One Page Is....Ripped

“You two! The word ‘quiet’ is not in your vocabulary?!” The librarian shouted at us. She’s the one making a noise here.

I held my best friend’s arm, “I told you, we should’ve left here already,” I picked up my bag and forced him to come with me.

“We were just turning pages of this book, is it even our fault that its pages are staled that’s why it’s making a ‘noise’?” He emphasized the word ‘noise’.

I rolled my eyes, “Let’s just go, I need to go to my part-time job. I can’t be late, Morris.”

“Fine, let’s go. Bye, librarian! Don’t worry, we won’t come back here anymore!” He even waved at the old woman.

We went inside his car. I wore the seatbelt and looked at him, “To the restaurant please. I’ll be late for my job.”

“To the restaurant then!” He started the car’s engine and started driving.

We arrived at the restaurant, I saw my manager in there, she has already started cleaning the tables. We’ll be opening in an hour.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Jules! I can do this now, don’t worry,” I took the rag from her hands.

She shook her head and smiled, “Okay, then. Call me if you need anything,” She went back to the kitchen.

I was cleaning the 2^nd table when a group of boys sat there, “I’m sorry, we’re still closed. Can you wait a little longer?” I smiled at them.

They gave me a creepy smile, “Sure, beautiful.”

I awkwardly moved to the 3^rd table to continue cleaning.

“Hey, Cassia?” One of the boys called my name.

We have our tags on the left side of our chest.

“Yes, sir?” I quickly walked to them since we’re about to open.

“Can we order these 3 sets in advance please?” They showed me the menu.

“Sure. Please wait, gentlemen.” I walked my way to the kitchen only to see the chefs and waitresses covered in blood.

Even Ms. Jules is dead!

I panicked, I don’t know what to do!

I quickly began to find my phone on my apron’s pockets. I found it and immediately called Morris but he was out of reach.

“Hello? Save me, Ris! Get me out of here!” I sent him a voice message as I walk towards the exit of the restaurant.

I went out of the kitchen and was about to hold the door’s knob when the group of boys stopped me, “Cassia Elodie, don’t even think of escaping.”

I was about to be confused but I realized that one of these boys are familiar to me.

“The debt is still going, Cassia. Your Dad died few years ago because of that debt, aren’t you afraid you’ll be the next one?” He pulled a gun from his pocket.

My knees trembled. This debt is the reason why I need to drop out of school and give up the luxury we once had. I worked several part-time jobs just for this debt to be paid. But until now, I’m not even halfway.

“Give me another 2 years, I promise I will pay the debt full by that time. Have mercy on me, please. I already lost everything, you now have everything that was once ours. What more do you need? What more do you want?!” I knelt down, hoping for a chance to survive the gun that is aimed at me.

“What more do I want? You. I only asked for you to marry me, Cassia. But you chose that freaking man! You chose your best friend!” He aimed the gun closer to my head.

I closed my eyes, thinking of what I should say.    

“Who would like a person like you anyways? You are a living devil that came from hell-!” I stopped talking when he slapped me hard. I felt the pain and the burn of his palm on my face.

“If I’m a devil then what is Morris? You befriended with the wrong person, Cassia. You will regret that you chose him instead of me,” From his eyes that were full of anger, it turned into a gentle look.

I chuckled, “I know Morris inside and out, at least I know that he treated me so much better than the way you treated me before,” I gave him a fierce smile.

“I was also your friend before, Cassia. But why didn’t you pick me? I was also there when you cried, laughed, and smiled, but why do you have to be so far away from me? Why is it always Morris and not me?” Tears started to build up on the corners of his eyes.

They are both my childhood friends. But when his family killed my Dad, I know I have to stop my connection with him. He turned my life upside down. He took everything from me, and Morris is all I have.

Because of 2 million, they took a life that we will forever lose.

I didn’t give him an answer. His men are holding my arms, they are all over me. I can do nothing but face death.

“Hands off her!” Our gaze went to the door when we heard Morris’ voice.

“Ris! Save me!” I shouted my heart out but one of the boys stopped me from talking.

“I’m here, Cassia.” He sounded so weird when he walked closely to me.

“Why do you keep staring? Get me out of here!”

“I’m sorry, Cassia. I was forced to do this.” Time is in slowmo when he slowly pulled out a gun.

What’s happening?

I don’t understand!

Neo was also shocked when he noticed what Morris is about to do, “Are you gonna kill her?! Are you dumb?! Stop that, Morris! Put that freaking gun down!” He tried to hold Morris’ hand but he’s resisting.

“That’s why I’m saying sorry to her, Neo.” He smirked widely, “Don’t worry, my dear Cassia. In our next lives, I will find you again.”

I parted my lips, “Why are you doing this? I trusted you, so much. I even trusted you more than myself. Of all people, why would you do this to me?” I said in between my tears.

You know what hurts the most? When the person you trusted so much betrayed you. When the person you leaned on to ever since, hurt you.

He creepily smiled and placed his gun down, “Ever wondered why your Dad had 2 million in debt but didn’t say where he used it?”

I shook my head.

“Then do you remember the library we always go to?” I waited what he’s supposed to say, “Your Dad once owned that library. Due to a big big mistake, my Mom pushed your Dad down and she made sure that she gets the position and your Dad gets the consequences.” He even managed to smile.

My mind can’t process. I can’t believe this.

“Do you mean one of the consequences is to pay the damage his company caused and the damages were worth 2 million?” I made sure. I can’t bear to to accept any other wrong information.

“You are quite smart huh, Cassia?”

I avoided his gaze.

Silence began to surround us so I decided to speak, “Then why do you want to kill me? If I remember correctly, Dad borrowed the money from Neo’s parents and your family is not even involved here.”

“Yeah, and? We have the same parents,” He casually said that line.

My ears heated, all this time they’ve been making me look stupid!

“You two are brothers?! So that explains why whenever there’s Morris, there is also Neo! You made me look dumb and stupid. I guess you’re happy now, huh?” I smiled sarcastically.

“I will be much happier to shoot this bullet inside you. Again, I’m sorry, Cassia. I’m doing this for the woman I love.” He once again aimed the gun at me.

“Great! Just great! You need to kill me just to be with her! Kill me, then! Send me to heaven too. I want to be by my family’s side again.” I laughed and cried at the same time.

“Morris, don’t! No! There is no woman you love because the woman you love is here! You love Cassia ever since we were kids, why are you suddenly spouting this nonsense?” Neo looks like he’s ready to punch his brother.

“This is not a nonsense. I don’t love her, okay?! I never did and I will never in the future. She’s just a piece of accessory because she’s not that important.” His looks are killing me.

I’m just an accessory. I was never the choice.

I looked at him for the last time, I looked at the man I love, for one last time.

I smiled as I hear the bullet shot through me. I closed my eyes and everything went black.

He was right, he did it for the girl he loves.

The girl he loves is me, because he knows that I’m in pain physically and emotionally. I am a suicidal girl, I am so depressed that I imagine things. The restaurant, Ms. Jules, the boys and Neo, they were only a part of my imagination. Morris and my Father’s debt were only the ones that were true. He just helped me escape this cruel world.



Finally, I’m in peace.