That’s not all. Zack Moore, Athena’s father, is suffering the same. Ewan has it worse…” Alfonso manued, feeling his eyes tearing up. How can he go bankrupt at this age?
Fu slowly sat down, not believing what she was hearing.
Site hoked at her father.
“What did you do? Did you offend Athena again?” Who is backing her up??
Athena didn’t know what to do when she walked in on Gianna drinking.
She had woken up to use the restroom, and then had gotten thirsty.
On her way to the kitchen just now, she had found Gianna drinking heavily, like her life depended
on it.
From the speed and haphazard way Gianna drank, Athena could tell that her friend had downed more than eight glasses.
She sighed, and rested her head on the door post, still watching her friend. What could she do?
She had seen Gianna in this condition only twice.
The first was three years ago, when her parents died in a car crash.
Athena had drank with her, they had drank till they passed out.
That had been understandable.
The second time was on the night she had introduced her to the children’s godfather, Zane, almost two years ago.
That hadn’t been understandable, and neither was this one.
What was the history between them?
Athena didn’t know, but she believed it was too dark–Glanna drank heavily whenever there was a chance meeting with Zane.
Athena also knew she should investigate the matter, but her best friend would go crazy with anger if she ever found out about the investigation.
Athena had found out how angry Gianna could get, when she had tried investigating the accident of the latter’s parents‘ and their death.
Athena hadn’t believed it was a mere accident. Gianna had believed it was.
Since then, she steered away from Glanna’s private matters, only doing something if her friend asked for it.
This matter with Zane was such a matter, so she couldn’t investigate it–even though she really wanted to, even though she wanted to understand why her friend became miserable after every meeting with Zane..
Once, she had forbidden Zane from coming, and had almost stripped the latter from being her children’s godfather, but Gianna hadn’t let it either.
Athena was beyond confused and tired.
When Gianna stretched her hand down, and grabbed another bottle, Athena detached her head from the doorpost, and stepped into the sitting room proper.
10.00
24 Wretched
Her mouth fell open consequentially, when she saw three empty bottles of alcohol on the floor.
The one Gianna was holding was the fifth bottle!
The fourth bottle was empty, but was still on the table.
Quickly, Athena hurried over to her friend, and grabbed the bottle away from her.
“What are you doing, Gianna?! What’s the meaning of this? What would you have done if Kate or Nate had walked in on you?”
But Gianna was far too gone. “Let me be, Athena! Those daredevils are very asleep! I checked before drinking…”
Athena shook her head. That wasn’t enough. Her children were unpredictable.
Surely, Gianna would understand that, being their godmother… Having heard what Kathleen had done last night…
Watching Gianna reach for the bottle for the second time, Athena shook her head.
No. This wasn’t enough. She had to do something.
She pulled her friend to herself, and dragged the latter to her bathroom, where she was sure there would be no interruption.
Once in there, she stripped Gianna of her clothes, leaving the underwear, and led her under the shower. Then she shifted away, and turned the shower on full blast.
Athena expected her friend to run out, or make a noise, any form of it at all, but Gianna
remained immobile under the very cold shower, as if her skin was unfeeling
This made Athena anxious.
She resolved to ask Zane today, about the matter.
She had to know the truth. Her friend looked like an empty shell! Damn their secrets!
Obviously, working from morning to night had been Gianna’s way of coping.
Athena shook her head. She couldn’t let her friend continue like this.
She waited for a while, for the alcohol to lose its effect, before turning off the shower.
After that, she left Gianna in the bathroom to get some clothes from the wardrobe, and a large
towel.
When she returned, Gianna was sitting on the bathroom floor, with her legs positioned at ninety degrees to the floor. Her head was bowed and centered on her knees.
Athena stopped at the wretched sight; her heart turning over the next second, when she heard the almost quiet sobbing. It rose with every passing minute,
Was she mourning her parents again? Did Zane have anything to do with it?
Athena abandoned the questions on the wayside later, and hurried to her friend..
24 Wretched
She pulled a crying Gianna to herself and led her out of the bathroom, before throwing the towel
over her.
When Gianna was dry, she gave her a nightdress, and led her to the bed.
On the bed, she hugged Gianna until the tears subsided. And when that was achieved, she rushed to the kitchen to make two cups of hot chocolate for the both of them.
Sleep was past tense now.
When she came back, Gianna was sitting cross–legged on the bed.
Athena hoped she was ready to talk.
“What is the matter, Gianna? You know you can tell me anything, right?”
Gianna nodded and accepted the cup of hot chocolate. “I know, Athena, but this isn’t exactly your concern. Or rather I don’t want it to be yours yet. Can you let me have it alone?”
Athena’s hand tightened on her cup; she hated this part of Gianna.
She had forgotten that Gianna could be stiff–necked when she chose to be.
“If you say so.” Athena finally muttered, through gritted teeth.
Glanna sighed. “Thank you.”
She settled in, and took a sip of the hot chocolate.
“Tell me something, Athena… to relax.” Gianna requested, after three sips of the hot chocolate. She was already feeling better.
Athena cocked her head to the side in thought. She chuckled when she remembered something. “Zack texted me today. He also called.”
“Really? What did he say?”
Athena shrugged her shoulders. “I ended the call before he could say something. The text came in last night. He was asking for a meet up. I deleted the text, and blocked the number.”
Gianna smiled thinly. “He deserves it. Anything else?”
Athena shifted closer to her friend, knowing the latter would love this piece of information. “I think Luca and Fiona have a child.”
Gianna had just taken a sip of hot chocolate. Hearing Athena’s words however, the liquid escaped from her mouth, and landed on Athena’s dress.
“Yuck!” Athena whispered, squishing her nose. “You couldn’t control your excitement?”
Gianna laughed. “Sorry”
But Athena wasn’t annoyed. She was rather happy that she had managed to lift Gianna’s mood.
“Why do you think so? How did you find out? Where did you see her?”
Athena chuckled softly. Her friend was back. “At the children’s school. She asked to be
24 Wretched
Athena chuckled softly. Her friend was back. “At the children’s school. She asked to be Kathleen’s friend. But I need your help in confirming it…”
Gianna bobbed her head, and kept her cup on the bedside drawer. She palmed her hands, and rubbed them, a smirk coated her lips. “With all pleasure, my love…”
Athena’s laughter was caught short by her phone’s ringtone, indicating an incoming message.
She picked her phone, frowning when she opened it. “It’s from Ewan.”
“How did you know?”
“My brain recalls his private number. He still uses it.” She whispered, and opened the message.
Expect my play, Athena. You and Zane made the first move. My company’s stocks just plunged, thanks to you.”
“What’s the matter, Athena?” Gianna covered the distance between her and Athena when she saw her friend’s countenance failing. “What did he send?
Athena had no words. She showed Gianna the phone.
“What play is he talking about?”
“I don’t know…” Athena collected the phone from her friend and hurried to the e–net, instantly paling when she saw the raving news.
Gianna snatched the phone from her a few seconds later.
“What the hell! Athena, you promised!”
Athena shook her head vigorously. “I didn’t do anything, Gianna. I didn’t break the promise.”
But she knew who did.
Athena quickly stood up from the bed and started walking out of the room.
She needed urgently, a cup of hot black coffee, and a long discussion with her children.
