Vanquish: Venom, #2

By Arielle Alia

Ellis has trust issues with men after her own father had her mother killed.

 

Revo meanwhile has lost interest in love after being deceived by a woman.

 

But because of the meddling of the CEO of Venom Corp., Ellis and Revo's path crossed.

 

Unknown to the two of them, Ellis will die the moment she loves Revo.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arielle Alia
• Release date: Jan 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393132769

Book preview

PROLOGUE

A re you saying, Mr. Jurado, that the materials used by your construction company is substandard? the prosecutor asked.

The materials provided by the main contractor who used my company to build part of the Genoa Bridge was substandard, Revo corrected the prosecutor. My company, RJ Company, only provided the workers. All the materials we used came from Habacon Inc. which is also owned by Habacon Construction Company who won the contract for building Genoa Bridge.

Did your company use these substandard materials given by Habacon Inc.?

No, sir, Revo replied. I kept on writing to Habacon Inc. to request that they replace the materials they had delivered to us. The president of Habacon Construction then met with me and tried to convince me to use these substandard materials. He even offered me money so I will ignore the low quality materials they were providing. Because of their actions, I decided not to build Genoa Bridge and let another company do it.

Do you have any proof that could verify your meeting with the president of Habacon Construction? Any evidence to prove that such meeting really took place?

Revo took his cell phone from the pocket of his pants.

I used a hidden camera shaped like a button on my shirt. It recorded the conversation I had with the president. I then copied the video on my cell phone. I have already given you a copy and the original of the video of that meeting before I sat here to testify.

The defense lawyer of Habacon quickly stood up and protested. He argued with the prosecutor for several minutes before the judge made a decision. The judge would allow the video recording to be presented as evidence.

When the time came for the defense lawyer to cross-examine Revo, the lawyer did everything he could to destroy Revo's testimony. Revo remained steadfast. After the cross-examination, the defense lawyer looked defeated while the prosecutor was elated. Revo had a hunch that Habacon would lose this case.

After leaving the court, Revo proceeded to where he had parked his car. He was surprised to find Christina waiting for him there. He again felt the pain on his chest caused by her betrayal. But that pain was quickly replaced by anger. He had never forgiven himself for making a fool of himself because of Christina!

Revo.., she said his name.

"You might get the justice you want for the death of your parents, Christina. Habacon will pay for their crimes. The whole world will now know that it was because of their use of substandard materials that Sta. Ana Bridge collapsed. The death of your parents on that bridge would be avenged. Everyone would know that they have been using cheap and substandard materials to earn more from their work contracts. The court will punish that company and you will be properly compensated. After Habacon, you can go after the others that helped in the cover-up of the collapse of Sta. Ana Bridge. You don't need me anymore.

I-I’m sorry. Tears swelled from her eyes.

Revo turned his back from her. He reminded himself that her tears had once swayed his heart and mind. Because of those tears, he did everything she asked him to do.

Revo, please wait! she cried out.

Revo ignored her and continued walking toward his dark green Toyota Vios. He wanted to forget Christina and everything about her. He climbed on his car and stepped on the gas. He had already given his testimony. It was now over. He was no longer needed here. He could now leave this town.

Upon arriving at his hotel, he immediately checked out. It was already late afternoon. It would be dark by the time he reached Quezon City. But he didn't care. He needed to get out of Isabela town!

After he paying for his hotel bills, he returned to his car with his baggage in hand. He was surprised to again find Christina waiting for him. She had obviously followed him to the hotel.

I never fooled you, Revo! she said before Revo could speak. When I told you I love you, I was really telling you the truth! she insisted.

You are a married woman! he angrily reminded her. You made me believe that you were single. You used your beauty and your body to fool me, make me help you fight Habacon. You made me love and trust you. But all this time, you were just using me for your revenge and I became a stupid fool because of my love for you.

Didn't you hear what I just said? I love you! she cried out.

That doesn’t mean a thing! Another man owns you! he retorted.

I am going to leave my husband for you, Revo! she swore.

Revo was momentarily taken aback. Christina rushed toward him and hugged him tightly.

Maybe at first I was just acting. But I have really fallen in love with you. I love you, and I want you more than my husband!

Revo grasped Christina's shoulders and pushed her away. He shook his head.

If you cheated on your husband, I am sure you would also do the same to me. I do not want a woman like you, Christina, he said harshly.

Christina began crying. Revo suddenly noticed a man walking toward them.

Your husband is here, he said.

Christina turned. Her eyes grew wide when she saw her husband took out a gun. Revo heard the sound of gunshots before he saw blood on Christina's body! He rushed toward her as she began to fall on the asphalt parking lot.

CHAPTER 1

Elena was the name given to Ellis by her father. But before going to college, she had it legally changed into Ellusive. She also had her surname changed. She now used her mother's surname, Sumiran. As much as possible, Ellis wanted to forget her father or that he had ever existed in her life. She didn't even want to acknowledge the man as her father.

Her hatred toward her father was understandable. When she was thirteen years old, her father had her mother killed so he could marry his mistress. But the police caught the hired killer who promptly pointed Ellis's father as the mastermind. Both hired killer and Ellis's father were found guilty and were now behind bars.

His father was serving a life sentence, and there was no possibility of parole He would never again become part of Ellis's life and that's fine with Ellis. Ellis had already disowned her father. She had turned her back on him, the same way he had left her and her mother when he chose to be with his mistress.

The memory of her mother on the other hand was something Ellis would cherish all her life. Aside from her mother, the only family she recognized was her Aunt Megan. Aunt Megan was her mother's sister and since her mother's death, her aunt had taken care of her and raised her up.

Does this mean that starting today, your name will officially be Ellusive Sumiran? asked Angela. Angela was one of Ellis's two best friends.

Of course. My Aunt Megan and I arranged all the papers needed so I could legally change my name. We even had to replace all of my school records from elementary to high school.

Your new name sounds like the word exclusive, teased Barbie, Ellis's other best friend. But I think the name suits you better. Since all you did during high school was avoid and hide from all your would-be suitors. She giggled.

Ellis laughed.

Did you also change your nickname? Angela asked again.

It will still be Ellis. I will never change it, since my mother gave me that nickname.

The three of them had been friends since grade school. The two girls also gave Ellis the strength and support she badly needed when her mother died. Angela and Barbie understood her decision to change her name and disown her father. Her friends respected her decision. They understood where she was coming from.

I just hope you won't end up like your Aunt Megan. There was a worried tone on Angela's voice.

What's wrong with her lifestyle? She is a very successful career woman. And she is quite happy being single all her life.

The two girls didn't speak for a moment. Angela was the first one to voice her opinion.

You are too beautiful to remain alone, Ellis. You could have beautiful children! And you shouldn't be afraid to love because of what happened to your parents. Your mom made a mistake in choosing the man she married. But you are smarter and stronger than her so I am quite sure that you would be able to pick the right man for yourself!

Ellis studied her friend.

What happened to you during summer? Why do you sound like those guys in the radio giving love advice?

Didn't you hear the news? quipped Barbie.

Angela colored. Ellis's eyes widened with disbelief as she began to understand what was happening to Angela.

Don't tell me that you have agreed to become Larry's girlfriend?

Of course not! Angela denied loudly, though her face remained red with embarrassment.

But they are now in a mutual understanding relationship, explained Barbie.

You are really nosey! Angela scolded Barbie.

It is not my fault! You and Larry always walked in front of our house while holding hands. Barbie quickly retorted.

Barbie and Angela's house were on the same street. Both were always updated with each other's daily lives. Ellis used to live on the same street but because of what happened to her family, she left that house and moved in with her Aunt Megan. She could visit her friends, but she would have to pass her old house. That old house always brought back sad and terrifying memories. She was the one who found her dead mother's body inside that house. Her mother's blood was splattered all over the kitchen when she arrived that fateful day from school. The image still haunted her dreams.

Because Ellis was busy having her name and all her official papers legally changed last summer, she didn't have time to meet and chat with Barbie and Angela.

She only got to see and chat with her friends today, which also happened to be the day of their enrollment to the university all of them had agreed to go to when they were still in high school.

So, what is new about you, dolly? Ellis turned to Barbie. She and Angela often called Barbie 'dolly' because she was named after the famous doll, Barbie.

Still the same. I still haven't won my battle against these love handles of mine! she said as she clutched her side fats.

All three of them erupted in laughter. They ignored the looks they got from the other students inside the canteen. The three of them were always like this whenever they got together. Never a dull moment. They often became too boisterous wherever they got to chat about each other's lives.

CHAPTER 2

From first year to second year college, Ellis, Angela and Barbie went to the same classes every day because they shared a lot of general subjects needed for their courses. By the third year, each one of them had to take different subjects depending on their course. Angela was taking up Business Administration. Barbie was into Mass Communication while Ellis took up Psychology. Despite this, all three arranged their schedules so they could still get together during lunch and break times.

Ellis also found herself the go-to-girl of her best friends whenever one needed advice because of her course in Psychology. She often had to explain to Angela and Barbie that she knew nothing about love and romance but still, the two kept asking her opinion on such matters.

Angela was always having problems with her relationship with Larry.

What's your problem? The guy loves you very much. How come you're having a problem with him again? Ellis said in exasperation.

I think that's the problem, muttered Angela.

Ellis suddenly understood her friend's predicament.

You really don't love him that much, huh? Ellis was aware that Angela only agreed to become Larry's girlfriend because she pitied him.

I think I have learned to love him too. But you see, he wants us to get married after college graduation, explained Angela.

Most people do that, Barbie interjected.

But I want to have a career first, Angela pouted.

Then tell him that. I am sure he will understand- Ellis stopped and studied Angela's face. It seems that isn't really the problem.

Angela sighed.

Larry thinks I am his destiny. His one true love. The one that he will marry and live his life until the end. But I don't know. I can't see him as the father of my children. I want cute kids with straight noses. With Larry, his genes would not allow the possibility of such children.

Then the answer to your problem is simple. Break up with him! suggested Ellis.

I can't. He went through a lot of trouble just to get my attention. I can't just break up with him.

Girlfriend, Ellis lightly smacked Angela's head, what you are feeling for Larry is not love. It's called pity. And that is not a good foundation for marriage. That’s not a good reason to even have a relationship with someone!

When it came to Barbie, her problem was that of unrequited love. Barbie had been crazy and in love with Todd since she first set eyes on the team captain of the basketball team of their university. But Todd wasn't even aware of Barbie's existence. The basketball player only had eyes on those perfect, beautiful and sexy members of the cheering squad. Barbie was cute, but she was too fat for Todd's taste.

And because of this depression brought about by unrequited love, Barbie often turned toward food to comfort her aching heart. She was already chubby when they were in high school but since she fell for Todd, Barbie had to pay double whenever she rode the jeepney because her bulk occupied the space for two people.

No matter what I do or eat, I just can't get over him, was the usual drama Ellis would hear from Barbie. They were currently eating their sandwiches on the upper seats of the basketball gym. Todd and his teammates where busy practicing on the basketball court below them. Barbie couldn't take her eyes off the tall and athletic student.

And you would only get worse if you keep on dragging us here every time Todd and his team has a practice, berated Ellis. "You keep whining that he doesn't see you, that he doesn't know you. How in the world would he know about your existence when all you do is stare at him.