CHAPTER 14: TAKE OVER

After the boat ride, they returned to their room, ordered lunch, and set it on the balcony again.

This time Athena restrained herself from thinking about City B to enjoy the scenery and food with Marco. Tonight, she won't join him for dinner and accompany him to the welcome party for all the guests attending the conference.

"I'll have your dress delivered here later for the party," he said without looking at her.

"Can I not go?" She replied uneasily. "You don't want to accompany your husband?" He said with a tease. He stopped eating and watched her.

"I-I would love to, but I can't join the crowd," she stuttered and bowed her head.

"I'll be with you," he said, trying to convince her to accompany him to the party. He planned to introduce her to his partners and friends tonight.

"Not now, please?" She said in a pleading tone. If only she could, she won't say no. Her heart is hurting with the disappointment visible on Marco's face.

"Okay, just stay here and wait for me," he was disappointed that his plan won't take place, but he convinced himself that it would happen next time.

"I'm sorry," she is sorry that she can't join him as his wife tonight. But she has to be CamZ's eyes tonight, and it would be easier to do it inside the room than anywhere else in the hotel.

"No worries, babe," he reached her hand and squeezed it softly. Athena smiled awkwardly, trying to hide the guilt in her eyes. "Thank you, babe. I love you," she said. "I love you too, babe," he replied with a smile.

She blushes at the way he looks at her. She bowed her head and continued to eat her food. This time they chose to have Mexican food for lunch. She ordered Beef Fajitas. It's a Texan-Mexican food served with guacamole, grilled peppers, onions, cheese, flour tortillas, pico de gallo, and sour cream, but since she doesn't like spicy food, she set aside the pico de gallo.

Marco ordered street-style combinations of Nacho and Tacos. He chose to have the carne asada mixed with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and guacamole from various toppings with Spanish rice and beans on the side.

The lunch ended peacefully, and after clearing the table, Athena and Marco stayed on the balcony enjoying their ginger tea. Athena decided to stay in their room after lunch instead of walking. Ginger tea is good for digestion, so Athena prepared one for them.

Athena walks toward the balcony, and from there, she can see people having fun on the beach. She smiled at the sight. Marco stood beside her and lay his hand on her waist. Athena leaned her head on Marco's shoulder and took a deep breath.

She won't forget this simple moment with him. Just being close to each other and watching the sight in front of them is refreshing.

Time went by, and Marco needed to get ready for the party. His assistant reminded him of the time and mentioned some people to talk to for possible business cooperation.

He nodded, and before he left, he gave Athena a french kiss. He did not stop until they were both gasping for air. She wanted to go further than a kiss, but she restrained herself and reminded her that she had a mission tonight.

"I'll be back before midnight," he said, leaving a peck on her forehead.

"Okay," she replied. "Don't drink too much," she reminded Marco.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied and gave her a wink.

She watched him enter the elevator before she closed the door. She hurriedly grabs the black bag under the bed and changes her clothes. On the other bag are her black leather boots and gloves. Although she will be in the room watching the monitor, she has to wear her work clothes: a pair of tight black pants, a sleeveless black shirt, and a black jacket. She also tied her hair up for convenience.

Athena observed her reflection in the mirror, and when she was satisfied, she gave herself a thumbs up. She can't believe that she will feel the adrenaline rush again after a year. Athena thought of Anton Baltazar and Benjamin Baltazar, the uncle and nephew duo. She had gotten what she needed with Anton Baltazar, though they can't make an arrest right now because his uncle is a key for their lifetime imprisonment.

Athena put her wireless nano-hidden earpiece and turned on her laptop. She entered strings of codes and connected all the cameras inside and outside the hotel's ballroom. She also has an eye on the lobby.

She saw Marco standing in the hotel's lobby and seemed to be talking to the hotel's employees. Her brows wrinkled, and she wondered why he was talking to them. She stopped thinking about it and concentrated on her work.

She couldn't find CamZ anywhere, so she decided to scan all the hotel monitors. Her body was tense when she couldn't find her.

"A1," she called.

"A1 here," said the man on the other end.

"I can't find CamZ," she said worriedly. She's supposed to be out by now, but she can't even find her shadow everywhere.

"I'll find her," he said in a low tone. He then discreetly looks for CamZ in the blind spots area.

He finally found her on the seventh floor's emergency exit crouching.

"Found her," he said.

"Where is she?" Athena asked in a concerned tone.

"Seventh floor's emergency exit," he replied while helping CamZ up.

CamZ is sweating profusely because of the cramps and is about to faint.

"A1, turn off your earpiece," she said in a quavering voice.

A1 was puzzled and knitted his brows. 'Women are complicated,' he thought.

"It's off," he announced.

CamZ then whispered to Athena, "Athena, I'm sorry my auntie came early," she tried to control herself from shaking due to extreme pain so Athena could hear her.

"Seriously?" Athena can't believe that CamZ's menstruation came amid their mission. She told her a long time ago to visit a doctor because her cramps worsened.

Athena tapped her fingers, thinking. She has to make a quick decision. Since CamZ cannot complete her mission, she has to take over.

"A1 take CamZ to her room," she ordered.

"His earpiece is off," CamZ replied.

"Then tell him, I'll meet you there in two," Athena quickly grabbed her black backpack under the bed and put the laptop inside. She also went to the closet and got a change of clothes.

Athena carried her backpack on her back and hurriedly left the room when she thought she had got everything. CamZ's room is three floors down from hers. She used the exit door and slid down the stairs' metal handrail.

She opened the exit door on the seventh floor, and she made sure that no one was around before she came out.

Athena quickly found CamZ's room and knocked lightly. A1 opened the door and looked around the hallway before closing the door.

CamZ was crouching on the two-seater couch. "Did you take your medicine?" Athena asked as soon as she entered the room.

"I did," she replied. Her voice is not shaky anymore.

"I'll do your job," Athena had no choice but to take over. It will be a little tricky for her to do that, but she has to. She can't let CamZ continue with her situation at the moment.

"Are you sure?" CamZ asked. She hates it each time they have to compromise because of her period. It's not even a matter of life and death, but it was terrible that she felt like dying.

"Yes, now, do your magic," she has to disguise herself so Marco won't recognize her, and CamZ is good at it.

CamZ can still feel the cramps, but she needs to do Athena's make-up.

"You can leave A1 and pay attention to Benjamin Baltazar. Update his every move to me while I'm not there," she instructed.

"Will do," he turned around and left the women in the room. A few months ago, he joined the organization and finished his Amazon forest training.