Chapter 2: Athena

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Her mom named her Athena to symbolize that she wanted her to have wisdom and strength.

However, she grew up differently. She was shy most of the time and enjoys solidarity. So it's no surprise that she didn't disapprove when "Uncle Jung" asked her to marry his son, Jeon Jung Kook. This was his last request on his suicide note.

Uncle Jung treated her and her mom well. Even after knowing that her mom used to be a bar hostess. Entertaining men for the night was her mom's way to raise her. When she was about 6, she was always in awe whenever she will enter her mom's room. She will try her high heeled shoes and boots on, smear lipstick on her lips and spray perfume while she dances. When her mom saw her doing this, she received the spanking of the century.

"I did not whore myself so you can become one!" And a plastic hanger smashed on her behind.

"Promise me you will not end up like me!" Another spank.

"Promise me!" The cloth hanger broke into two when she slammed it on her butt.

"Yes mama, I promise!" She said while sobbing. Back then, she didn't know what a whore is but she heard her schoolmates' mothers asking them to stay away from her because they might catch a disease. So while her classmates are playing tag, she will sit on the benches, afraid that she might give them something contagious.

One night, however, she was awakened by the sound of a thunder. She opened the lights but there was no power. She heard noises coming from her mom's bedroom. Although she was afraid, she wrapped her blanket around her to check her mom's room. The door was slightly opened so she can hear her mom and someone moaning. She tried to push the door but froze when she recognized the man.

"Gooood, faster. You're mine, slut!" It was her homeroom teacher.

"Fuccckkkk....spank me, teacher. I'm a bad girl." It was her mother.

She went back to her room instead. After a few days, her classmates began treating her differently. She was now included in the ball games and some of her classmates shared her food and gave her stickers. Mr. Thompson said that good little students deserve rewards and looked at her.

From that day, she understood what a whore means.

Athena made her mother's wish came true. She didn't end up like her. Her mom was bathing in her own blood when the police found her body while she was safe. Athena and Uncle Jung travelled to a different state to avoid being found by the authorities whom are connected with the people who killed her mom. He kept her safe like his own daughter.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect your mom. My own bestfriend." Tears rolled down his cheeks.

"I couldn't protect her as well." Athena sobbed. "I didn't even had the chance to say goodbye." Tears started to fall one by one. "I promised that I will return home with a job, and I will never hear her say "that's my baby" anymore.

"You can't stay here." Uncle Jung wiped her tears. "Those men will be after you. Go to the city, I bought a small house there before. I'll contact you when it's safe."

"Uncle, please don't leave me like mama. Promise you'll be safe."

"I promise." He handed her a paper. "Read this when there's news about me."

But Uncle Jung did not fulfill his promise. A few months after she relocated to the city, news flashed about an ex-military man who committed suicide. The news said that there was a suicide note, mentioning how he couldn't take the guilt anymore because he killed his bestfriend's daughter, burned her body and threw it somewhere where no one will look.

Athena froze while watching the news and hurriedly brought out the paper that Uncle Jung gave her:

Athena,

Thank you for taking care of me all those years when I couldn't return to my own country. Your mom, out of all people, was the person I least expect who will help me during my time of need. I miss my family everyday and I wish that I can see them again. But I think that in this life, it will never happen again.

My son, Jeon Jungkook, he must hate me. I couldn't blame him. As much as I wanted to tell him that I didn't resent him, that it's for the best if I don't contact them for their safety. All of these don't matter now.

I wasn't there during his graduation and I will no longer be around to witness all of the good things that will happen in his life. May I please be selfish enough to ask you to marry him? This worthless life of mine will be put at ease knowing that my son will end up with a lady like you.

I may no longer be alive when you read this letter. I asked my good friend, Atty. Christian Choi to help you. May your future change for the better.

Athena snapped back into reality when she reads her new name that was given to her to avoid being recognized. She handed her passport

"Welcome to Korea,  Lee Minji" the immigraton guy greeted her and handed back her passport.


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