Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Athena’s P.O.V.

In my desire to get what was really mine, I made a deal with my devil father. Selfishly, I got blinded by what I could get and never thought of its consequences.

My mind was only focused on how to live as Athena again. Then, I thought that it would be easier to reach my goal if Cristoff would soon become my boyfriend.

That way, it would be much more manageable for me to distract him. I already plotted different scenes on my mind, and that includes being sweet towards him.

Mastering the art of roleplaying, I had to do evil things because my real name was at stake here. My legitimate identity was at risk. I only thought about myself without realizing that I could hurt Cristoff so much in the end.

Dad was correct. Cristoff likes me. Actually, it was an understatement because he loves me. I could always see the admiration in his eyes whenever he looked at me. Throughout, I was guilt-ridden because I had to hurt him.

But it wasn’t included in my plans to get lost during the Annual Camp, and out of all people, I wasn’t even expecting that Cristoff would save me. Things became worst because I knew that we became officially together not because of my devised tactic but because I had completely fallen for him—and I proved my real feelings for him when we kissed in the cabin.

Things were getting tied up when I knew for a fact that I already loved him, and I wasn’t only pretending. While our tongues were dancing against each other, I realized that I would never want to lose him.

Either I wanted to be where he was, or I craved for him being right beside me. No matter what, I would never want to be away from him. Never! I even battled with myself, knowing that I was being out-of-the-line, and started getting jealous of his crappy ex-girlfriend.

God knew how much I was hurt every time Cristoff would tell me that he loved me… using Helena’s name. I wondered how it would actually feel to hear him whispering my real name, and it was shredding me like hell.

If only I could tell Cristoff to call me Athena because that was my real name, I would have done it already… so that I could be fully happy every time I was with him. Even for once, even before destiny could tear us apart, I would be grateful to hear him say the words, “I love you, Athena.”

It was too late for me to realize that I was already shedding tears, and Mama Bear was already damped with these painful tears. I strongly wiped the subsequent hot liquid on my cheeks and cleaned Mama Bear—ready to be strong again.

Like many trials in your life, this one shall pass too… Athena! You can do this. You must survive this one—even though it will soon break your heart.

Like what I was asked to do, I distracted Cristoff so many times already. I taught him how to perfectly play the piano during our exam’s week, and as if it wasn’t still good enough, I even added sessions for playing the violin.

I would even cancel our initial agreement to meet in the library and ended up dragging him to learn music. He would oppose, reminding me to study first, but a quick peck on his lips would always change his decision.

When he wasn’t around his bag, I would steal his detailed notepads. I even took his review materials and secretly changed some of the formulas on his index cards. I did all of those stupid things in order for me to live again as Athena, but I guessed that fate had a different plan for us.

Cristoff was so engrossed about me that he never noticed any of those. It was how I knew that Dad was right all along!

After everything that I did, it was indeed me who got distracted. I forgot about the plan, or should I say, I didn’t care about that devious plan anymore. All I knew was that… I was always at my happiest whenever I was with Cristoff, and it doesn’t really matter if I would get my reward at the bottom of this.

It doesn’t really matter if I would be able to live as Athena again at the end of all these stupid shits! Athena or not, I would ask nothing but for Cristoff to be genuinely happy.

If not with my conversation with my father today, this would be the best birthday ever, and it was all because of my boyfriend. If only Cristoff could greet me using the words, “Happy birthday, Athena!” I would be heavenly drifting with the beautiful clouds, and everything would be perfect.

But I wasn’t in the right position to demand because if it wasn’t for Helena, I wouldn’t be able to transfer to Cristoff’s school and meet him. Maybe I had done something good in my past life—maybe I was able to save a great empire before—to have him by my side now, in contrast to how rebellious I was… before I met him.

I didn’t want to break up with him. I would never want to. I only thought of the possible break-up scenes with him, and I was already getting weak. It was ironic how love had transformed me, but Cristoff was my strength more than anything.

My bones were slowly turning into jelly, and I couldn’t seem to cope. And to add up that his flirtatious ex-girlfriend was still chasing after Cristoff? I couldn’t stand the fact that the two of them would get back together.

Lovestruck, I knew that we were only teenagers. We might get impulsive with some of our decisions, but I could really feel that what we have was true love for each other. That Cristoff’s love for me was real and authentic, and I had never experienced that kind of love from my own father.

Getting up from lying down on my princess-styled bed, I sighed and temporarily placed Mama Bear on top of my pillows. How I wished that fate had something in store for us that was yet to divulge. I looked again at those pictures of Cristoff and me—that were taken by whoever from the long list of Daddy’s informers.

In all fairness, I should praise this spy—whoever he or she was—for capturing all our sweet and candid moments together. It was beyond perfect, and it looked like he or she was a professional photographer! Like what Cristoff had taught me while we were at the school earlier—bokeh or those blurred-background effects—were also used in these photos.

And at least, we had pictures together that were not just selfies and solos. I was thinking that I should also thank my father for doing me this kind of favor. He gave these all to me when he had the time earlier to rip them up in front of me.

But hell, no way! He doesn’t deserve my thanks. I clenched my jaws while closing my right hand. My nails were even digging on my palm.

I was about to keep the photos in my bedside mobile drawer when suddenly, I heard the sound of my ringtone. I composed myself before getting my phone on top of the drawer. Based on the screen, it was none other than Cristoff, so I immediately answered his call.

“Hey, how are you? Already at home?” I smiled while reflecting a fake excitement on my voice because I was trying to hide my agony and glum emotions over the phone. I didn’t want Cristoff to know that I just came from crying and that, I was scolded by my father.

“Helena, I’m still here at school. Someone broke my motorcycle, and it was even smashed into pieces. I have already reported the incident to the main guards,” Cristoff greeted me, but I could hear his sighs from the other line. I could sense that he was kind of hesitating to inform me about the unfortunate event.

“Some policemen also arrived, and I was glad that Chief Inspector Cortez, a friend of my late father, was one of them. I just want to let you know what happened, but you don’t have to worry because I’m completely okay. Anyway, how’s your birthday dinner with your father? Did I disturb you? You should take a rest after that. I know that you’re tired of what we did earlier.”

I knew that Cristoff was smiling when he said that he was okay, but I firmly closed my eyes to what he had said. I couldn’t help myself but worry so much about him, and for that, I froze with profound fear.

Did it really happen today? Of all people, who would be able to do that? Did Drew take his revenge by destroying Cristoff’s motorbike when my boyfriend was not around?

Although Cristoff had stated that he was perfectly fine, I knew that he was bothered by what happened. They were not rich, so I definitely knew that it would never be easy to replace his motorcycle.

He said that it was a gift from his breadwinner sister. She was even studying and working at the same time to make ends meet. His mother was also suffering from a high-blood disease, so I couldn’t imagine how Cristoff was dreadfully feeling at this time.

“If you don’t obey me this time, I will destroy him—his family, his future, and everything that revolves around him! Everything, my dear daughter… and I won’t spare even one! You know me, Helena. I can do anything, and I don’t even have to repeat myself here for you to understand what I am talking about!”

Upset, I suddenly gasped after remembering my father’s dialogue during our supposed to be dinner together. My chest ached as if it was burning with guilt, but I didn’t let Cristoff know. I ended up clearing my throat.