Taming The Beast Inside Him

Hera sighed deeply as she entered her father's office. She may appear desperate for what she is about to do, but her love for Achilles drives her decision.

She rapped on the door and twisted the handle. She peered and saw her father skimming over the pages. The old man smiled when he noticed her.

"Hera... come in," he murmured, smiling.

Hera smiled and walked into his office. She took a step closer to his table.

"What brought you here?" her father inquired, closing the packet he was reading.

"How's Achilles's business doing, Dad?"

Her father shrugged. "Achilles is working hard to find a solution for the investors. Because your aunt Edna is crippled, you knew she couldn't assist."

Yes, Achilles's mother, Edna, suffered from hypertension and had a small attack that weakened her nerves when her husband died.

"Would Achilles be able to handle that, Dad?" she inquired.

Her father glanced at her. "Hmm... do you still have feelings for Achilles?"

As much as she wished to hide her face from her father's queries, it was too late, as her father laughed. "Oh. Achilles treated you like his own sister, my daughter, and he already had a fiancée. What was her name once more?"

"Laila."

They've been together for about nine years. Achilles proposed to her last year, just before her Uncle Bryle died, and they were meant to marry after two months, but his father died.

"Right. Isn't Laila Bryle's secretary's daughter?"

She gave a nod.

"How did you end up here?"

She let out a long sigh. "I needed to ask you a favor, Dad."

"Anything my daughter," her father answered with a smile.

"I'd like to marry, Achilles."

Because of his disbelief, her father did not answer right away.

"Please let it be the only way to revive their company, dad," she implored passionately.

Her father shrugged. "I can't-"

She rose to her feet. "The Watsons are in a pickle, and Achilles is already struggling with it. Aunt Edna requires adequate medication. Dad, aren't we family? You have the authority. We can assist them. But, knowing Achilles, he will deny your assistance."

"You're right, Hera. And I can't just give you whatever you want-"

"I love Achilles, Dad. I love him so much that it pains me to see him happy with another lady who reminds me of myself."

Her father exhaled a sigh. "You can't just have him that way, Hera. I didn't raise you to ruin other people's lives, especially Achilles. He's been through enough, and you don't know the complete tale. I apologize-"

"Then forget about me as your daughter," she remarked as she exited her father's office.

"WHAT did you do to your daughter, Simon?!" the voice of Simon's wife roared on the four corners of their room. "If something will happen to my daughter, I won't forgive you!"

Simon sighed. "Let her be until she will realize that what she wanted was not right."

"Do you hear yourself?" his wife stood in front of him, hands on her waist. "She was just your only child. And you knew she never asks you anything! And now, she's asking you a favor, you can't grant it?"

Simon pinched the bridge of his nose as he controls his temper. "You must not tolerate Hera, honey. She's asking the impossible. We've been friends with the Watsons for a long time, but just because of Hera's obsessed feelings towards Achilles, she wants me to ruin other's life. Achilles has a fiancé, you knew that-"

"But looked what just happened, your daughter is missing for two days! What if something bad happened to her?"

Simon lay on the bed, "she will come back. Just let her be-"

"No! You will grant her wish, Simon. That's final."

Simon got up and looked at his wife. "Hera became a brat because you tolerate her ugly behavior, Fiona. In case you didn't know. Bryle and Edna were forced to marry each other, and looked how did Edna end up, though she loves Bryle, Bryle still treats her just like a toy-"

"But Bryle was born to be dominant and it's Edna's fault to accept to be his submissive. Achilles is different from Bryle. He's not dominant. Look, he only had one serious relationship-"

"I'm still afraid that Hera might experience it since he got Bryle's blood. And happened that Achilles saw how Bryle treated Edna one time. Hera was about to ruin Achilles's life."

"I'm sure, Achilles won't do that. He respects us and treats Hera well. The difference is that they will marry each other and it's the only way to bring back the Watson empire. I will talk to Edna about this-"

"If something happened to Hera, I would not forgive you, Fiona."

WHEN Achilles arrived home, her mother informed him about the news.

"What did you say, Mom?" Achilles asked once more her mom, who was sitting in the wheelchair. He went closer to her.

"Your uncle Simon will help you with the company and promised to bring back all the losses."

"I don't need any help, Mom," he said as he removed his necktie. Laila is out of the country since she had a photoshoot. His fiancé is a bikini model at a famous modeling agency in California, at first, he doesn't want her job, but he trusts the girl.

"I'm sorry, son," his mother shook her head.

Achilles then looked at his mom, confused. He went closer to her and kneel in front of her. He saw how a single tear fell from her eyes.

"What's wrong, mom?"

"I... I don't want the company where your father spent his whole life to be put a waste."

"Of course, me either. I won't let it happen."

"Thus, I signed an agreement with the Miller-"

"What? You did what?" he asked, even if he heard it, loud and clear.

"I signed an agreement with the Miller."

"What agreement?"

"You will marry Hera, son."

Achilles went deaf when he heard about it. He doesn't know what to think. Why? Why does his mom do such a thing without his consent? He can fix the problem in his company on his own. It may be hard to collect the big losses, yet he's trying.

He looked into her mom's eyes, "Mom, why?" he almost choked. "You knew I have a fiancé. I love Laila. I'm trying my best-I'm almost there. I can bring the company back."

Her mother shook her head as tears started to fall down her cheeks. "I-I'm sorry..." she sobbed.

Achilles caresses her mom's back. "Shh... mom, the doctor said it's bad for you to stress yourself. Stop crying." But his mother can't control her tears as she also regretted what she did but it's the only way to save her late husband's company. "Mom... please, stop crying." The concern in Achilles's voice makes her cry more.

Achilles went out and called their maid to bring water upstairs before he gets back to her mother's room.

"I will talk to Uncle Simon about it, Mom. Don't worry."

But his mother shook her head again. "It's... it's the only way to save the company, son. The Miller is powerful, and the agreement can't be unchanged. Not unless Hera will be the one to break-"

"I will talk to Hera, Mom. Don't worry."

Her mother shook her head again. "It's the only way, son."

"No. I will talk to Hera," he said before he left the room.

HERA was more than happy when her dream of having Achilles, will finally be fulfilled. She was rolling in her wide bed when her phone rang, and her heart almost jumped out of her chest when she saw the caller's I.D.

She hemmed and cleared her throat before answering it.

"Achilles-"

"Let's talk."

"Oh. Okay. I'm in the mansion. You could come-"

"No. Let's talk outside. Meet me at the coffee shop near your subdivision," he said and hung up.

Hera sighed as she already knew what he wants.

She wore a simple floral dress below the knee and a sandal and her small sling bag.

"Mom, I'll just grab some matcha coffee," she said as she gave a peck on her mom's cheek, who was busy reading a magazine.

She texted Achilles when she got inside the coffee shop. And after a minute, Achilles came.

"Let's order-"

"No need. I won't stay longer," he said.

Hera gulped and nodded, "okay. Hmm... what do we need to talk about-"

Achilles cut the hum into her words, "call off the wedding. There's no way that I will marry you," he declared using his deep cold voice.

"I can't-"

"I treated you well. We've been friends for a decade. Why do you have to do this to me? To my mom? To my life?"

She was about to hold Achilles's hand when the latter move it away. She sighed. "I wanted to help you. And it's the only way to save your company and to give Aunt Edna proper medication-"

Achilles scoffed. "Only way? You're a heartless pathetic bitch!"

"The agreement has my name and I'm the only one who will break it. Aunt Edna signed it. Dad can't do anything about it. Accept it or not, we're getting married-"

"Do you hear yourself? You sound like a desperate, insane bitch-"

"I love you, Achilles-"

Achilles stood up and glared at her as he clenched his fist, "and I hate you, Hera," he said and left.

A pain throbs into Hera's chest. "I know, Achilles. I know," she whispered. 'But I will do everything for you to love me back,' she thought.

The next day, Achilles went to his Uncle Simon's workplace to persuade him to withdraw from the deal. His mother forbade him from doing so, but he was nonetheless anxious to give it a shot.

"Uncle, I beg you," he said nearly whimpering, weak knees but attempting to stand in front of his uncle.

When his Uncle Simon shook his head, he knew there was no hope.

"Please, uncle..." his feeble knees landed completely on the floor. "Please..." muttered he. Trying to find a glimmer of hope that his uncle may show kindness. "I love, Laila..." His eyes welled up with tears. It's making him weak thinking about how he'll tell her about his marriage but not to her.

"Achilles, Hera loves you. Give her a shot."

Achilles sobs more, hands clenched, head down... screaming pain inside his chest.

Simon averted his gaze since he couldn't bear Achilles's anguish at the moment. He doesn't agree with Hera's favor, but Hera is his only kid, and he can't bear the thought of losing her.

Achilles knelt for a few minutes, sobbing like a little boy who wanted to buy toys at the store but his mother refused. He had never begged before in his life. He never went down to ask a dumb question.

"Why?" he mumbled. "How come, uncle?"

"I apologize, son. We're family, and I'd like to help-"

"Bullshit!" he screamed, slowly rising. With the back of his hands, he wiped the tears that were streaming down his face. He looked his uncle Simon in the eyes. "You were my father's best friend. Aunt Fiona's dearest friend was Mom. I don't need your help with the company!" he exhaled, "You knew I didn't want your aid and would violate the agreement, so you just let Mom sign instead. You are taking advantage of her. You knew she was easily persuaded. You chose her over me since you knew I wouldn't agree!" He yelled his last statement, causing the old guy to lurch away from his seat. Achilles rubbed his moist cheeks again till they dried. "I hope you're delighted because you let your lunatic daughter's small favor wreck my life," he added, living the words that could make the elderly guy feel bad. "Since there's nothing, I can do about it, I'll marry your daughter tomorrow." He's too weak to ask for anything else. Achilles left the room after he was finished.

-

HERA was on the phone talking to her best friend, Mary. Who's now in New York. She's an architect in her uncle's Architecture firm.

"I still can't believe that Achilles will marry you. He has a fiancé, yet he will marry you," Mary said, who seems curious.

Hera sighed. "Yeah. Tomorrow is the wedding said Dad," she replied.

"Sorry, girl, I can't come to your wedding-"

"It's okay," she cut in. "It's just a civil wedding. As much as possible I want to keep it a secret. You knew they're facing a problem and I don't want the media to take the chance to make money and release an article about it. Dad informed me that the wedding must only be between us."

Mary seems to sense something through Hera's words.

"Hera..."

"Yes?"

"Will you tell me the truth? Achilles will marry you not because he's in love with you, right?"

Hera's eyes widened and heaved a deep sigh after.

"Hera... tell me the truth. I knew you for a long time. Achilles will never be in love with you-will not marry you if he's deeply madly in love with Laila."

Hera's eyes started to pour out tears but she wiped them immediately. Since their last encounter with Achilles inside the coffee shop. She couldn't sleep at night... feeling guilty through his words but she can't just give up the chance. She will be marrying the man of her dreams and she will do everything to make him fall in love with her.

"It was a favor," she finally said.

"What? Are you sure about that? What if Achilles will get mad at you-"

"He's mad at me."

She heard the deep sigh of her friend on the other line. "My God, Hera. Why did you do that? What if he will punish you or will do something to you since you're getting his supposed to be happy living with Laila-"

"I know. And I won't let him. Trust me, this marriage will work out. We've been friends for years and I know he will treat me the way how he treats me-"

"What? Are you insane? Do you think Achilles will still treat you nicely after what have you done?"

Hera can imagine how frustrated Mary was. She let out a soft chuckle. "I can handle it. I promise."

"Hera... you must not have done it. True love comes at the right time. Achilles was not meant for you. You should've supported him as his childhood friend not in the way that you will be going to take his happy life to someone whom he truly loves-"

"I love him, Mary. The wedding will be tomorrow and one thing that I asked for this because of what we saw after the funeral of Uncle Bryle, right? You were there. And you think I just asked for this favor because of my love for him? I want to save Achilles and Mary. He loves that girl. He trusts that girl. But what did Laila do?"

"Hera, you don't know the other side of the story. You just can't judge her just because she kissed Achilles's driver-"

"No! it's so clear. Why will she kiss the guy? In the lips?"

"That driver was the son of Laila's mother's best friend, right? According to the information that I got when you asked me to investigate, they were childhood friends."

"Exactly, just a childhood friend. The big question is, why would Laila kiss him on the lips? At the back of Achilles?"

Mary sighed. "So, why not just tell the truth to Achilles then but not in the way that you will be going to marry him because you wanted to save him from Laila? He must know. And he has the decision if he will believe it or not-"

"No. The wedding will be tomorrow. I'm going to marry him. No one can stop it."

"I'm against your wedding to Achilles, Hera. However, I'm your friend and I will support you no matter what. Just tell me if Achilles's treating you badly, okay? I will book a flight right away to hug you."

Hera smiled and a tear fell from her eyes. Now, she realizes how she misses Mary. "I miss you, bitch."

She heard Mary's laugh. "And I miss you too, bitch. Don't worry, I will visit you once I'm done with my project. And oh, where will you stay after the wedding?"

"Dad bought a house at Cameo Shores-"

"Oh. Bitch, you'll be having a prime oceanfront house. God, I can't wait to see a beach," Mary said.

"Yes. It will be cool and we can have the perfect view of the ocean."

"But it cost a lot, bitch."

Hera laughed. "It is."

"You hired maids?"

"No. I want to be a full-time wife to Achilles. Besides, my share in dad's company will still increase and will be wired directly to my bank."

"Damn. I wish I was born rich too," Mary uttered.

Hera rolled her eyes. "Your uncle is rich. He's the brother of your mom. You're rich too."

"But not as wealthy as your family," she said.

"Yeah. Yeah. Okay, I will hang up now, mom and I will go to the salon. You know, I need to look beautiful in front of my groom."

"You're already alluring, Hera. Well, just enjoy the day, bitch. As much as I want to spend your bachelorette moment this day, I just can't since I'm a little far away and have things to do. I will make it up to you once I'm done with my project."

"It's fine."

"Love you, bitch."

Hera smiled, "love you too," she said and hung up.

-

ACHILLES WAS with his friend, Drake, when they enter the bar near his company. He just wanted to grab a drink to make him forget just a little bit about the things between the Beckett family.

"Dude, congrats," Drake said as he sipped from his glass. "You'll be marrying the university queen, Hera Beckett," he added, seeming mocking.

But Achilles remained silent.

"Laila is hot but Hera... she's hotter than your fiancé, just admit it, dude. So, you still win. The sad part is, you don't love her-well, you love her as your sister."

Still, Achilles didn't respond.

"Have you informed Laila about your wedding?"

Achilles's grip on his glass tightened as he looked at Drake, the latter gulped as he can see madness through Achilles's eyes. A moment later, the glass broke into pieces, and some pieces pierced into Achilles's palm.

"Shit! Man!" Drake blurted when he saw blood dripping from Achilles's palms.

Achilles just lazily looked at it and seems not to feel pain. All he was feeling was rage. A rage towards Hera.

"I will make that bitch life, miserable," he said-more of a curse.

After the wedding, Hera discovered that it was Achilles's decision where they should live and that the house was purchased entirely with her father's money, giving Hera faith that Achilles intends to provide her with a comfortable existence.

They proceeded to a restaurant to celebrate their wedding, and while it wasn't as joyful as she had hoped, she was grateful that Achilles never raised an eyebrow during the oath in front of the judge. She can see the wrath in his eyes, though.

She loves him, and it was the only way she knew how at the time. She is as eager to preserve their firm as she is to save him from Laila. She'll gladly play the villain of Achilles and Laila for the time being, even though she can't represent what her life would be like without Achilles, now that she's taken away his freedom. Whatever the case may be.

The wedding ceremony was short and sweet. They opted to have dinner outside because the city judge was only available at four o'clock in the afternoon. Drake then led them back to their residence. Her parents were there, as were Achilles's mother and private nurse. Drake rides in Achilles's automobile, which is supposed to be hers, but she chooses to travel in her parent's car for the final time because she will be staying with her husband in their new house, and Costa Del Mar is 37.93 miles from Southern California, where her parents live.

She doesn't know why Achilles choose a far place to stay if Watson's empire was located in L.A.-well, it will take him 47 minutes if he drives non-stop. But it's still far.

The good thing in Costa Del Mar is that the crime rate is relatively low compared to other neighborhoods in Newport Beach California. And it's a relief to her since they didn't hire any guards or maids-even drivers. It's her choice anyway. But her mom insisted that she will at least allow a cleaner that will help her clean during weekends at least once a week or so.

Also, her mother's primary concern is about her doing all the things alone since she does not use to doing household chores.

"Thanks, dad. For not letting the media peek about the wedding," she started, just to cut the silence inside their car.

"Anything for my daughter."

Her mom held her hand tightly and smiled at her. "You deserve everything, honey," her mom said.

"We will visit you once or twice a week, as long as we're not that busy at the company, okay?" her dad said as he looked at her in the rearview mirror. Her father was seated in the passenger seat while her mom was seated beside her, as their family driver maneuvered the car.

"You don't have to do that. I'm already married, and I want to be independent. You can just check me through the phone," she said.

"Okay then. Call us when Achilles's treating you badly or abusing you-"

"Dad, Achilles will never do that," she said. Why do they always think that Achilles will hurt her... physically? After her father granted her favor, he keeps on warning her that Achilles might become abusive and he will hurt her. Which confuses her a lot. Achilles might hurt her emotionally since she started to ruin his life, and she thinks she was ready for that, but if it's physical? She bet not. Ever since Achilles was gentle and never try to harm other people even if they are provoking him. He never gives a single punch to anyone. No matter how they pick a fight for him, he will just stare at them blankly and ended up leaving them dumbfounded.

One time, Achilles told her, 'If someone will challenge you to a fight, just ignore them. They will stop once they see that you're not interested.' That's what Achilles told her.

"Achilles is a nice guy, dad."

"That's when you didn't ask for his hand and marry him, Hera. I'm afraid of what will he gonna do to you after." She can sense fear in her dad's words.

No one dared to talk after that and after a few minutes, they already arrived. She was astonished when she saw their house. It's huge and elegant.

When she got out of their car, she went closer to Achilles, and she just received a blank stare from him. Now, she wishes that at least he will try to be sweet with her in front of their parents.

She approaches her aunt Edna. "Hello, Aunt," she said and looked down.

Her aunt flashed a smile, "call me Mom, Momma, or Ma, sweetie. We're a family now," Aunt Edna said.

She held her aunt's hand and pressed it. "I wish I could freely tell you that but I'm afraid Achilles will throw me a death glare again once he heard it," she said and laughed. Well, she tried to call her mom after they went down from the city hall, but Achilles happened to hear it and threw him a glare. Seems like he doesn't agree with it.

The old woman laughed. "Never mind, Achilles, sweetie. He's just like that. Anyway, are you sure you were okay here-I mean with no helper at all?"

She nodded, "yes. I will. We will be okay, mom," she whispered the last word which makes her aunt laugh and shook her head.

AFTER everything, their families went home and they're the only ones left inside. She hemmed to catch Achilles's attention who was busy tapping on his phone. He was sitting on the couch opposite her direction.

She sighed and hemmed to clear her throat. "Where's our room?" she asked which makes Achilles stop and looked at her.

He scoffed. "Our room? Are you fucking kidding me? Do you think I will share a room with you after what you have done?" He stood up and Hera saw how he clenched his fist. "Dream on, Hera. There's no hell way that I will share a room with you. If it was Laila, why not." He went closer to her. Since the man is way taller than her in the height of approximately six feet three inches tall while she's just five feet eight inches tall. She then looked up to meet his raging eyes. "Listen to you, selfish bitch," he grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him. She almost cursed when she could feel the warmth through his heavy breath. "File a divorce paper, or I will make your life a living hell," he warned.

Since she was Hera who was not afraid of anyone, even if it was Achilles, she let go of his grip and stared at him, trying to equal his gaze. "Make me and I don't care," she said and smirked. "And fine. I will choose my room. Just so you know, I will never file a divorce-" she didn't finish her words when Achilles grabbed her hair and pulled her closer.

It causes pain to her scalp, but she didn't utter a word and just winced. Achilles tightened his grip on her hair, but still, she didn't utter a word about how getting painful it is. She just meets his gaze toughly.

"You don't know what I'm capable of. I might kill you."

Despite the pain lingering through her scalp because of his grip, she just smirks and tries to get off from it. "I. don't. care."

Now, it's Achilles's turn to smirk. "You're tough. Let's see," he said and finally let her go.

Hera turned around immediately and grabbed her things upstairs. She chooses the door near the staircase. Once she got in, she leaned on the closed door and held her chest, a tear fell from her eyes which she wiped immediately. She touches her scalp; the tight grip of Achilles was still there. She could still feel it. But she needs to be strong. She needs to take everything. She needs to face his wrath.

She must not look weak in front of him. She needs to do everything to make the man love her. She will try to make him forget about Laila. Can she?

She didn't mind the pain from her scalp and just wandered inside her huge room. She pushed aside the large gray curtains that blinded her from the breathtaking view of the ocean. She opened the sliding door and stepped on the balcony. The cold air embraces her-wanting to calm her as she went closer to the edge. She took hold of the fence. She lifted her face, closes her eyes, and open it after. She gazed at the horizon, the sun is setting, and the luminous orange rays beamed all over the beautiful bluish-green ocean.

The pain she felt in her scalp vanished. She still couldn't believe that Achilles will give harm her. But she knew it was her fault. And maybe Achilles did that because of his anger. She will understand. She has to.

ACHILLES went inside his room and took off his clothes and went towards the bathroom. He punches the tiled wall because of rage. Blood drips down from his knuckles as the water from the shower sprinkle into his body.

Why? Why does fate have to be cruel to him? Why does he need to suffer? And that's when he knew, it was all Hera's fault. He treated her like she was his sister, his best friend. He never thought that she could be the one who will ruin him.

He didn't inform Laila yet about the said wedding and he doesn't know, how. He punches the wall again and screamed.

When he was done, he dressed up and get the gold key inside his bag before he went out.

He was the one who chooses the house and the place. Since the Becketts wanted to make his life miserable, then he will return the favor to them. The hell he cares even if it's Hera whom he used to treasure as a friend.

His friend Drake owned the Cameo Shores real estate. Thus, he got the house cheaper but his uncle Herman was the one who bought it-it serves as the Beckett gift to them as the newlywed.

"Newlywed my foot," he whispered.

He stopped in front of the door on the far-left side of the second floor. The hallway has just been lighted by the dim lights on the wall. He put the gold key into the keyhole and right after, he twisted the knob.

His eyes glimmered when he saw all the things, he prepared for just a day before the wedding. Now, let's see how tough you are, Hera, he thought. "I'll make you regret that you let your surname be changed to Watson."