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Vexed 79: Athena's Tragic Life
Huling Na-update:
2022-05-19 04:25:00David’s P.O.V.
Pareho na kaming nakaupo at nakuha na rin namin ang in-order naming mga kape at desserts nang magsimulang magkuwento si Ate Paula—bagay na hindi ko inaasahan na gagawin niya.
I didn’t know why, but an uneasy feeling started to occupy my heart. My instinct was telling me that I would soon know about Athena’s life—way more than I had already learned about.
“Athena and Helena are identical twins—bagay na alam kong matagal mo na rin namang alam. Limang taon pa lamang sila nang magsimula akong manilbihan sa pamilya nila—noong mga panahong buhay pa ang mama nila.”
Uminom muna siya ng kape bago niya itinuloy ang pagkukuwento sa akin. Ate Paula was not looking any younger. She was already having those fine lines on her forehead and some were underneath her eyes. Her hair began to develop gray strands too.
Kaugnay na kabanata
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 80: David's Realizations
David’s P.O.V.“Way back your high school days, Athena made a deal with her father at sa kagustuhan niyang mabuhay na ulit as Athena, she distracted you. She deserved living her own identity, and not her twin sister’s! She wasn’t longing for anything, only for her real name, Cristoff.”“Sabi niya sa akin—tinuturuan ka raw niyang tumugtog ng iba’t ibang musical instruments lalo na kapag may exams kayo. Naging makasarili siya, pero wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang samantalahin lang ang pagkakataon.”“Pero hindi niya inaasahang mahuhulog nang tuluyan ‘yong loob niya sa’yo, Cristoff—to the point na siya talaga ‘yong na-distract sa inyo, and having her real identity back is not important anymore. Despite being a rebellious daughter, she learned how to love because of you.”“Minahal ka niya&mda
Huling Na-update : 2022-05-20Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 81: Everything Was Odd
Athena’s P.O.V. “Are you sure you wouldn’t want me to come over, Athena? I worry so much about you,” Dad seriously spoke over the phone while I was using my Bluetooth earphones. I worry so much about you. Those were literally sacred words that all my life, I would have never expected to come from my own father! And the way how he delivered those, I could feel that it was full of concern. “No, Dad. I’m good and I can perfectly manage my job here. Besides, did you already forget that I even survived being in a comatose state way back my teenage years?” I told him after locking my car and securing my keys. Tyler had double checked that Mariah was working thoroughly fine this morning, so I had nothing to worry about. No one would attempt to sabotage me now. Hindi ko na iyon pahihintulutan. Try me and I would definitely kick his ass! As I was sauntering to get inside the main building, I was waiting for Dad to respond but all I could hear was a long pause from the other line that cont
Huling Na-update : 2022-05-21Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 82: Life Size Bouquet
Athena’s P.O.V.Sino ba naman ang hindi magugulat kapag nakita niyang ‘yong opisina niya ay nagmistula nang flower shop sa sobrang dami ng mga bulaklak?Halos wala na ngang paglagyan ‘yong ibang mga flowerpots at wala na rin akong madaanan. Maging ang tatlong visitor’s lounging sofas ay may nakapatong din na mga bulaklak. Hindi ko na pinagka-abalahan pang tingnan ang greeting cards sa sobrang dami nila.Maingat kong tinawid ang nagmistulang kakarampot na daan papunta sa mesa ko. Nilagay ko roon ang handbag na dala ko at binuksan ang laptop na nakapatong lang doon. At the quick scan of my documents and belongings, mukhang wala namang nawala sa mga ‘yon.“Nadz!” Agad akong lumabas at naguguluhang pinuntahan sa cubicle niya si Nadine. “Sino ang naglagay ng mga bulaklak sa loob ng office ko? Bakit ang dami?” kunot-noong tanon
Huling Na-update : 2022-05-24Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 83: He Is Still The One
Athena’s P.O.V.Sayang! Kung kailan naman handa na akong makita siya at damhin sa sarili ko na hindi na ako nasasaktan ay wala naman siya.But come to think of it, things would be much more comfortable this way. What I meant was—this scenario would be as easy as one-two-three. This would be much better for both of us… because I would just place the blueprint on top of his table without the need of seeing each other—as simple as that!Hindi naka-lock ‘yong pinto kung kaya’t walang sabi-sabing pumasok na ‘ko sa loob ng opisina niya. If he reported for work today, he might still be in the meeting with Kuya Liam or with the Project Engineers as of this moment, so hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa.“There, it’s done…” I silently remarked.Tahimik ko lang na inilagay sa ibabaw ng mesa niya ‘yong
Huling Na-update : 2022-05-25Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 84: I Wanted All Of Him
Athena’s P.O.V. Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal akong nagpumiglas sa kanya until I found myself slowly falling for his trap. I was feeling hot all over my body and my heart was racing so fast. I really wanted to fight this electrifying sensation, but all I found was myself na gumaganti na rin sa bawat halik niya.Damn it! When was the last time that we kissed like this?Yeah, right! It was three years ago when we were in Paris.I thought I had already forgotten all the things that happened between the two of us—might it be good or bad. I thought I could easily forget the forlorn past that we had.But I was wrong, totally wrong. Dahil ngayon, bumibigay na naman ako sa kanya habang nakakulong ako sa kanyang mga braso.With the heavy weight on my chest, I would like to think that I was over him. I loved t
Huling Na-update : 2022-05-27Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 85: You Stole My Heart
Athena’s P.O.V.“When will you be able to sue me in court for physical harassment?” David asked.What! Sineryoso niya talaga ‘yong sinabi kong ‘yon?Gusto kong matawa, pero literal na nakanganga lang talaga ako ngayon. Na-engkanto ba talaga siya at bakit gano’n na lang siya kung umakto?At ang bilis ding mag-shift ng mood niya ha? Hindi ko siya maintindihan. Parang kanina lang eh namumula pa siya, pero ngayon—seryosong seryoso na ‘yong mukha niya!Sasagot na sana ako dahil kung tutuusin nga ay sexual harassment pa ang ginawa niya sa’kin, pero bigla ulit siyang nagsalita. “O baka naman gusto mong ikaw ang idemanda ko?”David was too serious when he said that—like there was no room for a joke or a mock. What happened next was my eyes went wide open as I fr
Huling Na-update : 2022-05-28Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 86: With All His Sweat
Athena’s P.O.V. “Wait, what? You’re telling me that he asked you again for another chance and that, you didn’t accept him? Why, Athena? For Christ’s sake, pareho na kayong nasa wastong edad! At saka, hindi ba’t inamin na nga sa’yo ni Tyler na siya ‘yong nag-text ng lintik na breakup message na ‘yon? So, ano pang ikinakatakot mo ngayon? Na malaman na naman ni Tito Miguel ang relasyon niyo at paglayuin ulit kayo?” Kate was serious with her long dialogue over the phone. I told her about what had just happened after I came back to the office—minus the kiss. It was already lunch time here, and the time in Paris was five in the morning. “I never said that I rejected him. Hindi lang ako sumagot, okay? And it’s not that easy, Kate. You know that! Actually, kahit baliktarin ko man ang mundo, it will never be easy for both of us…” I pointed out. Oo. Sa kabila nang lahat, gustuhin ko mang kalimutan si David ay nando’n na naman ako sa puntong gusto kong subukan ulit. Pero, natatakot ako sa mga
Huling Na-update : 2022-05-30Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 87: His Devilish Smile
Athena’s P.O.V.I was about to leave my office after a very long day when Nadine told me na hindi raw siya makakasabay umuwi sa’kin dahil may pupuntahan pa siya. Baka nga raw hindi na rin siya makauwi sa penthouse mamaya at mag-emergency leave din siya bukas.What I couldn’t understand was the fact that there was something totally different sa mga ikinikilos niya ngayon. O baka naman may personal na problema lang siya? I wasn’t sure. Hindi naman kasi siya nagkukuwento.Although perplexed about her, I just let her do whatever she wanted—tutal naman ay plano na niya iyon. But I was still worrying about her, like for example: sinong kasama niya at saan naman siya matutulog? I just hoped that Chad would take care of her in that matter.Anyway, after David gave me a coffee this morning, hindi ko na siya nakita pa. It was a good thing na may sarili akong CR, a
Huling Na-update : 2022-06-01
Pinakabagong kabanata
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 138: Chaotic Abduction
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
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 137: One More Trouble
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
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 136: Endless Loose Ends
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
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 135: Sentencing Hearing
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
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 134: Hell, All Over Again
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
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 133: Her Whereabouts
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
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 132: It Has Been A While
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
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 131: Masking His Fear
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
Sabotaging My Walkout Queen Book 2 Vexed 130: The Confrontation
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
