Part 26

"Grey! I'll will cook—"

Athena stopped her sentence and was surprised to see Grey, as well as Ocean who followed Athena. "G-Grey, did you eat it?" asked Athena to make sure, afraid she had seen the wrong thing.

Grey himself looked relaxed. "Why? It's already cooked, I shouldn't eat it."

"It's not that. It's just that—"

"You're really good at cooking tacos. Make these again tomorrow." Grey noticed the empty plate already on the nightstand and forced a smile. "It's delicious. I can see why my mom likes tacos."

Athena felt sorry for Grey who was smiling, but Athena knew that Grey was desperately trying to keep her sadness from showing. Unexpectedly, Athena suddenly came forward, sat in front of Grey and Athena suddenly hugged Grey.

Grey and Ocean were both surprised.

"H-hey, what's—"

"Sorry. I didn't know about your mother. However, now I know. Don't worry. I won't be cooking tacos anymore."

Grey forced a smile. It was this. "Fool. I told you, I like it. I want to eat it again tomorrow. What the hell is there no need to cook it? It's delicious. I yelled at you earlier because I thought of my mom. But, now I like it."

"Okay. I'll cook it. Tomorrow we'll eat together." Athena tightened her hug. "Don't be sad, Grey. We're friends. You can tell me anything. You'll be more relieved later. If you don't want to, you can try hugging someone. You're usually more relieved."

"Really?"

Athena nodded. "That's right. Noah likes to hug me when I'm sad. That's useful."

Grey finally returned Athena's hug. It was warm and comfortable. That's what Grey felt. "Okay. You are right."

"Then hug longer. You'll be better."

Grey complied and hugged Athena tighter. Longer. Ocean who saw it smiled softly.

"Thank you, Athena," Grey murmured.

***

Grey smiled to himself when he remembered how Athena had tried to calm him down through the hug. The Mafia would never have guessed that he liked that hug. The hug calmed him down. Grey also really liked the tacos, the breakfast that the woman made. Grey originally wanted to throw it away, but he was interested in trying it and it did taste good. Grey ended up finishing it.

Grey glanced at the clock on the wall, it was already midnight, but Grey couldn't sleep. I don't know why. Usually he was already asleep. It can't be because of the effect of that woman's hug, right?

However, Grey frowned and immediately sat up after hearing the sound of gunshots several times. Not long after, his bedroom door opened and Ocean appeared behind it.

"Ocean? What's wrong? I heard gunshots," said Grey who had already picked up the gun as he walked towards Ocean whose breathing was irregular.

"S—Sir. Get out of here immediately. Someone suddenly attacked. It's most likely Robert's men."

"What? How dare he!" Grey clenched his fists. "He really should be taught a lesson."

"Yes. However, you should come out immediately, sir. We're finishing them off. It's just that there are quite a few of them, it's a bit troublesome."

"Okay. Let's go out."

Ocean nodded, then immediately walked out together with Grey. "Wait," Grey said, making them stop. Grey's face became anxious. "Where's Athena?"

Ocean was surprised, suddenly panicked. "O-oh yes! I forgot about her, sir!"

"Fool, let's get there now!"

***

"Noah, hehe."

Athena smiled as she hugged her bolster. She seemed to be having a beautiful dream. It was just that her sweet dream had to end when Karin suddenly entered and woke her up frantically, making Athena inevitably wake up still sleepy.

"Miss! Wake up! Come on!"

Athena rubbed her eyes, forced to sit up after being pulled by Karin whose condition was also still messy. "Ouch, what's wrong, Karin? I'm still sleepy."

"That's enough, Miss. Don't sleep anymore. Let's hide."

Athena frowned with narrowed eyes-still sleepy. "Hide?"

"Yes! Someone suddenly attacked, Miss! There are so many of them. Probably Lord Robert's men. We must hide!"

"What?!" Athena's sleepiness instantly disappeared.

Karin nodded. "Let's go, Miss! It's not safe here!"

"O-okay."

Athena immediately followed Karin out of the room. Athena screeched when she had just come out and there was already a gunshot and there was already a man lying on the floor with his head bleeding, making Athena screech in fear.

"Miss! Let's run away!" said Karin frantically after seeing two people from the attacking group.

Athena panicked, following Karin. However, Athena was surprised when Karin suddenly fell down - it turned out that one of the group of men had already caught up and pushed Karin to the ground, then held Karin and slapped her as well.

"Karin! Hey! Asshole! Akh."

Athena screeched at the end of the sentence as another man grabbed her hair. The man smiled, as he rubbed Athena's cheek. "Wow. Your skin is smooth. You're beautiful. No wonder Mr. Seth is crazy about you."

Athena chuckled. "Asshole. You really are Robert's henchman. Son, father, even subordinates are just as rotten!"

The man was angry-incensed by Athena's words. "Are you really tired of living?" The man then put his gun to Athena's head. "I will obey him. As Mr. Seth said, if you don't manage to become Mr. Seth's wife, no one else will."

Athena smiled dismissively. "I won't, even to death. Just looking at him makes me sick."

Athena was not afraid. To her, they were just cowards. Athena would not be afraid, much less beg for mercy if she really wanted to be killed.

Athena would cradle them after being killed.

Dor!

However, Athena was surprised when she heard gunshots. Of course, it wasn't a shot from the man because Athena was fine. Instead, the man holding her hostage was shot and fell to the floor-dead instantly. Not long after, another man followed.

Athena immediately smiled with relief as Ocean and Grey now came to her and Karin along with a few other bodyguards.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Grey asked worriedly.

Athena shook her head. "I'm fine. But, Karin..." Athena stopped her sentence and was surprised to see Karin who was already unconscious. "Karin! You—"

Athena wanted to go to Karin, but stopped when Grey held her back. "Karin will be taken by my men. Don't worry. Don't stay here for long. Although they say that everyone in that group is dead, but not necessarily. Don't let there be a chance to attack. Follow me, we'll gather in the living room," Grey said.