Thieves Of Olympus

56

DESMOND

Tulad nang inaasahan ko madaming tao ang nandito. Media at press, artista, at mga mayayaman na gustong makita ang mga dinisenyong damit. The media flocked towards the limousine bago lumabas si Aphrodite. I almost went blind dahil sa mga flash ng camera. There were questions for her, some are for us.

"Are you interested in joining the modeling industry?"

"What can you say about the clothes?"

"Miss Blackburn what is your real relationship with the retired Colleen Blackburn?"

"Miss Enchanteé are you really retiring?"

Miss Enchanteé—Aphrodite's—bodyguards protect us from the pushy media. Sana ay walang mga kalaban dito dahil nasa hotel ang mga sandata namin. We can use a portal to escape but that will put us into more question kaya nakikisama na lang kami.

Hindi naman maipagkakailang mukhang modelo ang katabi ko. With her emotionless facade and chill aura she can walk the runway too. Siyempre kasama si Colette na mukhang sanay na sanay na sa mga ilaw ng camera.

Another red carpet with few photographers is laid to welcome us. We had our solo shots and photos with our partners. Gareth looks stiff while Colette is a natural. Ginawa din namin ni Clea ang turo ni Aphrodite.

Pose and smile.

Palais Royal. This is where the showroom is located. Limitado ang inimbitahan para hindi masyadong crowded. Lucky us we can meet the designer after. But first... Our object of interest.

"€350,000.00!"

"€500,000.00!"

"€795,00.00!"

"Sold to number 88!"

Outbidding is the game. The gamble for this kind of things are out of our terms. We're in a jungle where trees grow clothes and shoes. The king, who's the designer, preys on the rich.

Hindi kami interesado sa mga nauna pero ang kasama namin sa front row ay mayroon nang natipuhan. Aphrodite bought a leather jacket for Erina. Costing almost half a million euros.

"Can you give it to her when you get back?" pakiusap sa niya sa amin.

"Sure. We'll tell her it's your gift," Cole smiles.

Naging alerto kami noong sinabi ang susunod na gamit. We are certain that this is what we are looking for.

Hermes' items. It looks like it really is designed by the brand owner. Kita namin ang totoo nitong itsura.

"The bidding for the ear flap hat and ankle boots is now open," the host said.

"Who needs that when you have wings to cover your ears," biro ko.

Clea agrees with me, "That's so true."

"Who needs that fossil? Oh right it's you," Cole looks forward. Nagpatama siya kay Gareth na nakadikit ang mata sa kanya hindi sa gamit ng ama.

Bumalik kami sa katotohanan noong may magtaas ng numero, "€480,000."

Colette raises her number furiously, "€500,000!"

"€550,000!"

"€600,000!"

Silang dalawa na lang ang naglalaban ngayon. Somebody bids 645,000 pero pinatalsik ni Colette at ni number 94. They were on fire hanggang sa umabot na sobrang taas ang bidding nila.

"Who is she?!" naiinis na bulong ni Colette, "€800,000!"

"€850,000.00!" number 94 raises by 50,000 again.

We stared at Gareth's contemplating face. Napapangunahan siya ng nerbiyos. He sighs heavily... His stare becomes rigid and raises his number: 77, "€1,000,000!"

Everyone gasps including us. Hindi makapaniwala si Colette sa narinig. She blinks fast, mouth agape. Aphrodite smiles at them. She used Colette as a gun while a bullet is loaded in it. Which is Gareth. She only pulled the trigger for them.

"That fossil is worth the dig," her red lips curve into a smile. Satiated by what she sees, "Look at them sitting in pins and needles."

Naging tahimik ang lahat. Pilit na pinoproseso ang narinig.

Fucking 1 million euro for a hat and shoes?! Is that gold? The cost is ungodly and banged up. It is over the moon.

"Going once..."

The murmurs about adding more price did not resurface.

"Going twice..."

Some are hesitant about the item. Namimilog naman ang mata ng iba. I tightly grip the number board and stare at my companions.

"Sold to number 77!" the host said.

Gareth looks down when it sinks in at him. A million in euro for his father's item. He slumps on his chair and stares at nothing.

The shoes and hat were given to them in boxes. Dala na din ni Aphrodite ang damit para kay Erina. I thought only Gareth will pay for the items but Colette gave her share too. Mukha silang nalugi pagsakay namin sa limousine.

"I'll pay you. Don't worry," tahimik na sabi ni Gareth.

"It's okay. Hindi kita sinisingil kaya okay lang," bulalas ni Colette.

We heard a popping sound inside the vehicle. Five glasses of champagne were placed on the console table. Sabay na nilagok ng dalawa ang laman ng baso nila.

"Easy children. I don't want you to get drunk."

"Another one!" lahad nila ng baso.

Dahan-dahan ang pag-inom namin ng champagne habang sila ay nasa pangatlong baso na. They were silent all throughout the ride. Namumula na sila noong bumaba ng sasakyan. We brought the boxes and shopping bag inside our room. Dito din pala nakacheck in si Aphrodite only she has a deluxe room by herself.

"Tell me do you really hate each other?" seryosong tanong niya sa dalawa.

"No, I don't." Gareth hiccups and looks at Colette.

"I-I don't know..." Colette stammers.

Tahimik naman kami ni Clea habang pinapanood sila. She placed glasses of cold water in front of them. Umupo na siya noong makita ang itsura nila.

"I haven't seen her this drunk before," she comments beside me.

"Maybe they are still in shock... Hindi pa nagsisink in sa kanila ang nangyari," nag-aalalang kong sabi.

Aphrodite stares at them. Both drunk and confused. Nag-iiwasan sila ng tingin. Malayo ang distansya nila sa isa't-isa. She faces them like a discipline councilor.

"They are, emotionally and mentally."

Hindi ko na alam kung namumula sa kilig ang mga pisngi nila. O sadyang dala lang ng alak.

Para kaming nanonood ng palabas sa TV. A romantic comedy show where enemies turns to lovers... If they will acknowledge each other.

"Oh, well. Let them rest. I just confirmed what I knew," she smiles at us. Tumayo na siya at nagpaalam, "Good night. Have a safe flight!"

"Thank you Aph—Miss Enchanteé," Clea said shutting the door.