She Devil | ✔︎

Nineteen.

Wandering through the graveyard it felt like something was watching me.

I snuck out of the estate without anyone knowing; for the past month, I've done nothing but prove to them that I'm worthy of their trust and that I'm not that smart.

So they won't be able to detect anything.

I'm walking around the cemetery, reading the names of the people who have died; the atmosphere is eerie. Since I was 18, I've gone to the cemetery to sit and think how these people died or how their lives were before they died.

My thoughts return to what Kenji said earlier.

You've been adopted.
you're not their child.
They kidnapped you when you were still a newborn.

It seems like bullets are shooting at my heart every time he discusses it more. I was expecting him to explain why he killed them or what they were up to. Instead, he said something that no one wants to hear.

But, once again, how can I be certain he's telling the truth? What if he's deceiving me? What if he's trying to trick me into becoming vulnerable so he can take advantage of me?

He's not lying.

My subconscious urges me to believe it, and my heart tells me as well.

Flashback.

It's my summer vacation, and I'm looking forward to it.
My parents and I were also traveling to the Maldives for a week, which I was really happy about it!

"Athena, are you all set?" Mama shouts from the kitchen, where she is preparing our trip's snacks. "Yes, mama," I replied. then hurry outside to see papa loading our belongings into the car.

"Are you looking forward to the trip, flicā?" Papa gives me a big grin, and I nod up to him, beaming, before returning inside to get my teddy bear and chocolate.

Translation: Daughter.

Mama was knitting on the drive to the airport, while my dad and I were blaring some of my favorite songs.

I hopped off the plane at L.AX
With a dream and my cardigan
Welcome to the land of fame excess (Woah)
Am I gonna fit in?

"Jumped in the cab, here I am for the first time", I bob my head To the beat. "Look to my right, and I see a Hollywood sign this is all so crazy. Everybody seems so famous!" He shouts in a girly voice.

So I put my hands up
They're playing my song, the butterflies fly away
I'm noddin' my head like, yeah
Movin' my hips like, yeah

When Papa starts singing the song to Mama with such tenderness, it makes me laugh. "Yeah, it's the party in the USA," he says back. He's all smiles.

Mama turns down the music, "bummer." Me and papa mutter at the same time with a pout. "Alright, you two we're almost there enough music." She chuckles at our childlessness.

End of Flashback.

I shake the memory from my mind and stand up, eager to depart because it was becoming increasingly colder by the minute.

I enter the estate from the back, intending to utilize the restroom window, but Kenji had completely sealed it shut. There's only one way in.

The kitchen's back door.

I cracked the lock with my hair Bobby clip and easily opened it. Slowly, I tip-top to the kitchen.

I came to a halt when I noticed a figure peering out the balcony door; it was Kenji.

He isn't aware of my presence, so as long as I go to my room, everything will be fine. I begin walking quietly but slowly.

"Athena." His raspy voice called making me stop walking.

I spoke too soon.

"I didn't see you there," I respond, faking a smile although he has his back to me and can't see my face. "What were you doing?" his gaze fixed on the view.

"Smelling air," I blurt out without thinking, he shakes his head as he turns around to face me. I take in his appearance; he's dressed in grey sweatpants with no shirt on, and his tattoos are visible. His abs and muscles are also in great shape. "Take a photo; it will last longer." When he sees me blatantly looking him out, he smirks.

What's with mafia men and their smirking?

"Oh please, I've seen way better." I shoo him away.

Liar.

"Oh yeah?" his grin deepens as he gets closer and I take a step back. "Athena, tell me you like what you see," he says lowly, and I try to back away, but I'm stuck against the wall.

Damn you wall.

I attempt to think of anything to say, but my mind is blank. He cages me with his hands on both sides of my head, and I merely open and close my mouth like a fish.

He's messing with you.

As he pulls me closer from my waistband, his right-hand creases my cheeks and moves lower and lower down my waist.

Play his game and win it.

When his hands grab my ass, I smirk and move my hands to his neck, gripping the back of his hair. I bite my lip. "If you don't stop biting your lower lip, I'll bite it for you." He whispers into my ear.

What am I doing?

I gently brush my lips against his, pulling back slightly to see his reaction. I lean in, swerve, and kiss his cheek before walking away from him, my eyes brimming with victory.

I won.