Kill for Love

Chapter 46 - Carlos

Cytherea was waiting in the lobby for Athena to arrive. She is sitting on the couch that is in front of the entrance. That way it will be easier for her to see Athena when she walks into the hotel. 

She constantly keeps on looking on her phone to see if Athena sends her a message and what time it is already. She’s starting to get worried when she sees that it’s already passed thirty minutes and Athena is still not in the hotel.

She is getting impatient as time goes by. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she stood up and was pacing back and forth while looking at the entrance of the hotel. She rubs her palm, then crosses her arms across her chest and scratches her arms repeatedly. 

“Hey!”

Cytherea widened her eyes as she got startled when someone touched her shoulder. She didn’t notice that someone was already behind her.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I think I just scared you,” the person said, apologetically.

Cytherea instantly smiled as she recognized the man. The man was smiling widely while looking at her. He was wearing a white fitted long sleeves which were folded till the elbow and dark slacks. He partnered his outfit with black leather shoes.

“Oh, Carlos! I’m sorry I didn’t even notice that you were behind me.”

“Nah, no worries. You looked preoccupied about something and you kept looking at the entrance. Are you waiting for someone?" he asked in a friendly tone. He put his two hands in the pocket of his pants.

"Umm, yes. As a matter of fact, I am," she answered feeling a little bit uneasy while talking to Carlos. She still keeps looking at the entrance. Although she knew Athena would call her if she couldn't see her.

"Thought so. I know you are busy but if you wouldn't mind, can I ask you out for some coffee?" Carlos smiled showing his perfect set of white teeth. 

"Umm… I'm sorry, Carlos but--"

"Oh, that's fine not now but you know, whenever you are free. Here," he stopped and grabbed his wallet at the back of his pocket. He opened it in front of her, revealing his several credit and debit cards, as well as the thick one hundred bills in it. It’s like he is doing it on purpose, showing off how thick his wallet is. After a few moments, it seemed like he already found what he was looking for and handed a small card to her.

She reluctantly accepts it. To be honest, she just wanted Carlos to be gone. She is more preoccupied about Athena and she doesn’t want any distractions right now.

“Call me whenever you’re free, whatever time it will be I will be free for you,” he said while flashing his wide smile.

“Umm, sure…” she responded and gave him a forced smile. 

“Hmm… why don’t you give me your phone number too? You now just in case you forgot, I’ll remind you.”

Cytherea is getting more uneasy as Carlos keeps on pushing her about having a coffee with her. She doesn’t want to give her phone number to him. Her instinct is telling her not to. She silently prays that Athena arrives already or someone can save her from Carlos.

And looks like heavens hear her prayer when she notices Lemnos walking towards her.

“Hey, Cytherea. How are you?” Lemnos greeted as he got closer and gave her a hug which she also did. “Hey, Carlos what are you two doing here?”

“Why does, Mr. Usoro gets a hug and I don’t?” Carlos jokingly asked while raising his left eyebrow, totally ignoring Lemnos’ question.

Cytherea’s eyes widened because of Carlos’ frankness. The question had totally caught her off guard.

“C’mon, Carlos knocked it off. You don’t have to be rude,” Lemnos calmly said. 

“Whoah, I’m not being rude. I’m just asking. My apologies if it seems that way. It was a harmless question,” he stated as if it was no big deal. 

Cytherea didn’t respond. How the conversation went is making her head hurt. She doesn’t want any drama right now. She thought that Carlos was a good person but it seemed like she was wrong. How can a man like him be the head of the HR department? This guy doesn’t even know how to filter his words!

“Did I offend you, Cytherea?” Carlos continuously asked. 

Cytherea forced a smile. “Don’t think about it. If you don’t mind, I’ll excuse myself. I’ll call my best friend. I’m going to see if she’s already in the hotel.”

“Are you running away from me?” Carlos pursued.

“Cytherea, you can go,” Lemnos persuaded. He gave her a look that he will take care of Carlos. 

She mouthed thank you to him and didn’t even bother to look at Carlos. Without looking back, Cytherea went towards the entrance of the hotel. She turned on her phone and dialed Athena’s number. She was so preoccupied at dialing her phone number that she didn’t realize that Athena was already by the entrance. 

“Bestie!” Athena screamed.

Cytherea looked up and saw Athena by the entrance. Her face glows up in glee as she sees her best friend walking towards her. She immediately runs to meet her and throws herself to her. Athena dropped her luggage and almost fell down. It’s a good thing that she has fast reflexes and she was able to manage balancing herself before the two of them fell on the floor.

Athena couldn’t help herself but cry as she hugged her best friend tightly. She felt a mixture of guilt and relief

“Hey, do you miss me that much that you have to cry so hard?” Cytherea asked in a raspy voice. She was controlling herself not to cry too.

“I’m just so happy to see you. I’ve missed you so much and I’m glad you’re okay,” she sobbed.

Cytherea held Athena’s shoulder and  pushed her a little bit so she could see her face.

“Eww, Bestie! Wipe your snot first,” Cytherea said jokingly when she saw Athena’s face who’s tears and snot were combined. She opened Athena’s crossbody and looked for a handkerchief or a tissue. When she found the sealed tissue, she opened it and took some and like a mother, she wiped Athena’s eyes and took some more tissue and put it on her nose.

“Blow,” she commanded in which without hesitation, Athena did. “Don’t walk out on me again, please? I’m so worried sick about you,” she added, caressing her face.

“I’m sorry, Bestie. I--”

“Shhh… let’s not talk about it anymore. I understand. You don’t have to explain anymore. Let’s go upstairs, okay?” Cytherea picked up Athena’s luggage and clung into Athena’s arms.

Athena nodded and both of them went towards the elevator.