Chapter 3

“Angelo wake the fuck up!!”

Angelo got up with a start and groaned to himself as he thought, what the fuck was making Troy shout so loud and did I just hear Damien raise his voice as well and what the actual fuck was happening?

“Get your stupid ass down here buddy or you are done for!”

He quickly rushed down and saw the guys were hunched over Helia’s phone. He heard a familiar voice coming from it.

“Oh… So you left your warm beds, your houses and workplaces to tell me to leave a person alone? I have no business with him! There was simply a spill on his shirt due to my clumsiness and I wanted to clean it up. And whoever took pictures of something really simple is such a creep! For fuck sake! I do not even know who that weirdo is! He was just a customer at the bar and I must say though, he’s really annoying and about him being yours? I know that a good number of you ladies here have a boyfriend, if not all of you!”

That was Astria’s voice! The female bartender from yesterday!

She was on the news?

He rushed and collected the phone from Helia’s and the guys moved closer to him.

She listened to her talk and personal attacks on her own attackers! And she looked really different in this video without the goth makeup and just as he predicted, she was damn beautiful!

“Well if there’s nothing else, stay toxic and please, don’t have a wonderful day!”

That last part got to him and he burst into laughter! She was fierce. Last night was certainly not an act.

She managed to turn the tide of the conversation from her in such a short period of time?!

Troy then raised his voice. “Looks like you’ve finally got yourself a tough broad this time Angelo!”

“You should talk to her in person. She’s way more interesting.”

***

Damien was puzzled and stared into space. Deep in his thoughts.

‘I knew that face… But where are they from? She seemed really familiar from someone I knew but the person I remembered was definitely not this confident or brazen. She was more of the quiet type.’

He could not take it much anymore and snatched the phone from Helia.

He quickly rewind to the part where she was talking and paused.

“She has eyes just like hers, but more bright and confident.”

Haughty gaze with “I’m sexy and I know it” aura around her.

He began to smile at himself as he thought. Seems my friend took my advice years ago and changed. Of course I recognized this person. It was Astria Monte!

“I know who your mystery girl is Angelo.”

The room went silent.

What did Damien just say? Angelo felt confused.

“You what?”

“I know who your girl is, dude. Or I used to anyway. Looks like she took my advice. I barely recognize her now!”

‘Huh ok this was crazy!’ Angelo thought.

How did Damien know this girl? It began to bug him. He could not have had a relationship with her. Damien was gay and wasn’t the type to flirt around. He avoided conversations with ladies but was always polite when speaking to one.

“How do you know her?”

“Well Astria was my high school classmate, desk mate and a course mate in college as well… That was till I left. We tried to keep in touch as much as we could but l lost contact. I can’t believe I’ve found her now. There’s so much to…”

“This is great! So info on her bro! Give me the 411 on her.”

“Sorry dude. I’m not helping you on this one! She’s a friend and a really special one at that. She helped me discover myself and helped me come out! I practically owe her. Sorry bro but I’m not going to help you smash and then drop her like garbage. She doesn’t not deserve that!”

“OK dude my feelings are hurt. You do know she’s smashed a considerable number of guys right? Why am I an exception?!”

“Not Astria. I can only hope she’s not still with her stupid boyfriend. Dickson.”

Ok this was getting old. Angelo was exasperated and thought to himself. Damien had to see that this girl was not probably the same! People change.

“Where did you see her working yesterday?”

“This small bar. It is not that far from here. It’s called Ricky’s.”

“Thanks.”

“So you are not even going to help me?”

“I’ll give you some info though. She has a bestie called Lucy. Before you can even get to her, you will have to get through Lucy and she can smell anyone’s intentions towards Astria from a mile away!”

Then Troy spoke up. “Is Lucy the girl at the door of the house that Astria came out from?”

“I did not notice that. Let me see.”

They rewound the video and sure enough, Damien recognized the Lucy girl.

“Damn right it’s her! She’s even prettier now but I’ll bet she’s still the banshee she always has been!”

“Damn it she’s fucking sexy but not my type.”

“Do not bother thinking about it Troy. You are not her type either. From what I remember, she likes outgoing guys to match her outgoing and crazy personality and last I checked, you are an introvert!”

Angelo glanced at poor Troy who just got bashed by Damien.

Truly he was an introvert and did not care much for going out. The only stuff he enjoyed was playing the drums.

“Yeah whatever”

“Forget it Angelo. I’m not helping you out in this case.”

“So protective. People change Damien.”

“Yeah my best friend did change and I do know you can’t mess with her now. I’m going somewhere I’ll catch you guys later.”

Damien had seen Astria’s address on the video. But he could not tell Angelo that now. He wanted to find her and see her for himself. He was surprised by the changes that portrayed themselves in that video.

Astria was never the type to raise her voice and hit her attackers. She preferred to keep it all bottled up. He remembered when he tried advising her in college.

***

[Flashback]

“How long are you going to take this Tria?”

“I cannot leave him Da. I love him and you know it!”

“Sigh… Your kind of love is really beyond my own understanding. But Astria, I know you. You can’t take this too much and you are at your breaking point. The abuse, pains and so many unthinkable things he has done have gotten too much for anyone to bear. Talk more of you my love.”

“Da I…”

“Hush darling. Let me say this and my conscience can be at peace. Whenever he pushes you over the edge, which Lucy and I know he will, do not forget that we are here for you. Always have and always will be OK?”

“Ok that was kind of harsh but honest. Thanks Da. I love you.”

“Love you too Tria sweetie”

[End of flashback]

***

He came down from the cab and saw the house from the video. He hoped that she would recognize him. He thought it would be really weird trying to explain to her.

He pressed the doorbell and waited for an answer. He then heard Astria’s voice.

“Jenny I swear to God, if you try any sort of stupid…”

The door swung open and Astria stood in front of him. He was stunned. But quickly came to.

“Oh I am sorry. How can I help you?”

He was lost for words or what to say… Only one thing came to mind.

“It is really good to see you again Tria sweetie.”

Her mouth opened in shock and she screamed. “Oh my fucking god! Da?!”