CHAPTER 02

This man is totally a jerk! He’s so disgusting, knowing that until now he's not yet over mourning for Athena. It’s been 7 years since she died and they suffered a lot in that painful and tragic death.  They have moved on already but Gabriel is still thinking of Athena that’s why his heart is full of hatred and revenge against Emmerson Rafique. 

 

“Poor, guy! Because you’re the one who will suffer for kuya Gabriel’s sweet revenge. Don’t worry, time will come that we’ll cross our paths. So get ready for we are coming into your life very soon.“ 

 

She looked very sad while staring at the cover photo of the magazine featuring the popular couple of Tagaytay Elite Club, Mr. Emmerson and Mrs. Marish Rafique.

 

“It’s a sad reality, I really don’t want to leave my Hi-So life and modelling career in Paris but no choice, you’re the most important to me kuya Gab and all I care is for your safety." 

"Well, blood is thicker than water. I won’t let you do anything bad and that vengeful heart of yours will surely repent in the end.” 

 

“Friendship, do you like him? You stared too much and remember he’s married already. “ Dennise interrupted in the midst of her silence.

 

“I know right. I’m so glad that you will go with us in going back to the Philippines friendship and that only means my life won’t be boring at all. “ 

 

She’s totally happy now that her best friend Dennise Althea Salcedo will go with them. She's not only a friend but her partner in crimes through good and bad times. 

 

They don’t know the entire plan of Gabriel Venturri and even the details of his revenge. “I don’t mind at all as long as I am with him. I will  do my best to protect us and never leave him behind."

 

“I guess this is the right time for the three of us to live a life away from miseries and painful past especially for the sake of kuya Gab. “

 

“Of course, this a new beginning and a life that we will create together through happiness and sadness. “ Dennise gently tap her shoulder for a little comfort.

 

After their photoshoot contract in one of the famous magazines based in Paris, they immediately rendered their resignation letter to their modelling agency for formal exit. 

 

But their manager doesn’t like to approve the resignation they have rendered together. So, Gabriel Venturri went to their office and tricked the owner of the agency until she approved  it.

“Oh well, kuya Gab I truly salute you for threatening our evil boss. What did you do to her that after your talks, she immediately approved our resignation letter? “ Ysabelle asked out of curiosity towards his actions.

 

“With all my means of power and charm Ysabelle, as simple as that by giving her a little dirty trick.“ he said bluntly.

 

“Oh my gosh, Gabby! What’s that little dirty trick you mean? Don’t tell me you slept with that old woman? “ Dennise shakes her head out of disbelief on what he said.

 

“What if I did it for convenience and with good intentions?“ he said without cutting his eye contact with Dennise.

 

“Oh, really? Yuck! You did that to our evil boss? Ewww. You dared to make love with that old maid ugly woman, Gabby?“ She tried to gasp some air when Gabriel’s face is closer already to her lips and now they’re breathing with the same air.

 

She pushed him away to keep their distance. “Well, you don’t have any taste in women, if you’re really trying to change your dead girlfriend Jade, better choose the right one, not that ugly old maid.” She’s so tense while stating the fact to Gabby, since he’s teasing her more.

 

“Who do you really think, that someone deserves to replace Athena in my heart and mind, Den?” he smiled to her teasingly. “Don't think too much, dear.“ he moved closer to Dennise and trapped her on the wall.

 

“I don’t know! I’m not the one holding your heart and mind, Gabby. I’m just curious whatever you've meant about that little dirty trick. So, please stay away from me, you’re already intimidating, you jerk!“ She pushed him hard and escaped immediately. 

 

“You know what? I smell something fishy for both of you. Always remember that love and hate collides. Who knows it’s my best friend deserved to be loved by Gabriel Venturri?“ she's teasing her but Dennise got a pillow and threw it to her.

 

“What?! I don’t deserve to be just a replacement of his lost girlfriend. Well, it's not me beshie. I’m Dennise Althea Salcedo and never been Jade Athena Calderon, I can’t be like her. I’d rather die or live in the convent than loving that bastard cousin of yours! “ she said hysterically.

 

“Relax, Dennise! I’m just kidding. Don’t worry if ever you will be my last option I won’t still grab it for your convenience dear.“ he gently pinched her cheeks and walked out.

 

She was left tongue-tied and no chance of expressing her thoughts of him because he just walked out. And now that he’s gone, she finally kept her silence.

 

“Oh, you're so silent dear? Don’t tell me your heart is affected already for kuya Gab?”  Ysabelle cracked her moment of silence.

 

“Friendship, does he really love Jade that much? I’ve noticed that until now he can’t even forget her love and replaced it with another woman? Of course, I’m not saying it’s me! “ trying to defend herself but Ysabelle laughed out loud because she knows that Dennise denied the fact, she might fall in love with Gabriel.

 

“You’re very defensive, friendship. Tell me honestly, do you really like kuya Gab? “ she raised her brows while asking her the truth.

 

“What? I like Gabby? Of course not! Ahhhmm, I don’t know friendship but I’m just curious and I hate the fact that he can’t still move on and forget Jade even if she already died for a long time. Why is he like that? “ 

 

“It goes like this friendship, he was traumatized about what happens to Ate Athena before—“ she paused for a while in telling the story because it was a big secret to them.

 

“Go on with your story, friendship, I really wanted to know the reasons why he’s like that? I don’t know what happened before but I’d like to know the cause of her death." 

 

That was the time that the Salcedo family had their vacation in the Philippines. It’s been a year after they came back to Paris and that time Jade is already dead.

 

“What was the reason, Ysabelle? Both of you thrilled me off, it seems you really don’t trust me friendship? "

 

She was really mad at the moment that’s why Ysabelle had no other choice but to tell her the truth. Everything that involves the death of ate Athena, and the sufferings of Gabriel Venturri.

 

"Just tell me now really happens to them." Dennise insisted.

“There was a guy who just transferred in their school, Junior High student. He’s actually a real handsome and smart like a typical hunks in their campus who captured the heart of most girls in their school and she's one of them.“ She suddenly stopped and thinked for a while.

 

“And then? “ Dennise asked.

 

“Ate Athena met this guy in a campus gathering and she liked him on their first meeting. She introduced herself to Emmerson as Jade Calderon or “J.C.” that's her pen name as editor/writer in their school Journalism.“ She took a deep sigh before she continued the story.

 

“She’s also a famous novel writer and an environmental journalist before she died. But Emmerson didn’t show any interest to her because he’s rich and famous, and even the heirs of Rafique Oil Company.“  Full of bitterness as she stopped telling the story to Dennise.

 

“To cut it short, she fell in love with Emmerson Rafique? That’s why she broke up with Gabby? Darn it!“ Dennise felt bad about Jade.

 

“Yes, she broke up with kuya Gab, as soon as she confirmed to herself that she felt love for Emmerson so that she can freely run after him. “

 

“It’s unrequited love friendship, but he didn’t give up his love for her. After she left him, she started running and waiting for Emmerson.“ He’s running out of air because of the pain.

 

“What happened to them? I felt suspense in your story, beshie. Does Jade and Emmerson meet again? Did he notice her love for him?“ she asked continuously.

 

“As I’ve said earlier, it’s unrequited love, okay? Don’t be so stupid Dennise!“ she gently poked her head.

 

“But she didn't give up, Athena waited for Emmerson outside the campus after her class. She never knew that he's already out of the campus."

“She waited for a long time and didn’t even notice for the time and no one left inside the campus. Emmerson had an emergency at home that’s why he left the school so early.“

 

“Ate Athena was very sad knowing that Emmerson left already. So, she decided to go home and while walking towards the corner of the street, she’s frightened and she wanted to call kuya Gab that time but she’s ashamed for what she did to him. “

“Well, she had to be ashamed of, after what she did to Gabby.“ Suddenly Dennise inserted her thoughts for Athena.

 

“Shut up! or else I’ll stop my storytelling."

 

“Okay, fine! Go ahead friendship. I thought he's secretly following Jade?“

 

“Yes, he secretly followed her anywhere she goes. He’s following her that time and he even witnessed when a white van stopped in front of her and she was forced by four men to get inside the van.“

 

“Since kuya Gab was there, he tried to help Ate Athena but the gangster punched him so hard. He’s dying already when they left him lying on the street corner.“ Ysabelle burst out with tears when she continued telling the story.

 

“Stop crying, friendship. Thus, Emmerson is the primary suspect of the kidnapping?“ Dennise asked seriously.

 

“No, Emmerson was innocent about the crime. It was just like a tripping incident wherein they kidnapped young girls to be gang raped and it was her fate to be their victim at that time.“

 

“She was brought in an abandoned building, and then she was beaten without mercy, they let her drink hard alcoholic drinks and later on, she was forced for Morphine injection." She's crying already as she continues. "But they’re not satisfied, she's forced again to drink ecstasy.“

 

“She had lost all her senses. She can't even fight for herself. She was raped by them not just once but many times until she collapsed," gently wiped her tears. 

"Oh holy crap!" Dennise said with sadness in her eyes.

"That’s the time they stop because they thought she died already. Then her dead body was thrown in a vacant lot nearby to the crime incident."

"They're heartless, animals! And then what happened to her, sissy?"

 

“With the help of a concerned citizen who discovered her body, she was brought immediately to the nearest hospital. Months of staying in the hospital she survived in the incident and back to life."

“If she survived during the incident, then what happened to her? Why'd she died?" she continuously asked out of curiosity.

 

“Yes, Ate Athena survived out of danger, but not in the humiliation from other people who didn't understand her situation," she smiled bitterly. 

Ysabelle is trying to control her emotions about the past memories of Athena Jade Calderon but she needs to continue her flashback.

"They're thinking that she's back to normal life but in her school, she was bullied. When time that news about her being ganged rape by gangsters spread all over the campus..“

 

Gabby had an urge to take revenge against Emmerson Rafique?” 

“Other people said that she’s a flirt, no breeding, and not satisfied with her boyfriend. She was traumatized, during the court hearing. Because she needs to recall everything in full details of what happened to her.  She can’t bear the pain at all.“

 

“I’m very sad for what happened to her, but why'd she really died?“ Dennise asked it again.

 

“She ended her own life when she committed suicide. She jumped from the abandoned building where she was raped.“

 

“When Ate Athena died, the world of Kuya Gab and all his hopes for her collapsed. Because of his love, he accepted everything that his beloved will no longer be back to life. That’s the end of her story."

 

“What the hell! I really felt the pain and I wished she never met that Emmerson Rafique. Maybe she was still alive and they will live happily ever after until today.“ Dennise said with sadness in her eyes.

 

“I’m very sad thinking about it and remembering the past. That’s why I really wanted to help him forget all the bad memories. So that he could live life with a peaceful heart and mind. “

 

“Just be patient towards him and understand his situation, if sometimes he’s rude and heartless.” Ysabelle showed a bitter smile on her beautiful face.

 

“Don’t worry, I will do my best to understand that bastard!“ they hugged each other for ease and comfort.