Athena's Pov

Hades lifted up his gaze from his laptop to look at me and Zephyr as we entered the living room. “Where were you? I was looking for you?”

I didn't answer thinking the question was for his brother but then he addressed me. “I'm talking to you, Athena.”

“Um, I went out with Zephyr.” I replied. “Why were you looking for me?”

“Because when I came back you weren't there.” He said, like his answer made any sense.

“I told you she went out with him.” Ares said to Hades with a distaste in his voice.

Hades ignored his brother and kept his eyes on me. “Where did you two go?”

“A cafe.”

Zephyr sat down and I took a seat next to him, opposite Hades and Ares.

“Why?” What type of question was that?

“It was too cold today so Zephyr thought we should go get coffee…”

“You could've asked if I wanted to come along.”

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion until I realized what was happening. He didn't like that I went out with his brother. He probably thinks I'm gonna steal him.

If Hades wants to fight for Zephyr I won't let him win. He was my father now and I would do everything to keep it that way. Even if that means going against the people I still fear.

“Zephyr wanted to go out alone with me. He likes my company.” More than yours, I wanted to add but didn't.

Hades looked at me with a scowl on his face. “Next time you wanna go out tell me. I'll take you wherever you want.”

“It's okay, Zephyr said he'll drive me if I wanna go anywhere.” I said with a smug look on my face and held onto Zephyr’s arm who wasn't bothered by it.

“Athena,” Ares interrupted our back and forth. “Do you happen to know Betty Brown?”

I sat up straight as my favorite topic was brought up. “Of course I do. She's my idol.”

There was no one better in staged photography than Betty Brown. She was the best of the best. When I developed an interest in photography, she was the first person I started copying before slowly developing a little uniqueness of my own.

“Actually she's hosting an exhibition two months from now. I was thinking if you wanted to-”

“No way! You got me tickets to it!” I jumped to my feet in excitement.

Ares shook his head and all my excitement died down. “Actually… Maybe you already know but each year she selects thirteen people to display their work at her exhibition. She's a good friend of mine and since you like photography, I asked her if she could get you a spot and she said yes.”

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped in disbelief. This wasn't happening. I'm definitely dreaming. I was getting a chance to display my photos at my idol’s exhibition.

“Pinch me- Ouch.”

I rubbed my arm where Zephyr had pinched me like I wouldn't feel any pain. I briefly glared at him then turned to Ares holding his hands in mine.

“You're not joking, right? I'm really getting a chance to display my work at Betty Brown’s exhibition.”

“I'm serious, baby.”

I nearly fell on him when I leaned down to hug him as he was still sitting on the sofa. He didn't mind my over reaction and welcomed me in his arms.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I kissed his cheek. “You don't realize how big this is for me. It was my dream, Ares.”

A soft smile played on his face as he pulled back to look at me. “I'm glad I could do something for you.”

When I stood back to my feet still awestruck, Hades took away all my excitement with a simple question. “What do you plan to display, Athena?” Shit! I had no idea. “If I'm not wrong, you don't have the right equipment either.”

I just got such life-changing news of my life that I didn't register that this chance wasn't a breakthrough. I have to prove myself in this. This was the golden opportunity I couldn't afford to mess up. But I neither had the guidance nor the necessary stuff for the project.

“I don't…”

Almost instantly a thought came to my mind. If Zephyr was my father now, he wouldn't mind getting me a couple of lense and an expensive camera for such a huge opportunity.

But before I could ask him Hades spoke, “Tomorrow when I come back from work, we’ll go and get you new equipment and everything else that you need for the exhibition. Okay?”

I bit my lip, feeling uncomfortable taking stuff from him for the first time. “It’s gonna be too expensive…”

“Doesn't matter. We'll get whatever you need. There's no limit.”

“Seriously?” I asked just to be sure.

“Yes.”

A soft smile played on my face as I looked at Ares and Hades who have just made my day. “You guys… you’re so nice. You're the best uncles I could ever ask for.”

Almost instantly their smiles dropped. Ares was the first one to question, “What did you say?”

“Uncles.” Zephyr answered for me.

“I'm not your uncle, Athena. How many times do I have to tell you that?” Ares was pissed off now.

“Neither am I.” Hades muttered from his seat, not making a huge scene like Ares.

“But… I think I should tell you…” If they didn't like this topic then that's exactly what I'm gonna give them. “Zephyr and I decided that we're gonna give this a chance. You know the father-daughter thing.”

“When were you gonna tell us about this?” Hades looked at Zephyr like he wanted to murder him.

“I've told you already that I want to be her father. She accepted it today.” Zephyr shrugs casually.

“So technically you are my uncles now.” I said just to be clear.

“I dare you to call me uncle again.”

I love dares. “Don't be mad uncle Ares.”

“You know what I…” Ares took a breath. “I'll tell dad if you say that again.”

I laughed. “What type of threat is that? He would take my side cause I'm absolutely correct here.”

“Don't forget I got you that opportunity, Athena. Be nice with me.”

I sat back down next to Zephyr who scoffed at Ares words. “I would’ve gotten my daughter that, I just didn’t find out about her favorite before you.”

“You couldn't have done it Zephyr. Betty doesn't sell a spot.” Ares said rather proudly.

“How did you manage to get it then?” Zephyr shot back.

Ares’ face turned blank and he kept quiet so I asked the same question again. “How did you do it, Ares?”

“Um she's sort of a good friend…” Ares answered.

“No way!” My eyes widened with the conclusion I just drew. “Don't tell me you threatened her.”

Ares rolled his eyes at me. “When dad mentioned you were a fan of some Betty Brown, I remembered meeting her two years ago so I went and asked her if she could get you a spot and she said yes.

“Aww you did that for me.”

“He's lying, Athena. I've met that woman, she's a bitch. She wouldn't have agreed so easily.” Hades interjected.

“Exactly. It's her prestigious exhibition after all.” Zephyr added.

I don't know why they were ganging up against poor Ares who just wanted to help me. But my curiosity was piqued by their words.

“How did you convince her Ares?” I asked again.

“I said talked to her and she's nice-”

“Don't lie to me.” I gave him my best puppy dog eyes.

“I just… it wasn't like… I slept with her.”

“You what?”

“I slept with her.” Ares mumbled.

“You slept with that seventy year old horny hag?” Hades was just as shocked as me.

“Oh God. You sold your body just so I could get a spot?” I gasped.

I knew Ares has developed a soft corner for me but I didn't imagine he’ll go to such extents for me. He does seem to be more of a hoe than his brothers so it might've seemed okay to him but it's not.

“Don't put it like that, it sounds horrible.” Ares grumbled.

“But that's what you did.”

“Sort of.” He muttered.

“How do I get rid of this guilt? You slept with a seventy year old woman just so I get an opportunity. Oh god!”

“It's not a big deal, Athena. We're both consenting adults-”

“No. You shouldn't have done that for me. I don't care if you fuck around but you can't sleep with anyone for me.”

“Athena, relax.” Ares tried taking me in his arms but I refused. “I would’ve threatened her but then I feared she wouldn't guide you well. She'd be scared of you and maintain her distance. That would’ve restricted your exposure to how the field works and your experience would've been ruined. She sort of liked me so sleeping with her was an option. It was just one night, not a big deal. She wasn't that bad.” He shrugged casually.

My heart warmed at his words. He wanted to get me this opportunity and the best that came with it. He was so cautious to not accidentally ruin anything for me.

He cares about me. He's sacrificing for me when I didn't even ask for it from him.

But why is he doing all of this? He didn't sign up to be my father, solely because he didn't want the responsibility that comes with it. But then why is he going to such an extent for me that only a father would?

“Oh god! Why do you sound like me?” I placed a hand on my mouth as I felt a bile rise up my throat.

“Chill. Ares an idiot. But he won't do that again.” Hades came to comfort me.

I held Ares’ hand and looked him directly in the eyes. “Promise you won't ever do it again? I don't want such opportunities, Ares. I swear next time I won't take a chance you got by sleeping with someone.”

A small smile grazed his lips. “Are you saying I mean more than those opportunities for you?”

“Yes.”

“Then I won't do it again, Athena. I promise.”

The damage was already done and I couldn't do anything about it. So I simply nodded and decided to not let Ares’ sacrifice go to waste.

“Now let's plan for the exhibition. Do you have any ideas in mind?” Zephyr tried distracting me to a different topic.

“No. I'll start by asking Tristan for ideas. He understands my work and he’ll know better what I should do.” I replied.

Zephyr scowled at my words. “Your life very much revolves around that boy.”

“He's my best friend.” I shrugged.

“But-” He got cut off when a ringing sounded through the room.

It was my phone. I scooted to my side and grabbed it to check the caller id. My face drops as I stare at the name. Almost instinctively I lift up my gaze to look at Zephyr as a hope he'll come rescue me from this situation.

It hasn't been a day since I accepted his role as my father and I’m already depending on him on so many levels. I always craved such guidance and support and now that I have an option I don't mind taking full advantage of it.

“What happened?” Zephyr asked in concern.

“It's mom.” I mumbled.

Ares got up from his seat and stretched his hand to me. “Give me the phone. I'll tell that bitch to fuck off.”

I shook my head and moved the phone behind me. “I don't want you to be rude to her.”

Hades held my hand, being calmer than the other two. “Do you want to talk to her?”

I took a minute to gather my thoughts. She was my mother, no matter what she does I can't totally wipe out every emotion I felt for her. But it doesn't change the fact she’s used me. She never loved me and I shouldn't expect her to do so in the future.

Just like her, the trio didn't want me either. But at least they didn't exploit me. They didn't take advantage of my innocence. They didn't manipulate me to accomplish their goals.

“I don't but…” I trailed off.

Hades gently caressed his thumb on the back of my hand. “It takes time to move on from people in your life. You can't get rid of them in an instant. But you have us now. You don't need the people you knew were always using your emotions for their own good.”

You have us now. Did I? Did I not just have Zephyr? When did Ares and Hades become my family?

“We won't stop you from talking to her, Athena. But you should know her love is fake. She doesn't care about you. All she cares about is the money you bring her. Don't let her fool you. You don't deserve this.” Zephyr said with a rare gentle touch to his voice.

“Making mistakes is okay. But don't blindfold yourself to not see the truth. You know what she wants. If you still go on with this, you're allowing her to play with your emotions. Back away while you can, Athena. Don't get so deep into it that coming back would be a hassle.” Ares gave advice of his own.

This felt nice. Having all three of them collectively work on a problem of mine. I liked that they didn't judge me, they didn't blame me, they didn't shout at me. They were so gentle. They were trying to guide me, trying their best to save me from further harm.

I can get used to this.

“I shouldn't talk to her.” I said more to myself than them.