Astonishing Us

EPILOGUE

AETHER

"Engr. Takahashi-Montegara, you have a lunch schedule meeting with the Architectural department head, Architect Illazandria Vante, po, today."

"Madam Aether! May photoshoot daw ho kayo for Versace perfume mamaya sa Kamari Beach pinapaalala po ni Ma'am Princess, nagiging Sir Pedro na naman po kasi siya sa stress."

"Engr. Takahashi-Montegara? Ar. Lorenzo is asking about the structural blueprint. Have you done checking it? And have you signed it? It is needed today, Engr."

"Madam Aether! Meron pa pala sabi ni Mira po bukas may morning photoshoot sched ka po for MAC cosmetics, na sabi na daw po nya sayo last day 'yon?"

"Ma'am! Si sir Ridge po nagpapa-remind. 'Wag mo daw po kalimutang may pangako ka sa kaniya na afternoon date today daw po, kagabi pa daw po siya nag-o-overthink sa sasabihin n'yo sa kaniya."

"Mrs. Montegara, I would like to remind you about the blueprint of the private resorts that will be built in Perissa, have you signed and checked it? The Architect wants to know if you two need to meet this week."

"Ma'am! -"

Ang kanina ko pang pilit na ngiti ay nawala na ng isang boses na naman ang sumingit at pumasok sa loob ng opisina ko.

"Ano 'yon Fiy? May ire-remind ka din ba?" Stressed at lumo ko na agad na tanong kahit kakapasok ko pa lang ng opisina.

"Wala, Ma'am! Sasabihin ko lang po ang ganda niyo! Gusto nyo po kape?" Tanong niya sa akin na kinabalik ng ngiti sa mga labi ko.

This week has been very rough for me, my mood changes every minute and I feel like I have been throwing a bad attitude to my employees lately. Napa-iling ako ng lihim saka pinagsiklop ang mga palad ko sa ibabaw ng lamesang pang-opisina ko.

"Fiy, watermelon shake na lang. 'Wag ng malamig, maaga pa," pakisuyo ko saka bumaling sa mga empleyadong nakatayo sa aking harapan.

"tell Ar. Vante, meet me at the italian restaurant just outside the office for our meeting. Hira, pasabihan si Mama Princess na pupunta ako at cleared na ang sched ko for photoshoot mamaya. Vyga, tell Ar. Lorenzo that I have signed the blueprint and checked it too, I'll make it send to him within the day. Rysh, pasabi naman kay Mira, tomorrow makakapunta ako depende sa mood nung isa lalo na nararamdaman kong last day of work ko na today. Caika, give me the email address of the architect holding the project for the private resorts in Perissa. Miko, sabihan mo boss mo pagkinulit niya pa 'ko today magpapadala 'ko ng divorce paper sa opisina niya."

Nagkaniya-kaniyang tango ang mga empleyado ko bago nagsilabasan ng opisina ko. My intertwined hands unclasped as I brush my long black hair with my bare fingers.

It's been almost six years, yet everything is still fresh as it runs inside my mind.

For six years, I didn't leave the Greece, I continued my college here and was able to graduate with awards, I graduated Magna Cum Laude in Bachelor of science civil engineering in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ridge wants me to continue my study despite being married with him in very young age, he wants me to at least experience the normal life someone in my age does, and I wanted it too, to make mom... and dad proud of me.

I took the course he wanted me to take as a sign of forgiveness. I realize how easier it is to forgive my own father than anyone else who did me dirty.

Six years. Six years and I still don't forgive, not anyone who got involved in what happened almost seven years ago. Snow, Rogue and Jaime. They all committed suicide six years ago inside their jails. Does it make me a bad person if I get mad because they chose to die more easily than pay for what they have done to me? I still want to see them suffering, see them rotting inside the jail for stealing my kid from me, mine and Ridge's kid.