SECRET MOVE

Chapter Five

A/N:Unedited

Sharpay Laurent Lee

Athena cried and cried as she packed up her things. Besides the fact that all of our colleagues were angry with her, she no longer had a job or a school to go back to. I felt so sorry for her because of what happened. Kaya kahit gusto ko syang pagsabihan dahil sa ginawa nya kanina ay hindi ko muna tinuloy, baka mas lalo lang syang umiyak.

"Ihahatid na kita sa bahay nyo. Kung ayaw mo magpa-umaga pa dito." I offered.

"No, Sharpay. Don’t worry about me. I can manage myself," she said.

"But, it's late, Athena.  It might be dangerous walking alone outside, especially for a girl like you," I said.

"My house is far, Sharpay.  Really far.  I need to take a plane back to the province where I live.  You can't take me home," she said.

"Then how are you going to get home at this hour? There won't be any transportation to the airport," I explained.

Athena heaved a sigh. She didn't say anything more, but she was determined to leave and not stay at the facility until tomorrow.

"Okay, kung hindi ka talaga mapigilan. Can you just listen to me first?"

"What?"

"Just stay at my place tonight, even if it’s just for tonight. It's near here.  Because if you leave at this hour and something bad happens to you on the way… baka sisihin ko pa yung sarili ko dahil hindi kita napigilan."

"Wag na Sharpay, I don't want to cause any more trouble for the people around me. I'll be alright, Sharpay. Thanks for your offer," she said.

She grabbed her luggage, pulled it behind her, and walked out of the facility. I followed her, but Athena firmly stood by her decision. No matter how hard I tried to stop her, she wouldn't. I was worried about her.  If I could leave my job, I would.  But Jade made me responsible for all of Athena's unfinished work.

After I finished my work shift, I headed to the parking lot to get my car and go home to my condo. Just as I noticed a human-like image sitting in the corner of a parking space, I turned to look. Then I realized it was her. It was Athena.  I quickly went over to her and woke her up. She was asleep, hugging her bag.

"Hey, Athena… wake up," I said, shaking her gently.

"S-Sharpay..."

"Bakit dito ka natutulog? Tara sumama ka na saakin. Alam ko naman na wala kang mapupuntahan."

Napalabi sya na parang maiiyak. Ilang saglit lang ay tuluyan na syang napaiyak at napayakap sya saakin. I hugged her back and patted her on the back.  She’s so stubborn. If she hadn’t downloaded that Google thing, she wouldn’t be in this mess right now.