Chapter: CHAPTER 8I heard the knock on my door and froze, my hand hovering over the kitchen counter where I had been idly arranging the flowers Gustavo had given me years ago—now wilted and lifeless. Who could it be at this hour? I wasn’t expecting anyone, certainly not him.When I opened the door, there he was. Gustavo. My past standing before me in a perfectly pressed suit, his dark eyes carrying the weight of something he hadn’t yet said. I straightened my spine, forcing a brave aura to mask the tremor crawling up my neck. I wouldn’t let him see that he had any power over me.“What are you doing here?” I said curtly, my tone as cold as the steel doorknob I still clutched.He didn’t answer immediately, his gaze steady as he took me in. I realized I hadn’t offered him to come inside, and I wasn’t planning to. He’d stand there in the doorway like the intruder he was, and I’d keep the boundary intact.“Audra,” he finally said, his voice low but sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. “I needed
Last Updated: 2024-12-20
Chapter: CHAPTER 7Mapaglaro kong tinignan si Ellie sa kanyang tinatayuan. The feeling of being insulted in her eyes is unexplainable. Kung akala ng karamihan, napaka-inosente ng isang ‘to. A devil is playing like a victim behind that angelic face. That’s disgusting. Magaling lang sa social media kasama ng mg pareho niyang nilamon ng Sistema ngunit hindi kayang manindigan sa harap ko. O matagal na niyang pinaninindigan ang mga bagay na pinapahid niya sa akin?“Kumusta ka naman na?” nang-inis kong tinanong.“I’m good. Trying to recover from what happened these past few weeks,” Ellie answered.Ngumisi akong bumaling sa kaniya. “I’m asking Gustavo. Not you, honey.”Ipapatikim ko sa kaniya ang pagsisisi na sumakay rito sa elevator kung saan ako. Same as the regrets she feels when she chose to bump me without checking on the lane where I’m on. Nakatutok ang kaniyang mga mata sa elevator button. In ayos na rin niya ang mga gamit niyang dala at handa na kaming taalikuran.“Bitch,” she muttered.When I step fo
Last Updated: 2024-12-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 6 Napakatamis nang aking ngiti na sumunod sa kanya sa elevator. Of course, I prepared myself to face him without being intimidated by his ruthlessness. Hindi ko sinasabing takot ako sa kanya ngunit may silbi pa ring nakilala ko siya noon nang lubusan dahil alam ko na kung paano ko tiisin ang ugali niya kapag naubusan ng pasensiya.My smile fades when I realized something. Do I still know him? Will I still know the man I’m chasing if anytime soon, truth reveals itself? I’m not holding the precious time. It passes by wihout my consent. As long as I want to hold it back, it runs as fast as it could.“Wait for me!” I said loudly and didn’t mind his employees on that floor.Gustavo problematically landed his palm on his forehead when he saw me. Bago pa magsara ang elevator, ginamit niya ang mga matitigas at maugat niyang kamay para pigilan ang pagsarado nito.Ilang minuto pa akong nakatayo sa harap ng elevator. He wandered on my outfit from head to foot. Hindi ko nga alam kung insulto ‘yong
Last Updated: 2023-07-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 5I smiled at him sarcastically. Ang lakas ding manumbat ng isang 'to. Masyado siyang mapanghimagsik ng salita."If you are wearing the same shoes I am wearing and try to walk a mile, man, you'll understand me."He's still shaking his head with dismayed. Malayo ang tingin niya sa akin at wala ring ibang ginawa kundi ang ngumuso."Hindi na tayo bata para maglaro," sabi niya."You'll have a price," agad kong sinabi.I wanted to hit my head in the wall. If he hadn't seen and heard me, I would've done something better to divert his attention."And what would it be, Audra? I am not a materialistic, though. Don't be so arrogant."Kung maaari ko lang sanang sabihin na hindi ang inaasahan niya ang kapalit, sinabi ko na. Kailangan din niyang matutuhan na ang isang bagay na minsang nangyari ay may kapalit. Hindi pa ito ang tamang panahon dahil marami pang bagay ang hindi handa. "Naiintindihan ko ang gusto mo. You are good at that. Manipulating my feelings that your feelings are valid than mine..
Last Updated: 2023-06-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 4"Mayroon ba tayong unfinished business, Audra?"Napaghahalataan ko na 'tong lalaking ito. Napakapersonal kung magsalita. Maraming ibig sabihin ang bawat salita niya. Pero parang ako lang ang nag-iisip ng kakaiba."We need closure about the past, Gustavo. There are so many ups and downs we went through... and, uh... we didn't make it in the first place."Nang-iinsulto siyang umikot para tanawin ang mga ilaw ng bayan. "Why don't you just tell me that you want me back? Dami mong alam."I pouted and remained facing at the house. Nakasandal sa railings ang aking likod. Nilingon ko siya at nakita kong titig na titig siya sa akin."Sa dinami-rami kasi ng lalaki, sa pamilyado pa? Tapos ngayon, idadamay mo ako sa kalokohan mo? You've never grown up, Audra."Mapanghusga niyang pa rin akong tinititigan. What he said was really insulting and it pissed me off."Excuse me, Gustavo! I did! I've grown too far. I've been independent! Stop judging me. Hindi na ako gumagawa ng kalokohan. And mind you! I
Last Updated: 2023-06-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 3Naiinis kong pinatay ang tawag at binaba ang cellphone ko. I went out of my car and walked straight to the entrance of this hotel.I was about to take my walk straight to the grand entrance when I was spotted by Ellie and her entourage. She's currently on her interview about her latest post on social media. I am not one of her stalker, I was just using mine to keep myself updated for my next moves.I am not Attorney Audra Graciano for nothing."Minsan, kailangan din nating uminom para ipakita ang tunay nating anyo. Malay natin, may mga ahas at malandi sa gilid."Honestly, I don't care about her statement. Hindi ko nga alam kung sarili niya ang tinutukoy niya o ako. Hindi na sana ako mapapansin ng mga paparazzi nang lingunin niya ako. Unti-unti kong inangat ang aking tingin sa kanila habang hinahalughog ko ang cellphone ko sa clutch bag ko."Miss Audra, nasa live television po tayo, we would like to ask for a confirmation about the issues between you and Alex Sandoval.""Gusto na lang
Last Updated: 2023-06-22
Chapter: EPILOGUE I was very young when I started hearing thoe name of the young Filipino businessman who's rocking the highest society. As a curious kitten I checked on him. Pumulot ako ng magazine sa rack. He's very good looking man in gray tuxedo. He was smiling but even if he's young, I can sense his ruthlessness and the way he showcase his mysterious smile, it seems like he was the only person what is up and wait..."Hindi ba't ito iyong nahuli ko noong nagpapablowjob, Shane?" napalakas ang tanong ko sa kinakapatid kong Cardinal, he's handsome and he has a very weird name, napalapit ako dahil nakipagkasundo ang kapatid kong babae sa pinsan niya.He turned to me lazily. "Ah, oo. Si Ivo, the one we were with when we went to Iloilo para sa party, limang taon na rin nang hindi kami nagkita."Tumango ako at tiningnan ang litrato niya."Gusto mo siya ano?" Vincenzo teased while giving me a water.Umirap ako at uminom."I'd l
Last Updated: 2021-10-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 47I paid for her wedding gown and they prepared for it. We visited Sto. Domingo Church as we transacted the budget of it."Ang dami mo nang gastos." she said while looking at the aisle.Natawa ako at tumingin sa harapan. "Lord, thank you for blessing her to me," ngumiti ako at lumandas ang luha, "Thank you for allowing me to fight for this woman." I signed of the cross.I won't ever deny my tears to God. He's been guiding me through all these years. Sometimes, I'd like to screw everything but it turns out to tears."Good morning!" my Mom greeted one busy morning came.Nasa opisina si Zuri. She was getting all of her works kaya kahapon ay umuwi ako rito sa Alabang para magpahinga nang bahagya dahil hinayaan ko siyang makasama niya ang mga kaibigan niya."Masyadong maalikabok ngayon ang bahay kaya pwede ka munang sa kwarto at padalhan na lang ng pagkain."Ngumiti ako, "'Wag na, Ma, sige lang, I wi
Last Updated: 2021-10-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 46Tuloy lang ang tradisyong pamamanhikan. Medyo hindi lang ako nasanay sa ganiyong bagay. I witnessed how my brothers supplicate to the Dela Merced and Villareal. Alright, I saw how Dad was set up something sumptuous when he married Mom for the second time.Natapos ang pamamanhikang tradisyon at umuwi rin ng Maynila ang buong pamilya ko dahil sa marami pang gawain doon. Kami na lang din dito sa harap ang natira."Sabihin mo lang kung gusto mong umakyat, sasamahan kita," sabi ni Zuri at binigay ang baso sa akin.Umiling ako at lumipat ng upuan sa ilalim ng santol dahil sinisilipan na ako ng araw sa dati kong inuupuan."Bakit mo ako nilayasan?" naiinis niyang tanong.Kumunot ang noo ko at umupo, "May araw. Naiinitan ako.""That's why I am convincing you to go upstairs para hindi ka mainitan dito.""I want to breathe some fresh air, dito muna ako."Hindi siya sumagot at tinalikuran ako. Lalo pa ak
Last Updated: 2021-10-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 45Umalis ako at dumeretso sa Alabang. Hindi ako tumingin kahit kanino o sumagot man lang sa tanong nilang lahat kung nasaan daw ang mapapangasawa ko."Nasaan siya?" ngumisi si Kuya Achilles at kunwari naglilinis sa pool.Nasa lounge bed ako at pinanonood ang mga nagdi-disenyo para sa nalalapit na kasal. Binaling ko ang mga mata sa binabasa kong libro."Sungit natin ngayon, ah, hindi pinayagan sa kama?" pang-iinis ni Daddy.I flipped the page and heard Mom's steps with her commands."Seb, I want it to be elegant looking even on the backyard. Sabihin mo iyon sa mga tauhan mo...""Yes, Madame," sagot ni Severino at ng team sa likod ni Mommy.I sighed heavily and looked at the trees."Ivo, where's Zuri? Seb was looking for her..."I lazily darted my eyes on the page, "In my condo... packing her things up..."She laughed awkwardly. "Susundan ka rin pala, bakit mo hindi sinabay?" I sensed her panic.
Last Updated: 2021-09-28
Chapter: CHAPTER 44It was a long drive and tiring. Dumeretso sa kanilang mga bahay ang mga Kuya ko, it was also a long vacation for them.Nakatulog ako nang hapong iyon katabi siya. I was peacefully watching here when a knock from the door awakened her."Engineer, Daddy niyo po, nasa baba," boses iyon ni Roy.I stood up and left Zuri in my room. Bumaba ako mula third floor ng unit ko at nag damit. I was so stunned when I saw those policemen and some Attorneys ."Ivo, anak, calm down," Mom said.I calmed myself and sat down."Eugene filed a case against you and they are here to arrest you..." Dad started.Ito lang ang hinihintay ko para gumalaw na rin nang bahagya."Kidnapping ang sinampa, but we demanded to just house arrest you..." Dad said again.Bumuntong hininga ako at tumango. Nagulat pa ako sa Victoria at Cloe na nasa breakfast nook ko."Kuya ko si Drake Aragon na isa sa family l
Last Updated: 2021-09-28
Chapter: CHAPTER 43Hindi ko na sinagot ang pangungulit niya sa sinabi ko. I only smiled before I closed my eyes and breathed deeply.Hindi ako naging kumportable sa gabing iyon at nanatili akong pa-gising-gising. She must be still sleeping this time, mag-aalas sais na. Naramdaman ko ang pag-alis niya kagabi at mula noon, hindi ko na nakuha ang tamang tyempo upang matulog nang maayos lalo na't kaunting galaw, tumutunog ang kama at umuuga.I went out and the whole sala was still dimmed, the lights from the kitchen were giving an access to my way. Pumunta ako sa kusina nila at nagulat ako sa anino.Zuri was shocked too, hawak niya ang baso ng gatas at nilapag sa bilugang lamesa. Ngumiti ako at niyakap siya."I just couldn't sleep," I said and tightened her in my arms."Titimplahan din kita," anya.Naupo ako at parang kanya ang bahay dahil alam niya ang ginagalawan niya. Umabot ako ng isang tangkay ng prutas sa gitna at pinitas upang kainin."The bed was no
Last Updated: 2021-09-28
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