Kill for Love

Chapter 30 - The Funeral

Cytherea’s tears were falling endlessly. She felt like her world was tumbling down. She couldn’t hear anyone around her. All she could hear was her heartbreaking into pieces. She wanted to scream but she couldn’t. She felt like she was mute, unable to hear nor talk. 

She was like this ever since the time that they found Ares' body in the stockroom. The staff that found him was having a rendezvous with her lover and went there to chill out. They thought they’re going to have time, only to find Ares' body inside: lying on the floor and lifeless. 

It’s been a week since that happened and today is Ares' funeral, but she still couldn’t comprehend what had happened. She wanted some answers. She knew that the police are already investigating, but she felt like it’s taking them a while to find out what happened or who is the perpetrator. However, she had a feeling that the criminal is the same person who sent her close-up pictures to Ares. 

“Cy, my condolences. Ma’am, Sir, my condolences,” Gaus muttered. He sat down beside Cytherea, who was beside Ares’ parents. Ares' mother held Cytherea’s right hand as if they were getting some strength from each other. They are already in the cemetery, and the priest blesses the burial site where Ares’ coffin will be laid to rest. 

Cytherea was wearing a black dress and partnered it with a black pump. She was also wearing black shades to cover her swollen eyes. She nodded and didn’t utter any words. She was just looking at the coffin in front of them. She was hoping that it’s all a dream and for her to wake up, but it’s already been a week, and she’s still feeling the pain. She can still see Ares sleeping inside the coffin. 

Gaus felt sorry for her and wanted to hug her. He couldn’t imagine how hard it is for Cytherea to lose someone she loves. To think that Ares just proposed to her. He was looking at her with sad eyes. 

If only he can take away the pain from her, he will gladly do. 

He looked at the crowd to find Athena, but she is nowhere to be found. Ever since they told her that Ares is dead, he could tell that Athena was shocked. She was utterly dumbfounded. And since then, Athena was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is Athena?” Gaus couldn’t help but ask.

“I don’t know. Since Ares died, she never showed her face to me again. She sent me a text message saying that she’s blaming herself, and I don’t understand why,” Cytherea softly said, void of any emotion. She looked like a robot who was just moving for the sake of a show. 

They stopped talking when the priest started to conduct the final prayer. The weeps and cries became louder when Ares' coffin was lowered down to the hole. 

Gaus stared at Cytherea and saw her tears, but no sound of her weeping was heard. She and Ares's parents were hugging. 

He sighed. He is more worried about Cytherea. She technically has no one in this time of need. 

'Don't worry, Cy. I'll be here for you always. I will make sure you'll smile again,' he thought.

The funeral ended and people were starting to leave the cemetery. Gaus decided to stay even if it's only him, Cytherea, and Ares' parents remained. They were some other people left too who were chit-chatting. 

"Dear, you are very welcome in our house. I know you don't have any relatives here. You can stay at our house as long as you want. Besides, that's Ares' original plan, right?" Ares' mother, Sophia, said.

"Yes, Mom, it was. I would love to stay with you, but I have to decline. I have to settle something first, and once it's done, I will go there. I'm sorry, Mom, Dad."

"It's okay. We understand. Whenever you're ready, our house is open for you," Ares' Dad, Alex seconded.

"Thank you. I appreciate it. I will keep in touch."

"Please do, Dear. We have to go. Do you want to come with us so that we can drop you off at the hotel?" Sophia offered.

"I will stay a little bit longer, Mom. I want to be alone for a while." Cytherea looked at the hole.

"Okay, we will be going now. Keep in touch, okay?"

Cytherea nodded and hugged them.

"How about you, Gaus?" Alex asked.

"I'll stay a little bit," he answered. 

Alex nodded and left them together with his wife. He knew that Cytherea was in good hands. He knew Gaus for years already because Gaus invested in their company. That is also the reason why Ares knew him. He knew he was a great guy. He actually thought that he and Ares would be such good friends if only he didn't die.

Cytherea went in front of the hole and took one white rose from the flower wreath while Gaus was just looking for her.

'I'm going to make sure that whoever did this to you will end up in jail, Babe. I will make sure he'll pay for this. I will make sure justice will be served. I will miss you, Babe… I love you so much….'

She dropped the rose to the hole, and as soon it landed in Ares' coffin, her tears started to fall once again. 

She remembered the happy times they've shared. His laughter, the sweet things he did for her. All of it will only be memories. She can no longer hug him. She can no longer hear his voice. She can no longer hear him say. I love you to her. 

"Why?!" Cytherea yelled.

Gaus startled at Cytherea's yell. He immediately went beside her and grabbed her right arm so that he could pull her closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her and caressed her back to console her.

He felt so sorry for her.

If only...

She wept. She grabbed his shirt and cried so hard. 

"Why, Gaus? Why? We had so many plans together! Why did they kill him? Why?!" Cytherea wailed.

"Just let it out, Cy. Just let it out…."