David’s P.O.V. “Athena? Athena?” nag-aalalang bigkas ko sa pangalan niya, habang dahan-dahang tinatapik ang maganda niyang mukha kahit ito’y may ilang alikabok at dumi na. Ang mga mata ko naman ay naluluha na rin sa tindi ng aking kaba. I instantly checked her pulse and breathing, maayos naman. Pero kahit gano’n, I would not risk the safety of Athena. Kahit nasa alanganin kaming sitwasyon ay mabilis ko pa rin siyang binigyan ng *CPR. Ngunit, lalo lang akong nanghina nang hindi pa rin niya iminulat ang kanyang mga mata. May maliit siyang sugat sa ulo na tila naging dahilan nang pagkawala ng malay niya. Ilang patak din ng luha ang hindi ko namalayang pinakawalan na pala ng aking mga mata habang patuloy kong iniisip na—sa puwesto kung saan ko siya nakita ay sinikap niyang gumapang para lang makalabas.&

David’s P.O.V. I was still swinging on cloud nine when I realized that Athena was no longer in my bedroom. She grabbed the opportunity to get away from me, took the tray with her, and left me here all alone. Kung alam ko lang na gusto pala niya ng cheesy hotdog na hindi luto, sana ay pinakitaan ko na siya niyon kagabi pa. But still, I would always respect Athena and that was why I obeyed her last night when she signaled me to stop. Hindi naman ako nag-aksaya pa ng ano mang sandali ngayon at sinundan ko na siya agad sa kitchen. Doon ay nakita ko siyang naghuhugas na ng mga pinagkainan namin, with her hair already up in a ponytail. Athena was not even using any dishwashing gloves, yet I could sense that she was enjoying the chore. She was even singing with her voice so soft. ~I thought I would never fall in loveBut when I

David’s P.O.V. “Hindi totoong we suffered from bankruptcy, Dave. Everything about my curriculum vitae was fake! Kung tutuusin nga ay hindi ko na kinakailangan pang magtrabaho. We’re even richer than what you think we are. You know what? My father can actually buy the EGC. Well, even you!” Vanessa confessed before she continued. “Sinadya ko lang talagang maging secretary mo, para mapalapit ulit ako sa’yo. I even studied how to maneuver the Autodesk 3DS Max software para lang sa’yo. Ang galing ko, ‘di ba? Napaniwala kita. As a result, you’ve praised my capabilities and you even hired me in a snap. From then… I promised that I would make you fall in love with me again, no matter what!” “Pero itong atribidang ‘to—” dinuro niya si Athena at muntik pang dumaplis ang mahabang kuko niya sa pisngi nito pero mabilis kong sin

David’s P.O.V. “Cristoff, where are we?” Athena asked me as she scanned the surroundings, glancing at the outside landmarks intently. “Teka, ba’t dito tayo dumaan? Hindi ba tayo papasok sa EGC? Pero, saan naman tayo pupunta?” sunod-sunod at kunot-noong tanong niya sa‘kin, nang ma-realize niyang ibang ruta ang dinaanan ko at hindi ‘yon papunta sa kumpanyang pinapasukan namin. Nakaidlip siya saglit habang hawak ko lang ‘yong kamay niya, at ang kaliwang kamay ko naman ‘yong nagmamaneho. I just let her sleep and no longer opened a new conversation. I was guilty kasi ako ang numero-unong dahilan kung bakit nitong mga nakaraang buwan ay wala siyang maayos na tulog. Although I was only using my left hand while driving, my right hand still held her and never let her go. Nevertheless, I stayed alert and drove with too much care for h

David’s P.O.V.   Of course, Angelo would want to be with his real father, but still, I silently prayed that he would accept me to be with them kahit ilang oras lang. I bent my left knee on the ground para kahit papa’no ay pumantay ako sa height ng bata. Hinawakan ko ‘yong ulo niya at bahagya kong ginulo ang buhok niya.   “Yes, buddy. Is that okay with you? Can I be… your daddy?” I asked him, showing my eagerness and sincerity.   Silence followed afterwards as Angelo seemed to be thinking. Athena and I looked like we were dying of waiting. I was already expecting that Angelo would reject me as his father’s temporary replacement, when he answered something that suddenly made my heart melt in amazement.   “Sure, Tito Dave!” Angelo enthusiastically squealed that he even jumped, causing me to swing in relief.   Then, he continued. “I know how Mama loves you, and she w