Athena’s P.O.V. Bahala na. Hinanda ko na lang na patigasin ang sarili ko sa kung ano pa mang sasabihin niya. Tutal naman, magkalayo kaming dalawa. Hindi niya ako agad-agad na mapupuntahan. And just in case Daddy would go here, how about I asked Cristoff to elope together? May oras pa kaming dalawa para tuluyan nang lumayo. I knew how Cristoff managed to show his love and respect for me in any best way possible. He even accepted Angelo, not knowing that the adorable kid wasn’t really my son after all. This time, patutunayan ko na kaya ko rin siyang ipaglaban. Higit sa lahat, paninindigan ko ang sinabi ko kay Vanessa na hindi ko na siya kailanman pakakawalan. “Hey, relax! I didn’t say that it was wrong for you to be with him, Athena.” Daddy told me in contrast. In a matter of seconds, it changed the whole ambiance. 

Athena’s P.O.V. My lips parted to let out a banter but before I could even move, Cristoff hastily strode towards me and cupped my jaws. He crashed his lips against mine in just a second. It wasn’t just a simple kiss. It was gentle, yes… but at the same time, it felt like he was punishing me. Saglit akong natulala, pero agad din naman akong nakabawi. With Cristoff fully claiming my lips like he had never done before, I got stiffed like a statue. But unconsciously, I was thinking of a much better position. I was silently asking for more—silently wishing that there could be more. Would it be better to lie on the floor? I closed my eyes while relishing his scent, with an indefinite anticipation of how this night would end. With the way how he kissed me, it only showed that I was still the one Cristoff needed. He tried to replace me before, but he couldn’t.

Athena’s P.O.V. Unlike my previous routine, I woke up earlier than usual to prepare for work. I widely stretched my arms while contemplating that it was one of my most comfortable sleep ever. During the dawn, I was too sleepy to fully recognize it, but it felt like someone kissed me on my lips and it was none other than Cristoff. As expected, pagmulat ko ngayon ay wala na si Cristoff sa tabi ko… pero nakapagtatakang wala rin si Angelo. Siguro ay nakauwi na si Tyler kaninang madaling-araw at ginising ang bata. I was only curious kung saan siya pumunta kagabi, pero mamaya na lang siguro kaming dalawa mag-uusap. Bukod doon, may isang bagay rin akong gustong malaman mula sa kanya. It was the first time it happened. I couldn’t believe that Tyler buried himself at work until dawn, and it made me think na mukhang seryoso nga ang problema sa DLA. But then, I didn’t want my thoughts to be swayed by Tyler when I was too busy thinking about Cristoff. Ngayon lang naman ako magiging selfish e

Athena’s P.O.V.His lips were so kissable, naturally reddish, and it was as if drawing me much closer to him. Cristoff was not a smoker and it was a damn good thing.Biglang nag-iba ‘yong pakiramdam ko at bigla na lang bumilis ‘yong tibok ng puso ko. Saglit na napaawang ang mga labi ko at sunod-sunod na ang naging paglunok ko.Nararamdaman ko na rin ngayon ang pag-iinit ng mga pisngi ko at ang pagdaloy ng hindi maipaliwanag na kuryente sa buong katawan ko. Hindi talaga nagbago ang kung ano mang nararamdaman ko para kay Cristoff. Mula noon hanggang ngayon, gano’n pa rin—walang nagbago.Hindi nabawasan ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya kahit na pinahirapan pa niya ako sa simula. Lalo lang iyong nadagdagan. Alam kong lahat ng sobra ay masama pero parang tubig sa baso ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya—umaapaw pa nga. Wala akong ibang taong nanaising makasama sa hinaharap—siya lang.Kung hindi ko lang naririnig ang iba’t ibang ingay rito gawa ng construction works ay sigurado akong maririnig ko pa lalo

Athena’s P.O.V.Agad kaming umayos ni Cristoff habang si Evanna ay gulat na gulat pa ring nagpalipat-lipat ang mga makahulugang tingin sa aming dalawa. Si Carlene naman ay gano’n din ang ginawa, pero alam kong tahimik lang siyang nakikiramdam.Para akong naestatwa na hindi alam kung magmamaang-maangan na lang ba ako gayong mas malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw ang nakita nila. Mariin akong napakagat sa ibaba kong labi habang nag-iisip pa rin ng realistic na alibi kay Evanna.Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay pulang-pula ‘yong mukha ko sa tindi ng hiya. Si Cristoff naman ay neutral lang ang ekspresyon na parang walang nangyaring kilitian. Hinawakan niya lang ulit ‘yong kamay ko na sa kabila nang pilit kong paghila rito ay hindi pa rin niya binitiwan.“And what about those firm holding hands?” pahabol na tanong ni Evanna, na hanggang ngayon ay nanlalaki pa rin ang mga mata.“We… we are not holding hands. Cristoff was just holding me,” I told her.“Woah, what an endearment! Kailan mo pa tinawag na Cristo