Athena’s P.O.V.
[December 2015]
“Dad, you’ve got to be kidding me! Why do I have to be sent here and work at EGC? I thought that I will be working in our own company? Honestly, I’m not even expecting it to be here!” I was talking to my dad over the phone, and I couldn’t help my nostrils to flare in anger.
“You told me that I would only stay here for a few days after I visit Helena and Mom’s graves. And after that, I would soon fly to Japan! What happened now?” pahabol ko sa kanya.
It was like… I was easily fooled and everything about our earlier discussion was just a prank!
Kahit kailan talaga ay ang labo niya! I was deceived that The Charmed Hotel was our own company’s project, and it would be constructed in Japan. Hindi naman pala!
My twenty-four-hour fligh
Athena’s P.O.V.What’s best for me? Do you even know what’s best for me? My mind was screaming like hell. Then, I felt a pang of indescribable pain in my chest.Yes, I turned to be one of the new and young competent architects of Europe like what you’ve always wanted me to be. You’ve showered me with material things. You gave me everything your power could give where sky was the limit. But have you ever thought if I was really happy?I have all the things in life every woman could ask for. But I still hate my life because despite my achievements, I am still living in remorse. I was shattered into pieces years ago and time will only tell when I will be able to fully recover… and it was all your fault!Desperate, I wanted to voice out those words. But would it change everything that happened befo
Athena’s P.O.V.A few days went by, and it was already the first Monday of January 2016. Now, I had to be at the Evangelista Group of Companies to talk to the renowned billionaire, Liam Arthur Evangelista—the CEO my father wanted me to meet here.Unlike my previous meetups with some other businessmen, I forgot to research about this Liam Arthur. Well, mukhang hindi naman ako ipapahamak ng tatay ko. The EGC was composed of three buildings with towering forty-to-sixty floor levels and owning a company like this could mean that the CEO was highly commendable.We were supposed to meet in the morning, but I had to personally fetch Nadine in the airport. She could ride a taxi, but it was my personal choice to fetch her.Nadine had to stay in Germany for two more weeks because of C. Dana Creative Designs or CD Squared—my own architectural firm in Europe. However, my father
Athena’s P.O.V.Liam Arthur Evangelista went out of what I thought was his ensuite restroom, then he went straight to me. I stood up, placing my shades on my head again to clearly see him.Doon lang ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong igala pa ang mga mata ko sa loob ng opisina niya because I was busy checking my CD Squared emails on my phone earlier. One customer who introduced herself as the Head of Staff to a Great German Aristocrat was asking me if I could do an immediate interior design of her boss’s daughter’s bedroom.I replied to just send me the details—specifically the size of the room as well as the daughter’s preferences—and I would do that as soon as possible. My heart was close to Germans than the rest of Europe, so I would be prioritizing the said customer.Going back to the office of the CEO, that was when I saw the two hanging picture fr
Athena’s P.O.V.I have to work with him. I know that I can work with him!Pero, bakit parang may mali? Did Kuya Liam discuss this to Daddy?Did my dad know anything about this—that I would be working with my ex-boyfriend here? Of all people, my father would be the first one to be against this.Knowing that Cristoff will be in the picture again, I could even imagine my father to put a long scowl on his face while refusing about this partnership. But now that Cristoff has finally established his own name, tututol pa rin kaya sa kanya si Daddy?Oh! Why would I even want to know? As if naman na magkakabalikan pa ulit kami ni Cristoff!“Okay—” Kuya Liam said, but I cut whatever the whole phrase would escape from his lips
Athena’s P.O.V.Mukhang hindi niya ako titigilan, pero wala naman akong balak sabihin sa kanya kung ano man ang totoo. What if the playboy Section Head would deny me that we’ve dated before? Baka kumalat pa sa buong kumpanya na nag-iilusyon lang ako! Baka masampal ko lang siya sa harap ng maraming tao.“Hmm, I don’t remember him. I didn’t even think if there was a chance that I ran into him at St. Augustine.” I lied to her while wearing my poker face. “You’ve mentioned earlier that Helena was kinder than me, so you must have known way back in our third-year na hindi ako namamansin.”Ngayon lang ulit kami nagkita ni Evanna. Paano ako makakasigurong tatahimik ang bibig niya? Isa pa, I didn’t usually disclose details with someone I wasn’t that totally close to… but I hoped that someday, we would be really close to each other.&n
Athena’s P.O.V.“Oops, I think I have to go. Thanks for this and especially, for the convo…” I told Evanna after finishing my coffee. “I liked your coffee, so you better share with me your secret in blending this.”“It’s still ten-thirty, and you’re leaving so soon? May meeting ka pa kay Sir Liam mamaya, ‘di ba? Sabay na tayong mag-lunch. I won’t share my secret if you wouldn’t accept my invitation over lunch,” Evanna offered, blackmailing me at the same time.“If you won’t like to share it, then I have no other choice but to steal it. Maybe some other time, Evanna. I promise to join you over lunch… but for now, I’ll go ahead.” I bade her goodbye as I earnestly kissed her on her right cheek, hoping that this would be the start of our friendship.“I’ll be sure to r
Athena’s P.O.V.“Kumusta na kayo ni Cristoff, Athena. Nagkita na ba ulit kayong dalawa?” tanong ni Ate Paula. Ngayong hindi na mapipigilan pa ang muli naming pagkikita ng lalaking naging lahat-lahat sa’kin noon, hindi na rin napigilan ni Ate Paula ang sariling bibig para tanungin ako.Nandito kami ngayon sa condo unit ko sa ALeour. Dad bought this as a twenty-third birthday present for me two months ago. Tanging helper lang ang nag-aasikaso rito noon until I came here last month. It was different from the other units—tipong pinasadya talaga.It has five bedrooms—a modern bachelorette’s pad kung maraming libangan ang titira. I mean, you could transform the other rooms depending on your needs or wants.Then, every single thing from the spacious living room, kitchen, and dining hall were all customized. I really loved the combination of red and
Athena’s P.O.V.“Naku! Kapag nakakita ako ng gwapo mamaya sa meeting room tapos single pa siya, aangkinin ko na lang. I mean—susunggaban ko talaga siya at hindi ko na pakakawalan pa. Ay, baka ma-late na pala kami. Bye na, Ate Paula! Oops… baka dumating pala ‘yong in-order ko sa Shappy, Ate. Ikaw nang bahala ha?” Nadine also kissed Ate Paula before we finally left.We went outside my unit with happiness still reflected on our faces. But I guessed that mine was fake. We were about to take the elevator to go straight to the parking lot, since I would be driving my Honda Mobilio, when a uniformed man with his security earpiece—I guessed that he was only in his mid-twenties—suddenly showed up and introduced himself as our chauffeur for today.“Architect Athena Delgado? I’m Roger Navallo. I am one of the official chauffeurs of EGC and here’s my
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