Chapter 10 Come to My Room
The cruise ship was set to dock the following day, as the birthday celebration would continue throughout the night.
Since Gabe was the host, he couldn’t stay with Athena for long. Instead, he arranged a guest room for her to rest.
Finally alone, Athena took the opportunity to call Evie and update her on the situation. After the call, she lay down on the bed, gently placing her hands over her belly.
“Baby, I haven’t had much time to take care of you these days, but I promise I will once I’m done with this job,” she whispered softly.
Just then, her phone rang. The ringtone was one she had set exclusively for Byron.
Athena instinctively sat up and answered the call out of habit.
Ugh… Old habits die hard.
“Come to Room 1899,” Byron’s deep voice commanded. His tone was cool, carrying a hint of exhaustion.
Athena frowned. “Why?”
“I have a headache,” he replied. Byron had long suffered from chronic headaches, supposedly a lingering effect of a past car accident.
Athena hesitated. “Is Miss Holland with you? I can explain to her how to help—”” Come here and show her,” Byron interrupted. His tone left no room for argument.
Athena sighed. It was, after all, part of her responsibilities to hand over certain duties to Ruby.
She reassured herself that since Ruby was there, things wouldn’t escalate beyond professionalism.
Meanwhile, inside the suite, Ruby sat beside Byron, gently rubbing his temples.
“Byron, is it true that Athena is seeing Mr. Chambers?” she asked hesitantly. “I overheard people talking about it tonight. She’s quite… impressive, isn’t she? Finding someone new so soon after leaving you. Unlike me… I can’t even help ease your pain properly…”
Byron had loosened his tie and undone the top two buttons of his shirt. Half-leaning on the sofa, he looked pale.
Hearing Ruby’s words, his headache seemed to worsen.
His voice turned cold. “Did I not tell you to leave her alone?”
Ruby stiffened. “I-I didn’t do anything. I just… Did I say something wrong?”
Byron opened his eyes, fixing her with a sharp gaze. “Don’t play games with me, Ruby,” he warned. “Or you might find yourself replaced, too.”
A shiver ran down Ruby’s spine. She immediately backed down. “I understand…”
A few moments later, the doorbell rang. Ruby went to open it, her expression souring when she saw Athena standing there.
She forced a smile, masking her irritation. “Athena, you’re finally here!”
Athena ignored her and walked straight into the room. She glanced at Byron and frowned at his pale complexion.
“Come here,” Byron instructed.
Athena stepped closer. “Didn’t you bring your medication, Mr. Crawford?”
“No. Give me a massage,” he said, his voice slightly weaker.
Athena sighed, but as she moved, Byron naturally leaned his head onto her lap. The sight of their familiar intimacy made Ruby’s hands clench at her sides.
Athena remained calm. “Miss Holland, Mr. Crawford has a chronic issue with headaches. When you’re out with him, you should always carry his medication.” As she massaged his temples with her slender fingers, she added, “If the medicine doesn’t work, you’ll need to—”” Enough. I just want quiet,” Byron cut her off, his tone sharp.
Athena suppressed a sigh. “Mr. Crawford, you asked me here to train Miss Holland. You should let her learn.”
Byron slowly opened his eyes, but Athena didn’t meet his gaze, continuing to massage his temples.
The next moment, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and sat up, catching her off guard. In a swift motion, he pinned her down onto the sofa.
“You’re in such a hurry to complete this handover, aren’t you?” His voice was low, tinged with frustration. “Already moved on? Is it the mine owner? Or Gabe? Or Brad?”
Athena struggled against his grip. “Byron, stop this! What are you even talking about? Let go of me!”
Byron’s eyes darkened. “Gabe is single, but he’s much younger than you. And his family will surely arrange a marriage for him. Do you think he’s your future?” His tone carried a hint of something unspoken—something dangerous.
Athena felt her breath hitch. “Byron!” she snapped. “That’s how you see me? I sold myself to you once to save my grandmother, but I’m not—” She stopped herself, swallowing back the bitterness.
Byron’s grip loosened slightly. Something in her words seemed to strike a chord within him.
“I saw you accepting the mine owner’s business card,” he muttered. “And I saw you with Gabe…”
His emotions boiled over. Acting on impulse, he suddenly leaned down, his lips capturing hers in an urgent, forceful kiss.
Athena’s mind went blank for a moment, caught between shock and disbelief.
Ruby was still in the room!
Did Byron even realize what he was doing?!