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42 - Anniversary
Kaugnay na kabanata
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   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   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   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   1 - Mine
As I entered the company, my secretary and other board members followed closely behind me. I was engrossed in my phone, scrolling through the negative feedback about our cruise ships."Bakit ang dali lang sa kanila ang manghusga ng basta-basta? Hindi ba nila alam na ang laking damage ito sa kompanya ko?" I thought bitterly. Our cruise ships have been on top since our great grandfather established the company. We have always provided excellent service to our guests and passengers, earning numerous awards over the years. And now, problems about our cruise ships' bad service are spreading like wildfire? What is wrong with these people?!My grip tightened on my phone as I walked towards the elevator, the anger simmering just below the surface. I was furious about the tainted reputation of our cruise ships."Miss Cali, there's someone who wants to invest," Monica's voice interrupted my thoughts."So? That's not my work, Monica. Let Era handle it," I snapped at her, continuing my stride tow
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   2 - The Investor
He lifted me up against the wall as I wrapped my arms around his neck. I wrapped my legs around him too. I missed him. I really do.In the heat of the moment, Thad gently carried me to the nearby couch, never breaking our kiss. The urgency between us intensified as our hands explored each other's bodies, tracing every curve and edge. His touch ignited a fire within me, and I responded eagerly, craving more of his closeness.As we continued to kiss, time seemed to slow down, and the world around us faded into the background. Each kiss became deeper and more intense, fueled by desire and a shared longing. Our hearts beat in sync, echoing the passion that burned between us.Eventually, we broke apart, breathless and flushed with desire. Thad's eyes met mine, filled with a mix of tenderness and hunger."Your body can't lie to me, Cali," he said in a rugged and husky voice. I bit my lips and avoided his stares. Fuck. What did I do?"I was drunk. And you take advantage of it!" I said, almos
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   3 - Sorry
I bit the inside of my cheek when I saw Thaddeus. Him? Investing in my company? Was this some ridiculous joke?"Good afternoon, Cali," he greeted with a smile. I glared at him and was about to walk away when he reached out and grabbed my hand. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through my veins.His touch brought back memories—intense and passionate moments we once shared. Despite my resolve to keep things professional, his presence stirred emotions I thought I had buried long ago."What do you think you're doing?" I said, trying to pull my hand away, but he held on firmly."Cali, please," he said earnestly, his eyes searching mine. "Let's talk. Give me a chance to explain."I hesitated, torn between the past and the present, between my business instincts and my personal history with him. Finally, I nodded reluctantly."Fine," I replied, my voice firm despite the turmoil inside me. "Let's talk, but keep it professional."He nodded, releasing my hand slowly. We sat down at the table,
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   4 - The Captain
Pagod na pagod akong humiga sa kama ko. Nakita kong tulog na si Zen nang makarating ako kaya hindi ko na siya ginising pa.Nang makapagpahinga ako saglit ay kaagad din akong tumayo para maligo. Lutang na lutang akong naliligo at hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na ako nasa loob ng banyo.His words lingered on my mind. He ran into accident? Why... Why I didn't know about that? Totoo bang naaksidente siya?Maaga akong nagising at naabutan ko si Zen na pinapakialaman ang mga box at paperbags na nakatambak sa living area. Pati mga nalantang bulaklak ay inayos niya para itapon sana nang pigilan ko."Just leave it there, Zen."Napaangat naman ng tingin si Zen at tumaas ang kilay. Nagtataka kung kaninong galing iyon. Wala naman kasing card or pangalang nakalagay doon."May pupuntahan ka ba? May trabaho pa kasi ako." Sabi ko. Ramdam ang pagod sa boses ko.Hindi kasi ako nakatulog ng maayos dahil sa paulit-ulit kong naalala ang nangyari sa elevator, sa sasakyan niya maging sa mga sinabi niya sa
Pinakabagong kabanata
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   Epilogue
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   45 - Sweet Home
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   44 - Together
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   43 - Broke
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   42 - Anniversary
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   41 - Pride
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   40 - Asar-Talo
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   39 - Crush
9 Muses Series #1: Anchored Hearts   38 - Memories
