Just For You

Chapter 10: Zeus

This is not the best time to look over potential authors' work. Especially since nothing has been up to my standards, I know it's because of my mood, so it's not fair to them, but I need something to keep my mind off Hera.

          I have attended almost every meeting in the past week and a half. Read almost fifteen fucking books and discussed signing on four authors. Delt with drama involving one of my authors who is currently in a lawsuit because another author stole their plot.

          It would seem drastically tiring and irritating on another day, but that was when my brain wasn't flooded with thoughts that my wife was doing everything in her power to leave me.

          I haven't slept in forever. I barely even want to go home. Don't get me started on eating. My assistant or hades tend to bring me food. Hades gets a bit more aggressive when it comes to making me eat.

          I've been working myself to the fucking bone. I don't even look at my phone for fear I will break and call her or text her. I don't know what I would say. What can I say that will fix this? Panacea seems to know what I must do but won't tell me. I'm starting to regret hiring her.

          Knowing I will see Hera at the next session is the only thing keeping me going. I will get to hear her voice. Look at those beautiful blue eyes that sparkly in the light. Hear her silky, raspy voice. Her laugh, her smile. I miss my wife.

          The office phone on my desk starts to ring, pulling me from my thoughts. I groan inwardly, picking it up and answering it.

          "Zeus Tolliver," I say in greeting. I heard a deep chuckle from across the line. I would know that laugh anywhere. "Posiodon, why are you calling the work phone?"

          I heard paper shuffling in the back. "I tried your cell; you didn't answer. I tried it multiple times. Thought you were dead until I texted Hades, and she told me you were hiding from your phone." he laughed at that last comment.

          I scoffed. "Im not hiding from my phone."

          "No, just your wife." He sighed. "I heard what happened—and not the gossip version. Hades told me what's been going on. I'm sorry I'm not there to help get you through this, Lightning Bug."

          His soft tone and use of my old nickname brought a small smile to my face. I always saw Hades as a father figure, especially since my real one was such a pile of shit.

          I pinch the bridge of my nose. "You don't need to worry yourself about me. You have a wedding to worry about." he laughed again.

          "Well, Amphitrite has been taking over. We're currently at the venue. She's practically cussing our wedding planner out. Honestly, I feel sorry for him, but I learned my lesson the last time I budded in." he chuckled.

          I laughed along with him. I know firsthand what Amphitrite is capable of. That woman is scary but sweet. It's really strange.

          He cleared his throat. "Look, Hera might just have a lot of stuff going on inside her head. Give her some time."

          That's what I've been trying to do, yet deep down, I feel like I need to be doing something else, like giving her space and time isn't enough.

          Hades burst through my office as I was about to say that to him. I put the phone on speaker, not wanting it on my face anymore. And knowing I may need him to protect me, even over the phone. Hades looked pissed.

          She had an iPad in her hand. She slid it over to me, standing menacingly over the desk. "What the fuck is this?!" she yelled.

          I looked over the iPad. It was a picture of Aphrodite and me hugging at the gym. Someone must have taken a picture of us. That's not good.

          "Ooo, what the fuck is what? I want to know!" Poseidon's voice rang around my office.

          Hades glared at me when I pushed the iPad back over to her.

          "Our dear little sister here has been talking to Aphrodite again." hades gritted out to Posidoen.

           "WHAT!?" His angry voice bellowed through the speaker.

          I roll my eyes. "I'm not talking to her. I ran into her at the gym, that's it."

          "That better be it! That woman is nothing but trouble. It's also convenient that she's shown up when your marriage is... falling apart." Poseidon argued.

          "Look, it isn't like that. And besides, I saw her way before my marriage drama was broadcasted to the media."

          Hades scoffed. "Don't you think it's funny that this picture was posted after your drama and not when it happened?"

          That does sound bad, but it's normal. Someone kept the photo waiting for the perfect time that it would cost the most. Seeming like I was moving on from my wife quickly, or I had someone on the side who would sell. Especially since everyone thinks I'm a fucking cheater. I've never cheated in my life.

          "I'm not worried about it, okay." I finally say.

          "You should be," Pisodeon said over the speaker.

          "Yeah, you should be." Hades agreed. "If Hera sees this, things might get worse. You said she already thinks you're a cheater. This picture will help prove her delusions. Unless you are cheating on her, and if so, I will beat your ass!"

          I put my hands up in defeat. "I'm not cheating on Hera. I would never do that to her."

          "Go talk to your wife before she sees this photo."

          I groan like a child. "She said she didn't want me to talk to her until she reached out first. I would be fucking up the simple things she asked me to do." though it wasn't that simple. It was the hardest thing not to talk to her.

          Hades glared at me. Her stare was practically deadly. "Go find your wife and explain this photo before she sees it and makes her own conclusions."

          Ugh. I stand up, go to my backpack that's on the other side of the office—go through it, and pull out my phone.

          "Is she doing it?" Posiond asked over the speaker.

           I brought my phone back to my desk, cutting it back on. I couldn't even trust myself to have it on. Wow, I'm pathetic.

          "I'm doing it," I grumble.

          He just laughed.

Zeus: I need to talk to you. Can we meet up?

           I set my phone down on the desk, then looked up at Hades. "I texted her. Now, leave me alone."

          My stomach was doing flips. I might throw up. My phone dinged a few seconds later. I thought my heart might explode. Picking up the phone, my eyes shot open when I saw Hera's text.

Hera: come over.

           "She said to come over."

          Hades folded her arms over her chest. "You know what you should do then?"

          "What?" I ask stupidly. Hr texting me back has discombobulated my brain.

          "GO OVER THERE!" She yelled.

          I shook my head erratically. Jumping out of my chair. "Right!" I rush out of the office, not bothering to hang up the phone. 

A/N: I would love to know how you all like the story so far!