Liora

5 I Tangled Threads

AUTHOR'S POV

As the private jet touched down smoothly, Athena's breath hitched in her chest. She gripped the armrest, her nerves tightening with each passing second. New York City stretched out in the distance, its glittering lights reflecting the pulse of a world that felt too big, too overwhelming for someone like her. She swallowed hard, trying to calm the storm inside her.

The jet's engines hummed to a stop, and the door opened. Cold air rushed in, carrying the unmistakable scent of the city. Athena's heart fluttered in her chest as the realization of where she was sank in. New York. The city of dreams. And yet, all she could feel was a gnawing sense of unworthiness.

"A-Ares," she stuttered, voice small, her wide eyes glued to the window. "I-it's... it's so b-big."

Ares glanced at her, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, it's massive," he said casually, clearly unfazed by the grandeur. Athena couldn't help but notice how effortlessly he fit in, his calm demeanor a sharp contrast to the whirlpool of anxiety that twisted in her stomach.

Her hands trembled slightly as she stood and followed him off the plane. The chill of the night air wrapped around her, but it couldn't numb the tight knot in her chest. A black limousine waited for them by the plane, its sleek body reflecting the city lights. A chauffeur, dressed sharply in a suit, stood by the car with the door open, waiting silently.

Athena's eyes widened as she stared at the car. The soft leather seats, the polished chrome details—it all felt so far removed from the world she knew. Who am I kidding? The voice in her head sneered. They're all just going to laugh at you. You don't belong here.

Her hands clenched at her sides, trying to will away the self-doubt. She couldn't let it take over now. But it was hard to ignore. The voice was loud, insistent.

Ares noticed her hesitation and gave her an encouraging nod. "It's not as bad as it looks, trust me."

But Athena didn't feel reassured. She barely felt like she could breathe as she slid into the back of the limousine, her legs going weak as the door shut behind her. The smooth interior of the car felt like an unfamiliar, distant luxury, and she wasn't sure she could handle it.

What if I make a fool of myself? What if they all think I'm a fraud? Her hands gripped the seat beneath her, nails digging into the leather. She glanced at Ares, his calm face offering no hint of the anxiety she felt creeping under her skin.

The car started moving, gliding smoothly through the quiet streets of the city. The towering skyscrapers loomed overhead, the golden lights glowing from every window. Athena's breath caught in her throat as she stared out the window, watching the city pulse with life. The bright lights seemed to mock her as they flickered by—she was nothing like them. Nothing like these people.

You're too small. Too weak. Too scared. The voice whispered venomously, and Athena pressed her hand against her mouth to stifle the wave of panic that followed. They'll never accept you. You'll mess everything up.

The car turned off the main road, taking a winding route that led into a more private, exclusive neighborhood. Athena's nerves intensified as the trees lining the street grew more meticulously groomed, the houses larger and more imposing. The sight of the mansion's gates, rising in front of them, made her stomach twist. A massive wrought iron structure, intricate and imposing, flanked with tall stone pillars.

As the car slowed in front of the gates, Athena's heart hammered in her chest. This is it. This is where they'll find out. They'll see how useless you are. How small. How... how insignificant.