Chapter 35: Chapter 35

THIRD PERSONS'S POINT OF VIEW:

When afternoon came, the former received a call from someone, so he told them that he would be gone for a while.

He stopped by a place that he never thought he would set foot when they planned a trip to Santorini- prison. The guard greeted him as he entered the gate.

He walked through the hallway with a stoic face. The warden saw him and already knew the reason why he came back to that place. He immediately assisted him to the prison cell at the end of the alley- a cell that is isolated from the rest.

"Get me out of here, you fucking bastards! I swear to Satan, I will burn each and everyone of you the moment I step out of this place!"

The furious shout of a mad man, accompanied by the banging on the metal door, break the silence of that dim-lighted hallway.

"Did you hear me?! I will ruin everyone-"

The prisoner's enraged wail was cut off when he saw two figures standing in front of his prison cell. He recognized the warden in charge, but what rattled his cage was Garren's presence.

"What are you doing here, you piece of shit?!"

Garren was unfazed. He even stared at Cyrus straight in the eye.

That's right. He went to pay Cleo's abuser a visit. He just wants to make sure that he's still suffering. And the bruises and blood on his face satisfy him.

"The moment I escape this shithole, you're the first person that I will kill," Cyrus threatened him.

He grinned, taunting him. "That's if you'll make it out of here. I'm going to make sure that you will rot and die here... Cyrus Del Valle."

He laughed maniacally. "Oh, I will! Once my father knows about this, he can easily pull me out of this prison, and I will wreak havoc!"

The Del Valle family is wealthy, hence why Cyrus is being hubristic. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't know that their riches are nothing compared to the power that Garren holds.

As a matter of fact, Cyrus' parents are currently in court and are facing countless criminal charges. Garren was able to uncover everything about their family, including their illicit and underground transactions. He used their atrocities against them. He just want to make sure that no one will be able to pull Cyrus out of jail.

He managed to do those things in a span of one day.

"We will see about that," Garren responded, and turned his back.

"Where are you going?!" Cyrus went berserk again as the two began to walk away, leaving him alone in that terrifying murk.

Garren turned a deaf ear to his shouts.

"I'm expecting that you won't ruin our agreement, officer."

The warden nodded nervously. "O-Of course, Mr. Montreal. We'll make sure that Cyrus won't break free from this prison."

He gave him a once-over. "Not just that. I want him to suffer. Torture him, hurt him. I don't care, but don't just kill him... not yet."

The warden felt extremely terrified after hearing those words, but he didn't dare to defy them.

"I'll go now. You won't see me starting today, but that doesn't mean I will vanish completely. I have eyes everywhere. Don't dare to stab me behind my back, officer."

As he went back to the car, Garren couldn't help but punch the steering wheel. He was controlling himself earlier, but he badly wanted to hit Cyrus in the face until he passed out.

He won't deny it. He's doing all this mainly to avenge Cleo. His son loves that woman, and he feels like he has the duty to protect her too... and protecting her also means making people like Cyrus suffer.

But aside from that, he also found out that Cyrus has been sexually abusing women for a very long time. And because his family is powerful, the victims were silenced.

Therefore, this is also his way of ending the long-running cruelty and transgression of the Del Valle and giving justice to those women whom they perished.

•••••

CLEO'S POINT OF VIEW

Four days have passed with leaden steps. Fortunately, my wounds rapidly healed and I gained my strength back, so I was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

But the past few days have been tough and somber for me. The repulsive sensation of Cyrus' hands on my body became my worst nightmare. Every inch of me still remembers how he touched me in the most disgusting way.

I always have a hard time sleeping since then because I was leery of my surroundings. The trauma and fear will forever be engraved in my soul, and I will not forgive Cyrus for that.

He has to rot in hell for what he did.

However, despite the affliction I'm confronting, I chose to bottle up my emotions. I try to always keep my composure. I don't want to trouble Garren and Greyson anymore.

"I found it now! Let's go!"

I was pulled out of my trance when I heard Greyson's voice from behind. He climbed downstairs, holding a keychain in his hand.

This morning, they decided to buy souvenirs before we go back home. Fortunately, they didn't coerce me to come with them because I was not feeling well.

"Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything?"

He nodded at his father's question.

"Alright. I'll call the hotel staff now."

He went out of the villa, leaving the two of us alone. Greyson sat beside me and held my hand.

"Cleo, are you okay?"

I beamed. "I'm alright. Stop worrying about me, okay?"

"Remember that I'm always with you, okay? I love you, Cleo."

At that exact moment, I wanted to cry my heart out. But I restrained myself. I don't want to give him the burden of comforting me. He's only a kid.

He might not know what exactly I'm going through, but he knows I'm dealing with some grievous and he wants to give me comfort.

I enclosed Greyson in a tight embrace and kissed the top of his head. "Thank you, Greyson. I love you too."

We were in that position when Garren entered the villa. It didn't escape my eyes how his lips curled into a smile.

"I don't want to ruin the moment, but the car is waiting for us outside already."

We broke free from the hug and laughed.

The hotel staff helped us with our luggage. When I stepped out of the villa, I closed my eyes and inhaled a lungful of air.

I'll miss this paradise. I'll miss the ocean's blue water, the majestic sunset, the tranquility and serendipity.

I might have gained a scar from this place, but I'll do my best to treasure the beautiful memories instead. It's the only way I won't lose myself.

"Cleo."

I turned to Garren, waiting for me.

"Let's go."

I gave the island one last glance before I walked towards them. The same man who drove us to the resort when we arrived here greeted us as soon as we headed out.

"Don't forget to fasten your seatbelt, Cleo, Greyson."

"We're all set, dad."

Not so long after, we started taking the island away. I stare outside through the window. I want to instill in my mind the beauty of Santorini.

"I'll miss it here," Greyson blurted out all of a sudden, looking through the windows as well.

" Like I said, we will come back here. When your class ends, we will go on a vacation again," Garren replied.

"Really? Cleo will also come with us, right?"

Garren surprisingly smiled. "Of course."

"Yes! I can't wait. I hope time flies quickly."

Despite how things turned out for me, Garren's plan was successful. He was able to rekindle their relationship. I really hope this continues.

The drive took more than twenty minutes. Much to my dismay, the car stopped in front of a five storey building. I wanted to back out when Garren said that we have to climb to the rooftop where the helicopter will pick us up.

But I have no choice. I was holding my own breath the entire time we were in the elevator. I fel like my heart would pump out of its chest.

When we finally reached the rooftop, like what Garren said, there's indeed a helicopter waiting for us. Theo, Garren's friend, is still the same pilot who will take us home.

I took a deep breath, calming my raving nerves. I have to face my fear again.

After all our suitcases were placed inside, Greyson and Garren hopped in.

"I already did this, and I can definitely do it again," I encouraged myself.

With all the courage I gathered, as luck would have it, I managed to get inside without getting thrown off-balance.

"You guys ready to take off? We're about to fly now." Theo announced.

Garren gave him the go signal. Soon afterwards, we began to propel from the ground. I held on to my seat tightly.

"You seem like you're about to pass out. Your face is pale as a ghost."

In the midst of my suffering, I feel blood rising to my cheeks out of embarrassment because of Garren's side remark.

Good for him that he has no fear of heights. It's not a piece of cake to deal with that.

I took deep breaths, and it was effective because, at last, my nerves finally relaxed.

I stare and feast my eyes on the soft white clouds that move like cotton balls across the blue sky, as if angels are bouncing on its softness.

I suddenly feel my eyelids getting heavy. I leaned against the headrest and closed my eyes. It didn't take me that long before I felt consciousness leaving my body.

•••••

"Wake up now."

My forehead creased when I felt a tingling sensation in my neck and ear. I slowly opened my eyes, and the familiar wooden scent pervaded my nose.

I looked up, and my eyes fell out of their sockets when realization at last dawned on me. I immediately distanced myself from Garren.

Did I just fall asleep on his shoulders?! But how did that happen?! Greyson was sitting between us.

"Greyson switched seats with you. Your head kept on falling on him and the window on your side is quite far."

Fuck. Did I say my thoughts out loud?

"You sleep like a dead person, by the way. I woke you up for almost seven times before you opened your eyes."

My cheeks fired up even more. "I'm sorry, sir."

"You guys seem to have a lot of fun in Santorini." Theo suddenly appeared out of nowhere and said that, with a malicious grin plastered on his lips.

What does he mean?

"Shut up, fucker. Cleo, go out now. Greyson is waiting for us."

I obliged. The vast field was the first one I saw when I stepped outside is the vast Montreal Airline.

"Cleo!"

I turned my head to Greyson, who's running towards our direction. He's wearing a huge smile.

"How's your sleep?" That was the first thing that he asked as soon as he reached me. The tone of his voice alone can attest that he's teasing me.

"I had a good sleep." I played it cool and stretched my arms. "I miss the scent of Merrion."

Time to get back on track.