CHAPTER 03

Dennise, was shocked to the highest level after she heard about the story of Athena Jade Calderon. It’s unbelievable but that was the saddest part for Gabriel, seeing her woman die and being abused brutally by that evil gangsters.

′′Ouch! It's really painful if you love the person so much but she just ended her life that way. I’m so sad for Gabby,“ she said while biting her lower lips.

“You’re exactly right, friendship. That’s why I really can’t say NO to his favor.“

“Let’s just give our moral support to him and make sure that he’ll forget the past and even forgive Emmerson Rafique.“

“The parents of the suspects are very influential so they just paid the media to block-out the news and the trial of the case was not released by the media for public viewing. But justice still prevailed for Jade so the real culprits of raping her are imprisoned forever in jail. “

′′I don't even know anything about what happened to Jade, I thought she just died by an accident.“

“No,friendship. She died by committing suicide, because she can't hardly accept the fact that people are bullying her after the incident.“

“Poor, Jade. I can’t blame Gabby for what he feels until now.“ 

“Yeah, right. Because of that suicidal incident of Ate Athena, Kuya Gab suffered a severe depression and almost committed suicide. Good thing that my daddy stopped him from doing it.“

′′Omg?! Gabby went crazy already? He’s getting crazy over his girlfriend who died seven years ago. Gosh! I can’t believe in him. “

“Thanks to God that kuya Gab recovered immediately with the help of medicine and counseling. Because of his treatment and medication, he stopped from schooling. That’s the reason why he graduated late from College.“

“After a year he graduated from College and under training in my Dad’s company, they both had an accident. When their car was hit by a container van. Kuya Gab drives the car on their way to the office. My dad died on the spot and it's a miracle that he survived during the accident.“ Ysabelle is crying again while remembering the death of her father.

′′Hey, sissy! Enough with your drama, and I guess it's better for you to rest for a while. I just need to go home and pack - up my stuff."

"I'm sorry, sissy. I can't help it not to burst out in tears."

"Okay, stay calm and stop crying. I'm leaving now, okay? ′′ She’s hesitant to leave her best friend alone in their house.

′′I’m alright. Just be careful sissy.′′ her short response before she leaves the house.

The apartment where Dennise and Justin lived is just 2 blocks away from the house of Ysabelle. Now their apartment is definitely empty since the day she caught him cheating.

“Life is so unfair! You love him so much but still he dared to cheat and leave me like nothing but a trashed. You’re really annoying, Justin!“ Almost burst out with tears as she picked up those things scattered on the floor.

Old memories bad or good flashed on her mind as she looked back in their master’s bedroom. That painful moment of sharing their happiness on top of their bed. Making love like I don’t ever exist in his life.

“You’re so evil, Justin! For fooling me inside our own home.“ Dennise cried out loud as she hugged her human sized teddy bear.

Looking around, the room is quiet and empty. It's a lonely place to live. That’s the reason why she decides to move out in this apartment and forget everything about her life together with Justin.

Though it hurts her a lot but she needs to bid goodbye for Justin as a respect of her love for him. But sad to say, he can’t contact his number. “Does it mean he changed his number already?“

A bitter smile curved on her lips while looking back to the wide and clean bed. Remembering their precious moments they’ve shared together as they make love throughout the night.

But now everything turns upside down and they have ended their 3 long years of being together as a happy couple. Right after she caught him having an illicit affair with his Secretary.

Reality, strike in her below the belt and it’s true then that there’s no more forever for someone bitter like her. There's nothing else as painful as memories that you were happy being together but now everything was changed. He ruined her love, trust and respect for each other. “Goodbye, Justin! You're now just a part of my painful memories.”

She just sorted all her important clothes inside the closet, got some of her personal items and priceless accessories that she had bought from her earnings of being one of the highly paid Hi-So Model in Paris together with her best friend Ysabelle. 

“This is enough for another life away from the limelight of Paris. I'm going to change my whole life inside the Tagaytay Elite Club together with my friends Ysabelle and Gabriel. Far away from the person I loved the most but he’s just a cheater. Ugh!“

“What are you doing, Thea?!“ someone asked out from nowhere but she immediately held back to her senses.

Justin is now in front of her. She didn’t know that he's still coming back and looking at him now, she wanted to shout out to him for all the pain that she’s hiding inside her.

“Well, as you can see I’m packing up all my things, I’m leaving now in this house Justin. I’m setting you free to your illicit affair with your beloved Secretary.“ she said bluntly.

“But this is our home, Thea. Please don’t leave me. I’m sorry for everything but believe me that I still love you and I want you to stay with me. Let’s get married Thea, please.?“ he said with teary eyes and held her hands so tight.

“If you only just said this before Justin, maybe there's a chance that I will believe in you and  even accept your proposal whole-heartedly." She smirked. "But I don't want to be stupid for marrying someone like you who’s a cheater!′′ she shouted out loud.

“Please try to understand me, Thea. I’m sorry for hurting you so bad. But please give me another chance and I’ll prove it that I will love you more.“

“What?! Proving your love to me? By marrying you? Hah! After all the troubles and pains you have caused in my life? Gosh! Go to hell!!“ throwing all the pillows she got.

"I really hate you for betraying my love and trust. Are you fucking insane?! I've been loving you for f*cking 3 years Justin, but you just wasted it in a glance. Damn you!“

“Oh  c’mon, Thea! This is your dream, right? So let’s get married and build our own family. Just forgive me my love. I’m still loving you so much.“

“NO! I will never marry you, Justin because I’m leaving you now with your new girl. So, please just let me go in peace and I’ll never ever interfere with your private life at all. This would be our last talk and let’s separate our ways for good, Justin. Goodbye!“

′′I never betrayed you, my love but I am sorry I was tempted by her. Please give me another chance and let’s start a new life together.′′ he hugged her so tight. But Dennise take-off his hands while holding her waist tightly.

′′Wow! You're really a great man with honor and dignity. You never betrayed me? F-F*ck you!! Let me go Justin because between us it's over!′′ she pushed him hard and instantly carried all her stuff as she hurriedly got out of the apartment.

*************

Gabriel, leave the ladies who are seriously talking about the past and he’s not interested at all. He better leave them and go to the nearest grocery store. 

“Haaisst.. It’s a girly thing and good bonding for them. I know that Dennise had a big problem whether she’s going to tell us or not I can see it in her eyes and even in her actions.“

He went to the grocery store 2 blocks away from their house. It’s convenient for him to buy some groceries since few customers are coming inside the grocery store. 

Less than an hour for doing the grocery and now he's going back home but it seems to be traffic on his way. So he decided to take the short cut road that will end up to the street where the apartment of Dennise is located.

Gabriel is almost near to the apartment of Dennise and he even saw her car outside the gate. He pressed the horns of his car to give signals but he’s shock when he saw Dennise running so fast in going out the gate.

He even saw Justin, trying to grab the hand luggage of Dennise and forced her to stop. But she's trying her best to escape and run as fast as she could far away from Justin.

She was about to open the car but Justin suddenly stopped and held her hands so hard. But before she turned her back again to Justin, someone grabbed him and punched as hard as he could before Justin could hit her again. He’s dropped dead on the ground right after giving him a full blast upper blow on his stomach.

Dennise was shocked looking at Gabriel’s actions while shouting at her so loud. She was then terrified seeing his fierce look when he punched his ex boyfriend again even if he’s already lying on the ground.

′′Get inside in my car, Dennise! Hurry up and lock the door!!“ his immediate command while shouting at her.

Dennise immediately picked up her luggage and obeyed his command. ′′Darn it!′′ she murmured and immediately got inside Gabriel’s car. She even saw Gabriel punched and kicked him again even though he's already catching up his breath and can't fight back. When she got inside the car, she immediately called for a rescuer team, so that he'lll be brought to the hospital.

“What the hell you’re doing, Dennise!?“ he shouted as soon as he entered the car.

“Stop yelling at me, will you?! “ she shouted back to him and ended the call.

“Then you should behave and stop nagging! “ he answered back.

“Fine! I just called a rescuer team. I’m afraid that you have killed him already.“

“And what do you think, you’re doing? I’m not your driver so better sit besides me.“

“Arrghh!! I hate you, Gabby for doing this to me!“ she banged the door.

He looked at her with fury eyes when she’s already sitting beside him and then maneuvered his car back to their house. But he’s worried for Dennise while looking at her sad face and almost burst out with tears.

“Are you alright, Den?“ he asked in a low and husky voice.

“Yes! Don’t worry you just arrived on time but how did you know about it?“ she asked back with a little confused in her eyes.

“Well, I went to the grocery to buy some stuff and it’s traffic on my way back so I decided to take the short cut road. But I saw your car outside the gate and you’re running away from him.“ 

“I’m sorry, I don’t want to interfere with your affair but I can’t just sit down and watch him hurting you so bad. I’m mad when he hurts you physically and emotionally.“

“I didn’t expect him to come home after he left me and go with his new girl. It’s been a week since we didn’t talk and see each other.“ she started crying.

“You want to buy me for a talk? I'm selling it to you for free.“ he said with a smile to let her calm for a while.

A sad smile flashed on her pretty face as she look at Gabriel’s handsome face

“Why the hell for a sudden care? Just ignored my presence as if I’m not around. So, please let me cry for Pete’s sake!“

He's driving the car at the highest speed but she just ignored it and continued crying, so he decided to slow down the speed.

“Do you want to go somewhere else? Just to ease up the pain you’re feeling right now. Please stop crying, you’re just wasting your tears." 

She suddenly froze while looking at him as she wiped her tears. “What?!“ yelling at him. “You really want to go with me?“ she asked for making it sure if he's serious or not.

“Uh-huh.! Do you think there’s someone else that will go with you, aside from me? As far as I knew it, you just broke up with your bastard boyfriend!“

She glared at him but Gabriel smiled at her sweetly while driving. He even gently pinched her cheeks.

“Just kidding, Den. I just want you to smile and stop you from wasting your precious tears.” 

Dennise smiled a little and then she bit her lower lips before hugging him tight.

“Woah.. I'm still driving, Den.” 

She immediately take-off her hands. “Will you drive for me to the nearest beach? I just want to let out my feelings.” staring at him while waiting for his response.

“Okay! No problem and your wish is my command. This is my first time to do a favor, if it’s not you Den, I won't do it. “

“Thank you, Gabby. I owe you a lot for accompanying me at this moment. “

But Dennise is not just an ordinary woman, she’s so special to us. She became part of our life and I don’t let anyone hurt her like this. I won't let the past happen all over again.