Chapter Forty-seven

Athena

Alex covers my eyes with his hand, not letting me see through anything. I hold onto one of his fingers, trying to peek, but he continues to lead me the way by walking behind me—more like I'm leading the way. Feels like a blind person leading a fully-functional person. ''No peeking, princess.'' He says, making me drop both of my hands to my side, sighing.

''It's been hours,'' I complain.

''It's been ten minutes.'' I hear him chuckle from behind me, and within seconds, I feel his chest right on my back. I stiffen immediately, waiting for him to do anything further. What does he have in mind? What kind of surprise has he prepared? ''Stay still.'' He reminds before slowly removing his hand. I keep my eyes closed, somehow unable to open them.

''Um, can I open my eyes now?'' I ask.

''Slowly.'' He replies, and I do as told. I open my eyes, and I see a telescope right in front of my eyes. It stood there, near the balcony. My eyes widen at the object. I feel him wrapping his arms around my waist before kissing me on the cheek, ''Do you like it?'' His lips brushing against my earlobe before slowly unwrapping his arms.

''You bought this?'' I walk forward, touching the telescope, and a smile appears on my lips immediately. ''This is amazing,'' I mutter under my breath—somehow astonished by it.

No wonder he kept me busy during the day by taking me to a restaurant near the other side, and he was being oblivious about what's happening. He even took me out to shop for some unnecessary clothes, which he knew weren't even useful. Not just that, he even makes us walk all the way without even wanting to drive because he said it wouldn't be that far when it was indeed far.

''It's yours,'' Alex says, and my eyes widen at him before pointing at the telescope. I mutter, mine? And he tilts his head, ''Why do you seem surprised? It's yours, Athena. I bought it for you, and you can have it. You can keep it.'' He plays with the tips of my hair as I continue to run my hand on the telescope.

''Try it.'' He adds.

I quickly look through the telescope, and I keep looking through, but I can't see anything. Sighing, I back away from it and look up at a smirking Alex, ''So, what do you think?'' He asks.

Crossing my arms, ''I can't even see anything.'' I shrug, somehow disappointed that he tried to trick me, but the look on his face shows how he doesn't understand what I'm saying.

''What do you mean that you can't even see anything?'' Then he pushes me softly before looking through the telescope. I take my time to look around and see how he had hung up a few lights to make it more romantic. I smile to myself as I see the effort he was putting.

He looks away from the telescope before removing the lid. Then he turns to look at me, but I just shrug before pushing him out of the way and take my turn to look through the telescope. I close one of my eyes and focuses on the sky. My jaw drops to the ground when I see a shining star right in the middle. ''Alex! Come here.'' I reach out my hand, trying to pull his shirt, and once I get a grasp on it, I pull him closer.

''You have to see this,'' I say excitedly.

Without me realizing it, I wrap my arm around his waist as he looks through the telescope. Once I see the smile on his face, I know he had seen the shining star. He backs away, smiling down at me. His smile changes into a broader smile and starts to reveal his teeth.

I realize that I'm holding his waist, so I immediately let go—earning a sigh from him, but he pulls me closer by the hips, seductively holding me near my butt, ''Do you think I'm romantic now?'' He asks, making me chuckle.

''By buying me a telescope and for letting me see a stunning star up close?'' I lift one of my hands, placing it under my chin and pretending to think, ''Well, you might consider yourself half-romantic.''

''Half-romantic?'' He raises an eyebrow before pulling me closer—closing the space between us. I feel his warm breath on the bridge of my nose, so I immediately swallow the lump in my throat, ''You're heating up.'' He whispers. It's weird how sometimes I still can't get used to being close to him. It's just something that I have to learn to get used to. Being with him, he likes to touch me and being close almost all the time.

''I guess it's pretty hot outside,'' I reply as I keep on staring at his chest—not bothered to look up at his face.

''Sure it is.'' He says sarcastically. Then he pulls my body entirely close, hugging me tightly around the waist by placing his chin on top of mine. I slowly wrap my arms around his back and put my face on his chest. ''I'm thankful that I met you.'' He mutters softly before pecking me on the head.

We both stay in each other's embrace, not wanting to end the tingles that we're feeling. I notice how he gets comfortable around me easily while it's quite challenging for me, but I'm trying. Trying to go easy when I'm with him.

Opening my eyes, I didn't realize that I manage to fall asleep in his arms. Not until I realize that I'm in bed and lying completely close next to him. His face is inches away from mine, and one of his hands is on my hips while the other is near my stomach. I stay still by watching his face—it's not that I haven't done this before, but it's something that I wouldn't get bored of.

Just watching him in his sleeping form how he loves being close to some source of heat whenever he's asleep without him realizing. He moves a little, pulling me closer toward him before letting out a sound from his mouth—he looks like a kid who's comfortably sleeping in his mother's arms.

I slowly lift his hand away from my body, and I climb up onto him, nearing my lips near his neck—making him snuggle closer to me. I run my hand on his shirt, trying to wake him up, but he continues to lay still, not even bothered by my touch.

Slowly, I lean in until our lips are brushing. Once we're close enough, I kiss him directly, but it's a passionless kiss. His mouth seems to open up slightly, and I continue to kiss him down to his neck, making him grab me by the waist immediately. I let out my laughter as he looks down at me sleepily once he turns us around.

He kisses me on the lips—passionately slow. I enjoy his kisses by pulling his face closer to mine. Lifting his shirt a bit, I receive a groan from him as he spontaneously places his hand directly onto my exposed abdomen. He grins at our kiss before kissing me down my neck, making me squirm at the sudden heat I'm feeling. Our breathing gets heavier as he takes my shirt off.

There's no sign of stopping when he starts kissing me down my ribs. I continue to pull his face up to mine, but he won't budge as he kisses down my stomach. Alex bites at one spot near my hipbones, making me wrap my legs around him in surprise.

As I take his shirt off, I immediately pull him up and kiss him on the lips again. He returns the kiss with the same rhythm—leaving me wanting more and more. He purposely let me support half of his weight on my body, making our skins touch.

When he starts to run his hands down my body, he stops immediately once we both heard the sound of the door closing downstairs. He looks up at me confusingly, and I look down at his swollen red lips. My lips curve up into a small smile when I see his hair looking messy than ever.

''Alex!'' I hear Edwin's voice calling out for Alex from downstairs. Alex sighs, placing his cheek on my stomach as he carelessly closes his eyes.

''What does he want now?'' I hear him ask.

''Maybe there's something important. You should go and see him,'' I reply. He lifts his head slowly while giving me one of his puppy eyes—trying to receive some sympathy, but I try my best to ignore him. As I stand up, he pulls me by the waist before planting kisses down my shoulder, and once he reaches my ticklish spot, he playfully leaves soft kisses there, making me hold back my chuckles.

''Alex, you home?'' I hear Edwin calls once more.

''No, I don't want to see him,'' Alex whispers near my ear before sucking at the spot on my neck. He continues to turn me on as he runs his hands on my thighs, purposely making me beg him to stay upstairs.

I push him away and try to breathe in some fresh air. He looks at me while pouting as he eyes every inch of my body. He smiles unknowingly before standing up and walking toward me. I walk away to the other side, ''No. You go downstairs and see your friend.'' I lift my index finger.

''With this?'' He points down at his pants, and I immediately look away once I realize what he's pointing. ''Um, I don't think so.''

''Solve that and go.'' I cross my arms, starting to feel uncomfortable at his bluntness.

''Well, I need your help with that.'' He winks, making me walk near the wall, but he continues to walk further.

''No, what if he walks upstairs and sees us?'' I say, trying to low my voice as possible. He shrugs, nearing me with every step. I lean my back against the wall once he's close enough.

''Just five minutes.'' He smiles like a kid who got candy for free before picking me up bridal style and quickly walking toward the other side of the bedroom, closing the door behind us as I let out soft chuckles from his kisses.

It was more than five minutes, let me tell you. We both walk down the stairs, and I see Edwin smoking a cigarette on the balcony. Alex gestures for me to get some food in my system while he talks with Edwin. I keep my eyes on him as I see him patting on Edwin's back and smiling widely before starting their conversation.

I turn on the television in the kitchen and open the fridge to see what's there to eat. The fridge seems packed, and I catch a glimpse of fresh kiwis at the back. I crouch before trying to pull them out slowly.

''One of New York City Police Department's prisoners managed to run away early last night. Meanwhile—'' I look up to the television immediately as I see the picture on the side, my legs go weak and my fingers seem to shake. Runaway? Last night? A picture of Jeremy couldn't possibly leave my mind—knowing that he ran away from jail.

I glance toward Alex's direction, seeing that he's laughing with Edwin at one of his jokes, before glancing toward my direction too. He smiles at me, and I fake a smile, trying to show him that everything's fine. I sigh deeply once I manage to look away from him. What if he finds me? What if he tries to hurt me again? How did he get away anyway? Isn't he under tight security for what he had done?

I've been staring at the kiwis in my hand as I stand there, thinking of my luck. Things might be going down again or might as well keep on going up. If he doesn't find me, everything's going to be alright. As long as the police find him first, then everything's okay.

Letting out a sigh once more, I put the kiwis on the kitchen counter as I look down, supporting my weight by pressing both of my palms on edge. I look closer to see my fingers endlessly shaking. Am I really that terrified of what he's capable of?

''Hey, what are you making?'' I hear Alex asking me as he enters the kitchen. I quickly get back to my senses as I take a knife from one of the drawers. Making eye contact with him, I see that he has a smile on his face—showing how today is just a great start for him.

''Kiwi juice,'' I reply, shortly. He nods his head and doesn't seem to find any sudden mood change or anything from me. It's hard to stop my fingers from shaking, knowing that if they continue to surprise, he will notice something's wrong.

''Actually, Edwin's here because he wanted to ask both of us out. Since I haven't been here in a while, he said he wanted to show me around, and since you've never been here, it's the same for both of us.'' Alex says that I accidentally cut the kiwi quite near my fingers without realizing it, which ends up cutting one of my fingers instead.

Dropping the knife immediately, catching Alex's attention. ''Shit,'' I mutter under my breath before pressing onto my finger, seeing a few drops of blood on the ground.

Alex stands up and rushes toward me. ''Hey, you alright?'' He asks before taking a clean towel from the bottom drawer. He grabs my finger slowly before wrapping the towel around it. I keep both of my eyes attached to my finger, afraid if he might see through my eyes and read me like an open book. ''Princess, are you—''

''—I'm fine.'' I cut him off before he even has the chance to ask me. Pressing hard onto my finger, I look up to see him watching my every move.

''If it's deep, we need to go and—'' He tries to speak, but I cut him off once more.

''—it's alright. It's just a cut.'' I reply, walking out of the kitchen. I see Edwin looking around in the living room as he watches me walk out with Alex trailing behind me. I walk up the stairs, ignoring Alex, who's busy calling out my name.

I close the bathroom door, and I immediately wash the cut. Biting hard onto my lower lip, trying to endure the pain. It stings. Once the blood has been clean off, I take a bandage from the first aid kit in one of the bathroom cabinets.

As soon as I step out of the bathroom, I see Alex sitting on the bed with both of his hands rubbing against one another. He looks up directly at my face before looking down at my finger. ''Are you sure you're okay?'' He asks, standing up near me.

''I'm fine, Alex. Stop worrying.'' I reply, a bit annoyed. It's not that I dislike when he asks me about my finger, but it's just the news that has been bothering me ever since.

He sighs, ''We could just stay home. Edwin can show us around tomorrow.''

I shake my head, ''No, it's just a cut. It's not a big deal. Don't cancel his plan for me.'' He looks down at me, and he seems to realize that I'm a bit angry at the slight change of tone in my voice.

''You're—''

''—I'm not angry! You should stop making this a big deal because it's not. It's just a freaking cut, so stop. I appreciate you worrying about me, but when I say that I'm fine, it means that I'm fine.'' I say a bit too rough, earning a surprised look from him. He looks down at me, and I see that one of his hands was reaching out for me, but he drops it to the ground.

''Suit yourself.'' I hear him mutter under his breath as he walks down the stairs, leaving me behind.

I walk down the stairs, and I see Alex passes Edwin with a grumpy look on his face. Edwin seems to realize what's going on with the two of us, so he just trails Alex. Alex slams the door to Edwin's truck, not even glancing toward my direction.

Edwin enters the car as I enter the backseat, looking at Alex's figure from behind. He is scrolling down his phone without uttering a single word. Edwin looks at Alex, and just like that, he starts the engine before changing the gear to reverse.

I've been staring at my own husband through the whole ride. I realize that we have arrived at the destination when he steps out of the car, leaving Edwin and me behind. Edwin sighs, ''Everything alright between you two? He's a bit grumpy.''

''Small argument,'' I reply before stepping out of the car.

Edwin follows afterward, and I look up to see a lighthouse. He looks at me and sees that I know nothing about this place, so he starts to speak up, ''Montauk Point Lighthouse, my favorite place if you ask. Alex's too, but he's just too moody to admit it right now.'' He says while pointing at Alex, who is right now way up the hill, walking all alone.

''Let's go,'' I say, and we both walk up to the lighthouse, following Alex's steps. When I see Alex not even sparing us a glance, I think it's best to start a conversation with Edwin—better to start than staying acquaintances. ''What's so special about this place?'' I ask, wanting to know why it's Alex's and his favorite spot.

''Well, to be honest, the view. For people who love the outdoors, it's a great place, but if you love being indoors, then it's not a place for you.'' I chuckle, and he joins me seconds after. ''But, mostly because I met my wife here.''

My eyes widen at his statement. Looking at his face, trying to search for lies but none, ''You're married?'' I ask, not quite believing.

''Why? Is it that hard to believe?'' He smiles, ''Same goes with Alex. I still see him as the guy who swore not to marry anyone until he's in his early thirties but look at him now. That bastard.'' He jokes, making me smile—knowing that Alex once swore about that.

''So, how's your wife?''

He sighs, and I look up, feeling the wind blowing directly onto my skin. ''She passed away with our baby.'' He replies, and I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. Passed away with his baby? Does that mean—

''I'm truly sorry,'' I mutter. He nods his head. ''I'm sorry, if I had known, I wouldn't have asked. Now I feel terrible.'' His face shows how much he loves his wife and how much he wants to see their newborn baby, but unfortunately, it ends differently.

''It's alright. Got used to it. She's been gone for three years now, and I've finally learned to live my life even though it was hard. I still get upset when people mention her, but you just got to accept the fact sometimes.'' He says.

''She must've been a wonderful woman,'' I say, patting onto his back.

He smiles widely before nodding, ''She's perfect. Too perfect.'' Then, he looks up at Alex, and I follow his gaze to see him sitting on the bench near the lighthouse, ''For whatever reason you guys are arguing about. try to give in for once in a while.''

I smile before walking toward him. Once I've reached closer, I tilt my head to see him looking down at the beach, enjoying the view. Alex seems to be ignoring everything around him except for the sound of the waves.

I know that he knows I'm here beside him, but he tries not to acknowledge me. ''Alex.'' I call out for his name, but he stays still, ''Alex.'' I call out once more but no, no sign of him wanting to look at me, ''Alexander.'' I call out for the last time before sighing, ''Are you really that mad at me?''

''No.'' He replies. Even though it was short, there was something other than nothing.

''Then why aren't you looking at me?'' I ask, and he turns to look at me. His eyes meeting mine, but they show nothing. It just shows how he's just upset at my sudden behavior. He obviously did nothing wrong, and he has the right to be angry at me, ''That's not how I want you to look at me.'' I mutter under my breath, breaking the eye contact.

He sighs, ''What's wrong with you?''

''Nothing's wrong with me.'' I lie. Mentally, I'm freaking out even though physically, I'm hiding it.

''You're a terrible liar.'' He replies, running his fingers through his hair. I look at him. It's crazy how everything could change in a blink of an eye. We were happy yesterday, filled with laughter and joys, but I can't even comprehend the word happy.

''The worse, to be honest.'' I shrug.

''You can tell me anything. You know that. Anything. So, why are you hiding it away from me? I know there's something wrong, something that you're not telling me but at least—''

I cut him off, ''—tell you that you're going to be a father?'' I cover up my smirk at the end, not wanting to make him know that I'm joking. Biting on my lower lip, I try my best to control my laughter. Nope, I'm going to see his expression first.

He looks at me confusingly, ''W—what?''

I keep quiet, only staring at him. He's staring back at me—not quite believing what I just said. ''You heard me.'' I shrug.

He moves closer toward me, ''Athena, are you serious—''

I couldn't hold back the laughter, so I clutch onto my stomach and let out my laughter, receiving a confused look from Alex, ''You should've seen the look on your face. You believed it, didn't you?'' I flash him one of my biggest grins, and he continues to stare at me blankly.

''Wait, let me get this straight, are you or are you not?'' He doesn't want to say the word pregnant. I smile at him as I shake my head, denying. ''This isn't funny. It's a serious matter.''

''I'm not, and yes, it was a little funny.''

His face doesn't ever change. Some guys might have shown relief all over their faces, but Alex shows nothing. No sign of relief or anything. He just looks down at my stomach before looking up at my face, ''Are you sure?'' He asks, trying to make sure.

''Yes, why are you so serious about it anyway? I got to make you talk to me somehow, and I found my chance, so why not use it.'' I reply.

He sighs, ''We were talking about something serious, and you just blow it off by adding—'' He stops for a while, ''—that? Was it necessary?''

I frown, ''What's wrong with that? It was just a joke.''

''I thought it wasn't a joke.'' He breathes out once he realizes what he just said. ''Don't joke around with things like that.'' I hear him say, and he leans his back against the bench.

Did he think it could've been real, or did he really want it to be real? I can't read his expressions, but then the thought of me actually having his child would've been insane, to be honest. Everything would change. Things would fast forward. Mom and dad would be thrilled but will Alex end the deal because he wants to or for the sake of his child? Lucky enough for both of us, it's not happening.

''Are you mad?'' I ask, breaking the silence.

''I told you, no.'' He replies, carelessly glancing toward me.

''I'm sorry. I know it was my fault for shouting at you. I know that you were just worried about me, but I—'' I immediately regain my thoughts, not going to say about Jeremy, ''—I was really, really okay. It was quite irritating how worried you were about me. I didn't think you would be that worried.''

He looks at me directly, and I stare into those blue eyes, ''You don't need to apologize. I'm just overreacting. I was distraught even though it was just a cut; it could've been worse.'' Then he wraps his arms around my shoulder, pulling me close.

I feel his warm lips on my cheek. Even the warmness of the wind could not comfort me like his lips. They have some sort of magic that could bring me jolts of electricity or waves of comfort.

''Edwin's probably watching right now,'' I say, and Alex looks behind us to see Edwin looking directly at both of us.

''About time. Now the three of us should walk around town without having a grumpy little lad.'' He says, earning a glare from Alex.

We manage to spend the day walking down the beach, and it was fun, I tell you. With Alex teasing me and running after me—it felt like we were teenagers who are madly in love with each other and couldn't stay away from one another. I feel that way whenever I'm with him. He makes me feel that way.

Edwin was just taking our picture or laughing at Alex's stupid jokes. Sometimes, Alex might go after Edwin and me because we purposely try to make him trip over the sand. We failed, obviously.

We were like different people. Every problem, every issue, they seem to fade away easily. With every laughter, those problems were solved. It felt that way.

Spending time with your loved ones or with your family and friends are the best. You get to realize how they're important to you, and it's almost impossible for you to let go. They fill your days with laughter and joy and might as well the sorrow from time to time.

I stop walking as I turn around to take a better look at the lighthouse from the beach. My eyes widen at a familiar figure staring back at me—making my eyes go wide immediately.

''Watch out!'' One of the guys who has been playing volleyball bumps me on the shoulder, making me trip back a little, but he grabs me by the waist—stopping me from falling. ''You alright? I'm sorry.'' The guy asks before slowly letting go.

I nod my head, ''It's okay, I'm fine.''

Alex walks closer toward me, and the guy nods his head before walking back to his friends. ''Everything okay?'' He asks, a bit worried, but I smile at him, assuring that everything is okay.

''Yeah,'' I answer.

''Okay then.'' He says. Edwin comes from behind, and he pushes his hair to the back before saying something to Alex—something that I don't bother to listen to as I look back up at the same spot. The figure is gone.

Was it my imagination, or was he really, really, there?