ATHENA (Book 2: Siegfried & Athena) (On-Going)

Chapter 13: Haunted by the Past

Author's Note: Let's continue. Not proofread.

Note: I hope you've read S&A-Chapter 9.

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Kakaalis lang ng Private Investigator na inutosan niya para mag background check sa mga del Mundo. He wanted to know everything about the family, that's the only way that he could protect best his family.

Hindi pa alam ni Maine, but he also hired security men na magbabantay sa bahay sa Laguna and sa Bulacan na din. Na explain na niya sa Daddy niya. Matagal ng wala ang grandparents niya. Riza and her husband and two kids were the ones na kasama ng Daddy niya sa bahay nila.

Sa Bulacan naman, his father in law already passed away ilang taon na ang nakalipas. Nanay, Ate Nikki and her entire family ay nasa bahay sa Bulacan nakatira. While Kuya Nico migrated in Canada with his own family. Coleen and her family is in Bulacan also, pero nasa kabilang bahay within the Mendoza compound, as well as Dean and his wife and daughter.

Call it gutfeel. Ayaw niyang may mangyaring masama sa pamilya niya. He was able to explain to Ate Nikki and Kuya John over the phone why he needed to send in security men sa bahay. One of these days kailangan niyang tiponin lahat ng tao doon and explain to them what's going on.

The PI saw a new link to this del Mundo family that is very familiar to him. Tama ang gutfeel niya, there's more to this than meets the eye. Kung bakit ngayon? Hindi niya alam. But he will do everything to protect his family.

Tumawag siya kanina kay Athena para macheck kung tapos na sila, hindi sumasagot ang dalaga niya, so, he decided to call his son instead at nasa Condo daw sila, mamaya nalang daw uuwi.

He need to talk to his family for this new progress. Ayaw niyang maglihim sa mga ito, especially to his wife. Paulit ulit niyang binabasa ang report na bigay sa kanya nang may kumatok sa pintuan ng study niya. He saw his wife entering the room. Napahigit siya ng hininga. His Maine is aging like fine wine—the best of its kind and he can't help but appreciate his wife's timeless beauty. He must be doing something great to be able to witness his wife's glow even after all these years. True enough, as promised, he will do everything to make her happy.

Umupo it sa harapan niya.

"What?"

"You're still beautiful you know, kahit may nakikita na akong puti sa buhok mo Maine...."

"At bolero ka parin no? Kahit may nakikita na din akong puti sa buhok mo. Pero, kidding aside love. Sino yong bisita? Care to tell me?"

Biglang sumeryoso ang mukha niya habang nakatitig pa rin sa mukha ng asawa niya. His wife noticed the folder he is holding.

"What's that?"

"That was the Private Investigator I hired to know more about the del Mundo."

"What is it that you found out?"

"Does Arty Chua ring a bell to you?"

"Arty Chua?"

He saw the confusion in his wife's face. Napakunot ang noo nito, pilit inaalala ang pangalang nabanggit and when he thinks his wife recognizes it. Napatingala ito at napatingin ng deretso sa mga mata niya. His wife has got to have the most beautiful eyes and he got the privilege to see it up close when it's clouded with tears and sadness, when it beams with pride and happiness, when it unleashes its fire when she's angry and his most favorite—when she's at the throes of passion everytime he make love to her. Right now he can see—anger and fear. Not a good combination though but understandable.

"Of course, how could I ever forget him..." she said in an ice cold tone.

He smiled at his wife hoping it could calm her.

"Is it a good memory?" He teases.

"Are you joking now? Kasi hindi nakakatawa." And just like that, he knew he needed to stop the teasing.

"I was just joking...come here, please..." He pleads.

He saw her stood up and walked towards him. He opened his arms as always to welcome her. His wife seats at his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and nuzzled in it. I hold and mold her in my arms a little tighter. Sometimes, all he need is a quiet moment like this with his wife and every anxiety that's creeping on him will vanish like how any medicines cures an aching body parts. But, more than the physical wounds and pains, his wife will always be his therapy and his easy silence. It never fails. He took a deeper sigh.

Maine's hands moved and her fingers draped at the envelope I was holding awhile ago. She started reading the report.

"What the fuck, RJ?"

"Exactly, what the fuck, wife?"

"Seryoso ba to?"

"You've read it..."

"How and Why? Please make me understand..."

"It seemed that the bastard was butthurt by your rejection, mukhang di pa naka move on, love...masyado naman kasing maganda yong asawa ko, but, sorry, not then, more so now..."

"But...that was a very long time ago. Wala ba siyang idea anong ginawa niya sa buhay ko, RJ?"

"Sa buhay natin, Maine. And yes, may mga tao talaga na sobra ang inggit. You know what Maine, I didn't pressed any charges back then, I never did anything kahit na gusto ko na siyang durogin, but, ayaw mo, and I respected that, and maybe I was too hurt and too lonely when you left na hindi ko na siya naisip noon, ang gusto ko lang makabalik ka sa akin—"

"Paano ang naging connection nila ng mga del Mundo? So, does this mean it's not coincidence na nakipagkilala si Reynald kay Athena?"

"Obviously, yes...it's part of their plan...at gusto kong pumatay ng tao Maine. Alam mo yong feeling na sana maging patas sila. Walang kinalaman ang anak ko, but, yeah...mas mainam nga naman na gantihan ang pinakamahalagang tao sa buhay natin, to the minds of these toxic criminals, the more someone suffers the better..."

"I don't care if they will kill me RJ, wag lang nilang galawin ang mga anak ko...."

His heart is aching seeing his wife's eyes marred with tears and fear.

"RJ, do something..."

"I will..."

"Ano bang plano nila? At kailan ba to nag umpisa?"

"Apparently, hindi man natin nasampahan ng kaso noon, but, marunong ang Diyos. Years after that, nalulong sa drugs si Arty, and too late na nalaman ng ama nito na they're in the verge of bankrupcy—all their businesses were totally collapsing at that time. His father tried to save it, but, hindi na naagapan. Itinakwil siya ng ama niya at doon nag umpisa ang samahan niya with the del Mundo patriach. Magkasama yan sila. Malaki ang utang na loob ni Arty sa del Mundo, dahil ito ang tumulong sa kanya. Nakapangasawa si Arty ng isang model, may dalawang anak na babae, but even the daughters, wala din sa maayos na lagay. His wife filed an annulment 5 years ago and was granted 2 years after. Arty now is with the del Mundo as to the drug activities. Sila yan magkasama at may isa pa. I am happy we've work hard kung ano man ang estado natin ngayon sa lipunan. We earned what we have by our own sweat and blood, love—pero alam mo ang kapalit? We are expose in the business world. Laman tayo ng business magazines, forums, conventions among others. Our success and our children's success is being admired at kaakibat doon ay may mga taong maiinggit at maiingit. The way I see it? Desperado na din tong Arty na to eh and what could be a better way to plot a revenge? Idaan sa anak kong babae. I swear to God, Maine, if something happen to my Athena—hindi ko sila mapapatawad that I might put matters into my own hands..."

"Love...I am scared not for us but for my Athena and Siegfried. Love, kahit ubosin natin ang yaman natin wala akong pakialam, just please promise me you'll protect our children. Hindi ko kakayanin, RJ."

"I've got you, Maine. I've got you and my children..."

Maine sobbed and hugged him tight. Pinipiga ang puso niya. If protecting his wife and children is the last thing he'll do in this lifetime—then by all means—he'll do it, kahit kapalit ang buhay niya.

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Author's Note: Itong si Arty parang basher nong dalawa, walang magawa sa buhay, sarap itapon sa umuusok na tubig! 🙄