Nobela ni Ellerie Frances

JAY's POVSugat sa kanang braso at balikat ang nakuha ko dahil sa nangyari. Na first aid na ako kanina but nag-aalala pa ako kay Tricia. Nasa operating room siya ngayon. Kailangang kunin ang bala sa tagiliran niya at kailangan i-check kung may na tamaaan sa internal organs niya. "Jay, magpahinga ka muna, kinuha na kita ng private room." Ani Allen na kasama ko sa labas ng operationg room. Pabalik-balik ako ng lakad. "I'll wait for her." umupo ako sa tabi ni Allen. "Anything from the investigation?""Hinahabol na nila ngayon ang suspek. Naka standby na rin ang mga checkpoint." "Magbabayad ang taong gumawa nito ky Tricia." "Where's my daughter?" It's Tito Hernan. "Is she okay?"Lumapit ako sa kanya. "Tito, I'm very sorry. Hindi ko pa naproteksyonan si Tricia." He patted my shoulder. "It's not your fault Iho."Lumabas na man bigla ang isang doctor. "Are you the patient's family?" We all nodded. "We have an emergency. Anyone na may AB- blood type in your family? She needs blood ASAP. M

Tricia's POVI promised dad and my brother that I will help them revive HPA Corp. Pinaghirapan din ito ni mommy back then. HPA Corp is not HPA Corp without mom's ideas. She was the brain of it after all. "So Andrew, brace yourself now and you're going to manage this company back to it's former glory. Are you ready for it?" I ask Andrew while taking our lunch together. "I still need your help." Sabi niya na tumingin sa amin ni Dad. "I honestly don't know how to start.""We'll get through this my children...together." maluha-luhang pahayag ng Daddy. I know he's happy. "I have an idea. But let me talk to him first." sabi ko. kasunod naman ang pagtatakang mukha ng dalawa. "You know the Mount Arc Group of Companies?" My father nodded. "Mr. Lim, I mean the son, Jay Lim. You know him dad.""Yes? What's with him?" "I am his fiance" showing them the ring in my finger. "I guess he will be a big help."Hindi nabigla ang daddy sa sinabi ko. He just nodded to agree my idea. while Andrew is st

TRICIA’s POVDumating ako sa HPA Corp at agad-agad akong pumasok sa loob. Marami nang pinagbago ang company. Mas dumami na ang mukha ng bruha. Siya ang nagging model ambassador nito. It was supposed to be me, kaya lang tumanggi ako. Kilala anng HPA Corp sa mga cosmetics, home care and appliances and furnitures. The last time I cheked they were preparing for ang HPA brand na mga appliances. Meron din etong architectural and interior design services. “Miss Patricia, your father is expecting you in his office. Would you mind if we escort you upstairs?” the front desk girl told me. “I’ll be fine miss, thank you.” I politely replied. Nang tumalikod na ako ay narinig ko ang bulong niya sa kasama. “Mabait naman pala siya. Akala ko ba sabi ni madam bruha daw ang ugali.”Tumigil ako sandali at binalikan ng tingin and dalawa. Ngumiti muna ako, “If that’s what she told you, please tell her the opposite of what I did a while ago. Sabihin niyo na nagwala ako dit

Ang daming bulung-bulongan sa paligid. Everyone is looking at us. Hawak hawak ako ni Jay papasok ng office. Hindi ko alam kung anong emotion ang mararamdaman ko. Naninibago ako as well as nahihiya. "Anak pala siya ng business partner ng company. Siguro arranged marriage sila?""Nakakaloka, swerte niya noh?""Maganda naman pala siya kapag nag-ayos no?"Natahimik lang ang paligid ko ng makapasok kami sa office niya. Napabuntong hininga ako nang makabutaw sa pagkahawak ky Jay."Are you okay?" tanong ni Jay na umupo na sa kanyang swivel chair."You'll get use to it."Hindi na ako nagsalita at umupo na lang sa sofa. At biglang my umabot sa akin ng bottled water sabay tabi sa akin. "Drink this, mukhang hindi ka comfortable.""Hindi ako sanay na lahat ng attention nasa akin. I used not to show up sa mga parties nila daddy noon." At lumagok ako ng tubig na inabot niya."That's why I haven't seen you before." Chill lang ang pag opo niya sa tabi

“I signed it already” I told him after sipping the wine served. “I have nothing to lose anyway. Isang taon lang naman di ba? Tumango lamang siya sa akin and smiled a bit. “It’s a deal, now, you can wear it.” Kinuha niya ang maliit na box, ask for my hand at inilagay ang isang diamond ring sa aking daliri. “It’s from my great grandmother, the family’s heirloom.” I smiled. “Hindi ba pwedeng iba na lang ang ibigay mo sa akin?” I look at the ring, tamang-tama ang sukat sa daliri ko. “Remember, no one must know about our contract, even my parents. They ask me if you will not wear that.” Ani Jay. “I just have some clarification then.” Tumango siya sa akin signaling to talk. “I have a year with you, it means one year din tayong magkasama?” “My answer is supposed to be yes, you will be my fiancé for a year.” He answered me. “So….” Napatigil ako. Namumula ata ako. “So?” tanong nya habang may kung anong tingin sa kanyang mga mata. I know

“Tricia? Is that you?” Isang boses ng babae ang nakaharap sa akin. “Remember me? Annie? Your classmate nung high school?” Now I remember her. “Oh? Hi Annie.” She’s been my rival since day 1. I remember galit na galit sya sa akin dahil ako ang nag valedictorian sa batch namin. After her mother donated a 3-storey building sa school, she thought na sa kanya ang top 1. But hindi naman sa pagmamayabang ay puro perfect score ako sa lahat ng subject and extra curriculars ng school. “You look different, tired? Frustrated? How are you?” umupo sya sa harap ko. I know her. She’s just here to brag something. Naka designer clothes siya, prada vintage bag, puno ng accessories ang katawan and a diamond ring on her finger. And I look opposite. Naka leggings lang ako, white oversized polo shirt, no make up and no accesorries. Cellphone lang ang dala ko. And stress ako for days na, remember? “I’m doing great Annie. How about you?” I ask her nicely. Tamad akong m