Kill for Love

Chapter 37 -Details

“So, let’s talk about how Lemnos can help you, Cy,” Gaus said as soon Carlos left their table and exited the coffee shop. He put his arms on the table and leaned forward like he was about to say something secretly.

Lemnos was still looking at her phone intently. 

“You, okay, Lemnos?” Cytherea asked when she saw him still looking at her phone. 

Lemnos didn't respond. She looked at Gaus in a way to tell him that there’s something wrong with Lemnos. Gaus nudged Lemnos’s side to get his attention. Lemnos got startled and blinked his eyes a couple of times. He looked like he was lost in his deep thoughts and just finally extricate himself to reality.

“I-I’m sorry, what is it?” He stammered. 

“Cytherea was asking if you are okay. You keep on looking at the message on her phone,” Gaus answered. “Is something wrong, Buddy?”

“Oh,” Lemnos smiled and looked at both. “Nah, I’m good. I was just thinking of some ways to catch this stalker of yours. It seemed like he’s been following you. I have a feeling that the distorted music we heard earlier has something to do with him. It looks like he wanted your attention so bad.” He turned to Cytherea and looked at her seriously like what he was about to say next is crucial information. “I don’t think he will stop until he has you.”

Cytherea could feel her hair standing up after hearing what Lemnos said. Thinking about it, there is a possibility that his assumptions are correct.

“What should I do?” She asked. 

“I will have this investigated, but you have to tell me how and when he started receiving these kinds of messages and what you have done so far,” Lemnos said in a serious tone.

Cytherea took a deep breath. She took a hair tie from her bag and tied her hair in a messy bun. She was ready to spill the information needed.

She told Gaus the very first time that she received flowers, notes, and other things from Astilbe. She also mentioned that he went from sending flowers to commenting on her channel up to blackmailing Ares and sending them her stolen pictures. Most importantly, when Astilbe called her saying that he didn’t kill Ares. 

Cytherea was teary-eyed when she was explaining it to Lemnos. Gaus was so quick to give her his handkerchief, which Cytherea gladly accepted.

“So you mean, he was giving you Astilbe flowers and blue roses?” Gaus asked curiously.

“Yes, why?” Cytherea also asked. 

Gaus’ looked worried, and a scene just flashed in his mind.

“That might have been the reason why Ares attacked me in the elevator- “

“Wait, what?!” Cytherea interrupted. She unconsciously slammed her palms on the table. It created a loud bang which startled the two men. They were looking at her with their eyes wide open.

When Cytherea realized what she did, she bit her lip and clasped her hands together.

“I-I’m sorry,” she apologized. She bowed her head to hide her embarrassment.

“Wow, I didn’t know you have that side, Cytherea,” Lemnos teased. He chuckled.

Her face was flushed. She looked up to them and awkwardly smiled. She turned to Gaus and asked him, “What do you mean by saying Ares attacked you?”

“Well, I know he didn’t do that on purpose. I mean, maybe he just mistakenly thought I am Astilbe,” Gaus answered. He shrugged. He doesn’t want Cytherea to think that her fiancé is a war freak when it comes to her.

“What do you mean by that?” Cytherea asked, confused.

Lemnos was just looking at them. He was listening to get more info about Astilbe.

“You see, my mom loves Astilbe flowers and blue roses. My father gave that to her when he was still courting my mom. Now that my dad is dead, I always gave those to her whenever I was not able to go home. So you see, whenever my mom is mad at me, I can appease her with those flowers. It will calm her down, and she will no longer be mad at me.” Gaus smiled as if he just remembered a silly memory. “So, the day I had an encounter with Ares, I was holding a bouquet-- a combination of Astilbe flowers and blue roses. My mom was so upset with me because I didn’t go home. I know that she will go to my office, so before she can nag me, I have to make sure that I have her favorite flowers. Ares didn’t really punch me-"

"He just slammed you to the wall?" Lemnos couldn't help but comment.

Cytherea's eyes widened. She couldn't believe that Ares would do such a thing. But then she realized that at some point, she actually argued with Ares, and the reason for that was Gaus.

"Did you see that when you reviewed the CCTV cameras?" Gaus asked Lemnos.

"Yep," he answered, popping the p.

Cytherea was confused at the two men's conversation. Gaus noticed Cytherea's reaction, so he explained, "Lemnos, aside from being my business partner, is also in charge of the security systems. He reviewed the footage of the CCTV cameras and saved a copy of it for future reference. And that's why he knows that Ares, well, he indeed pushed me to the wall. He probably thought that I'm Astilbe. Well, anyone can think of that, most especially if anyone sees me holding a bouquet of the same flowers that you are receiving. It was just interrupted when the elevator opened, and my mom was behind the elevator doors. He saw how my mother's face lit up when she saw me holding her favorite flowers. But I think it still didn't convince him to think that I'm not Astilbe. That might be the reason when you asked him to ask for help from me. He didn't do it. He's still suspicious of me."

"But aren't you really Astilbe?" Lemnos teased. Gaus chuckled in response.

"That's impossible," Gaus answered.

"You know most of the criminals will not say that they are criminals," Lemnos teased again.

"Well, that is true," he agreed. "By the way, you should know about the call too. It was odd that Astilbe keeps on saying he didn't kill Ares."

"That's interesting…" all that Lemnos could say. 

And then a smile crept across Lemnos face.