LOVER MONSTER!
108. Distances.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

A knock landed on the ivory-colored teak door. After that knock, a voice followed and introduced the presence of the knocker who was Hestia Bellamy.

"Christian, it's me" said Hestia. He was waiting for an inside response.

"Come in, Hestia."

After listening to the response from within, the teak door opened. The two bodyguards guarding the door let Hestia in only after getting permission from the owner of the room who was none other than Christian Bellamy, the man who led the mansion.

Hestia-as Christian-subordinate- retraces in with a tangled look. As it turns out, Christian is not alone inside. There was Carlos who immediately bowed politely when he found his arrival.

When Hestia came too, all the talk between Carlos and Christian was sealed in silence. Carlos retreated while Hestia ushered in his departure with an alert piercing gaze.

"Look at you start moving your pawns everywhere, Chris." From Hestia's knowledge, Carlos who is one of Christian's personal bodyguards now moves to protect Erthian.

"What's the reason you came here so early, Hes?"

Christian Bellamy, a 56-year-old man who doesn't look like the 56-year-old - in other words, he looks like a 30-year-old - greets Hestia with a casual gesture that irritates Hestia.

How can Christian relax when his son almost killed each other yesterday?

"I heard what happened to Demian and Erthian" said Hestia. He held his intonation to be no higher than Christian's intonation. Hestia did not want to create the impression like she was against her superior.

Although Hestia was a Bellamy as well, hestia was still a long way from Christian who was purely a Bellamy. Hestia, as a cousin of Bellamy's cousin, was not in the rank equivalent to Christian.

Hestia's reason for having meaning in this mansion was solely because Hestia-Maureen Bellamy's beautiful brother-managed to captivate Christian's eyes. If not for Maureen, Hestia would only be a Bellamy who was indifferent to her existence.

"They've only met for a few days, and they've been trying to kill each other. I'm worried about them, Chris. Is there no solution for them to just calm down a bit?"

Meaning Hestia's question, can Christian not briefly control Erthian?

The problem is, the favorite Christian prince has bullied Demian for a long time. Hestia was afraid that Demian would actually go with Jessica if this bullying continued.

"I understand you are very understanding and care about them. However, they are not children anymore, Hestia. They can think what is the right and good thing they need to do. If such trivial matters of contention only they still need to be arranged by adults, they won't be able to lead our families forward."

"But.., you know Erthian's condition..." Erthian could die if he kept bothering Demian, for God's sake!

"Carlos will protect her."

"Is that why you put Carlos in as a bodyguard, Erthian?"

Christian leaned his back and neck on the bench. He looked at Hestia while his dark iris showed an ambiguous calm. "I guess..."

The answer is annoying!

"As for the information, Chris, Demian is not a person you can easily compose. He-" Dangerous!

"I gave you my answer" said Christian. "I didn't answer you to calm you down. If you don't feel like my actions are enough, how about you do something and stop whining in front of me?"

"Christian.., I..." Hestia may dare to oppose Christian. Hestia-just-just cleared Demian's position now. Hestia was afraid that Demian would run away again.

"I heard a lot of people cheering when Demian came home, most of them were people who were very supportive of Demian being the leader, right?"

Those whom Christian intended were factions that had previously been passive in every family gathering. They don't talk much, don't protest at anything. But, in their silence, they did not support Erthian as the leader at Bellamy either.

Surely, they were not as passive as Erthian supporters who were clearly very vocal in rejecting Demian's existence. However, later on, they became very noisy. Like ants running out of their nests.

"I believe they were just very enthusiastic about seeing Demian's arrival." Hestia did not hide her smile in the slightest. He clearly showed that he was also part of the fanfare.

"Whatever it is," Christian says, "Make sure their noise doesn't create unnecessary conflict."

Now the two camps are tense, if there is a little spark, these two camps can attack each other and create a split in the chain of Christian leadership. If a split were to occur, Christian would not hesitate at all to show his final power as leader at Bellamy.

If they want bloodshed, Christian will not hesitate to shed their blood.

"I'll make sure the situation is under control, Christian. After all, your decision is the most important thing here."

"I entrust it to you." Christian's words that should have given pride, in Hestia's ears sounded like a threat.

I don't know from when, the trust that Christian gave him was like a sword that fell on his shoulders. If Hestia betrayed that trust, the sword would swing and slash its head.

"Well..." Christian suddenly remembered something. The gripping atmosphere surrounding them earlier slowly dissipated. "I heard Demian brought his girlfriend here. How's things?"

"You hear that?"

"Erthian told me that."

Hestia, hearing Christian's words, inevitably recalled her meeting with Jessica this morning. Hestia's smile was wry. "There's nothing you can worry about. He's going back to Vegas in a few days."

"Together Demian?"

"What do you mean with Demian?" Hestia smiled faintly. "He'll just go home alone. After all, his existence wasn't that important in Demian's eyes."

Christian nodded calmly. "You know a lot, Hestia."

"Such a cliche does not require any knowledge."

...*...

As soon as Hestia came out of Christian's study, Hestia was struck by another existence that appeared from a distance and shouted to her name. Hestia spontaneously stopped stepping and looked at the now-boring figure in front of her nose.

That figure, who else if not Demian Bellamy. The youngest Bellamy greeted Hestia in a hurry. He was on the other side of the mansion when he heard information that Hestia had come to visit this morning.

"I don't think you're old enough to need to be reprimanded for the ban on running in the corridors, Demian?" Hestia crossed her arms around her chest, her eyes scanning her nephew with obvious affection. "Have you forgotten your nose ever broke from falling down a ladder?"

"Did you forget I'd be 30 next year?" Demian responded after his breathing subsided. "I'm not at the age that's going to fall with my nose hitting the floor again, Hestia."

Demian is not a child. Demian believes he has complete control over his body. He will not have the same broken nose.

"The age doesn't make you immune to a broken nose, Demian."

"Tsk, putting aside the problem of a broken nose. You don't have to worry about me too much."

"If you weren't my niece, I wouldn't care even if your neck was twisted in front of my face." Hestia gave an answer as she opened her steps leaving the front door of Christian's study.

Hestia-alongside Demian-began leisurely waltzing down the small corridor that connected them towards the living room that was on the fifth floor.

"Hestia, I wanted to ask Jessica..." Demian slowly shut up. His expression turned grim.

"Even though he understands, I can't leave him alone. I don't want to leave him alone."

"You're not a kid anymore. You won't die if you don't see it for a day." Hestia squinted her eyes.

"Think about the big picture. What you need to do now is more important for your future. A few days of not seeing him will have no effect on your life. However, leaving your obligations here, in these crucial times will be very influential for your future, Demian."

Hestia further explained, "Of course, not seeing Jessica will make her languish for a day or two.., but you can get her apology if you take pampering in front of her.

He'll forgive you if he loves you. However, your situation with your father is different. The man did not withdraw his words, Demian. You'll have to sacrifice a few little things to get your father's support."

What Hestia did not understand was that Jessica was more than just a small thing to Demian. Putting Jessica aside was a huge sacrifice for Demian. Not only did he worry about Jessica, Demian himself did not feel able to survive without seeing the girl just once.

Demian has a dependency on Jessica's existence, like opium. Demian needed Jessica Cerise for herself, to relieve the void that filled her heart.

"Demian," call Hestia. "Give Jessica to me. Do what you need to do now. Do you understand?"

Demian took a long time to answer Hestia. Demian was in a dilemma. Demian just wants to meet Jessica and escape from this mansion, regardless of all the problems that occur and haunt her life so far. However, outside of his prejudice, a problem increased.

"Demian," rebuked Hestia once again, a voice full of emphasis. "Don't childish. Next week, your father will appoint his ultimate successor. The choice is only two, you and Erthian. I'm just asking you to hang on until that day, then whatever. You can take Jessica anywhere you want. No.., you can take him to stay here if you need to."

"Hestia, what are you talking about?"

Hestia sniffed her shoulders. "You can be your father's successor, Demian. What's wrong with that? I believe Jessica will be so happy to be your companion in this magnificent house."

While Hestia and Demian sauntered and conversed in the fifth-floor corridor, their steps came to a halt as the sight of Selina being dragged by two bodyguards caught their attention. Carlos, who had been in Christian's study, was there, carrying a red suitcase containing Selina's belongings.

The woman thrashed while shedding tears.

Hestia noticed the expulsion of the woman who was Christian's second wife was expressionless. Sooner or later, Hestia thought, that situation will happen.

"Christian has done the right thing" said Hestia. He spoke to Demian who was observing the scene with some relief.

In Demian's mind, it seemed like Erthian had withdrawn his support from the demonic woman. Now, as a useless pawn, Selina is kicked out of the mansion.

"Carlos may have complained a few things this morning." Hestia is back. "I don't know what that woman did, but seeing her removed from here is enough."

"I'm surprised it took Christian a long time to throw him out." Demian commented.

"Forget about it..." Hestia then turned to look at Demian, "I believe Christian has a duty for you today."

"He asked me to meet Uncle Fiero."

"That's great, your uncle hasn't seen you in a long time."

"I'm planning on taking Jessica there, what do you think?"

"Do you think Jessica would like to meet your family?" Hestia chuckles. "Demian, Jessica had a distorted assessment of our family and that was evident from her reluctance to follow you here.-

Of course, his judgment was not wrong. In the eyes of the world, our family business is a dirty and idle thing. You don't want him to get involved and see things he hates, do you? That's not a nice honeymoon."

"..."

Demian's smile was dour.

Hestia has a point. Jessica is too pure for this world. If he follows her to Fiero's uncle's place, Jessica will likely question the reason they visited there and Demian will not lie to Jessica if she will discuss about the arms trade her uncle handles. Jessica wouldn't take that as normal.

"As I said, leave Jessica to me. He had a lot of fun things he could do in Rhoden Manor. I'll make sure your beloved doesn't die of boredom."

"All right..." Demian sighed. "I'll leave everything to you. Tell Jessica I'll see her when my business is done here."

"You know you can still reach her on her phone, right?"

"I know.., I'll call her later."

"Good boy."

...*...

Demian not being able to see her for some time to come was the information Jessica received not only from Hestia, but from Demian as well. After her and Demian's phone calls ended today, Jessica, who was still standing alone on the balcony, clasped her phone tightly.

Jessica knew she had complete trust in Demian. That, whatever is going on with Demian right now, all that Demian is doing is just so they can get back to Vegas as soon as possible.

Jessica believed in Demian even though the man did not give her any information that could ease Jessica's anxiety. There was no reason why he could not come, no explanation as to his current situation. Jessica didn't know what things Demian was busy with right now and it left Jessica in a state of confusion and fear.

Jessica was afraid that she would digest Hestia's words as truth. That, now Demian is preparing himself to become a successor at Bellamy.

"That's bullshit," Jessica said to herself. "Demian wouldn't do that."

"Miss. Jessica, dinner's here." Lisa-as the bodyguard who freely goes in and out of Jessica's room-brings her handsome food that is of her scent, very tantalizing. Jessica stared at the food bowl with a wry smile.

"Lisa" said Jessica. "Can I ask for some fruit too?"

"Eh, another fruit? You've eaten a lot of fruit today."

Jessica nodded. "I like fruit."

"Ah. Then I'll get you some fruit from the kitchen. Just make sure you finish your meal, okay?"

"Of course." Of course not, was Jessica's complete answer.

After obtaining a parcel from Erthian yesterday, Jessica lost all faith in the security of this house. Jessica reminded herself that she was still in the palm of her enemy's hand. Jessica - despite receiving special services - touched the delicious food that had been served in front of her.

Jessica only eats fruit all day, like a tree squirrel. Jessica even drank from tap water.

Let's say this is a paranoid illness and Jessica is just acting overboard, Jessica doesn't care. He's better off playing it safe than getting caught up in Erthian's black game.

The man tried to poison his mind with a lie. Unfortunately, Jessica is not the girl who will be eaten up by the lie easily. Jessica believed in herself that Erthian had done nothing to her, the man had not desecrated her. Not one bit.

Jessica knows herself very well. Jessica knows God is protecting her from Erthian. That bastard man would not be able to make Jessica lose her own confidence. Jessica would not allow herself to doubt her purity.

Jessica wouldn't let Erthian's cheap tricks consume her mind.

Jessica believed in herself, and Demian believed in her as well. That'sthat's enough.

...*...