Kill for Love

Chapter 18 - It Begins 2

“Babe,” Cytherea called Ares. Her hands were shaking while holding the photos. She couldn’t stop shivering. She felt like her heart leaped into her throat. She never felt so scared before till now.

Athena snatched the pictures from Cytherea’s hand. She looked at each picture and her jaw dropped. It was indeed all pictures of Cytherea sleeping. She had goosebumps thinking that someone might be in their room and was taking pictures of them. She recognized Cytherea’s clothes. If she was not mistaken, this picture was taken a day before yesterday. She had the hint of who was doing it. However, she didn’t think that person would go to this extent. She bit her lips. She had a bad feeling about it.

Ares looked at Cytherea. He could see the fear in her eyes. His face softened and he grabbed Cytherea’s left arm so he could pull her closer to him. Cytherea immediately hugged Ares. She felt like she found solace in him. She wanted to think that Ares was right. They need to get away, at least from the city or from the country itself. 

“Don’t worry. I’m going to make sure that whoever sent this will never hurt you.” He returned her embrace and kissed her forehead. 

He looked at Athena, who was still looking at the pictures. She was biting her lips. Ares’ forehead creased. He found it odd to see a worried look on Athena’s face instead of fear. 

‘She was with Cytherea when those pictures were taken. She should at least be scared. There’s a possibility that she will be in danger if she woke up at the wrong time. But why does she look worried?’ Ares’ thought. He has some inkling feelings about Athena’s reaction. ‘There’s something that isn’t right.’ 

Athena looked up and saw Ares looking at her. Her eyes widened and she immediately turned her gaze away. Ares’ suspicion grew. 

He wanted to confront Athena, but he was just waiting for the correct timing. Cytherea needs him more than ever.  He caressed her back to calm her down.

"How about we stay in a different hotel?" Athena suggested. She was biting her lips and crossed her arms across her chest.

Ares' left eyebrow raised. Athena's suggestion was good; however, he's hesitating to believe nor trust her. 

"I think that's a good idea, Babe," Cytherea agreed. She was gripping the hem of his shirt as if she was getting her courage from there. 

"Babe, I don't think it would make any difference. For sure, this guy or whoever he is will know where you are not unless we leave this city."

"But Babe..." she hesitated. No matter how scared she was. She couldn't just abandon her commitments. 

"Or we can ask Gaus' help," Athena suggested again. "I mean, he is the owner of the hotel. There should be at least CCTV cameras along the hallway, and we will know who entered the room. For sure, he can help us with that."

"No!" he disagreed. If Gaus is Astilbe, then he will know what they are planning to do. It will be impossible for him to find the culprit.

Both women gaped at him. They couldn't understand why Ares kept on disagreeing with Athena’s suggestion.

“Or maybe we call the police for this?” Cytherea suggested too. But Ares doesn’t want the police involved, or else Cytherea will know and Athena’s secret. If that happens, he will lose Cytherea for sure.

He cupped Cytherea’s face. “Babe, let me handle it. We don’t need the police to get involved. It will get complicated. I have a feeling that whoever is behind this, he's not an easy target. He won’t dare to send these photos if he is afraid of the police. I bet he already had it planned if in case we tell the police about it,” Ares said in a serious tone. He was praying so hard that Cytherea would buy his explanation. 

"I also think we have to tell the police about it," Athena seconded. "Or at least ask for Gaus' help. He's the owner of the hotel. He can let us access those CCTV cameras, most especially when this happened in his hotel."

"Athena is right, Babe." Cytherea took Ares' hands from her face and held it tightly. She looked intently into his eyes so he could see how serious she is. "This is something we can't do for ourselves. We need help. We either call the police or ask Gaus for help. Besides, I don't want you to be in danger. We don't know this person, most especially what he's capable of. Please, Babe. Don't do it by yourself."

Ares took a deep breath. He remained silent for a few minutes. He's contemplating on what to do.

"I'll talk to Gaus then," Ares said after a few minutes. He had no plans of talking to him, but he knows if he didn't say that Cytherea will keep on nagging him.

"I will go with you, Babe."

"No need besides, I owe him an apology. I realized that you are right. I was so mean to him. So, let me go there alone." 

Cytherea smiled and nodded. 

"We are still going to do what we planned for today, Babe. We're not going to let him ruin our day. I'll take care of it."

"Okay," Cytherea answered, and then she turned to Athena. "Do you want to come with us to the spa, Bestie?" 

Athena looked at Ares and then to Cytherea again. "I'm good. I forgot I have some things to do. I'll see you all this evening. Ta-ta!" Athena stood up and wave at them before exiting the room.

Ares looked at his watch. It's already at 11 o'clock. "Babe, go ahead and prepare now. I'll be waiting in the living room." He gave her a peck on the lips before standing up. 

"Okay. I never thought we would experience this. This is supposed to be a grand vacation s***h work for me," she said, pouting.

"No one anticipated that this would happen, Babe. So, cheer up, everything's gonna be okay." He caressed Cytherea's face and gave her another peck on the lips.

Cytherea gave him a forced smile before going to the bathroom. Ares took the tray on the bed and immediately went out of the room. He needed to catch up with Athena. 

He found Athena in the kitchen. She was leaning her hips against the link while drinking a glass of water. 

Ares hurriedly went to the sink and put the tray on it. He grabbed Athena's right arm and held it tightly. Athena flinched. Her eyes widened.

"Let go of me. I'm hurting. What do you want?" She was pulling her arm from Ares' grip. But every time she attempted to free her arm; Ares just held it tighter. 

"I saw you when you looked at the photos. You don't look afraid when in fact, you should be. You were with Cytherea in the room. If anything happens, you'll be in danger too." Anger is evident in his voice.

"W-what are you talking about? Are you nuts? I don't have anything to do with it. Besides, she's my best friend. I will never do anything that will hurt her," Athena stammered. She didn't expect Ares would confront her like this. He looked like someone who will kill anyone for Cytherea. 

"Oh, really? Isn't it what you're doing right now will hurt her? You trick me into having a relationship with you. I already broke up with you. You should at least try and move on. If I found out you have something to do with it, God forbid I will make you suffer."

She clenched her fist. Her eyes glowed with savage fire. She indeed insinuated first, but it will never happen if Ares didn't agree in the first place.

"So, you're blaming me now? Remember that this whatever we have? It will never happen if you disagree with it in the first place. No matter how much I would try to seduce you, nothing will ever happen if you're not a willing victim." Athena's face became fierce. Her left eyebrow raised. "Don't try to be a saint when in fact, you are a devil in disguise," she scoffed. "The audacity," she added.

Ares got stunned. He gritted his teeth. He now starts to regret why he associated himself with Athena. He believed that Athena had something to do with it. Ever since he broke up with her, she was acting odd.

He continued to grip Athena's arm, not minding if she was hurting or not. He used his left hand to point at her face. 

"You can say whatever you want to say but heed my warning. If something happens to Cytherea because of your craziness, or if I found out you have something to do with it, I will see to it that I'll make you pay." He harshly let go of her arm and left her in the kitchen. 

The moment Ares entered his room, Athena sobbed. Her tears started to fall uncontrollably. Her eyes narrowed while looking at Ares's door.

'No, Ares, you are mine. I met you first.'