Chapter 54: Athena is Challenged

 It was Saturday evening ten minutes before four and Jason was waiting for Athena outside her house in a taxi. After calling her and about a five minute wait, she finally stepped out of the house. She had tied her hair in a bun and held it together with a simple yet classy hairband. She had on a baggy t-shirt that was black in colour which draped just above her knees and she had on white sweatpants which had oversized pockets on the side. On her feet she had black sneakers which finished off her look in style. Even though she looked ready for a date, she chose not to put on any make up which made her natural look catch Jason's attention since she was a killer with natural looks

Jason went to hug her as they exchanged greetings. He took a whole second just looking at her for him to take in the beauty. He had also turned on his fashion button and had clad an army green football jacket with a plain grey shirt and blue jeans. On his feet he had on green Nike shoes finishing his look. After the hug Athena asked him where they were headed to since he had refused to tell her completely.

"I'll let it be a surprise, but for now we can enjoy the ride" Jason said as he opened the taxi door for her, "so what's up?" He asked after he got into the car from the other side

"Nothing much, just stressing though since days are running out on us for the court hearing" Athena said as she settled into her seat

"I know right,I thought I was the only one. I mean it's a new case on new ground for me and I can feel the pressure" Jason said as he sat sideways to face her

"By the way, about that. How are you holding up?" She asked

"So far so good, definitely not what I expected but I guess I have to live up to my expectations" Jason answered

"There's that and also it's one of Alpha's biggest cases" Athena said

"You just had to add that on top" Jason said with a chuckle

"Im sorry, but it's what's happening. We would rather battle out the case knowing what we have at stake" Athena said

"True, which reminds me something. This whole week you have been having trouble with some bank issue, did you get to the bottom of it?" Jason asked

"Oh yes about that,weeeh,those guys made my week hectic" Athena said with a sigh, "but gladly I managed to get that under control,thank God. It was just some mix up of some sort within the bank so all the traveling was totally unnecessary" she added on

"That's why Alpha has one of the best in his team,I wonder where he got you from" Jason said with a raised brow.

"Like you, he poached me but not from another firm. He bought me from my job" Athena told him

"Let me guess,you were a cashier at a bank" Jason led on

"That's true, how did you know?" She asked

"Let's just say,I do my homework. I like to know who I'm going to work with before diving head first into any decisions" Jason said

"I envy that,it makes you highly unpredictable. And it also makes you ready for anything" Athena said as she leaned closer to him slightly

"In my line of work,I highly appreciate it when I am able to diffuse a situation before it even comes up" Jason said

"So I'm guessing you knew me even before I laid my eyes on you?" She asked

"That I can't lie,so yes. What I didn't know is that you look this ravishing in person" Jason answered as he leaned closer

"Do you always find an opportunity to flirt with me everytime?" She asked

"Just when the opportunity arises" Jason answered as he placed his hand on her face gently letting it slide of her face making her close her eyes

"Do you mind if I ask something personal?" She asked now looking intensely into his eyes

"Sure thing,why not" he answered

"What happened in Europe?" She asked as she watched his composure change and intensity build up in his eyes. For a moment he didn't react physically to her question but she saw something else in his eyes. She got more confused when she thought she saw pain in his eyes which slowly turned to anger

"A lot of people came up with their conclusions about what might have happened to me, so why do you not choose not to believe any of them?" Jason asked

"That's because unlike them,I'm in the same car with the actual Ghost of Europe" she said with a hushed voice so that the driver does not hear what she was saying

"Well I guess that's a good point. And I'm sure I wouldn't escape this question for long" Jason said

"Well you can't blame me for asking, you know so much about me and all those around you but I know so little about you. It's kind of unfair" she said

"Ok fine,you win. But I'm not going to say exactly what happened" Jason said as he leaned back in his chair

"Seems fair enough,I'm listening" Athena said with a smile

"So while in Europe I was handling a certain case which was bigger than I thought from the beginning. By the time I knew what I had on my hands I was already to much involved in it that I had no other option other than to finish it. Turns out, I was not the only person who had realized what I was up against. So I had some unexpected developments which proved unavoidable and with time I realized that I was dealing with people at higher power than me. So on my quest to ensure I do what I do best, delivering justice that is, I lost someone very dear to me and my whole world crumbled before my very eyes. All that I can remember that was going through my head was to drop the case and disappear because that was what I was supposed to do in the first place but I didn't. So this time I chose a better option,the best option" Jason finished narrating as he turned to look into Athena's eyes

"And that's why you went underground never to be heard from again, well not till you came to LA associates resurfacing without attracting any unwanted attention" Athena said as she tried to figure him

"Yes,I was hoping to staying underground for much longer until Alpha decided to burst my bubble sooner than I expected" Jason said

"I'm not good at this thing of yours but I'm willing to give it a try" Athena said as she turned to face him

"What's that?" Jason asked

"The thing that you do that always creeps everyone out,always makes you look like a fucking mind reader" she tried to make him visualize it using her hands as she explained it to him

"Well now,go ahead and give it a try. I want to see what you will come up with" Jason told her as his face suddenly looked inquisitive

"So here's what I think,you came to Sin City looking for something. Why don't you tell me what it is. Does it involve looking for someone of importance ?" She asked

"I'll do you a better one, I'll explain everything to you under one condition" Jason answered her

"What's the condition?" She asked curiously

"That you get to pass my test. If you pass it,I'll tell you everything about me and why I'm here" Jason answered

"That should be easy,just one tes.......wait,what kind of test is it?" She asked as she noticed that Jason started smiling. But what made her more curious was the fact that Jason's smile was turning to a sinister one by the second.