Her Five Protectors

TWENTY-THREE

"This is your new room." Luciano has led Athena to one of the spare room near Vincenzo's room. It looks similar to Ariana's room. The closet is already full. Athena also notices that there are mostly sundresses and few other comfortable, less revealing clothing items- just like she prefers.

She cannot help but think that the brothers supposedly her 'cousins' have taken special notice of her liking.

So much has happened and Athena still does not know how to feel about it. Vincenzo's words really embedded deep into her mind. Also, he has become her legal guardian. What will come next?

The next morning, Athena is called downstairs for the breakfast. Surprisingly, Ariana is also present there but Romeo is absent today.

Ariana ignores Athena's presence and continues to devour her meal without a single care. She was starved for weeks afterall.... The thought leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.

There is a weird tension in the air.

"Ariana and Athena...You both are coming with me for a routine checkup at the hospital." Vincenzo speaks all of a sudden. Athena nods her head slightly but Ariana frowns.

"I don't need any checkup." Ariana mutters under her breath but Vincenzo's sharp ears clearly heard her.

"I wasn't asking."

This makes Ariana sigh in frustration.

"Why are you being so difficult, Vincenzo? You know I have been recently out of the hospital. I don't want to go there again."

Athena frowns in confusion at Ariana's words. Why was she in the hospital?

"The car is already waiting outside." Alexander tells Ariana immediately.

"Fuck off! Nobody's aski--"

"Ok! You are indirectly saying that you are perfectly alright?" Alexander raises his brow, questioning her in a challenging tone.

"Yes."

"Vincenzo, I think it is about right time that you tell her the new rules."

"What rules?" Cautious, Ariana asks.

Athena has a concerned look morphed on her face.

"That you are grounded until you turn 20. It also includes no school for you. You will be homeschooled until you graduate highschool. You have lost your every privilege of electronics. In the vacant time, you will do your chores that basically includes cleaning your room on your own. Also, add gardening. There will be no special maids or servants assigned for you from now on. I have decided to increase the time period of your self defense training with Alexander. Make it for five early hours in morning and every day." Athena and Ariana's eyes widen at the same time. Athena is able to remember few of the familiar words but today, Vincenzo is just being too much harsh on Ariana.

"Y-you can't do this!" Ariana stutters but yells.

"I have already done it and do not raise your voice, Ariana." Vincenzo has stated back calmly.

Ariana swallows hard and decides that it is better to relent.

"Ok, I will go." She whispers with a defeated sigh. Alexander's face shows a grin while Vittorio chuckles.

"Still, you should follow the rules." Vittorio finally decides to speak.

"More like punishments." Ariana mumbles under her breath and storms out of there to go upstairs.

"And, Athena." Athena looks up at Vincenzo's face with a slight anxiety in her eyes.

"You will take three extra study hours with Alexander, Vittorio and Romeo." Athena's eyes fill up with questions but she silently agrees to his words as usual.

"That is going to be fun!" Vittorio smirks with a playful manner.

"One more thing, if you want to go out to have fun, just tell one of us, we will take you wherever you wish, whenever you want. Just don't go out alone or atleast inform one of us beforehand. We don't want you getting hurt." Vincenzo says.

"I can go out?" She frowns.

"Yes, Athena. You can do anything you want." He tells her. Within the next second, Ariana comes downstairs. She is wearing a little revealing red crop top and some jeans shorts. Her high heels looks more like death traps.

"You are going to hospital....Not a fashion show." Vittorio rolls his eyes.

"Did I asked your opinion!" Ariana mimics his actions.

"Ariana! You ar--" Luciano is cut off mid sentence.

"Luciano! Don't tell me there are certain restrictions on my dressing sense too." Ariana whines.

"I really think that you need them too." Alexander comments.

"Stop it! You guys are irritating me!" Ariana whines again and suddenly her eyes accidentally made contact with Athena's.

"What the fuck are you looking at!" She snaps at Athena who flinches in fear and at the anger Ariana's voice holds.

"I suggest that you change your tone when you address Athena! She is a part of our family and holds equal respect just like every member." Vincenzo's calm voice holds a certain edge at this moment.

"So don't I deserve the same respect too?!" Ariana asks by throwing her hands up in air.

"You do actually! That's why you are still standing here between us." The hidden meaning of Vincenzo's words stiffens everyone. All of a sudden, her eyes watered. A tear rolls down her cheek.

"I am sorry ok." She whispers. Athena and Luciano watches her concerned as she storms out of there.

"Let's go Athena!" Athena follows Vincenzo silently outside. She hesitanly enters in the backseat after finding Ariana in the front seat. She is wearing black sunglasses and staring in front with a emotionless face with her arms crossed over her chest.

Vincenzo gets in the driver seat and starts the car. Athena fumbles with the long sleeve of her drees as Vincenzo drives out from the premises.

The silent tension is suffocating in the car. Ariana steps out as soon as they reach their family's private hospital. Athena and Vincenzo follows her actions closely.

Ariana was led to the different unknown section but Athena was guided to the same section as last time. Her weight was measured and surprisingly she has gained few pounds. The doctor recommends her that she follows the same diet plan and come back again after two weeks for next checkup. Vincenzo remained by her side the whole time.

"Wait for me here." Vincenzo leaves her in the sitting area and heads towards the same section where Ariana was gone.

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