Damn it! Until now, I still couldn't forget the look on Athena's face when she saw me earlier today. It wasn't the right time for me to show myself up but I couldn't hold back myself. Knowing that she was in danger made me forget everything and jumped in there without thinking.

A sad smile appeared on my face as I recalled how she threatened stop shot me but she couldn't. I really thought that she would shoot me out of anger but she couldn't do it. I made her feel that kin of pain again when I showed up in front of her and now, I couldn't help but to resent myself.

Those f*ùcking b*stards are desperate now because they even wanted to get my necklace from her. I knew what they're planning so I couldn't let them take it. That necklace is my only license to take back everything.

I was pulled out of my reverie when I heard someone knock at the door, then opened it. I tsked upon seeing who it was and then continued smoking while staring outside. I just got back and decided to chill at the terrace while thinking about my next move in the next few days.

"Where have you been? I heard that you went out this morning again."

"What are you, my mother?" I answered sarcastically. Onyx scoffed as he sauntered towards me.

"Fùcker. You really are a fùcking dick—No. You've become much worst since you came back from the dead." It was my turn to scoff.

"Came back from the dead, huh? Is that really the right term to use of what happened?" He shrugged his shoulders and then leaned against the railing of the terrace.

"I guess, yes. I mean, you almost—"

"—I don't want to talk about it, Nyx. Now, why are you here? Spill it out." I interrupted him with a stoic face.

He chuckled. "Nothing really. I just wanted to check if you're here." I gritted my teeth.

"And why the fùck did you have to do that?"

"Because you know that you're not supposed to go out often but you still do it."

"I didn't go out." I lied. He gave me a deadpan look.

"Really? You didn't?" He clucked his tongue. "Even though I didn't see you, I knew that you went out again. In fact, you go out everyday, am I right?" He asked but he looked certain. I filled my mouth with smoke and then blew it away gently while staring at him intently.

"I won't lie about that. This is the right time for me to do the things that I must do before it's too late. They've done enough damage and I can't let them have their way any longer. If they think that they really got me for good, they're wrong. They don't know how I play my cards."

"I know that you need to move now but I can't help but to worry. Yes, you know how to play your cards wisely but whenever you're angry, everything about your changes. You become more aggressive and emotionless that you become reckless with your decision-making." He looked serious and I released a harsh breath.

"I know what I'm doing, Onyx."

"Then, why did you have to show yourself to the princess?" I scowled at him.

"How did you know about that? Were you spying on me?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"No. It just happened that someone I know saw how you saved the princess." He answered casually and my eyes squinted in anger.

"Don't you dare spy on me, Nyx. You know how I hate when someone meddles in my business."

"I just don't want the same thing to happen to you again because of being careless. Let's admit that the princess was the one who distracted you in the past that's why you almost died. If you really want to win this, you shouldn't associate yourself with the princess anymore." My fists tightened.

"She's rightfully mine and you know that. Whatever happened in the past was my own fault. I became too relax and laid-back about my mission that I forgot about what my enemies were capable of. Now, because of what happened to me, they've gone too far ahead of me but I won't lose. I will pull them down and kick them towards the place where they belong." I said through gritted teeth.

"I just hope that you know what you're doing this time because whenever the princess is involve, you become soft. From the beginning, I was already against with your relationship with her and I was right. Look what happened. She's nothing but a distraction to you." I felt like all the blood in my body went to my head because of what he said about Athena.

I closed the gap between us and grabbed him by the collar tightly.

"Take back what you said before I forget that you're my friend." I said menacingly. I was too angry that I felt like punching the lights out of him.

"You really love her." It wasn't a question. "Whenever I talk about her like this, you instantly lose your cool which never happened before you met her."

I zeroed my eyes on him. "Yes, I love her, and I am willing to do everything just to save her even if it would cost my life." His lips parted in shock.

"You really admitted it." He mumbled in disbelief.

"I know that you already know about that for a long time so don't pretend like you got surprised about it. Now, take back what you've said about her!" To my surprise, he laughed full of amusement.

"Man. You really are a lovesick fool." I clenched my jaw. This guy really knows how to make me mad.

"Fùcker!" I hissed and pushed him away roughly. He shook his head full of amusement.

"Okay, I take back what I've said about her. It's just that, I don't want your enemies to win. Look what's happening these past few days. That b*stard had been playing a love sick puppy and it makes my stomach churn just watching his stupid face." My jaw flexed as anger rose within me.

"That b*stard will never succeed. What's mine is mine and no one else has the right to claim everything but me."

He lit a cigarette and then started smoking. "So, what's your plan now?"

"I'll proceed to my original plan, but first, I have to reclaim what's mine." I answered meaningfully and he shook his head. Amusement was still evident in his eyes.

"Man, you're really crazy about her. I can't believe this." I didn't comment, but in my head, I was already devising the plan that I needed to do next.

I scoffed. Yes, I'm indeed crazy about her and seeing her with someone else is making me lose my mind. Just thinking that she's getting married is enough for me to gamble everything and go out in the open even though I know that I shouldn't be doing it because they might catch me before I could even execute my plans.

"During the Costavia day, you went there even though you knew how dangerous it was." I heard Onyx say.

"You know why I went there."

"I know and it's understandable. If it wasn't because of you, those fuckers already got the Queen. The Romano family doesn't have a clue of whom they're dealing with." I was about to answer when someone spoke.

"Really? How sure are you about that?" I smirked upon seeing her. Onxy turned around and I almost laughed when I saw the shock look on his face upon seeing her. Behind her the was him. I bowed my head towards them and so was Onyx who looked like he already swallowed his tongue.

"What happened, Ath? Why do you look like you're not yourself? Your eyes are puffy and red too." I looked up when I heard that voice. It was Aria. She was sitting the couch at the living room. I just got home and until now, I felt like I had no strength left in my body. Seeing Maximus for the first time since he left took a toll on me.

I swallowed hard as I tried to control myself from bursting into tears. "N-Nothing." I answered with a slightly trembling voice. "I'll just to go my room." I was about to walk past her but she stood up and stopped me.

"Nothing? Then, why do you look like you're about to cry again? I can tell that something happened because the sadness, confusion and pain in your eyes are very obvious." I swallowed hard again. My emotions were beginning to turn haywire again.

Cazzo! I thought, I already cried everything out before I came home but I was wrong. I didn't know how to control my emotions. It hurt so much.

Aria opened her arms. "Come here." Upon hearing that, the tears that I've been holding back in my tear ducts flowed uncontrollably like a dam. I went into her arms and silently cried on her chest. I poured all the negative emotions and pain that I've been trying my best to hide from everyone this past 1 year.

I didn't know how long I cried in my sister's arms but it did help me a lot. After crying so much, I managed to calm myself together. I really couldn't fathom why I still cry over him after all the things that he'd done but my heart was stubborn.

"Drink this, Your Royal Highness. It will surely calm you down." It was Sita, holding a glass of water. She looked worried. I didn't even notice that she was nearby.

"Thank you, Sita." I took the glass of water and then drank it. She was right. It somehow calmed me down a little bit.

She nodded her head. "You're welcome Your Royal Highness." She then took the empty glass of water and then left.

"Tell me honestly, Ath. What happened? I know you enough to know that something has happened. You're a tough person but when it comes to the people you love, you become weak like this." I bit my lower lip as I heard Aria's question.

We're now sitting on the couch together. I momentarily closed my eyes before answering. I felt so drained.

"I saw him again." I informed her with an almost inaudible voice.

"Who?"

"M-Maximus..."

"What?! Did you call the police?! Did he hurt you in anyway?" I gazed at her and she looked mad. I groaned inwardly and then shook my head.

"Then, why did you cry? C'mon, tell me what happened!" She urged worriedly. I didn't want to lie so I decided to tell her what happened a while ago.

"O, my God! You shouldn't've run after the thief like that! What if that man hurt you or worse, you got shot because of running after that thief?!"

"I-I didn't get hurt because he arrived and rescued me." I mumbled, referring to Maximus. Aria remained staring at me for a couple of seconds before she huffed.

"Are you sure that wasn't one of his schemes to get your trust again? Remember what he did more than a year ago. A lot of people died because of him. Don't let him manipulate you this time. Who knows what he's up to? If you let him get close to you again, something terrible is bound to happen for sure. Don't forget that he's a member of one of the most notorious terrorist groups in the world. He's a dangerous man." A sad smile appeared on my lips.

"You don't need to remind me about that because until now, I haven't forgotten the terrible things that he'd done." I chuckled mirthlessly. "Maybe, I'm emotional like this right now because I'm just a normal human being with feelings which Maximus destroyed. When I saw him again, I couldn't explain what I felt that time. All I knew was, the pain in my heart was overwhelming." I uttered the last sentence full of bitterness. My chest felt so heavy and I didn't know what to do.

"To be honest, I really thought that he was a decent man but I was totally wrong. He was the opposite of the person I thought he was. Frankly, I don't like Franco to be your husband but I hate the idea that you still have feelings for Mr. Vázquez too." She bluntly said. I looked away.

"I don't have feelings for him."

She raised an eyebrow. "Really? Are you sure about that?" I didn't answer and she heaved a sigh.

"I don't know why you keep on attracting bad guys. First, Warren then that Maximus. Now, that Franco. I mean, yes, he does appear to be nice and all but I really have this strong feeling that he's not what he appears to be."

"Well, all of you never liked any man who got involved with me." I answered with a hint of sarcasm. She heaved a sigh.

"Ath, we're your family and we want nothing but the best for you. First of all, we didn't like Warren for you because he was obviously a user and a clout chaser while with Franco, I don't feel at ease with him. I don't know why but I really feel like something is off with him."

"What about Maximus?" I asked curiously. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, honestly speaking, I didn't see any reason for me to not like him at first until he did what he did more than a year ago. Just like I said a while ago, I really thought that he was different but I was wrong." She even tsked.

I didn't comment about that and decided to just change the topic. Talking about Maximus was making my chest feel heavier more than it already was.

A week later, Franco came to Costavia for fitting of our wedding outfits. I felt like I was a robot while fitting my wedding gown. While on it, my mind was wandering somewhere else.

I didn't know why but ever since Maximus and I's encounter last week; he never left my head. What happened that time kept on repeating in my head like a broken record.

I couldn't forget the sad look on his face as he gazed at me full of longingness. He looked like he wanted to hold me so bad but he couldn't do it. His words confused me. Why did he sound like he was having a hard time of the situation? He still sounded and looked like Maximus that I loved.

"Wow! You look so beautiful, Ath!" Amelia complimented when I went out of the fitting room. "But why are you fitting your wedding gown? I mean, haven't you heard the saying that it wasn't good to fit your wedding gown on before the wedding?"

"Why? What's wrong with that?" I asked confusedly.

"Well, they say that if you try your wedding gown on before the wedding, something will happen that will cause the wedding to be cancelled."

"Oh, really? Then, it's good that you decided to try it on before the wedding." Aria butted in and that was the time when Franco entered the room. I gave her a look but she just shrugged her shoulders and then crossed her arms across her chest.

"Wow! What a lovely bride!" He complimented upon seeing me. I forced a smile.

"Thank you."

"Why are you here prince Franco? You shouldn't see your bride with her wedding gown on before the wedding. It's not good." Amelia said and Franco's eyebrows creased.

"Why, Princess Amelia? What's wrong with it?"

"Well, it's bad enough that she tried her wedding gown on. It's just what the oldies say." Franco laughed.

"Don't worry, Princess Amelia. That's not true at all because whatever happens, the union between me and Princess Athena will happen. Nothing could beat the destiny of two people who are already tied." Amelia shrugged her shoulders and didn't comment any further. The wedding will be held in three days from now but until now, I still couldn't tell to Franco that my necklace was missing.

According to him, we would exchange our necklaces during the ceremony so that everyone would witness it. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I have dark circles around my eyes and my eyes bags were apparent because I haven't had any good sleep ever since I saw Maximus again.

And if I happen to get some sleep, he's always in my dream and it was driving me crazy. No matter what I do, he's occupying my senses even though I didn't like it.

After fitting our wedding outfits and made sure that everything was okay, Franco insisted on treating us for lunch. Aria didn't come with us because according to her, she would be going out with her friends but I knew her enough to know that she was just lying because she couldn't stand Franco.

After our lunch, Franco asked Amelia and I if we wanted to go somewhere to spend the entire day together with him but Amelia and I declined. Amelia said that she needed to go somewhere while me on the other hand wanted to go to the orphanage. I just went there the other day but I needed to go again because I wouldn't have time to go there before and right after the wedding.

Franco decided for us to have our honeymoon in Nuevo Imperio so that I could see the place where he was born in.

"Do you want me to come with you? I still have time to spend before flying back to Nuevo Imperio." Franco offered. He would go home later because he needed to do for something important but would come back the next day.

"Do you really want to come?" I asked and he nodded his head right away with a smile.

"Of course. I want to get to know them too because you seem to be fond of them." A tight smile appeared on my lips.

"Yes. I like spending time with the children. I want to see them before the wedding because I might not be able to go visit them for a while."

"Okay, then. Let's go." We were about to get in the car when his phone rang.

"Wait, I'll just take this call, Princess Amelia." He distanced himself from me and answered his phone. After about a minute or so, he came back and he looked weird.

"I'm sorry, Princess Athena. I need to go home to Nuevo Imperio as soon as possible." My forehead crinkled.

"Why? What happened?"

"I don't know about the details yet but my father wants me there ASAP."

"Okay, I understand. See you when you come back then." He nodded his head and then opened the car door for me. I got inside the car.

When the car started moving, I sighed in relief. The idea of Franco coming with me to the orphanage was somewhat not a good idea for me. Until now, I still couldn't bring myself to be at ease with him.

I've been wanting to teach myself to love him this past one week but nothing happened. While Maximus on the other hand kept on appearing in my mind even though I've been wanting to erase him out of my memory for good.

Nonna scolded me the other day because I didn't inform her about what happened to me the other day. Now, she ordered the Royal Police to accelerate the investigation of who those men were and did they want Maximus' necklace which nonna thought was mine.

I closed my eyes. I felt so stressed out and tired. I decided to take a nap while we're on our way to the orphanage to relax my senses. I tried sleeping for about ten minutes but for some reason, I couldn't. Maybe because my mind was too tired already.

I huffed and opened my eyes just to be surprised when I noticed that we were on the road heading to the outskirts of town.

"Norman, why are we here? I told you to drive me to the orphanage, right?" I asked but he remained silent. My heart began thumping in rising fear when I noticed that the man on the driver's seat wasn't my driver. Even though he was wearing a black hoodie and a bull cap, I could tell that it was another person.

I looked ahead of us, looking for my bodyguards but their car wasn't there. I looked behind us and the car of my other bodyguards which normally stays behind us weren't there too. The beating of my heart became faster than a while ago.

"Who are you? Where is my driver?" I asked bravely with a stern voice. I saw him look at the rearview mirror and my eyes widened when I recognized those tantalizing hazel green eyes. I gasped loudly in shock.