Chapter 57

CHAPTER 57

|| Savannah's POV ||

I stared at Aria's back unblinking. Rushing over to this place and finding her made me realize that I knew my best friend too. Ares gave me multiple possibilities of finding her somewhere else. But I just stuck firm to this point that Aria would probably be here. Because I knew that in her current position, she wouldn't put her life in danger not when she wanted to carry a baby inside. In comparison, this dorm was a safer place, providing her security. Even if she fell sick, the staff would send her to the hospital as they are responsible for these girls as soon as they entered here.

Aria looked up at me, surprised to find me here so quickly. She stumbled up with a smile to murmur,

" So you found me!"

I just rolled my eyes before marching over to her. She was a bit scared to see my walking style and backed away at a safer distance which made me laugh. I chuckled, resting my palms over my hips,

" You scared your brother, Aria!"

She lowered her eyes down in guilt and mumbled, twitching her lips together,

" I am sorry, Savannah..is..is he here too?"

Her question made me rethink for the second time to figure out who she was referring to exactly. Although she had taken Ares's name on her lips, her eyes were searching differently. Perhaps, she was expecting Ethan. My institution told me that something was wrong with them. Aria had a pale face especially that one look when someone was grieving.

I replied, pointing at the guest room outside,

" Yeap..they are there...Ethan is here!"

She dropped her eyes, her face losing color slowly. She was guilty more likely not willing to face Ethan. I nudged at her forearms, gripping and assuring her,

" You can talk about it now, Aria!"

She swallowed hard and lifted her eyes to smile like a budding flower,

" Nothing much, Savannah! It's just...I don't fit for Ethan...Ares is having trouble...I didn't want to pressure him anymore. About Ethan...He will forget about me once we start living apart. I mean, we just met months back. He isn't deeply involved with me till now."

I whispered, pain feigning for her,

" But why, Aria? You don't love him?"

She lowered her eyes down in guilt and gave me a small nod after a moment of hesitation. When she lifted her head back again to lock our eyes, she was smiling, a sad one which showed how life had been cruel to her ever since she started growing up. Aria left me wordless with her few words,

" I do but I can't let his career be ruined because of me. So better, I play this hiding game, Savannah!"

______

I couldn't blame Aria from my point of view. I would have done the same if it was me at her place. Ethan was breaking down. He yelled to meet Aria for once but she bravely refused because they didn't want their relationship to go on. Something about her voice carried a heavy weight that I failed to decipher. Perhaps, she would be willing to tell me after some days.

Even, Ares was unhappy about her choice to live alone. He didn't understand a woman's emotion as I felt for Aria. This stage of her life was critical and she promised that she would come back to live with us when she enters her final trimester.

I was sorry for Ethan who walked back to his apartment like a puppet, with no expression on his face. A part of me believed that Ethan wouldn't give up so easily if he truly loved her. It was okay to take a break from a relationship. I received a call from Kasper midway. Ares parked the car aside considerably to pay his full attention. At least, his jealousy for Kasper had lessened a lot.

" Kasper, have you found anything?", I asserted anxiously without having the time to greet him properly. Kasper let out an exhale and started very cautiously,

" I have violated a law to find her current address. They live far away from here. I am messaging you with her location..but Cupcake.."

A long sigh of relief passed from my lips as I thanked him quickly,

" Thanks a lot, Kasper...Is there anything else that you want to say.."

Kasper paused for a while before letting out a long sigh. Clearing his throat hesitantly, Kasper muttered in a worrying voice,

" Don't let him meet her alone. You know, I don't trust this boy.."

I quickly sneaked a glance at Ares who was paying close attention to hearing every inch of it. Thankfully, he didn't overhear the last part said Kasper that he didn't believe him. I understood his thoughts and didn't take his words in mind. With the shameful past of Ares Thatcher, it was natural for anyone to pass me this advice.

I assured Kasper with a hum and cut the call before explaining everything to Ares. His teeth were clenched, determination flashing from his grey eyes. He hissed before stepping into his car,

" Let's get the bitch! I want to know who she did fuck like me!"

__________

The journey to Catherine's current living house was quite adventurous. Long buildings began to disappear slowly when we drove to her house. The sun was all set to go down. It was a natural semi-town that we were heading towards. I couldn't understand why a modern girl like her preferred to live in this rural place instead of living in the city. All the while, Ares held a serious expression as if he was about to kill someone. I assumed that it wasn't a good idea to let him vent out all his anger on that poor girl. She was useful if she agreed to testify that it wasn't Ares or what if it was him?

My mind shouted but I decided to ignore it, looking around to gulp the lump in my throat. Three hours of the long journey had ended finally. Ares pulled the car in front of a wooden house. Peeking my head outside, I spotted firms of animals outside of that house. The vegetables were looking fresh around her house. This place was healthy to live in but something didn't feel right about Catherine.

As soon as Ares got out of the car, he began to march for her doorway, ready to create havoc but I stopped him by running after him,

" Ares..wait.."

I grabbed my arms, forcing his track to halt in the middle. He gave me his murdering eyes but I used my soft, soothing voice to divert his anger,

" Ares! We aren't here to freak her out! Please.. let's talk to her calmly."

Ares had difficulties controlling his rage but soon, his eyes melted and he nodded his head numbly. Smiling back at him, we both went forward together to knock on the door.

Not long after that, a girl around my age opened the door, shock evident in her expression as soon as her eyes pulled over Ares.

This must be Catherine!

I must say that she had a very lovely face, short black hair with an impressive gleam in her eyes. They both were awkward, probably stunned and I took the opportunity to clear this atmosphere,

" Hi...Is Catherine home? We..we are here to have some chat with her."

The girl looked unwilling as if she didn't want to admit that she was Catherine. After a long pause, she finally muttered, opening the door wide for us to let in,

" Yes, Please...Come inside.."

________

" My parents had a lot of debts. So, we couldn't afford to live in the city anymore!", Catherine cleared my curiosity, placing two cups of tea, and a few cookies in front of our eyes. I nodded smiling and looked up at Ares whose expression was cold. I understood that they hated each other but we weren't here to have some ugly fight when his career was put at risk.

I nudged at Ares's arms, wishing that he would start speaking finally. Fortunately, Catherine was alone in the house as her parents had gone to buy something from town. It was the perfect opportunity to hear everything.

Snapping out of his dazed state, Ares exhaled heavily, and tugged on his lips before starting,

" Catherine...I am sorry about being an asshole to you...I need you to clarify something.."

Catherine nodded thoughtfully and shifted her eyes between us to tell,

" I have heard from the news already. Things have changed in my life so much. I don't know how to react to this situation. Besides, I don't hold grudges against you, Ares. It was just our age."

I smiled at her words thankfully. Catherine seemed to be nice to us although the truth was still hidden behind the lights. Suppressing my urge to get jealous, I reached out for my phone, tapping to open the video. At that moment, I encouraged myself, telling me that I was a cop or detective who was doing her duty, not any girlfriend of Ares Thacher. Because I was sure that my jealousy could reveal my ugly side.

Catherine began to watch the clip, her face becoming uncomfortable. After all, I was present there, and watching your boyfriend's clip with another girl didn't seem nice. She continued seeing patiently and finally glanced up at me, horrified.

I blurted without waiting for Ares to question her,

" Was it two of you?"

There was a long silence between us. Her eyes fluttered a few times before giving me her shocking reply,

" Yes.. it was me..and Ares when..we had our second one night.. stand.."

" Impossible! I didn't let any girl ride me in the past!", Ares stated arrogantly, his eyes flashing in anger. I had to force myself to calm down. It wasn't bad but worse. If the clip was real, we had nothing to do except make a public apology.

Catherine sighed, putting the phone back in my hands,

" You were drunk, Ares! How can you be so sure? Lucky that my face wasn't shown or else you would have faced another scandal from my parents for defaming me."

Catherine was very calm and sincere with her words. I couldn't suspect her any longer. No woman would like to humiliate herself. Ares lost his temper as he ran his fingers through his curls frustratingly,

" What did I do... Savannah...I am doomed.."

I sent him a pathetic look before asking Catherine who didn't show any reaction,

" Do you have any idea who can record it or any suspect?"

Catherine pondered for a while before saying 'No'. My heart dropped, seeing no hope to save Ares this time. Thanking Catherine for cooperating with us, we headed back for our car.

________

" You shouldn't have left your parents for an asshole like me!", Ares muttered all the while as he drove for the town. He didn't stop cursing himself all this time but I was having different thoughts.

Should we trust Catherine's words solely?

She acted so calmly but Ares told me that they had a big fight. I tapped on his shoulder, smiling and trying to put some encouragement,

" Ares! We still haven't lost...Maybe you can play again if we can find out who has leaked this video. Catherine seems innocent. How about visiting the bar that you guys had..you know.."

I was uncomfortable about telling her that Ares and another girl had sex. He kept telling us that we had no hopes but agreed to drive to the bar that they had gone to years ago.

Coming out of the car, I looked around to see only a few people coming here. Years after, their business had probably dropped, and not many people came here too often. Exhaling, we forwarded to the reception where a girl was attending. She glanced up and was stunned momentarily to spot Ares next to me. She didn't hide her excitement,

" Ares Thatcher!!"