Her Five Protectors

TWENTY-NINE

Athena wakes up late in the morning on Vincenzo's bed. However, Vincenzo is nowhere to be seen. A audible gasp slips past her lips as she glances at the sun that is shining brightly in the sky. She has overslept today. Alexander must be so mad at her right now because she has missed the workout session.

She quickly jumps out from the bed. Her small legs rushes in the direction of her own room but on the way she bumps into Alexander himself.

Athena prepares herself inwardly to hear his scolding but instead he speaks to her gently.

"Athena! How do you feel now?"

"Good." She whispers back but couldn't help but ask him.

"You are not mad?" Alexander's lips curl into a small smile at her words.

"I am not angry! You needed the good hours sleep after everything that has happened yesterday. We are already done with breakfast. Why don't you go and freshen up. I will tell the maids to set up your food." Athena quickly nods and mumbles a quick thank you before heading in the direction of her room.

She takes a long soothing warm shower to relax her muscle's tension. After changing into cute blue jeans and an long sleeved white fluffy top, she gently brushes her hair. Then she makes her way downstairs and as promised, her breakfast is awaiting for her.

Just as she finishes, her eyes falls on Vincenzo who is waiting for her in the doorway. He isn't wearing one of his many expensive suits but a black jacket and black jeans. Athena notices that it is the first time since she is seeing him in such casual clothes. Athena wastes no time to rush towards him.

"Thank you for yesterday night, Vincenzo..." Vincenzo nods his head. His heart fills with warmth for the young girl. Athena has been coming out of her shell. She is a little talkative now and shows mild interest in family issues.

"We should go now..." Athena nods her head obediently and walks beside him. This time it isn't behind him but it is beside him. This is the another change that Vincenzo and his brothers likes too.

Athena feels her heart thumping fastly in her chest. There is a sudden rush of excitement in her blood. She is almost enthralled to spend some quality time with Vincenzo today.

Athena watches his moves a little fascinated as he expertly drive through the long lane of traffic. There is something about Vincenzo's personality that makes him unique and stand him out from the rest of the while world. He looks like a ruler, a king amongst the others.

Vincenzo could feel her stare on his face but he doesn't say anything or confront her. Few minutes of driving later, he finally steps on the breaks. Athena looks in front to see huge black iron gates. There is a board settled on top of it. Athena with a slight difficulty pronounce it in her mind- amusement park. It does sounds like fun.

"Don't leave my hand hmm." He says admantly. Athena nods her head and immediately tightens her grip just slightly around his fingers. There is this another thing that she is afraid to get lost.

"Where do you want to go first?" He asks her. He can literally see the sparkle of excitement in her eyes. Just like a little kid who is fascinated of such exciting things. Athena's life always has been unfair. She deserve the whole world but she is given nothing in the past 16 years of her age. Vincenzo wants nothing but to let her enjoy that every single thing that she has missed out in her life.

"Umm there." She points at the Ferris Wheel first. Though people were screaming but Vincenzo could clearly see that Athena is excited to try it out.

Three bodyguards that Athena almost didn't noticed dressed in formal clothes are following them at each step. They are alarmingly looking around for any sort of danger that Athena finds a little weird. But she ignores them. Alongside with Vincenzo she settles down on the seat.

She closes her eyes but through between this she still hasn't left his hand.

"Are you scared?"

"A little. But I know you are here." Vincenzo almost smiled at her words. Athena has become overly dependent for her protection on them. She trusts them and this is the thing that Vincenzo likes the most at this time.

Her grip around his hand tightens as the speed of the ride fastens but there is none sign of fear or anxiousness on her face. A wide smile is covering her face.

With her closed eyes, Athena feels the blow of the wind. Her cheeks are turning red due to being expose to free air but it feels good. It feels good to fly high in air, embracing the freedom she was searching for from since her throughout her whole life.

Vincenzo gently helps her down the ride and then glances down to look at her face.

"Do you like it?" He asks.

"I did." She smiles at him and excitedly looks around.

"Vincenzo! There."

Her eyes remains holding a thrill as she tugs Vincenzo to try out the rollercoaster.

"Ugh. I don't think if I will win it." Athena frowns sadly while placing the gun down as her eyes longingly stares at a cute duck stuffie. Her aim is worse and she ain't able to shot the red spot that is spinning in the circles at an rapid speed.

"Let me give this a shot then." Athena hands the gun to him. 5 shots simultaneously rings in her ears. Athena's jaw drops as she looks at the five bullets that penetrated the red mark. She snaps out from her shock and claps looking amazed.

"Thank you..." She whispers softly as the middle aged man hands her the stuffie. She hugs it to her chest. Then they moves towards the food corner.

"What do you want to name it?" Vincenzo asks curiously.

"Can I name it?" She asks as her eyes shines with confusion.

"Yes. Absolutely."

"B-but won't it look weird?" She asks with an innocent hesitation evident in her tone.

"No! It won't." Vincenzo's eyes softens as he tells her and hands her a huge cotton candy.

"Duckie?"

"That's a ni--" Vincenzo pauses mid sentence.

"It's a good name." He finishes the sentence while taking a look around his surroundings. It seems like his eyes caught something.

"I think it's time that we head back home." There is something different in his tone this time. Athena is able to detect it. Before she can even ask him, he starts to pull her out of the crowd.

He nods at the guards behind him and leads Athena to sit in the car. Vincenzo sits beside her and one of the guard starts to drive. Athena continues to hug duckie to her chest while gazing out the window.

She turns to look at Vincenzo suddenly and gives him a small smile.

"Thank you for today, Vincenzo! I really enjoyed it." For the first time, Vincenzo smiles back at her. Athena's heart feels light. She again turn to look at outside watching the beautiful landscapes and scenery passing.

All of a sudden a bullet hit the window and she screams. Immediately, Vincenzo pulls her back and crouches his body over her like in a form of protecting her.

Bullets after bullets slams into the bulletproof glass.

"Stop the car!" Vincenzo's voice sounds darker and deeper as he orders the guard. The car abruptly comes to a halt and Vincenzo looks down at her face.

"Stay in here." He tells her while pulling his gun out. Athena's eyes widens.

"P-please no. D-don't get o-out. I a-am scared." She pleads but Vincenzo shakes his head.

"Don't worry. I am right here. Just don't come out. Promise me that you won't!" He squeezes her hand. Athena whimpers along with teary eyes as he gets out of the car and slams the door shut.