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
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. 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 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.“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
Note: This is Book 2. Do not flip the pages of this book if you haven't read Book 1, which is Sabotaging My Walkout Queen. David’s P.O.V.[January 2016]“Congratulations again on your promotion, Dave! What can I say? It was well deserved! I lost count of how you’ve always exceeded my expectations. Again, you’ve made me proud! You’ve made us all proud.” Kuya Liam’s smile reached both of his ears, as he shook my hand, and gave me a manly hug.We were now outside his office and he congratulated me again. On the other hand, I was securing the envelope which contains the promotion document that was given earlier by the HR team. Today was the first Monday of the year at promotion na agad ang sumalubong sa akin.“Thanks, Sir Liam.” I smiled at him after he gently patted my back. Then, I con
David’s P.O.V.Just last year, I bought my own penthouse and an all-new silver Maserati Ghibli from my own savings. When Coach University unexpectedly cut our exchange program in Germany, hindi na natuloy ang one-month free European tour package namin.The Coach University paid us instead to compensate for the promise they initially made, and I must admit na mas pabor ‘yon sa’kin. The compensation accumulated to two million pesos, and the first thing I did was to save it. After all, sa pera lang naman umiikot ang mundo. I even learned how to trade stocks para lumago ito.They said that money could never buy happiness. It was true for the others, pero nabili nito ang mga pangangailangan ko at masaya na akong mabili ang mga iyon. Who was I to complain? I would rather cry in a brand-new sports car, than have nothing. Lo and behold, I would be twenty-four this year and I could say that I wa
David’s P.O.V.“Since you’re now the Section Head of the Survey and Field Engineering Department, you will have your own office at the twelfth floor of this building and I’m glad to inform you that it’s now ready. You can get the keys from Trixie.” Kuya Liam was referring to his secretary.“And by the way, I asked her to interview those who are applying to be your secretary, and she ended up with these three applicants,” Kuya Liam continued as he gave me the three long folders with the applicants’ information. “But of course, I will let you do the final interview.”“Thanks, sir. Well, I should thank Ate Trixie too.” I accepted the folders, but I didn’t yet open them. Ate Trixie wouldn’t let me down, so I trusted her. Knowing her, she would pick brainy, beautiful, and sexy ladies for me… and I couldn’t w