Lady Empire

Athena's Point of View:

I SIGHED and looked at the people around me. I'm not really used to having someone look at me and I'm even more not used to having people who seem to have just seen me for the first time. Tomorrow is our first day of senior high school and I am with my friends, friends who never let me down. I looked at Rina, Sky, Alexander, and Chase.

"Since Mr. Valeria is with us on the mission as their secret spy, we have to do everything she wants in exchange for what I want," I said with a smile while playing with a knife in my hand.

"Do you agree with him?" Chase asked. "You were the one who stated that we couldn't trust anyone. You already knew that our enemies have been looking for you and they wanted to kill you."

I breathed deeply. We are here in America, far from Spain which I sometimes missed. I never went back there because I didn't know how to talk to them or how to tell them what happened to me. I haven't heard from them or if they are looking for me. During my first years here in America, I tried to look for my mother and when I did, I didn't know how to talk to her but I promised that I would go back.

"We need someone who can protect us and that's Valeria," I said. "Anyways, are you ready to go?"

"My clothes were already ready a while ago," Rina said with a smirk. I can hear the playfulness in her voice.

I laughed and just shook my head. I met them somewhere and upon seeing that they have a potential, I didn't think twice of helping them when they asked for help, and here they are now. Alexander has been with me for a long time because we have a past together and fortunately, we had a closure so there's no problem between us at all.

After we talked, I immediately went to my room. I took a deep breath and looked at my cell phone and was stunned to see my ex-fiance's picture. The familiar pain crept up to my chest again.

It's our anniversary today and I can't celebrate now because he's no longer with me. That's why I changed because of this, I want to kill everyone who killed him.

I want to kill the people who killed the man I loved.

"I missed you." A small smile appeared on my lips as I ran my index finger over his picture. "I wish you were here."

Instead of crying, I immediately went to the bed and grabbed the necklace that he gave me. I smiled. I'm happy to be here and I'm happy to be with him for 5 years. I closed my eyes and let the darkness envelop me. I woke up early because we will be leaving early. We had to go back to the Philippines because we couldn't stay in just one place.

I left my bedroom and went outside. I saw them in the living room.

"Morning," Sky greeted with a smile while holding a plate.

I just gave him a nod and my gaze fell on each of them, all were busy doing something. I looked at Rina's laptop and nodded when I saw that she was organizing the list of people in our hideout in the Philippines. We talked for a while and I ate quickly because the car that will take us to the airport is already here.

"We tighten your security and your private plane is ready," Alexander said in a calm voice. "Are you really sure about this?"

I raised my brow. "I have a lot to take care of in the Philippines and you know why I want to go to school again."

He sighed and nodded his head. I really don't want someone telling me what I should and shouldn't do, I'm not the Athena I used to be, especially now that I can do anything. We have to leave here immediately if we don't want the enemies to find us. Some people said this is already my second life because when they saw me lying unconscious on the floor, they thought I was dead. But I survived despite all the pain I've gone through.

"Kit is already there," Sky informed us.

I wore skinny jeans, a brown sweater, a beanie, and leather boots. I immediately went to them and quickly got into the car we were going to use. I took a deep breath. I couldn't wait to see my mother and siblings in the Philippines.

We arrived at the airport and walked fast because we couldn't be seen here. I also don't want to be seen and told that I am a Buenaventura. I don't want them to be affected by anything I do. A few years were enough for me to realize that I was not really meant for that family because I felt and knew it since I was young. Now that I have my own money, house, car, and other things I couldn't have before, I don't think I need their help anymore.

"Let's go," I said calmly and immediately sat on the sofa. "How are the guns and the other stuff?"

"They're in good condition and Alex and I have already sent the others to Canada," Chase said.

I looked at Alexander and grinned because I knew he didn't like this but he got used to it. He's my ex-boyfriend and he knows my likes and dislikes. Ever since he found out about it, he was angry but he couldn't do anything but join us. He's an agent like me, both under the Valeria group, that's why I always know what he does and his facial expression.

We drove for a few hours and I immediately woke up when I heard Rina's voice. I quickly stood up and grabbed my things and grinned when I saw that my motorcycle was already there.

Oh, yeah. My baby.

I immediately walked towards my motorcycle and tapped it. I waved at my friends before riding my motorcycle. I missed the Philippines and the first thing that I wanted to see was my mother and my long time friends.

My phone rang and I saw my mother's name flashed on the screen. I answered it without thinking twice.

"Hello, Mom?" I said calmly and adjusted the earpiece.

[Athena? Rina told me that you are already here? Where are you now darling?]

I sighed. I admit, I am still a little bit hesitant to interact with my mother. I didn't like the idea that she just gave me to Daddy. She didn't provide me any reason, nor a single one, making my disappointment for her heightened even more.

"I'm near." I quickly hung up. Ah, I lost my appetite. I took a deep breath when I remembered Daddy's face and I quickly shook my head to erase those thoughts.

We quickly arrived at a house where I've been longing to visit. I immediately got off and Chase went to the car to get my stuff. I will not stay here but in my penthouse near the school where I want to study. Some of my business is also here, so I will stay here in the Philippines for a few years.

"Good afternoon, Aunt." I looked at them and Mother was already there, looking at my friends with surprise.

I walked in front of them and she immediately saw me. A smile formed on my lips when she hugged me. Laughing, I hugged her back. I closed my eyes, savoring the tightness of her hug. Ah, I missed her so much.

She immediately led us inside her house and I saw my three siblings.

"Hello!" Ayesha was smiling as she wrapped her arms around me. "I miss you."

I just grinned and patted her head and immediately saw Jacob and Ryan, the youngest. I just gave them a smile and sat on the sofa. They live in Baguio and I still need to hire guards to look after them so they wouldn't be found by anyone. I roamed my eyes around the house that I bought for them. Only the four of them live here, so it's not that bad.

"Have you eaten, Athena?" I looked at my mom and shook my head.

"I want to taste the food you cooked," I smiled and saw her eyes and her lips smile.

I played with my long nails and listened to their conversation. This is where I will start again and this is where I will find the people who killed my fiance.

At that thought, my fists clenched and I gritted my teeth. I closed my eyes and I could feel that my eyes were turning red because of the anger I was feeling. I tried to calm my nerves. My siblings can't see this.

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. When I opened them again, I caught my siblings staring at me. I just gave them a smile and averted my gaze.

They almost see it.

Almost.