Fight me, Aphrodite!

004 Father and Daughter

William's POV_

If there's one thing I hated whenever I drank beer, it is the hangover. That tang taste on my tongue and my ridiculous headache. It's a good thing it's the weekend. I can wake up whenever I want.

And being single means no date at weekend and no plans for anything.

Good.

I'll just stay on my bed and stare at the ceiling of this room. I can actually stay until evening doing nothing. Not unless I didn't feel hungry.

I feel my stomach crumbling as if asking me to cook even it's just noodles.

My fridge is almost empty. I can see only two cans of lemon juice, a butter that I think aged there for a while, and a few snacks that I didn't even plan to eat at all. I gradually close the fridge and then check the cupboard for some cup noodles. Good thing I found one. Better do the shopping later.

As I sit idly, lots of memories start to knock on my head. Like, why now?

I look to my right to see some photo frames still lining on the side of the living room. Family pictures, and hers. Why haven't I put the picture out yet? I don't know. I just think that her photo is a reminder that she's been here. That she becomes a part of me.

I just need confirmation, or maybe a reminder that I had a chance to be with her. Sounds cheesy, but it is what I'm thinking right now.

My eyes start to get blurry. And then I know tears are now falling. Damn. I don't want to be emotional when I'm alone like this.

I cleaned the table and then went straight to my room to sleep some more.

Maybe soon I'll be able to move on.

Soon.

Aphrodite's POV_

My eyebrows are now twitching; I'm trying to finish my work so that I can relax a bit.

Not until this guy came over and starts blabbering nonsense to me.

"Ares, if you want to discuss fighting strategies, my sister can help you. Athena knows more about this." I can't hide my annoyance. Because in all seriousness, why would a goddess of love plan war? That's insane.

"My love, you need to understand that I just want to share some knowledge with you," Ares said it in his sweetest voice.

"You know what, I don't need it. And don't call me that!" I'm so done. Ugh!

"Ouch, so mean! I'm joking, I'm joking, Aphrodite." Then I saw his natural smiling face. Being the God of War means he has to hide that kind of smile? Ugh, I'm not agreeing that he's good-looking.

Ares is such a playboy, I don't know if it's due to him being the god of war or because he's good at being the god of war. Lots of goddesses want Ares to be their consort; I wish I can see why. I just rolled my eyes thinking about it.

I put down my parchment and looked straight at him.

"What do you want, Ares? It's not normal for the god of war to go see the goddess of love. It's so contradicting." I put both my hands and cross it on my chest.

"I'm just visiting a friend. Nothing more."

I look at him in disbelief, I'm about to throw my book at him, when suddenly-

"Your father wants to see you, Aphrodite."

And then I feel my strength leaves me.

***

When the Sky God asks for you to go and see him, you'll know something is up.

I just hope it's not what I think it is.

Mt. Olympus is vast. Covered in thick clouds, so that it will be completely hidden from the mortal eyes. The river flows from the north, with white anemones in full bloom, the wind is also calm, for maybe Anemoi, the wind gods are in good mood.

Should I also be in a good mood, I wonder.

I walk very slow, just to give more time to regain myself.

Sigh.

"Milady, are you perhaps not feeling well?" a small voice came from my back.

Nona, my main cupid was asked by Arion to accompany me, which I don't have time to argue about with him.

"I'm fine, Nona. Do you have any news about the mortal guy? Is he making a move?" I stop walking and look back at her.

She also stops abruptly and then starts to open her parchment. Her curly brown hair covered her eyes, so I'm wondering how she can even read that.

She shakes her head. "As per the reports of other cupids, milady, the guy hasn't left his bed. Despite what we prepared for him today; meeting his old colleagues, and his high school friends. I guess our plan is still a failure."

I simply put my right hand on my forehead in frustration and then walk again.

"Good morning, Miss." The guard at the main door of the throne room greets us.

"My father called for me." I simply said that. No one can casually meet the chief of the gods just because you want to.

The guard nodded, and both of them open the gigantic door for me.

As I walk close to the throne, I already know he's talking to someone.

And just like what I thought, it's him.

Hephaestus is talking to my father.

Then my father noticed me. His white eyebrows turned up and next thing is, him, smiling happily. Despite his old age, he doesn't look like any old man in Olympus. He's like a dashing 30 years old bachelor.

And I know something is up when he's smiling at like that.

"AH! My very very beautiful daughter, Aphrodite!"

"Father." I smiled.

My father hugs me. And then slowly let me go.

"How are you? I heard you hardly go out and be with your siblings. Athena and Artemis always visit me here, and I haven't seen you for a while."

I shrugged. Can I say, because both of my sisters are slacking on their job? I guess not?

"I'm okay, father. It's just that I've become busy with work. I'm sorry for not going here for a while." I sound very apologetic. Because I know it's the truth. I haven't been here, maybe for the past four months?

My father just smiles but still with sad eyes, it makes me feel even worst.

"It's okay daughter. I'm glad you are here now."

He walks toward his throne.

"H-hey, Aphrodite." I heard Heppy's awkward greeting.

"H-hey too, Hephaestus." I'm more awkward.

It's been years since we felt this awkwardness to each other.

Father wanted me to marry him at that time. Because other gods were fighting for my hand. Some killed each other and some became aggressive with me.

It happens that Hephaestus didn't like me at all. He doesn't feel anything for me, but he still offers friendship. And that sole reason makes my father so mesmerized with him. To the point that he's asking him to be my future husband. Which we both declined.

As I look again at Hephaestus, his green eyes look back at me. It's like he's saying something.

He's mouthing words like, I'm sorry.

And then it hits me.

As my father sits on his throne, he explains his objective.

"So, let's talk about your marriage, shall we?"

Oh, help me. My father is declaring a war on me.