Chapter Forty-nine

Athena's POV

The sound of silence. What's the beauty of it? Where's the beauty of it? It's soothingly calm; that's for sure but you can never be sure of anything—especially if you can't hear.

I open my eyes slowly, seeing the lightest colour of the sky—making me furrow my eyebrows at the sunlight but it does not feel the same. It feels different, it feels like I'm watching the darkness instead of the brightness. I sit up straight, taking in my surroundings.

My hands move around on the ground beneath me and I feel petals of flowers; with different colours such as red, blue, yellow and white. As I look around, I see myself in the middle of a park—more like a meadow. The wind blows directly onto my skin and I look down to see myself wearing a white dress that ends nicely above my knees. What confuses me most is that the brightness of my surroundings.

Everything seems fade; not necessarily clear. Standing up, I walk further to the middle as I look around, confused of where I should go. The real question is, what am I doing here? What's going to happen here? I see something shining quite far from where I stand and as the shining figure interrupts my vision; I use the back of my hand to cover my eyes.

Peeking through my fingers, I see that the figure is actually someone familiar. My hand drops down to my side as I see Alex standing inches away from me; as he smiles down, looking at my face. My mouth opens wide before curving into a small smile—surprised to see him here.

''Hey, princess.'' He says, touching the side of my cheek with his fingers. His fingers felt like feathery soft and ice cold, extremely comforting. Even his face has some sort of shine, some sort of light; blocking me from clearly see his face but his blue eyes are visible.

I smile, running my hand on his arm down to his forearm. I try to speak but nothing came out, nothing at all. Is he the only one that can utter words? He frowns, not understanding why I couldn't answer him back but I keep quiet, holding tightly onto his forearm; afraid if he might drift away.

''Come with me. Come back to me, okay? That's all I need.'' He smiles again, making me raise an eyebrow, somehow, asking him where he's taking me and what he's talking about but he just continues to walk backwards little by little—making me walk forward and reach out for him.

As my hand touches the tip of his fingers, everything hits me all at once. His figure disappears and everything around me starts to disappear too. I look down to see that my legs are no longer on the ground—and my body being dramatically pulled away into another dimension; and my breathing hitched, making me close my eyes in respond.

The sound of the machine makes me move my fingers one by one. I start to hear noises around the unfamiliar room as I open my eyes slowly, examining the whole room but the blurriness stops me from doing so.

I feel myself breathing from some sort of tube that I can't justify but the voices continue to speak, making me furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

''First impression is always important, Jon.'' I hear Sarah's voice booming through the room. Then I hear coughs before she starts to speak again, ''We need to be looking beautifully great just for her, okay? Do you or do you not get me?''

Jon chuckles, ''I get you, sweetheart.''

''Okay, good. Nice talk, though. We will do just like what we've been doing for the past two days, we'll wait till she—'' She stops for awhile, ''—Jon, she's awake? Jon! She's awake.''

I blink a few more times, eyeing directly at where the voices came and I see two figures looking back at me—but they're face aren't that clear. The blurriness still won't budge as I continue to blink.

''Athena, can you hear me?'' Sarah asks as she touches the side of my arm, ''Jon, call the doctor.''

''No, don't.'' I grab her hand, stopping her. Jon looks at me and I shake my head in denial—not letting him, ''Where's Alex?'' I ask, having a few difficulties speaking due to the tube.

''He'll be here soon, don't worry. We just need to call the doctor so he can check up on your condition. You just woke up and I'm sure your throat is pretty burning right now?'' Sarah says, patting onto the back of my hand and I look down to see the paleness of my skin—showing my veins.

Jon presses the button before walking toward me, moving a strand of hair behind my hair, ''Feeling any pain?'' I look up at him and as soon as I try to move around, I feel pain near my waist but at the back. I furrow my eyebrows, trying to endure.

Before he could say anything, the doctor walks in with a nurse trailing behind him. The doctor looks at me before smiling, ''May I speak to Mrs. Herrera, alone?'' He asks, looking at Sarah and Jon. They both look at each other—hesitating whether to leave or not.

I shake my head, ''It's alright. They can stay.'' Pulling tube away slowly, putting it to the side; making it easier for me to speak normally.

He nods, walking toward me and looking directly into my eyes, ''Are your visions clearing?'' He asks and I nod, realising that they are clearing—letting me see everything better than before. ''Good.'' He continues and the nurse ticks something on the paper she's holding, ''Any unbearable pain? Slightly sore around this area?'' He touches the side of my waist and I shake my head.

''There's a slight pain but it's bearable as long as I don't move too much. No soreness.'' I reply.

The nurse writes down and waits for the doctor to continue on. He looks at the heartbeat machine beside me and see that my heart is going on a little bit higher than usual but overall, it's not too much. He frowns, ''She needs a little bit more rest so it's better to not let her feel pressured. May I ask where Mr. Herrera might be?'' He asks Sarah and Jon but they stare blankly at him.

Before they both could utter a word, someone pushes the door open slowly and I immediately look at Alex entering the room. He eyes the room before meeting my eyes—slightly surprised to see me awake. He closes the door behind him before walking forward, not moving his eyes away from me.

''I need to speak with you.'' The doctor says toward Alex and he frowns, nodding his head. They both walk to the corner of the room as Sarah and Jon walks closer toward me; saying things that I could barely hear.

I want to focus on Alex but from the look on his face, it shows how he's good at hiding away his expressions. He continues to nod and the doctor pats on his shoulder—making him nod once more and clench his jaw. The doctor walks out of the room and the nurse follows behind him.

Alex looks back at me and Jon gives him way for him to stand beside me. He touches my face before touching my forehead with the back of his hand. His lips curve up into a small smile, ''How are you feeling?'' He asks.

Sarah and Jon walks near the window, the glass separating. I breathe out, ''Better.'' I reply, my voice slightly hoarse. He seems to notice my discomfort, he grabs the glass on the table before handing it to me.

''I'm glad.'' He says as he watches me sip in the water. I continue to look at him and we both mainly stare at each other. My hands shaking unknowingly before slowly putting the glass back down. Alex tries to help me but I shake my head and give him a sign that I'm fine.

I take a better look at him and I start to notice dark circles forming under his eyes, the paleness of his face and lips, the dimness of his eyes; they aren't as blue as they were normally. ''You should get some rest.'' I say.

He sighs, chuckling a bit before touching under his eyes, ''Is it too obvious?'' Then, he sits right on my bed near my legs, ''Practically watched you all night if that would make you feel better, princess.''

''Why would you do that?'' I frown, ''You should've just stayed home and get some rest. You shouldn't worry too much about me. I'm fine. Look at me. All great and—'' He cuts me off by kissing me directly on the lips; my eyes widening in respond. He tilt his head to the side, trying to deepen the kiss and I immediately close my eyes before pulling him closer by the neck.

He continues to kiss me—showing emotions from the kiss; I can feel lust, need and want. Mixed in one. The way he moves, shows just how much he misses this. All of this and the way his hand touches every side of my face shows how he longed for skin to skin contact. I can feel our connection as if we're bonding again.

I grip onto his hair and slow down the kiss but to only turn it into a passionate one. Alex softly licks my lip and breaks the kiss, looking directly into my eyes, ''I miss you.'' He says, his voice deep and husky, ''I miss everything about you. Kissing you, touching you, laughing with you and even talking to you. I'm happy that you're here with me—I'm thankful.''

I smile at him, pecking him on the lips, ''What happened after that?'' He knows what I'm asking. Asking to know what had happened that night. ''What about him?'' I try to ask, but not being able to say his name.

Alex runs his fingers on my skin, ''Edwin called the ambulance as soon as he saw you. Me? I couldn't move, I barely even moved away from you. I started to panic and thought that I might have lost you because your heartbeat was faint and if I didn't hurry up, I could've lost you for real.'' He continues to play with the tips of my hair as he looks into my eyes, ''He—''

I look at him blankly, waiting for him to continue, ''—tried to take you away with him. He ran away, wanting to run away from you, me and Edwin but as soon as he got out of the house, a car came and hit him.''

''How is he now?'' I ask, slowly.

''Dead.'' He repeats. ''Even if he'd still be alive, he might not be able to walk for the rest of his life and he might not even be able to see properly. Shattered glass entered his eyes.''

I never thought that he would be dead. Like, dead, dead for real. I look back at him—am I happy that he died so that he won't bother me anymore or am I feeling something else due to his death? What could it be?

Yes, he used to be my everything. When I say everything, I mean everything. Yes, he hurt me, physically and mentally but I've once developed feelings toward him and even though it may have disappeared, the slight scar may still be there.

''He won't be able to bother you anymore.'' Alex says, ''Apparently, the doctor said that he has a few malfunctions with his brain. Due to losing you, he spent his nights thinking of what he had done wrong, and he did hit his head pretty badly when you guys were still together—but maybe you didn't know about it.''

I don't.

''So, he was sick?'' I ask.

''Yeah, he was supposed to be in rehab but he went straight to Rome after running out without completing his treatments. That's why you met him there and that's when his brain starts playing tricks. He still loves you but it's just that; he doesn't know how he should show you when you're married to me.'' He continues. I feel him caressing the back of my hand with his thumb, ''I know that his death might have an impact to you but—''

I cut him off, ''—but nothing. Yeah, I used to love him but it's all gone now. He did the things that I would never expected. He was a great guy, a truly understanding one too. He just wasn't able to seek for help.''

Alex sighs, ''How was he when you both were still together?'' It took me awhile to realise that he's actually asking about the guy who I've dated once. Does he really want to know?

''Different.'' I reply, ''He never raised his voice at me. He never hit me, that's for sure. He's everything that a girl could ask for except for the part where he cheats.'' I shrug, smiling and looking straight into his eyes, ''I guess it comes with the package, you know. You get the perfect guy but there's always a trick.''

He keeps quiet, listening to the machine beeping, ''Remember what I said to you on the first night we met?''

I try to remember back what he said but nothing came, just faint memories, ''Not really, which one?'' I ask.

''I said that, I didn't know why he cheated on you but if I were him, I'd stay and be loyal to you. Guess I'm doing a pretty great job at that one.'' He chuckles, feeling proud. I immediately roll my eyes and push him by the shoulder slowly, making him laugh even harder. It's truly is magic, they sound like music. Calm, soothing music.

''You're doing quite a shitty job, to be honest.''

''Oh really? Have you even see me with anyone else except you?'' He raises an eyebrow, ''Exactly, no.'' Then he smiles, making me shake my head and ignore him. The more I play around with him, the more he's going to make himself proud. That's him. I hear his phone rings and he looks down before sighing, ''Yeah, hi.'' He answers.

He runs his fingers through his hair before showing how he's not really in the mood to talk on the phone with that particular someone, ''Ask Liam to take over my place. Jon's here too anyway and Simon's okay with it.'' He continues, ''It's just for a couple of days. That's not going to be an issue.''

He looks at me, ''Okay, thanks.'' Then he hangs up the phone, putting it on his lap.

''Training?'' I ask, predicting what's right.

He nods, ''You know me too well.'' Then, he turns around, looking at Jon and Sarah. I follow his gaze and I see Jon chuckling with Sarah as he leans against the window—they both talking about something. Sarah's eyes widen and slaps Jon on the shoulder, playfully.

''How long have they known each other?'' I ask, feeling the need to know. They are too beautiful together, too cute, too sweet. I love how they are being their own self. How Jon accepts Sarah's personality and her ways—just how Sarah accepts his. They belong together, that's what I see.

''Long enough.'' Alex replies, ''Surprised that they haven't gotten married yet.'' We continue to look at them as Jon runs his fingers on Sarah's face, smiling down at her while she continues to speak, non-stop, ''Do you want to know how they met?'' He turns around, looking at me, waiting for my answer.

''Yeah, how?''

''Sarah used to be a stewardess. Jon was in Barcelona and they met there. You should've been there when Jon kept on babbling about Sarah on and on after their first encounter. He was telling us stories as if he was already in love. It was the first time we saw him like that and look at him now—'' Alex turns to look, ''—he's happy.''

''Aren't you?'' I automatically ask and I immediately bite my lips shut. Muttering a silent, shit. Why did I ask something like that? I don't even know where we're heading.

He smiles, ''Aren't you?''

''You always do that.'' I answer, lazily. ''When can I discharge anyway? I don't like being here for too long.''

''Does your back still hurt? The doctor said that you can go home once you feel that everything is fine. If there is even a slight pain, I'm not going to let you discharge. Not until the pain is gone.'' He replies, ''Because once you've discharged, I have to start training and Sarah will start taking care of you. Your mother doesn't about this. I didn't tell her because I didn't want her to worry.''

''Your training starts so soon?'' I frown.

''The World Cup is just around the corner. I can't play around anymore even if I want to.'' He grabs my hand once more.

Does he realise that when The World Cup is over, we'll be going on our separate ways or does he not want that? But if he doesn't want that, why doesn't he say so? I try to take a closer look at him but he tries his best to avoid any eye contact. I wouldn't want to push him any further so I keep quiet, enjoying his warm fingers against mine.

The next morning, I am left alone all by myself. Sarah went home and she'll be back in a few—after I've told her to go home and get some rest. She's been great at staying with me but I think that she should get enough sleep. Alex will be here soon and there's no problem for me on staying alone for awhile.

I lift my head up as I hear the door opening but I keep my eyes shut, knowing that it might be Jon, Alex or Sarah. As soon as I hear heels, I know it's Sarah, ''Sarah, didn't I tell you to get some rest?'' I say, turning around and my eyes widen immediately.

''Hello, Athena. It's nice seeing you again but I guess that you're not too well since you're here.'' Joanna says, walking toward me and eyeing my face, ''You look awful, pale and weak, anyways, I'm here not to insult you but to tell you that I've won the little game we had.''

''What do you mean?'' I ask, quite unsatisfied.

She sits down beside me but I keep our distance, feeling disgusted with her being near me, ''You see, do you remember the deal we had? Between you and me about Alexander? Well, I guess tracking you down wasn't that hard. Ever since you've canceled the deal, I've been getting information secretly without you knowing. I must say, you're quite good at noticing things but it's bad how you didn't notice anyone taking pictures. Especially at his father's funeral.'' Her lips curve into a small smile, showing how victory is on her side.

She shows a picture of Alex at his father's funeral while I stand quite close to him. The picture looks like it was being captured by someone close. Someone who isn't keeping his distance, ''How sad. The reason why you didn't want to tell me about his background is because you didn't want anyone to find out about his mother and his father. Who would have thought that his mother passed away and that they were divorced. That's also why he never spoken about them in public.''

''Why are you doing this?'' I grip hard onto the sheets, wanting to punch her in the face but I couldn't. I can call out for the security or the doctor but I need to hear what she's going to say so I keep on holding onto the remote.

She laughs, ''Me? Aw, silly. It's you. You've been doing this. You've been spreading it around, not me. On every article about Alex, it's all from you. Every single one of them. Oh and they just got out this morning and it has been chaos. Heard that your husband was being followed with another paparazzi this morning. He doesn't seem to happy in the news.'' She says, making my anger raising little by little.

''How could you. You put all the blame on me when it was all your dirty work. I backed out from this, you shouldn't have done it, Joanna.'' I sounded more like begging. My eyes watering from the fact that Alex might not believe me but the articles.

Joanna holds onto my hand, gripping hard and faking sympathy, ''Athena, I don't exist in this situation. Everything is your fault. The whole media will think that you've done it. You've betrayed and sell out your husband's information. They will talk about how stupid and foolish you are. Let me give you a hint—'' She stops talking to turn on the television.

I immediately look at the news and see that a picture of me and Alex. ''Athena Herrera has stated about Alexander Herrera's parents on the previous news. It was shown that his father has passed away in less than a month. Pictures have been proven—'' And pictures of Alex looking at me as I walk toward him starts to play on the back. Not just that, there's also a picture of Alex looking at his father's grave. ''—but questions have been asked, why did Athena tell the whole media? Is something bad going on between them? We'll found out more on the next BuzzTV.''

And the next thing is a whole silent. I remain speechless, at the fact that the whole world might know about this. About how stupid or foolish I am for telling my husband's own secret. But again, I'm not at fault here. Joanna stands up, smiling down at me, ''Oh, don't worry. Everything is about to go down anyway, I just made it quicker than it should be.''

Tears start to stream down my cheeks as I hold back the pain of my own heart aching. ''I told you, Athena. Not to mess with me. I hope you have a great life and don't forget to check the news in an hour, there'll be a talk about Alex and you. It's okay, just some questions and hate from the public.'' I eye her as she walks out of the door—leaving me with utterly nothing to say.

I hear the machine beeps faster and faster but myself doesn't matter right now. The door opens again and I turn to look at Alex, standing there, looking at me with so much disbelief, so much anger.

My hands grip hard onto the sheets, sucking in the pain of what's going to happen. No.