Nobela ni Fleurdelis

Hindi mapakali si Sky nang magising. Napatingin siya sa mama niyang nasa tabi niya at natutulog. Nasa eroplano sila nang mga sandaling iyon at papunta sa Thailand para sa isang business trip. Gusto niyang pumunta ang banyo kaya lang hindi niya gustong gisingin ang mama niya. Hindi nila noon kasama si Lee at Simone dahil naunang umalis ang dalawa. Muli siyang napatingin sa mama kahit na gusto niyang gisingin ang mama niya hindi niya magawa dahil sa himbing nang tulong nito.“Hey Little Guy.” Wika nang isang pamilyar na boses mula sa lalaking nasa tabi nang upuan nang mama niya sa kabilang aisle. Napatingin si Sky sa lalaking tumawag sa kanya. Biglang umaliwalas ang mukha nang bata nang makilala ng lalaking nakaupo at nakatingin sa kanya.“What’s wrong? Do you need something?” tanong ni Drake sa bata.“P

"Sam? Anong hinahanap mo?” Tanong ni Lee kay Samantha nang maabutan sa study nito na hinahalungkat ang mga gamit nitong matagal nang tinago. Nang marinig ni Sam ang boses ni Lee natigilan siya sa ginagawa saka napatingin kay Lee.“Lee. I am wondering. Lahat ba tungkol sa nakaraan ko sinabi niyo na? I mean, ang mga bagay na nakalimutan ko.” Wika ni Samantha saka tumayo at tumingin kay Lee. “Remember the businessman sa billboard?” Anang dalaga.“Oh? What about him?” tanong ni Lee. Pero may duda na siya sa gustong itanong nang dalaga.“Nakita namin siya ni Sky sa labas nang supermarket kanina. Ewan ko ba, biglang kumirot ang dibdib ko.” Wika nang dalaga saka inilagay ang kamay sa dibdib niya. “And what’s suprising is. It looks like he knows me.” Anang dalaga.

"Oh.” Mahinang usal ni Drake nang biglang maramdaman ang pagtama na kung ano sa kaliwang binti niya. Kakalabas lang niya noon sa isang supermarket. Nang mapatingin siya sa gilid niya Nakita niya ang isang batang nakaupo sa tabi niya.“Hey, are you okay?” Tanong ni Drake sa batang nabuwal sa gilid niya saka tinulungan itong tumayo. Biglang natigilan si Drake nang makilala ang bata.“It’s you again.” Usal ni Drake sa bata. “What are you doing here? Are you alone again? Where’s your dad?” sunod-sunod na tanong nang binata. Saka napatingin sa paligid pero hindi naman niya makita si Simone. Saka bumaling sa batang lalaki. Nabigla pa si Drake nang makitang nakatingin ang bata sa kanya.“Ginulat mo naman ako.” Wika ni Drake. “Why are you alone again? Nasaan ba yang ama at pinababayaan kang mag-isa dito. Hindi ba sila natatakot na may mangyaring masama saiyo?” wika ni Drake sa bata.&ld

"Ano yang tinitingnan mo?” tanong ni Lee kay Samantha saka lumapit dito habang nakatingin sa billboard sa nasa itaas nang mall. Biglang natigilan si Lee nang makita kung sino ang nasa billboard saka tumingin kay Samantha. Nakita niya ang luhang pumatak sa mga mat ani Samantha na agad ding pinahid nang dalaga. Halatang maging ito ay nagulat dahil sa pagpatak nang mga luha sa mata.“Do you recognize him?” tanong ni Lee sa dalaga. “Why are you crying?” tanong ni Lee.“I don’t know. I don’t understand.” Wika ni Samantha saka tumingin kay Lee. “I don’t recognize him.” Wika nang dalaga. Pero hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit tumutulo ang luha niya nang hindi niya nalalaman ang dahilan.“Then, you don’t need to pay attention.” Wika ni Lee. “He is just a famous businessman, that’s it.” Wika pa ni Lee. “Tayo na at baka hinihintay na tayo nina Sky

Tumatakbo ang isang batang lalaki palabas sa pinto nang isang mall habang hinahabol ang isang jar na gumulong palabas. Laman noon ang maliliit na star na gawa sa papel. Nakita nang security guard ang bata a tumatakbo habang hinahabol ang gumugulong na jar pero hindi nila ito binigyang pansin. Ngunit ganoon na lamang ang gulat nila nang marinig ang malakas na bosena nang sasakyan. Kasabay nito ang tili nang isang babae. Tumili ito nang ‘bata’. Pero huli nan ang mapatingin ang mga security guard nang mall. Huminto na ang sasakya habang sa harap nito ang isang Binatang naka suot nang smart suit habang karga-karga ang batang lalaki.Habang sinusundan nang batang lalaki ang gumulong na jar. Gumulong ito papunta sa pedestrian lane sa harap nang mall. Walang masyadong dumadaang sasakyan nang mga sandaling iyon at wala ding pumapansin sa batang lalaki. Narinig nang batang lalaki ang bosena nang sasakyan. Naabutan niya ang Jar niya na may lamang mga folded stars pero nasa

"Tinitingnan mo na naman yan? Akala ko tinapon mo na yan?” Takang tanong nang isang lalaki sa dalagang nakaupo sa upuan sa tabi nang bintana nang eroplano. Nakatingin ito sa sa isang maliit na kahon na may lamang isang singsing. Nakatingin siya sa singsing pero wala naman siyang maalala sa kung bakit nasa kanya ang singsing na iyon at kung sino ang nagbigay sa kanya. Sa di malamang dahilan pakiramdam nang dalaga napakahalaga sa kanya nang mga ito. Tuwing nakatingin siya sa singsing nasa maliit na box magkahalong saya at lungkot ang nararamdaman niya. Tila ba sang mahalagang bahagi nang pagkatao niya ang nakapaloob sa mga bagay na iyon.Hindi rin niya alam kung kanino galing ang mga bagay na iyon. Ang tanging alam lang niya o nararamdaman niya mahalagang bagay iyon para sa kanya. Kaya lang bukod wala na siyang ibang alam. Hindi rin niya magawang itapon ito sa hindi niya malamang dahilan. At it makes her calm kapag nakatingin siya sa mga ito.Napatingin ang dalaga

When Abigail awoke the next morning, she found herself alone in the expansive room; Edward had departed. Her gaze wandered until it settled on the food arranged on the table.Abigail rose from her bed and walked towards the table. She noticed the food prepared for her and a note. Picking up the note, she read the message inscribed on it."Sorry I didn't wait for you to wake up. This cruise won't dock until after Christmas. You can stay in this cabin until then, Merry Christmas, My Lucky Red," the note from the young man read.Abigail looked at the food and smiled, unable to hide the young man's sweetness. She felt embarrassed knowing she had initiated what happened between them the previous night. Perhaps it was because she felt she could trust him. She didn't know if she would see Edward again, but she was happy with what he had done for her. The only memories she had of him were the ring he had given her and that night.Abigail stayed on the cruise, celebrating Christmas by herself.

When Abigail accepted the young man's hand, he suddenly pulled her close, causing her heart to race. He looked straight into her face, his gaze intensifying the turmoil in her chest. She knew she had just met the man and shouldn't trust him. Yet, it felt as though her own heart was betraying her."I am warning you. I am about to kiss you," Edward declared to Abigail."I – I might be bad at it," Abigail said. But she couldn't finish what she was saying when the young man captured her lips. Their mouths met hungrily as he pulled her closer. This time his kiss was passionate and devouring, a fierce meeting of lips that left them both gasping for air. It was a kiss that spoke of intense desire and raw emotion. Abigail did not resist as Edward carefully laid her down on the bed and his lips still locked on hers. He his lips on her as he was unable to fight that feeling of being drawn to her. Those lips are the sweetest. He thinks he is lost in the sensation.His touch sent electricity cou

"I guess I was just lucky. I have my lucky charm with me," the young man replied, then kissed Abigail's hand. The lady's eyes widened at the gentleman's action. Her heart skipped a beat because of what he did."I have something for my lucky charm," said the young man. They looked at the man who approached Edward. They were even more surprised when the man opened a box in front of them, revealing the red diamond from the auction earlier. Abigail looked at the young man in astonishment. She thought someone else had won that red diamond."A rare piece of red diamond is fitting for a gem like you," he said as he placed the ring on her finger. The woman's heart raced even more as she gazed at the young man. Why was he treating her with such distinction? Could she trust the kindness he displayed?James and Tiffany, observing the pair, were in disbelief at Edward's gesture."You're joking, uncle, right? You can't possibly give that expensive red diamond to someone like her," James remarked t

In addition to the group wedding that was the highlight of the cruise's Christmas event, a notable auction also took place in the cruise's casino, attended by businessmen known not only in the corporate world. The auction was one of the event highlights of that cruise. As the auction began, the first item up for bid was a Moussaieff Red Diamond, which is exceedingly rare."Is that the Moussaieff diamond?" Abigail exclaimed in surprise, gazing at the ring that was the first auction item."Do you know about that red diamond?" Edward asked in disbelief. He did not expect the young woman to be knowledgeable about it. Tiffany and James, who were behind the two, were also surprised to hear Abigail's remark."Of course. I work for a jewelry company; it's the bare minimum for me to know about these things," said Abigail. Although everyone treated her as just an office maid, she knew about the jewelry they made, especially since Ulrick Jewels was one of the most famous companies producing high-

Everyone turned to look at Abigail and the young man with her as they entered the cruise ship's casino. The crowd was in disbelief at the sight. Abigail could also hear the whispers of those present. She heard the name the people were calling the man with her."Are you Edward Ulrick?" the lady asked in surprise, halting and turning to face the young man. She was astonished that the man she was seeing was James' uncle; he bore no resemblance to what she had envisioned. The company employees' descriptions had not captured the handsomeness of Edward's features in her mind. She had imagined Edward as an older man, being James' uncle, yet the reality stood starkly different before her now.The young man stopped walking and turned towards the lady."Why? You seem startled," Edward said with a smile to the lady."Well, you don't look like what I had in mind," the lady replied. Edward's brow furrowed in curiosity at her words."I'm intrigued. What did you think I looked like?" the young man a

Tiffany and James were shocked by Abigail's sudden action. She delivered a strong slap to the man's face, tears streaming down her cheeks."Leave my cabin," she demanded firmly."What did you say?" James inquired."Get out of my cabin. I paid for this place," the girl yelled. But her shout didn't intimidate James. Instead of James and Tiffany leaving her room, James dragged her out of the cabin and pushed her to the floor. James wasn't satisfied with just ejecting Abigail; he even threw her suitcase out after her."Are you tallying up your expenses on me? How cheap," James remarked before slamming the cabin door shut. Abigail heard the laughter of Tiffany and James inside her cabin as she tearfully gathered her belongings.Where could she possibly go? The cruise was already at sea. What, would she jump into the ocean and swim back to the pier? These thoughts crossed the young woman's mind as she stood in front of the railing, on the deck of the cruise ship, watching the fireworks whil