David’s P.O.V.
I stopped reminiscing the conversation that happened between Nadine and I—which happened two days after I had the chance to talk to Ate Paula—when I saw how Athena reacted inside her car. Her windows were not tinted, so I could easily see how her face blushed.
She lowered her window shades and was about to confront me when I opened my mouth. “Hey, gorgeous! Need help?”
With my heart full of delight, I was now giving her my sweetest smile. I even used all my efforts to seductively wink at her. I just hoped that I could earn some ‘pogi points’ from her.
My plan worked well, and I guessed I should give Roger an additional bonus the next time he would do me again a triumphant favor. So far, my fifth-degree cousin had never failed me. He was always there to follow my instructions even though he was actually reporting to Kuya Liam.
David’s P.O.V.“Alam mo, Dave? Just make sure na ipapaayos mo ‘yong sasakyan ko as soon as possible, ha? Ipahatid mo agad sa ALeour mamaya—sa parking lot ng Spain building to be exact. Coding si Carah bukas kaya wala akong gagamitin kung hindi si Mariah lang,” pag-iiba ni Athena ng usapan.Unti-unti rin siyang lumayo sa akin habang tinatanggal ang kamay kong prenteng nakaakbay lang sa balikat niya. Nakaramdam ako ng panghihinayang, pero masaya pa rin ako dahil kasama ko siya.Still staring at her green eyes, I suddenly felt her uneasiness kaya gusto kong tumawa nang malakas. I found Athena so cute lalo na nang malaman kong may mga babaeng pangalan pa talaga ang mga sasakyan niya.“Problema ba ‘yon? I’ll give you a ride again tomorrow. I can be your driver whenever you want. So… forget about Carah or Mariah, Athena. Here’s y
Athena’s P.O.V. Contemplating about answering him with‘no,’I just didn’t know why I responded‘yes’ and that—I would be with him on the rest of his birthday. Siguro kasi, kahit ano pang dikta ng isip ko na huwag na akong magpakatanga… wala eh! Pilit pa ring naghuhumiyaw ang puso ko na mahal ko pa rin siya. At ayokong sayangin ang pagkakataong ito kung saan alam kong makakasama ko pa siya nang mas matagal. Sabi ko, pahihirapan ko muna siya. Pero, hindi ko pala kaya. Ang dami nang oras ang nasayang sa aming dalawa. Hindi naman siguro kalabisan kung ngayon ay pipiliin kong maging masaya sa piling niya… kahit saglit lang. Because of what had happened ten days ago here, I could have rejected him. I could have declined his offer. I could have reminded him of what he did to me way back then and where he should stand in my life.
Athena’s P.O.V.Napakatamis ng mga ngiting ibinibigay niya sa akin ngayon—nakakahawa. Kaya kahit hindi ko alam at kahit walang kasiguraduhan ang mga mangyayari sa gabing ito ay nginitian ko na lang din siya. I bet we could both make tonight extra special.Cristoff’s straight posture was something admirable. He looked like a Greek god and I could not help but gawk at his perfect jaws.Actually, nagsinungaling ako sa kanya kanina dahil napakagwapo niya ngayon, lalo na kapag sinusuklay ng mga daliri niya paitaas ang kanyang buhok. Mukhang pinaghandaan niya talaga ang gabing ito.He was wearing a blue suit and my anticipation of being with him made my excitement switch to be ‘on’ all throughout. Lalo naman niyang hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak sa kaliwang kamay ko when we reached the forty-first floor in an instant. When you were with someone you loved, napakab
Athena’s P.O.V.“You don’t know how much you’ve made me happy, Athena. Thank you for giving me the best birthday gift I could ever have,” Cristoff said.He kissed my left knuckles after that. It was full of love. I could feel na hindi lang ang kamay ko ang gusto niyang halikan. Another lovely song [*] played at the background at pakiramdam ko’y hulog na hulog na ako sa kanya.“But you should have told me beforehand na ganito pala ‘yong set-up para naman kahit papaano eh nakapag-dress ako. Look at me, napakasimple lang ng suot ko ngayon.” Naramdaman ko ang pag-iinit ng mga pisngi ko dahilan para tumingin ako sa malayo. But still, I managed to study his every movement through my peripheral vision.Narinig ko namang bahagya siyang tumawa. “If I told you about this, then it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore. I wouldn’t
Athena’s P.O.V.Nang makatayo na kami para sumayaw, biglang nag-flashback sa akin ang gabi ng aming J.S. prom. When I wrapped my arms around his neck and he placed his hands on my slender waist, I couldn’t help myself but become too emotional—most especially when another love song started playing at the background…~You can count on meI’m always right hereReady to save your dayI know I’m not a superheroBut I promise to be with youUntil the very end~I was looking at him and like me, he was also teary-eyed. “Are you also thinking about the scene from our J.S. prom, Athena?”~Call me whenever you need meI just want to show you the loveThat you deserve to have from the startI’m
Athena’s P.O.V.“Hey, it’s okay. I promise you, magkasama natin siyang haharapin bukas. Chief Rey assured me na hindi naman siya basta-bastang makakalaya, so there’s nothing to worry about. Sisiguraduhin kong mananagot siya sa batas. But for now, can we just enjoy the rest of the night, Athena? Please?” nakangiting tanong sa akin ni Cristoff, habang patuloy lang niyang pinipisil ang mga kamay ko.What he was currently doing somehow made me feel at ease sa kabila nang nalaman ko. My brain floated and my eyelids weighted heavier than the usual, as part of me hushed on pause. My thoughts were trying to catch up, but I was at the loss of words.Gayunpaman, nakangiti na lang akong tumango sa kanya. Although at the back of my head, I was still thinking of any valid reason kung bakit kinailangan pang sunugin o ipasunog ng taong ‘yon ang Project Charmed.
Athena’s P.O.V.It was before twelve midnight when we decided to call it a night. Cristoff asked me if I wanted to use the infinity pool for us to have a night swim together but this time, I rejected his offer with a promise that we could do it the next time.Marami pa namang oras kaming magsasama rito dahil hindi ko na itutuloy pa ang binabalak kong pagbalik sana sa Europe. With what happened to Charmed and with how our relationship was mending, we had to work closely together for better results.We were already in front of his unit on the eighth floor when I conditioned myself to go home. I found it hard to say goodbye because I didn’t want to, but I had to.“Cristoff, thanks for tonight. You still have to drive for me, right? I think, I better go—” I told him, but he cut my words when he suddenly wrapped me in a tight embrace.Hin
Athena’s P.O.V.“Just use my bedroom and if ever you’re in need of anything, I’m only at the guestroom. Just right beside this room. There’s an intercom connecting the two rooms—just press it, okay? I’ll come to you real quick.” Nakangiti niyang hinawi ang ilang buhok na tumakip sa mukha ko.At first, I doubted about why there would be an intercom between the two rooms. Ibig bang sabihin niyon, hindi talaga sila sa iisang kuwarto natulog ng kasama niyang babae rito noon? But in the end, ipinagsawalang-bahala ko na lang ‘yon.“Good night, Athena!” he said. I saw how Cristoff stared at my lips, but instead of kissing those, he kissed my forehead instead. The kiss made me feel his so much respect for me.Seconds later, he turned his back from me to march to his guestroom… but not that long, because I intentionally
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