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Shadow of deceit

Athena Stanford is a 21-year-old orphan living in the bustling city of New York. She is jobless and lonely, but she catches the eye of Caleb Martin's, a charming and successful businessman. After a whirlwind romance, Caleb confesses his feelings for Athena, and they become a couple. However, their happiness is short-lived when Caleb develops a nervous problem that requires an expensive operation. Determined to help the man she loves, Athena takes up various jobs to earn money for Caleb's operation. Her journey leads her to the Elite Restaurant, a prestigious establishment owned by the wealthy and powerful Liam Steele. During her time working at the restaurant, Athena encounters Luke Steele, a notorious playboy known for his perverted interests. Luke becomes infatuated with Athena and starts pursuing her relentlessly, despite her clear rejection of his advances. One fateful day, Athena stumbles upon a beautiful ruby pendant and impulsively decides to sell it to cover Caleb's medical expenses. Unbeknownst to her, the pendant actually belongs to Liam Steele, who values it dearly. Determined to retrieve his precious possession, Liam seeks out Athena, but rather than taking her as a slave as expected, he becomes intrigued by her resilience and independence. Meanwhile, the Steele family faces internal turmoil when Logan Steele, Liam' brother, discovers that Luke has betrayed him by sleeping with Logan's fiancée, Jaden Ravenwood. Seeking revenge, Logan sets his sights on Athena, using her as a pawn to inflict pain upon Luke. With the help of his loyal bodyguard, Flynn Martin's, and devoted right-hand woman, Sandra Scott, Logan begins a dangerous game of manipulation, which further complicates Athena's life and fuels tensions within the Steele family.

FamodunOluwasegun · Adolescente
Classificações insuficientes
49 Chs

Chapter five

Just as she bent to pick it up the door was opened.

-----------------

Standing outside a few minutes ago was Flynn waiting for Athena to wake up, Liam is bound to call any moment from now.

He tapped his feet impatiently on the floor, he does not want to get caught. Bringing Athena to a bar was not part of the plan is had with Luke, it was simply to watch her get his necklace back.

"It is almost time," he checked his silver wristwatch and rushed upstairs, not bothering to knock he dashed into the room.

Just as Athena bent to pick up her clothes the door was opened and her eyes met with Flynn.

"Ahhha!!" Athena's horrified voice filled the room while Flynn stood still, his hand was glued to the doorknob while his eye was fixed on Athena's face which held different emotions.

"Sorry!" Flynn muttered and quickly closed the door.

"Gosh!" Athena quickly pick up her clothes before rushing into the bathroom, she got dressed and stepped back into the room.

It is going to be fucking awkward facing Flynn after seeing his nakedness, she did not fail to notice the pain between her thigh as she paces around the room.

As she continued pacing her eyes caught the stain of blood on the bed and tears formed in her eyes.

She lost her boyfriend, freedom, and virginity all in a day. Why the heck is her life a mess? Just what has she done wrong to deserve the pain?

Still lost in thought a knock landed on the door and a hesitant voice followed.

"Can you please step out, boss Liam wants his necklace."

"The Necklace!" Athena gasped.

She was supposed to look for a necklace but she got laid, her hand grabbed her hair and she dragged it to her face.

"Can't I just disappear?" She wished with her hair all over her face making her seem possessed at the moment.

"Athena, are you in there?" The room was as silent as a graveyard so it is normal for him to get curious.

"Yeah, I'll be right there," her response was short.

The door was opened shortly after she stepped and Flynn led the way immediately, he could not wait to have a conversation with her.

Soon they were in the car and all Athena could think of was the life that awaits her once she steps out of the car.

She already lost her heart, yeah the guy she gave her heart to. The moment she lost him she lost her heart too, her virginity which was her pride was gone too.

What more can she lose? Life has chosen to be cruel to her.

She hit her head on the window couple of times, Flynn simply had his gaze fixed on the road. What happens to her after this is none of his business.

His job is done but part of him still feels sorry for her, she has been through enough yet it was just the tip of the iceberg.

"Umm... what will happen to me?" Athena found herself asking out loud, she was simply going to rehearse it but her mouth was faster.

Flynn had clueless about what to say, is he supposed to tell her the truth?

"Am I going to become a sex slave?" Her voice broke in tears. One of the brothers took her virginity only God knows what her fate will be in the hands of the other two.

Flynn was mute throughout the ride, he was in no position to talk.

Athena wanted to cry but tears refuses to fall.

~~

Caleb was standing by the window his gaze on the busy city, he was actually resting on a crutch as his bullet wound was hurting.

Tears were obvious in his eyes, he just lost his girlfriend, the love of his life, and he literally lost his reason for existence.

How did that happen? How did he end up fucking his doctor?

The last he recalled was her walking in to give him a glass of water and then he was aroused, he tried to stop her from doing whatever it was she had in the plan but... It was too late.

Athena's line is not reachable, how is he going to get her back? Will she forgive him? Will she listen to his explanation?

She shot him thrice... that only proves how angry she is. He can not even forgive himself, how is she expected to forgive him?

"Mr. martin's ," a nurse called standing with a tab in her hand.

His expression was enough to cast out demons, how could he trust them when their doctor just ruined his life?

"It is time to dress your wounds," she had the most assuring smile and that might have worked on Caleb because he advanced towards her.

She wanted to help him sit on the bed since walking was slightly uncomfortable for him.

However, he declined. There is no way he is trusting anyone in that hospital.

He is going to leave move he is strong enough to look for her Athena.

"You should not stand for long, more pressure could reopen the wound," the nurse said but he was not listening.

~~

The room was just like a graveyard and it seemed like Athena was standing at the middle.

Liam got up from his huge chair and stood in front of her, in rage he unfolded his fist and raised his hand...

"Fuck!" Liam cursed pushing her in fury, she lost balance and felt her body advance towards the floor.

But it did not came into contact with it as a pair of hands grabbed her, she lifted her head to stare at those pairs of eyes.

Athena could recognize those pairs of eyes, his face mask did a good job conceling his face but she would recognize the pair of eyes she stared at while her hymen broke.

"Mr.... Steele," her voice was just as tender as the previous night.

Liam Steele POV

I grasped tightly to her hands not letting her collapse while she opened her eyes to gaze at mine.

"Mr…. Mr Steele " she dubbed, still surprised I didn't allow her collapse.

"why are you so gullible?". I questioned making her stand back in her former position.

"I am sorry" she whispered evading my stares,

"wow, you could identify me simply by my eyes, I am impressed ". I declared still maintaining a straight face while I went back to my chair.

"I hope you now have my rare gem? I questioned her, she refused to utter any words to me which was frustrating.

"What happened to her?". I questioned Flynn.

"I don't actually know either" Flynn responded.

"You can leave us now," I urged. Flynn left the room instantly, leaving me alone with Athena who was surprisingly so silent.

" Why aren't you saying anything, you do know that if you have my gem I would have no choice but to make you my slave." I said to her clearly, making her understand the circumstances if she is to fail me.

For the first time this evening she stared back at me.

"I accept, my life is totally useless now. What difference would it make if I became your slave? Initially I was scared of becoming your sex slave but it's too late for all that now. I have no dignity to keep". She said mostly referring to herself because I was now absolutely confused and didn't understand any of the things she just said.

"Who took your dignity?". I was even more interested in how she could keep her dignity for that long.

"I don't know, it was you and at the same time it was Luke". She replied a bit confused.

"You don't know who raped you, that's amazing".I said to her she stares at me angrily.

"It wasn't rape, I was drunk. It seemed like a plan work and that is exactly why I am confused, are you sure you didn't get me drunk just to make me yours?". What was she insinuating,I would never do that. I won't just rape anyone when a lot of girls are swapping around me just to be by my side.

"Do I look like someone who would rape for fun even if you were drunk I still won't take advantage of you". I said to her ,but she kept shaking her head negatively.

"It was you or your brother". She insisted,

"Should I call Luke?He is in hotel rooms". I asked her but she seemed a bit tense.

"He would just continue to disturb me if I gave him a chance". She already hates Luke for who he is.

"That would make it more fun. Flynn call in Luke ". I said out loud so Flynn would hear me.

"Yes boss ". Flynn replied from outside the door.

"Don't call him, what if he isn't the one who made love to me".

"Why are you doubting your vision, you clearly said it was one of us, me or Luke and Luke is known for womanizing habits so even I don't trust him". I said to her, Luke would have easily done this but that also can't be possible because she was with Flynn all the time. Why would Flynn let Luke get his way with her when he knows I want her to be my slave?.

Few minutes later, Luke walked in with a smirk. It can't be, he actually did it.

"You wanted to see me baby" he teased moving closer to Athena who stays behind me.

"Stop Luke, something serious has happened". I said pushing him back a little,he stares at my hand on his chest angrily.

"I brought her to you and now you are stopping me from talking to her, this better be serious for you to push me". Luke said through gritted teeth.

"You took her dignity away?". I asked him but Luke just chuckled out loud.

"What dignity do you mean?"he asked, mostly referring to Athena.

"Mr Steele it wasn't Luke". Athena whispered to me, which made me even more confused.

"What do you mean, it wasn't Luke!" I exclaimed, staring at Luke who was also confused.

"Can you please explain to me what's going on". Luke requested. I moved away from Athena and closer to Luke.

"Someone made love to her against her will and from what she said,the last time we saw her she was still a virgin". I whispered to Luke who seemed more furious than Athena.

"Why did you say it was me?". He asked like he was trying to place the puzzles together.

"She claimed it was one of us and clearly you are the only womanizer amongst us' 'I said but all he did again was laugh out loud, was he going crazy. He only laughs out when his anger is at its peak.

"Luke". I called but he just walked past me towards Athena, pinning her on the wall.

"Logan did this". He said to Athena who was confused.

"Who is Logan?". She doesn't know about Logan, that was why she felt it was either one of us.

"Logan did this". Luke repeated now more and more fierce. He rushes up to me.

"You were supposed to protect her, that was she was in your care, to be protected by you. And now you couldn't do that and you made Logan touch what belongs to me!!". Luke yelled, I pushed him away.

"Don't yell at me, even if I protected her you know Logan would always get what he wants and he wanted Athena, he got her. Why should that be my fault alone". I questioned Luke. I was not sorry for Luke, I know Logan is only trying to pay back at Luke for everything he has done to him but this was unexpected.

"Flynn!!". I yelled as Flynn rushed in.

"You were supposed to bring her here, why couldn't you keep to that and make Logan get to her!" I asked him pulling him closer with his collar, Flynn never makes a mistake. This wasn't a mistake from Flynn and he won't admit it.