Chapter 16

The car stopped in front of the mansion and Sean got out, he offered his hand to Athena who placed hers in his and he helped her out of the car. TB came out of the house in the next minute and was rushing towards them, he hugged Athena and kissed her forehead, "I knew he would bring you back, believe me, no one can ever say no to him," he rolled his eyes at Sean who ignored him. He turned back to Athena and frowned, "my, my, did you get thinner or what?" "Of course she did," Sean answered, "she was working harder to raise money so she could pay me back," he rolled his eyes. Athena looked away shyly when TB looked at her, "I had to, I hate being indebted to someone." "It s not bad to be indebted, I m indebted to Sean for the life I am living now, he saved me and he made me this, now all those people that laughed and mocked me are doing everything they can just to sit with me and talk," TB smiled, "that s what Sean do, he makes you better that those who laughed at you would do anything to be friends with you," he turned to Sean who was grinning, "of course he could make you regret knowing him some times though," he rolled his eyes and Sean laughed. Athena was amazed at their kind of friendship, TB is a gay no doubt and with how close they were, people often mistake Sean was gay too but of course, he never bothers with any one that thinks that. They went into the house with Smith carrying Athena s bag filled with her treasures which are mostly her parents photograph and some dresses her mother got for her, no matter what Frank says, she would never be ashamed of what her mother bought for her and to her surprise, Sean didn t say anything when he saw her packing them. She was taken to her blue room again and TB stayed with her to unpack while Sean excused himself to take a call. "So, where did you get this?" TB asked holding up a light blue gown Athena came with. Athena looked from the bed where she was setting her parents photographs on the cabinet and smiled, "oh, that was the last dress my mom bought for me before she died," she sighed, thinking about the day, "we were coming back from her workplace when I saw the dress, I loved it so much and mom and I went to price it, the money she had on her was not enough and I didn t want to make her feel bad so I told her that I didn t really like the dress and blue isn t really my color," she chuckled, walking back to him and fiddling the dress. "But we when we got home, mom told me to make dinner that she forgot to see Mrs. Wicket to give her feedback on what she sent her for. I didn t think of anything and just went into the kitchen to cook. Mom had returned, carrying a bag, I asked her what was in it and she said on her way back, she met Santa Claus and he gave her something to give to me." She chuckled again and TB didn t even know when he started smiling with her, "she told me to open it and I did and what I found was this dress, I couldn t explain my joy then, I was so happy and I forgot I had told her that I didn t really like the dress," a tear slipped down her cheeks and she sniffled. TB side-hugged her, "oh girl, I m pretty sure she saw through your lies." "Of course she did, she is my mom, she knows everything." "You must miss her, don t you?" Athena sighed and nodded, they sat on the bed with his hand still on her shoulders, "yes, she did her best to do everything I wanted and that s why I want to do what she wants. I know you must think I m crazy for wanting to get back with Frank after what he did to me and how he treated me," she looked at him and smiled, "but it was my mom s wish that I would one day marry him. You see, Frank was her idle son in law, he treated me so good and he helped with the house chores. When his uncle died, it was almost as if my parents adopted him and he was the good son anyone would want to have. Mom had made me promise to stay with him and that together, we could fight over everything," she sniffled as new tears trailed down her cheeks. "Oh dear," TB hugged her more, "I m sure your mom never expected him to behave like this." "I know," she sighed, "that s why I would take any opportunity I can to be with him, it will make my mom happy." "But do you think if she was still alive, she would want you to go back to him after everything he did to you?" "I don t know, I can t tell, I just want to do what she wants, she does everything I want and being with Frank will make her happy, it was her last wish." "You know, I strongly believe your mother wanted that because she believed Frank loved you and that he makes you happy. I have every reason to also believe that she only wants you to be where you would be happy and as it s obvious that Frank isn t what she thought he was, she would really love you to move on and be with someone who accepts you the way you are and not someone who would throw you away immediately he made his first million dollars." Athena didn t say anything and just leaned in his arms. TB kissed her hair and hugged her tightly, "how did she die?" "We came home one day to see the neighbors all whisperings and staring at us in pity, our neighbor, Leonard, was the one that broke the news to us, dad was hit by a Lorry and he died on the spot. Mom had fainted and she was rushed to the clinic, it was then that we found out that she had high blood pressure. She tried to cope after dad s death but her excess thinking and worry was too much and she went into shock and died soon after. Leaving me all alone, though Frank was there and he tried to be there for me, I appreciated that a lot. He moved in with me shortly after her funeral and it has been just us since then. It s been two years now though, two years and eight months." "I m really sorry girl, but it s okay, you have another family now and we are never leaving you like that Frank guy, even if Sean did, I will never," he kissed her head, holding her tightly to calm her down. Right outside the slightly opened door stood Sean who had came back to remind TB about the fashion show they would be leaving for in France in the next two days and for him to prepare the models. He didn t expect to hear what he just heard and it only made his blood boil more for Frank, he wanted to ruin him but he remembered what Athena just said, her mother wants her to be with the idiot and be with the idiot she shall if he can help it. He turned and walked away, making a mental note to remind TB about the show later during dinner.