“Honey, can I pick you up?” Zeus’ gentle voice sounded over the phone when I pressed the answer without looking at the caller ID. I looked at the time; it was already around 5 pm but there were still two files that needed to be reviewed and signed by tomorrow.

“I still have something to do. Go home first. I’ll follow you in an hour or so.” I felt weird when I said the word home but I ignored it. I would get used to it.

“Alright, I’ll go home and cook then. Hurry home okay? Love you and be careful on the road.”

“Okay.” My hand that had been writing all this time stopped when I heard him say ‘love you’. I know I love hearing it but I wonder when I will answer him back with the same words.

Somehow I finished faster than expected and I did not stay in the office any longer. Andrew had gone home straight from a client meeting so he didn’t have the opportunity to see me go home earlier than usual but somehow I felt relieved that he wasn’t here to see because he’d say those touching things again or probably tease me. Although I mostly used a driver, I would be making it a habit to drive myself home from now on since Zeus and I were technically secretly married.

“Welcome home honey.” Zeus greeted when he appeared by my car door all of a sudden to open it for me. He is wearing an apron and in casual sweater and pants, he looks handsome still rather than cute.

“You are actually cooking?” I said in surprise when he led me inside and I smelled curry.

“Why not? We might as well cook our dinner from now on. It would feel more like a real home this way.” He said and kissed me before taking off to the kitchen. I hesitated before following him to the kitchen.

“I don’t know how to cook.” I informed him as I took a peek at the pot he was focusing on. He smiled at me in a helpless manner.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. I’ll just be in charge of cooking from now on.” He said as he closed the lid and gathered me in his arms. He somehow started making it a habit to always hold me when his hands are not doing anything else. However, this time I embraced him back and rested my head on his chest with a sigh. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve been thinking about Andrew this morning.”

“I would really want to make a joke about you thinking of another man other than your husband but I don’t think you need to hear that right now.” I smiled and turned to bury my face on his chest. “So what about Andrew?”

“He’s focusing too much on his job, not on himself. It’s a good thing for me and the company but I’m already married while he’s still…him.” I didn’t know how to properly explain but I thought Zeus got it.

“You should probably talk to him, that’s the only thing I could say. There is no use worrying about him silently.” Zeus answered immediately as he stroked my hair before letting me go. “Go change and we’ll eat.”

I sighed and followed Zeus’ orders feeling a bit comforted. When I came down, the table was already set and Zeus was waiting for me by the dining table, sipping an unmistakable glass of blood. The lower part of our refrigerator was full of bottles of blood but he and I knew that I didn't really mind or care. I have even tasted the animal blood he drank once when we were in his apartment back in college out of curiosity. I wasn’t disgusted by it but I also didn’t like the taste. However, when he kissed me after drinking blood, I actually thought it was sweet. I blushed at the memory as I took a sit in front of him; the dining table wasn’t that long or big. After sitting down, I suddenly felt warm after I thought that this would be my everyday life from now on. Coming back to a place called home, eating a homemade dinner and breakfast and sleeping with the man I love and married to. This is pure happiness.

“Zeus I love you.” I said without thinking after having an after-dinner wine that I grabbed in the kitchen after washing the dishes. I had joined Zeus who was working on his laptop in the living room and drank silently by myself while watching a talk show. A while later, my gaze landed on Zeus whom I stared at before blurting out the confession.

“I love you too Honey.” Zeus absentmindedly answered back while his hands were busy typing. There was a moment of silence before he froze and turned his whole body to look at me. I thought it was hilarious and I giggled at his reaction.

-Zeus-

“You know myth or not, you vampires live up to the image of being sexually active. Too sexually active.” Asha muttered sleepily as I patted her shoulder rhythmically to help her sleep after passionate lovemaking.

I couldn’t stop myself from wanting her when she said those lovely words. She really finally said those words that I longed to hear after so many years. I thought that I should still work hard until I have the right to hear those words but Asha seems to have no problem with moving things to a fast speed. I was probably the only one who couldn’t forgive what I did. I didn’t purposely cheat on her but the pain that Asha felt was still there, that was my fault. I hoped that this time, with this second chance, the gods would let me keep her. I held her close and kissed the top of her head. She was already asleep but I saw her lips curve up into a smile. Whether it was caused by my actions or her dream, I love seeing her smile.

“Young master.” In the middle of the night, I heard Gemini called outside the house.

I opened my eyes and looked down on Asha who was still asleep. I gently eased out of her embrace and used my speed to get dressed before meeting Gemini by the porch. His face did not show anything but I grew up with Gemini and I knew that he wouldn’t disturb me when I’m with Asha or at this hour if it wasn’t an emergency.

“Speak.” I ordered when I couldn’t see anything on his face to give away what he wants to say.

“I had done what you have ordered but I’m bringing back terrible news.”

My clan, who wouldn’t stop annoying me by their constant appearance suddenly, stopped pestering me for a whole 2 months. It’s a relief on my side but it also bothered me when no one really appeared in front of me or with Gemini. I wanted to ignore it. But this time, I wanted to be careful now that Asha was beside me, I didn't want that incident to happen again. So I sent Gemini to investigate but his tone gave me a very bad feeling.

“What happened?” There was caution on my voice and I finally saw a twitch on Gemini’s expression.

“Your father had been poisoned. He is dying.”