She asks again to clarify.

I knew he wasn't going to give a straight answer and since I knew which one of the brothers was ready to accept me, I decided to make it even more awkward for Ares.

“I'm his niece.”

His eyes widened at my words which he definitely didn't expect from me and I suppressed a smile that threatened to play on my face.

I forwarded my hand to the shocked woman and asked, “I think I caught your name, Leona right? It's a pleasure to meet you. Is this your boutique?”

The woman clears her throat and shakes my hand. “Yes.” Her eyes slid to Ares for a second. “It’s pleasantly surprising to meet you.”

“Uncle Ares,” I called him with a teasing voice. “You didn't introduce me to her.”

Ares looked at me like he wanted a murder me but still managed to put up a smile. “Well, that's Leona. One of the best designers in town. She's been designing all our party wear for years now.”

“Oh that's so awesome.” I exclaimed though I had no interest in who designs their clothes. “But you never mentioned her uncle Ares.” I was holding back laughter each time I called him that.

Ares fake chuckled and held my arm as a warning. “When do we ever talk about fashion, Athena?”

Leona finally interjects in our conversation and asks Ares the obvious question of why she hadn't known of my existence yet.

“She used to live with our father.” He replied and she didn't dig in further.

“I'll send more snacks for you two.” Before leaving she turned to me and said, “You’ll love the fettuccine here, Athena.”

“Have you slept with her too?” I asked the moment she was out of the room.

With the type of person Ares comes across as, I don't believe he hasn't tried sleeping with every woman around him.

Ares turned to me with a frown. “I don't sleep with everyone.”

“Still didn't answer my question.”

“Only a couple of times.” He grumbled.

“Does she know about Natalie?” I inquired. “Please tell me you're not cheating on both of them.”

He rolled his eyes. “Leona’s just a friend now and Natalie is our... sexual partner. None of us entertain two women at once.”

“Good to know you have some morals left.”

“Stop your analysis of my life and go try on the dresses now.”

“Okay, uncle Ares.” ————

I stepped out of the trial room in a red dress that I could easily term as the prettiest piece I've ever tried on. I looked down on myself then in the mirror on my left with a huge smile.

It was a body hugging silk dress that ended at my mid thigh. A useless but pretty sleeve was attached at the chest and loosely dropped down my right shoulder while the other was left bare. My legs and half of my chest were on full display in the best way possible.

I loved how the dress accentuated my waist and curves. The sparkling gloves looked so nice and I was already thinking of hairstyles and jewelry when I remembered Ares was here too.

I twirled while asking, “What do you think?”

“Do you like it?”

“I think it suits me. I've been told multiple times that red is my color.”

“Umm okay…” He walks towards me and assesses the dress closely. He then grabs the sleeve and tests putting it on my shoulder. “Doesn’t it look better on? We can also get the other sleeve attached and it'll be perfect.” How did he even come up with such a genius idea?

“But that would change the whole dress. I like it as is.”

“What about the golden one? I thought you liked that one?” Of course he prefers the modest dress.

“I do, but I like this more.”

If he argues, I’ll let him pick my dress. It's his money, I can't tell him what to buy. But that doesn't mean I’ll be wearing a new dress to the Gala then.

He pauses and licks his lips deep in thought. “Let's get this one then.” He then looks at my chest. “You're sure that this won't… you know accidentally slide down…”

I burst out laughing. “That's what grandpa asked the first time I got a strapless.”

He scowls at me and turns his back to me. “I was just looking out for you.”

“Aww.” I couldn't help but hug him from the back. “Don’t worry, my boobs won't try to steal my limelight.”

I expected him to shrug me off but I was surprised when he held my hands that were wrapped on his waist. He gently tugged at it and turned around as I took a step back to give him space.

“You look really pretty in this. I don't want any mishap to ruin your night.”

I blushed and a smile appeared on my face. “Thank you. And don't worry, nothing will happen. I'll enjoy it to the fullest.”

“If you don't want to try on more dresses then let's go get you jewelry and shoes?”

“You're also getting me jewelry and shoes?” I asked, stunned.

He chuckles at my reaction. “Yes, baby.”

“Oh my God! Thank you for making me your annual charity, uncle Ares.” I jumped up and kissed his cheek in appreciation. When I looked back at his face, the smile on mine disappeared. He looked serious. “You're not my annual charity.”

“I was just joking.” Fuck, why did I ruin the moment?

“Don't call me uncle again.”

I should've let this go but I didn't. “Why? Maybe you are my uncle.”

He looked back at me with a clenched jaw. “Maybe I'm not.”

“If Zephyr has taken me as his daughter, I'm your niece, whether you're my father or not. So why does it matter?”

He exhaled a breath. “You're right. Why does it matter?”

“Change this, I'll meet you at the register.” He said before leaving me alone.

Each one of these Konstantinos brothers are egoistic cowards. They don't want their actions to be rubbed in their face. When someone does, they lose their calm.

————

Ares had the bags of shoes, dresses and jewelry placed in my room. Even though I declined most of those things, he insisted on getting me more than just for the party.

I guess I won't have to shop for the whole year now.

I smiled to myself as the whole shopping experience made me feel nothing less than a princess. Today was more than I could ask for.

The way he spent hours getting me all the matching things and making sure everything was perfect, it warmed my heart. Because on the other hand, he bought tuxedos, shoes and watches for himself, his brothers and grandpa in under twenty five minutes.

And some part of me was trying to convince me it wasn't because of the materialistic aspect. Bullshit! I always wanted these things and I only feel good because I finally got them. There's no need to feel special or anything. He probably does it for every charity case.

It was past midnight when we got home and it bothered me when I saw Ares was going towards the backyard when he told me he's going to sleep right away.

I decided I shouldn't let my curiosity linger and followed him with the lightest footsteps. He stopped near the restricted building. I bloody knew he'd go there.

Even after more than one month in this mansion, I’ve still failed to find out what's in that corner shed that looks like a place where they keep their old junk but still it always has two guards stationed in front of it.

I can bet there's money and jewels that they wanna hide from the government raid.

I could never cross the guards because they didn't even hear me out each time I tried convincing them to let go in. But today might be my lucky day because Ares just ordered one to call the head of security while the other went to get some files from his office.

Ares stepped inside the shed and closed the door behind himself. Once the guards were gone, I took the opportunity and ran towards the sketchy place.

I feel so adventurous. This is gonna be fun.