Too late. The shot had finally been fired. Athena, who had closed her eyes when Grey started moving Athena's finger to press the trigger, slowly opened her eyes. Athena saw that James had already been shot and was on the ground.
Athena, who was completely shocked and scared, felt her legs give way and her vision blurred.
"How was it? It's easy to shoot, so you-eh, hey!"
Grey hurriedly restrained Athena's body that suddenly collapsed. Grey let out a rough breath. "Damn. Just like this, she already fainted? She really is a troublesome girl," Grey was annoyed.
"Athena!"
Grey turned his head when suddenly someone shouted Athena's name. Grey was surprised to see Noah who ran over in a panic. "Noah? Are you here? Shouldn't you be at the hospital?"
Noah did not immediately respond to Grey's question, instead he hurriedly grabbed Athena into his arms, looking at Athena with worry. Grey rolled his eyeballs lazily. Noah had always prioritized Grey, but everything had changed since there was this woman.
"Grey! I just left Athena for a minute and now she's already passed out! You really—" Noah's anger was immediate and Grey was surprised because this was the first time Noah was angry with him.
"I only taught her to shoot. Blame that weak woman who suddenly fainted!" Grey said, not accepting the blame.
"You—" Noah stopped his sentence, then let out a rough sigh. Noah then carried Athena in his arms. "Never mind. It's useless talking to you, you won't understand what I'm saying."
"What? I-HEI! Noah!"
Grey shouted at the end of the sentence as Noah immediately carried Athena away, ignoring Grey. Grey clenched his fists. Really getting annoyed with Athena who had made a mess of his life.
***
"No!"
Athena opened her eyes and immediately sat up in a panic.
"Hey, Athena. Calm down. I'm here."
Athena heard the soft voice calling her and Athena turned her head. Athena saw Noah who was already beside her with a worried look on his face.
"Noah!"
Athena immediately hugged Noah to vent her fear that even loomed over her through dreams. Noah was surprised to suddenly be hugged like this, but eventually Noah reciprocated. He gently stroked Athena's back and hair. Noah understood that Athena was now really scared because of Grey.
"Athena, calm down. I'm already here. I'll protect you. I will."
"N-Noah. He's really creepy. Killing is so easy for him. You can't protect me all the time. What if—"
"This alley girl is really troublesome, huh."
Athena was shocked when she heard the words. Athena and Noah immediately looked at the door to Athena's room and Grey was standing there. Athena immediately grabbed Noah's shirt tightly. Athena was still afraid of Grey. Noah immediately held Athena's hand and rubbed it to make Athena calmer.
Grey who saw it rolled his eyes lazily. "Stop being afraid of me."
"Grey."
Noah called out and shook his head with a stern look, signaling not to misbehave for now. Again, Grey could only surrender because his best friend asked. Grey watched Athena who didn't even dare to look at him.
"I won't hurt you. Just relax." That was all Grey could think about for now.
"W—where is it possible? You said it was easy to kill me yourself, right?" replied Athena without looking at Grey.
"I—"
Grey hung up his sentence when he saw Noah who looked at him sternly. Grey abandoned his intention of ranting again. Grey didn't want him to get into a fight or at least Noah to get angry with him because of this troublesome girl.
"I won't hurt you. As easy as it is for me to kill you, I won't. My energy, my skills are valuable. I won't waste it on a girl like you. I will only teach my enemy a lesson. Well, unless you've really tested my emotions, maybe—"
"Sir, you can scare her again," whispered Ocean directly behind Grey.
Grey stopped his sentence, then noticed the reaction of Athena who was still scared. Grey let out his breath. What a hassle-he thought.
"The point is, I won't hurt you. Noah doesn't want me to hurt you either. So, don't think anything. I just wanted to teach you to shoot. That way, you can at least protect yourself."
"But, you taught me like that! You want to kill me?!" snapped Athena instantly.
Grey was angry instantly because no one dared to yell at him so far other than his father, this girl had yelled at him several times. "Hey, it's your own fault for being a coward, alley girl! Everyone's fine, you're the one who fainted and-"
"Grey! Stop. You're going to scare him even more," interrupted Noah instantly making Grey who was about to rant again stop.
Damn. This woman was really testing his temper. However, Grey couldn't ignore his best friend. Grey again had to undo his anger. Grey had already clenched his hands behind his body.
"The point is, calm down. I won't hurt you."
"You're a cruel man. Can I trust your word?" Athena asked again.
"Of course! What kind of man do you think I am?! I would—"
"Sir, please don't raise your voice. Remember. Don't make him more scared and Mr. Noah angry. Patience, sir," Ocean whispered directly.
Grey let out a rough breath. Damn. This woman was really inconveniencing his life. "Okay. What do you want so you won't be afraid?" asked Grey directly.
Athena was silent, honestly she was still scared. However, Athena finally got up the courage because this was all for her safety. "Promise me."
Grey rolled his eyes lazily. "Ok. Promise what?"
"You won't hurt me. That's an oath. If you break it, you're a stupid dog. All your crimes will be exposed, then you will get worse karma. You promised, you agreed," Athena replied, making Grey surprised.
"What?! Are you crazy?! Who do you think I am that you-"
"Of course. Grey will promise. Relax, Athena."
Grey frowned at Noah's words to Athena with a sweet smile. Grey wanted to protest, but Noah was already looking at him as if asking 'Grey, don't argue or refuse.' and again Grey had to hold back his anger and ego desperately. Grey felt like kicking Athena who was looking at him intently far away.
"Okay. I promise. Satisfied?" asked Grey instantly making Athena spontaneously smile.
"Okay! You can't break a promise!"
"Hm."
"You don't want to do anything by the way?" asked Athena making Grey chuckle softly.
"What?"
Athena was silent. She was a little hesitant to say it. But Noah's smile and nod gave her the courage to say it. "Apologize maybe?"
"What?!"