Chapter 112

Chapter 112
I slowed down, letting my feet drop gently off the treadmill. My shirt clung to my back, soaked with sweat, and my breath came in short, warm puffs. My heart was pounding from the run. I reached into my bag for my water bottle and took a few sips, letting the cold liquid cool the heat burning in my chest.
Just as I pulled the bottle away from my lips, I noticed something odd. Athena had stepped off her treadmill too.
She reached out to grab her water bottle the same way I did. Same timing. Same movement. Her eyes avoided mine, but I could feel her watching me.
Why was she acting like that?
Something about her presence made me uneasy. It didn't sit right. There was this weird energy between us. This gym wasn't anywhere near her house, so what exactly was she doing here?
I capped the bottle and slid it back into my bag. Then I lowered myself onto the bench, pretending to adjust my shoelaces. But I wasn't thinking about my shoes, I was watching her.
Athena twisted her body and stretched the same way I had just done. She wiped her forehead when I did. She leaned down to touch her toes, just like me.
She was copying me. Not even subtly. Every move I made, she did it right after.
I stood up, heart beating faster now, not from the workout, but from the sudden tension crawling under my skin.
I turned to her slowly and narrowed my eyes, my voice firm.
"What is it, Athena?"
She looked up quickly, caught off guard. "What, ma'am?" she asked with a fake, innocent tone.
I took a step closer, not breaking eye contact.
"Why are you copying me? What is it with you?" I asked, clearly annoyed.
She laughed nervously, and her fingers instantly went to her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear like she was trying to stay calm.
"No... I'm not copying you," she replied with a shaky laugh.
"Then why are you here?" I snapped, arms folded. "Of all the gym houses in this entire city, why did you choose this one?"
She hesitated. Just for a second. But I saw it.
"Well... that's because... I exercise here," she said, forcing a smile.
I scoffed.
"You do?" I raised a brow. "Athena, if I can remember clearly, your house is nowhere near this area. So cut the lie and tell me...what are you really doing here? Are you spying on me?"
She looked stunned, her eyes darting.
I stepped closer. "Let me guess... Jayden asked you to track me down, right?"
"What!" Athena gasped. "That's not true!"
She threw her arms up, clearly trying to defend herself. "Ugh! Fine," she sighed. "I'll be out with the entire truth."
I kept staring, not blinking.
She looked down for a second and then back at me. "The truth is... this gym house belongs to Sir Jayden."
My heart skipped.
"What?" I said sharply. "That's a lie."
"No, it's not," she said calmly. "It's the truth. He bought this place a few months ago. It's become pretty popular. Lots of celebrities come here just because it's his property. And... he exercises here himself."
I froze, trying to absorb that.
She continued, "So me being his personal assistant makes it normal for me to be here. I came with him this morning. I actually hate working out," she said with a small chuckle. "This isn't really my thing."
Her words echoed in my ears.
Jayden.
He was here.
Right here. In this same building.
"Wait!" I asked in a low voice. "Jayden is here?"
She paused, like she had said too much. Her eyes flicked to the ceiling, and then she smiled lightly at me.
"That's right," she said. "The only way to know the truth is to get her out of here," she whispered under her breath, then looked back up. "Yes. He is here. That's why I'm here."
Her smile widened a bit, and I could see a faint smugness behind it.
"I'm actually really happy I ran into you," she added, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I had gone out earlier to grab some snacks. I'm so full now, I feel useless trying to exercise." She laughed, rubbing her stomach.
I wasn't laughing.
Everything in me tensed. My mind was spinning in circles.
Jayden... was so close. Too close. My heart started racing again, but for an entirely different reason now.
"Oh, goodness," I mumbled to myself, panic rising in my chest. "I can't stand Jayden's sight. I need to get the hell out of here."
"Is everything alright?" Athena asked, her voice gentle but clearly watching me closely.
"Yes. Well, I should uhmm... excuse me. I'll be in the restroom," I replied quickly, trying to stay composed.
"I'll be here," she said softly, folding her arms. "Waiting for you. I was really hoping we could have a little moment today. I've missed you, ma'am."
I didn't answer. I just gave her a short nod and turned away.
My heart was thumping in my ears. I didn't want to see Jayden. I didn't even want to breathe the same air. And now... now he was just one hallway away.
I needed to leave before everything inside me broke loose.
I rushed into the restroom, pushing the door closed behind me as my hands trembled. My breath caught in my throat. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, my face was pale, and my heart raced so fast as though it would jump out of its socket at the next beat.
I splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm down, but my heart wouldn't slow. The thought of Jayden being just a few feet away made me feel sick. I didn't want to see him. Not like this. Not ever, if I could help it.
As I leaned over the sink, gripping the edge tightly, I had no idea that outside, Athena was already moving.
She stood up slowly, a calm look on her face. She opened her gym bag and took out her water bottle. Her eyes darted left and right, scanning the gym floor as if making sure no one was watching.
With slow steps, she walked toward the restroom.
She stood just outside the door, her hands steady as she uncapped the bottle. And then... she tilted it carefully.
The cold water streamed out onto the smooth tiles, forming a wide puddle just at the entrance. She watched it spread, then quickly turned back, returning to her treadmill with a calm, satisfied look.
Back inside, I took one last deep breath, grabbed a tissue to dab my forehead, and opened the restroom door.
I took one step out.
And everything happened so fast.
My foot landed in the water.
My legs slipped from under me.
I lost control and I came crashing real hard on the hard wet floor.
"Ahhh!" I screamed, crashing hard onto the floor. The cold tiles hit my back like stone, but the sharp twist in my ankle was what made me cry out louder. "What the fuck!! Who the fuck spilled water on the floor?! Ouch!! That hurts...my leg!" I screamed.
Pain shot through me. It felt like something tore. My ankle throbbed, and tears stung my eyes.
From across the gym, Athena came running, pretending to be surprised.
"Stop! Don't move, there's water on the floor!" she called out as she rushed closer.
I winced. "Really?! Are you okay?" she added, crouching a little.
I groaned and tried to move, but the pain was too much. "I think I sprained my leg... it hurts."
"Okay, don't panic. I'll come help you up. Just hold on."
"Be careful, Athena," I warned through gritted teeth. "I don't want you getting hurt too."
"It's okay. I will," she said gently.
She stepped around the puddle with care and came to my side. I reached out, grabbing her hand tightly as she helped pull me up. I winced and bit my lip to keep from crying out again. My hand instinctively went around her shoulder as I leaned into her for support.
She wrapped one arm around my waist and helped me limp to the chair. Every step felt like needles stabbing into my foot.
Once we got there, she slowly lowered me into the seat.
"Let me see," Athena said, crouching in front of me. Her fingers touched my ankle gently, but even that light touch made me flinch.
"Easy!" I hissed. "It hurts bad."
She looked up at me, her eyes wide with concern. "We shouldn't waste any more time. I think we should get it treated immediately. I wouldn't want it getting worse."
I nodded, still catching my breath. "Yes... you're right. Let's go."
"Okay. One minute. Let me grab your bag," she said, standing up quickly.
I watched her go and felt a dull ache not only in my ankle but in my heart. Something felt so strange. Something wasn't adding up... but I couldn't place it. Maybe it was the pain clouding my mind.
When she came back, she was holding my bag and looking ready to go.
"I'll drive you home," she said.
"What?" I blinked.
"Do you have anyone around to take you home?" she asked gently.
I shook my head slowly. "No... I don't."
"Then let me drive you," she said with a soft smile. "Before Sir Jayden comes out and finds out what happened."
The mention of his name made my heart skip again. No. I couldn't let him see me like this. Broken. Hurt. Angry. Vulnerable.
"Yes," I said quickly. "You're right. Let's go."
She helped me back onto my feet and steadied me. Her arm was firm around my waist, and I leaned against her for balance, limping slowly.
As we moved out of the gym together, the pain in my leg made me flinch with every step, but what hurt even more... was the heavy feeling in my chest.
I didn't want to cry, but the burning in my eyes told me I was close.
Athena was quiet. Her grip never loosened. She walked slowly, patiently, until we reached the parking lot.
We got to my car.
She opened the passenger door and helped me in gently. I winced again as I adjusted my leg.
She closed the door, walked around, and slid into the driver's seat.
And as she started the car, I stared out the window, holding back tears.
Something inside me was telling me this wasn't just a slip. This wasn't just an accident.
Something told me Athena wasn't as sweet and innocent as she pretended to be.
But for now... all I could do was breathe through the pain.