Troy And Athena (Forbidden Love Series Book 15)

"No you have destroyed my life, Troy. You could have loved me back and married me but you chose this b*tch instead of me. She has to pay for this with her life," screamed a hysterical Daniella. She looked at Troy approaching her and her hands went to the pocket of her denim jeans to extract more bullets. 

"Stop right there, Troy. I don't want to kill you as well," she said, her wild eyes, trying to focus on her gun as she tried to reload it. Seeing her disoriented state, the three officers tackled her from behind, dropping the gun from her hands to the floor. 

"Let me go, I'll kill all of you," yelled Daniella. 

"Your game's up, Ms Maine aka Ms Graham. You're under arrest," said officer Brimley, handcuffing her. She yelled obscenities as they took her away. The bearded man outside the fire exit had also been arrested. Troy thanked them and went downstairs to lock the door after them. 

Afterwards, he went up to his room and slumped onto the bed beside Athena as she still didn't regain her consciousness. Troy got some water from his en-suite and sprinkled on her face, gently patting her cheeks.

"Athena, wake up. She's been arrested. We're safe now, " said Troy, trying to revive her. He repeatedly tried till Athena at last opened her eyes and tried to focus on his face. Then realization dawned upon her and looked around wildly. 

"Troy, she's here. Troy, close the door. She's going to kill us, " screamed Athena with panic. Troy pulled her into his arms.

"She's been arrested, Athena. The police have taken her and her accomplice away. We're safe now, calm down," comforted Troy, stroking her hair, lovingly. Athena stared at him with disbelief. 

"Are you sure?" She asked hesitantly. 

"Yes, very sure. She's gone from our lives, Athena," said Troy. Athena smiled slightly, as she released a haggard breath. "But how did she come inside?" Asked a baffled Troy. 

"After you left, the doorbell rang. I checked through the keyhole and saw your neighbor Mrs Bailey at our doorstep. Since she lives alone, she comes for help every now and then. So I opened the door. She wanted milk and I went inside to get it for her. After she left, I had just reached midway up the stairs when I saw Jessica with a gun, coming out of hiding from behind the couch in the living room. I ran up to our bedroom and locked myself up. I was thinking of escaping through the fire exit when someone started banging that door. I was so scared that I just called you," said Athena, a shiver going down her spine at the thought of what might have happened. 

"She might have sneaked in when you went to get the milk," said Troy. 

"But why was she after you of all people?" Asked Athena curiously. Troy sighed and told her everything that Jessica aka Daniella had told him. Athena's eyes went wide with horror. 

"Why didn't her parents get her treated if she was mentally unstable?" Asked Athena. Troy agreed completely. 

"They were weird people who didn't mix with anyone much. So we really don't know much about them," he shrugged. 

In the afternoon they received another shocking news. Daniella had slit her wrists in police custody with some razor that she had hidden somewhere with her. She was in the hospital battling with her life. 

"I just hope that she doesn't escape from the hospital and come back to hound us," said a scared Athena. There seemed to be no end to this crazy woman. Troy sighed. 

"I just hope she doesn't. Anyway, mom had called last night. Do you want to go and have dinner with them?" Asked Troy. Athena nodded. She really wanted to get out of all this for a while. They got ready and locked the apartment up, they went to Troy's parents' house. Troy told them everything that was happening. His parents were horrified to hear him.

"Why don't you two stay here for a few days? We could plan your wedding. It would be a nice change for Athena, " suggested his mom. Athena readily agreed. She really need this break. 

"Yes, mom. We'll stay," she told her. 

"I need to go to the office for a little while after lunch. On my way back, I'll bring a few of our clothes from the apartment," said Troy, relieved that he could go and attend the meeting that he needed to. 

In the evening as he was returning to his parents' house, he received a call from officer Brimley. "Mr Wagner, can you come to Nevada State General Hospital, right now? Ms Maine won't be able to make it through. She's been asking for you as her last wish, " said the officer. Troy was instantly on alert but he couldn't deny a dying person her last wish. 

"Sure, I'll be there in a few minutes, " he said, disconnecting the call. He drove to Nevada hospital and parking his car, went inside. Soon one of the hospital staff escorted him towards Daniella's heavily guarded room. The police escorted him inside. He saw Daniella's thin body, lying still on the bed. Her sunken eyes searched for him wildly and then finally settled upon him. A bright smile flashed on her face seeing him. Troy walked towards her bed and sat on a chair beside her bedside.

"I'm sorry, Troy. Please forgive me if you can," she whispered, having a lot of difficulty speaking and breathing. 

"I forgive you, Daniella, " Troy said softly. 

"Thank you, Troy. Be happy, goodbye," she whispered, closing her eyes finally and breathing her last breath. It seemed as if she'd been waiting to ask him for his forgiveness. It was the end of her dismal story. If only she had utilized her time on earth in a better way! Her life would have been so much worth living! 

Troy thanked the officers for their time and left quietly. He drove towards his parents' home with a relieved mind. He knew that he shouldn't have been happy with someone's death but he was. He was happy that Daniella was completely gone from his life. He would now live a free life with his Athena. 

He reached his parents' home in the best of spirits. He saw Brandon sitting there with a grave face. "Hey what's up, dude? Where had you completely disappeared to?" He asked, sitting with him and Athena while his mom looked at Brandon with disapproval. Troy smiled at her to say that it was alright. His mom scoffed and walked away. Troy didn't mind. He would explain to her all about Brandon and Athena's relationship later. He knew that she was just looking out for her son. 

"I'm leaving for Florida tonight," Brandon told them with a sigh.

"Will you be coming back?" Asked Athena. Brandon shrugged.

"I don't know Athens. It all depends on Camilla, " said Brandon. 

"Won't you come down to attend our wedding?" Asked Troy. 

"Of course I will. Just send me the details. I'll be here, " said Brandon. 

"So, what about Jessica? Any news of her? Athens told me that she's in the hospital, " asked Brandon. Troy told them about Daniella's death and her last words. They all looked relieved. 

After Brandon left, Troy hugged Athena. "I missed you so much, love. We're free now, free from Daniella. Are you happy?" He asked, looking at her tenderly. Athena nodded with a beautiful smile on her face that lighted up her eyes.

"Very happy, Troy, " she said softly. 

"We should celebrate this, don't you think so?" He asked. Athena agreed.

"Will you go out on a date with me tomorrow evening?" Asked Troy.

"Yes, of course I will," said Athena. 

Later as Athena and Joanna made dinner, Troy explained to his parents about Brandon and Athena's relationship. His parents understood at last. 

"They're almost like siblings, mom. Athena has no family. Brandon's like family to her. He's permanent in her life. Even though I had misunderstood them many times, now I know the truth. So let's just treat him as her brother, please?" Asked Troy. His parents agreed. 

They planned the wedding which would be held in two week's time as Troy wasn't willing to wait for a month. Athena and Sally Wagner looked the most excited of all as they checked out the online designs of the wedding dresses. They prepared the guest list too. Troy's family, relatives, office employees, friends and their families, the list was endless. Athena on the other hand had only one person to call. Brandon. She didn't need to formally invite him. He would obviously be there. 

It was night, and they went up to Troy's old room to sleep. Troy showed her all his favorite things that he had accumulated since childhood. Afterwards, he pulled her into his arms. 

"Will you give me what I need tonight?" He whispered into her ears, biting her earlobe, making her tremble. 

"Yes," said Athena, pulling him to her and crashing her lips to his. For the last few days, life had been a nightmare for them and they were too upset to make love to one another. Now that it was all over, they could now live their life together to the fullest.