WET THE SERIES 2: CAR (SPG)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:

•••

•••

I stood there silently, observing the whole scene unfold before me. I was at the edge of the track, my gaze fixed on Aphrodite as she made her mark, racing against Carlos. I couldn't help but smile to myself, knowing how much she had missed this moment, the rush of adrenaline, the wind in her hair.

Running had always been her passion, even when we were kids. But she had to stop because of... other reasons.

Her comeback today was proof of how much she missed it, how much she loved it. I knew that she had trained hard for this moment—every sprint, every lap, all the sweat and effort. I had always told her that talent alone wouldn't be enough, and it seemed that lesson had stuck.

"Come on, Aphrodite," I muttered under my breath, my eyes never leaving her.

The race was neck and neck, Carlos ahead for most of it. But then, in the final lap, I saw it. That spark in her eyes—the determination, the focus. She wasn’t just running, she was feeling the race, living it. She found the rhythm, and with each step, she closed the gap between her and Carlos. She passed him just before the finish line, her body a blur of motion, and the crowd erupted in cheers. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

But then, the boy—Carlos—walked up to her with a smile. His eyes were soft, but there was something in them that I didn’t quite trust. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I had a nagging feeling.

But then, my attention was now locked on the boy, that I saw from far away scene. He seemed almost too calm, watching Aphrodite and Carlos from afar, who had just win and lost a race, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa leeg niya.

"His pendant," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.

The De La Fuente family symbol...

It’s a symbol of the fallen De La Fuente family.

And that boy...

He’s Kenster Mark De La Fuente!!!

One of the survivors from the m******e years ago...

The name hit me like a ton of bricks. The De La Fuente family had been torn apart by a tragedy. And now, this boy—Kenster—was here, standing so close to Aphrodite.

"It’s him," I said softly. "I’m sure of it."

The realization sent a chill down my spine. This wasn’t just a coincidence. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place. But why was he here? And why was he looking at Aphrodite like that? Was it a connection to her past, or something more?

"I need to keep an eye on him," I said, my voice firm. "Aphrodite may not know it yet, but the past is catching up with her. And I have a feeling this boy’s part of it."

I sighed and looked back at Aphrodite, who was now surrounded by her classmates, celebrating her victory. She deserved it, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something far bigger than any sprint.

Bigla Kong naalala ang araw na sinabi ko ito sa kan'ya; "Talent alone isn't enough, Aphrodite. It's the hours you put in, the discipline you build, and the mindset you carry with you on every step of the journey that will determine how far you go."

Aphrodite had always loved running. From the moment she could walk, her parents often found her zipping around the house, her tiny feet a blur of motion. By the time she was in elementary school, her natural speed had become apparent.

Throughout middle school, Aphrodite trained hard. Every morning before school, she could be found at the back of their mansion, working on her starts, her form, and her speed.

She listened intently to my advice, soaking up every bit of knowledge she shared. "Remember, Aphrodite, winning a sprint is as much about mental strength as it is about physical prowess..."

But, she stopped. For the reason that she was scolded because she broke too many things in the mansion.

But this day came, her big comeback. It was the annual Physical Education Class Task, and she was set to do the 10 laps-sprint, together with this someone named Carlos Gadiane.

I smiled.

Pero nawala kaagad ang ngiti ko nang dumako ito sa direction ng bagong itinayong building dito sa Ayala National High School. Ang Senior High building na naging tambayan ko na ang rooftop.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang may makitang mga pigura na mga tao—mga familiar na pigura ng mga tao—na kapag magalit, ay parang hindi mga tao na...

Kaya mabilis ko kaagad tinungo ang parteng yun. Mabilis ang bawat pag-akyat ko, pero walang ingay.

Nang makarating ako ay boses NIYA kaagad ang narinig ko.

"What do you mean planned and arranged?"

Hermes...

Base sa tone ng pananalita niya, this topic got his attention.

"Soon, malalaman mo 'rin."

"Why not now?"

"I know you. And as always, I don't trust you."

"Hanggang ngayon ba naman?"

"Yes."

Mercury Hermes Montes, is someone I have known for several years, but over time, I have learned to be cautious around him.

While he is outwardly charming and sociable, I have noticed several instances where his actions do not align with his words.

He often makes promises that he fails to keep and has a tendency to share confidential information without regard for the consequences.

His reliability is questionable, and I have observed him manipulating situations to his advantage.

Therefore, I find it difficult to place my trust in him.

"I reciprocate that feelings."

"Question, before we leave, si Artemis lang ba talaga ang pakay mo dito?"

"Yes." he answered directly. Walang paligoy-ligoy.

"If she's really what you're after, this is all I can tell you. Do—"

"Don't ever cross her line." Nagpakita na ako at dahan-dahan na naglakad palapit sa gawi nila. "The mission is to find the other survivor of the De La Fuente Family, so when you see him and see his face, the mission is over. So why are you two still here?!" pigil na pigil ang pagtaas ng boses ko, dahil kapag sumigaw ako, baka may possibility na may makakita sa amin dito. Tsk.

"Woah, calm down Cousin of Artemis."

I glared at him. "No matter what you do, you still can't change the fact that the blood flowing through your veins is the blood of a Montello Montes!"

I looked at her with a blank expression on my face.

Kilala ko kaagad kung sino ang pinag-uusapan nila...

"I am aware of that." Nag katitigan kami. "But you can't change my mind Goddess of War. It's already made up."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

From 'Cousin of Artemis' to the 'Goddess Title', the Goddess of War... Isa lang ang pinapatunay nito,

He's in his serious mode...

Nasa serious mode na si Hermes.

"Don't you dare..." pagbabanta ko.

"Well, now I'm tempted!"

We both stared at each other badly.

"Your brother mentioned earlier about this someone that belongs to Artemis. Planned, arranged, fate, may alam ka'rin ba tungkol dito?"

Tinitigan niya ako ng Ilang segundo bago sinagot ang tanong nito. "I don't know this someone, pero alam ko na naka-planado na ang pagkikita nilang dalawa."

TO BE CONTINUED .....