Kill for Love

Chapter 31 - Gaus

After Cytherea had a breakdown in the cemetery, Gaus drove Cytherea to the hotel. He doesn’t want to leave her, but he knows it's not proper for him to stay in Cytherea's hotel room.

“Thank you, Gaus. I appreciate all you did. You’ve been accompanying me from the time that Ares dies till now that we laid him to rest. I don’t know how to thank you for doing all these things for me,” Cytherea stated when they arrived in her hotel room. They were sitting side by side on the couch.

“I’m glad I could help, Cy. I’m feeling guilty because Ares died in my hotel and I’m quite embarrassed that this happened. The safety of our guests is our utmost priority, and I felt like we have failed because of what had happened to Ares. I know you are contemplating still stay here because of what has happened, and I assure you that I’m tightening our hotel security to make sure that nothing like this will ever happen again.”

Gaus sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked at Cytherea, who now takes off her shades. Her eyes were swollen and dull. Gone are the sparkling eyes whenever she speaks, and her nose is getting reddish. Gaus wanted to hug her and console her, but he’s controlling himself. He doesn’t want Cytherea to get the impression that he is taking advantage of her situation. 

“Don’t blame yourself, Gaus. It’s out of your control. I just didn’t expect that this would happen. I just want to ask you, though.”

“Sure.”

"Did you talk to Ares before he died?"

Gaus' eyebrows furrowed. "No, I didn't. Why?"

Cytherea was confused. Ares was supposed to tell Gaus about what had happened before the Annual Party. She was hesitant a bit if she should tell Gaus or not, but he's been helping her.

For all the things he helped me with, I think he can be trusted.

She sighed and began to tell him, "There was this person who kept sending me flowers, food, name it-- all my favorites, and there's always a card together with it. At first, it was just a note of admiration not until a few days before the Annual party that it leveled up. He sent Ares some pictures of me, sleeping in this hotel room."

Gaus' eyes widened. "W-what?" He stuttered.

She smiled sadly. "Ares told me that someone was calling him and blackmailed him. He was saying that the person is asking him to break up with me. He had a feeling that the one who sent me the flowers and the one who sent him my pictures is the same. We decided that Ares will tell these things to you to ask for help. We know there are CCTV cameras everywhere in this hotel, and we would like to see that footage. We have a feeling that the person was able to sneak here and took those photos of me," she explained.

There was a long silence between them. Gaus' mouth opened and closed again like he was having a hard time understanding how it happened.

"I-I can't believe that happened during your stay here in my hotel. I'm so sorry, Cy," he finally said. "And yes, I will definitely help you. I will have the footage reviewed. I will tighten the security too. And if it's okay with you, you can stay on the top floor. I have a private room there. You can use it while we are investigating this. Did you already report it to the police?"

Cytherea shook her head. "No, we didn't. Ares said that the person is brave enough to send him the pictures of me sleeping. So, he might have planned everything out already if in case we reported it to the police."

"We still need to report it. Who knows? Maybe it was just a trap. That person is making you believe that he had something planned out if you reported it to the police so that you will not do it. But what if it's just a bluff? Did you tell the police these details when they talked to you last time?"

Cytherea's jaw dropped. "I-I didn't think of that. He may be bluffing like what you said and no, I was not able to give them the details. I-I was preoccupied about what happened to Ares." She leaned her back on the couch and crossed her arms across her chest.

"Let's go to the police. I will go with you," Gaus offered. Cytherea's safety is his priority right now.

"Thanks, Gaus. I think you are right. Let's go. I don't want to wait for another day. I want justice for Ares." Cytherea stood up and took her shoulder bag, which was just on the couch and put it on her shoulder.

"Make sure that you also bring all the proofs that you have," he reminded. He also stood up and readied himself. He looked at Cytherea, who looked hesitant about something. "Are you okay?"

"Umm, I-I just realized. This will make an impact on your hotel." She bit her lips. She doesn't want to drag Gaus nor its business to her fight.

Gaus walked towards her and held her two hands. "Cy, I'm willing to help you. You don't have to worry about me or my business. My hotel is fine and so am I. So, just focus on the justice for Ares, okay?"

Cytherea smiled at him and nodded. She went to her room and took all the notes from the dresser's drawer. She put all the notes in her bag and then went to Ares' room.

The moment she opened the door, she froze. She felt like crying again. She's longing for Ares' presence. His smell still lingers in the room. It's as if he is still around. She bit her lips to stop her tears from falling. She shook her head.

'Focus, Cytherea,' she mumbled.

"Cy, are you okay?" Gaus asked when he noticed that Cytherea stopped from entering Ares' room.

"Y-yeah, I'm okay." She immediately entered Ares' room and took her stolen pictures that were just on his bedside table. "C'mon, let's go."

They hurriedly went to the police and gave them the evidence that can be used in Ares' case. 

Gaus looked at his watch on his wrist. It's already 4 PM and they haven't eaten lunch.

"Aren't you hungry?" Gaus asked. He stared at Cytherea, who looked so worn out. "Let's eat first before going back to the hotel."

They were already on their way out from the police station and were walking side by side going to the parking space. 

"Thanks, Gaus. I'm not hungry. I just want to lay down on the bed and sleep," she answered tiredly. 

"I'll have someone deliver your food. You have to eat before you sleep. You haven't eaten anything yet."

"Thank you," she answered briefly. 

Gaus opened the car's door for her and waited till Cytherea's situated before he went to the driver's seat.

They were quiet throughout the drive till they reached the hotel.

"Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself here in your room?" Gaus asked when they had reached her room. Cytherea was already opening the door.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm just going to make sure everything is locked."

"Is Athena going to be here soon? I already tightened the security of the hotel, but I'm still worried that you're alone. The offer to stay in my private room still stands. So, you know I don't mind you staying there." 

"Thanks, Gaus. But you've done enough. I'm thankful for all your help. Maybe Athena will be here today."

Gaus smiled and nodded, but Cytherea can tell that he is still hesitant to leave her alone. She smiled at him.

"Okay, how about this." She took her phone and dialed Gaus' number. Shortly, Gaus' phone rings. He took his phone from his pocket and saw an unknown number. Cytherea disconnected the call and smiled at him again. "There, that's my number. I already saved yours and if something happened, I'd call you."

Gaus' smile widened. His eyes were sparkling as if he won a power ball. He immediately saved the number and put the phone back in his pocket.

"Great! Now, I'm at more ease."

"Thanks, Gaus."

"Anytime, you go ahead. I'll make sure you are already inside and close the door before I go."

Cytherea chuckled. "We are already in front of my room, Gaus-"

"Still," he cut her off. "It's better to be safe than sorry."

"Okay, okay, you are persistent, Gaus. Thank you." 

For a while, she forgot the things that bother her. If it weren't for Gaus, she doesn't know what she will do next. She looked back at Gaus before opening the door widely. 

Her eyes widened as she saw purple hyacinth and orchids all over the entrance of her hotel room. Gaus immediately went beside Cytherea and saw the flowers. 

He clenched his fists as he saw Cytherea's eyes started to blur because of tears. 

"I knew it. It was him. He killed Ares."