Kill for Love

Chapter 54

Up until now, Cytherea still shivers when she remembers the message that Astilbe sent her. She didn’t send any reply to him. She felt like all her blood was drained because of it. It was bothering her and she couldn't even sleep because of it. She had the feeling that the text message had something to do with Carlos. She wanted to go to the police and informed them about this but she was hesitant. The police already become suspicious of her and to tell them about the text message, their suspicions of her will definitely grow. 

Thinking about it, she has so many questions about why. If her suspicions are right, why did Astilbe kill him? What could be his reason?

It was already 2 AM, and up until now, Cytherea’s still not sleepy. There were so many things that she desperately wanted to know. She was seated on the bed with her back leaning against the headboard. Her knees were folded and her arms crossed across her chest while biting her right thumb.

She was in her deep thoughts that she didn’t notice Athena waking up and staring at her.

“Aren’t you still sleeping?” She asked in a raspy voice. 

“Oh!” She turned her head in Athena’s direction looking surprised and then worriedly look at her. “Sorry, did I wake you up?”

“Nah, I was half asleep when I noticed you sitting there.” Athena looked at the digital clock on the bedside and her eyes widened when she saw that it was already 2 AM. “Are you okay? It’s already 2 AM and you’re still not sleeping. Get to sleep. Let’s ask for Gaus or Lemnos’ help tomorrow about Astilbe. Let them know he’s in the move right now.”

“To tell you honestly, I’m now afraid to get them in this mess. If I’m right and he killed Carlos without any reason then Gaus and Lemnos might be in trouble too,” she worriedly said. “I don’t want to put them in any more trouble.” A tear escapes her eyes.  She hugged her knees and used her knees to cover her face. She was sobbing softly. 

Athena couldn’t help but feel sorry for her best friend. She was also determined to find Astilbe to make him pay about Ares’ death. With determination, Athena said, “Don’t worry, Bestie. I will help you.” She got up and went to Cytherea’s side and put her arms around her shoulder and embraced her tightly.

Cytherea’s cry becomes louder.  She cried so much on her best friend’s shoulder. Athena just continued to caress her back to console her until her cries became lower till it actually stopped. Athena looked at Cytherea’s face and she saw that she was already asleep. She gently positioned Cytherea’s body on the bed so her best friend could sleep comfortably. 

She could no longer sleep so got off the bed and grabbed her phone from the bedside. She was so careful with her moves so that she could not disturb Cytherea’s sleep. 

She walked slowly towards the door and constantly looked at Cytherea making sure that she is still sleeping. She opened the door and slowly made her way out. She looked at Cytherea one more time before closing the door slowly.

She went to the kitchen and leaned her back against the counter which faces the door to the bedroom. She immediately turns on her phone and looks for the unknown phone number. The moment she found the number, she immediately pressed the call button. After a few rings, she hears a familiar voice on the other line. The same husky voice that made her and her best friend’s life miserable. Yes, miserable because he took away the man that they loved.

“Welcome back, Athena. I’m glad you heed my advice,” he said in a husky voice. It was very clear that he’s just been woken up because of the call. If it would be a different occasion, she will be mesmerized by his voice. He had this bedroom voice that every woman would dream to be awake by hearing it.  It was so sexy like a song seducing her whole being.

Athena shook her head to focus. It’s not the time to feel weird about him.

“I didn’t come back because of your advice-” 

“Oh really? Then why is it that you come back? And why are you calling me now?” he asked teasingly. “Do you want something from me?” he playfully said. Athena is just calling him if she needs something and he’s curious what it is.

“Yes, I want you to leave Cytherea alone. Stop torturing her. Don’t you know that she’s been crying because of that message that you sent her? Did you kill Carlos?” she asked in a low but stern voice. 

He laughed like what she said was a joke.

“Oh, so you cared for her now? Aren’t we a little bit hypocrite, Athena?” he said in a dangerous tone, totally ignoring her question. “You sounded so caring like you actually care for her, but didn’t you betray her trust? Didn’t you also cause her so much pain? Weren’t you also the reason for her tears?  If you have stopped me that day and let’s say Ares is alive, you will still try to win him over and hurt Cytherea even more. And now that Ares is alive you become the brave, caring, best friend? You are funny, Athena not to mention a hypocrite one. Before... the odds are in your favor you conspired with me. Now that it’s not, you turned your back on me,” he chuckled again. “I know your kind, Athena. You’re kind are like a cone snail, looks so gentle and harmless, but is actually poisonous and deadly.”

Athena felt a flash of irritation. Her blood is starting to boil. How dare he to say those to her? For god’s sake, he didn’t even know her!

“You don’t have the right to say those awful words to me. You don’t know me and you can say whatever you say, I don’t care. I fell in love and that’s was only my fault. But you, you are worst done an animal. You said you love her but you keep hurting her. How is that even love?”

“Let me asked you the same question, Athena. How is it love when you are also hurting your best friend? Oh, yeah,” he chuckled again, “she didn’t even know, did she? That why you sounded so righteous because she didn’t know the things you’ve done that could actually hurt her. At least for me, I might have hurt her but it is for her own good. She doesn’t deserve those guys-”

“And who do you think she deserves you?” Athena laughed. She annoyed the crap out of him. “You don’t deserve her either. And do you think she would like you after what you’ve done? I don’t think so most especially now that Gaus is making a move on her. And I tell you, he has a huge chance. So good luck to you.”

He was stunned at Athena’s words and before he could respond. Athena dropped the call. He clenched his fist. His anger starts to build up inside him.

“This cannot be. Cytherea is mine. He deserves no one else but me. She’s mine!” he said, gritting his teeth. “You can’t have her, Gaus. You can’t and will not have her!”