Athena’s P.O.V.
I should be flattered by hearing those words from Daddy but I was clearly sure that those words were meant to be heard by the real Helena… because those words were only for her. I suddenly got teary-eyed at the thought.
And hell yeah, my father could really be a criminal in just a minute. He already did it—he was able to kill my identity for my twin sister to continue her legacy!
As if Cristoff would ask me out for a date? No way!
“Yes, Sir. W-We’re just classmates po and we have to work as leaders for this Annual Camp project. I hope that w-we can lead this activity successfully.” I didn’t know but it seemed like Cristoff’s voice suddenly trembled.
Oh, where did his overconfidence go?
“Okay, if you say so. I know that the two of you can do it, there’s no question that you two are both smart!” He then looked at his watch, “I better go. I think, I can leave my Helena to you. Don’t make her think too much as she’s still sick, okay? Nice meeting you, young man. I’ll see you later.” I saw how Dad patted his shoulder. It was as if he quickly got fond of Cristoff.
“Nice meeting you too, Sir, and thank you for trusting me. I promise not to break your trust,” magalang na sagot ni Cristoff.
“And from now on, feel free to call me Tito. Hindi ka na iba sa anak ko.” Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Daddy.
“Sige po, T-Tito… ingat po kayo.” At feel na feel naman niya yata ang pagtawag ng Tito kay Daddy?
Hindi na nagsalita pang muli si Daddy bagkus ay dumiretso na siya sa garahe at sumakay na sa kotse niya. I had waited for him to pass through the open gates first, before I called Cristoff in.
“Cristoff, tara sa Study Room!” Medyo nagulat pa siya nang bigla akong bumungad sa may pinto.
I was still feeling uneasy about what happened a while ago, but in order to freely work with him on our project proposal and make that a successful one, I needed to set aside all the awkwardness. I guessed, he would do his part as well.
We immediately talked about the project the moment we entered the Study Room. We had complete resources here: books, laptop, desktop computer, high-speed internet, printer and even telephone if we need to call the actual place—everything was in here so we wouldn’t have any problems with regards to our research.
I just don’t know when it comes to us!
But after I gave him my USB files and some print outs, he insisted that he would be the one to continue working on our plan, advising me that I should just take my rest. Maybe, he was just following my father’s orders. Sino ba naman kasing hindi matatakot kay Daddy? Eh kahit nga magpakitang tao pa ‘yon eh mukhang nakakatakot pa rin.
At dahil nga masama pa rin talaga ‘yong pakiramdam ko ay humiga muna ako sa couch na nasa loob ng Study Room at hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako.
It felt like someone was staring at my face that’s why I decided to open my eyes. But why disappointment reigned over me to see that Cristoff was still busy typing on the laptop?
I guessed, I only assumed that he was looking at me when he’s clearly not!
“I’m sorry, Cristoff. Nakatulog pala ako,” sabi ko.
“Okay lang, Helena. Kaunti na lang naman ‘to. Kumusta na ‘yong pakiramdam mo?” nakangiting sabi niya.
“Medyo masakit pa rin ‘yong ulo ko,” sagot ko pagkatapos ay tiningnan ko kung anong oras na. “Oops, it’s already lunch time. Wait lang ha,” bumangon ako at pumunta sa intercom. I pressed it and asked the maids to bring us some foods.
Agad naman silang pumunta sa Study Room at inihanda ang lunch naming dalawa ni Cristoff. Usually, kapag may sakit ako, wala talaga akong ganang kumain pero ngayon, I didn’t know why pero gutom na gutom ako. Inubos ko lahat ng pochero and I didn’t even spare the mangoes. Pagkatapos naming kumain ay iniligpit naman agad ‘yon ng mga katulong.
I frowned when Cristoff asked them to leave one glass of water as he gave me a paracetamol tablet. What the hell? Since Daddy was not here, I thought I was already safe from drinking my medicines! Pati ba naman ang pag-inom ko ng gamot ay ibinilin pa rin niya kay Cristoff?
“You should take your medicines at the right time so you can get well soon,” sabi niya sa’kin.
Gusto ko mang tanggihan ‘yon ay hindi ko alam kung bakit wala akong nagawa. Pikit-mata ko na lang na ininom ‘yong gamot. Damn! I’m going to puke! Para kasing gumuguhit pa ‘yong mapait na lasa ng gamot sa dila ko.
“Ibinilin sa akin ‘yan ng daddy mo, Helena. He told me that I should keep an eye on you—making sure that you drink your medicines on time. You’re just one lucky girl because he loves you so much. Hindi na nga sana siya papasok sa trabaho dahil wala raw magbabantay sa’yo but I assured him that I will look after you—that I would take good care of his princess.” He was all-out smiling at me but I just couldn’t help but become teary-eyed.
Princess, huh? If only you knew everything, Cristoff—that my father’s one and only princess was the real Helena Mari and not the girl in front of you… not me, not Athena Cari. I bitterly smiled.
I changed the topic para hindi ako tuluyang maiyak, “So close na agad kayo ni Daddy, huh? I doubt kung saan mo kinuha ‘yong lakas ng loob mo kanina habang kausap mo siya. You even called him Tito.” I smirked.
“I just answered his questions with honesty and he was the one who insisted me to call him Tito,” he smiled at me.
Hindi na lang ako umimik. What my father always demanded to people were honesty and respect. Madali rin siyang makakilatis ng tao based on their actions and that might be the number one reason why he let Cristoff inside our house. He might have thought that Cristoff was indeed a good guy.
But ironically speaking… yes, he demands honesty but he was the one living with lies. He was full of lies!
“Helena, tutal naman ay nakapasok na rin ako rito sa bahay niyo, feeling ko ay friends na rin tayo—” he said but I cut him off mid-sentence.
“Don’t get your hopes too high, Cristoff! Stop being delusional that we’re friends, okay?” I peeved while rolling my eyes. “We just have to work on this project as partners—nothing more and nothing less. You’re still my rival and I think, ‘frenemies’ would be the best word to describe our relationship status.” I then raised my left eyebrow.
“Partners? We’re leaders, Helena. Nahahalata tuloy kita… so you wanted me to become your partner, huh? Okay. I will grant your wish. Let’s just wait until our JS Prom and I will be your partner. I promise,” he mischievously winked at me.
Shit! Did I really say partners? I supposed to say leaders! Damn him! Nakaramdam tuloy ako nang pag-iinit sa pisngi ko at sigurado akong pulang-pula na naman ‘yong mukha ko ngayon!
“And one more thing, in case you haven’t noticed it yet, may improvement na tayong dalawa. Cristoff na ang palagi mong tawag sa akin eh, no more Rivera. Okay lang kahit ‘frenemies’ as you said… at least, may friends pa rin doon and we now have a relationship status,” he continued to mock me.
“Whatever!” I dismissed him. Babalik na sana ako sa couch upang muling mahiga, nang bigla siyang magsalita.
“By the way, Helena. Who is A-Athena?”