Part 12

"Come on, Noah. You're fully awake, right? I have to ask your opinion about the food I made for you!" Athena said really excited. Now she and Noah were heading downstairs to the kitchen.

Noah had to laugh because Athena was really adorable like a child. "Yes. I'm fully awake, Athena. I've washed my face and brushed my teeth. I'm ready to try your food."

"Okay. You'll have to be honest. I-AH!"

"Athena!"

Athena squealed at the end of the sentence because during the last step, she accidentally tripped, but Athena was relieved that she didn't fall. Athena felt something was holding her down and when she opened her eyes, it was Noah who was looking at her worriedly.

"N-Noah."

"You're okay, right? Not hurt?" asked Noah, but was ignored by Athena who was focused on Noah's face. Despite the worried look on his face, Noah was really handsome. "Athena, why are you silent? Are you okay?" Noah asked urgently.

Athena realized and hurriedly nodded. "Y—yeah. I'm fine. Thank you, Noah." Athena stood up immediately.

"Are you sure? You didn't twist your leg?"

"No, it's not. I'm totally fine. Look." Athena deliberately twisted to show her leg was fine and Noah was relieved to finally believe her. "That's it. Let's go to the kitchen," said an excited Athena.

Athena unconsciously grabbed Noah's hand and pulled him into the kitchen. Noah was surprised, but eventually let her go. After just a short walk, Athena was surprised to see the servants-including Sasha-smiling.

Athena realized that the incident must have been seen by them because it was close to the kitchen. Athena quickly removed her hand from Noah when she realized the waiters were looking at her hand holding Noah. Noah and Athena were awkward. Athena cursed herself silently for being so careless.

"O-okay. Where's the breakfast, Athena? Let me try it," Noah said, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

"A-ah yes. In—" Athena was surprised to see her two croissants disappear. "T-this was here. Sasha, did you see it?" asked Athena.

Sasha herself looked down, confused and panicked. Seeing Sasha's reaction, Athena also panicked. "Sasha! Why are you silent? Tell me," Athena urged.

"S—sorry, Miss. Actually, your croissants have been taken by Mr. Grey. Both of them. I tried to explain, but Mr. Grey threatened to fire me if I got in the way. So, I couldn't do anything," Sasha finally replied, making Athena surprised.

"Grey?!"

Sasha nodded. Athena's anger peaked. "Shit! Grey is really-"

"Why are you calling my name now that you've become my fan?"

Athena and the others looked back and it was Grey who was standing as usual with a haughty look on his face and holding two empty plates that he must have eaten two Croissants out of.

"You ate the Croissants?" asked Athena with annoyance.

"Yes. Why, you want to know how my breakfast was, noisy," Grey retorted making Athena feel like sticking her head into the oven. However, Grey smiled after guessing something. "Wait a minute. Do you want to eat that croissant too?" he asked with a mocking smile.

"I—"

"Then sorry. It's all gone. I did ask the servant who cooked this to make it again. However, only for me, Noah, and Ocean. I won't give these delicious croissants to you. It's a pity that you can't taste those delicious croissants," Grey interjected, genuinely pleased.

Athena clenched her fists. Her anger was really peaking. "You idiot! The croissants you ate were mine! I made two, for me and Noah! This shameless fellow of yours ate them!"

"What?!" Grey was shocked of course to hear that. Grey looked at Athena who looked really angry. "You're lying! This was made by my maid here. Sasha! Isn't it?!!" Grey asked making Sasha surprised, Athena and Noah also saw it.

Sasha had the courage to shake his head. Grey immediately put the plate on the table rudely. "How is that possible?! Why didn't you say so?!" Grey was furious. His pride seemed to be tarnished.

"S-sorry, sir. I've been wanting to explain."

"How did she want to tell you? You're temperamental and always threatening."

Grey looked sharply at Athena. "You've dared to fight me like this, which means you're not afraid of me anymore?" he asked in a cold tone, making Athena instantly think back to yesterday.

"Grey!"

Noah, who realized it, tried to protect Athena. Noah pulled Athena behind his body. "Never mind, Grey. Don't bring it up. It's good that Athena forgot about it, right? And about that croissant, you should be the one apologizing. It was Athena's own."

"Noah, you-"

"That's it, Athena. Don't think about it anymore. Let's have breakfast outside, shall we? Get ready. I'll take you." Noah interrupted Grey's speech and spoke softly to Athena.

"What? Noah, I already asked the waiter to prepare croissants for you. What's the point of having breakfast outside?" asked Grey-not accepting.

"It doesn't matter. You just eat. Athena and I will eat outside. You also seem to really like croissants." Noah then took Athena's hand. "Come on, Athena. Get ready, then let's go."

Athena herself just nodded resignedly. Noah then led her away from there. Grey clenched his fists. His anger was really being tested. Noah had always sided with the girl.

"Sir? You're here, I was looking for you," said Ocean who had just walked into the kitchen. Ocean frowned at the look on Grey's face that showed he was in a bad mood. "Sir, is everything alright?"

"Does the look on my face suggest I'm okay?" asked Grey back and Ocean hurriedly shook his head.

"N-no, sir. But, what is it? I can help."

"Noah and the alley girl are leaving. You get ready. We'll secretly follow them."

Ocean's brow furrowed. "Follow them? For what, Sir?"

"I need to teach her a lesson."

***

"Sir, they're eating at that restaurant. Want to wait until they come out?" Ocean whispered.

Now Ocean and Grey were outside the restaurant. This restaurant was a little far from Grey's house. This restaurant was where Athena and Noah went in for breakfast.

Grey glared at Ocean. "Why whisper? We're in the car, they're inside. Can they hear?"

"Oh, yes. Sir is right."

Grey shook his head at that. Ocean could be so stupid sometimes - he thought. "Of course we'll wait. I can't stand it anymore. I have to teach that girl a lesson."

Grey then took something from the dashboard of his car and smiled after taking it and Ocean widened her eyes to see that what Grey took was a gun.

"S—Sir, you're going to kill her? But, you promised you wouldn't kill her. Mr. Noah will also be angry later. Are you sure?" asked Ocean frantically.

Grey was surprised to see what he was holding. "Not a gun. I was wrong. One moment."

Grey went back to picking up something on the dashboard of his car, while Ocean was relieved. However, Ocean's sigh of relief was choked off after seeing what Grey picked up next.

"Sir, did you make a mistake picking up again?" Ocean asked in confirmation.

Grey shook his head. "No. Not wrong."

"What do you want to do, Sir?" asked Ocean frantically. What Grey was holding was a bottle of black water that Ocean thought was poison water or something similar.

Grey himself smirk. "What else? Pouring this water on the woman, of course. I'm sure she'll be embarrassed to meet Noah afterward. She won't be so arrogant and act as she pleases in front of me anymore. Hopefully, she'll be deterred, you alley girl!"