Apollo's Crib: A Sinister Fate

EP: 02

Twenty years later…

"CONGRATULATIONS! Mr. Cheng, on your successful grand opening. Apollo's crib is fantastic. I couldn't wait to move here, according to what I’ve heard you will also stablish a homeowner’s group here, is that right?" nakangiting bati ni Stephen Wang sa kausap.

“Yes, Mr. Wang… It is called, acolyte group.” Walang gatol niyang sagot.

“Acolyte? A follower, you mean?” gitlang sambit nito.

“Yes. Acolyte. Someone who will obey every rule that I set here in my place. Those who can’t follow my rules, can simply leave. Easy, right?” confident niyang sagot. He knows na hindi rin magba back-out ang mga ito dahil isang blessings ang mapabilang sa mga tenant ng kanyang condo. He was a successful businessman with lots of connection, he has power within his hands and his mouth speaks a volume. Who could say NO to Apollo Cheng?

Grand opening na ng Apollo's crib condominium at nagsisi-unahan na ang mga kakilala niya sa business world sa pagrenta ng unit nito. Ibig sabihin ay hindi siya nagkamali sa desisyong ituloy ang pagpapatayo nito mula ng ikasal sila ni Sinica, twenty years ago. It took him two decades para matapos ang pinapangarap niyang building. And all of his hard work finally comes with a fruitful reward, at masaya siya sa kung ano man ang naabot niya sa kasalukuyan.

"Of course, this is my dream long time ago, I did my very best to make this event a successful one. Apollo's crib is going to be known not only here in Taiwan, but around the globe. A dream like this is worth fighting for, Mr. Wang." sagot niya.

"Your wife, Sinica and your kids must be really proud of you! What an achievement for a family man like you," sabat ni Veronica sa usapan nila ng kabiyak nito.

"They should, after all... This is for them when I grow old. They will inherit everything that I have right now." sagot niya habang nakatingin sa kanyang mga anak na abala sa pag-estima ng kanilang bisita. Si Sinica naman ay abala sa pakikipag-usap sa mga amiga nito at ibinibida ang mga mamahaling dress collection nito. His life is in absolute best and he couldn't ask for more. Iginala niya ang paningin mula sa mga bisita. He was looking for someone that he longed to see. He smiles from ear to ear when he saw the person that he is longing to hold. Lalapit na sana siya rito nang tawagin siya ni Sinica, may ipapakilala daw itong businessman na willing mag invest at rent sa business ng asawa. He silently followed his wife para matapos agad sila.

But to his dismay, ang dami nilang napag-usapan na hindi na siya makawala sa grupo ng asawa. He took a deep breath when he notices na wala na sa kinauupuan nito ang taong gustong-gusto niyang makasama sa tagumpay na iyon. Hindi bale, pupuntahan na lang niya ito once magkaroon siya ng bakanteng oras.

"Agatha, congratulations! My Mom told me that you guys will stay at the 100th floor of this building is it true?" ani Cyla Wang sa kaibigan.

"Your mom is definitely right, my Dad decided that we will stay there. That place is fantastic! You can see the whole Taipei in that area!" proud na sagot ni Agatha.

"Oh my god! I envied you a lot, girl! I wish my parents was rich as yours," ani Sydney.

"Don't worry guys, you're all welcome to visit us anytime. We could enjoy this place anytime we want. Do you guys forget? I am my Daddy's daughter." turan muli ni Agatha.

"I'm his daughter, too! You guys can come anytime most specially if my sister Agatha isn't at home. You guys forgot? My sister is a model and she's not at home all the time." sabad ni Audrey.

Napapailing na lang si Austin sa usapan ng mga kaibigan at kapatid. Hindi siya gaya ng mga ito na palakaibigan, sa katunayan mas gusto niya na lamang mapag-isa kesa makihalubilo sa maiingay na pa cool kid na nasa harapan niya.

He got bored kaya naman nagpasya siyang magpunta sa balkonahe para magpahangin. The party was held at their place and he felt suffocated, gusto na niya munang mapag-isa habang pinagmamasdan ang magandang tanawin mula sa taas nila. Naabutan niya pa ang ama na kausap ang kaibigan nito sa balkonahe. Kaagad ding nagpaalam ang dalawa para mapag-isa siya. His father knows how loner he was, and their presence is not needed there.

"Can I join you?" ani ng tinig mula sa likuran niya. Hindi na niya kailangan pang lumingon para makilala ito. Sa boses pa lang ay alam na niyang si Hera ang babaeng iyon.

"Do I have a choice?" aniya.

"That is the reason why you're still single until now, you're so cold and distant."

"Cut the crap, Hera. I don't need it." suplado niyang sagot. The hell with this lady na sabihan siyang cold.

"I'm single and I like you, Austin. Why can't you look at me just once? Is it really hard to notice me? We've been friends for so long, and yet, you act like we're strangers." frustrated na wika nito.

"I guess you're right, Hera..." sagot niya. "It's really hard to appreciate someone's beauty when you see it every day, you’ll get used to it and later on, you’ll get tired. Why don't you try living away from me?"

"You're hopeless, Austin... I regret talking to you right now."

"Thanks God, I hope you're not gonna do this again," sarkastiko niyang wika. 

Hera's eyes started to shed tears kaya iniba niya na lang ang tingin. He is cold and distant, but he doesn't want to see any tears from any woman near him. It makes him uncomfortable. Ang totoo ay hindi naman siya galit kay Hera, pero bata pa sila at ayaw niyang pumasok agad sa pakikipag relasyon. He is a fan of his Dad, kaya naman gusto niya itong gayahin balang araw. And he has no time for love, just yet.

Samantala nakaramdam naman ng pagod si Audrey kaya nagpasya siyang maupo sa bakanteng upuan na namataan niya. Kailangan niyang magpahinga muna saglit or else baka matumba na lang siya sa pagod.

"You're Audrey, right?" ani ng baritonong tinig sa likuran niya. When she turned around, she saw the most beautiful pair of eyes in front of her. Sa tingin niya ay nasa mid-thirties na ito, maputi at maganda ang hubog na katawan. Mabango rin ito at neat tingnan, hula niya ay isa rin ito sa mga titira sa condo dahil lahat ng tenant ay imbitado sa party.

"Yeah, and you are?"

"I'm Dylan..." sagot nito. "Dylan Zhang..." dagdag nito sabay hawak sa kamay niya at hinalikan ang likod nito. Bagay na ipinagtaka niya. Masyado atang presko ang lalaking ito at ang lakas ng loob halikan ang kamay niya.

"Who told you to kissed me?" pagtataray niya.

"Ooops! My bad!" 

"Gusto mo ipakaladkad kita sa security?! How dare you do that to me!" asik niya.

"Look lady, I didn't mean to harm you. I just can't help it. You're so beautiful and you took my heart the very first time I laid my eyes on you. As a matter of fact, I'm your fan."

"Fan? really? So, I assumed that you knew who I am. Then, why did you do that? I could sue you for s****l harrasment!"

"Please don't! I really didn't mean to harm or assault you. I just like you so much, as a matter of fact, I live in 88th floor," turan nito. 

"You're getting into my nerves, you pervert!"singhal niya sa lalaki sabay martsa papalayo rito. She has no plan on delaying her stay near that guy. He's a total creep! Ayaw lang niyang masira ang event ng ama kaya papalampasin na lang niya ang ginawa nito. 

"I don't give a damn if you lived here with us, if I were you, you'll stay far from me if you don't want troubles to knock at your door." bulong niya sa hangin. Nagsisisi siya na kinausap niya pa ito in the first place.