Till the End of Time

Chapter Seven: (Alex) You Grovel

I took an Uber on my way back to the house as I stared at the dark streets. My mind was going a million miles an hour. I'd spent the last three hours nursing four beers at a bar in downtown Palm Springs, and I still couldn't understand what happened. Athena had left me in a shock. I couldn't wrap my head around her actions.

My girl was a sweetheart to the core. She was my little Greek angel. My Athena Angelos.

Athena did not have a materialistic bone in her body. Why would she take that watch? It was so underhanded and devious. It just wasn't something she would do. Was this from jealousy? Was I responsible for her actions? I had promised her I would place boundaries with Vivi, and I did. I did not respond to her nagging text messages about seeing a movie together. I did not encourage her conversation during the car ride. I refused all her invitations to do things together. What did I miss?

I was distracted from my thoughts when my phone rang. My best friend, Theo, was calling me back.

"Hey Theo," I answered.

"Hey man, sorry I missed your call. How are things?"

"Things are shit man," I grumbled. Running my hand through my hair.

"Shit? What the fuck Alex, you've been there for what twelve hours? How are they shit?"

"Vivi's watch went missing before dinner, and I found it in Athena's nightstand. The watch I gave her for her graduation," I explained.

"What? Why was it in Athena's nightstand?"

"I wish I knew man," I groaned.

"You're thinking Athena took it?" he asked.

"I mean, why else would it be in our room?"

"I don't know about this Alex. This doesn't sound like Athena."

"This isn't like Athena, but you know she's been feeling jealous since last week. We fought after the gala," I reminded him.

"Yeah, I know. I told you then Athena wouldn't be  feeling jealous for nothing."

"Yeah you did, but I've been working on reassuring her. I've kept a respectable distance with Vivi. I just don't know what made her do this."

"Did she say she took it?" he asked.

"No, but how else did it get there man?"

"Alex, bro, I don't know but this doesn't sound right. Something is off here. You need to talk to Athena about it."

I blew out a breath and looked out the window. The driver had just approached the residence gate and was trying to get access inside.

"You're right man, thanks for the talk. I gotta go but we'll talk soon."

"K man, talk soon," he agreed.

I hung up the phone and leaned over the window to address the security guard at the gate.

Once I was inside the house, I walked to one of the spare bedrooms and laid down in bed. It was after midnight and I didn't want to bother Athena. So, I decided to give us the night to cool off before we had a conversation.

In the morning, I sipped on my second cup of coffee as I waited for Athena to wake up. She hadn't joined us for breakfast, and I was worried she was avoiding us.

My parents went inside the house to cool off after breakfast, and Vivi said something about changing into her bathing suit.

Lottie was seated across from me at the outdoor dining table giving me a concerned look. "Where is Athena?" she asked.