Athena's POV
"You mentioned that I was the only person who never judged you. But you still let them judge and belittle me because you love them too much. Loving you was never easy, but I chose to love you in every way possible every day, regardless of the circumstances or obstacles. Nonetheless, you gave up far too soon and far too easily. You never gave me a chance to prove myself to them because I don't believe you trust me on this, which is excruciatingly painful. And the worst part is that I'm getting used to it because You. Let. Them.
And, by the way, I still adore you. But, yes, I despise you."
I read the text again, sighed deeply, scribbled a few final phrases, and eventually shut my laptop. I had been so focused on my clients recently that I almost had no time to finish writing my own book. Likewise, I had been a writer since I was a child. I was a loner who does not trust easily and has very few friends. My parents were so busy as chefs at a popular restaurant that they did not have time for me, so I made it a point to find an outlet as a form of diversion and discovered writing. I dabbled at first, but soon discovered that this activity was a fantastic eye-opener for me. I was able to express my actual sentiments and share my viewpoint without fear of being criticized.
I retained and even excelled at my writing talents as I grew older. I had a multitude of ideas that I could quickly put into action as soon as my fingers touched my laptop keyboard. Aside from food, I was also a successful writer. I type gracefully whenever I feel overwhelmed by my emotions, and I write everything down. I was working on a book that I expect to publish soon.
I had recently been unable to constantly write for my book due to the various clients and conflicting schedules I needed to adhere to. I was confident of having the book published within three months, but due to this, it took me about five months to complete. My editor was incredibly accommodating of the circumstances and my timetable. I had been friends with my editor since I started writing novels three years ago, and I did not want to let her down, despite suffering writer's block constantly because I barely had any time to rest. More importantly, I intended to publish the book, since it is a re-telling of my life from an entirely different perspective.
I sat on my bed and closed my eyes tightly, attempting to unwind. Then I remembered what had happened three days previously. I barely remember being comforted over time because I was used to dealing with things on my own, being the independent lady my parents raised me to be. Knowing how to stand on my own two feet and live in my own flesh is beautiful and rewarding, but it has also made me distrustful of everyone. It made me believe that trust is difficult, if not impossible, to acquire.
But something weird happened three days ago. I allowed someone to see witness my vulnerability, and I even allowed myself to be soothed. And I realized I had been craving for that type of compassion. I felt this strange urge to be vulnerable again, as long as I am with him.
Cloud.
That name kept coming back to me, and I wished to see and hear his voice again. I recalled the way he looked at me as I cried my heart out in his arms. I can tell he's worried ill by the look on his face. And now I suppose I can still smell his masculine scent. I found myself enveloped in his arms, in his deep embrace, for the first time, as he sought to soothe and comfort me. Being the powerful woman I was, it was an odd sensation for me to feel safe and protected by those broad arms. And I can still hear his calm and soothing voice as he assured me that I can count on him whenever I am ready to speak and disclose the cause for my breakdown.
BEEP!
My musings were cut short when my phone beeped. I reached for my phone on my bedside table and opened an unknown number's message.
"Hello, Athena. What's going on? I was already missing your specialties. Do you mind if I hire you as my personal chef?"
— Cloud
I react with a smile after reading his message and seeing his name on the screen.
"Wow, I'm pleased to hear that someone appreciates my dishes. But, I'm afraid I don't feel you can pay my professional charge as your personal chef."
I texted him and waited for his response. He texted back after what seemed like a lifetime.
"Yes, that is feasible. I am willing to sell all of my assets in order to hire you. I can live like a beggar, since I know a scrumptious feast awaits me on the underground bridge."
I laugh when I read that. I paused for a while, glanced at my watch and calendar, and breathed a big sigh. I eventually found the confidence to type my response after a little internal discussion.
"You'd better be confident about it. Now I'm going to cook some Rosemary Chicken. If you are not at my door within an hour, you need to find a new cook."
I pressed the send button. I was anxious about his response. My mind began to whirl with negative thoughts. Is he going to think I'm an easy girl? Clingy or yearning for attention, for example? Will he be —
BEEP!
My phone beeped once more. I exhaled anxiously and collected the confidence to open the message. I read the message with shaky hands, and it took all my anxieties away. I flashed a warm smile on my face.
"Athena, I'm willing to trade anything for your dishes. But, more than that, I'm willing to go through hell just to see you again. I'm already on my way."
I smiled brightly as I placed my phone on my bedside table. Then, swaying and singing, I made my way to the kitchen to begin preparing the chicken that I would roast for dinner. Our dinner.
***
Unknown POV
I was watching as the woman walked up to the table and placed the roasted chicken on it. I witnessed how lonely she was the remainder of the day because her rude boyfriend never texted her. They were scheduled to have dinner with her in the apartment, but he continuously abandoned her.
She tried to make the table as romantic as possible. The scene was great, with soothing music playing in the background, a bottle of champagne, and candles on the table. It would have been wonderful if that boyfriend had arrived.
She also appears more lovely than ever in her white gown, which goes just above her knee. Natural beauty prevails over make-up.
The woman sat down at the table and looked at the wall clock for the last time before sobbing as she realized he was no longer coming to celebrate their anniversary together.
She had been crying for a long time when a loud knock startled her back to reality. She hurried to the front door, practically racing, hoping to see him. She flung the door open and was almost ready to give him a hearty embrace. Her eyes and lips were wide open, yet there was no sound emanating from them. She then collapsed to the ground.
I gave a gratified look to the woman in white, who was now drenched in her own fiery red blood. I closed my eyes and satisfyingly licked the knife that had traces of her blood on it. I can taste how deserving she was.
I stared at the woman once more, then finally peered at the lovely object I am holding. A triumphant smile flashed on my face and heaved a sigh of relief. For all my experiences, I was already certain that she was definitely worth it. She had an innocent, good heart, and I can sense it merely by holding it on my bloodstained hands - her heart.
None of this would even matter, as I had already done what I had to do. I had already proven my case, and it undoubtedly was a good one. Just by watching her from afar, clearly, she was the kind of girl worth killing for, and it convinced me that I made the correct decision no matter what the circumstances are.
Athena's POV The table setup was truly romantic. The roasted chicken is in the center, with both the vegetable salad and baked potatoes on the side. I reached into the minibar for a bottle of Crimson Chardonnay and strategically placed it on the table. This was my favorite wine for many years, and I hand-picked them when I went to France on a business trip paid for by the company I work for as an author. I am not a typical heavy drinker, but I believed I would need something to settle my nerves when the world is spinning out of control. I smiled as I inspected the table with satisfaction. Then I glanced at the wall clock and realized I still had 20 minutes till Cloud arrived up for our dinner. After a difficult and grueling day, I made the choice that there was still plenty of time to recharge and refresh. I began humming as I went upstairs to my bedroom and grabbed my towel, then entered the bathroom located in my bedroom. Because it was suc
Athena's POV As I walked to the neighboring railway station on my way to work, I saw the commotion in my neighborhood. My neighbor, Janet's house, was surrounded by the yellow barricade tape. TV news reporters are capturing and transmitting the spectacle, with the cameraman clutching his precious camcorder, while other reporters are strewn all through the house. I came to a standstill as I watched a detective and the chief of police emerge from the house, dumbfounded. The reporters hurried past them, seeking to acquire some information and make a statement about the situation. They waived the reporters away before getting into their cars and driving away, leaving the reporters and eavesdroppers alone. I happen to stumble onto a bystander and question the cause of the upheaval. His response is one I will never forget. "Janet was a wonderful neighbor who was murdered by some vicious and lunatic psycho. Everything about h
Unknown POV When I entered the basement, I unearthed all of my collections in glass jars that had been soaked in a soluble solution to keep them from decaying. Each jar has its name emblazoned on it so that it can easily be identified. I opened another empty jar and poured a diluted solution into it, almost completely filling the glass. Then I opened the fridge and took out a resealable plastic bag that I had placed there the night before. I put on my hand gloves and opened the plastic back to take the thing out from the inside. I tilted it up against my face to get a better look at it, then breathed its exquisite scent. I entered the window and started to notice the bright, full moon shining above me. I looked down at what I was holding, which glistened in the moonlight with its shimmery, scarlet composition — the heart. I sighed contentedly and returned to my glass jar collection. I then carefully placed the
Cloud's POV I was resting on my bed, sluggishly, when I realized I had not even eaten my lunch yet. I yawned lazily and walked downstairs to cook my meal. I have decided to spend my weekend at my house to relax. I am still stuffed from last night's meal with Athena. Her foods are very scrumptious. It can gratify any picky diners and hungry stomach. And it made me adore her even more for it. As I remembered the previous night's dinner, it was as though my stomach recognized its familiarity with its dishes and growled fiercely. I busted out laughing as I opened my refrigerator and took out some hot dogs and eggs. I began cooking, recalling the first time I saw Athena in her kitchen preparing dishes for us. She appears to be confident as she hums while cooking, whereas here I am, battling to remove the yolk from the egg as a whole. As soon as I finished cooking, I began eating my lunch. I tried to envision myself enjoying Athena'
Megan's POV I was horrified as I glanced at the attractive man at our cafeteria door. He resembles an angel who has descended from heaven. The main difference is that he appears to lack wings. And he looks brand new in this environment, like a fresh kill. Oops. Perhaps a recently hired employee from our company? I could not recall the last time I spent time with a man. When he began to speak in a frigid, baritone voice, I have become determined to strike up a conversation with the new man. "Why haven't you responded to any of my calls or texts?" Confounded, I started to look at the person he was asking and realized it was Athena. Wait, what? "Could it be because I am in the middle of my work?" replied Athena, rolling her eyes. "Even so! Have you understood how much fear I have had to endure simply to find out if you are totally safe and sound?" he answered. "Well, isn't it possible to call bac
Unknown POV I was staring at the woman as she walked into her boyfriend's apartment. I decided to park my car on the corner, a few inches away from the house, so that I wouldn't be easily noticed and arouse suspicion. I waited for the woman for more than three hours. I then noticed her exiting her boyfriend's front door and making her way to a nearby train station a few minutes later. I was following her from behind, and she was aware of my presence. "Hello, are you lost?" she asked sweetly. I sheepishly smiled and invited her to hop in my car, saying that I am willing to drive her safely to her destination because her lover had failed to do so, I added to myself. She hopped in, closed the passenger-side door, and turned to face me. She stated solemnly, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I will be eternally grateful for this. I hope to be able to repay this favor you have done for me in the near future." "Ther
Athena's POV We leave the restaurant hand in hand, headed to the park where we used to hang out just to gaze at the sky while having deep conversations. We had just finished a sumptuous meal at our favorite diner when we observed a crown circling the corner of the block. There is yellow barricade tape around, as well as cops and a detective. I recognized the detective because he looked similar to the one I saw at Janet's crime scene. Aside from the authorities, there are some press reporters and cameramen on the scene. "Is there a new film on the way? Is this some type of recording?" I overheard Cloud inquire. "No, I don't believe so. From a distance, I recognize the detective. He's the same person who's been working on Janet's case," I responded courteously. We approached the site slowly because we were inquisitive. Cloud, who was so protective of me, sought to cover my eyes. But I flashed him a consoling glance and s
Cloud's POV I was deep asleep when I sprang out of thebed, desperately gasping for breath in an attempt to capture somefresh air. I had a really strange and intense nightmare about Athena. I could notremember every part of it, but I swear I heard her scream from my hellish experience nightmare. I looked out the window and noticed that it was raining severely, almost as if there was a storm. The leaves of the trees are furiously swinging, and the wood and roof are being impeded from a distance. I can also hear the wind howling from the outside. I got out of bed and headed downstairs to grab a glass of cold water to help me stabilize my breathing. I opened the refrigerator and took out the pitcher of water, then went to the cupboard to retrieve a glass and poured it in. Similarly, I swallowed each drop of liquid, allowing it to enter my deepest core. I glanced at the wall clock, which showed that it was already two o'c