Kill for Love

Chapter 21 -The Annual Party 2

“No! Cytherea will not be participating in the auction,” Ares firmly intercepted. He will not allow Cytherea to join because he had a feeling that the lunatic will participate. He will not give him any chance to be near Cytherea.

"You're such a party pooper as always, Ares. Why do you stay with a guy like him, Bestie?" Athena scoffed.

"Don't even go there, Athena," Ares warned. He was looking at her intently, giving her warning looks.

Cytherea squeezed Ares' left hand and looked apologetically at Gaus. She mouthed sorry to him in which he nodded in response. She was so embarrassed that the two important people in her life were starting to bicker each other in front of Gaus. 

Ares instantly looked away and heed at Cytherea's warning. 

"I guess it will be okay for us to play the games, right, Babe?" Cytherea sweetly asked Ares. She was batting her eyes while looking at him, hoping that she could convince him.

Ares sighed. 

"How can I say no when you're giving me that look?" Ares shook his head. She definitely had him in the palm of her hand.

"Thanks, Babe!" She hugged his waist and put her chin on his left shoulder. Ares turned to her and kissed her lips.

Athena cleared her throat. "You better get used to them, Gaus. They're always like that. They act like they owned the world and there are only two of them."

Gaus forced a smile and didn't respond. He looked at the couple, who no longer kissed but still hugging each other. Athena smirked. The men that fell into Cytherea's charms were no ordinary.  

'What a lucky girl,' she thought.

Her deep thoughts were cut off when the waiters and the waitress started to gather at the buffet table. They finally start serving food and delivering drinks to each table.

They were enjoying the food when suddenly a man appeared at their table, beside him is the same usherette that led them earlier.

Gaus turned to the man and his face lit up. The man was not wearing any mask, so it was easy for Gaus to recognize the man. It was like he was extremely excited to see him.

"Hey, man! I'm glad you made it!" Gaus exclaimed. He stood up and hugged the man.

The man returned Gaus' hug. "Thanks for inviting me too, man. It's nice to be out of my cave sometimes," the man said, laughing.

"Right! Look at you! You're growing a beard now."

Ares, Athena, and Cytherea were just looking at the two. They were puzzled about who the man was.

"Oh, by the way," Gaus turned to them. "I'd like to introduce to you all my old friend and my business partner, Lemnos Usoro." He then turned to Lemnos and introduced them one by one. "Lem, these are my guests. Athena Ellis, Ares Pendleton, and Cytherea Swan." 

The three stood up and shook Lemnos' hand. 

"It was great meeting you all," Lemnos said, smiling. He pulled a chair beside Gaus and Ares and sat down on it.

Cytherea's eyebrow furrowed as she stared at the guy. The guy looked so familiar, but she couldn't remember where she met him. Lemnos noticed that Cytherea was staring at him. 

He smiled and playfully asked, "Is there something on my face?"

Cytherea was caught by surprise and shyly smiled. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I know it's rude to stare, but you look so familiar, and I can't just remember where I've seen you," she explained.

"Oh, probably at the coffee shop."

"Coffee shop?" Cytherea looked confused. She still couldn't remember.

"Ah, yes!" Athena exclaimed. "I remembered! You were that guy in the coffee shop. Remember, Bestie, when we were talking about Astilbe-"

"Enough, Athena," Ares warned. If Ares is right that the lunatic is Gaus, he doesn't want him to know that the women are talking about him.

"Astilbe?” Gaus asked.

"Yeah, there's this guy that keeps on sending astilbe and roses to Cytherea. Actually, not just flowers but also her favorites," Athena continued. She didn’t mind Ares’ warning.

“Oh, I see that explains it then.” Gaus knowingly looked at Ares, which the latter just scoffed.

Cytherea looked confused at the two men. “Is there something I need to know?” She faced Ares. 

“Nothing, Babe. Don’t think about it.” He smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Emerald Hotel’s Annual Party!” the woman on the stage announced.

All of them looked at the stage, unaware that a man was staring intently at them, most particularly at the couple - Ares and Cytherea. 

‘I’ll make sure. I’ll get to spend just a little bit of your time tonight, My Love,’ he thought with a sinister smile on his face.

“I hope that you all enjoy the food. Every year at this time of the month, we always celebrate the annual party to give thanks to those behind the hotel's success. So, without further ado, let’s give warm applause to our CEO, Mr. Gaus Philip Raynott!”

Loud applause can be heard in the entire room. Gaus stood up and fixed the button of his suit before going to the stage.

"So, when is the wedding?" Lemnos asked, trying to start a conversation. 

Ares looked at him with his eyebrows furrowed. For some odd reason, he’s getting a negative vibe from the person. He didn’t know if it’s because he’s getting paranoid again. “How did you know we are getting married?” he asked.

“Well, I just assumed it’s because I see a ring in her left ring finger. It looks like an expensive engagement ring,” Lemnos replied in a matter-of-fact tone. “Am I not, right?” he added. 

“You are certainly right, Lemnos. Oh wait— can I call you by your first name?” Athena intercepted. She noticed that Ares is starting to be possessive again. She almost wanted to facepalm herself because of how Ares sounded. 

“Yes, of course. You can call me by my first name. You’re Athena, right?”

“Yes, the gorgeous one,” Athena answered and then laughed at her silliness. “And this pretty girl beside me is Cytherea,” she added.

Cytherea candidly smiled at Lemnos. “I just remembered that you are indeed the one we saw at the coffee shop. No wonder you looked familiar earlier. I couldn’t just pinpoint where I see you.”

“Yep,” Lemnos said, popping the p sound. “That’s me.”

“But to tell you honestly, it seemed like I’ve seen you even before that.

Lemnos smiled widely. “That’s maybe because I have a lot of look-alikes? My face might be ubiquitous.”

“I don’t know, but I don’t think that’s the case,” Cytherea replied. “One day, I will be able to remember, but maybe you are right. It could be a look-alike.”

“I also don’t think your face is common, Lemnos. A gorgeous guy like you can’t have a look-alike. Your features are so distinctive. And please, take it as a compliment.” Athena seductively smiled.

Ares just shook his head. For him, Athena is such a flirtatious woman. That’s why he can’t trust her.

They didn’t notice that Gaus’ speech was already over until he sat beside Lemnos.

“Thank you for that inspiring message, Mr. Raynott. Now, I know some of you are already excited about today’s event. We will be going to play a game where everyone has a chance to win amazing prizes!” the emcee excitedly announced.

“Oh, wow, never thought your speech is already done,” Lemnos chuckled.

“I know you didn’t listen, Lem. It will not be you if you listen. I know you hate talks.” Gaus gave him a knowingly look. 

Lemnos just chuckled. 

“Athena Ellis!” the emcee announced.

All of them looked in the direction of the stage. Athena looked confused as to why she was called. They were totally unaware of what the emcee was talking about. She looked at the people on their table who had the same reaction as her except for Gaus.

Gaus smiled. “I guess this is your lucky day, Athena. Do you want me to escort you to the stage?”

“That would be great, Gaus. It will be a great honor.”

Gaus stood up and offered his right hand to Athena. She immediately accepted it. Gaus took her hand and put it on his arm instead.

“Thanks, Gaus. You are such a gentleman.” 

“Anytime.”

The two left the table. Gaus ushered Athena till they got on the stage. Athena won $5000 in the first draw lots, which is a cash prize. Athena was so happy when they got off and returned to their table.

“Can I always attend your annual party, Gaus?” He jokingly asked. “I can buy my favorite bag with your prizes.”

Gaus laughed. “Yes, of course. I will always send you an invitation. The same goes to you, Cy and Ares.”

“Congratulations to you, Bestie.” Cytherea smiled widely and hugged Athena.

“You all should come every year. Gauss is a gallant man,” Lemnos persuaded.

Gaus just laughed.

Ares started to get irritated again. His blood boils again for no apparent reason. He hated the fact that the people at their table were starting to get fond of Gaus. He wants to get some fresh air before he could not control himself and be sarcastic with Gaus again. 

He leaned closer to Cytherea and whispered to her ear, “Babe, I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be back.”

Cytherea looked at him and nodded. “Sure, Babe. I’ll be waiting.”

Ares kissed her on the lips and forehead before standing up and left their table. Cytherea was just looking at him till he disappeared into the crowd. For some odd reason, her heart starts to beat faster. She has a bad feeling that she couldn’t explain. She looked in the direction where she last saw Ares and without any reason, she felt like someone just stabbed her heart.