Part 20

Grey smirk. "Of course. I will keep my promise. I'm forced to be like this now because if this woman continues like this you won't go. Right?" Grey replied.

Athena nodded in agreement, Athena did not want to part with Noah, but without realizing it, she was blocking Noah. "Yes. That's right, Noah. You have to leave soon. I'm sorry I wasn't willing to let you go quickly. But go, you have to go."

Noah looked over to Athena who was already smiling-Noah knew that Athena was just forcing a smile to show she was okay. But, Noah had to leave soon.

"Yes. Wait for me," Noah said and Athena nodded. However, Athena and Grey, Ocean too when Noah suddenly kissed Athena's forehead. "I'll call you often," Noah whispered after breaking the kiss.

Noah smiled at Athena who only stayed silent in surprise. Absolutely adorable. Noah ruffled the top of Athena's head, then turned around and left. Athena smiled, only waking up after Noah entered his car.

"Bye, Noah! You should call me more often. I'm right here. I'll keep waiting!" Athena shouted when the car was already running.

Athena saw Noah give her a thumbs up and finally Noah disappeared from her sight. Grey just shook his head at that. "That's enough. Let's go inside. That guy's gone," Grey invited.

However, Athena did not move from her spot. Grey rolled his eyes. "It's okay if you don't want to." Grey then went inside.

However, having just climbed the two stairs to her room, Grey felt someone running past her and when she turned around, it was Athena. "You're so reluctant to come in, now you're running the fastest," she said.

However, Grey was surprised when there was a loud banging on Athena's bedroom door. Grey frowned, he looked at Karin who had just entered as well after accompanying Athena to deliver Noah.

"What's wrong with her? She looks angry," Grey asked.

Karin shook her head. "No, sir. Closing the door hard wasn't because he was angry, but he was feeling upset. Miss Athena had just left Mr. Noah for the first time in a long time, Miss Athena must have been sad. At first, she still couldn't accept it. She must be crying in her room."

Grey raised one eyebrow. "Just like that, she's already so sad?"

"Of course. Ever since she came here, she's always been with Mr. Noah. Of course she feels lost and sad."

"I don't believe it."

Grey then went up to the second floor, as Karin watched, Grey headed to Athena's room. Karin immediately panicked and hurried to catch up. Noah had told her earlier to take care of Athena, including from Grey. Noah did not trust Grey completely. Noah was worried that Grey would disturb Athena so he asked Karin to take care of Athena as well.

"Sir, don't. What are you—"

"Sshh."

Karin stopped her sentence when Grey placed his index finger in front of his lips-a signal for silence. Grey now wanted to eavesdrop, wondering if Karin's guess was right and Grey was stunned afterwards.

"I'm sorry, Noah. I've been trying not to cry. However, I still can't. While I was here, you took care of me and kept me company. When you left, I felt sad and lonely. I hope you come back soon, Noah."

Grey sighed. "What a crybaby. It's only been a day and she's already crying. If every day and something goes wrong with his eyes, Noah will blame me."

"So, you wanted to hear whether Miss Athena was crying or not?"

"And then?"

"O-oh I see."

"Why? Do you think I'll bother her? Mocking her? Or make her even sadder?"

Karin shook her head frantically. "No, sir. But—"

"Yes, you're right. I do like to annoy that woman. It's just that Noah made me promise to take care of her and not bother her. I can't break my promise while Noah is away," Grey interrupted.

Grey smiled mockingly at himself for saying yes and getting himself into trouble. "Karin."

"Yes, Sir?"

"When a woman is sad like that, what should we do to cheer her up?"

**

"Thank you for driving me, Ocean," Noah said after getting out of the car because he had reached his destination. From the hospital, Noah would go with the rest of the team to the destination.

"Yes, Sir. It's my job. No need to thank me. By the way, I'd like to give you an item from Mr. Grey."

"Grey?"

Ocean nodded, then he took something from his pants pocket. It was a keychain. "Here you go, sir. A keychain. You can hang it on your bag or anywhere."

Noah chuckled a little, taking the keychain. "Wow. Since when does Grey want to buy things like this?"

"Mr. Grey sked me to tell you that he found it when he took Athena to buy things for you. The salesman said it can ward off bad things that come to you. He said he didn't believe in it, but it couldn't hurt to try."

Noah laughed again at that. Even though his friend cared, sometimes he still felt a sense of pride. Noah knew Grey didn't give this in front of many people to maintain his pride because everyone knew Grey didn't believe in such superstitions.

Noah nodded. "Okay, I understand, I'll hang it up. Please convey my thanks."

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, yes, Ocean. I'll leave Athena, yes. I know, Grey is your master. But can you try to stop him when he does something to Athena?" Noah asked hopefully.

"Take it easy, sir. Mr. Grey made a promise to you, I'm sure he won't break it. Maybe it's just a little prank or they're arguing as usual. Mr. Grey won't hurt her. I hope you can trust him."

Noah was silent. Ocean's words were true. It was just that Noah still remembered the incident when he left Athena, Grey taught Athena to shoot until she fainted. That still worried Noah. However, Noah tried to trust Grey as Ocean said.

"Alright. But, still, I'll leave Athena."

"Yes, Sir."

After that, Noah excused himself and went inside. Ocean also wanted to get into the car and head back to Grey's house. However, Ocean stopped when someone sent a message and it was Grey.

Grey:

Buy me lots of chocolates, flowers, and a doll. Hurry back, I need them.

Ocean smiled afterwards. "It must be for Miss Athena. Mr. Noah worries too much."