Celestine And Helios | A Novelette By Arki Aaron

Chapter 4

In the days that followed our visit to the hospital, I found myself drawn to Helios in ways I couldn't quite understand. Minsan mabait siya, minsan hindi.

Hindi ko matantya ang ugali niya, he is just too unpredictable. But despite that, I can't drny that his kindness, his strength, his unwavering support – they all spoke to something deep within me, something I hadn't realized was missing until now.

As we spent more time together, I found myself opening up to him in ways I never had with anyone else. We shared stories, dreams, and fears, forging a bond that felt stronger with each passing day.

And amidst the laughter and the quiet moments of reflection, I couldn't help but notice the way Helios looked at me – with a warmth and understanding that made my heart flutter in my chest.

But it wasn't just his words or his actions that drew me to him. It was something deeper, something intangible that seemed to connect us on a level I couldn't quite explain.

Until the day of my mom's operation came. Pumunta ako ng mansion para sumabay kay Helios papunta sa hospital, sabi niya ay sabay na raw ako sa kaniya para hindi na ako mamasahe. Pagdsting ko doon ay sinalubong ako ng mga maids and butlers.

“Magandang umaga po, Ms. Celestine,” pagbati  nila nang sabay-sabay saka yumuko.

“Magandang umaga rin po! Si Helios po?” tanong ko sa kanila, umalis na ang iba at ang natira na lang ay ang personal butler ni Helios.

“Nasa kwarto po si young maste.”

“Sige, puntahan ko na lang, salamat po!” Naglakad ako sa mamahalaing hagdanan nila na gawa sa marbles. Makinis at malinis ito na tila ba hindi nadadapuan ng alikabok. Nang makaratingf ako sa opisina ni Helios ay kumatok ako bago pagpasok. To my surprise, he’s not here. Marahil ay nasa banyo ‘yon, o kaya naman sa library. Hindi ko  na tinangka na ,mag-ikot pa sa kwarto nya, nanatili akong nakaupo sa gay na couch.

Few minutes of waiting, I saw something lit up on his table. Bahgya akong tumayo para silipin ito. I t was his phone, naka-off siguro ang ringer nito akaya hindi rinig kung may notifification. Hindi ko na sana papansin pero paulit-ulit itong lumiwanag. I stood up and went to the table. It is a message from the company, baka mahalaga ito.

Kukunin ko na sana ang phone nang mapansin ang isang brown na folder na katabi nito. Hindi ko alam kung anong sumagi sa isip ko at kinuha ito. When I opened the folder, my brows furrowed in confusion. Curiosity piqued, I reached for the folder and carefully opened it. Inside, my eyes widened at what I found—rows upon rows of documents, each bearing Helios's name. But it wasn't just the name that caught my attention; it was the dates. They ranged from the early 1900s to the present day, spanning decades upon decades.

My fingers trembled as I flipped through the pages, each one telling a story of its own. Birth certificates, passports, identification cards—all with Helios's name printed boldly at the top. Some documents were weathered with age, their edges frayed and yellowed with time, while others looked brand new, as if they had just been issued.

Teka, ano ba itong nakikita ko? Bakit ganito? Luma na ang iba rito pero parehas na pangalan ni Helios ang ginamit? Is he tampering documents? Miyembro ba siya ng mafia o sindikato? Hindi ko mapigilan ang mga tanong na iyon sa isip ko, gulong-gulo na ako.

It was a surreal sight, one that sent a shiver down my spine. Questions swirled in my mind, but one thought stood out above the rest—how was this possible? How could Helios have documents dating back over a century?

Before I could fully comprehend the implications, the sound of the office door opening snapped me back to reality. In walked Helios, his presence commanding the room. I quickly closed the folder, my heart racing with guilt.

"What are you doing here?" Helios's voice cut through the silence, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

I struggled to find an explanation, my mind racing for words. "I... I was just... I saw the folder and..."

But Helios didn't wait for me to finish. His expression darkened, and his tone turned cold. "You had no right to go through my things, Celestine," he said sharply, his voice laced with anger.

“Yes, we are getting married, but isn’t it in the contract to not invade the privacy of both parties?”

I felt a pang of guilt wash over me as I met his gaze. Hindi na ako nakapagsalita matapos n’on. I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but his blue eyes are glowing. It is like a blue flame that will anytime consume me and burn me to crisp.
I'm sorry, Helios, I just... I couldn't help myself," I admitted, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Well, next time, resist the temptation," Helios replied sternly. "Some things are not meant for prying eyes."

As he spoke, a sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach. What secrets was Helios hiding? And could I trust the man I was about to marry? The answers remained hidden, shrouded in the mystery of those uncanny documents.