Chapter 178 - Death Is Not The End

Grandma Elysa's remains lay in the St. Clement Chapel for three days so that family close friends could still see Grandma Elysa before sending her to her final resting place.

Selene tried her best to stay strong during those moments. She decided to cremate Grandma Elysa's body.

Tomorrow, they would hold a funeral service right after the cremation. Then they would bury her ashes in the Sierra Memorial Cemetery where her parents and grandfather's grave were.

Renz's parents were the ones who prepared everything for Grandma Elysa's funeral. They knew Selene's emotions were still unstable. She was devastated for losing the only family she had left.

As much as possible, they wanted to give her the support, letting her know that she was not alone. The Chuo Family would always be there for her, backing her up.

The Chuo Family helped Selene and Grandma Elysa to stand again after the tragedy of losing her parents in a car accident. Selene was the only survivor at that time. Her parents didn't make it.

Since then, Renz's parents have acted as Selene's second parents. Now, they wanted to show their love and care for Selene to ease her sorrow and sadness.

Aside from Renz's parents, Eros, Samantha, and Renz were always keeping her company in the past few days. Micaela also wanted to stick by Selene's side but Eros and Renz were not allowing her.

On the other hand, while the Chuo family was busy comforting and supporting Selene in this darkest moment of her life, Mr. M started to move, attacking the Star Corp and the Lockhart Enterprise without Renz's knowledge.

He had to do it while Renz and the Chuo Family were distracted. Selene couldn't help them anyway since Mr. M was thinking that Selene was still mourning and she didn't have the capability yet to manage her company.

*****

Last Night of Grandma Elysa in St. Clement Chapel before her cremation and burial…

Selene was standing next to Grandma Elysa's coffin, watching her face. Grandma Elysa looked at peace as if she was just sleeping.

Selene was grabbing this opportunity to memorize her facial features and engrave them in her heart and mind. 

This was the last time she would be seeing Grandma Elysa's remains so she was making most of her time. She didn't plan on sleeping tonight.

It seemed like Selene's heart was already numb because of pain and sorrow. She already experienced losing her loved ones ever since she was a child but she couldn't get used to the feelings.

She thought she wouldn't cry anymore but she couldn't help it. Experiencing this was like reliving her pain from her previous life over and over again.

But she never regretted it. Because this time, she spent more time with her grandma, showing her how much she loved her.

'Grandma, don't worry about me. I might be crying so hard right now, but I promise that after this, I will become stronger than before. So you can be at peace wherever you are.'

Selene put her hand on the glass, gently touching it as if she was caressing her grandmother's face.

Her unending tears started to fall one after another.

'I know you, grandpa and my parents are now together. Grandma, send my hugs and kisses to them. Tell them I missed them so much. And you know what? I will miss you more, grandma.'

Selene's sobs could be heard by Eros who was sitting just nearby. He never left her side. He was always watching her.

It pained him more seeing Selene hurting like this. He felt like his heart was going to burst whenever he would see her cry.

When he could no longer stand it, Eros decided to approach Selene and talk to her.

Selene felt a warm hand patting her back. The moment she turned to her side, Eros's concerned look greeted her sight.

She immediately wiped her tears away. She didn't want Eros to feel sorry about her. She was aware that Eros felt bad for her because he never saw this coming. 

He never expected that Grandma Elysa would just suddenly pass away at a different time frame from her previous life. Eros felt guilty for not knowing it. 

But Selene was not blaming anyone. She knew that they had no complete control over this thing. Life was full of surprises.

"Selene…"

"Hmm?"

"You know that death is not the end right?" Eros mumbled, looking down as he watched Grandma Elysa's face.

"Yes, I know. I already experienced dying, but I know there is an afterlife. I believe I will meet them again… my grandma, my grandpa, and my parents."

Eros smiled hearing Selene's answer. He felt relieved now. He knew that Selene would still be fine. She was a strong woman.

"Let's meet there someday, Eros. I will introduce you to my parents and other grandparents," Selene said, flashing a faint smile.

"Have you forgotten? You will forget my existence once I complete my mission."

Selene shook her head. "Hmm, I thought during the time of judgment to know whether I will go to heaven or hell, my life will be flashed in my eyes and I will recall everything that happens to me while I am still alive… from the day I was born until the day I die."

"If something like that exists then I will be able to recall our moments together. Does it mean I will remember you? Am I right?"

Eros was taken aback after hearing that. Selene was right. It could possibly happen.

'Sigh, so she will only remember when she dies and during her judgment day.'

"That's true Selene. There is a divine tree of truth in the boundary of the Netherworld and the third gate. Every soul will visit it before moving forward to the third gate going to heaven." 

"Through that, you will not only recall the memories but you will see everything that happened to you while you are alive as if you are watching a movie about your life."

Selene smiled at Eros. "Then I will be glad since Grandma will still see our happy moments together once she comes there."

Eros nodded his head with a gentle smile on his face. He planned on comforting Selene but it turned out that she was doing fine.

"Don't worry, Selene. Grandma Elysa will be happy to see those happy memories again with you. And by the way, even if you can't see me or recall me. I will never forget you, Selene. Once I see you in paradise, I will come and greet you right away."

"But there's something I want to request from you…"

Selene turned to Eros to meet his gaze and asked him. "What request?"

"If ever I suddenly come to you and welcome you with a warm hug, please don't call me a pervert, okay? I'm afraid that since you can't remember me, you will call me a pervert again just like how we first met here on earth. My reputation in front of other angels will get ruined once you do that!"

"You even called me psycho!" Eros complained to her while pouting his lips.

Selene giggled because of Eros's remarks. She was amazed as to why Eros could easily lighten her mood by just talking to him even though she was feeling so down.

"Our first meeting here on earth… is… quite funny. I hope I will remember it and tease you up there. I will tell your fellow angels that their most handsome cupid is a pervert… peeking at a naked woman in her shower."

Selene thought Eros would complain again because of her teasing words but surprisingly, Eros looked at her intently with a serious expression on his face.

"Alright! Call me a psycho and a pervert, I don't mind it… as long as you can remember me! Just make sure to remember me, Selene. Just remember me."

For Eros, being forgotten by Selene was one of the saddest moments of his life. So, he wished that she would still remember him once they saw each other again.

Just like life, his time with Selene had a limitation… an expiry date. Sooner or later, he had to leave her side. Once he did, he would be forgotten by her and they might not see each other again in this human world.

"Yes, I will make sure to remember you, Eros."