Chapter 53: Chapter Fifty Two

Athena

A few days had passed, and I remained curled up at the edge of my bed, gripping a stack of ominous cards. Each one carried a simple yet chilling message: I'm watching you, Athena. Bellemond Suite? How’s that working out for you?

The latest had arrived that morning, slipped under the door in an unmarked envelope. My hands trembled as I reread the words, a cold knot tightening in my stomach. I hadn't stepped outside in days, too afraid of what might be waiting beyond these four walls.

A sudden knock at the door jolted me. My pulse spiked.

"Athena? It’s me," Eros’ voice came through. "Open up."

Relief crashed over me. I scrambled off the bed and unlocked the door. Eros stepped inside, his sharp gaze sweeping over me. I knew I looked exhausted—dark circles under my eyes, hair unkempt. He frowned and pushed the door wider, stepping inside.

"You look terrible." He remarked.

"Thanks," I muttered, folding my arms.

He sighed, shutting the door behind him. "You haven’t been answering my calls. What’s going on?"

Wordlessly, I handed him the cards. Eros flipped through them, his jaw tightening with each one. By the last, his fingers curled around the edges as if resisting the urge to crush them.

"When did this start?" His voice was low, edged with danger.

"Three days ago. They just keep coming. I don’t know who’s sending them." I answered.

"This isn’t Scarlett’s handwriting," he muttered, studying the handwriting. "The first note wasn’t hers either—she was just a messenger."

I swallowed hard. "I don’t feel safe, Eros. I’m scared to even step outside this room. Graham has been supportive, but... there’s only so much he can do." I told him.

Eros exhaled sharply, his expression hardening. "I’m going to get to the bottom of this. I’ll talk to the reception staff, the security personnel—maybe something will turn up in the CCTV footage. Has Graham noticed anything suspicious?"

I shook my head. "No. But I feel like I’m being watched."

Wrapping my arms around myself, I tried to shake off the invisible weight pressing down on me. Eros set the letters carefully on my desk before stepping closer.

"You should have told me sooner," he said firmly, his gaze locking onto mine.

"What could you have done?" I shot back, fear and frustration bubbling over. "Call the police? They’d say there’s no real threat. I didn’t want to waste your time."

"Athena," he ground out, his voice tight with restrained anger, "your safety is never a waste of my time."

I looked away. "I thought maybe they’d stop. But now… I’m too scared to even step outside." My voice barely rose above a whisper.

His hands clenched at his sides before he exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm. "We’re in this together, Athena. You can bother me anytime." His voice softened just slightly. "I won’t let anything happen to you. We’ll find out who’s behind this—besides Scarlett."

I pressed my lips together. I wanted to believe him. But fear had a way of making everything uncertain.

Eros pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "I’ll have someone watch your place for now, but that’s not enough. You need to learn how to protect yourself."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I’m taking you to the martial arts school where I trained. My uncle taught me everything I know. He can help you too."

I blinked at him, my brows knitting together in disbelief. "You want me to fight?" A nervous laugh escaped me. "Eros, I can barely carry a heavy grocery bag."

He crossed his arms. "I don’t expect you to fight—I expect you to defend yourself. If whoever sent these messages comes for you, I want you to be ready."

I hesitated, doubt creeping in. "I don’t know… I’ve never done anything like that."

Eros stepped closer, his voice steady. "That’s why I’m going to teach you. You trust me, don’t you?"

Silence settled between us. I hesitated, staring at the floor. The idea of learning to fight felt foreign, but the thought of staying trapped in fear was unbearable.

I met his gaze, searching for reassurance. Eros had always been a steady force, someone I could rely on when everything else was falling apart. Slowly, I nodded.

"Okay. I’ll do it."

A small, approving smile played on his lips. "Good. Get dressed. We’re leaving now."

\~~~~~

An hour later, Eros and I arrived at a martial arts academy tucked away in a quiet part of town. A black and gold sign hung above the entrance in elegant cursive: Eli’s Martial Arts Academy. The moment we stepped inside, the sharp scent of sweat, leather, and padded mats filled the air, making my nerves twist in my stomach.

A few students were already practicing, their movements swift and controlled under the watchful eye of an older man. The sound of grunts and bodies hitting the mats echoed through the space. As Eros and I entered, the man turned toward us, a grin spreading across his face.

"Eros! It’s been a while, boy," Elias Belmonte greeted.

"Too long, Uncle Eli," Eros replied, shaking his uncle’s hand with a small smile. "I've been busy."

"Hmph. That’s what they all say," Eli drawled, then shifted his attention to me. "And this young lady? Your girlfriend?"

Eros rolled his eyes. "This is Athena. She needs to learn self-defense. We’re friends."

"If you say so," Eli murmured with a knowing smile before turning to me, offering me a nod. "Nice to meet you, Athena."

"Likewise, sir," I said, feeling slightly out of place. My gaze flickered between him and Eros, then hesitated before adding, "Forgive me for prying, but... you look a lot like Eros's father."

"I'm his twin brother. The black sheep of the family," Eli replied with a casual shrug.

"Wow," I said, caught off guard, and unsure of what else to add. "Um... congratulations?"

Eli threw his head back with a laugh. "I like her already," he told Eros before turning back to me. His sharp gaze swept over me, assessing. "First time?"

"Yes, sir." I admitted with a nod.

He studied me for a moment longer. "She looks scared."

I stiffened. "I am." I confessed.

He nodded approvingly. "Good. Fear keeps you alert. But it won’t save you in a fight." Then he chuckled, gesturing toward the mats. "Well, you’re in good hands. Eros was one of my best students. Let’s see what we’re working with."

"We'll go change, Uncle," Eros said.

"I’ll be here," Eli replied.

Eros led me to the female locker room, where he instructed one of the staff members to give me a training uniform. Then, with a nod, he disappeared to change as well. A few minutes later, dressed in the unfamiliar training gear, I followed Eros back to the training area.

I hesitated at the edge of the mat, glancing at him. He gave me an encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward.

"First lesson: awareness," Eli began. "Your stance, your balance—everything matters. If you get attacked, the way you react could mean the difference between getting away and getting hurt."

I swallowed hard and nodded.

"We’ll start slow," Eros added. "I’ll show you a few moves, then we’ll practice."

I met his gaze. "Okay. I’m ready."

He smirked. "We’ll see about that."

Just then, someone called Eli over, leaving me alone with Eros. At first, I felt relieved—until I saw the shift in his expression. His usual playfulness vanished, replaced by the intense focus of a teacher.

"First rule—never hesitate," he said firmly. "If someone attacks, you strike first."

I let out a nervous laugh. "What if I miss?" I asked.

"Then you strike again," he replied, smirking.

Stepping closer, he adjusted my hands and positioned my stance properly.

"Balance is everything," he continued. "If you’re off-balance, you’re an easy target."

I tried mimicking his posture but wobbled slightly. Without a word, Eros reached out, his hands firm but gentle as he adjusted my stance.

"Relax. Trust yourself."

I took a deep breath, nodding. "Okay," I murmured.

"Let’s start with something simple—how to break free if someone grabs you."

Eros reached for my wrist lightly, demonstrating as he spoke. "If someone grabs you, don’t pull away. That’s what they expect. Instead, move toward them. Like this—"

I tried to follow his lead but fumbled, my movements hesitant and unsure. Frustrated, I let out a sigh and rubbed my temples.

"I can’t do this, Eros. I’m not strong like you," I admitted.

He placed his hands firmly on my shoulders, his gaze steady. "Strength isn’t just about muscle. It’s about mindset. You’re stronger than you think." he said, his voice steady.

I clenched my jaw and tried again, but my hands still shook. Doubt crept in, wrapping around my thoughts like a vice.

"What if I freeze when it matters? What if I can’t fight back?" My voice wavered, panic rising in my chest.

"Then you die."

His words landed like a slap, cold and sharp. I blinked at him, stunned. There was no softness in his expression, no sugarcoating. Just cold, hard truth.

"The people who sent those letters…" His voice dropped, quieter but no less intense. "They don’t just want to scare you. They want to control you. And if you let fear win, they succeed. Is that what you want?"

"No," I whispered, shaking my head.

"Then get up and try again."

I gritted my teeth, swallowing hard and obeyed, pushing through the hesitation. At first, I fumbled. Again and again, but Eros's patience was unwavering, correcting my form, guiding me through each motion. After several tries, something clicked. I twisted my wrist, slipping out of his grip in one smooth motion.

"I did it!" My voice was breathless, a mix of surprise and exhilaration.

Eros smirked. "See? You’re a fast learner."

For the first time in days, a flicker of confidence stirred inside me. I wasn’t helpless. I wasn’t weak. I could fight back.

"Teach me more," I said, my determination solidifying.

Eros grinned. This was just the beginning.