CHAPTER 9: A NEW ALLY EMERGES.

Calanthe got a call from her phone. It was an unknown number. "Who would be calling me? It seems like I don't know this number. Sorry, I need to get this call." She said her face changing to a worried expression. "Hello?" she said.

"Calanthe, it's Athena," a smooth melodious voi said. "We need to talk."

Athena was a rival businesswoman who had been trying to acquire Calanthe's family company for years. What could she possibly want to discuss?

"What is it Athena?" Calanthe asked.

"I have information about Kairos," Athena said. "Information that could help take him down."

What could Athena possibly know about Kairos? And why should she be willing to share it?

"I'm listening Mrs. Athena," Calanthe said.

Athena laughed and replied. "I thought you would be,"she said. "Meet me at the park at 5pm. And come alone."

Calanthe stared at her phone in confusion. What was Athena's game? Could Calanthe trust her?

As she pondered these questions, Ryder asked her, "what was going on?" "Ryder, do you think we can trust her?" Calanthe asked.

"I don't know?" he replied. "But I think it's worth finding out."

"Perhaps, I think you maybe right. We have to be careful about Athena's suddenly incident." Calanthe said holding her hands. "Athena is hiding something, but I can't deny the possibility that Athena's information could be valuable."

Calanthe glanced at her watch. She had made a plan of meeting up with Athena. It was 4:45pm, "Alright, Ryder I will catch up with you later." Calanthe said as she was getting up to leave. "Don't want me to escort you." Ryder said. "No need, She told me to meet her alone." Calanthe replied. "Alright then Calanthe, be careful on your way." Ryder said, sounding very calm and caring.

Calanthe smiled and nodded as she made her way to leave. She made her way to the park. She spotted Athena sitting on a bench.

Calanthe was walking towards her as she was looking around to make sure that none was following her. "Thank you for coming Calanthe."

Calanthe sat down beside her. "What do you want, Mrs. Athena?" Athena's smile was enigmatic. "I want to help you take down Kairos," she said. "I have information that could ruin him."

What kind of information could Athena possibly have? "What is it?" Calanthe asked.

Athena replied in a whisper, "Kairos is embezzling funds from your family's company," she said. "I have proof, Calanthe. A I'm willing to share it with you."

"Embezzlement? That was a serious crime." Calanthe said. If Athena's information was true, it could bring Kairos down once and for all.

Calanthe wondered why would Athena suddenly come to help her? It seemed like Athena had ulterior motives.

What was Athena's real motive for helping Calanthe? Could she trust her? Athena stood up. "Let's take a walk," Athena said.

Calanthe looked at her and stood up, she then followed Athena. They walked in silence for a few minutes, the only sound being the rustling of leaves beneath their feet.

("Athena is hiding something from me but I need to know her real motives.") Calanthe's mind. Athena seemed too confident, too self assured.

"Mrs. Athena, what's in it for you?" Calanthe asked, curious all over her. Athena smiled. "Perhaps, let's just say I have my reasons for taking Kairos down." Calanthe didn't believe what Athena was saying. There was something more to this, something Athena wasn't telling her.

As they turned a corner, Calanthe saw a figure waiting for them. It was Kairos, his eyes fixed on Athena.

"Athena, what are you doing?" Kairos said as he was moving towards them. "Just having a chat with your so called girlfriend, Kairos," she said.

Kairos said, "I don't think so," he said. "You're not just going to waltz in here and start playing your games with Calanthe. Not without going through me first."

Calanthe was surprised with what was going on. "Why was Kairos acting so possessively? How did he know that I'm meeting Athena? Is there something that I don't understand?"

Kairos drew near Calanthe, took her hand, and said, "Calanthe, don't trust that woman; she's manipulating you and wants to use you. I know I've made mistakes, and I'm not someone you should trust either. Still, please don't be fooled."

Athena let out a mocking laugh. "So, Calanthe, you're going to listen to the person who has been using you your entire life?" she asked incredulously. "Do you really think I'm going to treat you the same way he did?"

Calanthe's expression reflected her utter confusion. "That's enough, both of you," she said firmly, holding up her hands. "I'm completely confused right now. I don't who trust, and I certainly can't trust either of you." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Athena and Kairos standing here, looking at each other.

Calanthe walked away, unaware that Kairos was following her. She stopped at the curb, waiting to hail a taxi to take her back to her apartment. As she waited, she heard a voice calling out her name.

She turned to see Kairos approaching her. "So, you're going," he said, his eyes narrowing. "I know you and Ryder are working together to take me down."

Calanthe to face him, her arms crossed. "Of course, I'm working hard to put you where you belong and end your games," she replied, her voice firm.

Kairos sneered. "Will you manage it?" he asked.

"Of course, I'll manage you," Calanthe said, her voice steady as she pointed a fingure at Kairos. "I'll challenge you and win this twisted game of yours."

Kairos closed distance between them, his face inches from Calanthe's. He gasped her pointing finger, his grip firm but gentle. Whispering in her ear, his warm breath sent shivers down her spine. "I don't think so, Lanthe," he murmured. "You I'll always be my pet... forever."

Calanthe's breath caught in her throat at if she'd forgotten how to breath. Her eyes locked onto Kairos', the intensity of their gaze sparkling a palpable tension between them.

Kairos leaned in, his lips brushing against Calanthe's forehead in gentle, possessive peck. "You I'll be mine, one day." he whispered, his voice low and husky gripping with seduction.

Kairos grasped Calanthe's hand firmly and said, "I'll take you home." But Calanthe wrestled her hand free and pleaded, "Can't you just leave me alone? Just leave me. You don't love me, and I don't love you the same way. We're not in a relationship. I know you paid me to work for you, but I'll pay you back. Just let me be. I don't want to be used in anymore of your games that I don't understand. Okay?"

Calanthe's hand trembled as she begged, "Please, leave me alone." Kairos, a man accustomed to getting what he wanted for force, was taken aback by Calanthe's words. His motto, "If I want something, I always get it," seems to falter in the face of Calanthe's desperation. For the first time, he felt a pang of emotion, and his pride him to do the unexpected- he left her be.

As Kairos walked away, Calanthe's words echoed in his mind, revealing a truth he dare not admit: he had fallen for Calanthe. But his pride refused to let him show it.