Cloud's POV
I was staring grumpily at the chief of police as he began smoking his cancer stick outside the precinct, while Athena and I were exhausted and have only ever taken turns taking a nap for a few minutes.
Last night, Athena prepared a dazzling dinner for the two of us and voiced her happiness and contentment with our relationship. But when she mentioned how grateful she was for the letter I gave her, I was both completely baffled and appalled, because I swear I have not ever given her any.
We slowly walked to our bedroom hand in hand, wanting to locate the letter she had discovered on the bedside table. It was, indeed, there. And, judging by the elegance of the writing style, I can easily vouch for the fact that it certainly did not come from me. I have had poor writing skills ever since I was a child. Furthermore, there is no signature or my name written on the letter. Athena must have assumed it was from me because the letter
Unknown POV "Another inhuman incident occurred on May 24, 2021, between 12:30 and 2:30 A.M. The victim, identified as Mr. Andrew Wilkins, 24, a landscape architect, was brutally murdered in cold blood in a desolate location by puncturing his chest and shoving away his heart by an unknown repulsive suspect. According to the police department, this has been the 17th reported murder from the same culprit ever since these mysterious killings has started 6 months ago.." I smiled sanctimoniously as I took a sip of my freshly-brewed lavender tea in a comfortable position on my bed while watching the coverage. It has always been a habit of mine to always take time in savoring the exquisite taste of the herb in my favorite cup, tasting every drop as I feel all my malevolent turbulence magically relinquishes whenever I do that. It was like a magic wand swinging over into the thin air and magnificently vanishing all my emotional upheav
Athena's POV Cloud and I successfully completed our dinner just a few minutes ago. I termed it a success to illustrate how it nearly made the unimaginable possible. It was Cloud's first time cooking a very meticulous dish, and regardless of the fact that he volunteered to do it a few months earlier, I have not ever let him do the honor for the sheer terror of him causing a fire and creating a massive atomic blast in the kitchen. But today, I finally gave him the go-ahead, with the heartfelt optimism and anticipation that he will survive his first-ever hands-on with me, as his personal chef. We managed to eat a quick and easy scrambled egg earlier as we went home and immediately fell into a deep slumber after the previousnight's disturbance and being sleep-deprived at the nearby police station. The reason we woke up in the middle of the afternoon, coming to the realization thatwe had missed out on lunch because we were so completely immers
Athena's POVBefore having to enter the elevator, I texted Lovi first just to let her know that I had arrived early and safely at the building's premises. I managed to push the elevator up to the 9th floor, where our team's office is located and stepped aside politely while having to wait for more passengers to join the elevator.The speech controller inside the elevator then officially confirmed that we had reached the destination floor a few seconds later. The door automatically opened on the 9th floor, and I smoothly exited with some other passengers.When I finally showed up at our office, I was absolutely stunned to discover that the entire floor was pitch-black. I began to look for my phone, expecting to see a text message from Lovi, but there was none. It is indeed disconcerting because I thought I had informed her of my return two days before.I adeptly swiped my ID card through the detector, and its light sensor changed from red
Cloud's POV I was strolling around the shopping center when I happened to come across a well-known jewelry store. After moments of battling with my thoughts, I tactfully decided to open the sliding glass door and noticed a few people inside. I can indeed tell how glamorous the place was just by glancing at it. Mirrors engulf the four corners of the wall, creating exquisite intensity to the cozy ambiance. It has a stylish conceptual model that exemplifies the sophistication and ingenuity of the space, continuing to make it more extravagant. The ceiling was also adorned with mirrors, which encapsulate the ephemeral LED light meticulously boarded up through the mirrors themselves. Their flooring is intricately polished and has a glossy sheen that transmits light, highlighting the subtleties of the innate stone's crystalline structure. Its sleek appearance is lush in hue and radiates artistry, attempting to create a perspective for the interior.
Cloud's POV I had already been parked outside Athena's office when I received a text message from her saying she was just about to clock out in fifteen minutes. I messaged her back, informing her that I was already waiting for her to evacuate the building. Furthermore, I have not ever heard from her again after that, so I hypothesized she was going to finish up whatever work activities she was doing to officially end her shift for the day. I started to turn on my car stereo and flipped from one channel to the next, selecting a song that best suit my mood and preferences. And after I have selected the ballad that I find really relaxing and calming my nerves, I reached out to maximize the volume of my speaker then grabbed the backrest, and crouched down comfortably, trying to sing along with the ballads vociferously like a drunkard. My voice croaking as I tried my best to reach the highest pitch of the tune, eager to mimic the singer. I feel like I am
Megan's POV As I started to hear Greg's angry snoring next to me, I started rolling my eyes. To get away from the garbled noise, I actually attempted to shift my position slightly to the side. Later on, I noticed like it was actually gettinglouder and crazieruntil I could no longerhelp but scoop up a pillow and thwack it right in front of his face. He seemed torecognize my unexpected intervention because he immediately stopped making some noise while still in a catatonic state. I took a deep breath,annoyed and irritated at the same time. I had never really been to work in weeks because I havebeen staying at Greg's rented house. I did not even attempt notifying them, either via text message or a quick phone call. They had really been sending me text messages, missed calls, and email messages nonstop, but I had not tried to respond to any of them. Even Lovi is not really convinced that I am.I am not completely
Lovi's POV I had been driving downtown when I started to notice a certain bar along the main road. In the dead of the night, it makes it appear visually enticing and vibrant. I came to a screeching halt on the side of the highway, still looking intently at the bar across the street. There is an unsettling thought persuadingme to enter the bar and then have a good time, forgetting about something else for the time being. I am really not your typical bar or party swinger. As Megan's friend, I have been all over bars and nightclubs before for a casual drink. But then, if Megan had never really invited me, I would never set foot in this place. I decided to enter the hustle and bustle bar with apprehension at first. The vitality of the party-goersand the groovy tunes hammering on my inner self had me swept away. I ended up sitting at the bar counter and requested the uniformed bartender to make me a lady's drink. I managed to c
Lovi's POV Because when that random manhad made that sensual request, I impulsively nodded my head in a knee-jerkreaction. Once I reacted, he smirked provocatively. And, without giving us the opportunity to carefully consider, he squeezed my hand firmly, and then we were speedily out the back entrance when he suddenly and unexpectedly stopped abruptly. "So, what is the matter?" As we tried to enter a dark corner, I questioned. "I cannot take this anymore.. I've got to take you now," he said that between respirations. At his utterance, I gulped downas he whittled down his gaze on me like a hawk prowling its food source. I did not even say anything at all because I could not even think. I came to know in the back of my mind that all of this was way off the mark, but seeing Kyle actually makes me feel hostile and outraged. I was also still working extremely hard to slow my breathing and grasp my gulp of air. He
The Last Chapter "MOMMY!! Uncle Dimitri was so annoying!! I could not help but laugh whenever I hear my son complaining. "Sky! Don't go too far, alright?" Dimitri called out to my son. And my son Sky being so obedient, nodded and waved happily as he ran to play with his kite. "Hey, are you okay?" Dimitri asked me. I smiled and nodded. Eight years have passed.. Cloud, I'm not sure how I'm going to tell him about you. Sky expressed an interest in learning more about you as he grew older. I'm terrified and perplexed. Because the last time I told him about you, he was aware of how well things were going between us at the time. He knew there was no way we could be this far apart—because he knew you've been deeply in love with me since the day we met and that you'd waited so long just to be able to hold my hand respectfully in yours. He was well aware that I had fallen in love with your inconsequential effor
Athena's POV"ATHENA!! LOOK OUT!!" Megan suddenly screamed.Then suddenly, I just found the entire world spinning right before my very eyes.Then nothing.. But darkness.I tried to open my heavily drooping eyelids, as though I was forcefully knocked unconscious by some nauseous fragrance that has my world spinning around.After a few seconds, I finally recalled all the past occurrences before I had fallen asleep which instantly made me open my eyes and wander around.I was seated and tied up in a chair where you can see a fully painted ambiance in the room. White walls, white ceilings, and there was a window on the corner. It was filled with the chilliness coming from the air condition unit mounted to the wall, and there was a long table made with metal on each corner of the room with glass jars and lids on top of it. Judging from the overall appearance, it certainly looks like a laboratory that you
Athena's POVJust when I thought it was going to be the end of my once miserable life, a powerful voice echoed in my ears in the middle of the night. It was just a soft whisper, but enough to give me enough hope and strength.It was no other but Cloud.I watched as he carefully and steadily released the thick rope tightly wrapped around my body as I was groped into the branch of a tree. Then he gestured me to remain as silent and calm as I could until we could escape from the area of the incident.We were already running hand in hand, with no reason to look back, when the vivid image of Zidane, Lovi, and Chad's lifeless body, along with the missing heart on the facet of their chest, made my entire body shiver in fear and cowardness."Cloud, what the hell was going on?" As though I could no longer restrain the confusion that was starting to occupy my entire thoughts and consciousness, I asked as I muffled a sob.Clou
Athena's POVI was about to go into a deep slumber when I suddenly hear an ear-piercing, bloodcurdling scream from a distance. Along with its frightful screams in the dark, followed by the howling of the wolves from somewhere.Shivering because of the eeriness of the night, I tried to reach for my pillow and wrap it all over my body so I might as well find some comfort. I turned my body to another side and was about to give Cloud an embrace when I had come to the realization that there was no one sleeping next to me.Feeling dazed, I sat up and confirmed that he was, indeed, gone. Where the heck was he in the middle of the night? I wondered to myself. I pulled on a jacket and unzipped the tent. As I went out to search for Cloud, the cold and chilly breeze brushed through my skin that sends shivers down my spine.I was strolling around when I accidentally slipped because I could not see through the darkness of the night. I almost
Lovi's POVZidane's death had been a tragic event for us. We were just here for three days, yet the despicable crime behind his death was enough to spoil the vibe of the whole camping trip which was meant to celebrate Athena and Cloud's recent engagement. Yet, we were all gathered around to feel the remorse and sorrow of one of our friend's unexpected passing. What was alarming was that, his heart was missing, which means to say that he was one of those victims of the controversial crime lingering for over a year now. And to mention that if Zidane was killed right at this time and place, then there was no doubt that the serial killer of all the past crimes was just out here in the mountain, lingering with us. Probably watching us."Shit!" I overheard Cloud curse. He was holding his mobile phone up in the air, while Chad also did the same."No signal either. We should all plan to return to the city tomorrow morning," Chad informed us. I took a de
Dimitri's POVI have heard from Chad that they will be out camping in celebration of Athena and Cloud's recent engagement and that they will be staying there for a week. I have also learned that aside from the soon-to-be weds, they have a bunch of friends spending the time and celebrating with them. If I remember it correctly, they were 6 in total.In all honesty, Athena sent me a text message a few days ago inviting me to come with them, but I politely refused and used the excuse that I could not leave Detective Amiri alone seeing that this would be short notice. But in reality, I would gladly grab this opportunity just to accept her invitation if things were only different. However, it clearly was not, so I give myself some credit for being mature enough to respect myself even more by setting my boundaries and knowing my place and limitations.I heard a single knock at the door, where it revealed Detective Amiri. He was holding a folder with d
Athena's POVEveryone in the group was laughing and having a good time as we ate our dinner at the diner's when the doorbell rang, signaling that someone had just entered the vicinity. My attention was drawn away from the task at hand by the soft and subtle background noise, which piqued my interest. From the hallway, a familiar figure appeared out of nowhere after only a few seconds or minutes.In the end, Cloud noticed my distraction and shifted his gaze to the figure, which I had observed as his jolly and humorous expression on his face suddenly and unexpectedly vanished in an instant. We must have drawn Lovi and Chad's attention to his distressed appearance because they both turned their heads in the direction of where we were looking."Hi, guys," Megan said as she walked up to us and gave us a timid smile."What are you doing here, Megan?" When Megan suddenly appeared, it was Lovi who inquired, her brows furrowed in irritation and di
Megan's POVThis week felt like a bumpy roller coaster ride. All the synonyms and antonyms of misery that can be found in dictionaries were mixed in with it: sorrow and pain, shock and dismay, guilt and innocence, and everything in between. I've lost one person in my life who has stood by me through my witticisms and sobriety, and I'm devastated. My body has become frail, and I've become careless with the things I've been guarding for a long period of time. My immune system was undoubtedly weakened as a result of an exhausting and draining life challenge. I was almost convinced that this was the end of my life—I was almost ready to blame myself for all of those unhealthy matters and to feel ashamed. My sources of courage and energy have dried up, and I'm at a loss for what to do when it feels like living is a sinful pleasure. And what hurts the most is the realization that this moment marked the beginning of an unforgettable chapter in my life, one that
Athena's POVJust before you came across me, I allowed myself to drown and suffocate in an ocean of uncertainties. I figured it was fine as long as I got some, as long as I had a couple of them. I mistakenly believed that happiness consisted solely in giving your all to see someone smile, when in fact it is comprised of actually doing so while loving yourself at the same time. I've allowed myself to look outside of myself for happiness when it should have begun within me. And then you came along, making me feel valuable and sufficient all of the time. You look after me, taking advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate your affection. Even on your busiest days, you find the time. The fact that you never forget to check in on me is amusing, especially given the fact that it always happens when I am missing your presence the most. When I thought I was already deserving of less, you showed me that I am deserving of even more. And it was there that I disco