Genius in Distress

Chapter VIII: First Encounter

Atlantis jumped at the sound of a male voice calling her in her new name in that quiet room. The magazine she was reading slid to the floor and she fumbled for it, irrationally annoyed that she had to stop reading an article about AFP’s modernization program when she was only half way through it. She turned to face the intruder.

“Atlantis.” The intruder was as if caught off guard by her appearance.

Atlantis stiffened. It was almost a whisper but narinig pa rin niya. Her heart was racing. How did he know Atlantis? As far as she remembered, Atlantis Altamirano lived a life away from the spotlight and so Atlantis Melinkov, her Russian name, the genius. And her appearance now was different from the two. Atlantis Altamirano was sophisticated and elegant as what her mother wanted her to be when she visited the Philippines while Atlantis Melinkov was nerdy with big glasses and all the nerdy stuff. Aia on the other hand, looked normal, gone was her fiery red orange hair and green eyes, thanks to Doctor Sandra, who helped her with the makeover.

So it was quite impossible he’d recognize her.

“Who are you?” she asked him in an unreadable expression.

“Lt. Gabriel Castellejos, Miss Trinidad. The one assigned to protect you,” he said in a deep, masculine voice.

“Oh,” Lt Gabriel Castellejos was not Atlantis expected. She’d thought he might be  older, maybe a couple of years younger than the general, and was surprised when Lt. Castellejos turned out to be in his mid twenties, over six feet in height, with a military haircut, a handsome face and expressionless black eyes. Wait, was it gray?

“How should I address you?” Atlantis asked. “Lt. Castellejos or Sir Gabriel?”

“It’s Lt. Castellejos for you, Miss Trinidad,” he said in a serious tone.

Atlantis rolled her eyes. So military-like. What did she expect?

Atlantis was anxious. Not because of the man in front of her but about the whole thing. She had long prided herself on her independence. Now she not only needed help for protection, but she had to accept it from strangers who would be privy to her life and follow her around depriving her, her privacy. She was the girl who supposed to save the world, for crying out loud. Now, she was the one who needed saving.

Akis, her bodyguard, was a different story. Akis first became a friend before she found out he was her secret protector. When Atlantis learned he was secretly guarding him and was hired by her grandma to protect her, she was devastated and hurt; for keeping things from her. But then she realized he was just doing his job. Atlantis grew fond of Akis and treated him as her older brother.  Kaya naman komportable siya dito kahit binabantayan siya nito kahit saan sa lahat nang oras. And she was thankful hindi ito sumama sa kanila sa Pilipinas at bumalik sa Moscow. Marahil wala na rin ito ngayon.

Atlantis stood up and gestured Lt. Castellejos to sit on the couch in front of the general’s desk. “I’m Aia. A-i-A,” she spelled her name as she introduced herself. She might as well get used to it. Baka iyon pa ang maging dahilan para masira ang plano nila. They shook hands. Aia couldn’t believe it. This man, this dangerously handsome man, was going to be her bodyguard? She studied him closely. Yes, he was undeniably handsome. There was an air about him; a faint unconscious arrogance, a natural authority as he seated stiffly on the couch scrutinizing her. It was not in her nature to appreciate male beauty but Lt. Castellejos was an exception.

 “Lt. Castellejos,” she began as she sat down at the couch in front of him, feeling suddenly nervous. “I heard you mentioning the word “Atlantis” a while ago? Who is she?” Curiosity sounded in her voice to hide what she truly felt that moment.