2015 notes: Thank you very much for your support throughout this year. I finally made it.
2022 notes: I'm so proud of being part of a Cyquesquill community and being read by so many people.
The next day, Athena woke up early - as if she could even sleep, hah! Her eyes burned with determination and her widget assumed a bright red color while repeating encouraging words: DETERMINATION WILL POWER FIGHTING GO GIRL
She combed her hair while looking at herself in the mirror like a professional fighter waiting for his opponent.
YES!
- ALRIGHT!
LET'S DO IT!
- GO!
She yelled with Widget, leaving the room marching for victory, and grabbed a thermal bottle and an eco bag before going.
- GO, GIR!
- GO GIRL – her widget screamed eagerly.
She couldn't even eat or pay attention around her. People walking on the street looked at her with undeniable shock, possibly wanting to call the police or the sanatorium.
- My broken widget said something stupid, I am so sorry! My broken widget said something stupid, I am so sorry! My broken widget said something stupid, I am so sorry!
As much as she repeated her lines as a newbie actress, she was filled with both strength and shame. Athena knew that if she stopped talking for a second, then It would be over. She would never be able to do it again.
- SIMON BLACKQUILL, THRID FLOOR, 305! – her eyes were wide open while the secretary was dumbfounded.
- E-excuse-me, miss…? Are you alright?
Security guards were suddenly approaching her while the secretary herself was kind of scared. What was that crazy woman screaming for?
- I-i-i… I'm sorry. My name is Athena Cykes. I was here before. He knows me. Please, tell him I'm here.
Athena blushed and her energy started to slow down. Too many obstacles before meeting him.
- I'm not sure if I can let you in, miss. You seem a little… - the secretary looked at her, confused.
- OH, SCREW THAT ALREADY! I WANT TO GO IN! – widget was utterly furious. Guards were quick to surround her the next moment.
- OH! I-I-I'm so sorry! That's… that's like a virtual pet. He's not very polite and it's malfunctioning. I will certainly prosecute this terrible enterprise for making such a rude toy! - she hid her widget with a free hand.
The guards looked at each other and the secretary nodded. She was just a silly young woman.
- Hold a minute, please. .. Looks like he's not here yet.
- WHAAAAT!? – widget yelled openly.
- I-I-I mean… WHAT a pity! Hahaha… - she sighed – Okay. Thank you.
When Athena was almost leaving the place, an unmistakable fresh male scent invaded the room, as Simon Blackquill arrived with his pet on his shoulder.
- SIMON!
Athena couldn't believe it, filling herself with joy and putting her hand on her cheeks. Simon was surely surprised, but headed right to the reception, showing his id apparently as a formality, even though it wasn't necessary as he was well known in the building.
She looked at her feet again, feeling awkward and suddenly her widget turned all blue again with a sad expression. The next moment, she was suddenly attacked by his hawk, which stole her wallet.
- WHAT WAS THAT? – she clenched her teeth, confused.
- You may come in, miss Cykes – the secretary smiled.
- Huh!?
- Mr. Blackquill just registered your permanent guest card. You are welcome.
- HUH!?
The next moment, she heard the sound of the elevator.
- Aren't you coming? – Simon calmly said, before Taka flew to her bringing back her id and a visitor pass.
- O-oh! – her eyes suddenly smiled with her mouth – Right!
She ran clumsily through the gate, feeling so happy that…
- I could hug you right now – said a shiny green widget. Her jaw almost dropped at that moment and she immediately looked at him, not knowing what to say.
He cleared his throat, covering his mouth, pretending he couldn't hear it. But it was utterly impossible. Her acting skills couldn't cover that anymore.
She dropped her courage at her feet once more, feeling completely defeated.
- I…
- Third floor - he interrupted her as they reached his office. – Come.
The moment she got in, the silence between them grew hugely. Simon seemed to ignore her while opening the office's windows and organizing some papers on his desk. Athena just stood there, wanting to go home and never talk about that incident anymore.
Suddenly, he stood up and walked in her direction, just to turn right and put some food for Taka. It helped to make her energy come back, as she saw the bird coming for that red food.
- Is it… REAL MEAT? – she couldn't help but say it, finally breaking the silence.
- … Maybe. – he answered with a strange grin and after a brief pause, he finally approached her. – You brought me tea.
- Did I? OH. Yes. I brought. I made it because I knew you could be hungry and maybe you wouldn't want the trouble to buy it yourself, so I—
- Thank you – He took the bottle to his desk.
She smiled watching him serve a cup of her tea, relieved for a moment. It was almost like she was never embarrassed.
- That's why you came all the way here?
She gasped, back to reality.
- Oh…that… Hm. You know…
That's right. I forgot all the excuses I was so hard trying to memorize…
And it looks like it wasn't that important to him either.
He's so calm. He probably just doesn't care about what I said back then and even now…
- Sorry… It's nothing – she murmured sadly and helpless. He watched her patiently.
- Do you want some tea?
- Hm? Oh. No. It's okay, I'm fine.
- That's a shame. It's delicious.
She blushed, giving him a shy smile.
Heartbeats
Is it okay for me to hide it?
Wait. Hide what?
Simon is being nice to me, and everything is okay right now. He doesn't seem to expect an explanation. So the case is solved, right?
She sat in front of him, while he offered her a cup of tea.
Right?
Heartbeats.
She felt the refreshing smell while drinking his favorite tea and trembled.
- Athena?
She closed her eyes, drinking it until the last drop, but finally realized that he called her only by "Athena".
And then…
- Why are you crying? – he sounded confused.
She put back the cup on the table.
- I am sorry… It was nothing. I don't know why I am…
The tears didn't stop. A deep sadness was flowing in her heart and though she wanted to hide, she had sufficient psychology study to know what exactly was happening inside her right now and the only reason less than a meter away, but still... She couldn't say it. Not with her mouth. The only possible way to be true to herself was her malfunctioning technological heart.
- I love you :( - the sad widget made a depressed robotic sound.
- No… - she tried to explain herself while wiping her tears, with no confidence. It shouldn't be this way. It would ruin everything. Her feelings would make him go away. She didn't want to lose him.
- I do :( - widget confirmed.
- Don't worry about that stupid thing. It is broken – she took a deep breath to calm herself but ended up covering her face in her hands. She just couldn't face him anymore. Her lie was so obvious.
Simon stood up showing a known stiff expression and walked at her. Athena peered between her fingers.
- Are you fine now? - he asked, lowering himself down and serenely holding her hand, suddenly placing it on her lap.
She felt an abrupt wave of embarrassment that turned her widget and cheeks immediately into pink.
- Y-yes… Now I… I am sorry.
He stood up again, gazing at her with that sharp look.
Heartbeats.
She could feel it. He wanted to say something so badly he wouldn't even move.
- Simon… I…
- Since when?
- P-pardon!? - Her eyes widened. Why was he so direct? She wasn't ready to address her feelings like this right now.
- You said that thing is broken. We should try to fix it or it could compromise your work.
She gasped, feeling both relieved and frustrated, but when he tried to go back to his chair, she grabbed his sleeve.
- Don't. - She squeezed it, feeling tense. Athena couldn't believe her own courage - or silliness. He didn't say a word. – It… it is not… I mean. It isn't broken.
She felt Simon pushing back his arm after reaching his seat behind the desk.
- Oh. I see.
She sighed.
What was that?
Does he even know what I just said?
I said it's not broken.
I know It's not.
Because It captures my feelings.
Don't you know that already?
And yet you still look at me so calmly… is that because you think It's a joke?
Am I a joke? Do you wish it was just a misunderstanding?
Don't you understand? I can't stand it anymore. Why are you staring at me with the same old look?
I'm not a child. Look at me. LOOK. AT. ME.
- I AM A WOMAN! Ù_Ú
Widget fiercely leaked and Athena couldn't explain it anymore. She looked at Widget, trying to do something about it, but then she heard a strange sound. Something really low, like the light sound of ghosts carrying shackles in the midnight.
He was holding both hands in a serious businessman position, but his mouth was…
Are you trying to laugh?
HE IS LAUGHING!
- OH. DON'T YOU LAUGH AT ME, SIR Ù_Ú – Widget continued.
He cleared his throat again and regained his serious aspect.
- Why are you laughing? – she knew it was ridiculous, but she was, indeed a woman. How cruel could he be laughing at a woman's feelings? That made her feel angry and even though she was being pathetic, she would NOT be humiliated.
- I think you misunderstood – he said, making her feel uneasy again. He was pretty good at calming her down with fewer words than her insane thoughts.
What do you mean?
She glared at him. But deep inside she already knew the answer and why he couldn't help but laugh at her making an angry statement as a woman.
I'm just like an adopted sister to you, right?
- Stop saying nonsense. I know you are a woman. But I am also ten years older than you and I also know that you will naturally fall in love with a fresh undeveloped attorney like Apollo or whoever you become a law partner. That's how it should be.
- Excuse me!?
He left his chair and turned around so all she could see was his back.
- Then I pledge we forget what happened here or you may regret it.
Those words carved deeply into her heart and she couldn't even react to them. She just felt her arms become heavy and she couldn't bare stand there for another moment. That's it. I'm done.
Feeling humiliated as she swore she wouldn't, she stood up and slowly walked to the door, wanting to leave as soon as possible, but her feet were slow, pressed by fear and astonishment. Then…
- KYAA!
Simon rapidly looked at the door and his hawk was attacking her, making her quickly back off.
- What is happening? – she yelled, confused. Simon was paralyzed. – Geez. Come on. That was really traumatizing.
- Taka! – he scolded the hawk and approached her, checking her arm – Are you okay?
She seemed like she was about to cry and it reached right through his heart. Abruptly, Athena grabbed his clothes, holding him like a child needing help.
- I'm sorry for liking you. I never could imagine it… I didn't plan this and just realized my feelings after hearing them from the widget just like you. But please… please don't hate me. Please don't ignore me. You are the only one left… the only one that truly cared for me back then. I wanted to save you so I studied so hard to become a lawyer. I cried every single day after that, and even now I just feel so…
He held her tightly, also closing his eyes after that explosion of information. He could never see her cry like that and it was even worse when it was all his fault.
- Simon! – she sighed – I just felt I could always see you as my savior, an older brother… but it turned out to be something more. I like to see you smile. I like to bring you tea. I … - she murmured shyly - I am so loving your embrace right now.
- Yes. I know.
Again, he was able to take away all that excruciating anxiety with just a few words. She sighed, and closed her eyes, feeling his scent.
- It was unexpected, but I'm glad Widget made me realize why I was feeling so strange whenever thinking of you. I'm sorry, but I can't deny it anymore. Even if you think I am just a child… I want to protect you every single day of my life. I promise I won't be a nuisance, I just… I love you.
She finally opened her eyes and looked up, catching a glimpse of an expression she has never seen before.
- Hm… Simon? Are you… are you blushing? – her face fiercely turned red.
- No.
- Oh my! N-No. You really are. I can feel. Perhaps... Are you blushing because of…me?
- No.
- Simon! You do! Why? Why are you blushing?
- HE LOVES ME, MORON! Ù_Ú
- W-w-w-wait… What!? - She yelled. Simon helplessly smiled at her, making her instantly blush. - Seriously. WHAT? – and then his hand slowly caressed her cheek. – S…Simon…
- Your widget is not broken after all.
It was right about his feelings. She hardly could react or argue properly at a time like this. But her heart was racing madly.
- I-I… I don't understand. But you said that—
- That I am older than you. And that maybe you were thinking of me as your protector, loving me as an older brother. Then I would embarrass myself for nothing.
- Simon… I couldn't possibly imagine that—
- It wouldn't be moral to look at you as a woman if that wasn't what you desired. I wondered what your mother would think if I did it.
- Even now you were just protecting me...
- Yes.
- Mom would be pleased - she smiled. - To think you would even think that far...
- I wanted to protect you. What I treasured the most after all this time was always your smile. I thought it would be troublesome for you to handle a grown-up man's confused feelings after all you have been through.
- Simon... I...
- OH GOD I'M SO HAPPY – widget sparkled and Athena laughed.
- Yes, I am – she blushed, holding him confidently.
- I love you, princess.
She was shocked, he called her that in such a teasing and somehow alluring way. Before she could speak anything else, she was grabbed around the waist and felt his surprisingly hot lips pressed against her. Athena smiled against his lips, hooking her arms around his neck and closing her eyes, slowly letting him deepen their first kiss.
Unbelievable. So sweet, so gentle... She indeed felt like a frail princess with his big protector arms around her. He seemed so certain in every movement with his tongue that she understood how much he was desperately waiting for that moment. And even though he also fell for her... he was so mature and secure just she wouldn't get hurt. Even now, during their kiss, she felt he was trying to respect her boundaries while inviting her to discover his mouth.
Simon was filled with joy, touched by her fragility. He wanted to make her feel loved as she deserved - and it was certainly working. How could he ever retribute her actions?
Now Simon was finally free. He could love without regrets. His heart was once again rescued. The repressed feelings turned into a firm hand on her waist and passionate lips that sealed that love.
They weren't paying attention, but at that beautiful moment, her widget was filled with rainbow pixel flowers. So was Simon's heart.
