Athena: The Goddess of Violence

Chapter One: Concealed Charm

Athena's POV

"It's good to be home." I sarcastically told myself. After eight years, I came back. I came back kung saan nagsimula ang lahat, bumalik ako sa rason ng pagbabago ko ng pagkatao.

Eto na ako ngayon, in front of our mansion here in the Philippines. I didn't miss this place. Not at all. Indeed, maraming happy memories dito, marami nga pero sobrang tindi naman ng painful memories. And I know, wala ng makakapantay sa sakit na naramdaman ko noon. Akala ko noon, nung sandaling kinuha ako ng unknown man, I will also be killed. Mabuti nalang, my uncle was there to rescue me right after we got outside our house.

I don't remember much of the other details, pero isa lang ang alam ko. Hindi sila nahuli, nakatakas sila. Maganda narin siguro iyon, kasi ayoko lang silang makulong. Gusto ko yung mas masakit, yung mas magdurusa sila. Syempre, ang gusto ko ako ang magdudulot non.

Bakit parin ako titira sa mansion na ito? Simple, gusto kong tumatag ang loob ko. I avoid weaknesses. Kaya as much as possible, ginagawa ko ng immune ang sarili ko sa sakit ng kahapon.Gusto kong maging manhid na sa mga ala-ala ng kahapon at eto ang paraan ko to accomplish that. Ayokong maging vulnerable sa tuwing makikita ko ang pinangyarihan ng lahat. Yes, may mga renovations na nangyari, considering na after the incident ay halos masira na ang buong bahay. but still, nararamdaman ko parin yung vibe, parang fresh parin yung mga nangyari. I can still hear the screams and I can see red, blood. So sa entire stay ko rito, I wan't to become immune from those feelings.

 I was snapped awake from my trail of thoughts by a sudden voice.

"Young lady, please sign this." Agad bungad ng isang lalaki saakin the moment I stepped out of silver and white limousine. 

"Who are you?" Tanong ko. My voice, as always was cold. Hindi ako sociable, alam ko. Especially sa mga taong konektado sa business namin, oo, underage ako. Pinaubaya ko din naman kay uncle yung pagmamanage e, kailangan lang daw talaga ng pirma ko sa mga projects para maging authorized though sometimes, hindi na, para lang naman siya sa formality-- unless sobrang importante talaga nung poroject na iyon.

"Ah. Young lady, I am Raulel, I'll be assisting you here in the Philippines." Sagot niya then he bowed.

Napataas ang kilay ko, "I don't need you." Pagtataboy ko sakanya. I don't need assistance, alam ko namang concern lang si Uncle but honestly, hindi ko naman kailangan ng ganyan e. I can take care of myself, I've been doing it for the past nine years. Since hindi naman talaga tutok saakin ang Uncle ko, I learned how to handle myself on my own. That is why the last thing I need is a godd*mn assistance.

"I'm sorry young lady, utos po ito ng uncle niyo." He said, voice shaking afraid of my presence, maybe?

Sigh. Hindi ko lang talaga matiis si Uncle. Considering the fact na siya ang nagpalaki saakin, at hindi niya ako iniwang maging mag-isa, I owe him a lot. I'm not that ruthless lalo na sa mga taong malalapit saakin, which are probably just my Uncle and my bestfriend Cynthia Ramirez. After all that had happened, it's not really strange that I didn't have the will to make new friends. I don't trust people easily-- atleast I don't want to trust them.

"Fine. What do you need?" I asked with a frustrated sigh. What? I've been traveling for hours, on air and on road, I'm exhausted.

May inabot siyang nakafolder na files. I eyed them suspiciously. "Sign these documents, young lady." 

 "After signing these, will you bother me again?" I asked.

"N-no, young lady.." Nanginginig niyang sabi. I don't usually harm innocent people, but it is never my fault if they're still afraid of me if I did nothing wrong. I guess being intimidating is a natural thing for me.