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24 - The Wedding
Last Updated:
2024-07-28 12:10:51Related chapters
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 25 - Emotions
After the reception, the after-party was in full swing. The room buzzed with laughter, music, and lively conversations. Guests were enjoying themselves, dancing and mingling, but I was far from feeling the same excitement. My earlier symptoms had worsened, and I found myself making several trips to the restroom, trying to escape the overpowering smells of the food that made me queasy.Thaddeus, ever-observant, noticed my discomfort. He approached me with a look of concern, his brow furrowed slightly. "Are you sure you’re okay?" he asked, his voice laced with worry."Walang strawberry cake." Mahinang sabi ko sabay nguso. Nagulat naman si Thaddeus, tinignan ako, kaya napatingin din ako sa kanya. Halata ang pagkagulat sa kanyang mukha nang sabihin ko iyon.Then he suddenly smiled and said, "You're craving something? I'll request it from the chef. Do you need anything?"I shook my head, though the mention of the cake made my mouth water. "Just the cake," I said with a soft giggle, my mood
Last Updated : 2024-07-289 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 26 - Jasmine
Kinabukasan ay naghanda kami ni Thaddeus sa pagbalik sa Amsterdam, as Urania will set sail in the next two weeks, but I need to prepare everything. But before we went to Amsterdam, I needed to go back to Miami first to check everything.Tinanong ko si Thad kung anong barko namin ang una niyang dinala, dahil hindi ko pa naitatanong sa kanya iyon."My baby," he replied, which made me stop putting my MacBook in my luggage.I looked at him, a bit confused. "Calliope," he clarified, still smiling. "She was my first baby as a captain." He patted the bed next to him, inviting me to sit down.As I moved to sit beside him, he gently pulled me onto his lap. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a quick, affectionate kiss. His smile widened, but he didn't let up; instead, he leaned in and kissed my neck, sending a delightful shiver down my spine. I tightened my grip around his neck, savoring the warmth and closeness of our embrace."I requested it, though." he said softly,
Last Updated : 2024-07-289 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 27 - Cravings
"What was that, Cali?" he demanded, his voice laced with anger.I frowned, not understanding why he was upset. "I don't like her. And you're asking me, what was that?" I shot back, my grip tightening on the glass in my hand. "What do you want me to do? Be friendly with her?"He took a deep breath, trying to control his frustration. "She's just a friend—the one who helped me during college, Cali," he said, his voice strained. "I owe her a lot. Can we please not fight over this?""Ow, malaki pala utang mo sa kanya.” I snapped, my irritation boiling over. “Edi sana sumama ka nalang sa kanya.” Iritable kong sagot tsaka ko kinuha ang bag at naglakad palabas ng resto kahit na hindi pa dumadating ang order namin."Cali!" Thaddeus called after me, his voice tinged with desperation. But I didn't stop. My heart was pounding, and every step I took felt like a release of the fury and hurt that had been building inside me. How dare he invalidate my feelings? How dare he dismiss my discomfort like
Last Updated : 2024-07-289 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 28 - Surprise
Warning: This chapter includes explicit sexual content and discussions of intimacy between characters. Reader discretion is advised.Thaddeus left for Amsterdam the next morning, while I left for work. Plano namin sana sabay kaming pupunta ng Amsterdam, pero may mga trabaho pa akong dapat gawin at pupunta nalang ako doon two days before Urania starts to sail.Thaddeus left his penthouse to me. Ayaw ko namang tumira sa malaking lugar ng ako lang mag-isa kaya sa condo ko ako nagi-stay. Baka kasi mamiss ko lang si Thad sa penthouse niya dahil mas marami kaming memories doon kumpara sa condo ko.As I was busy reviewing the proposed budget for the next year, my phone rang. Kaagad kong inabot iyon, expecting it to be Thaddeus. But it was Dylan. Nasa condo na ako ngayon at mag aalas dose na ng gabi, pero heto at trabaho parin ang iniisip ko."Any news?" Bungad ko kaagad nang sagutin ko ang tawag niya.I heard Dylan's heavy sigh before responding, "Cali, I'm sorry to bother you tonight... But
Last Updated : 2024-07-289 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 29 - Celebration
Patalon-talon si Thaddeus habang hawak ang kamay kong naglalakad papuntang ballroom. May malawak na ngiti sa labi, at ilang beses niyang hinahalikan ang likod ng palad ko dahil sa sobrang kasiyahan na nararamdaman niya.I told him that I needed to check the ballroom for the event tomorrow as we set sail to Antwerp, Belgium as our first stop, and he said he will come with me."Don't you have work?" Tanong ko sa kanya. "Tingin ko kaya naman ng mga mates ko ang trabaho nang wala ako." Nakangiti niyang sabi."Thaddeus! You're the captain of this ship! Malamang kailangan ka nila!" Singhal ko sa kanya. Napatawa naman siya at kinurot pa ang pisngi ko."Don't worry, my love. They're trained and most reliable mates I had. Don't you have trust in me?" Napanguso ako sa sinabi niya.We arrived at the ballroom, a vast space that can accommodate more than five thousand people. The expanse inside is impressive, even though numerous tables are arranged around the area. The tables are covered with whi
Last Updated : 2024-07-289 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 30 - Girlfriend
Nakarating kami sa kwarto ni Thad at tawang-tawa ako nang maalala ko ang mukha ng Jasmine na iyon!But then Thaddeus’s face darkened as he looked at me, his expression a mix of frustration and disappointment. “Cali,” he said, his tone low and serious.“What?” I asked, trying to sound innocent despite knowing exactly what he was referring to.He sighed deeply, clearly struggling to control his anger. “You shouldn’t have acted that way with her,” he said, his voice trembling with suppressed frustration.I felt a familiar surge of irritation. “Are we really doing this again?” I asked, feeling the weight of our argument pressing down on me.“I just don’t like her, Thad. Can’t you see that she’s clearly flirting with you?” I snapped; my voice sharp. Bakit ba pinapaboran niya ang babaeng iyon?"If she does, ako iiwas. Just don't be like that to her, nor to anyone." he said in a low voice, trying to hide his frustrations because of what I did."I am not like that to anyone, Thad. It makes me
Last Updated : 2024-07-289 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 31 - Found
"Are you okay, my love? Did they hurt you or what?" He asked, concerned.I shook my head. "Nope, they're just talking about some random things. I'm not interested though. Good thing you came," I said, smiling from ear to ear as I remember Jasmine's face as it turns red nang mapahiya sa sinabi ni Thaddeus sa kanya.She did that to herself. Mang-aagaw na nga lang sa maling tao pa.And what? She told her friends that Thaddeus was her boyfriend. What a Delulu.Hinawakan ni Thaddeus ang kamay ko hanggang sa naglakad kami papuntang elevator. "Kumain ka ba ng almusal? 'Wag kang nagpapalipas, Cali. May inaalagaan kang baby." He gently said as he squeezed my hand.Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. "Yes, I ate before having a meeting, mahal." Sagot ko sa kanya."Nagugutom ka na ba? We can have lunch first before touring you to my workplace." Sumang-ayon ako sa kanya.Kaya naglakad kami papuntang restaurant para kumain muna ng lunch. Nakita pa namin ang mga classmates namin na masayang kumakain roon
Last Updated : 2024-07-289 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 32 - Crucial
"What? Nasaan kayo? Pupunta ako. Is Mel's fine?" Nanginginig kong tanong. Lumakad ako palayo sa kanila, pero ramdam kong sinusundan ako ni Thaddeus na hinayaan ko nalang.Suddenly, as I turned a corner, I was confronted by my father. His face was a mask of fury, his eyes blazing with anger. Before I could react, he delivered a harsh slap across my face, sending my phone skittering into the sea. The sting and shock of the blow made my tears spill uncontrollably.The pain was not just physical but emotional, compounded by the weight of my father’s rage. I stood there, trembling, my heart pounding with a mix of guilt and confusion. Was this the moment I had been bracing myself for, Cali?"What did you do, Cali?!" my father roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "Why did you hide everything from me?! Era’s pregnant and missing?! And Mel too?! Damn it, Calliope! You had your siblings with you, but you couldn’t even keep a proper watch over them?!" His anger was palpable, and every word c
Last Updated : 2024-07-28
Latest chapter
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts Epilogue
Warning: This chapter includes explicit sexual content and discussions of intimacy between characters. Reader discretion is advised.THADDEUS DELA VERAAs our friends left after the party, nagkakaundagaga kami sa paglilinis ng bahay ni Cali. Ako ang naghuhugas, habang siya naman ay nag va-vaccum kahit na may cleaning bot na umiikot sa buong lapag.Hindi daw kasi enough iyon at kailangang mabusisi siya sa paglilinis ng bahay para sa health ni Anchor. Lalo na't may asthma si Anchor.While living with her for a few weeks, I noticed her maturity. Maybe being a mom and raising Anchor by herself makes her even more mature, strong, and independent.Pero kahit na ganon, kabado parin ako na baka hindi niya ako kailangan sa pagpapalaki kay Anchor dahil nakaya niyang wala ako ng mahigit tatlong taon."What are you thinking?" Pagbabasag ni Cali sa mga iniisip ko.Umayos ako sa pagkakaupo ko sa kama habang si Cali naman ay nagtutupi ng mga tuwalya.“Do you need me, baby?” I asked. I bit my lips, fe
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 45 - Sweet Home
Warning: This chapter includes explicit sexual content and discussions of intimacy between characters. Reader discretion is advised.THADDEUS DELA VERAPabalik na kami ng Europe nang may nangyaring hindi namin inaasahan."Captain! The ship is sinking!" My first mate said as he went inside to my room. Nagpapahinga ako saglit dahil halos twenty hours na akong walang tulog dahil sa paiba-iba ang panahon, lalo na't umuulan na ng snow.Kaagad akong nagbihis at lumabas para puntahan ang bridge, but as soon as I went out of my room, everyone was panicking. Crew members were running in every direction, passengers were screaming, and the sound of water rushing through the hull was growing louder.Kinuha ko ang radio sa pantalon ko para iinform ang mga direktors na pakalmahin ang mga pasahero. My hands trembled slightly as I spoke, trying to maintain a steady voice despite the panic."This is the Captain speaking. I need all directors to inform the passengers to stay calm and proceed to their l
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 44 - Together
THADDEUS DELA VERANilibing si mama. Hirap na hirap akong bumangon dahil ang hirap bumangon ng wala ng dahilan para mabuhay. Pero tulad ng sabi ni Rafael, lalaban ako. Ilang buwan na akong umiiyak at feel ko hindi maubos-ubos iyon dahil sa sunod-sunod na nangyayari saakin.The house was taken away from me. Wala akong nadala kundi ang sarili ko at mga dokyumento at iilang mga damit. Hindi ko na sinabi sa mga kaibigan ko dahil sobrang dami na nilang naitulong saakin at hindi ko na alam kung paano bayaran lahat ng iyon.Ang alam nalang nila ay may tinitirhan ako. Nakakatawa kung paano ako umabot sa ganito. Wala nang natira sa perang iniipon ko na para sa apprenticeship ko dahil nagamit ko iyon sa libing ni mama.Napatambay ako sa labas ng convenience store, kumakain ng tinapay at nagbabasa ng libro para sa exam."Thad?" Nanginig ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Dustin. Pag-angat ko ay kasama niya si Andrei at mukhang lasing na."Bakit dito ka nag-aaral?" Napangiti ako sa tanong ni Dustin
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 43 - Broke
THADDEUS DELA VERAPagkatapos ng gabing unang pagtatalik namin ni Cali ay mas naging malapit kami sa isa't isa. Halos hindi ko na siya layuan. At wala akong pakealam na kung muling lalapit saakin ang tatay ni Cali.Mahal ko si Cali at hinding-hindi ko kayang malayo sa kanya. Ikakamatay ko.Parehong third-year na kami sa college. Parehong hectic na ang mga schedules kung kaya't hindi kami masyadong nagkikita.Graduating na sana ako ngayong taon, dahil tatlong taon lang naman ang kursong nautical. At isang taon bilang apprentice. Pero dahil sa working student ako, ay naging irregular ako at may mga subjects pang hindi nakukuha.Naging busy ako sa school, projects at trabaho. Minsan nakakalimutan kong replyan si Cali... O sadyang lumalayo lang talaga ako sa kanya...Muli akong binisita ng tatay niya, isang warning nalang ay tuluyang mawawala si Cali saakin at hinding-hindi ko na siya makikita pa.Kahit na busy ako sa sarili ko, hindi ko naman nakakalimutang tanawin si Cali mula sa malayo
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 42 - Anniversary
THADDEUS DELA VERASince that day, hindi ko na alam kung paano harapin si Cali. Natatakot ako na kung baka mas lalo ko siyang lapitan ay tuluyang dadalhin si Cali sa Europe.Mabuti nalang naging busy ako sa school at part-time—na hindi alam ni Cali na nagpa-part-time ako, dahil alam kong papahintuhin niya ako.Days before my birthday, Cali texted me.From: My World 💜Thad, are you free next week? Miss na kita. Tapos na ba kayo sa finals niyo? Call me when you're free. I love you!Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa cellphone ko nang hindi ko siya magawang replayan."Bro, basketball later, saan ka pupunta?" Tanong ni Marcos nang makitang nagmamadali akong ligpitin ang gamit ko."Pass, may gagawin ako." Walang emosyon kong sabi sa kanila tsaka nagmamadaling lumabas ng school.Uwian narin ni Cali. Tinanong ko kay Zen ang schedule niya. Nagtataka man siya pero hindi na masyadong nagtanong.Mula sa pwesto ko, kita ko si Cali na kakalabas lang ng gate. Nakakunot ang noo habang titig na titig s
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 41 - Pride
THADDEUS DELA VERA"Ma! Magsimula na tayong magtamin ng bulaklak!" Kinikilig kong sabi. Napatingin naman si mama saakin na nagtataka.I mean, sinong hindi, may mga bulaklak naman sa tapat namin, 'yun nga lang hindi magagandang bulaklak tulad ng rosas."At bakit naman? Huwag mong sabihing project, Thadeo! Hindi na uso ang ganon!" Natawa ako sa sigaw ni mama."May liligawan ang anak niyo, kaso mayaman nililigawan, kaya hindi ko mabilhan ng bulaklak, kaya magtatanim nalang." Nakangiti kong sabi kay mama.Lumapit naman siya saakin at pinalo ako ng tabo. "Magtanim ka! Hindi iyong ginugulo mo ako!"Muli akong natawa kay mama, parehong-pareho kay Cali, ang bilis uminit ng ulo. Napaka asar-talo!Kaya simula no'n ay natuto akong magtanim ng mga bulaklak, dumadami na ang tanim ko, kaya araw-araw dinadalhan ko si Cali ng bulaklak, tig iisang stem lang baka maubos agad mamoblema pa ako."Good morning, Cali!" Bati ko nang makita ko siya sa loob ng room, mag-isa palang. Hindi naman kasi uso early bi
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 40 - Asar-Talo
THADDEUS DELA VERAIlang linggo na ang nakakalipas, pero natotorpe parin akong kasaupin sa Cali. Paano, laging death glare ang binibigay saakin kapag ako ang may pinakamataas na score sa quiz. Hindi naman ako nakikipagkompetensya sa kanya, sadyang nakakabisado ko lang talaga kaagad ang mga lessons kahit na hindi na ako nagrereview.Lumabas ako para sa lunch kasama ang barkada, kasama rin namin si Zen at Lila, pero si Cali ay nagpaiwan sa loob at nagbabasa ng notes dahil may quiz kami mamaya.Naaawa akong makita siyang ganon dahil tingin ko pinipilit niya ang sarili niyang mag-aral kahit na feel ko talaga na ayaw niya, na para bang may nakapatong sa kanyang balikat na sobrang bigat. At kapag binagsak niya ang mga balikat niya, ay parang ikakabagsak niya rin iyon.May baon akong dala, pero bumili parin ako ng clubhouse sandwich at strawberry milk na lagi kong nakikitang binibili ni Cali para sa kanya. Kahit nabasawan man ang perang baon ko ay okay lang para rin naman kay Cali iyon.Nauna
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 39 - Crush
THADDEUS DELA VERANaghahanda ako ng gamit ko para sa unang pasukan sa Smith International Academy. Sobrang tuwa ni mama nang makapasok ako roon, at libre lahat.Isa iyon sa pinakasikat at mahal na school sa lalawigan ng Cebu. Isa din sa school na may mataas na rate para sa mga nakapasok sa colleges."Oh, anak, heto baon mo. Ubusin mo ha!" Sabi ni mama habang pinapasok ang baon sa bag ko, habang ako naman ay nagsasapatos na bagong bili ni mama."Aba oo naman, ma! Luto mo 'yan e. Wala ng mas sasarap pa sa luto mo!" Nakangiti kong sabi."Aysus, Thadeo! Nangbola pa nga. Wala akong pera," anas ni mama kaagad kaya napatawa ako."Kiss nalang mama!" Sabi ko sabay tayo at lumapit kay mama para halikan siya sa pisngi."Oh siya! Bilisan mo na at baka mahuli ka pa sa unang araw mo sa SIA!" Sabay tulak ni mama saakin palabas ng bahay. Napanguso naman ako sa ginawa niya pero tumawa lang si mama."Bye ma! Bye pa!" Sabi ko sabay halik sa litrato ni papa na nasa tabi ng altar namin."Mag-iingat ka sa
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts 38 - Memories
THADDEUS DELA VERAI stared blankly at the ocean, where the waves crashed fiercely against the shore. Despite the chaos of the sea, I found a strange comfort in its power. The night was dark, but the moon’s light was so bright that it outshone the stars.The cold breeze brushed against my skin, and I felt a tightness in my chest that I couldn’t quite understand. The calm of the night contrasted with the turmoil inside me, making the moment feel both peaceful and unsettling.“Thad,” I heard a voice and turned to see Jasmine approaching. She wore a thin fabric that barely covered her, shivering slightly in the cold.She sat on my lap, placing her hands on my shoulders, and leaned her head against my chest. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice soft.“Nagpapahangin. Ikaw?” sagot ko, halata ang pag-aalala para sa kanya. “Malamig na ah. Sobrang nipis pa ng sinuot mo, magkakasakit ka niyan.”Jasmine lifted her gaze, a hint of surprise in her eyes. She grinned and leaned closer. “A
