"How was Gianna this morning?"
Athena opened her tablet, as she questioned Aiden, her driver and bodyguard.
To the outsiders, he was a re driver with lean muscles, but Athena had trained with him in the sa martial arts academy, and knew what he was capable of.
She was actually honored to have him, even though he claid that he was the one honored to serve her.
"Gianna looked downtrodden this morning. She tried covering her dull face with make-up, and an earnestness to work, but I thought she still looked sad. I think she will also be working late today; she told to let you know that you should pick up the kids after school."
Athena sighed, and looked up.
Gianna and Zane.
Could she hold back her thirst for the knowledge of their history? How long will she be able to hold on?
"And the twins? How are they?"
"Just the sa. Only that they seed sad about sothing."
A pause.
"Did sothing happen last night or earlier this morning?"
"They used their skills again." Athena muttered, swiping through pages on her tablet.
Aiden chuckled softly, smoothly moving the car through edges. "You know you shouldn’t begrudge them, they are only looking out for you."
"But it should be the other way around..." Athena cut in frustratingly.
"I want a level battleground with Ewan... I don’t want my kids having their childhood tainted with crisis. They should leave that to ."
Aiden sighed, and parked the car by the side of the road.
Athena ca down imdiately and joined him in the front seat.
This was like a ritual for them.
Whenever Aiden parked the car by the roadside while on a journey, it ant he wanted to talk with her.
Aiden was like the father she never had, the father Zack never was.
They had t at the martial arts academy, and through a series of events, have beco in so way, inseparable.
When he turned forty-eight last year, she had thrown him a little retirent party, but he had been adamant about staying to protect her and the children after the last mishap they survived.
She wondered when he would finally retire. She would miss him.
He also knew about her past with Ewan, her children’s skills, and her capabilities, to an extent.
"Athena..."
Athena reclined deeper into the car seat, facing straight ahead, waiting for the sage advice that Aiden was always known for, even back then.
"Do you really need to get back at Ewan? You know, we can up and leave the continent. I know you will ntion the disease, but you can leave your research to so doctors..."
"I don’t trust a lot of people, Aiden. You know that. And my research is very precious. Who knows what one of those greedy doctors can do with it? You know how money can be controlling..."
Aiden tapped the steering wheel in thought. "That’s right. So, the only option is to stay and fight."
Athena nodded simply. There was no need to scowl or rage at Aiden. He was different.
Aiden clucked his tongue. "Having lived a life of violence and war for the longest ti, I crave peace, and see it as a priceless commodity."
A pause.
"Athena, I’m not asking that you forgive Ewan—he did sothing very stupid, I’m asking that you crave peace too, for the sake of your children."
"We are partners now." Athena dropped, trying to show Aiden that she was trying at least.
Aiden piqued his eyebrow. "He was the one you t up with earlier, before Zane?"
Athena nodded. "We had an agreent of sorts."
"So what is this about, getting back at him?"
"Aiden, even though Zane explained to the reasons for Ewan’s behavior during our marriage, it doesn’t excuse his misdeeds against ." Athena inhaled softly.
"If I was cunning as he had thought, why would I have followed him around like a lost puppy for three years? Which girl would agree to be a breeder for her father? Which reasonable girl would want her son to be raised by her cold father?"
Athena scoffed bitterly. "He claims to be wise and business minded. Why then hadn’t he questioned so things? Why had he readily believed I was a whore, despite knowing how crazy I was about him, despite knowing I was still a virgin when we married?"
Athena’s eyes watered, before she could help it.
"Why hadn’t he co for my mother’s burial when she had been so good to him? Why hadn’t he stayed faithful? Why did he tear my reputation to shreds and banish out of the city? All because of his anger at my father?"
Athena shook her head. "He is wicked. He has to pay for his wrongs."
Aiden nodded. "I know, Athena, but I assure you, being partners is best for everyone, including the kids. As a matter of fact, I think you have already gotten your revenge..."
Athena furrowed her eyebrows, and looked at him, waiting for an explanation.
"Your kids. The worst thing to befall a prideful man is being an unknown factor in his children’s life." Aiden chuckled softly. "But it isn’t enough, is it?"
Athena shrugged her shoulders. "You and Gianna are the sa. Nevertheless, I won’t get back at him, not in the way you guys think, but in the business sense..."
"That’s the sense I am actually talking about, Athena. You are trying to shut down his company?"
Athena pouted. She could never get sothing past Aiden.
"It had been the first plan, but knowing his earlier situation with my father, I’ve settled on just having a strong hold on the company, like getting at least forty percent of shares."
Aiden laughed, and started the car. "You will never change, will you?"
"No, I’m done changing. I’ll be securing my children’s future from now on. I’ll think of them first. Thanks Aiden. Just pray Ewan doesn’t provoke first."
Aiden laughed, as Athena opened the door, and returned to the back seat.
"I hope for his sake that he doesn’t. How about Zack and Alfonso..."
Athena smirked. "The plans are the sa."
Aiden nodded, and drove into the road.
Just then, Athena’s phone rang. It was Ethan.
She fixed her Bluetooth in her ear and picked the call. "Ethan, where are you?"
"At ho. Did Gianna tell you of my visit?"
"Yes, she did. I’m sorry I didn’t call you back. But she passed your ssage. Did you get mine?"
"Yes boss, I did. The plan is going fine, they trust now. About the company, how many percent should I put up for sale?"
"Two percent."
There was silence over the phone.
"Only two?"
Athena nodded. "Yes, know how to share it between them."
A pause.
"Give Ewan one percent. Give Zack 0.1 percent.
"Okay boss, as you wish. He actually visited today..."
Athena piqued her right eyebrow.
"He was asking for an increase, from the earlier five percent to twenty percent..."
Athena chuckled. They must have started seeing the potential of her company.
"Let him have the 0.1 percent. If he is not interested, he can go."
"Okay boss, I will docunt them."
"And Ethan?"
"Yes boss..."
"If I see you in my apartnt again, I will skin you alive..."
Ethan laughed. "Of course boss. I’ll keep my distance."
Athena smiled and hung up.
They couldn’t know that Ethan was in any way related to her. It would spoil her well-laid plans.
Reviews
All reviews (0)