Kill for Love

Chapter 7 - The Notes Continues

“Congratulations, Bestie!” Athena hugged Cytherea tightly as she congratulated her. Cytherea’s new vlog episode was successful. Within twenty-four hours since it has been uploaded, it already garnered two million views. 

 “Thanks, Bestie! I didn’t expect that Ares’ proposal would be a hit!” Cytherea exclaimed. She was overjoyed that her followers would be incredibly supportive of her and Ares. They have known Ares as her long-time boyfriend because she sometimes includes him in her vlogs. 

They were currently in a famous coffee shop. Ares is not with them. They were comfortably sitting on the couch. There were only five customers in it, including them and just like them. They were also in front of their laptops. They were able to enjoy their frappes while reading the comments of Cytherea’s new uploaded vlog. Her new vlog was about Ares’ proposal. She couldn’t believe that the USB Ares gave her contained every plan Ares had to execute. She was teary-eyed while she was editing it. Ares is indeed one of a kind, and she’s fortunate to have him. 

“Awww… look at these comments. Every single one of them congratulates you,” Athena excitedly said.

“Yeah, they’re so sweet. Some of them sent me an email too and wanted to know how they can send their gift to me while I’m here. I didn’t know I had international supporters, too,” she said while still scanning the comments. She was about to scroll more down when Athena stopped her.

“Wait!” 

“Why?” she confusedly asked and took a glance at her.

Athena pointed to something on the laptop screen. She looked at what she’s pointing at and found a familiar username. 

Astilbe…

Cytherea could never forget that alias. Ever since that day, she kept on receiving notes from that person -- not just notes but also flowers and other things that are mostly her favorite. She’s starting to feel creeps about this person.

“I’m happy for you, but you’ll be happier with me, and I know that for a fact,” Athena read out loud. “Wow, this person seemed to be head over heels with you, Bestie,” she added. She was smiling so widely. It’s as if she’s amused about Astilbe. 

“To tell you honestly, Bestie. Every time I see that name, there’s this feeling inside me that I can’t explain. I mean, I've received cards and letters before from my followers, but he’s different.”

“Bestie, you are just worrying over nothing. You’re famous. No wonder a lot of people are trying to get your attention. I bet if he knows that he rings a bell for you, he will be delighted. Why don’t you reply to his or her message?” she said, persuading her.

A part of her doesn’t want to do that, but she thinks that maybe Athena is right. She received a lot of cards and letters from her admirers. That perhaps, she was just indeed overreacting. 

“Nah… I’ll just let that person be. It’s best not to do anything. It’s safer that way,” Cytherea shrugged.

“Oh c’mon, Bestie, you’re no fun. C’mon, just one reply.” Athena held her right shoulder and shook it gently. 

Cytherea annoyingly laughed and raised her hands. She knew Athena would not stop nagging her if she would not do it. “Fine! Fine!” She brushed off her hands on her shoulder. Athena squealed but instantly covered her mouth as the other customers looked in their direction. 

“Sorry,” Athena apologetically said to them. The others eventually went back to what they’re doing except for one guy. He’s a good-looking man. His green eyes are tantalizing, and his lips are pinkish thin. He has dark brown hair that was tied into a messy bun. He has heavy stubbles on his face, which give him more charisma. His dark thick brows were furrowed. It seemed like he was curious as to why Athena squealed.

Cytherea looked at him and apologetically smiled and slightly bowed her head. The man slightly nodded and smiled at her before focusing on his laptop again. She gave Athena a gentle nudge to reprimand her and went back to look into her laptop screen. Athena giggled and moved closer to her. 

“So, what should I reply?” she asked, trying to focus on the screen. 

“Whatever you feel like, Bestie. Come on, let’s see if he will reply.”

Cytherea started typing. She wrote:

Thank you for the support and for looking out for my happiness. A supporter like you is surely one of a kind.

“What? That’s so lame,” Athena groaned. 

Cytherea laughed. She found Athena’s expression cute. Athena looked pissed at what she typed. She noticed that the man in a messy bun stood up and went to the barista to order.

“Wait, look!” Athena exclaimed. She looked at Athena again and saw that she was pointing at something on the screen.

Her eyes widened. The mysterious person named Astilbe responded to her.

I’m not just a supporter, Cytherea. I’m also someone who treasures you a lot. Seeing you smile and hearing you laugh brightens up my day. I’m hoping one day I’ll be the reason for your smiles.

She looked around the coffee shop. Her heart was beating faster. She has a hunch that Astilbe is inside the coffee shop. Her instinct is telling her she should look around. A guy from a corner seat suddenly stood up. He was wearing a black jacket and worn-out jeans. He was fixing his ball cap so that it would cover half of his face before exiting the shop. 

Cytherea stared at the guy and she couldn’t help noticing that the guy looked one more time in their direction before walking away. It sent shivers down her spine. There was an eerie feeling that she couldn't explain. Her heart was still beating so fast.

“What are you looking at?” Athena asked and curiously looked outside.

She shook her head. “Nothing,” she replied. She bit her lips. She didn't want to tell Athena about her hunches. She didn't want to think that she's paranoid.

Athena shrugged and went to look at the laptop again.

"Don't look for me. I will be watching you from afar and when I finally have the courage, I will introduce myself to you," Athena reads. "What the hell?! This person is indeed head over heels for you, Bestie. Aww… He's sweet. I guess he is making himself a better person before he shows up."

"I don't know, Bestie,” she said worriedly. “For some odd reason, I'm no longer comfortable. I should just let him be. If I'm going to continue responding to his messages, he may get the wrong idea."

They both didn’t know that there was an unnoticeable small device that was attached under their table. 

The device was used so that Astilbe could hear their conversation. He was standing at the corner, watching the two women. They had no idea that they were being watched since they entered the coffee shop. 

"I'm so glad you're noticing me now, Cytherea…" he whispered as a spine-chilling smile painted on his lips.