The Heart Of Hades: The Hidden Realm

By Iris Blossom

Lilia doesn't know she is descended from the Gods & her Father wants to keep it that way, until an unexpected incident puts her in range of all 12 Gods.

Medusa wants her power.

Titans wants to have a seat at the table.

Lilia is the bridge between all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IngramSpark
• Release date: Jun 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9785285582885

Book preview

I

No, no, no, nothing is working! She sighed, glaring at her closet.

Lilia stood in front of her closet, staring at her blouses. She pulled out one after another, checking them against her pale pink pencil skirt. Each one she rejected and tossed onto her queen-sized bed with a sigh. She wanted to look her absolute best on her first day as secretary for the CEO of Olympus Law, Mr. Waters. It shocked her when her supervisor announced they promoted her from a general secretary to a personal one. She’d been at Olympus Law for three years, working her way through college. She was in her last semester finishing her degree in event planning. Life had finally started to look up after an abysmal few months.

Feeling confident, she picked up a light blue silk blouse with pink cherry blossoms that matched her skirt. She always enjoyed what she termed happy patterns on her clothes. Her brother Ian laughed when she brought it up. He was filming a new superhero movie for the next six months. The two of them shared a brownstone in Manhattan. Ian insisted she stay with him while completing school after her disastrous breakup.

What use is all my money if I can’t help my family? he’d asked her when she hesitated to accept his offer.

Ack! she yelled when she glanced at her alarm clock. If she didn’t leave now, she would be late for work. Rushing downstairs, she ran into the kitchen, grabbed her overnight oatmeal from the refrigerator, tossed her nude pumps into her bag, and slipped on flats to run to the subway. Putting on her blue wool coat, she buttoned it as she went out the door, locking it before running to the station. She slipped into a subway car seconds before the doors closed on her. If she’d missed the train, she would have been late and wanted to make an excellent first impression.

She walked into the office and took a deep breath to settle her nerves. The office was spacious, with an inner room Mr. Waters used as his office. Her desk, polished cherry wood with a state-of-the-art monitor and CPU in one corner, sat outside the inner office. She noticed four comfortable chairs set against the wall by the outer door and a water cooler with disposable cups. A shining silver coffee and tea service sat to the left of the door. She remembered talking to the previous secretary about Mr. Waters’ expectations when he had high-profile clients. She was to ask if the clients wanted coffee or tea, then bring it within five minutes. She put her things away, slipped on her nude pumps, and started getting Mr. Waters his morning cup of coffee.

Good morning, Mr. Waters. I’ve brought you your coffee, Lilia announced, walking into his office. She set the coffee out of the way and handed him a printed schedule of his day.

Thank you, Ms. Heart. Take a seat, and we will go over your daily duties, Mr. Waters replied, motioning to a leatherback chair in front of his massive mahogany desk.

Yes, sir. She settled herself on the edge of the chair, pen poised to take notes.

First, when alone, call me Don. Second, we will go over my daily schedule every morning at eight. This means no scheduling any appointments until nine. Next, I have all files pertaining to my meetings pulled and on my desk. I don’t particularly appreciate looking disorganized in front of a client. Answer your phone by the third ring and remember client privacy is of the utmost importance. There will be more unique clients through my doors than you may have seen with the other lawyers. I ask you to remember when you greet any of them. Lastly, I allow my brothers Harry and Zach into my office any time, even when I’m with a client. Do you have questions about the information I have given you? Don asked. Watching her pen fly across her notepad, he took this time to observe her.

She was a beautiful young lady with blond hair and amaretto eyes. By human standards, they would consider her petite with an attractive figure. Her little outfit hid much but fit her perfectly, to leave any man wondering what she hid beneath. He could tell she cared for herself, her arms defined with svelte muscles and dancers’ legs. He might have asked her out to a fancy dinner if she weren’t his employee and discovered her secrets. Her skirt reached her knees, and her blouse billowed around her arms, cuffed at the wrists. Even in her pumps, she barely reached his shoulder. She had a calming aura, just being around her relaxed him. He felt an untapped potential just waiting to get out. He felt that same potential several months ago. It took him those months to figure out who the aura had been radiating from. As soon as he found Lilia, he had her transferred and promoted to his secretary.

Before she arrived, he’d looked at her personnel file. In it he found she turned twenty-three this past November. She was a hospitality major at the local university and worked for his company for three years. Her father, Matthew Burton, was a famous photographer, and her brother Ian Burton, was a rising movie star. She had a lot of talent in her family and went into hospitality. He was curious why she’d chosen that for her major. He would let her warm up to him, and then he would ask her why.

No sir, no questions, she replied after a minute of reviewing all the notes she had taken.

If any arise, please ask, don’t figure it out on your own. I’d like you to contact my accountant James Carter to set up a meeting. His information is in the address book left by my last secretary. He watched her, surprised when he saw her eyes flare with unchecked rage at the mention of James Carter’s name. The room around them went frigid.

Do you know James Carter? he inquired, intrigued by the anger he glimpsed.

We are cousins. Her clipped voice revealed her annoyance.

Do you not get along?

Just a minor family matter, don’t worry, it will not interfere with my work, Lilia assured him with a nod.

Good, now off you go. He shooed her out of his office and settled once again behind his desk.

Closing the door, she sat down at her desk and groaned, putting her head in her hands. Of all the accountants in New York City, he had to have James. He was the last person, besides her ex-fiancé Phillip, she wanted to see or talk to again. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the receiver on her phone and called his accounting firm.

Good morning, Mr. Carter’s office at Killian and Drake. This is Annabeth speaking, she heard a female voice answer the phone.

Good morning, this is Lilia from Mr. Don Waters’ office at Olympus Law. I am calling to schedule a meeting with Mr. James Carter. He would like Mr. Carter to come to his office, if possible, later this week, Lilia explained, pulling up Mr. Water’s schedule on her computer.

Mr. Carter has Wednesday at eleven open, the secretary offered.

Mr. Waters already has a scheduled appointment. Could we do Wednesday at two?

Mr. Carter is booked.

The conversation continued until they settled on Thursday at one pm.

We will see Mr. Carter Thursday at one. Thank you, and have a wonderful day. Lilia hung up the phone, realizing two gorgeous men had been patiently waiting for her to get off the phone. She looked up and up until she caught the eye of the taller of the two. He had olive skin, chestnut hair, and the deepest violet eyes she had ever seen. She felt he saw right through to her soul. He had on a pair of khaki pants, a white polo shirt with the logo Olympus Sky Gym just above his heart. The logo looked like a laurel wreath, a winner from the Olympic games used to receive. To finish the look, his bangs were pulled back from his forehead with his sunglasses. She could tell he was at least a good foot taller than her; he was broad through his shoulders but had narrow hips. He must be an athlete. She would stake her point shoes on it. He was stunning to look at and when he pierced her with his gaze, her insides melted.

Good morning gentlemen, I apologize for the wait. What can I do for you? she asked, trying to mask her reaction to the taller gentleman.

We are here to see Don. I am Zach and this silent brooding male is Harry, the other gentleman explained, jerking a thumb at the man she’d been drooling over. Zach was two inches shorter than Harry, the same olive skin but with blond hair and bright blue eyes. He wore a three-piece suit of light grey, with a crisp white shirt and red tie. She cocked her head to the side and said,

Of course, but have we met before? You feel familiar to me.

Probably not, I look a lot like the actor Ian Burton, so many people mistake me for him, Zach answered.

No, Ian is my half-brother, so that can’t be it. Oh well, just a feeling I have. I’ll let Mr. Waters know you and Mr. Undervold are here.

How do you know my last name? Harry asked, finally speaking to her. His voice was a deep rumble she could feel in her bones.

Mr. Waters’ last secretary left me important information, and your last names were on it. I don’t want to call you by the wrong name, Lilia replied, her eyes shining along with her smile.

Harry sucked in a sharp breath. Her smile was like a siren’s call. He felt a pull and immediately wanted to get to know her. He watched in fascination as she picked up the phone and dialed into Don’s office.

Mr. Waters, your brothers are here to see you. Yes, I’ll show them in, will you be wanting coffee? she asked into the receiver and hung up once she had received an answer.

You may go in, would either of you like coffee or tea? She asked, looking up at the two gentlemen. Harry stared at her, lost in thought he didn’t realize she was talking to him again. Zach elbowed him in the ribs and nodded towards Lilia.

She asked if you wanted coffee or tea, Harry.

Oh sure, black coffee please, he replied, shaking his head. It had been almost a century since a woman distracted him enough to lose track of a conversation.

Of course, you may go in, and I’ll be in, in a moment with your coffees. Lilia motioned to the office door as she stood. She smoothed her skirt and stepped out from behind her desk, headed toward the small kitchen area to make coffee. Harry couldn’t stop himself from watching her walk away, taking in her trim waist and petite frame. When she’d walked past, he’d caught a whiff of vanilla and cherry, he also noted in four-inch pumps the top of her head barely reached his shoulder.

Once safely in the office, Zach burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

Hades, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say Poseidon’s new secretary has piqued your interest, Zeus joked.

Is that so, Zeus? Poseidon asked, lifting an eyebrow, and staring at his younger brother.

You are insane, Zeus, what would I do with a mortal woman? Hades inquired, unable to keep the irritation out of his voice. When had they gotten so good at being able to read him, or was he just that bad at hiding his attraction to Lilia?

Knock, knock.

Here is your coffee. Please call me should you need anything else, Lilia said, placing the coffee on the table and leaving quickly so as not to disturb their meeting. The three men watched the door close, and Poseidon remarked,

I don’t think she is all mortal, Hades. Did either of you feel immediately at ease as soon as you entered my office?

Yes, and I felt a tug of familiarity toward her, she did too. She asked me if we had met before, Zeus explained, and Hades nodded in agreement.

She mentioned her half-brother is Ian Burton, and he is of your line, Zeus. His father is the son of one of your children, Hades remarked, looking thoughtful.

Lilia and Ian have the same father, but different mothers. I think she is of Aphrodite’s lineage, and with the amount of power I sense in her, Aphrodite might be her birth mother. I don’t know if she is of your line, Zeus, the power feels familiar but not the same as yours. It was not my intention when I first asked her to call Mr. James Carter, but after her reaction toward him and telling me he is her cousin, I want to see what information I can gather from him about her. She has no idea of her power. It is one reason I had her promoted so I could monitor her, Poseidon explained, sipping on his coffee.

How long have you felt her power? Zeus asked.

Three months or so ago, I felt a surge in the building. It took me a while to pinpoint which secretary the power was coming from. She has been here for three years, give or take a month or two.

Why are you just feeling her power now? Hades asked, sipping his own coffee, appreciating the smooth rich flavor.

I don’t know, I’ve never felt a combination of her power before. Usually, I can pinpoint the god or goddess, a demigod descended from without effort. It is almost as if Lilia is subconsciously hiding her power. I don’t recall having a demigod with that ability, do you? He put it to his brothers.

I don’t either, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Have you asked Aphrodite if Lilia is her daughter? Zeus wanted to know.

She won’t speak to me. We had a terrible falling out over her, loving a human who was destructive for her. He was a photographer who barely had time for her, and she pined away for him. It kept her from doing her duty as the goddess of love, Poseidon revealed.

I’ll talk to her. She is on Olympus for a break from the human world, Zeus offered, Poseidon nodded his thanks.

What mix of power are you getting at Poseidon? You mentioned it was a mix, Hades pointed out.

I think the mix of being a direct descendant of Aphrodite and her alleged father Matthew Burton being distantly related to Zeus is making for a unique combination of power. He may not be her father and Aphrodite pawned Lilia off on him because she knew her actual father would not want Lilia. Like I said I don’t know if she is a descendant of yours Zeus, or if she has similar power. I don’t know any god other than Hephaestus and Apollo who has a fire or lightning power. I mentioned her cousin James earlier in conversation and I could have sworn lightning or fire flared in her eyes.

What happened between them? Zeus wanted to know.

She said it was a family matter and didn’t elaborate, Poseidon explained with a shrug. If Lilia didn’t want to talk about it, he would not pressure her. We came here to talk about Medusa and her sisters starting to become more active in New York City, Hades announced, and the three switched gears to talk about their plans on how to deal with Medusa.

II

A few days later Lilia went for her normal morning jog, listening to one of her textbooks through her phone. She ran a five-mile route, but today she had some extra nervous energy to burn. Last night her professor had announced their senior project. They were to plan either a wedding, a sweet sixteen or anniversary party with a different budget for each. The following week he would assign them a project based on their concept proposals. She did not want the wedding project. She’d called off her own six months ago. She still remembered that horrid day.

It had been a Wednesday and her classes usually went late. That day her professor had cancelled her late class, and she had come home early. She walked into the apartment she shared with Phillip and heard strange noises coming from the bedroom. Opening the door, she found Phillip in bed with her cousin James. Screaming in shock, she had thrown her engagement ring at Phillip, told him it was over and left.

She then ran to Ian and told him everything she’d seen. He hired movers, and she moved out and into his place the very next day. He even helped her cancel all the wedding plans and let their family know the wedding was off. He was the best older brother she could have asked for.

On her run, she realized she had started crying.

Angrily she brushed away her tears and felt a shock of heat run down her hand and bounce off her fingers. Glancing at her hand, she could have sworn she’d seen a light flare on her fingers. Shaking her head, she told herself she needed more sleep and finished her run.

Unknown to her, an ominous shadow had followed on her run, keeping a pace just behind. He slipped into the alley beside her house and watched her unlock her door. Not a care in the world. Soon he would take her and force her to use her power to overthrow the gods and goddesses on Olympus. It would be his time with Medusa to control the human world. No more hiding in the shadows and covering up for human mistakes. He would force the world to accept monsters among everyone.

Lilia readied herself for work like always, putting on a cream-colored fitted dress and tucked hot pink pumps into her bag for work. Pink always made her feel the most powerful. She added a little more color to her makeup than usual and picked her favorite pink lipstick to wear. Today she would need all the confidence she could muster as James would come in for his meeting with Don. Maybe she could pretend to run an errand and not have to see him at all.

Lilia left for the subway; she walked the three blocks and down, passing through the pay station. Her neck prickled with awareness. She turned around, feeling someone’s eyes on her. When no one made eye contact, she turned back to wait for her train to show. Get a grip Lilia, you are just worked up over James. She scolded herself and stepped onto her train.

Her feeling of unease did not let up until she entered her office building and settled behind her desk, changing into her nice shoes.

Good morning, Mr. Waters, did you have a good night? she asked, settling into her customary chair, for their morning meeting after placing his cup of coffee on his desk.

Good morning, Lilia, yes I did. You look lovely today, he greeted, taking in her outfit choice.

Thank you, Mr. Waters. I always try to make my outfits ones that give me confidence, she explained. Rough morning? he asked, curious if she would open up.

He had yet to get her to talk about herself more than just the basics of where she was going to school and who her family was. Other than that, he knew nothing about her.

Nothing I can’t handle. Here is your schedule for today. She handed him the printed schedule, Don nodded and allowed her to continue. Today you have a meeting with Mr. Chimera at ten, a lunch with Melissa Harp at Gregorio’s and a one o’clock meeting with… James Carter. Her hands shook as she said his name and the room temperature tanked.

Don watched, curious to see if she would realize, she had dropped the temperature of the room if his measure were correct by about twenty degrees. Did the air conditioner kick on? she asked, her attention snapping away from James’ name.

No, Don replied.

Oh, must be me then. I must start bringing a sweater with me, she answered with a shrug of her dainty shoulders. Is there anything more you need from me? She stood up and looked at him while clutching her notebook. I’m expecting Harry this afternoon, can you make sure you are here to greet him? Don asked, watching her try to hide her feelings about being expected to be in the office that afternoon.

Did she really not want to see James that badly?

He would have Hades stay in the main office area, observe her, and protect James from any accidental power surges. He wanted to tell Lilia everything but needed some more information before he could explain.

Yes, Mr. Waters. She gave a tense nod.

Don, please, he corrected.

Don, she whispered and closed the door behind her. The entire morning Lilia was a bundle of nerves. She spilled her coffee, dropped several files, and cut her finger all before ten o’clock.

Ring Ring.

Mr. Don Waters office, Lilia speaking.

Lilia, it’s Penny, want to go to Bert’s for lunch? Penny asked, in her sweet perky voice. She and Lilia had been working as general secretaries together before they promoted Lilia.

Meet me at the entrance at twelve. I still get an hour for lunch. Lilia agreed, feeling her first genuine smile of the day appear on her face.

Good morning my name is Roger Chimera, and I am here to see Mr. Waters, A young man said, wringing his hands in front of Lilia. He had deep brown eyes and blond hair. His eyes were darting around, taking everything in as he waited for her to respond. He reminded her of a lost, scared, puppy dog.

Please have a seat and I will let Mr. Waters know you are here, she replied, in a calm voice and watched as the visibly nervous youthful man nodded and sat down, back ramrod straight as he waited. She wished she could make him feel calmer. She knew all about nerves when she had danced from her time in elementary school all the way through this past year. She dialed Don’s extension and let him know his appointment had arrived. She didn’t notice a small pink heart float from her to Chimera’s chest. As it touched him, instantly Chimera relaxed and felt calmer, as if someone had given him an enormous hug.

Mr. Chimera, you may go in now. I know everything will be fine, Mr. Waters is an amazing lawyer, Lilia assured him. Thank you, you’ve really made me feel better, Chimera replied, giving her a smile, and going into the office.

An hour later Chimera left, and Poseidon walked to stand in his doorway, leaning against the door jamb, he then asked. Did you tell Mr. Chimera anything before he came into my office?

I told him everything would be fine, and you are the best at what you do, she replied, with a soft smile. Don watched as part of her aura escaped as a light pink heart and floated toward him. He let it settle against his chest where his heart was beating and felt relaxed and content. Thank you, he was much easier to talk to this time around.

I did nothing special, just told him the truth, she answered with a shrug of her slim shoulders. You helped and after my meeting with James, I would like to talk about your amazing effect on the surrounding people, Poseidon told her, walking back into his office. Lilia stared after him for a moment, puzzling over what exactly he meant. She was still puzzled over it when her alarm went off for her to go to lunch with Penny. Lilia, are you all, right? Penny wanted to know once they had ordered their drinks. Why?

You seem on edge ever since we met up outside the elevators. Is everything okay with your new job?

I am not sure Mr. Waters wants to talk to me this afternoon about my effect on people. James, my cousin, is coming in for a meeting at one today and I am not ready to see his face, Lilia explained. When everything happened with James and Phillip, Penny had been the first friend she went to, to tell her they had broken the engagement off, and she had moved out of her apartment into Ian’s home.

Well, just be civil with James to keep it professional. No one is asking you to have a conversation with him. Just announce his presence to Mr. Waters and then ignore him," Penny suggested.

I will, I don’t plan on ever speaking to him or Phillip again. I am so angry and embarrassed that my gay cousin stole my fiancé from me. I had to lie to both our families about why we broke up. Phillip wasn’t ready for his family to know. Thankfully, James is open about his sexuality, but why my fiancé of all people? Lilia demanded, slamming her fist on the table emitting sparks. Both women jumped back.

What are these utensils made of flint? Penny jokes, coaxing a smile out of Lilia. Haha maybe, but enough about my boring past. Tell me about your new boyfriend Kevin, Lilia asked, steering the conversation away from a painful and sensitive topic. Penny was all too happy to let the subject change and gushed about her wonderful boyfriend for the rest of the lunch. Say, Lilia, how would you feel about a double date with one of Kevin’s friends? Penny asked as they made their way back to the office. I’m not ready to date again. I want to focus on school and this huge senior project I have due. When I am ready, you’ll be the first to know.

You’ve been out of the dating game for a long time. You don’t want to get rusty, Penny warned, hitting the elevator button. I went on dates with Phillip, Lilia shot back, crossing her arms, and giving her best friend an unamused look. But those weren’t first dates and new love, Penny responded, her voice trailing off as she remembered her first few dates with Kevin. I will let you know when I am ready to date again. She gave Penny a push out of the elevator and stepped back to head up to her floor. Penny sighed and nodded her agreement. Lilia took the elevator to the top floor and began the second half of what was sure to be a very trying day.

Good afternoon, she called, without looking away from her computer when she heard the suite door open several minutes after she’d settled down at her desk from lunch.

Lilia? She heard the shocked whisper from the visitor. Her head snapped up and standing in front of her was her cousin James. He was a tall, lanky man with brunette hair and the same amaretto eyes as Lilia. He took pride in his appearance. Today he had on a black three-piece suit with his signature blue silk tie and handkerchief poking out of his breast pocket.

Mr. Carter, she greeted him coldly and turned away to call Don to let him know James had arrived for their meeting. James shivered as the temperature in the office plummeted. Mr. Waters, Mr. Carter is here for your one o’clock appointment. Yes, I’ll tell him. She hung up and looked at James, her eyes snapping with unchecked rage.

Mr. Waters will be there a few minutes, please sit over there and wait until he is ready. She pointed to the waiting area across from her desk.

I didn’t know you worked directly with Mr. Waters, James remarked, not moving away from her desk. He fidgeted, feeling his heart rate speed up and a cold sweat break down his back.

They promoted me. Please have a seat away from my desk, she replied, refusing to look at him.

Without either of them noticing, Hades walked into the office and stopped short upon seeing their exchange and feeling the temperature in the room.

Lil, you need to talk to me, James begged, placing his hands on her desk, and leaning over to speak in a whisper. No, I don’t. I think you said plenty the last time and don’t call me Lil. Only people who are my friends or genuine family may use my nickname, as you are now neither please stop using it, she snapped, finally looking up at her cousin. James flinched at the anger blazing in her eyes.

Mr. Carter, I am ready for you now. Ms. Heart, can you please check to see if our heater is on the fritz? This office feels like an icebox, Poseidon asked, noticing his windows had frosted. Yes sir, she replied, and James walked into Don’s office. As soon as the door shut Lilia relaxed and the temperature immediately went back to normal. Hades watched in fascination as she got her emotions under control, so did her aura. While watching their exchange he could see dark pink hearts and another undefined shape swirling around her. The combination gave her control over the temperature in the room and made those in the room feel the way she was feeling.

Before Hades could get his aura up to protect himself, he had felt panicked and angry. Once his aura formed a protective bubble around himself, he went back to normal. Settling in one chair by the door, he watched Lilia go about her daily business as if nothing had happened. What did you need me for, Poseidon? James asked, once the door firmly closed. He noticed a considerable change in the air temperature once he was away from Lilia. Originally, I wanted an update on the new tax code laws, now I want to talk about your cousin Lilia. She seems to have awoken some potent powers recently. I am curious how she kept them hidden and under control for twenty-three years. I also want to know if a major emotional event may have shaken her control of said powers, Poseidon explained, settling in a chair across from James, staring him down with sea-green eyes.

James fidgeted, clasping his fingers so hard his knuckles went white.

"Lilia doesn’t know she is descended from a god. Her father wanted her to have a normal childhood because she didn’t know who her mother was. I know we are descended from Zeus, he, and my mother. I assume he knew Lilia would have some innate abilities that needed minor maintenance, such as meditation. They taught her to meditate with the rest of us, plus they put her in dance classes until she showed an aptitude for ballet. I think Uncle Matthew wanted her to go into dancing as a profession. I am sure you know he is a famous nature photographer. The dance classes taught her discipline. My mother would argue with him that Lilia had a right to know about who she was descended from, but he was very stubborn about keeping the secret.

Because of Uncle Matthew’s job, as soon as Lilia became old enough, he sent her off to one of the best ballet boarding schools in the world. I think she was around six. No one knows who her mother is, he kept tight-lipped about her identity.

We always assumed it was a woman he met while traveling," James explained, trying to steady his panicking heart.

He knew he would not want to answer the next set of questions. That doesn’t explain why her power is making its appearance now. If she had all the discipline of dance, especially ballet, her power wouldn’t be surging. Do you know why her power is slipping now? Poseidon put to James, watching him blanch at answering.

Uh, ah, I think you need to ask Lilia, I’m not sure she wants our family problems aired to her boss, James warned.

Not wanting to discuss what he’d done to his best friend and cousin.

Do you know why my office keeps going below zero every time we mention your name? Poseidon posed the question, hoping to get a little something out of James. Usually, he could be counted on as a fount of knowledge, but today he was being suspiciously evasive.

Again, I really think you need Lilia in here for this. It is a rather delicate situation, James suggested, looking at the office door as a knock sounded.

Mr. Waters, your brother Harry is here, would you like me to send him in? Lilia’s voice called through the door.

Yes, and can you come in here, Lilia? Poseidon asked.

Yes sir, she replied and a moment later the door opened revealing a towering Hades standing behind Lilia, her face set carefully blank to hide all emotion.

Please have a seat. Poseidon motioned to a chair next to James, Lilia ignored his offer and took the seat furthest away. All three gentlemen noted the temperature drop again.

Lilia, I am going to ask you something personal and I need you to be honest and open with me, Don started, giving her a nervous look, he didn’t quite know how to ask.

Sir? She looked up at him with confusion shining in her bright eyes.

I need to know what happened between you and your cousin.

Why? she asked, again looking over at James for clarification. He nodded at her and had reached for her but stopped himself when she shot him a harsh glare.

I’d like to understand what happened to help you two get back on speaking terms. I work rather closely with James, and it would be best for all of us if you two could get along without shooting daggers at him every time he came into my office, Poseidon explained, leaning over to take her hands in his. Her attention whipped back to him at the contact of his hands on hers. Our family issues will not affect my work and I promise to be polite to James, Lilia argued, not wanting to reveal her biggest embarrassment.

Lil, just tell him, James whispered. Her head turned to look at him when he said his nickname for her, and she glared again at him.

I asked you not to call me that anymore and are you sure it does not paint you in a very flattering light?

she said, crossing her arms over her chest. Yes, James whispered, staring at the floor.

"Fine. Six months ago, I was engaged to a man named Phillip Hudson and two nights a week