Breaking An Angel

Chapter 6: f****d up Love

PENELOPE POV

The whole ride home I could feel waves of anger and frustration coming from Adonis. He stayed silent the entire time, I’m guessing so he wouldn’t take his anger out on me. One thing was very clear, the source of his anger was our parents. It’s a good thing that they won’t be arriving for another week, but just in time to plan the boys 22 birthday.

My parents just leave on a whim to wherever they please, they started doing this as soon as they let Achilles take over the company. They would have done it sooner if they let me, but their backwards thinking told me that I wasn’t good enough, so I found my own path.

I work for the UN helping coordinate humanitarian efforts across the globe, I love what I do. I get to help people in need while also trying to make the world easier to live in for those whose voices go unheard. I may not be able to do much, but helping some is better than helping none at all.

******

It’s been almost a week and a half since we left Jo’s house and Adonis has been distant to say the least. He hasn’t really talked to my brothers or I unless it’s a quick response to a question. He hasn’t even brought up Jo, and she hasn’t come by either. I haven’t gotten a chance to see or talk to Azrael again, my dumbass said I’d call him but I didn’t even ask for his number. I can’t really ask Adi for help right now since he’s in a mood and not talking to Jo either.

Our parents were supposed to arrive a few days ago but they decided to stay an extra day and then their flight was delayed. The boys birthday is just three days away now and I’m guessing mom is about to hit the ground running with preparations. 

Achilles sent a car for them about an hour ago so they should be arriving any minute now. We’re all just waiting for them in the living room, the air coated with annoyance, but I have a feeling that’s just coming from Adi.

I look over and place my hand over his, “Adi are you okay?”

“I’m fine P don’t worry about it.”

“I’ll always worry about my baby brother” I say with half a smile.

“Just let him brood P, he’ll get over whatever’s got him so bent sooner or later.” Alexius said rolling his eyes.

Adonis muttered under his breathe hoping we wouldn’t catch what he was saying, “I highly doubt that.”

Seconds later in waltzed in our mom and dad followed by who I’m guessing is a party planner, as my mom was rambling on about party decorations and catering. As soon as mom saw the boys she perked up and made her way towards Achilles.

Whoever said that parents don’t have favorites was obviously the favorite, mom and dad make it very clear whose who in this family.

“My babies,” she says as she kisses Achilles’ cheek, “I’ve missed you all so much.”

She continues to make her way towards Alexius and then an agitated looking Adonis. She gives the boys a kiss on the cheek, but when she gets to me she just does a half hug not even looking at me. 

Our parents’ f****d up version of love really f****d us up, I feel bad for whoever ends up marrying into this family.

Before she can continue with the party planning Adonis speaks up, “we need to talk.” 

“The whole family, now.” He says looking straight at them, not even phrasing it as a question.

My dad looks at him confused but only nods his head and sit down on his couch. “Okay baby talk.” My mom says from beside dad.

“What deal did you make 22 years ago?” Adonis starts.

They both look up in shock, not knowing how to respond to what Adi just asked them. If I didn’t know any better I would say there was fear in their eyes. 

Achilles and Alexius just sat back looking from Adonis to our parents trying to figure out what’s happening, but being just as lost as I am.

“What foolishness are you talking about Adonis?” asked my dad with a cold tone.

“I’m asking about the deal you made with the devil himself,” he sighs. “Oh my mistake the Guardian of Hell.”

“There was no deal, it was just a coincidence.” mom states.

“What do you mean a coincidence!” At this point Adonis is yelling. “You made a f*****g deal and basically sold my brothers and I’s souls and for what?”

“Watch your time with me Adonis! You might be my son but you will not disrespect me.” dad starts up. “And we did it to have you three.” He says as he points to the boys.

Alexius finally spoke up, “why would you make that deal? I would understand if you weren’t able to have children, but you already had Penelope.”

I look over at Achilles who has his fists balled up and his jaw clenched looking down at the ground.

“We had a female!” mom screamed. “She would never be good enough to take over the family name.”

It finally hit me as tears started to well up in my eyes. My parents hated the idea of me so much that they would have rather made a deal with the devil and sold my brothers souls just so they could have a better option.

“You’re f*****g selfish.” I said with anger and hate lacing my words. “Instead of selling your own souls you sold my brothers for your own f*****g backwards thinking.” 

I quickly stood up from my seat, “I’ve doubted myself my entire life trying to figure out why I was never good enough, but it was never me. It was your f****d up version of love. If we can even call it love.”

“You sold us and now what?” Achilles asked.

“Now nothing. Like we said, it was a mere coincidence.” mom said.

“You still don’t believe that it’s true do you?” Adonis retorted. “I spoke to Lucifer himself and from the way we spoke he has every intention of collecting.”

Everyone is silent for what feels like an eternity.

Alexius stands up and grabs my hand, “Well if this is all true then I’ll be spending my last days with my real family. Let’s go Penelope,” he says as he drags me out of the living room.

“We need to talk to this Lucifer guy,” I hear Achilles say from a distance.

******

Alexi and I ended up at a cafe down the street, that we always used to come to when we were avoiding our parents, or when he wanted to make me feel better. I'm sitting at our regular booth waiting for him to come back with our drinks, but I'm still thinking about what our parents did. If I can even call them parents at this point.

Alexius comes back and sits two cups down on the table. "I figured we could go back to the basics," he says as he pushes a cup of hot chocolate towards me.

I look up and can't help but smile at him, no matter what we've been through Alexius has always been by my side and now I can't imagine not having him here with me. I'm going to lose the only family I have ever had and I don't know if I will ever be able to deal with that kind of loss. I won't be able to live in that house once they're gone, I'd be utterly alone.

"Thank You," I say with a half smile. "So what do you want to do for the next couple of days?"

"Hey look at me, you'll be fine. You're stronger than anyone has ever given you credit for. You'll survive and you'll come out stronger in the end."

"No I won't Alexi, I love Achilles and Adonis but you're my best friend, it'll kill me to lose you."

"You're just being dramatic P, and besides we still have a few days. Let's make the most of them and not mope around. Can you do that for me?"

I look up at him with a smile etched on my face, "Only if I have to, you know how I hate putting in effort."

As we continue to make plans for the next few days, we didn't notice when Achilles and Adonis walked in, who are now standing in front our our booth holding cups of hot chocolate as well. 

"Can we join you guys?" Achilles asks.

Alexius and I both nod in their direction giving them permission to sit. Adi sits next to me and Achilles sits beside Alexius, we all just sit there in silence not knowing what to say. Achilles probably blames me for the situation they're in now, I mean it technically is my fault, if I would have been a male our parents wouldn't have gone and made a stupid decision.

"I'm sorry Penelope," I hear Achilles whisper.

"What?

"I said I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how I treated you and blindly followed every order mom and dad gave. I hope you know that I love you, I know I never said it enough, but I do."

I look at Achilles and he looks defeated, I feel like this whole deal hit him harder since he has always been loyal to our parents and they basically lied to him his whole life. All I can do is offer him comfort, so I raise my hand over the table and place it over his. With my free hand I hold Alexius' and I lean my head on Adi's shoulder, the boys join hands and now we're all sitting here hoping for the best outcome.

Adi sighs before he starts speaking, "I called Jo so we could set up a meeting with Lucifer, he'll be coming to the party. He said he'd give us until midnight so we can spend the day with you."