Athena’s P.O.V.“Cristoff, stop it!” awat ko sa magkabilang braso ni Cristoff dahil baka kung saan pa mapunta ang pag-uusap nilang dalawa. Dumarami na rin kasi ang mga contractor na nakakakita sa kanila.After that, Iñigo laughed out loud. “Chill, Dave! I was just kidding. Ito naman, masyadong seryoso. For me, Athena is only a friend at alam kong hindi naman niya ako magugustuhan kahit ano pa ang gawin ko.”“Who was I compared to you, ‘di ba? Baka nga sa boses ko pa lang, ikaw na agad ang unang maisip niya. And I am not that pathetic to be with a woman who would only think of another man sa tuwing magkasama kaming dalawa,” pagpapatuloy niya.Then, he removed Cristoff’s hands on his collar. “I’ll go ahead, guys. Ituloy niyo na ‘yong lunch niyo, Dave, at baka nagugutom na si Athena. But take my advice, man. I’ll really steal Athena from you if you will only let her be your flavor of the month! She is a wife material.”“I know so there’s no need for you to lecture me, Iñigo! I’ll assure
Athena’s P.O.V.Agad kaming umayos ni Cristoff habang si Evanna ay gulat na gulat pa ring nagpalipat-lipat ang mga makahulugang tingin sa aming dalawa. Si Carlene naman ay gano’n din ang ginawa, pero alam kong tahimik lang siyang nakikiramdam.Para akong naestatwa na hindi alam kung magmamaang-maangan na lang ba ako gayong mas malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw ang nakita nila. Mariin akong napakagat sa ibaba kong labi habang nag-iisip pa rin ng realistic na alibi kay Evanna.Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay pulang-pula ‘yong mukha ko sa tindi ng hiya. Si Cristoff naman ay neutral lang ang ekspresyon na parang walang nangyaring kilitian. Hinawakan niya lang ulit ‘yong kamay ko na sa kabila nang pilit kong paghila rito ay hindi pa rin niya binitiwan.“And what about those firm holding hands?” pahabol na tanong ni Evanna, na hanggang ngayon ay nanlalaki pa rin ang mga mata.“We… we are not holding hands. Cristoff was just holding me,” I told her.“Woah, what an endearment! Kailan mo pa tinawag na Cristo
Athena’s P.O.V.“Athena, I want you to formally meet my younger sister, Denise Camille. Denise, she’s Architect Athena Cari, my ex but soon to be my girlfriend again.”Cristoff smilingly introduced us to each other when we were already inside his office. We were seated on his lounge seats—where I was beside Denise and Cristoff was in front of me.Medyo tumigil na rin sa pag-iyak ‘yong kapatid niya, although namumula pa rin ang ilong at mga mata nito. She looked so fragile while crying, but I knew for sure that she was still strong.Denise had this aura na hindi rin magpapatalo, dahilan na rin kung bakit ako nagselos sa kanya noon. Her eyes were all swollen now, but she only needed time to move on.What should I say? She must learn from the expert!Having said that, gusto ko mang kiligin sa taas ng confidence level ni Cristoff na mapasagot akong muli ay hindi ko na binigyan pa ng pansin ang mga huli niyang sinabi. Hanggang ngayon kasi, hindi pa rin ako makapag-move on sa nalaman kong k
Athena’s P.O.V.“Ouch!” Cristoff overreacted, as his mouth twitched upwards. He even placed his right hand on his chest at umaktong kunwari ay nasasaktan nang dahil sa sinabi kong baka ampon lang siya.“Grabe ka, Athena! If I know, in-love na in-love ka naman sa mukhang ‘to! Umamin ka na lang kasi,” sabi niya sabay kindat sa akin. His handsome smile was showing his sets of full white teeth.Hay, naku! Hindi na natapos ang mga pa-pogi signs niya. Nagrereklamo ang isip ko, pero ang puso ko naman ay tumatalon sa tindi ng tuwa.“Tigilan mo nga ako! Para kang bata, Cristoff. Nakakahiya kay Denise oh!” pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mata para itago ang totoo kong nararamdaman. Kung wala lang talaga ‘yong kapatid niya rito ngayon ay baka kung ano na ang nagawa ko sa kanya.“Anong parang bata? If you will only allow me, pwede na tayong gumawa ng bata! Ano, mamaya?” tumatawang ganti niya, hanggang sa nagsimula na naman siyang manusok ng daliri sa kanan kong baywang.“You know what? Kung hindi mo
Athena’s P.O.V.“Enough of your sweetness, lovebirds! Mamaya niyo na lang ipagpatuloy ‘yan ‘pag umalis na ako. Anyway, Ate… I have something for you as my future sister-in-law, at hindi ako pwedeng umalis dito nang hindi ko ‘to nabibigay sa’yo. I hope you’ll like this. Pinagpuyatan ko ‘to eh,” Denise stated with excitement.“For me?” I asked her in bewilderment, as I even held my chest. This would be the first time we’ve met—with her being Cristoff’s sister and I didn’t expect that she already prepared something for me.“Uhm… for both of you, actually! Kay Kuya ko na lang dapat ‘to ibibigay eh. It’s just a great timing that you’re also here.” Denise opened her bag to put her tablet inside and after that, she brought out two things that I never expected as gifts. Then, she wore the transparent band on my wrist.“It wasn’t just a normal wristband, Ate. To tell you the truth, it was a tracker. But please, don’t think anything strange. Baka isipin mo na weird ako eh.” Denise was kind of d
Athena’s P.O.V.// Cristoff,I’m so sorry. After everything that happened, I suddenly realized that we are not really meant to be! Mali ‘yong pagsama ko sa’yo. Actually, mali ‘yong hinayaan kong mapalapit na naman ‘yong loob ko sa’yo!Akala ko kasi, magiging lubusan na akong masaya kapag nagkasama ulit tayo. But I was wrong. Being with you always causes chaos, and my love for you will not take forever.Inakala kong gano’n lang kadali ang lahat para madugtungang muli ‘yong nakaraan natin, pero mali. My relationship with Dad was on the verge of breaking down at the expense of everything. I can’t lose my life here. //Napalunok ako habang iniisa-isa ang bawat katagang binabasa ko sa sulat. Every part of me was dreading in regrets as I felt my face blanch in a frown. With enraged nerves protruding in my hands, I wanted to crumple this paper but it would not change the past.Sanay na ako na gano’n ang relasyon namin ni Dad, so ano pa bang mawawala? I could even give up my life in Europe in
David’s P.O.V.Ate Diane suddenly appeared in front of me after Roger and Denise left the EGC’s parking lot. She demanded me na may kailangan daw kaming pag-usapan. Denise was our topic at first, until she opened up about Athena.Disheartened, I narrowed my eyes upon hearing what Ate Diane had mentioned. Hindi ko nagugustuhan ang nagiging takbo ng usapan namin dito. Just seeing her reaction that she didn’t like Athena for me—made me hate my own sister.Ayokong suwayin siya, pero hindi niya ako kailanman madidiktahan sa kung ano ang kailangan kong gawin at lalo na sa kung sino ang dapat kong mahalin. Susundin ko kung ano ang sinisigaw ng puso ko ngayon, at hindi na niya mababago pa ang nilalaman ng aking isip.Clenching my jaws, I had been miserable for three years. Athena would always be the only person who could make me happy. I knew that Ate Diane would eventually understand me, kailangan lang siyang maliwanagan kung saan ako nanggagaling.If I had to tell her everything that I knew
David’s P.O.V.“Do you hear me, Ate? Angelo wasn’t Athena’s son. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw niyang sabihin sa’kin ‘yon, but that’s the truth. Athena might have had a valid reason but whatever it was, I truly respect her decision!” I paused for a while after telling my sister a revelation.“Actually, kahit totoo pa niyang anak si Angelo sa iba, tanggap ko pa rin siya. Look, Ate. She took care and raised the kid like her own and that was the most selfless thing that shows how Athena could unconditionally love someone.” In order to change my sister’s mind, I would never give up on defending Athena.“Athena was a great mother-figure to Angelo for three years. She sacrificed her time just for the kid to have a whole family. Tell me, is she still not worthy enough for me? Marami akong naging babae, Ate… alam mo ‘yan! Pero si Athena? She waited for me. She had all the time in the world para lang palitan ako, but she never did it,” I insisted.“We broke up twice, but she never looked at an
Athena’s P.O.V.“Please, Cristoff. Tap your wristband!” I was impatiently tapping my wristband, but I couldn’t do anything to know his exact location… unless he would be the one to tap his.Pakiramdam ko, nauubusan ako ng oras at sa sobra kong pagkalito kung bakit kailangang mangyari ang lahat nang ito ngayon ay wala akong ibang maisip na paraan para makita siya agad. I was about to call Kuya Liam, when I suddenly remembered Denise…“Wow, how cute!” I snapped.The mini robot’s height was only about twelve-inch long. “This one is also for you. But you only have to turn it on once, Ate Athena. Sa oras lang na ikaw naman ‘yong naghahanap kay Kuya at hindi mo siya makita.”“Hmm, what do you mean by that?” I was staring at the
Athena’s P.O.V. It was just a short drive as we only decided to dine in at the ground floor of the Lexington Hotel, located at the east part of Countryside, Alabana. Halos hindi na nga kami nakapag-usap sa loob ng sasakyan. And that was a good thing dahil hindi ko rin naman alam ang sasabihin ko sa kanya. Not until… “Grabe, Cristoff! Ang dami naman nang in-order mo. Pinapataba mo ba ako?” nakangiting sabi ko sa kanya while still exploring my sight sa iba’t ibang putahe na inilalagay ng waiter sa mesa. I guessed Cristoff ordered via call or online. From the looks of it, I could say that he even reserved the restaurant for the two of us tonight. Masasarap ang lahat nang in-order niya at paniguradong masisira ang diet ko. Like The Mediterranean, the Lexington Restaurant also offers European foods—probably, to get three Michelin stars and have a healthy competition with the former. What I was seeing right now were paella, pierogi, goulash, gyros, and cheese fondue. “Hmmm, sort of!” C
Athena’s P.O.V. Another day had passed at hindi ko pa rin maiwasan ang mag-overthink. For almost four months, hindi na ako nakakatulog nang maayos sa gabi. Hindi dahil sa masyado akong busy sa EGC at CD Squared, kung hindi dahil sa isang bagay na patuloy lang na gumugulo sa aking isip. Pakiramdam ko, kung makakatulog man ako ay paulit-ulit ko pa ring mapapanaginipan ang nangyari nang mga oras na ‘yon. At paulit-ulit din akong sasampalin ng katotohanang ayaw sa’kin ng nakatatandang kapatid ni Cristoff. As much as I didn’t want to bury myself with what I heard, insecurities were reigning over me. I wanted to win Ate Diane’s favor, but I didn’t know where I would start with… until the plans went into ashes. “I don’t like her for you, Dave. Bakit ba paulit-ulit ka na lang na nahuhumaling sa babaeng ‘yan? High school pa lang, sinaktan ka na niya. No’ng college ka naman, halos
Athena’s P.O.V. It had already been almost four months since my accidental eavesdropping happened, and until now, I still didn’t know how to treat Cristoff right. I was guilty as hell, knowing that I was slowly walking away from him while weaving different sets of alibis. What I said when we were on the fire exit was true—Nadine and I really stayed at our mansion in Quezon City to talk about the reason behind that old letter. She explained to me her reasons and I was informed then, that she had also explained her side to Cristoff. I let that one pass. Siguro, kung ngayon niya ginawa sa’kin ‘yon ay hindi ko ‘yon mapapalagpas. Magagalit talaga ako kay Nadine dahil parang trinaydor niya ako sa kabila ng tiwalang ibinigay ko sa kanya. But then, hindi pa naman niya ako noon kilala at kailangan niya lang talaga ng pera. There was nothing weaker than a person’s mind, most especially in the face of money. Kapag gipit na gipit ka na, gagawin mo talaga ang lahat kahit na ang kumapit pa sa pa
Athena’s P.O.V.“Iniiwasan mo ba ako, Athena?” tila nagdududang tanong sa akin ni Cristoff—isang linggo pagkatapos ng insidenteng iyon.We just bumped into each other when we opened the same fire exit door at the twelfth floor. Paakyat siya at pababa naman ako. Naka-preventive maintenance kasi ang main elevator at malayo naman ‘yong secondary elevator sa office ko.It felt like my chest had swiftly congested by his question. Dahil hindi ko siya kayang tingnan nang diretso, I averted my stares away from Cristoff. Bababa na sana ako para pumunta sa tenth floor nang hawakan niya ang kaliwang braso ko.My mind was cloudy at first, but I chose to pretend like nothing had happened. Tutal, doon naman ako magaling—ang magkunwari.“Huh? Ano bang sinasabi mo diyan? I was just in a rush to see Evanna. At saka, bakit naman kita iiwasan?” pagmamaang-maangan kong tanong sa kanya pabalik. I was smiling at him, just for the two of us to feel that everything was still at ease.Pero sa totoo lang, naii
David’s P.O.V. [Back to the Present] Nagmamadali akong bumalik sa opisina ko, pero wala na akong inabutang Athena na naghihintay sa loob nito. Just when I thought that I would be able to surprise her, I was the one who got surprised at all. And what made me even more surprised was seeing her mini robot still on top of my coffee table. I even knocked on the door of my personal restroom dahil nagbaka-sakali akong nasa loob lang siya nito, pero ni anino niya ay hindi ko nakita nang buksan ko ang pinto nito. It had been a month and I wasn’t yet able to tell her what I had discovered. Actually, hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa kanya ang totoo. Alam kong mabibigla siya, kaya hanggang ngayon ay humahanap pa rin ako ng tamang tiyempo. Nagmamadali akong lumabas at napag-alaman kong naka-lock na ang glass door ng opisina niya, which possibly means na umuwi na siya. Kumatok pa ako roon nang ilang beses—making sure na baka nasa loob lang siya, pero wala talaga. These past few days ka
David’s P.O.V. “Take care of Athena, Dave. Angelo and I—we are leaving. We are going back to Germany,” Tyler hissed. “You don’t have to tell me what to do. I’ll always take care of her. But why are you leaving so soon? Is it because of Angelo’s mother?” walang paligoy-ligoy at diretso kong tanong. Hindi naman sumagot si Tyler. Nag-iwas lang ito ng tingin at saka sinuklay paitaas ang buhok. It was none of my business, but I wanted to make him realize some sense. I wasn’t expecting him to listen to me, but for Angelo’s sake… I was hoping. Then, I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t have any right to tell you this or instruct you on what you should do next, but just a piece of advice. Angelo deserves to meet his real mother. Huwag mo naman sanang ipagkait sa kanya kung ano ang totoo.” Tyler remained speechless for a while until he was able to say, “I had to resume work and take care of our business in Germany, Dave. Well, about Angelo’s real mother… she’s dead. That’s why Athena stood up for
David’s P.O.V.But whatever it was, I would not make a big deal out of it. Kung tutuusin ay pabor na pabor ‘yon sa’kin. I knew that Kuya Liam only did it for good. For all the things he did to me, alam kong hindi ako kailanman ipapahamak at pababayaan ng bayaw ko.Kuya Liam was the one who bailed me out of the jail and at that time, he even flew all the way to Europe. He gave me a lawyer who would take care of my case, without me worrying so much about my future. Of all the people, I would trust Kuya Liam even more.Kung ano man ang naging usapan nilang dalawa ni Don Miguel involving Athena and I, the deal was indeed at my advantage if part of the plan was for our paths to cross again in the corporate world. I wished it was, pero hindi ko pa rin napigilang mapalunok.If that was the case, what about the stage
David’s P.O.V. “About Angelo. Whose son is he?” I found myself asking him despite the fact that I didn’t want to begin any conversation with him. If I had a firearm here, I would have threatened him at gunpoint for him to divulge the truth to me. Mahina ang pagkakasabi ko dahil baka magising sila Athena, ngunit binigyang diin ko naman ang bawat salita—habang diretsong nakatingin sa mga mata ng taong naging bahagi ng masalimuot kong nakaraan. Nagtatagis ang aking mga bagang habang kaharap ang isa sa mga taong minsa’y pinagkaitan ako ng kaligayahan. “Enough with all the lies, please!” My voice was still controlled as I snapped at Tyler. Right now, the gushing blood through my whole system was already at boiling point and my nose was indeed flaring in anger. Matigas kong kinuyom ang mga kamao ko. Pinipigilan ko ang sarili ko ngayon dahil kaunti na lang talaga ay baka bigla ko nang mahawakan at maiangat ang kanyang kuwelyo. His son already spilled the beans, and I believed Angelo with