"What's going on?"

"Athena needs someone to be with her right now. She's crying and I... I hurt her feelings. I know this doesn't sound right but I'm going after Claire. She's in Dubai with Izzy. I have to get her before I'll lose my chance with her." Zion answered.

"And you're leaving Athena? That's too harsh man, she doesn't deserve this." I tried to calm my voice but deep inside, I was raging with anger.

"I know, but I would hurt her more if I'd stay. Trust me, it's for the best, for me and for her. I want her to be happy, and she won't be happy with me. She deserves someone who will love her wholeheartedly."

He was right, but he shouldn't have started anything with her. He'd given her hope that he could love and cherish her in return. He made her believe that they would be together and live happily ever after. And now, he just broke her heart. That was too unfair on her part. Every bit of her heart was shattered.

"She loves you." I answered.

The truth left a sting in my chest. But I learned to ignore my feelings for her, like injecting an overdose of anesthesia to make it numb. Her happiness counted more... and her happiness was to be with Zion.

"I love her too... but not the same as my love for Claire. It's hard to explain man. Just like what you've been telling me all about, the love virus hit me hard on Claire. She's in my bloodstream and no drug could ever take that away."

"You're over melodramatic." And poetic. But still he acted so wrongly.

"Please understand me man, I'm in a situation between life and death right now. For my sanity, I have to fix my life."

"Seems like the old Zion is back."

He chuckled, the excitement was very evident in his voice. "I just can't help it. I can't wait to see Claire. I know it's not gonna be easy but I'll do everything to win her back."

"Goodluck to that. Okay, I'm going to see Athena now."

"Thanks man."

***

Within twenty minutes, I arrived in Zion's mansion. I found Athena in the theatre room sitting stiffly on a black leather armchair. She was alone and watching an episode of Riverdale. I doubt if she was really watching it or just staring blankly at the huge monitor.

I lost hold of the door and it banged closing loudly. Dammit. I saw her flinched at the crashing sound. It ruined her moment of sadness and recuperating from her pain.

"Sorry." I said in my very apologetic voice and entered the room.

My heart melted when I saw her face clearly. Her eyelids were swollen from crying, her lips plump like ripe cherries, her hair was a bit disarrayed and tears glistened on her cheeks. She looked miserable and sad.

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

She cleared her throat and wiped her cheeks. "I'll be okay. I just need to cry this off now and I'll be hundred percent okay tomorrow. Did Zion send you here?"

"Yeah, he called me to rescue the bleeding princess."

She snorted and clasped her arms together. "That's not funny, Carter."

"I don't mean it as a joke." I answered and settled next to her seat.

"I don't need rescuing, I can manage my own." Her gaze was clouded with tears.

"Don't worry, I won't rescue you. I'm here to annoy you."

She laughed a little then suddenly wept aloud, rocking back and forth. "You shouldn't have come. I don't want you to see me like this."

She was right, it was the first time that I saw her cry, showing her vulnerability. The Athena I knew was always feisty, strong and a fighter. She would not accept defeat when it comes to our hating, fighting, provoking and staring game.

"Shh... Athena, don't cry too much. You'll just get sick. Here, I brought you something." I put the box of Kleenex tissue paper in front of her. She pulled a few handfuls then wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

"Thank you." Her voice tremble, her breasts rose and fell under her labored breathing.

Damn Zion! If he's here, I probably gave him a good punch on his face already. I wish she would stop loving him.

"Come here." I touched her back to pull her in my arms, but she resisted.

"Don't. I... I don't need comforting." There was a chill hanging at the end of her words.

"I know that I'm the last person that you need right now, but I want you to know that... I care."

She gazed at me in despair. "Aren't you supposed to be with her?"

I got confused all of a sudden. "Who?"

"Your fiancèe. You're engaged to your lawyer girlfriend right?"

"Jenna?"

"Yeah, Jenna Judge."

"It's Justice." I corrected her. "Where did you get the idea that I'm engaged to her?"

She heaved a sigh and clasped her arms together. "I saw it in the papers."

"The morning papers?"

"Yeah."

"Don't believe everything that you read in there."

"Why, isn't it true? Don't deny it Carter, I saw her wearing an engagement ring."

"So you prefer to believe the papers rather than me who's telling you that it's not true."

"Why would I believe you! You could be lying." Her expression suddenly changed to annoyance. Back to the Athena I knew... and I kinda like it better. At least it stopped her from mourning her lost love. She could not stay here the rest of the afternoon crying. Annoying her was the only cure.

"Well, aren't you going to congratulate me?"

"What do you want me to say? Congratulations! Best wishes! I wish you a lifetime of happiness with her, I hope you'll have a dozen kids."

I chuckled, she really looked so cute when angry.

"You don't sound happy for me."

"Ha! Carter... I am happy! Can't you see my face? I'm smiling." She forced a sarcastic smile.

I shook my head and leaned back comfortably on my seat. "A smile that doesn't reach your eyes."

"You know why." She heaved a long sigh. "So weird huh? You're engaged and I just got myself dis-engaged. You must be so happy right now, while here I am so sad."

"Don't be so pathetic, Athena. That's not the real you."

"You don't know the real me, Carter."

I chuckled. "That's what you thought."

I took a piece of tissue paper from the kleenex box and made a paper rose. She was watched me while I made it.

"That's very beautiful." She said, but there was sadness in her voice.

I gave her the paper rose and she took it, looking at the details of the rose.

"I'm not engaged Athena... to Jenna or any other woman. Jenna and I are just good friends. After we dated twice, we realized that we don't click together. I admit, I bumped at her in California recently and she was happy to tell me that she got engaged to her ex-boyfriend."

"Oh... really?" Surprise was shown on her face.

"Yeah. That's the truth."

She smiled and lifted the paper rose on her lips, kissing it.

"You want more?" I asked.

"Yes, please." Finally she smiled... a genuine smile that reached her eyes. "This even smells good."

I could not help but laugh. I was happy that I was able to impress her with the paper rose. "I guess I picked the right scent."

I made more than a dozen paper roses for her and still continued until she told me to stop. They were on her lap, some she hugged in her arms and one I put behind her ear.

She looked so beautiful sitting there, especially when all her tears were gone and she started smiling again.