The Devil CEO's Contract Wife

Chapter 249: The Stranger In The House

“She has been living in this dump all this time? Scratch my eyes.” Athena took off her sunglasses, her entire outfit making this place seem like the dump she mentioned, even though I’m already seething at the slur.

Athena flipped her hair, exactly as I remembered before she faced Ares, a mix of frown and relief twisting her features.

“Hello, brother. Did you miss me?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I was wondering where you vanished to, and trust me, I knew it wasn’t a business trip. How dare you lie to my face? Did you think I wouldn’t find you? Think again. You underestimate me, brother. It was easy to—”

She paused when Esme peeked from behind Ares, her arms wrapped around his leg.

Athena blinked. “Is that…” She couldn’t finish as I came into view, standing beside Ares.

“Oh look… It’s my runaway bestie.”

“Are you friends with my mommy?” Esme asked.

“Yes, I’m her bestie, we go way back.” She tilted her head. “Come close lemme see you.”

Without hesitation, Esme walked to her, and Athena crouched to her height, observing her for a really long time.

“I was right…”

“Right about what?”

She pinched her cheek. “You’re a dumpling. The cutest littlest dumpling I have ever seen. You stole all the looks.”

Esme giggled.

Athena spared me a look and then Ares before rising to her full height.

“So are you two just gonna stand there or welcome me to this humble abode?”

I folded my arms. “I think you’re already welcomed

. You let yourself in already.”

“The door was unlocked.”

“I’m sure it was…”

She neared me, her heels clicking sharply. “I should punch your face flat. Destroy that pretty face. What’s your skincare routine by the way, does it come with bruises?”

“Athena—” I was cut short by her sudden embrace.

“Don’t worry, I won’t punch you… not while Ares is watching.”

She pulled away so that she could see me. “You should have told me you wanted to run away. I could have helped.”

My mouth parted to voice something.

“What? Don’t give me that look. I meant what I said.” Athena snapped at Ares, who simply pinned her with a look.

“I told you I’d hate you for what you did, and I still do.” Her eyes shifted towards me. “Now my bestie is back! I hope I’m your favorite this time… wouldn’t want any unfortunate accidents to happen to the previous one.”

Right.

~☆~

I opened the door, but it got blocked by something behind, so I pushed until the door flew open, and I almost followed if I hadn’t held onto the frame tightly.

Look at this mess.

The diner was unrecognizable; everything was a disaster.

A squeeze found my chest. The more my eyes swept the clutter, the more it felt like I couldn’t breathe. I neared the counter, pushing aside the tray smeared with blood.

Three years went down the drain.

I looked to the booth, smiling as I recalled Esme’s spot, and how she always did her homework there, but now it was simply a memory.

This place… this diner, it was meant to become my stronghold and an achieved dream even though it was never what I wanted. Yet, amidst everything, it made more sense.

I flinched when I heard a loud crunch.

“What a mess…”

“You’re your brother’s sister, alright…” I said. “Always seem to find me wherever I go.”

“Why, thank you… even though I might disagree with that since I’m not really on good terms with my brother, for five years now.” She held up a piece of what was left of a table. “What is this dump?”

“This dump was once my diner,” I gritted out.

I swear to God, if she calls this place a dump one more time, I’m gonna lose it!

“Right…” she tossed it, and it went right through the window, the glass shattering.

“My bad.”

How refreshing.

Here I was sulking over the damage, only for her to make it worse.

“I would have slapped you on the back of the head if you didn’t build something over the last few years. It’s a dump, but it’s decent.”

“Athena…”

“And color me surprised that this wasn’t the only thing you created. You made a little dumpling with your hair and Ares’ eyes, along with a few missing teeth.”

“Do you…” I swallowed as the dominant feelings reached the surface.

“Do you… What?” She taunted.

“I shot your brother,” I murmured, and the silence that followed was thick and suffocating, but it was reversed the next second.

“So…?”

I scoffed, looking to the side before fixing my attention back on her.

“What’s wrong with both of you? You just came into my life like I did nothing wrong and…” I paused, rubbing my temple. “Where is the hate? I can’t believe I’m asking that, even though I know I can never handle it.”

“Ares can never hate you.”

“I want him to…”

“Why?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

“Really?”

“You know what? I want him to hate me so I don’t have to feel guilty if he looks at me like I’m the only woman in the world he wanna be with, after everything.”

“Look at you…” Athena said, amused. “Opening yourself more… well, for me. You were always so reserved. Congratulations, you have matured.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I missed you.”

Her tone struck me because it was softer, followed by a smile curling on her lips.

“I’m still mad you left without telling me.”

She was still going about that. I guess if I had made a different choice to come to Athena instead of Reed, she would have helped me.

“He’s your brother. Could you have helped me?”

“Of course I would.. you’re special to me, and now I’m putting you as my first best person in the world and not that buffoon who can’t voice his feelings to save his life.”

“He has… changed.”

“Oh, has he? I doubt that. He’s still the same overbearing brother who can’t summon a flick of emotion.”

He only reveals that side to me. I smile at the thought.

“So let’s leave the case of your runaway damsel in distress and the thought of you beating me to putting a bullet through his chest. What are your plans for this…” Her eyes swept the place, and I gave her a warning look. “…establishment.”

“If you want to get customers as early as tomorrow or next, then we’d better get to work. I have a few upgrades to make,” she added.

For some reason, her words brought me warmth at how determined she was to help me fix the diner.

I crouched to pick up a frame, wiping it clean. It was a picture of the first opening of Honey’s Diner. I held the scissors to cut the ribbon, and Esme was saddled on my hip. Reed was beside me, along with Maria, Sheriff, and a few folks who came to support me.

“Actually, fixing won’t be necessary…” I began setting the frame face down. “I think it’s time to close this Chapter.”