Chapter 69: Chapter Sixty Eight

Athena

Three weeks later

The soft crash of Mediterranean waves against the shore echoed through the quiet villa as the sun dipped behind the rolling hills, painting the sky in soft hues of gold and violet. A warm breeze carried the scent of salt and jasmine, wrapping around me as I stood on the terrace, gazing at the endless horizon, lost in thought.

Eros approached from behind, his presence unmistakable. His hands landed gently on my shoulders before sliding down to wrap around my waist.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

I smiled, though I didn’t turn to face him as I kept my gaze on the horizon. "It is," I replied softly.

School had closed for winter break, and two days later, Eros whisked me away to Greece on his mother’s private jet. The experience had been surreal. I’d never been on a plane before—let alone a jet that felt more like a floating palace in the sky.

We moved to the chairs, but instead of taking separate seats, Eros sat down and pulled me onto his lap. I let out a startled squeak as he held me close, his arms effortlessly securing me in place. 

My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck just as his hand slid to the nape of mine, gently pulling me down for a kiss. His lips moved against mine with an intensity that made my toes curl.

It still felt like a dream that I was now officially Eros Belmonte’s girlfriend. It would probably take years for me to get used to it.

“I still can’t believe you did all that just to prove a point,” I said, chuckling as I pulled back slightly to look at him.

Eros smirked. “I wasn’t proving a point," he corrected. "I was confessing.” His voice was smooth, confident. “And it worked, didn’t it?”

“Through song? Dramatic much?” I teased.

“I had to make sure you heard me.” His grin was unrepentant, mischievous.

I matched his smile. “Oh, I heard you. Loud and clear.” I assured him.

We laughed, but the moment soon shifted. Eros took my hand, his expression turning solemn.

“I meant every word,” he said softly. “This—being here with you—it’s everything.”

My chest tightened at the sincerity in his voice. “It’s everything to me too. I just… I never imagined I’d be here. It feels like a dream.”

“You deserve to live in your dreams, Athena,” Eros said, his voice thick with sincerity. “You’ve been through so much. I just wanted to give you this—a moment of peace.”

I turned to him, meeting his stormy grey eyes, my own filled with gratitude. I didn’t know what I’d done in a past life to deserve him, but whatever it was, I would never take him for granted.

“Eros, I don’t even know what to say… Everything has been so perfect. You—” I paused, emotion swelling in my throat. “You really do listen to me.”

His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I always have.” He said simply.

The weight of his words settled between us, heavy yet comforting. For a moment, I simply stared at him, my heart hammering.

Then, hesitantly, I whispered, “But… Do you think we’re really ready for this?”

Eros pulled back slightly, searching my face. “Ready for what, exactly?” His voice was measured, careful.

“To be together. Fully.” I hesitated, glancing down. “After everything that’s happened. After Lysander…” My voice trailed off.

I never told him about the meeting with his father a few weeks ago—how Leonardo Belmonte had offered me money to disappear from Eros’s life. How, when I refused, he had threatened to make me disappear himself. The look in his eyes had haunted me ever since, as if my existence alone was an offense to him. 

I had no idea what I had done to warrant such hatred, but part of me wondered if James had somehow wronged Leonardo in the past. Or had his anger been directed at me alone?

Eros’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening as the memory of Lysander—the new transfer student who had tried so desperately to come between us—likely crossed his mind. But then, as he looked at me, his gaze softened.

“I never asked for this,” I admitted. “But somehow, your feelings came out… and so did mine. I never thought I could feel like this after… everything.”

Eros reached for my hand, his fingers intertwined with mine. His grip was steady, grounding.

“Lysander was just noise,” he said quietly. “Scarlett’s encouragement? A mistake. They thought they could break us apart, but in the end, all they did was push me to see what I’d been ignoring all along.”

My breath hitched. “And what’s that?”

His eyes held mine, unwavering.

“That I was in love with you.” He exhaled, as if finally releasing a truth he had carried for too long. “I think… since the first time I saw you sitting on that chair in the corridor. I didn’t want to acknowledge it.”

My heart skipped a beat at the raw sincerity in his voice, striking me in a way it never had before. I squeezed his hand, my lips parting in astonishment.

"You mean that? You really mean it?" I asked.

Eros nodded, his gaze locked onto mine. "I do. And I’m sorry it took me so long to say it. But when I saw you with Lysander the other day, I knew—I can’t lose you. I won’t let anyone take you away, not even myself."

"I don’t want to lose you either, Eros. I... I’ve been scared. But with you, everything feels right." My voice trembled with emotion as I pulled him into a fierce embrace, holding on as if I never wanted to let go.

Eros wrapped his arms around me just as tightly, pressing a tender kiss to my temple. And in that moment, we sat there in silence, the rest of the world fading away, leaving only us.