Kill for Love

Chapter 20 - The Annual Party

“You looked so gorgeous, Bestie!” Athena exclaimed. 

Cytherea looked like a goddess in her gown. She was wearing a long body-hugging black sleeveless sequined dress. It has a ribbon belt that defines her small waist. The long slit on the right side shows her shapely, smooth legs. Its V-neck accentuates her full-rounded bosoms. 

"You're not bad yourself, Bestie. You look fantastic!" Cytherea complimented. 

Athena was indeed dashing in her gown. It complimented her liberated personality. She was wearing a white tube dress that only reached half of her thighs. It's revealing too much of her skin. 

When they bought the dresses, Ares was with them. He didn't even agree that Cytherea will wear the dress that she is wearing now. It's a good thing that she was able to convince him after a few negotiations.

Both women had a messy bun hairstyle and are wearing their expensive six inches pumps. Each one of them is holding their party clutches as well as their elegant black masks that have a unique feather adornment swept on the side. They were already ready when they got out of Cytherea’s room. Ares was already waiting for them in the living room.

He looked like a dashing debonair in his black three-piece suit. He was already wearing his mask that looked like the one in the phantom of the opera. 

“You look so ravishing, Babe!” Cytherea complemented.  She walked towards him and hugged his waist.

“Same to you, Babe,” Ares responded without any hint of enthusiasm in his voice while returning the hug. 

Cytherea was quick to notice it and she exactly knew why. Ares still didn't like the fact that she's wearing a dress that revealed her cleavage and legs. 

“Aww… Are you still being salty about my dress? Don’t I look great in it?” she teasingly asked him. 

“Babe, that’s the problem. You look so great even with simple get-ups, much more with this dress. It’s showing too much of your skin, Babe, even if it’s a long gown.”

“My god, Ares! You’re so uptight. Loosen up a little bit. There’s nothing wrong with wearing that kind of dress,” Athena argued. She’s starting to get pissed with Ares’ temperament. He’s too possessive of Cytherea. How she wished he was also like that to her. 

“Hey, guys, relax,” Cytherea intercepted. She noticed that the two were starting to bicker. “Babe,” she called. She caressed Ares’ face and turned it in her direction so that he could divert his attention to her. “We already talked about this, right? Can we just enjoy the night?” She looked at the clock that was hanging on the wall. “It’s almost time. We should go.” She persuaded him. 

Ares sighed. “Okay, fine. Promised me that you’d never leave my side throughout this party. I have a feeling that the lunatic will show up.”

“Of course, besides, if ever I need to go to the bathroom, Athena will accompany me.” She looked at Athena and asked, “Right, Bestie?”

“But of course,” Athena immediately answered.

She turned to Ares again and hugged his waist tighter. “See? Nothing to worry about,” she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

“Fine. You’re lucky I love you.”

"I love you too," Cytherea responded and gave him a peck on the lips.

Athena secretly rolled her eyes. Ares was indeed a great pretender, one of a kind. She scoffed.

“So, let’s go?” Athena asked. The longer they spent time in the living room, the more she found the couple an eyesore. She can no longer withstand the sweetness of the couple in front of her.

“Right!” Cytherea exclaimed. 

The ballroom of the hotel was huge. It has a thirty-seven-light candle with crystal accents chandelier in the middle. A lot of round tables and chairs that are decorated with black covers and golden ribbon were set up. The whole place was only lighted by the chandelier and the candelabras on the table. On the right side lies the buffet of food, which uniformed waiters and waitresses’ man. On the front, there was a big stage that was decorated with colorful masks and a banner that says, ‘Emerald Hotel Annual Party.’ There was also a dance floor just below the stage and some people were already dancing.

“Wow, this is impressive,” Athena complimented as the three of them entered the ballroom. She was in awe while looking at how impressive the decoration was. She felt like she was in the golden age with a hint of a modern look. They were still at the entrance and Ares was giving their invitations to the bouncer that was standing beside the door.

The bouncer scanned their invitations. He tore the part of the invitation that has their name. They noticed that there were two secured boxes on the table - one blue and one pink. Ares' invitation was put in the blue box while the two women were put in the pink box. Not too long, an usherette went towards them and led them to a six-seater table.

“Indeed. Just look at how they decorated it. Wow, just wow. I wish I can take some pictures later,” Cytherea seconded. She would love to do a vlog or take some pictures of the event. 

Ares pulled the chairs for the two women and made sure they were settled before he pulled a chair for himself and sat beside Cytherea.

“We have to look for Gaus if you want that, Bestie,” Athena suggested. She leaned closer to Cytherea’s ear. The music was too loud, and they would not hear each other if Athena didn’t do that.

“I’m not quite sure if he will be able to recognize us. We are wearing masks.” There was a hint of disappointment in Cytherea’s voice. She’s praying that somehow Gaus will come to their table so she can ask for permission. 

“Hi! I’m glad you all make it!” Suddenly a man showed up at their table. He was also wearing a black three-piece suit and a mask.

They were unable to utter a single word. They were wondering who the man was. It was hard for them to recognize who the man was. The man chuckled and took off his mask.

“I have a feeling that I have to take this off so that you will recognize me,” the man said, smiling.

“Gaus!” Athena exclaimed when she recognized the man. Gaus went to Athena’s side and hugged her. He also did the same to Cytherea and when it comes to Ares, he just shook his hands. 

“Can I join you all here?” Gaus asked. 

“Of course!” Cytherea answered. “Please join us.”

Gaus smiled widely and pulled the chair in front of Cytherea and sat down. 

Ares’ eyes narrowed as he looked at Gaus. He didn’t like the idea that Gaus was joining them, but he didn’t have the choice. If he’s going to be sour with Gaus again, he knows for sure that Cytherea will be mad at him. He had to be civil with him even though he wanted so bad to wipe off the smile from his face.

Cytherea noticed that Ares was looking intently at Gaus. She grabbed his left hand that was resting on his leg and gently squeezed it. She was hoping it would calm Ares down. Ares pushed his chair nearer to Cytherea so he could put his arm around her waist. He wanted Gaus to know that Cytherea is his alone. 

“Thanks, I’m glad you all can attend the party. It’s great to have you all,” Gaus stated. He leaned his back on the chair.

“No, we should be the one to say thank you. We are honored that you have invited us,” Cytherea said. She was smiling widely at Gaus. 

“As a matter of fact, we are looking for you,” Athena added.

Gaus’ eyes widened. “Oh, really? Why?”

Cytherea took off her mask and smiled shyly at Gaus. Gaus was stunned for a moment. He already knew that Cytherea was gorgeous, but he never expected that she could be more gorgeous.

Unaware of Gaus' reaction, Cytherea answered, "Yeah, it's quite embarrassing, but is it okay to take pictures? I’m so sorry about this. It’s just that the place is really fantastic. I love how it was decorated.”

“O-of course,” he stammered and coughed to hide his embarrassment. “There is also a photo booth on the left side if you all want to check it out.

Ares scoffed, but because of the music, no one noticed it. He found it so obvious that Gaus was trying to be on Cytherea’s good side. And Gaus’ actions made his blood boil. 

Athena was just staring at the three. She already had a plan on how to make Ares come back to her. If she can’t seduce him anymore, then maybe give him something to argue with Cytherea. She smirked. She looked at Cytherea and guilt overpowered her. Cytherea is her best friend, but she is doing unimaginable things because of her love for Ares. She can’t just rely on the man on the phone.  

"Oh, that's great! We'll check it for sure," Cytherea excitedly said. 

"You might want to wait in a little bit. The dinner will be served soon. Some games are open for all in which you all might want to participate in. There will be prizes as well."

"That's exciting. Let's join, Bestie!" Athena looked at Cytherea and shook her shoulder.

"Okay, okay, we will. Stop shaking me," Cytherea answered, laughing. 

"After dinner, the games will start. It's not going to be a lot, but it will give entertainment to all. Are you really sure you two want to play?"

"Why do you sound like it's a nerve-wracking game?" Athena asked. 

Ares was just quiet and was only listening to them.

"Well," Gaus started to explain, "it's not something that you have to be afraid of. We have treasure hunting, the masquerade king and queen of the night, and find your lover. We also have auctions for those who are only willing. All single ladies will be put to auction. The winner will have the chance to be with the woman till the night ends. The proceeds of the auction will go to the charity we are supporting, the Children's Care. It's an orphanage. We help them get a proper education. Of course, there are do's and don'ts in the auction to protect our ladies."

"Say, for example, I will join that auction. What's in it for me?" Athena asked. She was curious about it and had a plan to join, but she had to make sure of one thing.

"You will get thirty percent of the amount you were auctioned for and three days complimentary stay in the hotel."

Athena grinned. "Sounds interesting. “She turned at Cytherea. " You should join, Bestie."