Nobela ni Fleurdelis

“Ready kana?” Tanong ni Drake sa anak niyang si Sky nasa harap ito nang malaking salamin sa loob nang walk in closet at inaayos ang bowtie niya. Nilapitan niya ang anak matapos makapagbihis. “Dada, how do I look?” tanong ni Sky saka humarap sa ama niya. “Handsome just like your Dad.” Wika ni Drake at ngumiti sa anak niya. Sabay na napatingin sa pinto ang mag-ama nang marinig nila ang iyang nang isang sanggol. “Dada, Shia’s crying.” Wika ni Sky. “Let’s go. Baka hinihanap na niya tayo.” Wika ni Drake saka lumabas. Sumunod naman sa kanya si Sky.“Shia. Kuya is here. Don’t cry.” Wika nang batang lalaki saka umakyat sa kama saka tumabi sa sanggol na kapatid saka marahang tinapik ang braso nito para patahanin ito. Napangiti lang si Drake habang nakikita ang mga anak. Pero may konting kirot sa dibdib niya. “Dada, Shia wont stop.” Wika nang batang lalaki saka humarap kay Drake. Naglakad naman si Drake papalapit sa dalawa saka kinarga ang sanggol. Napaawang ang labi ni Sky nang makitang b

"Mama, Sky is here!” masiglang wika ni Sky na pumasok sa hospital room ni Samantha. Nang pumasok sila ni Drake naabutan nila si Simone at Samantha na nag-uusap nang dumating silang dalawa saka naman nahinto ang pag-uusap nang dalawa. Nang makita ni Simone na dumating sina Drake tinapik ni Simone ang balikat ni Samantha saka nagpaalaam. “May pinag-usapan kayo?” Tanong ni Drake sa asawa nang lumabas si Simone. Pero sa isip niya alam na niya ang pinag-usapan nang dalawa. Alam niyang Sinabi na ni Simone kay Samantha ang tungkol sa progress nang sakit nito at sa pwedeng mangyari. Pumayag na dina ng dalaga na manatili sa hospital at doon na magpaconfine hanggang sa makapanganak siya. “Mama, Sky wans to sleep with you and baby sis.” Wika ni Sky na lumapit kay Samantha. “Of course.” Wika ni Samantha saka tumingin kay Drake, “Pwede mo ba siyang buhatin papunta dito. Nahihirapan kasi akong kumilos.” Wika ni Samantha sa asawa. Ilang sandaling nakatingin si Drake sa asawa niya bago bumaling k

“Sam bakit?” Tanong ni Drake saka lumapit sa asawa at hinawakan inalalayan ito at hinawakan sa braso. Napatingin siya sa kamay nang asawa na nakahawak sa tiyan nito. Ang alam niya hindi pa kabuwanan ni Samantha. Napatingin siya sa mukha nang asawa Nakita niyang namumulta ito at tila namimilipit sa sakit. Dahil sa pag-aalala agad na pinangko ni Drake ang asawa niya saka dinala sa kotse. At isinakay sa passenger’s seat. “Beat with it for a while okay. Dadalhin kita sa Hospital.” Wika nang binata saka ikinabit ang seatbelt kay Samantha. Napansin ni Drake ang butil-butil na pawis nang asawa niya. Nakahawak ang isang kamay nito sa tiyan habang ang isang kamay ay sa ulo nito.“Konting tiis lang.” wika ni Drake saka isinara ang pinto at mabalis na sumakay sa kotse. Saka pinaandar ang sasakyan. Habang nasa sasakyan. Tinawagan niya si Simone at sinabing papunta sila sila ni Samantha sa hospital. Sinabi din niya kay Simone na hindi Maganda ang lagay ni Samantha. Nang dumating sila sa hospit

"Samantha!” Masiglang wika nang isang Binatang nakasuot nang blue na polo shirt habang tumatakbo papalapit kay Samantha at Drake. Papasok siya noon sa opisina kasama si Drake na inihatid siya patungo sa pinto. Kapawa sila natigilan nang marinig ang boses na tumatawag sa kanya. Nang mapadako ang tingin nila sa tumatawag. Napansin ni Drake ang malawak na ngiti nang binata habang kumakaway kay Samantha. habang papalapit dito. “Samantha? Hindi ko alam first name basis pala kayo dito sa kompanya niyo? Alam na ni Lee ang tungkol dito? Bakit hindi niya ako sinabihan.” Wika ni Drake sa asawa. “Look at him smiling like crazy.” Inis na wika ni Drake. Lihim namang napangiti si Samanatha sa sinabi nang asawa saka napatingin dito. Ramdam niya sa boses nito ang inis. Sinabi sa kanya ni Drake na huwag na siyang pumasok sa opisina. Nag-aalala ito dahil sa kalagayan niya at sa pagbubuntis niya. Kaya lang ayaw naman niya nang walang ginagawa. Kaya, kapag walang masyadong ginagawa si Drake inihahatid n

Habang naglalakad si Drake patungo sa silid nila ni Samantha. Narinig niya ang boses nang asawa habang binabasahan nang libro si Sky Naririnig din niya ang bungis-ngis nang batang lalaki. Napahinto siya sa tapat nang pinto sa halip na pumasok. Tahimik siyang nakinig sa dalawa. Napapangiti siya habang pinakikinggan ang usapan nang mga ito. Tuwing umuuwi siya, parati niyang naririnig ang dalawa nagkukuwentuhan. Kahit na bulol at Malabo ang mga salita minsan ni Sky parang nag-eenjoy pa ang dalawa. Ito ang bagay na gustong-gusto niya kapag umuuwi siya.Ilang sandali niyang pinakinggan ang dalawa, habang nakikinig sa pag-uusap nang dalawa bigla siyang napakuyom nang kamao nang maalala ang sakit ni Samantha.“Mama? Why is dada not home yet?” narinig niyang tanong ni Sky sa mama niya. “He will be here soon.” Wika naman ni Samantha sa anak. Mahigpit na napakuyom nang kamao si Drake. Napahinga siya nang malalim bago buksan ang pinto nang silid nila. “Dada!” masiglang wika ni Sky nang makitan

Sinugod sa hospital si Samantha dahil sa biglaang pagkawala nang malay nito habang nasa cafeteria sila nang kompanya ni Drake. Gaya nang dati nilang ginagawa ni Sky nagpupunta sila sa kompanya ni Drake para samahan ang binata na mananhalian. Habang naglalakad si Samantha patungo sa mesa kung saan naghihintay ang mag-ama niya saka naman nawalan nang balanse ang dalaga. “Sam.” Wika ni Simone na pumasok sa Loob nang silid ni Samantha. Magkasama noon sina Drake at Samantha kasama si Sky na nakaupo sa hinihigaan ni Samantha.“Simone. Kumusta si Sam? Dahil sa sakit niya kaya-----” naputol ang sasabihin ni Drake nang makita ang tingin ni Simone sa dalaga saka inabot kay Drake ang results nang test. Ganoon na lamang ang gulat ni Drake nang makita ang result.“Is this true?” tanong ni Drake saka napatingin kay Samantha. Napakunot naman ang noo ni Samantha saka napatingin sa asawa. “Bakit? Anong resulta?” tanong Samantha saka hiningi kay Drake ang papel. Hindi naman nag-atubili si Drake na ib

When Abigail was finally discharged from the hospital, her heart sank as Edward insisted she move to the main office. Despite her reluctance and attempts to convince him otherwise, she couldn’t defy the resolute young president, especially after the recent accident. Edward's decision to transfer Abigail to the main branch shocked everyone. The announcement came with another surprise: James would be in charge of the jewelry competition at the original branch, while Edward himself would return to the main branch to tackle the accumulating workload. He further shocked the employees by declaring that Abigail would accompany him as his secretary. This revelation sparked curiosity and bewilderment among the staff, who couldn't help but wonder what made Abigail special enough for the President to bring her along.Abigail stood at the top floor of the imposing Ulrick Jewels main branch building, her eyes taking in the sprawling cityscape below. Despite her pleas to Edward, trying to persuade

"Find out what happened.” Roen’s voice cracked with fear as he stared at his wife’s pale face, desperation seeping into his every word. “I need to know why this happened to Abigail,” Edward commanded his tone a dangerous mix of fury and anxiety. His eyes were ablaze with a burning intensity, and his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. Roen could almost feel the storm of emotions raging inside Edward, and he knew that any answer less than the truth would not suffice. Abigail’s life, and that of their unborn child, had been teetering on the brink of disaster. Even if their marriage was a mere formality, Edward was determined to protect Abigail and their baby at all costs.Roen rushed back to the building, his heart pounding with a mix of dread and determination. He found the young women they had seen earlier, their faces still etched with shock. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized their every movement, searching for any hint of deception. He questioned James and Tiffany

"Ah, you're here," one of Abigail's coworkers said as she arrived at their office. As soon as she entered, everyone turned to look at her. From the way they were looking at her, she could already guess the reason behind their stares. It was probably because of the recent anniversary party. She figured everyone would be asking her about what happened. After all, she was the only one in the company without an invitation, yet she suddenly showed up with the president, wearing the company's expensive necklace. Even she was puzzled by what had transpired."Imagine that, a simple secretary suddenly becoming the lady of the night because of the Crimson Fate necklace. Tell us, what did you do to fool the President?" a woman asked as she approached Abigail, her tone dripping with sarcasm."You're a disgrace. I never thought you could do that. Did you know you stole the spotlight from Celes? Tiffany said Celes was supposed to wear the Crimson Fate because she's the actress and model

"You did a great job earlier," Roen said to Abigail with a smile as he escorted her to a luxurious suite in the grand hotel. The night had grown late, and Edward had decided they should spend the night there. With Edward still engrossed in conversations with the guests and company directors, Roen had taken on the responsibility of escorting Abigail to the suite."I didn't do anything but stand on stage. I don't understand why the President made me wear this necklace," Abigail said, her voice tinged with confusion and unease. She glanced at the ornate box she was holding. After the event, she had immediately returned the necklace to the box, afraid that she might damage it. She knew how important the necklace was, not only to Edward's family but also to the company. The weight of its significance felt almost too heavy to bear."He has his reasons," Roen replied, his smile unwavering, but his eyes holding a hint of mystery."Hope that reason is a good one," Abigail muttered, handing the

"Edward!" called out a young woman wearing a deep burgundy dress, featuring a fitted, mermaid-style. Abigail, upon hearing the familiar voice, turned her head towards it. She couldn't help but be amazed by the woman's stunning beauty."Celes," Edward greeted the young woman warmly, recognizing her immediately. Abigail knew who had arrived. Celes was the famous actress rumored to be Edward's girlfriend."I'm glad you made it," Edward said after giving Celes a light kiss on the cheek."Of course, you invited me. And it's work. I'll be delighted to wear your new jewelry collection," she replied with a charming smile. Edward returned her smile."Roen, please escort her to her dressing room. And inform the team to start the show," Edward instructed.Aside from celebrating their company's anniversary, Edward took this opportunity to showcase the new Ulrick Jewels collection, followed by announcing the design competition for the next collection.As Celes

While Abigail watched Edward speak on stage from a distance, a man approached her, carrying two champagne glasses. His presence was confident, almost magnetic."Hi," he said with a charming smile, stepping closer."H-hi?" Abigail responded, her voice tinged with hesitation."Pablo Ortez," he introduced himself, extending his hand. "You looked stunning. I couldn't resist coming over to meet you," he continued. Abigail managed a polite smile. It was rare for someone to approach her with such interest.Normally, people avoided her because of her unique hair color. But tonight, her appearance seemed to have a different effect."Abigail," she replied, shaking his hand."For you," Pablo said, handing her one of the champagne glasses. Abigail glanced at it, knowing she shouldn't drink because of her pregnancy. However, refusing might seem impolite."Thank you," she said, accepting the champagne."You know the Ulrick President?" Pablo asked, h