Princess Athena (Completed)

Chapter Thirty Seven

"Welcome aboard Sir" the ship captain greeted Raffy as soon as he goes onboard their luxury ship.

"Thank you Captain" Raffy greeted back.

"I'm happy that Uncle Mario was able to convince you to take over at least there is someone in my age that I could talk to" Captain Alfonso.

"Grabe sa some in my age. Baka nakakalimutan mo Alfonso, 7 years and tanda mo sa akin, mas matanda ka pa nga kay Kuya Randel. Isusumbong kaya kita kay Daddy, sabihin ko mukhang hindi ka na happy sa trabaho mo dito sa barko" Raffy teases

"Wag naman, baka maniwala si Uncle Mario, matanggal ako sa trabaho. Pero seriously pinsan, natutuwa akong makasama kang magtrabaho. I thought it will be one of your kuyas who will take over, ang higpit ng mga yun, hindi ako makakapag-bulakbol" Captain Victor uttered

"At sino naman ang may sabi sa iyo na pwede kang magbulakbol kapag ako ang nandito?" Raffy asked

"Sus hindi mo naman ako matitiis, sayang na lang ang pinagsamahan nung mga bata pa tayo, wag mong sabihing tataluhin mo pa ako" Captain Alfonso replied

"I'm sorry my dear cousin but I am not allowing complacency under my management. I am expecting everyone to work hard not only play hard. I don't mixed pleasure with business" Raffy said

"Noted Sir, pero sa yo na galing ha, I can still play around" Captain Victor said

"Of course but not at work" Raffy replied

"It's a Deal. Sige na pahinga ka na, I guess you already know your way to your cabin, wala namang ibang pwedeng mag-occupy nun kundi ikaw. I'll just see you later, mayroon akong ipapakilala sa yong guest" Captain Victor said

"I said no playing while working" Raffy said

"I know and it is duly noted. In four hours tapos na ang shift ko, sabay na tayong mag dinner and let's have a little catch up" Captain Victor said

"Alright, I'll see you later" Raffy said and walks towards his cabin. As soon as he reaches his room he jumps onto his bed to take a much need nap. He was not able to sleep properly the previous night as his visit in the Reyes residence repeatedly comes into his mind

Raffy decides to visit the Reyes family before he went onboard. It was only his Tita Dei and Thirdy who are at home and Dei took the opportunity to talk to him about Athena.

"Thank you for not pushing through with the wedding Raphael. I really appreciate it. To be honest my hopes are too low then, I thought itutuloy nyo pa rin despite our opposition. How did Athena take it?" Dei said

"Nagalit po nung umpisa, the next day na po ako pinansin. She thought that I backed out because I had a change of heart" Raffy explained "It will not happen Tita Dei, I love her too much for me to have a change of heart" he added

"I know Raphael, I can see that" Dei replied smiling

"I'm sorry Tita Dei, until now I haven't convinced her to tell you about us. Hindi ko rin po maintindihan yung reason nya but I have to give in at baka pag-awayan pa po namin" Raffy said

"Well we call it Athena's pride" Dei said "Very much like her Dad. Kahit hirap na hirap na lalaban at lalaban pa rin. She know that we half-hearted about her studying in Germany but Richard and I prefer to give in so she herself would understand the consequences of her decisions. I did not say that her decision is wrong, it is just we are very worried about her living alone in a foreign country where she does not know anyone. I hate to say this Raphael but I want you to know that I don't like you living with her when you were in Germany"

"I did not cross the line Tita Dei" Raffy said

"And I thank you for that but still hindi pa rin magandang tingnan para sa akin. I hope you understand, babae ang sa amin, worst comes to worst, si Athena ang maaagrabyado. I was disappointed in you Raphael" Dei said

"I'm sorry for disappointing you Tita Dei" Raffy apologizes

"That was then Raphael, everything has happened too fast. I hope you learn something about rushing things out" Dei said

"Natakot lang po talaga ako. Athena is very fragile, in my mind I need to always give her assurance" Raffy confesses.

"Why don't you trust my daughter enough?" Dei asked

"I don't trust the people around her" Raffy said

"And that is a subtle way of saying, you don't trust her completely" Dei said. "Because if you do, you will not think of an assurance and let her take care of herself. Your love for each other should be enough. Athena may still be very young but her determination once she sets her mind on something is impressive. Mas flicker minded pa si Charmaine kesa kay Athena. The second princess does not need to be reminded regularly. I suggest you remember that Raphael" Dei said and Raffy nodded.

"Baka naman kasi, that's how you want her to treat you. For years that you and Charmaine are friends I could say that I know a little about you Raphael, parang anak na kita eh. Kaya alam ko na pareho kayo ng ugali ni Charmaine, both of you want's to assurance and wanted to be reminded how much your are loved" she continued. Raffy remained silent as he knows in his heart that what Dei was uttering is true.

"I never fell in love with anyone as much as I am in love with Athena" Raffy said

"Hay naku tama lang talaga na maghiwalay muna kayo, you might end-up asking space from each other" Dei said

"Tita magkalayo lang po kami, pero hindi po kami naghiwalay" Raffy corrected her

"I'm sorry and I stand corrected" Dei said smiling. "What I am trying to say is, both of you should have a breather. You should let each other breath, just trust your love to each other"

"I will keep that in mind Tita Dei, thank you po" Raffy said

"Just a piece of advice Raffy, do not dictate on how you will love each other. Hayaan mo si Athena na mahalin ka sa paraan na alam nya at gusto nya and dapat ganun din si Athena. Do not do things to her just because that is how you wanted to be treated. You may be disappointed if she would not able to reciprocate the way you want her to. It will not be a healthy relationship kung sasakalin nyo ang isa't-isa. Hindi kayo magiging lubos na masaya. If you are not comfortable with the way she'll show her love for you, open communication is a key, you both have to be open-minded everytime you communicate, believe me, walang hindi nadadaan sa maayos na usapan if you love each other." Dei uttered.

Raffy is in that deep thought about his visit when he felt his phone vibrating. He widely smiles upon seeing Athena's name flashes on his phone screen. He quickly slide the answer icon to accept the call

"Hello your majesty. I'm onboard now and I miss you terribly" Raffy said

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LDR officially started, let's wish for Raffy and Athena a healthy relationship despite being away from each other.

Thanks as always for the reads and votes 🤗😚🤗😚🤗😚