The Demigod's Reckoning

Chapter4: The Demigod's Reckoning

Chapter 4: A Collision of Fates

Mrs. Grayson clutched her purse nervously as she stepped out of the building with Theo and Devon in tow. The sunlight hit her face, making her squint as she adjusted her glasses. Her steps faltered when her eyes landed on the car waiting at the curb—a gleaming black Bugatti, polished to perfection. The reflection of the skyscrapers danced across its sleek surface, making it look almost surreal.

“Ah—Sir, you want me to ride in that?” she asked, hesitating. “It’s kind of embarrassing.”

Theo didn’t break stride. He approached the car with his usual calm demeanor, pulling open the door for her without a word. His expression was cold but not unkind, a subtle insistence in his gaze.

“Get in. We have no time,” he said, stepping back to let her in.

Mrs. Grayson fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable. “Oh dear… this is too much for someone like me.”

As she hesitated, Devon leaned in close to Theo and whispered in a playful tone, “Theo, you’re going to make this poor woman die of curiosity.”

Theo ignored him, stepping into the car himself and gesturing for Devon to follow. Devon sighed and shrugged, muttering under his breath about how dramatic everything was before climbing into the driver’s seat.

The car purred to life, a soft rumble that hinted at the power under the hood. As they merged into traffic, Devon began whistling aimlessly, tapping the steering wheel in rhythm.

“So, Mrs. Grayson,” he said, trying to lighten the mood, “ever ride in a car like this before?”

“Never in my life,” she replied with a nervous laugh, clutching her purse tightly. “This is… quite the experience.”

Devon grinned. “Well, hang on, because—”

Before he could finish, his phone slipped from the dashboard and clattered to the floor.

“Ah, my G****e Pixel!” Devon exclaimed, reaching down to grab it.

The car swerved slightly, and Mrs. Grayson yelped.

“Devon!” Theo’s voice was sharp but controlled.

“Woah, woah!” Devon shouted, gripping the wheel again as he steadied the car. His eyes widened as he glanced out the windshield. “Oh crap!”

The car screeched to a halt, the sound of tires skidding on asphalt filling the air.

Mrs. Grayson gasped, clutching the seatbelt across her chest. “Oh my God! Did we hit someone?”

Theo, calm despite the chaos, opened the door and stepped out. His sharp eyes scanned the scene, and there, on the sidewalk, he saw her—a young woman crouched down, her hands dusting off the dirt on her jeans.

She wore a loose hoodie pulled over her head and a pair of dark jeans. Her glasses sat slightly askew on her nose, and her hair, a cascade of dark waves, shimmered faintly in the sunlight. But it wasn’t her appearance that froze Theo in place—it was her eyes.

Golden flecks danced in the rich brown of her almond-shaped eyes, like sparks against a dark canvas. For a moment, Theo stood still, staring as if time had stopped.

The woman, oblivious to his reaction, straightened and glared at him.

“What’s wrong with you?” she shouted, brushing her hoodie as she stood. “You almost hit me! Are you blind?”

Her voice, sharp and full of fire, jolted Theo from his trance. He blinked, his usual calm demeanor faltering for the briefest of moments.

Devon, sensing trouble, quickly climbed out of the car and raised his hands in a placating gesture.

“Miss, please, calm down,” he said, his voice light and apologetic. “It was my fault, not my boss’s. I got distracted.”

The woman scoffed, crossing her arms. “Distracted? You’re behind the wheel of a car that could probably buy a small country, and you can’t even keep your eyes on the road? Honestly, billionaires are ridiculous.”

Devon chuckled nervously. “Fair point. But again, my fault entirely. We’re really sorry.”

Theo finally found his voice, his tone steady but unreadable. “Dev, compensate her.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed as she took a step back. “Compensate me? What do you think I am, some gold digger?” Her voice dripped with disdain. “Forget it. I don’t need your money. I have somewhere to be.”

Without waiting for a response, she adjusted her hoodie and walked away, muttering under her breath.

Theo’s gaze followed her, his eyes lingering on her retreating figure. There was something about her—a strange familiarity he couldn’t place.

Devon sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “This day just keeps getting better and better.” He glanced at Mrs. Grayson, who still looked pale and shaken.

“Mrs. Grayson, are you alright?” Devon asked, his tone softer now.

She nodded slowly, her voice trembling. “Yes, I’m fine. But… is the young woman okay? She seemed so upset.”

“No injuries, Mrs. Grayson,” Devon assured her. “Just a scare. I’m sorry for putting you through that.”

As Devon helped Mrs. Grayson settle back into the car, he noticed Theo still standing outside, his gaze fixed on the direction the woman had gone.

“Lord Stavros,” Devon called, his voice hesitant.

Mrs. Grayson’s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with shock. “Lord Stavros? Did you just call him—”

Theo turned abruptly, his face unreadable, and climbed back into the car without a word. His movements were smooth, deliberate, but there was a subtle tension in his posture.

Devon shot Mrs. Grayson a quick look, silently pleading with her not to ask too many questions. He adjusted his seatbelt and started the car again, glancing at Theo through the rearview mirror.

“You’re unusually quiet,” Devon said, trying to keep his tone light. “Still thinking about the book, or… something else?”

Theo didn’t respond, his attention drifting to the cityscape outside the window. But every so often, his eyes flicked back to the street, as if hoping to catch another glimpse of the mysterious young woman.

Devon sighed, shaking his head. “Great. First the book, now this. You’re collecting distractions like trading cards.”

Mrs. Grayson, still processing what she’d just heard, remained silent. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had just happened—something far beyond her understanding.

As the car merged back into traffic, Theo leaned his head against the cool leather of the seat. His fingers tapped against his knee in an uneven rhythm, his mind replaying the encounter over and over. Those eyes. He couldn’t forget them.

Something stirred deep within him—a sense of recognition, of connection. But why?

And who was she?

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Why did Theo feel such a strong connection to the mysterious young woman? And what secrets lie hidden in her past?