Chapter 59: Chapter Fifty Eight

Eros

I watched her walk away from the gym—head held high, eyes blazing with purpose.

She had no idea I’d followed her, staying in the background, just in case. I told myself it was for safety. A precaution. Logic.

But it was more than that.

Something inside me simply couldn’t stay away.

The way she stood her ground… the way she outmaneuvered Scarlett without even raising her voice…

God, she didn’t even realize how powerful she looked at that moment. And maybe that’s when it hit me—just how much she’d changed. How much I had changed. How differently I’d begun to see her.

She wasn’t just the girl I used to tease. Not just the clever, stubborn, fiery Athena I’d come to admire.

She was someone who made my chest ache—in the best and worst way.

Later, when she spotted me in the courtyard and gave me that small smile—the one only I ever seemed to get—it felt like sunlight breaking through a storm.

"You were right. It was a trap," she said, shaking her head.

Without thinking, I held out my hand. “Told you. High five?”

She laughed, and that sound—light, genuine—hit something deep inside me.

God, I could listen to that forever.

“You’re a force of nature, you know that?” I said.

She looked at me, eyes softer now. “And you’re my anchor. Honestly… without you, I’d be lost.”

I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. Because if I did, I might say too much.

So I just stood there, beside her, watching the wind tangle in her hair—watching the strength in her stance.

And I knew then: I’d do anything to protect that fire in her.

Even if it meant hiding the truth—that I was already falling for her.

The days that followed felt different.

Something had shifted between us. Subtle, but impossible to miss.

Her smiles lingered a little longer. Her eyes met mine more often, like she was searching for something. Maybe I was, too.

She started sitting closer. Our conversations grew longer—less about class, more about everything else. Music. Books. Dreams. Scars.

And when she laughed, it wasn’t just amusement—it was comfort. Ease. Trust.

One afternoon, as we walked back to the hotel after a short stroll—two of my bodyguards trailing a few steps behind—her hand brushed against mine. Neither of us pulled away.

“I think I’m finally done letting people dictate my story,” she said quietly.

“You should be,” I replied. “You’ve always held the pen. You just forgot you could write your own ending.”

She turned to me, eyes shining. “You always say things like that… like you actually believe in me.”

“I do,” I said simply.

The silence between us wasn’t empty—it was full. Charged. Warm.

Something was shifting. Neither of us had the words for it yet, but we felt it—growing, quietly and steadily.

And neither of us wanted it to stop.

******

Athena

I stood at the reception desk, brows drawn, fingers tightening around the strap of my bag.

“What do you mean my suite’s been reassigned?” I asked, my voice low but edged with sharp disbelief.

The hotel manager gave me a tight-lipped, apologetic smile. “We sincerely apologize, Miss Sanderson. A VIP guest required urgent accommodations, and unfortunately, your suite was the only one that met their specific security requirements.”

“And no one thought to inform me beforehand?” I muttered, casting a glance over my shoulder, half-expecting Eros to appear.

“Again, our sincerest apologies,” the manager said. “We’ve arranged to store your belongings until you secure alternate lodging—”

“I’ll handle it,” a deep voice interrupted from behind me.

I turned to see Eros approaching, calm and collected, hands tucked casually into his pockets as if this was just another minor inconvenience. Relief rushed through me.

“She’s coming with me,” he said simply.

I blinked. “Eros, you don’t have to—”

“I want to,” he said firmly, eyes locking with mine. “Let’s go.”

Silence stretched between us as we walked away, tension lingering in the air until I finally spoke.

“You didn’t have to swoop in like that.”

He glanced sideways at me. “I didn’t like the idea of you being stranded. That VIP—he always insists on that particular suite whenever he’s in the country. The hotel never says no.” he explained.

“I could’ve figured something out.”

“Maybe,” he said with a casual shrug. “But I didn’t want you to.”

I turned my gaze to the window, thoughtful. “So… where are we going?”

His jaw tightened slightly. “Back to Beatrix’s.”

My head snapped toward him, my eyes wide with shock. “What?”

“She agreed to let you stay.” He said.

“She agreed?” I echoed, disbelief thick in my voice. “That doesn’t sound like her.”

Eros smirked faintly. “It wasn’t her idea. I just didn’t give her much of a choice.”

My expression softened. “You really went out of your way for me.”

“I didn’t even think twice,” he said. “Besides, it’s only temporary—at least until we graduate.”

“Right,” I murmured. “Temporary.” Of course I knew that. Beatrix and her husband had already made it clear—they wouldn’t be paying for my university tuition. A scholarship was my only way forward.

\~~~~~~

Beatrix stood at the doorway, arms crossed, expression cold and unmoving.

“I hope this isn’t going to become a permanent arrangement,” she said, her eyes sweeping over me with thinly veiled disdain.

“I won’t stay long,” I replied politely, masking the sting behind a neutral tone.

“See that you don’t.” She said coldly.

Before I could respond, Eros stepped forward, his voice sharper than usual. “She’ll stay as long as she needs to.”

Beatrix raised a brow. “I allowed this out of courtesy, Eros. Don’t mistake it for approval.”

“I’m not asking for your approval,” he said evenly. “I’m just making sure she has a roof over her head.”

Without another word, Beatrix turned and walked away.

I exhaled, shoulders dropping. “This is going to be fun.”

Eros glanced at me with a faint, reassuring smile. “You’ll be fine. Just ignore her theatrics.”

“I’m used to it,” I said with a small shrug, though my voice betrayed a subtle tremor.

He stepped closer, his tone softening. “Hey… I know this isn’t ideal. But I didn’t want you out there, scrambling for a place while pretending everything’s fine when it wasn’t.”

“I wasn’t pretending,” I whispered. “I really thought I had it under control.”

“You always try to,” he said gently. “But sometimes… it’s okay to let someone else carry some of the weight.”

I looked up at him, eyes searching his. “And you’re willing to carry mine?”

He didn’t hesitate. “I already am.”

His words hit something deep inside me. My throat tightened. I nodded, a quiet wave of gratitude washing over me.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He smiled—quiet, warm, unwavering. “Anytime.”