Chapter 14: Chapter Thirteen

Athena

The next morning, I find someone shaking my body rapidly. My eyebrows furrow in confusion as I groan loudly—pushing him away from me. His hand moves away from my body, but within seconds, it came back. 

My eyes shot open, seeing Alex leaning down toward me—eyes pierced into mine. I push his face, and he groans before pushing my hand away. I can see him trying to fix his hair, and I let out a smirk of satisfaction, ''What do you want?'' I ask, feeling slightly annoyed.

''I'm going out. I'll be back in a few hours.'' He says, crossing his arms.

I narrow my eyes, ''You don't have to wake me up, you know that, right? You could have just left a note or something. Oh wait, why not say or leave nothing at all because I don't fucking care.'' Pulling the pillow to my face—covering my ears so that I won't hear a thing.

Unfortunately, they didn't exactly block me from hearing, ''God, what an annoying little—'' He mutters under his breath, and he stops before he could finish his sentence. I hear him let out a deep sigh. After a few seconds, I hear him walking out, and just like that, the sound of the door locking was heard. Somehow it sounds like music to my ears.

The front door was locked.

I smile unknowingly—closing my eyes, letting myself drift into my beauty sleep. 

When it felt like hours, I finally force myself to wake up and head toward the kitchen. I am in my oversized shirt, which covers my upper thigh. It hangs loose and low. Me being the clever me, I wear shorts underneath just in case Alex tries to peek at what's inside. Who knows? He's a man—a man has needs. Quote that.

I take out a glass of water, and I take a few sips as I watch the view of the swimming pool from the kitchen. It looks like it's inviting me and calling me to come in. To dive. To skinny dip. I keep drinking the water and let the fluid go down my throat, making me feel relief.

My free hand touches my hair, slowly combing the knots out. When the water is finished, I put the glass in the sink—leaving it there. I pull both of my hands up, stretching, and let out a deep breath. I would do this every morning, trying to release. 

The front door unlocked.

At the sound of the front door open, I know it's Alex. I didn't turn around to check as I hear his footsteps. I smirk, even though he couldn't see me. I hear him putting something on the ground, ''You're back a little bit early.'' I say as I turn around, meeting a pair of light brown eyes that indeed doesn't belong to Alex.

My eyes widen at the figure in front of me. Dark, messy brown hair covering a little bit of his forehead. They are in loose curls, which compliments his lightly tanned skin. My mouth hangs open at sight. His eyes widen at me, studying my body. It took me a while to realize that my long legs are completely exposed. 

''W—who are you?'' I stutter, holding the kitchen counter behind me. 

The man blinks a few times before eye raping me. I didn't move, not a slight bit. Whoever he is and how he got in, I don't want to know. I slowly find myself sitting on the counter, lifting my legs afterward, getting away from the stranger as far as possible.

''Um—'' He frowns, walking toward me. 

''Stay away,'' I muttered, loud enough for him to hear me even though it came out more like a snake hissing. He seems to understand—the stops walking and put both of his hands up.

''Well, this isn't a great introduction, but I'm Liam.'' He smiles, showing off his left dimple. I can't help but agree that he looks cute. I always have a thing for guys with dimples, and I just can't help myself when I find one. 

''It doesn't matter who you are.'' I shake my head, removing my thoughts, ''Why are you here?'' 

Liam seems shocked, but he covers it up with a chuckle, ''You ask me who am I, I told you my name, and oh, it doesn't matter why I'm here.'' His voice came out hoarse, but I find it sexy. No, no, Athena, get rid of that thought! This stranger in front of you might end up doing bad things to you! I thought. 

''Get out.'' I stand on both feet, holding out a spoon toward his direction. Not the best weapon, but who knows, it might help. I furrow my eyebrows at the spoon, and I find him staring at me in amusement, ''I said, get out.'' I continue, starting to feel a little bit confused. 

He puts both of his hands back up in surrender, ''Whoa whoa, you're not going to attack me with a spoon, aren't you?'' I hear him let out a light chuckle, ''Come on, Athena put the spoon down.'' 

I move toward him, shoving the spoon, but he manages to move his head, ''How the hell do you know my name?'' I ask. 

Liam smiles, showing his white straight teeth, ''I have my ways.'' 

''Get out!'' I say, this time louder before pushing his shoulder. He manages to pull me with him when I push him harder. I scream in surprise as I trip on his feet, making me fall with him on the floor. I fall on top of him, and both of my palms are on his hard chest. My mouth opens widely, letting out a few breaths. 

The spoon falls to the ground, and I see it quite far from me. I feel Liam's hand on my waist or more like on my butt. I groan—trying to free myself, and just in time, when I was about to stand up, another figure appears at the door. 

''What the—'' A familiar voice spoke. 

Liam and I both look up to find Alex standing at the front door, one hand holding his phone to his ear and another holding a paper bag. We both stood there in silence. None of us make a move. Liam seems to grip harder onto my butt, which looks like he is squeezing them, and I yelp a little. Alex looks down at Liam's hand, and he put the phone down, ''What the hell, Liam?'' He says, glaring at the man underneath me. 

My hands are shaking, but I couldn't move away from him.

''You see... she fell,'' Liam replies, there isn't a hint of fear in his voice. He replies calmly. 

''She fell?'' Alex raises an eyebrow, ''So that explains the position? She on top of you, you underneath her, your hand squeezing her ass—'' He goes on and on until I push myself away from Liam, removing his hand from my bottom. 

''You're home early.'' I change the subject, and Alex stops talking. He seems a little bit surprised at my question. I look down to see Liam is now sitting up straight, running his fingers through his hair. 

''I've been gone for five hours.'' Alex clenches his jaw before stepping in and closing the door behind him. He looks down at Liam before walking toward me to put the paper bag on the kitchen counter, ''So you have met Liam.'' Our eyes never leaving. 

''Yeah, you can say that,'' I reply awkwardly. I cross my legs a little, trying to cover them, and I can see Alex caught me being uncomfortable when he looks down at what I'm wearing. He clenches his jaw once more, letting out a sigh. 

''Go change.'' He says out of nowhere. 

''W—what?'' I raise an eyebrow at him.

He walks toward me, crossing his arms until we are close enough. I feel his forearm near my chest as I back up a little, ''Go change, Athena. He's eye raping you.'' And with that, I turn to look at Liam, who is eyeing my butt. When Liam caught me looking, he looks away, clearing his throat.

''I'll wait at the back.'' Liam suddenly says as he walks out toward the swimming pool.

When he's gone, I let out a sigh of relief, ''Who is he?'' I ask Alex.

''A friend.'' He replies, putting his phone beside the paper bag and unbuttoning his coat, leaving him in his dark-colored shirt, ''He's in my team. He was there at the wedding, but he left a little bit early. You didn't get to meet him. Actually—'' He rubs his chin, ''You didn't get to meet any of my teammates.'' 

I nod, crossing my arms, but my hands are wrapping on my arm.

''So you went out with him?'' 

Alex sits on the seat. Right now, his height is the same as mine. He looks straight at me, ''Yeah, we went out for coffee.'' I look at him to find him looking at every inch of my face, my forehead, my eyebrows, my eyes, my nose, my cheeks, and last but not least, my lips. He pays attention longer at my lips before looking into my brown eyes again. 

''O—okay.'' I gulp—starting to feel uncomfortable as he keeps on staring. 

''How did he end up touching your butt?'' He suddenly asks with a frown on his face. I can't help but let out a chuckle. He raises an eyebrow at me, confused. ''What's so funny?'' 

''Nothing.'' I shake my head, ''Why do you care, anyway?'' I click my tongue, letting out another chuckle. 

Alex shrugs, ''I don't know. He gets to touch your butt, and I don't?'' And that's when I roll my eyes at him, ''Don't worry.'' He continues, ''I'll get my turn.'' His last word came out more like a whisper, but he meant it for me. He knows I heard it, and he wanted me to hear it. I snort at him, knowing that he likes to tease me, but at least he doesn't bring up the part where I'm a virgin. 

When I was in high school throughout my senior year, the mean girls found out that I was still a virgin, so they hang papers on the wall saying that I need to get laid. They even put my number, and the main topic was Virgin For Sale. I know, horrifying. I manage to get through it until I graduate; I don't really see any of them anymore. 

I want to spit on their faces if they find out I married a famous footballer.

''You won't touch these babies, okay,'' I whisper seductively at him as I touch my butt with both of my hands. I look at him, and he is looking at my butt, gulping at the view. I know he tries to control himself when his eyes turn a bit darker. I move away from touching my butt and take a few steps away.

''Go change.'' That was all he said before walking out to the swimming pool, meeting up with Liam. 

Oh well, did I make it hard for him?

I change into a long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants before walking downstairs. When I reach the living room, I see that Liam and Alex talk about something as they laugh. Seeing Alex laugh is an incredible sight. He laughs like he has no problem in the world. His blue eyes shine whenever he laughs. 

I walk straight ahead when I find them clearing their throats. They change the channel so that they are watching football. Footballers watching football. Liam turns his head, and our eyes meet instantly. He eyes down my body before looking up at me with a smile. I'm not sure if it's a smirk or a smile, but I look away. 

I sit down at the chair quite far from them. I pick up the cushion pillow from the side and put it on my lap. When I look up, I see that Liam is still looking at me while Alex is paying attention to the TV. I furrow my eyebrows, and Liam mimics my expression. I roll my eyes, and he did the same when I look back at him. 

''Cut it out,'' I mouthed at him, and he repeats after me. 

I groan lightly, and he did the same, ''Stop it.'' I say once more, and all he does is mimic me. 

''Liam, stop.'' My eyes widen at him before sending one of my scariest glares, but he repeats the same. I groan in frustration before letting both of my hands up in the air. He did the same after a few seconds, and this time, I ignore him completely. 

When I turn to look at him again, he looks back at me.

''Liam,'' I say, only enough for him to hear.

''Athena.'' He repeats, a smirk appears on his face.

Before both of us could say anything, Alex moves a little, ''Stop looking at my wife, Liam.'' He rubs the bridge of his nose for a few seconds before paying attention to the TV again. 

Liam's eyes widen before trying to hold back his laughter. I did the same—afraid if Alex might hear us. Liam's eyes start to water, and I started to laugh again when I find his face reddens, his eyes opening wide as he keeps on covering his laughter. 

I look at Alex and find him staring at me. My laughter dies immediately. He is just staring at me intensely. Liam still hasn't realized that—not until he saw that I stopped laughing. He stops for a while to look at Alex, and he went dead silent at once.

''What's so funny?'' Alex raises an eyebrow at Liam, ''Care to share?'' 

''Um—'' Liam rubs the back of his neck, ''Nothing, man.'' 

''There must be something. Right, Athena?'' Alex turns to look at me this time. 

I shifted uncomfortably, ''N—nothing. Liam's right.'' I mutter. 

Alex doesn't seem satisfied, but he looks away, completely ignoring us. Once in a while, he would glance in my direction, but I manage to stay completely still, watching football. I don't know how he manages to watch it in silence, but I can't. I wanted to curse, scream, cheer, but I can't. I control all of those, and I hold hard on the couch. 

Liam is now just leaning his head against the couch, watching football with Alex. 

I stand up, ''Where are you going?'' Alex and Liam ask at the same time. I stare at both of them, dumbfounded. They seem to realize, and they start to glance at each other before clearing their throats. 

I start to make my way, ''Athena.'' But they call out my name. At the same time. I turn around and find Alex glaring at Liam. Liam runs his hand through his hair, looking away. 

''Do you guys need anything?'' I ask. 

''Nope.'' They both answer at the same time. 

I wanted to laugh, but I nod and walk away toward the kitchen. What is their problem anyway? I smile to myself before walking back toward the living room with a glass of water. Liam is now sleeping as he snuggles up close to Alex. I can't help but laugh silently. 

Alex realizes that Liam is gripping hard on him, and he starts to push Liam away, but Liam won't budge. Alex sighs, ''What?'' He asks.

''Nothing.'' I laugh, ''You two are a great couple.'' 

He rolls his eyes before we both went silent once more. 

''Simon arranged something,'' Alex says after a few minutes. Liam has been snoring lightly, and I find it cute that he keeps on gripping hard onto Alex's arm. 

''What is it?'' 

''A photoshoot.'' Alex shrugs.

''A photoshoot?'' 

''Yeah, for both of us. We have a photoshoot for the front cover of Top magazine. They wanted the fresh face of newly-weds.'' He continues, ''And for the time being, it's you and me.'' 

''I don't know how...'' I mutter as I look down at the glass in my hand.

''It's simple, Marissa will help you out.'' 

I nodded, and without me realizing it, I am pouting. Alex is staring at me or more like staring at my lips. I frown, ''What?'' I ask him.

''If Liam is not gripping hard onto me, I swear, I would have ravished you endlessly.'' He says, and somehow his voice sounded sexier at the words he spoke.

My cheeks heated up, and I know they start to become red. I look down, avoiding his eyes. Liam moves a bit in his sleep before completely opening his eyes, ''Did I miss something?'' He looks around.

''No, go back to sleep.'' Alex touches Liam's eyelids before forcing them to close.

Liam groans, but he snuggled closer and closed his eyes anyway. I can't help but smile to myself. 

''I never thought you were gay,'' I mutter lightly.

Both Liam and Alex move away from each other. My eyes widen when I see them sitting far from each other, ''For fuck's sake, I rather go all gay for Channing Tatum than this dickhead.'' Liam grumbles.

Alex rolls his eyes after glaring long enough at Liam.