Athena’s p.o.v

My father’s voice echoed through the manor causing my skin to erupt in goosebumps. His dead eyes drifted away from mine straight to Allesandro’s which had everyone in the foyer in panic. Romulus left our fathers side and walked towards me, placing a kiss on my cheek before wishing me ‘good luck’, Remus on the other hand stood next to Allesandro in case a brawl was about to break out.

“Padre.” I pleaded as my father began walking towards Sandro.

“Silencio.” He shouted, ignoring my worries.

To my surprise, papa didn’t throw any fists towards Allesandro but instead welcomed him with open arms.

“Finalmente, bienvenido al hijo de la familia.”

(Finally, welcome to the family son.)

For a few moments Allesandro stood still in shock before reciprocating my father’s hug.

“Papa?” I asked confusedly as my brothers took Allesandro aside to chat.

“Mi angel. It’s so good to have you back home, finally all my children are under one roof.” Father cups my face in his hands and kisses the top pf my head, just as he did when I was a little girl.

“I always knew you and Sandro would end up together, I just couldn’t openly accept him because you would have rebelled against me and that could have torn your’ll apart. Having him go off with you to Stanford then LA put my mind and heart at ease.”

“Te amo papa.” These were the only words I could muster up to say. After all this was one giant lie and now another heart was at stake.

“We must have a celebration tonight. Luis, tell the staff to start preparing and put together a guest list. My little girl has come home.”  My father instructs his house keeper who gets to work immediately.

“Rem, take your sister shopping for tonight. Rom, Sandro and I will take care of things here.”

“It’s not necessary papa, I have plenty of clothes.”

“It’s true, out of the 14 suitcases we brought only 1 is mine.” Allesandro jokes while trying to back me up, he knew I could use this time to do some investigating.

“Nonsense, my baby deserves something new. Now go freshen up, I’ll see you later.”

Allesandro and I walked hand in hand up the spiral staircase while my father and brother’s went into his study. Once I reached my room, the smell of fresh linen sheets intoxicated my senses. The nostalgic feeling of being home could not compare to any other.

Memories of how Remus and I would build blanket forts and play for hours until Romulus would come and shout at us for making too much noise but then join in on the fun flooded my mind causing a smile to run across my face.

“That went well right?” Sandro asked, bringing my mind back to the present.

“I don’t know whether to be happy about the fact that my father likes you or terrified of the consequences when he finds out this is a sham.”

Before Sandro could answer, we were interrupted by a knock on the door. Of course within a few seconds they had already barged in.

End of p.o.v

“Alright, cut the crap. What’s really going on between you two?” Romulus demanded to know whilst Remus cocked an eyebrow at the engaged couple.

“What do you mean?” Athena questioned her brothers.

“We know this whole engagement thing isn’t real, especially since Athena was screwing her boss a week ago.”

“Were you spying on me?”

“Seriously? You’re our little sister did you think we would not have people making sure you were safe?”

“I can’t believe you two. Does papa know?” Athena was now annoyed at her brothers.

“No, we wanted to come to you first and give you a chance to explain. It’s the sibling code after all.”

Athena smiled at her brothers and proceeded to tell them the whole story. Romulus was the calm, level headed one out of the trio being the eldest while Remus was hot-headed and uncontrollable.

“Tienes que arreglar esto Athena.”

(You have to fix this Athena.)

“No solo a romper el corazo de papa, sino tambien de Dante’s y Sandro’s.”

(You aren’t only going to break father’s heart but also Dante’s and Sandro’s)

“Solo dame uno dias, por favour.”

(Just give me a few days please.)

“Creci aqui y aprendi a hablar espanol. No hablaras ningun codigo secreto” Allesandro jumped into the conversation after being ignored.

(I did grow up here and learnt how to speak Spanish. You aren’t speaking some secret code.)

“Sorry brother. Athena, you need to speak to father. There’s more to this story than you could ever imagine.”

“And you better do it before tonight.”

“Fine. I’ll do it now.” Athena storms off but before reaching the door, she turns around and looks at her brother’s with pleading eyes. “Come with me please.” She begs them.

Having the natural urge to protect their baby sister, the men agree and follow Athena downstairs, to their fathers study while Allesandro catches up on some work in the room.

Back in LA

“Boss.” Antonio barges into Dante’s office and instantly regrets it. 

Dante was been orally serviced by some red head with a fake tan. He immediately pulled her head away from his dick and sent her away.

“You have a habit of interrupting my pleasure Antonio.”

“I’m sorry but I thought you might want to hear this. I heard back from our guy in Venezuela, he managed to get a job in the manor as gardener.”

“If that’s all you can leave and call that red head back in.”

“The reason Athena went back home is because she got engaged to Allesandro.” Antonio blurted out.

“That bastard. How dare he?” Dante swipes the paper work off his desk in a fit of rage.

“Call my pilot and tell him to have the jet fuelled and ready to take off within the hour. We’re going to Venezuela and getting my woman back.”

Matias’s study

Silence had fogged the room after Athena’s revelation. Matias sat at his desk, avoiding eye contact with his children.

“Papa, I’m sorry.”

“I know you are angel. There’s just something I have to tell you, which is hard for me to say out loud.”

Both Romulus and Remus placed a hand on opposite sides of Athena’s shoulders for comfort which worried her.

“The money I donated wasn’t for Ramirez’s campaign but rather his vice mayor running mate, David Miller. I needed David to become one of Ramirez’s closest allies, that way it would be easier to stab him in the back.”

“So you’re after Ramirez as well?”

“Ramirez is just the first step. I want to take down Pedro Manuel’s empire.”

“I just don’t understand why.”

“Your mother had an affair with Pedro and I believe he’s the one that had her killed.”

“What?” Athena’s face drained of its colour. She only had a few memories of her mother and they were fond, hearing this seemed to taint each one.

“We wanted to keep you out of this. It’s not your fight little bee.”

“Rom? Why are you so quite? There’s more to the story isn’t there?” Romulus avoided eye contact with his little sister in shame.

“Your mother ended the affair once she found out she was pregnant with you. I only came to know about her activities a few months into the pregnancy.”

“No.” Athena got up in tears. Rom and Rem rushed to her side and held her tight.

“Did you get a paternity test?” These words leaving her mouth tasted sour.

“I didn’t need to because I didn’t care. Once I held you in my arms for the first time and you grabbed my finger with your tiny little hand, you were mine and I would have done anything to protect you. You are my daughter Athena.”

“I need to go.” Athena rushed out of the room.

“Little bee, wait.” Remus wanted to give chase but was stopped by Matias.

“Let her be.”