"Ms.CEO, there's a call from Engr.Clavo from Philippines." I frowned before taking the phone from my secretary and then I immediately gestured her to go out. I sighed before putting the phone beside my ear. "CEO speaking."
"Good morning po ma'am. I would just like to inform you that the grand opening of the Hospital and Orphanage will be held on July 4th." He formally stated.
"Glad to hear that after almost a year the project is finally done. Now why did you call me, really?"
"You're required to attend the ceremony since it's your establishments. And the ribbon must be cut only you, Ms.Mirhone." I sighed for no apparent reason.
"We will see each other at the ceremony, Engr.Clavo. Thank you." I ended the call and annoyingly slid the phone on my table.
I frustratedly massage my head and closed my eyes. It's been how many years exactly the last time I stepped foot on that country? 10 years? Uh no, 11 years. Hindi na ako nakabalik doon pagkatapos kong mag-graduate sa High School since me and my family decided to settle here in Singapore for good. The moment I graduated in college the inherits that my Lolo's and Lola's gave to my parents was transferred to me. As in lahat. Now look at me, owning the most powerful and successful company in business industry.
Sa una nahirapan ako pero sa gabay ng mga magulang ko naging madali din saakin ang lahat. It was all fun not until they both died in a car accident. I've been lonely all my life and it felt so empty. Pagod akong napalingon sa pinto nang may kumatok dito, pumasok si Lucifer dala ang ipinabili kong pananghalian.
"What took you so long?"
"I'm sorry. There was an accident that causes heavy traffic." He said in manner. He placed the food on the center table at my mini living room. "Kumain kana habang mainit pa."
Tumayo ako mula sa swivel chair at pumunta sa may sala kung nasaan ang pagkain. Umupo ako sa sofa at nagsimulang kumain. I can't remember it clearly but Lucifer became my personal assistant and guard since then. Noon kasi wala akong pakialam sa mga taong nakapaligid saakin kaya siguro hindi ko siya napansin. But everything is different now, I needed to be senseful and sensitive since I can't trust anyone because everyone is a rival.
"Kumain kana din." Itinuro ko ang sofa na kaharap ko lang at agad naman siyang sumunod. "Babalik na ako sa Pilipinas." Literal siyang natigilan dahil sa sinabi ko at gulat na gulat siyang napatingin saakin. "What? Kumain kana." He fake a cough before getting his food.
"Why so sudden?" He asked. Minsan talaga parang hindi ako nito ginagalang bilang amo. Nakakainis.
"It's not sudden, Lucifer." I rolled my eyes. "The grand opening of the Hospital and Orphanage will be held on July 4th."
"That's next next week." Ako naman itong gulat na napatingin sa kaniya.
"Bakit? Anong petsa na ba ngayon?"
"June 20,2022."
"Really?! Time seems to be passing to fast. Damn. I'm getting old." Nagpatuloy na lang ulit ako sa pagkain. Luckily, I have him, a PA and guard that is like a brother to me. He might be cold and rascal sometimes but I know he cares about me too.
Pagkatapos naming kumain sinabihan ko ang sekretarya ko na ipaalam sa lahat na magkakaroon kami ng pagtitipon sa conference room mamayang ala una ng hapon. Syempre hindi ako pwedeng umalis na lang ng basta-basta.
"Are you sure about going back to the Philippines, Athena? I mean you could at least just someone to cut the goddamn ribbon." Lucy suggested which made me glared at him. How I wish I could cut his tongue sometimes. "Wag mo akong titigan ng ganyan."
"Tss. Eh kung yang dila mo ang putolin ko, huh?" Nginiwian ko siya at nagpatuloy na lang ako sa pagpipirma ng mga dokumento.
"Oohh. That's not nice, Athena. Marami pang makikinabang sa dilang 'to." Nanlalaking mga mata ko siyang tinignan at binato ng ballpen.
"You're gross!" I hissed in annoyance but he just chuckled.
"Tss. Virgin."
"Fu--" Napahinto ako sa pagbato sana kaniyang laptop nang biglang sumilip sa may pinto ang sekretarya ko. "What?"
"They are now complete at the meeting hall, Ms.CEO." She said.
I sighed. "I'll be there. You go first and I'll come along."
"Yes, Ms.CEO." She slightly bow her head before leaving us alone.
"Tss. Hindi kita isasama sa Pilipinas." Inis kong singhal sa kaniya na talagang ikinagulat niya.
I wore my coat first before going out my office. I confidently walked at this long hallway to go to the elevator and everyone who I passed by would bow their head in respect. Pero kapag nakalagpas na ako sa kanila halos mamatay na sila sa kilig dahil nakasunod sa likod ko si Lucifer.
We went inside the elevator and he pushed the 10th floor because there is where the meeting hall is. As the elevator opened he got out first and then I followed. He, then, opened the door for me and the moment I entered the hall everyone went on silence.
"Good afternoon everyone, I will not take this long so I want everyone of you to be informed that I'll be going back to the Philippines, I-" Natigilan ako nang bigla at sabay-sabay silang magingay dahil sa pagkabigla.
"Why so sudden?"
"Who will be in charge here when you left?"
"Aren't you going too fast here."
Malakas kong hinampas ang kamay ko sa table dahilan nang pagkatigil nila. I frustratedly sighed and massage my head. This is stressing me out.
"I will not going to stay there so I'll be coming back here. I just need to finished my responsibilities there and take a month or two months vacation." Pagpapaintindi ko sa kanila. Tss. "I'll be putting the President of board members in charge while I'm gone." I glanced at President Panton and he slightly bow his head to me and I did the same. Among of all the board members, he is the only one I trust.
"I won't disappoint you, Ms.CEO. Please enjoy your vacation at your birth place." Nakayuko nitong saad.
"I will. My secretary will help you with everything." I smiled at him before looking at everyone. Some of them are not happy with my decision and some of them are. "That is all for today. This meeting is through."
They all bowed to me as I stood up and leave the room. Lucifer opened the door for me as expected.
"I wanna go home now, Lucifer." I uttered when he was about to pushed the 45th floor. "I suddenly felt tired."
"Are you okay?" He asked in worried. "Have you forgotten to take your antidepressant pill again, Athena?"
"Tsk. I'm fine. Sa condo na lang ako iinom ng gamot."
Nang makarating ako sa condo agad din akong uminom ng gamot. Lucifer is still here tho, he's currently helping pack my things. Marami-rami rin akong kailangan dalahin.
"Don't you have a girlfriend, Lucy?" I asked as I watched him zipped the luggage.
"Women are complicated. You're giving me headache rent free so why would I gave myself another pain in the ass." He stated like he is determined about it.
I grimaced. "You talk too much." I stood up and got out my room, agad din naman siyang sumunod. "Umuwi ka na rin sa unit mo para makapag-impake, maaga ang byahe natin bukas."
"Okay. Call me when you need anything."
"Sure thing." Kinawayan ko pa siya nang nilingon niya ako bago siya tuloyang lumabas.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and I gently let it out along with slowly opening my eyes. I wore my sun glasses and looked around. We just landed here at the Philippines Airport with my private jet, everything seems so unfamiliar to my sight but the feeling of home is still there.
"Are you okay, Athena?" Nakangiti kong nilingon si Lucifer na kasalukoyang ilalagay ang mga bagahe namin sa kotse.
"I'm alright. It's just feel so nice to be back here." Tanghaling tapat na dito kaya sobrang tirik na ng araw. "Let's go, Lucifer."
Nauna akong pumasok sa kotse at agad naman siyang sumunod. We had to take the private way out to avoid medias that is now currently waiting outside the airport. As much as possible ayaw kong maipit sa mga medias. They are crazy.
"Haven't I told everyone not to announced my arrival here?" Kunot-noong tanong ko habang nakatanaw sa mga kumpolan ng Airport habang papalayo kami roon.
"Yes but I guess it still got leaked." He said while focusing on the road. I just sighed and watched the tall buildings outside.
While we were on the road I told him I was hungry so we stopped into a fine restaurant to eat lunch. Umalis din naman kami kaagad pagkatapos kumain kasi baka mahanap kami ng mga reporters.
I watched the dark and tall gates slowly opened, at nang nakabukas na ito ay muling nagmaneho si Lucider. My eyes widened when I saw big house at the end of this grand entrance road. He parked the car near the fountain and he went out first to opened a door for me.
I took off my glasses at namamanghang nilingon ang kapaligaran. Open green field and tall pine tress and a damn mansion. Everything just felt weird. I didn't know I had house like this here in the Philippines, samantalang doon sa Singapore naka condo lang ako.
"Pumasok kana muna para magpahinga." Nilingon ko si Lucifer na kasuloyang nakakunot ang noo. "Gusto mo bang maglibot-libot? Sasamahan kita."
"Hindi na." I shook my head. "Let's go inside." He nodded and lead the way.
He opened the front door for me and as I stepped my foot inside, the maids bowed their heads to welcome me with respect. Napangiti na lang ako at sinabihan silang ayus lang.
"Magandang hapon, ija." An old maid approached me with her lovely smile. "Ako si Manang Sally, and mayordoma ng bahay na ito."
"Magandang hapon din po, Manang Sally. Gusto ko na po sana makapagpahinga, can you please take me to my room?" Magalang kong usal.
"Oo naman. Halika't ihahatid kita sa iyong kwarto." Nauna siyang naglakad kaya naman ay sumunod lang ako sa kaniya.
At gaya nga ng usapan inihatid niya ako sa kwarto ko kasunod si Lucy na dala-dala ang mga gamit ko. Inutosan ko siyang ilagay sa may tabi ng closet ang mga bagahe at ako na lang ang maglalagay.
White and peache is the theme of my room. It has queen size bed in the middle, a sala set on the right part and the closet, vanity mirror and whole length mirror at the left part. Meroon ding master bath which is good. Everything is just so refreshing and soft in the eyes.
"I'll let you rest now, Athena."
"Teka." Tawag ko at agad din naman siyang natigilan at takang tumingin saakin. "Where are you going to stay?"
"Maghahanap ako ng malapit na hotel dito."
"You can stay in this place. It's a big damn house with a lot of rooms." I casually said. He looked at me like he already expected me to say that.
"Okay." And with that he went out my room.
I thought the grand opening of those establishments are just about cutting ribbons and smiling for the camera and people but I was damn wrong. A week before the grand opening they sent me a lot of documents paper about those. The Orphanage wasn't that much but hell the Hospital documentation spent me 2 freaking days on the library office. It was tiring and exhausting, but all those tiredness and exhaustion faded as I watched this ocean of people clapping, smiling, and thanking about my good conduct. It almost got me in tears knowing that I help a lot of people not just today but also in the future. Pakiramdam ko pwedeng-pwede ko nang lisanin ang mundong ito sa sobrang tuwa.
Nauna akong nagputol ng ribbon doon sa orphanage and sumunod naman yung hospital. And since we can't have a grand ceremony about it we decided to do it here in the arena. Akala ko yung mga construction worker at mga magtatrabaho lang sa mga establishmento ang dadalo sa okasyong ito, but I was wrong. A lot of people are here today, may mga nakilala rin akong mga CEO sa iba't-ibang kompanya dito sa Pilipinas. Nakakatuwang maging sila ay sobrang humanga sa ginawa ko. I suddenly thought about mom and dad, they must've been so proud to their daughter.
"Here's your water, Athena." Lucifer handed me a bottle of water and I gladly took it because my speech was too long and it's dehydrating. "By the way, I want you to meet someone."
"Sure." Nakangiti kong sabi sa kaniya. May nilingon siya at sinenyasan itong lumapit. I smiled when I saw a young handsome man on his not so formal attire.
"Pagpakilala ka." Utos ni Lucy at bahagya pa itong binatokan.
"A-Ah oo." He fake a coughed before facing me with a genuine smile. "Good afternoon, CEO McDebil, I'm Nicholas Peñero, owner of the most successful and famous real estate of the country." He formally offered his hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you, Mr.Falques." I said as took his hand. "I hope to work with you soon, Nicholas. Can I call you, Nicholas?"
"O-Of course!" Gulat pero natutuwa niyang sabi. I don't know pero magaan ang pakiramdam ko sa kaniya. He seems to be a good friend.
"Didn't know you're friendly, Lucifer." Nakangisi kong sabi kay Lucy.
"Hindi ko naman alam na dapat mong malaman." He said coldly na ikinatawa ko lang.
Napailing-iling na lang ako bago ko tinignan ang mga taong may kaniya-kaniyang mundo. After the ceremony, me and the other businesse men and women had a small party here at the hotel. Sa paglingon-lingon ko ay napako ang paningin ko sa isang lalake na nakasuot ng asul na formal attire, he's talking with other men while holding a glass of wine in his hand. He's tall with a clean manly haircut, he stood respectfully straight.
"Lucy?" Tawag ko nang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa lalakeng iyon ang paningin ko. "Who's that man?" I asked when I felt him standing beside me already. Hindi agad siya sumagot kaya naman ay nilingon ko siya, titig na titig rin siya roon sa lalake at kung hindi ko pa siya ulit tinawag ay hindi niya ako lilingon.
"What?" He asked which made me frowned.
"I was asking you who's that."
"I-I don't know." Iwas tingin niyang sabi. "I will approach him for you." Hindi ko na siya napigilan nang mabilis itong nilapitan at nilapitan yung lalake.
I watched Lucifer talked to that man. The man seems to be so humble but Lucy's expression is really confusing me. But my confusion faded when they both started walking towards me. My heart started to pound fast as my sight locked to that man. I felt weird, pakiramdam ko ay nangyare na 'to noon. I shook my head to erased that thought inside my head and prepared for his approach.
"Hi." He greeted with a starstrucking smile.
"H-Hi." I greeted back.
"I'm sorry if I haven't introduced myself yet, I was caught up with the others." Why is even apologizing? I remained silent and just waited for him to speak again. "I-I'm Vraxx Leenher and it's my pleasure to meet you CEO McDebil." He offered his hand and stared at it for a moment before holding it for a formal shake hands.
I felt something electric the moment my skin touched his hand. Hindi ko iyon pinatagal at agad kong binawi ang kamay ko. Bahagya pa siyang nagulat pero kalaunan ay muli niya akong ngitian.
"It's nice to meet you too, Mr.Leenher." I unconsciously said. "I-I'll get going now. Thank you." I gave him a small smile before turning my back and started walking away from them.
I went to the parking lot and got in to the car. I held my chest tightly because for some unknown reason it started to ache. Tears started building as I held my chest tighter. Nanginginig man ang mag kamay ay nakuha ko paring kunin ang gamot sa pouch ko at ininom iyon.
Akala ko ba okay na ako? Halos magdadalawang buwan na mula noong nangyare ito saakin. What the hell is happening now? What did triggered to this fucking unknown pain?
"Athena?!" Nag-aalalang tawag saakin ni Lucy nang buksan niya ang pinto ng kotse. "Anong nangyayare?" Umiiyak ko siyang tinignan.
"I-I don't know." I sobbed. "It hurts, Lucy. It hurts so damn much!" Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko para pigilan akong hampas-hampasin ang dibdib ko. And he, then, pulled me in his embraced.
"It's okay. It's okay, Athena. Shh."
Iyon ang huli kong narinig bago nanlabo ang paningin ko at nawalan ng malay.
Days, weeks, and almost a month had passed. My vacation here in Philippines is not what I am expecting it to be. At first it was okay, I had traveled different places in just a week but Mr.Leenher, that man started pestering me, my peaceful and empty life. We just met each other once and that was at the party and then now he kept on coming to me. He will go here in my house almost everyday bringing me flowers. At mas nakakainis ay parang okay lang yun kay Lucifer, he supposed to stopped that man from approaching me without my consent right? But hell no!
But I guess the problem is really me, I got annoyed by his appearance but I never pushed him away. Meroon sa kaniya na hindi ko maintindihan pero pinapakalma niya ang buong sistema ko. It feels like I've been wanting him for so long, I just don't understand. Sa likod ng paggiging maarte ko sa kaniya ay patago kong ngiti. Ang gaan-gaan ng pakiramdam ko sa kaniya. There is really something about him that makes me wanna gave up everything.
Alam kong masyadong mabilis ang lahat pero kapag kasama ko siya, kapag nandiyan siya ay parang ang bagal-bagal ng oras. His every efforts never disappoint to make me smile, I mean he'll literally do everything or anything just to make me smile. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na sa halos ilang taon na mag-isa ako sa buhay ay nagawa niyang bagohin sa loob lang ng halos isang linggo.
"We're here, babe." I escaped from my deep thoughts when I heard his soothing voice. Tinignan ko siya at ang labas ng bintana.
"Call me by my name, I'm not your girlfriend." I stated as I unbuckled my seatbelt. "Bakit tayo nandito?"
"Let's date." He said while grinning pero tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay. Bumaba siya ng sasakyan at umikot para buksan ang pintoan ko. Marahan niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko at tinulongang makababa ng kotse.
"Thanks." Binitawan ko ang kamay niya at tinignan ang paligid. We're currently beside a beach and it's sunset, a beautiful sunset. "Date sa gabi? Come on, Mr.Leenher, iba ata ang pakay mo saakin eh." Naubo siya sa gulat dahil sa sinabi ko kaya naman ay mahina akong natawa.
"H-Hindi ah, pero kung gusto mo pwe-" He stopped when I glared at him. "Hehe. I love you." Parang batang saad niya pero nginiwian ko lang siya.
"I'll be at the shore." Pagkatalikod ko sa kaniya ay agad na kumawala ang kanina ko pang pinipigilan na ngiti. Isn't he the sweetest? Now tell me how can I resist that adorable man. Seriously? At this age, how can he make my heart flutter easily.
Tumayo ako kung saan hindi maaabot ng alon ang mga paa ko. Deretso kong tinignan ang napakagandang paglubog ng araw. Nakapikit kong niyakap ang sarili ko nang biglang umihip ang malakas at malamig na hangin. Above all the oceans the I've been, this is the most comforting and peaceful one, the cold and salty breeze is like someone's hug. And the sound of waves are like telling me that someone has been waiting for me to visit this place. Nakakataba sa puso. Kung sino ka man, masaya akong makapunta dito. Thanks to him, I will be able to feel this kind of comfort.
"Athena?!" Nilingon ko si Vraxx nang bigla ako nitong tawagin. Maluha-luha akong napangiti nang makita ko itong nakangiting kumakaway at tinuturo pa ang trunk ng kotse na nakaayos.
I took a deep breath before walking back towards him. At dahil hindi naman kalayoan ang pwesto ng kotse sa may shore ay agad ko itong narating. Mas lumawak pa ang ngiti ko nang makitang sobrang ganda ng pagkakaayos ng trunk. May nakalatag na makapal na bedsheet na color peach, may mga teddy bears sa paligid at bulaklak, may mga pagkain, prutas at inomin, sa may pinto naman ng trunk ay may mga nakasabit na maliliit na bumbilya na nagsisilbing liwanag namin.
"Do you like it?" Nakangiting tanong niya saakin.
I chuckled. "Ang corny mo." Agad nawala ang ngiti niya sa sinabi ko kaya mahina na naman akong natawa. "I love it, Vraxx." Agad na lumiwanag ang mukha niya.
"You do?" Tumango ako ng nakangiti. "Mabuti naman, I really put all my efforts here."
"Just so you know, I appreciate all the efforts you've given me." I said as I took a barbeque and ate it in front of me. He looked at me endearingly. "What?" Natatawa kong tanong pero nakangiti lang siyang umiling. "You should eat too."
"Syempre naman. Nakakagutom kaya gumawa nito." Kumuha din siya ng barbeque at kinain yun. Pumasok siya sa trunk bago niya ako tinulongan makapasok rin.
Tahimik kaming kumain habang pinanood ang tuloyang paglubog ng araw. Umayos ako ng upo at tinignan siya ng seryuso. Bahagya naman siyang nagulat at napaayos din ng upo.
"Thank you for bringing me here." Sabi ko at nakangiting tinignan ang karagatan. "I think the other missing peace of my emptiness is the comfort of this place. 11 years ago my parents died and something inside me too died. Sa loob ng onseng na taon na iyon ay sobrang bigat ng dibdib ko. I had depression for unknown reason because I felt like I've been missing and forgetting something in my life."
"Athena." He utter in concerned kaya namay nakangiti ko siyang binalingan. "Hindi mo naman kailangan sabihin saakin lahat kung a-ayaw mo pa."
"And then you came. I don't know you that much but you're the one who really filled emptiness inside. The first time I saw you, I cried because my heart was aching." Kitang-kita ko kung paanong namuo ang mga luha sa kaniya mga mata. "Akala ko hindi na kita ulit makikita, so thank you, thank you for always coming back and giving colors in my life again. Sobrang bilis ng lahat pero kakaiba ka Vraxx, you have something that gives my heart to beat for a reason. I can't tell whether I like you or I love you but one thing I know for sure is that I can't let you go."
"Love," He smiled and gently held my hand and kissed the back of it. "Y-You don't need to let me go, kasi wala naman akong balak na bumitaw. I'm sorry, I'm sorry kung ngayon lang ako." And then he burst into tears which I totally didn't expected to come. Kahit ako ay napahagulhol na din sa di malamang dahilan. "Mahal na mahal kita, Athena. This time, I won't hesitate to sacrifice my all for you."
"Nakakainis ka, bakit ka ba umiiyak?" Umiiyak kong tanong.
"I'm sorry." Natatawa niyang usal bago niya pinunasan ang mga luha niya at tyaka ako deretsong tinignan. "Athena?"
"Hmm?" I smiled.
"Will you marry me?" My lips parted in shock. Hinintay ko pa siyang bawiin ang sinabi niya pero sobrang seryuso niya na. I couldn't move, I couldn't avoid my gazes on him, I don't even what to say or what to react.
"V-Vraxx, hindi mo pa nga ako ginigirlfriend tapos gusto mo na agad akong pakasalan?!" Hindi makapaniwalang singhal ko sakaniya.
"I-I dont wanna waist time, Athena. Please let's get married." Natatawa ako na nagugulat.
"Seryuso ka talaga, Vraxx? Hindi ba't masyadong mabilis ang lahat?"
"I don't fucking care." May kinuha siyang silver na singsing sa bulsa niya at dere-deretsong isinuot iyon sa daliri ko. Hindi ko na siya nagawang pigilan pa. At pagkatapos ay mahigpit niya akong niyakap. "Wala ka ng kawala saakin. Papakasalan kita, bukas o kaya sa makalawa. Basta papakasalan kita." Maluhaluha akong natawa kaya naman ay binitawan niya ako at masamang tinignan.
"Fine." I utter while refraining myself from smiling too much. "I'll marry you."
"I know you will."
"I will marry you not because your handsome, rich, and sweet, but because you have given me reasons not to gave up." He expression went soft when I gently caressed his cheek. "You're right, let's not waist time."
Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong nakahawak sa pisnge niya at pagkatapos ay hinigit niya ako palapit sa kaniya para siilin ng halik. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss more. And he, then, held my waist to pulled my body closer against his.
My mom once told me that never marry a man I just met but I don't remember her saying that couldn't marry someone who's like living in my heart for so damn long. In this world there is a lot of men but only one of them is the one who you can spend the rest of your life with.
We are all living in a dark shadow and it is up to us if we decided to force ourselves to go out or we wait for the right time. Maaaring hindi ko alam ang dahilan kung bakit sobrang bigat ng dibdib ko at pakiramdam ko ay may kulang sa buhay ko pero hindi iyon sapat na dahilan para sumuko. But sometimes when you're already at the verge of giving up, God will give you reasons or responsibilities that will help you get back up. Challenges, sorrows, and problems are never been easy but when you fought it, it is all worth it at the end.
And I, Athena Mirhone is now living under the punishment of the Almighty. I might not know the reasons but I know it's because I've done something that is connected to the underworld.
And this is how my vengeance from hell will finally end.