Nobela ni Xtine Rome

After Maica’s pictorial for Bench Fashion Magazine, she hurriedly went to the Mango Fashion Group building for an urgent meeting. Even she was surprised when Julie called her about it. She didn’t know what to prioritize, especially since Julie was currently away. Her friend had gone home to the province to take care of her sick mother. Maica didn’t hesitate to allow her, knowing that family always comes first. Julie assured her she’d be back before Monday.For now, Maica had to attend all her appointments alone. Fortunately, Julie had already arranged her schedule, prioritizing the important ones. All she needed to do was show up. Another thing Maica was grateful for was the presence of her bodyguards, always ready whenever she needed security.“Hi! I’m here for a scheduled meeting with Mr. Calvin,” she said to the receptionist while looking at her smiling.Josh’s secretary immediately appeared to greet her.“Glad to see you, Ms. Delmundo. Mr. Calvin has been expecting you.”Maica smi

Maica lay quietly on her bed, staring at their plain white ceiling. She couldn’t get the recent encounter with Third out of her mind—especially since he had disappeared without a trace before. She never thought he’d change that much. From his looks to the way he dressed, everything about him was different.Before, he was content wearing a plain white shirt and ripped jeans. Now, he looked so formal in a navy blue long-sleeved polo, black slacks, and polished black shoes. His once messy hair was neatly styled in a brush-up haircut. The only things that remained the same were his tan complexion and the deep dimples on both cheeks, which perfectly complemented his straight nose, moderately thick brows, and just-right lips. His deep-set brown eyes matched his sparse lashes.A small smile formed on Maica’s lips as she recalled their unexpected reunion—of all places, at the Mango Fashion Group building.“You really changed a lot, Third,” she whispered to herself.She closed her eyes, lettin

“Maica, you have an appointment with Mr. Calvin this afternoon for the contract signing,” Julie reminded her.Maica took a deep breath as she stared at the ceiling of their room.“Is something wrong?” Julie asked, noticing her gloomy expression.“I’m probably just tired. My schedule has been fully booked for the past few days. I think my body is just looking for some rest,” she replied. “And about Denver’s cheating issue—I already confronted him, and you were right. I’m really glad I found the courage to talk to him last night. At least now, I have some clarity. I just jumped to conclusions too quickly.”“I told you. It’s always better to talk things out when there’s a misunderstanding so everything can be cleared up,” Julie said. “But about your appointment—are you still going, or do you want to rest today?”“I’ll go. You know how important time is to me. I don’t want to waste it just lounging around at home.”Maica knew that staying home wouldn’t do her any good. If anything, she’d

Maica had been waiting for almost an hour in the Emerald Tower’s waiting area before their car finally arrived at the main entrance. Just in time, Denver and Julie also showed up, looking utterly exhausted. “Thank God you’re here.” Maica immediately stood up upon seeing the two. “Good thing you had Julie follow me. I was practically lost in the basement parking, searching for Manong George,” Denver said, still catching his breath. “No wonder you look like you just took a bath in your own sweat,” Maica teased. “Come on, Maica. No one told us it was scorching hot down there. I was about to run out of air just looking for Denver,” Julie explained. “At least you found each other.” Concern was evident on Maica’s face as they walked toward the car. “Yeah, I was on my way up to the first floor when Julie spotted me running around.” Denver quickly opened the car door for Maica and Julie, and both hurried inside. Once they were settled, he took the passenger seat beside the driver. “Ma

“Maica, where have you been?” Julie hurriedly approached Maica, concern evident in her voice, as she found her sitting alone on a vacant bench in the waiting area of Emerald Tower. “Denver and I have been looking for you. Do you have any idea how worried he is?”“I just wasn’t feeling well, Julie,” Maica said, making an excuse. “But I’m okay now.”“Are you sure?” Julie’s doubt was written all over her face. “I’ve known you for so long, Maica. You can’t lie to me.”“Julie…” Maica’s voice started to tremble, and tears welled up in her eyes. “I think Denver is cheating on me.”“What?” Julie gasped. “Denver? Are you sure about this?”“I overheard him the other day. I was about to step out of our room when I heard his voice outside. He was talking to someone. I don’t know who it was, but I heard him say he missed her. He even called her ‘babe’ and told her he loves her too.” Maica could no longer hold back her tears, covering her face with her hands. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t lose

Because of the heavy traffic, Denver decided to head straight to Emerald Tower, where Jane and her husband’s wedding reception was being held. “Yes, yes. We’re on our way.” That was all Denver said before ending the call. “Of all times for us to be in a rush, we just had to get stuck in traffic,” Julie complained. “Good thing Maica doesn’t have any more schedules after this, so we don’t have to worry about running late.” Denver focused back on the road, watching the red taillights flicker ahead of them. *** It took them over an hour before they finally arrived at their destination. Before stepping out of the car, Julie made sure her friend looked presentable enough for the event. “Hi, Jane.” Denver immediately greeted the ballerina with a cheek-to-cheek kiss before shaking hands with her husband. “Congrats. You really surprised us with this wedding.” “Actually, we’ve been planning this for a while. We just kept it private. You know how it is.” Jane smiled at Maica, as if hintin

It was that day when I met Maica.“Are you okay?” tanong ko. I am just a passerby concerned.She was crying in the middle of nowhere. Para bang wala siyang pakialam kung may ibang nakakakita sa kaniya. Basta sapat na sa kaniya na mailabas niya ang bigat na dinadala ng kaniyang dibdib.Mabilis niyang pinahid ang kaniyang mga luha at saka tumango sa akin.She is a beauty. A beauty that is hidden beyond those cries.“You sure?” paniniguro ko.Ngumiti lang ito na para bang walang nangyari at saka muling tumango. Matapos iyon ay tumakbo na ito palayo at akala ko iyon na ang huli naming pagtatagpo pero…“Denver!” Kumakaway si Julie habang papalapit sa akin pero nasa iba ang atensyon ko. It was the second time we met. “Kanina ka pa ba?” tanong ni Julie.“Halos kararating ko lang,” tugon ko. Sinadya kong ibaling ang atensyon ko kay Julie dahil iyon naman talaga ang dapat. We are in a relationship back then. Hindi ko sinasabing attracted ako kay Maica but I find her interesting. Never

Napakapit nang mariin si Maica sa hawakan ng upuang inuupuan niya dahil sa klase ng halik ni Third sa kaniya. Para itong uhaw na uhaw at puno ng pananabik. Hindi alam ni Maica kung anong gagawin dahil unti-unti na siyang nahuhulog sa sensasyong dulot ng tagpong iyon. Nakatukod ang isang kamay nito sa hawakan ng upuan at ang isa naman ang nakakapit sa kaniyang batok. Sa ilang segundong lumilipas ay parang mawawala na sa katinuan si Maica habang patuloy naman si Third sa pagpapalalim at pagpapainit ng tagpong iyon. Sakto naman ang pagtunog ng telepono dahilan kaya naputol ang mainit na halik nito at sandaling tiningnan ang teleponong patuloy sa pagriring.“It might be important,” sabi ni Maica bago lumunok ng sariling laway dahil pakiramdam niya ay naubusan siya ng hangin sa ilang sandaling halik na iyon.Tumango naman si Third sa kaniya at saka bumalik sa swivel chair nito bago sinagot ang telepono.“Third speaking,” sabi nito.Habang nakikipag-usap si Third sa telepono ay inaayos

Tahimik lang ang naging byahe nina Maica at Third hanggang sa makabalik sila ng mansyon. Dire-diretso lang din si Third na nagtungo sa silid nito kaya ganoon na lang ang lungkot na nararamdaman ni Maica. Halos kababati lang kasi nilang dalawa nang nagdaang gabi at eto na naman sila sa ganoong sitwasyon.Nagpasya na lang din si Maica na pumasok na lang din sa kaniyang silid upang doon makapag-isip na mag-isa. Tahimik na rin naman ang buong kabahayan dahil halos ginabi na rin sila talaga ng uwi. Sandali siyang naglinis ng katawan at nag-asikaso ng kaniyang sarili bago pabagsak na nahiga sa kaniyang kama. Hindi mawaglit-waglit sa isip niya ang naging palitan nila ng sagot ni Third. Hindi niya naman gustong ipamukha kay Third na kasal pa rin siya subalit ganoon ang naging kinalabasan ng mga nasabi niya dahil sa inis. Hindi niya tuloy alam kung paano hihingi ng tawad sa binata gayong hindi siya nito kinikibo hanggang makauwi sila. Tanging ang mga huling salita lang nito ay hindi na nito p

“Hi, Thirdy.” Mabilis na lumapit si Monique kay Third at bumeso, tila hindi alintana ang presensya ni Maica sa paligid.Ibinaba naman ni Third si Maica upang malaya nitong maharap si Monique.“What are you doing here?” tanong ni Third na tila ba nagtataka sa pagdalaw ni Monique sa mansyon niya.“Obviously, sinusundo kita. You have a company na you need to manage, Third. Besides. The investors are all looking for you during our meeting yesterday. Bigla ka na lang kasing nawala bago pa man magsimula ang meeting,” paliwanag nito habang hinihimas-himas pa ang braso ng binata.Napakunot naman ang noon ni Maica dahil tila sinasadya ng babae na landiin si Third sa mismong harap niya.“I’ll be going to the office later. Marami lang akong inaasikaso,” tugon naman ni Third.Ngumuso naman ang dalaga kay Third na lalong kinairita ni Maica kaya padabog siyang dumaan sa gitna ng dalawa at nagmartsa patungo sa kusina. Napatingin naman si Third sa kaniya at lihim na napangiti.“So, si Maica pa

“Ano ba naman ‘yan? Hindi ba kabilin-bilinan ko na bantayan n’yo si Maica at huwag na huwag n’yong aalisan ng tingin?” pasinghal na tanong ni Third sa mga bodyguards ni Maica. Hindi malaman ni Third kung paano ilalabas ang galit dahil sa kapabayaan ng mga ito. Idagdag pa ang inis niya sa kaniyang sarili dahil wala siya nang nga panahong dapat nandoon siya para protektahan si Maica.“Sir, pasensya na po talaga. Kasi po—” magpapaliwanag pa lang sana ang isa sa mga bodyguards nang magsalitang bigla si Maica.“Third, it is not their fault. Ako ang nagsabing maghintay na lang sila sa lobby dahil nagpunta ako ng comfort room noon. Hindi ko naman akalaing nandoon pala si Julie at hinihintay ako. Naisip kong huwag na lang iinform ang bodyguards ko dahil akala ko mag-uusap lang kami ni Julie. I didn’t know na aabot kami sa ganoon,” depensa ni Maica habang pilit na pinoprotektahan ang mga bodyguards niya.Sa sobrang inis ni Third ay dinampot nito ang unan sa sofa at saka inihagis na lang sa

Ilang araw pa ang lumipas ngunit walang paramdam si Julie sa kanila kaya naman ang hula ni Third ay si Denver talagang itong may pakay kay Maica. Nag-aalala siyang ginagawa iyon ni Denver nang sa ganoon ay muling makuha ang tiwala at loob ng asawa. Sa ganoong paraan ay magkakaroon ito ng pagkakataong muling mabawi si Maica sa kaniya.Ilang araw na rin na ‘yon lang ang paulit-ulit na tumatakbo sa isip ni Third kaya mas lalong hindi niya maiwan-iwan si Maica na mag-isa.“Look, Third, I told you already. I’m fine. You have nothing to worry about,” sabi ni Maica sa kaniya na kasalukuyang nakatayo sa pintuan ng kaniyang silid.“Are you sure?” tanong niya rito.“Oo naman. Kaya pumasok ka na sa trabaho mo. Wala naman akong work schedule ngayon hindi ba? Kaya I’ll stay at home lang,” paniniguro nito kaya waa nang nagawa si Third kung hindi bumuntong hininga na lang at sundin ang nais nito na pagpasok niya sa trabaho.“Okay then. Pero if ever na kailanganin mong lumabas, make sure to brin