Kill for Love

Chapter 4 - The Proposal

Athena was shivering after she received that phone call. She was passing back and forth inside Cytherea's room. It's a good thing that the couple was not in the hotel room. Her heart was beating so fast.

She couldn't believe it. She thought that she and Ares were being careful. 

'How could that person know?' she thought while biting her fingernails. 'This is such a mess. It's getting more complicated. How could I ever redeem myself? I only have 24 hours to respond to that guy.' 

A tear fell from her eye. Her conscience is eating her up. However, she couldn’t just let go of Ares. She already invested a lot just to stop. She sat down on the bed and desperately combed her hair using her fingers. 

She has two options: tell Cytherea the truth that could end their friendship or continue her relationship with Ares - in which she will be able to keep Ares and Cytherea with the help of that caller.

She was still contemplating what to do when she heard some noises outside the room. She immediately went to the bedside table and grabbed some tissues to dry her tears. She didn't want Cytherea to catch her crying again because, for sure, she will nag her. She was just too afraid that because of nervousness, she might spill the beans.

"Bestie!" Cytherea called.

She and Ares just arrived from the gym, which is located on the hotel's ground floor. It has always been their routine to do exercise together. It also serves as their bonding time.

Hand in hand, they walked inside the hotel room. Ares was holding a bag of takeout foods from the famous sandwich chain. It was the famous Muffaletta. Cytherea was so eager to get a taste of it. She heard that it was a good sandwich. That's why after their workout, they went to the famous chain that makes Mufffaletta. She's very excited to try it with Athena.

Ever since kindergarten, they always had the same likes and dislikes. There were times where they both had the same bag or dress, just different colors. Cytherea was just so happy that when it comes to guys, they both have different types. She couldn't imagine herself and Athena fighting over one man. She's hoping that time will never come. Cytherea knows that her best friend will never betray her over one guy.

"Bestie!" she called again.

"I'm coming!" Athena yelled back, still inside the room.

Ares went to the dining table and set up the table. Cytherea, on the other hand, went to the refrigerator to get some fresh oranges. She was planning to make some freshly squeezed orange juice.

She was cutting the oranges on the sink when she felt the muscled arms encircling her tiny waist. She looked back and saw a smiling Ares. 

Ares gave her a peck on the lips. She just continued to slice the oranges.

"I love you," he sweetly said to her and then smelled her hair.

"Babe, I'm sweaty! I bet I don't smell good," she giggled while trying to free herself from his embrace. Ares hugged her tighter so she couldn't break free.

"Nope! Sweaty or not, you still smell so good, Babe. Tell me the truth, what spell did you put me under that you made me so madly in love with you?" he whispered. He pulled her closer and kissed her on the head.

Cytherea put the knife and orange down. She washed her hands and took the hand towel that was hung in the oven beside her. She faced Ares and squeezed his face.

"Aww… aren't you the sweetest, Babe?" Cytherea couldn't contain her happiness. She was so lucky to have a boyfriend like Ares. He's beautiful inside and out. 

"So… when are you going to say you love me too?" He looked at her intently and raised an eyebrow.

Cytherea laughed and put her arms around his neck. She sweetly smiled at him and kissed him on the lips—a full of love kiss, which Ares responded without having a second thought. 

Athena hurriedly went outside. She just fixed her hair in a messy bun. Cytherea already called her twice. She was thinking that it might be something important. 

Athena felt her heart was shattered and broken into pieces when she saw the scene in the kitchen. Tears were streaming down her face. Cytherea and Ares were kissing. She angrily stares at Ares' back. 

'What a two-faced jerk!' she thought.

She immediately wiped her tears. No one should know that she's been crying.

'This is not the time to cry,' she told herself again, trying to calm herself down. 

She puffed out a deep breath.

"Duh?! Lovebirds get a room, please! Single here!" she yelled. She put her hands on her waist like a mother who was about to scold her children for doing inappropriate things.

The couple immediately distances themselves from each other. Cytherea laughed, and Ares just smirked. Athena rolled her eyes. 

“I didn’t know you need an audience for a live show, Bestie,” Athena said, raising her left eyebrow.

Cytherea howled with laughter.

"I'm sorry you have to see that, Bestie. C’mon, sit down. Let’s eat breakfast. We bought the Muffaletta. You should try it. It’s the famous sandwich here, and I’m almost done making juice.” Cytherea faced the sink again and continued making the juice. 

Athena sat down and leaned on the back of the chair. She was looking intensely at Ares. She was still mad at him. Ares noticed her and just ignored her completely. 

He instead took the pitcher from the cupboard and went to the freezer to fill it with ice. He handed it over to Cytherea so she could transfer the juice to it. 

Every now and the Athena witnessed how sweet Ares was to Cytherea. She was biting her lips so hard to stop herself from crying.

"You okay, Bestie?" Cytherea asked Athena when she noticed her frowning. She was walking towards the dining table and sat down on the chair. Ares was just behind her carrying the pitcher. 

He put it on the table. When everyone was situated, they started eating. All of them were savoring the sandwich. No one dared to speak.

"By the way, Babe, tonight I had a reservation for us tonight at the restaurant of this hotel," Ares after a few minutes of silence.

"Just for the two of us?" Cytherea asked and looked at Athena.

"Oh no, no, no, don't mind me, I'm good. I'll just stay in my room." Athena waved her hands.

Cytherea looked at Ares and gave him puppy eyes. She's hoping that Ares would somehow invite Athena as well. She was biting her lips in hopes Ares would give in. 

Ares sighed and looked at Athena, who was raising her left eyebrow to him.

"How can I say 'no' to you?" He smiled in defeat. He just loves Cytherea so much that he couldn't dare defy her wishes.

"Yes!" Cytherea yelled in glee. She stood up and hugged Ares, who was just beside her. She also kissed him on the cheek before sitting down again. "I love you, Babe," she said, grinning.

"I love you too, Babe," he responded.

Athena silently rolled her eyes in annoyance. Ares caught her, but she just sneered at him. Ares just shrugged. He didn't care what Athena thinks. For him, they were through.

THEY were all dressed up as they entered the hotel's restaurant. Cytherea looked ravishing on her black one-shoulder top and a gray high-waisted long skirt that defines her tiny waist. It almost reached her ankles, and it has a slit in the front. She matched it with her expensive embellished satin peep-toe sandals.

Athena, on the other hand, looked seductive on her black halter, bodycon, midi dress. She was also wearing her expensive black espadrille wedge sandals. Ares was like a dashing debonair in her dark suit and dark leather shoes. 

The women were clinging to each Ares’ arms. 

“Hi, good evening! Any reservation?” the receptionist of the restaurant asked.

“Yes, it should be under Ares Pendleton,” Ares answered. 

The receptionist looked at the list and then smiled. “This way, please.” 

They followed the receptionist until they reached their designated table. Ares pulled a chair for Athena. He waited for her to be situated before pulling a chair for Cytherea. He kissed her lips and went to her side to pull a chair for himself. 

The ambiance of the restaurant was very romantic. It has a big crystal chandelier hanging in the middle. There were different fresh flowers neatly decorated in elegant vases, and the preserved old tree branches were embellished with string lights. The dining table has a bouquet of red roses in the middle, and the rose petals were neatly scattered around it. 

“Wow, Babe, I’m impressed! I never thought this restaurant could be this beautiful. It’s so romantic,” Cytherea commented. Her eyes were sparkling with joy. “Let’s come here again tomorrow, Babe. I want to feature this restaurant for my vlog. This is a great place. I like the ambiance. I hope the food is spectacular too.”

“Well, I’m glad you like it. I’m going to talk to their manager to make arrangements for your vlog.” 

“Aww… you’re the sweetest, Babe.” Cytherea leaned on the table to give Ares a peck on the lips. She smiled sweetly at him.

“Hello? Third wheel here.” Athena was frowning. She crossed her arms across her chest and leaned on the chair while looking at the two. She knew that Cytherea didn’t know about her relationship with Ares, so she can’t blame her. Ares, however, was a different case. He was being extra sweet to Cytherea whenever she’s around, and that pissed her off big time.

"Aww… I love you too, Bestie," Cytherea giggled, thinking that Athena was just joking.

"Hi, good evening! How are you all today?" a waitress in uniform approached them and handed them the menu. "I'm Missy. I will be your waitress today. Let me know whenever y'all are ready to order." 

"Thanks, Missy, but I think we are now ready to order," Cytherea told her sweetly after looking at the menu. She looked at the two, and they nodded in agreement.

Missy smiled as a response and wrote down their orders. After making sure that she got the correct ones, she excused herself and left them. 

While they were waiting for their food, Ares excused himself to the bathroom. Then suddenly, two guys approached their table. Each of them was holding a violin. They positioned themselves in front of the three and started to play Marry Me by Train. 

The two women were too engrossed in listening. They didn't notice that Ares was walking towards them, holding a big bouquet of red roses.  Ares went in front of Cytherea and handed the flowers. 

Cytherea's eyes lit up. She was smiling widely. She couldn't believe that Ares would surprise her. She accepted the bouquet and was smelling it when Ares dropped one knee and showed her a dark blue velvet box.

The scene catches the attention of the other customers. Some of them took out their phone and started to videotape them.

"Cytherea Swan, I love you so much. We've been in a relationship for more than six years now. You are the most amazing woman that I've met, and I want to spend my life with you." He opened the box and revealed the diamond ring inside it. Cytherea's jaw dropped. She was teary-eyed because of too much happiness.

"Will you give me the honor to change your last name to Pendleton?" Ares looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"Of course! Yes!" she screamed in happiness. Ares took the ring from the box. He reached her left hand and put it on her ring finger. 

The people around them were screaming in happiness too. They were clapping their hands, and some of them whistled.

Ares stood up. He grasped Cytherea's face and kissed her on the lips, not minding the people around them. She smiled and was already crying as she broke off the kiss. He took his handkerchief from his pocket and used it to dry Cytherea's tears.

"I love you so much, Babe," Cytherea whispered as she embraced him. Cytherea looked at her best friend and found her crying. She distanced herself from Ares and went to Athena. 

"I-I'm so happy for you, Bestie," Athena said as tears were streaming down her face. She looked at Ares, who was avoiding her gaze. 

" I know you do. Thank you, Bestie."

Athena was furious but acted as if she was calm. The couple was all lovey-dovey. She excused herself to go to the lady's room. She tried so hard not to cause any scene that she will later regret. 

She locked the door as she entered. She looked at herself in the mirror. Tears were streaming down her eyes again. It was a painful sight. 

'How could he propose to her after the mind-blowing s*x I gave him last night?" she asked her reflection bitterly.

She was still contemplating what to do. How to act normal while her heart is bleeding. Suddenly, her phone rings. She took it out from her clutch and checked the caller. It was the same unregistered number who called her earlier. She knew it was a bad idea, but she can't just let go of Ares. He is her life, and she will do anything for him--just for them to be together.

"Hello?" 

"Do you already have a response to my proposal?" the caller asked. "I heard Ares proposed--"

"Yes, he did," she cut him off. "And so, I will accept your offer."

A creepy laugh roared from the other line, and Athena suddenly felt instant chills.