Afterwards , Athena went straight to the bathroom. She needed the hot water to calm her thoughts.
The mont the steam wrapped around her, she let out a shaky sigh, letting the warmth ease the tension sitting heavily on her shoulders.
When she finished, she slipped into her robe and wrapped a towel around her damp hair. Her steps were slow as she walked toward her vanity. Sitting in front of the mirror, she stared at her reflection, at the faint flush still lingering on her cheeks, at the guilt sitting in her eyes.
She needed to call Oliver. He must have been worried sick.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she tapped the FaceTi button. When the call connected, a soft smile tugged at her lips, despite the knot in her chest.
But Oliver wasn’t smiling.
He was just... staring at her.
"Hi..." Athena started, her voice small. Why was he looking at her like that?
"Athena," he said quietly, "why didn’t you pick your calls? Where did you keep your phone?"
Her mouth went dry. "I...I lost it. I couldn’t find it," she stamred.
Oliver’s eyes narrowed just a little, not harsh or angry, just searching.
"Why do I feel like you’re lying to ?" he asked.
Her pulse spiked.
Oliver leaned a bit closer to the cara.
"Athena... if there’s anything you’re hiding from , please tell . I don’t want to find out sothing from soone else."
Her heart slamd against her ribs.
What does he an by that? Did soone say sothing?
God...she was dood if he found out.
Athena shook her head, blinking rapidly as hot tears blurred her vision.
"Athena?" His voice snapped into sharp concern. He instantly sat up straighter.
"Hey, hey...did sothing happen? Athena, talk to ... why are you crying?"
The tears only ca harder. "I... I..." Her voice cracked. "I’ll tell you everything when you co. I’m sick and tired of all this too."
There was a small silence.
"Should I co?" he asked softly. "I can book a flight tomorrow. I’ll co and then go back."
She quickly shook her head.
"No... no, take your ti. I’ll tell you when you co back. Just... not now."
Oliver exhaled, long and slow, then nodded. "Okay." His voice was gentle. "But wipe your eyes. Please. You’re crying like..." he paused, squinting at her. "...like a small red tomato."
Despite everything, a tiny laugh escaped her. She sniffed, wiping her cheeks.
"There she is," he murmured with a faint smile. "My very dramatic tomato."
Athena sniffed, wiping her tears.
Then Oliver tilted his head slightly. "Athena... have you eaten?"
She blinked. "No... not yet."
His eyes widened with dramatic disappointnt. "Athenaa..." he drew out her na, "how many tis have I told you not to skip dinner?"
"I wasn’t hungry," she muttered.
He rolled his eyes softly but affectionately.
"You’re never hungry when you’re stressed. Go and eat sothing after this call. Even if it’s just bread. Sothing."
She smiled lightly. "Okay..."
"And drink water too," he added. "Not that tiny sip you always call ’drinking water’. Actually, drink."
A small giggle slipped out of her, warming his expression. "That’s better," he said. "I love hearing you laugh."
Athena’s cheeks heated slightly. "...I’ve missed you," she whispered.
Oliver’s eyes softened even more, his voice dropping to that low, honest tone he only used when talking about his feelings.
"You don’t know how much, Athena," he murmured. "You really don’t."
She blinked slowly, watching him through the screen as his shoulders relaxed like he’d been holding this in for days.
"You don’t know how hard it is," he continued quietly, "sleeping on this big stupid bed without you in my arms. I keep rolling to your side and reaching out instinctively... and you’re not there."
Warmth rushed through Athena’s chest, her throat tightening. "I keep waking up thinking I just missed your goodnight kiss," Oliver admitted with a tiny, embarrassed chuckle, "or that you’re still in the bathroom getting ready for bed. Sotis I even keep the light on because it makes the room feel less empty."
Athena swallowed, her eyes threatening with fresh tears. "Oliver..."
"And your voice..." he whispered. "I miss that the most. I replay your old voice notes like an idiot because it makes feel like you’re close."
Athena covered her mouth with her hand as her heart clenched painfully. "I didn’t know..." she breathed.
He gave a small, helpless smile. "I miss your warmth," he said softly. "Your little soft snores... the way you kick the blanket off and steal to yourself."
He shook his head lightly.n"I miss everything about you. It’s driving crazy, Athena."
A tear slipped down her cheek. God she was the most ungrateful bitch ever...she didn’t deserve Oliver one bit, and she still went ahead and kiss another guy. She was exactly what the guy called her back then at the cafeteria.
"I miss you too," she whispered shakily. "So much."
Oliver exhaled like he’d been waiting to hear that. "Good," he murmured, smiling. "Because I’m completely, stupidly in love with you. And it’s killing to be far from you."
Athena pressed her palm to her heart, feeling it thud painfully.
"I love you too," she said softly...genuinely, but her love for another was greater.
His smile widened...full of warmth. "Then promise sothing," he whispered.
"What?" she asked.
"Take care of yourself until I co back," he said. "Eat. Sleep. Don’t stress alone. And call every night, even if it’s for one minute. I just... want to see your face."
Athena nodded slowly, her voice barely above a breath.n"Okay."
"Good." He leaned closer to the screen, his voice gentle. "Now wipe those tears... and go eat, tomato."
She laughed again, her chest loosening.
"I’ll call you tomorrow," he said softly. "Goodnight, my love."
"Goodnight..." she whispered, smiling as her heart squeezed.
The call ended.
================
Athena descended the stairs, her mind still heavy from the call with Oliver. She needed to eat, just like Oliver said.
She slipped on a soft pair of shorts, and a spaghetti straps top clinging lightly to her skin, and padded barefoot into the kitchen.
The fridge was stocked, thanks to Oliver practically flooding the house with deliveries. She pulled out one of the als, set it in the microwave, and waited.
The soft hum of the machine filled the silence.
She reached for a glass from the rack and opened the fridge to get water.
But then she felt a shiver run down her spine, as a supernatural breeze blew her white hair wildly.
The sa feeling, that she still doesn’t know the aning...
Her hand froze. On the surface of the glass cup, a faint reflection appeared. A silhouette. Not hers. Tall...watching her.
Her heartbeat slamd against her ribs.
She didn’t turn. She just kept staring at the reflection. The reflection had a white hair, almost unreal.
Her breath trembled.
Then a voice...low, calm, almost affectionate spoke right behind her ear. "What took you so long, my dear? I’ve been waiting for you."
Athena dropped the cup.
It hit the floor, and shattered into a million pieces.
She spun fast, but she saw nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
No one. No footsteps.
But she heard him. She wasn’t mistaken or hallucinating. That voice was too good to be untrue. Her skin crawled with goosebumps.
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