Chapter 79: Let’s Leave!

Chapter 79: Let’s Leave! "I think we should leave the city," Gianna started when she was sure the children had fallen asleep. After picking them up from school, she had taken them home to eat and freshen up first, before bringing them to the hospital to see Athena. Now, they were fast asleep after filling Athena in on how their day went, including the fact that Sandro had paid them a visit. Kendra was still clutching her doll. "Why?" Athena asked, sighing as she righted herself on the bed, making sure not to disturb the children who were lying in different positions on the same bed. Gianna’s eyes widened in incredulity. "Are you seriously asking that? Look at what happened yesterday! You haven’t spent a month here, and already there are dangerous ruckuses here and there. Yesterday was Alfonso, today is the kidnapper, who knows what tomorrow will bring?" She threw up her hands in frustration when Athena maintained a bland countenance. "Don’t you understand, Athena? You’re in trouble! Especially from the kidnapper! Aiden hasn’t found him, so he’s still at large. Who says he won’t come for you again?Let’s leave here before things become messy! He could still be in communication with Fiona for all we know." "So?" Gianna’s eyes widened again in incredulity. She agilely stood up from the sofa, and started pacing, running her hands through her hair intermittently. She paused after a few beats, and intensely stared at Athena. "Athena, are you kidding me right now? If not, what do you mean by ’so’? Obviously, you are not safe. There’s no security detail either, unless you want to rely on Ewan and Zane; and worse, you won’t listen to our warnings about not entering any cab..." Athena sighed, a crack to her otherwise calm countenance. Her friend was still angry with her for boarding cabs, because if she had waited for Aiden, she wouldn’t have been kidnapped. Calculating the timing of events, it was safe to say that her cab driver had been in on the scheme. But did this mean she should run? Athena shook her head. There were a lot of sick people who needed her help, including Kendra’s aunt. She just couldn’t abandon them because of a threat to her life. She wouldn’t be a doctor then! "I’m sorry about that, Gianna, but I can’t leave. There are people depending on me for survival. I can’t just leave them. My children have just begun to settle in too, I can’t just uproot them again..." "Leave them out of this," Gianna interrupted. "The twins would understand. They always do." "That doesn’t mean I have to abuse that privilege. Yes, my children are wiser than kids their age, but I refuse to take advantage of that." Gianna exhaled softly and looked up, admiring the intricate designs on the ceiling, while thinking about the next route to take. She needed to convince her friend to move. "What about Ewan?" She reverted her gaze to Athena. "It’s obvious he suspects that the children are his. It’s also clear that he doesn’t exactly buy your ’I have a husband’ excuse. What are you going to do about that?" Athena bit her lip, almost wishing she hadn’t told her friend about the elevator details, as she watched the latter make a comical face while mimicking her voice and words. "Let him come then. I’m not afraid of him." Gianna palmed her forehead in frustration. "You are still new to the laws in this country, Athena. But Ewan is an old hand; he knows the tricks of the system. Do you think you will win if it comes to a legal battle? Or are you hoping he wouldn’t be interested in knowing the children?" Gianna paused to evaluate the emotions on Athena’s face. "If that’s what you’re thinking, I suggest you wake up. Ewan is as proud as men are. He would want his children. I doubt he would be happy that you kept them away from him, let alone that you lied to him." Athena scoffed. "Angry? He gave me no choice!" "The public might not see it that way if he plays that card. You both have been in the news too much already. Are you sure you are up for another bout of publicity? Think about the children..." "It’s because of them that I’m hanging on, Gianna. I won’t let Ewan take my children away from me, nor will I be leaving the city." Athena didn’t really blame Gianna really. The latter didn’t know all she could do, nor the connections fate had thrown her way, connections which she had utilized in the best possible way. She understood her friend’s concerns, but she felt secure enough. She wouldn’t have returned if the reverse were the case. She would never be the helpless girl she was six years ago! "But..." Athena held up her hand, silencing Gianna. "Are you sure you don’t want to leave because of Zane? Is he too close for comfort? I can send him away." Gianna’s pleading face instantly shifted to one of anger. "What brings Zane into our conversation?" Athena cocked her head to the right. "You claim that nothing went on between you two, but anytime his name is mentioned, you get prickly. If you won’t tell me this history to heal, who then will you tell?" Gianna snorted in annoyance. "I told you, Athena, I will tell you when the time is right. Don’t mount pressure on me." She strolled to the bed. "I’ll take the children home now." Athena nodded, having expected this. Gianna’s discussion levels always dropped to absolute zero when Zane was mentioned. She hoped her friend wouldn’t fall prey to excessive drinking again. "Alright then. Take care of them." The children woke up, when Gianna tapped them on their thighs. Awake, and aware they were heading home, they hugged Athena, and said with voices groggy with sleep: "Goodnight, Mom." Athena smiled, before kissing them softly on their foreheads and sending them away. She didn’t apologize to Gianna for bringing up Zane, an unacceptable topic for her friend. She didn’t see the need. After they left her ward, she reclined deeper into the pillows behind her, mildly startled when her phone rang out, destroying the quietness of the room. She hissed when she saw it was only Zack Moore. There was no need accepting the call. But on a second thought, she decided to hear what the arrogant man had to say.