Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Athena’s P.O.V.

“Nothing. He just said that you should tour me around your house,” he replied. Cristoff was still devilishly smiling at me.

“Look, I don’t know what you did to make my dad treat you this way—there’s nothing special on you. But once he learns the fact that you are competing with me in terms of becoming the valedictorian, he will be mad at you. Prepare for his wrath, Cristoff!” I warned him as a satisfied smirk showed on my lips.

“I already told him,” he shot back as he winked at me.

“What—” I was shocked. Actually, I didn’t expect it. But I acted like I immediately recovered from it, “—ever! Aren’t you supposed to go home?” It was a good thing that I would not be with him for the rest of my life, or else I would die of high blood pressure.

“I told you, I will wait for your father before I leave. He allowed me to get in here. I guessed he’s the only one who can ask me to leave. So, can you tour me now, princess?” he teased me.

“Stop calling me princess. It’s disgusting!” I groaned.

“Okay, can you tour me now, Miss Walkout Queen?” he insisted.

“Stop calling me names, will you? Okay, fine! As if I have a choice, let’s go! Just don’t go beyond your limit, don’t get too close to me.” I finally gave up. We then sauntered out of the study room like no bickering ever happened between the two of us.

Checking the time, it was already three in the afternoon. More or less, Daddy would be home by dinner. I guessed I had to spend a little more time with this stupid weirdo!

“This is my room, but you are not allowed to go inside,” I said when we stopped in front of my room on the third-floor level just beside the study room. “It was a typical girl’s bedroom covered in red. I won’t go over the details, so I’ll leave you with your imagination instead. That door at the end belonged to my parents, and the locked blue door beside them belongs to A-Athena.” I pointed out the two doors across the hallway.

Well, adjacent to my parents’ bedroom was Helena’s. After the accident, at least, Daddy respected my decision not to transfer to her room. That would be more than enough for me to do. Aside from white, she also liked the color blue… and I hated blue!

It was a good thing that Cristoff did not ask any further questions regarding my twin. He was just nodding while I did the talking. We went down our mahogany staircase to reach the second floor, and from there, I showed him the Movie Room as well as my own Music Room.

“Athena loves watching movies while I loved music. It seems like I can’t live without it. I can play the violin, the piano, and the guitar. I loved to sing and dance, and those were my hidden talents. But I guessed that it was no longer hidden because you already saw me playing the guitar.” I arrogantly stated.

Helena was a certified moviegoer while I was the singer. Most of the time, I couldn’t get her when she cried so fast over some movie scenes that could not even touch my feelings. Maybe because I had a heart made of stone, I didn’t know.

When I started living under the pretense of being Helena, and if Dad was here, I had no right to stay in the Music Room, and that caused me a little bit of frustration. I could only hold my instruments whenever he was at work. He just wanted me to watch unlimited movies with him because that was what Helena loved to do.

“Wow, so you were undoubtedly talented when it comes to music!” Cristoff flattered me. “But I haven’t seen you dance yet!” he continued.

I just nodded. “Hmm… if that’s what you call it. Maybe, I was born with a guitar in my hand. Anyway, don’t you ever expect me to dance in front of you because that would never happen. That day won’t ever come!”

Remembering the days when my father had been so against my music hobby, I couldn’t help but feel disheartened. For him, music was just a noise. But Mommy defended me and brought me every musical instrument that would fully enhance my talent.

I was thankful that she brought me everything I needed—even the adult instruments—before she died when Helena and I were only six. My old instruments were still working and functioning like they were all brand-new up to this day because of my consistent care for them.

When we reached the ground floor, we went straight to the swimming pool. “Do you want to use the pool?” I asked him the moment we were already at the marble side of the pool.

“Can I?” he asked me. His eyes were somewhat sparkling as if this would be his first time to dive into the pool.

“It’s okay, as long as you will clean it yourself later. Look at your neck, eww! What’s that some black and disgusting dirt over there. I think you badly needed to take a bath, yuck!” I squealed while pointing at his neck. The truth was… there was nothing. I just wanted to annoy him to retaliate for his teasing. I almost burst into laughter when I saw his disbelieving reaction.

“Woah! Look who’s talking here? Between you and I, who has the flu and won’t be able to take even a quick shower? Is it me or you, Helena?” I was surprised when he stepped closer towards me and scowled at me, “That smell you have? Nothing could have been nastier! It stinks. That was too far from the normal smell of a girl.” Then, he laughed.

And because I got annoyed again at what he said, I suddenly pushed him into the swimming pool without even thinking. It was too late for me to panic.

Oh no! He might not have brought any replacement clothes with him! What will I do?

“He-Helena, h-help me… I d-don’t know how to s-swim!” Even though his body was starting to descend, he still tried his best to lift his head to scream and call for help.

Oh my God! my mind screamed.

My palms were on my mouth while my eyes were wide open—still shocked at what I was about to witness. Cristoff must not die here in our house, for Christ’s sake!

If I was exasperated at him a while ago, I was damn nervous now. It was as if my whole body was covered in a cloak of fear. My heart throbbed in dread and panic. After Helena’s death last year, this was the time I trembled inside and got scared again. Why didn’t he tell me that he doesn’t know how to swim in the first place?

What the heck! What will I do now?

There was no intercom, but Daddy was working on placing one here. The kitchen and the maid’s quarter were far from the swimming pool, so if I would still go there to ask for their help, Cristoff might have been already dead once we came back here.