Chapter Twenty

Athena's POV

Picking up my scarf from my lap, I quickly wrap it around my neck once more—not letting Alex stare any longer. Once I'm done, I look up to find him smirking and shaking his head unknowingly.

I furrow my eyebrows, ''What's so funny?'' I ask him. My hands on my lap, trying to hide the fact that he might be laughing at my face for my sudden action or that it is the opposite way.

''Does it hurt?'' His smirk widens.

Knowing that someone can change in such little time impressed me. He was acting nice and sweet yesterday and up till five minutes ago but now he's back. I was starting to realise that maybe the Alex I met at the bar was coming back but now it looks like I was wrong.

''It doesn't concern you.'' I reply, replacing his smirk that has fallen with my own.

His face falls serious, clenching his jaw in process. He looks down, licking his lower lip. Then a frown starts to appear, ''I'm not five, Athena.'' He says, ''I'm clever enough to know what's the cause of that.'' Then he let out a breath, ''More like who's the cause of that.''

I press onto my hand tightly. Remembering what happened yesterday terrifies me, how he manage to do that somehow scares me. It was that he wasn't afraid of following me and brought me to a dark alley, it's that frightens me most.

''I'm glad you do,'' Shrugging at the end, causing him to sit up straight before putting his elbows on his lap.

Eyeing his every move, he finally look up, meeting my eyes, ''How long do you plan to keep it away from me?'' He asks, ''How long do you think that you can keep it all to yourself?''

Keeping quiet is the best option right now. I don't really know the answer myself. I don't even know how long I will keep it away from him. Why am I so terrified to tell him? Maybe because I don't want to know what will happen to Jeremy if Alex finds out.

''I'm not stupid.'' Alex continues, ''You can keep on lying to me but you for one, Athena, you can't keep on lying to yourself. No matter how many time you want to keep quiet and avoid my question, I'll find out anyway.'' He shrugs before leaning back on his seat.

''Alex—'' I breathe out, my eyes wander to look at anywhere but at him, ''I just want you to let it slip. Let's just say that nothing happened yesterday. That I wasn't lost and that I was fine.''

He focuses on me. From the look he is giving me is showing how much he doesn't want to participate, ''Easy said than done.'' Then he clears his throat, ''Fine if that's all you wanted.'' I keep on looking at him until he goes on, ''I'll let it slip. I won't ask you anymore and I'll just pretend that nothing bad happened to you. I'll ignore the bruises.''

Alex stands up, fixing his shirt before walking to the back which leads to the bedroom. i hear him closes the door a bit too hard than necessary. Finally looking away until he is out of my sight. I let out a sigh before closing my eyes, letting myself relax.

It's the only way to calm me down.

When we arrive in New York, Alex has been giving me his silent treatment. I don't even bother to start a conversation or ask him anything so I keep quiet—just like him.

We walk side by side until we reach the arrival gate. My eyes widen when I see a group of reporters holding up their camera and start clicking for pictures when they see us. Alex turns his head to look at me and a frown appears. It looks like he wanted to say something but he just turn around and start walking ahead.

I follow behind him, pulling onto my luggage.

''How was the honeymoon?''

''We heard something happened in Rome!''

''Alex! Alex!''

''How is your wife?''

''How do you respond when you find out your wife was missing?''

They were asking and asking. Alex just ignore them as he walk past, as if there's nothing around him. He looks up once we are all free from the reporters. A few bodyguards held them back so that they couldn't get any close toward us.

Seeing Alex's car in front of the airport makes me stop once we are close enough. Alex picks up my luggage before putting it the trunk. He then quickly pick up his and does the same. The reporters are going insanely wild as they keep on clicking their cameras. I look away once I find out that they are focusing on me.

When I feel someone touching my waist, I look up to find Alex looking down at me. I furrow my eyebrows but only to be push by him lightly into the car. He closes the door afterwards and he enters the driver's seat. After starting the engine, he quickly drive away just before the reporters could reach us.

I turn around to see that they try to run after us but once they failed, I turn to look at the road. Alex is now driving in a regular pace, looking at the side mirror. Then his eyes went to look at the road.

''How did they know about that?'' I ask, unable to keep quiet anymore. Alex is the only who knows when it comes to them, sometimes Simon tells him and some other time, he just knows.

''Reporters in Rome tend to capture those moments.'' Alex replies, pressing hard onto the steering wheel.

Nodding my head before looking down at my hands. I feel the car going faster and faster and I just keep myself busy by looking out at the window. When the car comes to an emergency brake, my head turns to look at the scene in front of me. Alex's right hand quickly moves in front of me, blocking me from hitting my hard onto the dashboard.

He turns the steering wheel, pressing hard onto the brakes. I grip hard onto the seat—eyes wide as I see reporters stepping out of their van. They immediately run toward us, bringing their cameras. Noise starts to appear once they reach to both of our sides.

Alex quickly lock the doors, letting out a deep sigh before removing his hand away from my body. He turns to look at me, ''You okay?'' He asks.

The reporters end up knocking on the windows, shouting as they do. Alex still has his eyes focus on me so I quickly nod, assuring him that I'm fine. He let out another sigh, ''Damn it, what the fuck are they doing here.'' I hear him mutter under his breath as he take out his phone.

He types something on his phone before putting it up onto his ear. After a few seconds, he starts speaking, ''Simon what the hell is going on?'' Alex shouts through the phone. He frowns as he rub his temples, ''Why are there reporters blocking me?''

I hear Simon say something from the other line but it wasn't clear enough for me to completely hear the words. Alex turns to look at me and look back out at the reporters near his side, ''They are knocking on the windows and I'm as hell sure they won't leave. Not until we step out of the damn car!''

''What do you mean we're on the news?'' Alex asks in confusion before rubbing his eyebrow, ''Fuck that Simon. Settle this! I don't care if it costs anything, just settle this!'' He shouts angrily before ending the call and throwing his phone onto the dashboard. He breathes out, trying to control his anger before gripping hard onto the steering wheel.

The reporters start to knock harder and harder causing me to cover my face when they click on their cameras. I look down, covering my face with my hair. For once, I feel lucky to have a long hair.

''Athena!''

''How did that happen?''

''How did you get lost in Rome?''

''What did Simon say?'' My eyes look up at Alex who is now clenching his jaw.

''He said we're on the news and the reporter has been blocking the road for the past hour. Police are on their way but I don't even know when they are going to arrive.'' Alex mutters angrily, ''This is stupid.'' He continues, ''They found out that you were running from someone and the recording ends with me finding you.''

I bite my lower lip, ''I guess it's my fault.''

He looks down, his eyes soften a bit, ''It's not your fault. It's never our fault. The reporters are just hungry for news.'' Then his hand went to the gear, a smirk appears on his face.

''What are you doing?'' I sit up straight immediately, watching as if he has lost his mind.

''Getting out of here.'' Alex grips harder before changing the gear and his left hand went up to the steering wheel, ''What else.'' Then he presses the gas which causes the car to roar. The reporters back off in shock and he quickly change the gear back and presses the gas harder. This time the car immediately goes on.

My eyes widen in shock and my head turns to look up front, ''Alex, the van!'' I shout when I see a few van blocking up the road. Alex turns to look at a clear spot and he take the chance to press the gas even harder, ''I don't think we can make it.'' I mutter fast as I grip harder onto the seat.

''Don't think. Just do.'' And his Lamborghini Aventador goes fast to the empty spot, causing me to close my eyes in an instant. When I realise that I'm not feeling any pain or hear anything, my eyes shot open to find that the road is clear and we are moving as fast as ever on the road.

My hear just stops beating, ''What just happened?'' I shake my head as I turn around to look behind.

Alex chuckles, ''We're back on the road.'' He says in a playful tone, as his fingers dance on the steering wheel. He then look at me, his smile widen—showing off his straight teeth—he seem to not realise that as he keep on chuckling.

I eye him and I find myself laughing with him as well. Tears covering my vision as we both laugh.

''That was insane.'' I sit up straight, my eyes widen as I keep on letting my laughter free.

His feet on the gas starts to loosen and the car is back to its normal speed. He looks at me for awhile and his laughter dies. I am smiling right now but my smile ends up being a straight line. I clear my throat and turn my head away. A bit embarrassed.

I run my hand through my hair, ignoring him.

After a few minutes, Alex starts to speak up, ''Well it was a bit insane.''

I chuckle a bit, ''Yeah.''

Alex turns on the radio but only to hear about us.

''We just found out that Alexander Herrera and his wife was caught up with the reporters. What surprised us is that they manage to get away! Pictures of Alexander and Athena are going crazy on the internet. Whoa, what exactly happen to these two in Rome?''

''Looks like everyone knows.'' I mutter.

Alex just keep quiet as he keep on listening.

''Athena was rumored to be lost in Rome. She was also caught running away from something which caught our attention. Fortunately, Alexander found her before things could get worse. We're on RadioBuzz send you the best news on radio! Hear more from us after Lana Del Rey. Stay tuned!'' Then the song Summertime Sadness is on air.

''Just ignore it.'' Alex says, ''They'll get over it.''

''Well,'' I snort, ''Not too soon, I'm sure.'' Then I cross my arms, letting out a deep breath, ''I guess now I know what it feels like to be running away from the reporters, to have them invade your privacy...''

Alex smirks, ''Yeah but I haven't had their attention for the past three years. Not until now.''

''Oh don't blame me.'' I roll my eyes just to hear him laugh lightly.

We both keep quiet as we listen to the radio, more likely listen to Lana.

I got my red dress on tonight

Dancing in the dark in the pale moonlight

Got my hair up real big beauty queen style

High heels off, I'm feeling alive

''Oh, my God, I feel it in the air.'' I sing under my breath to the song.

''Kiss me hard before you go.'' I close my eyes, enjoying the song, ''Summertime sadness.'' Then I open them back on to look out at the window, ''I just wanted you to know, that baby you're the best.''

I turn to look at Alex and I see him smiling as his eyes are focus on the road.

''Do you want to sing with me?'' I joke as I poke on his arm.

''Yeah well I don't sing.'' He smirks at me.

''Hey, of course you do.'' I laugh and he just shake his head as another smile appear, ''I've heard you sing, okay. And you sing pretty good.''

Alex's eyes widen at me as he fake a gasp, ''Did you just compliment me?''

I roll my eyes, ''Well for once, I am!'' I throw my hands up in the air.

I look away but when I hear his voice, I turn to look at him immediately, ''Kiss me hard before you go. Summertime sadness. I just wanted you to know, that baby you're the best.'' His voice came out husky and sexy which cause me to feel attracted.

How can he attract me in every way?! I scold myself mentally.

''Okay you better stop.'' I chuckle and he starts to join me, ''Because my ears are bleeding, oh my god. Look!'' I point at my ear, asking him to look and he just shake his head as he keep on laughing.

''I'm pretty sure I sound pretty good.'' He push me lightly onto my shoulder which cause me to push him back. He let out a chuckle, ''Okay okay.'' Then he put one hand up, asking me to stop.

When I hear his laughter dies, I decided to continue on cheering us up, ''Okay fine your singing was kind of good.'' I shrug at the end.

''Just admit it, it was perfect.'' He wiggle his eyebrows at me.

''Whatever.'' And he laughs once more, tapping onto the steering wheel, following the beat of the song.

''Next song!'' I press onto the radio, changing the channel. Until it stops on Be My Baby by Ariana Grande. My eyes widen and I turn to look at Alex. He lifts one hand to face palm himself and I just mentally jump in joy.

''I don't like her.'' Alex grumbles under his breath.

''Shh, appreciate god's creation.'' I place my index finger on his lips and I quickly clap when the song starts, ''If you know how to be my lover, maybe you can be my baby. Hold me close under the covers, kiss me boy and drive me crazy.'' I start singing.

''Be my, be my, be my. Be my, be my baby. Be my, be my, be my. Baby, and drive me crazy.'' I move right and left while I sing into Alex's ears. He cringe at my voice before slowly laughing and shaking his head.

''If you know how to treat me, you know how to touch me. Baby, then you'll get your chance, the chance to love me. It's obvious I want to be into you but it all depends on all the things you do cause babe I promise, I promise. If you keep it real with me be honest, be honest. You can get anything you want that you want babe. Just show me everything I need to see. I'll give you anything boy.'' I continue singing but this time I am back to my seat, just singing lightly to the song.

I start clapping my hands and Alex just end up looking at me as he raise an eyebrow.

''Are you serious not going to stop because you sounding like her is creeping me out.'' He says as he keeps on holding onto the steering wheel, making a left turn.

I shake my head in disagreement, ''I'll give you all of my trust. If you don't mess this up, you ain't tryna get no other girls. When you in the club, all you got is eyes for me. I'm the only girl you see.'' I lean in toward him, singing right near his face.

Alex seems to hear the lyrics clearly because he turns to look at me in an instant. ''So if you treat me right just the way that I want you. Oh, baby boy, I promise that I'll be on you. Oh oh oh oh oh on you, night to the mo-oh-oh-oh-oh-orning.'' He furrows his eyebrows as I keep on singing to the song.

''That sounded so wrong.'' He let out a breath and he ends up laughing.

But I ignore him as I keep on singing, ''All you got is eyes for me. I'm the only one you see,''

''Okay I'm tired.'' I sigh as I lean my head on the seat.

''Yeah you should stop,'' He starts chuckling once more, ''I thought you were her, god that terrifies me.'' Then before I can even say anything, I turn around to see that has stop the car. My eyes wander around to see that we have arrive home. Oops, home?

Alex turns off the radio and unbuckle his seat belt. Within seconds, I find my seat belt being unbuckled too. I look down to see him doing it for me. I look at him, ''I can do it myself, you know that right.'' And he just shrug before sitting back on his side.

''What a day.'' I mutter to myself and just in time, my stomach starts to grumble. My eyes widen and I turn to look at Alex immediately to find him also looking at me. Both of us stay in silence for awhile before we both end up laughing, ''I'm s—sorry.'' I laugh as I clutch onto my stomach.

''Are you that hungry?'' He raises an eyebrow, letting out his breathy laughter.

I furrow my eyebrows as I pat onto my stomach, ''I guess.''

Alex turns to face me, he touches my stomach in surprise which cause me to back up and hit my head against the window. I groan in pain, ''Oww.'' I mutter as I close my eyes and rub my head slowly.

''I'm sorry,'' Alex laughs, ''You okay?'' He starts to pull my arm.

I let out a light laugh, ''Okay that was pretty bad...''

When I open my eyes, I find Alex very close to me which cause me to back up again. Just right before I was about to hit my head on the window once more, Alex pulls me toward him which cause our foreheads to bump into each other.

Alex and I groan in sync, rubbing our foreheads in an instant.

''I shouldn't have done that.'' He chuckles.

''Yeah,'' I keep on rubbing and when I put my hand down. Realisation hit me. His face just inches apart from my face. He is biting lightly onto his lower lip as he keep on rubbing onto his forehead. I gulp, seeing that his lips starting to redden.

As if he has noticed, he look up and our eyes meet. They were really blue.

I wanted to push him away and walk out but I can't. I can't even move. He looks down at my lips before looking up into my eyes once more. He's not even blinking, not even a bit. I manage to take my time and count his thick eyelashes whenever he look down at my lips.

I accidentally bite my lips and he did notice that but he stay completely still at his spot.

Should I kiss him or should I wait for him to kiss me? Or should I walk out and leave? Should we do anything right now? Should I be the one pulling him or should he?

''Oh fuck it.'' I say loud enough for him to hear as soon as I pull his neck and brush my lips against his. His lips meet mine in an instant—his hands touching both sides of my waist, playing with my shirt—pulling it up and down, lightly brushing his fingers on my skin.

He tilt his head to the side, deepening the kiss. I press myself harder onto him and an instant, he pushes his seat to the back before pulling me on top of him. I yelp in surprise but he invade my lips once more as soon as my hands wrap around his neck.

Alex lightly bite onto my lower lip, causing me to let him in.

I find him pulling me closer by my jeans and I am moving freely toward him. Both of his hands move inside my shirt, travelling on my bare skin. He touches my stomach, lightly running his hand on top of it.

His lip trails kisses down my jawline, leaving me wanting.

Just as he move deeper into the back of my neck, his phone starts to ring. I am breathing heavily as he keeps on kissing me. His hands keep on travelling all over my body and up till the nape of my neck. I unwrap my grip around his neck to pull him by his shirt.

The phone stops ringing and starts to ring once more causing him to groan.

He stops kissing me but to only pull my face so that I wouldn't look away. Our eyes stare deeply into each other. He licks his lip, breathing in and out on my face, ''Can you throw it out for me?'' He smirks at the end.

I chuckle, ''What?''

Alex holds tightly onto my back before slowly leaning in. His eyes never leaving mine but once he reaches his phone, we both lean back to his seat. He touches his phone before throwing it out of the window.

My eyes widen as I eye the phone but he pulls my face so that I would only look at him. Only him.

''Why did you do that?'' I furrow my eyebrows as I laugh, ''You just broke the window.'' The car's alarm starts to blare into our eardrums as Alex and I keep on laughing. He lightly press his fingers on my waist, placing them in place.

He looks down at my face, ''I don't care.''

Then both of us laugh once more. He put his face into my neck, laughing. His chest vibrating on mine so I can completely fell it. He then look up into my eyes.

Only for us to realise what we were doing.