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Epilogue
Huling Na-update:
2024-11-28 16:03:06Kaugnay na kabanata
9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies Prologue
“Mommy! Ayoko kasing mama! Can I stay here?” Erato pleaded with her mother, who was frantically packing their things along with the maids for their trip to Italy. Their father had business in Sicily, and the whole family was supposed to go.“Huwag nang matigas ang ulo, Era! All your sisters are coming! Please stop whining! Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa’yo.” Mnemosyne snapped back, clearly overwhelmed. She was heavily pregnant with her ninth child, and Era’s constant fussing was only adding to her stress.Mnemosyne’s frustration was palpable as she tried to juggle the logistics of the trip and manage her household. Her energy was already stretched thin from her pregnancy, and Era’s resistance to the trip was just one more thing she didn’t have the patience to deal with.Era’s little face crumpled in frustration, but she tried to reason with her mother. "Pero, Mommy, I don’t want to leave the house! I’ll be bored there, and I don’t know anyone in Sicily!”Napahinga nang malalim si Mnemosyne, t
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-299 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 1 - Transferee
“Erato! Wake up!” My sister Calliope called out, her voice sharp as she flung open the curtains, letting the morning sun flood my room. She tugged at my arm, trying to rouse me from my sleep as I lay still in bed.Cali is always like this, every morning. Simula mga bata palang kami, hanggang ngayonI groan. “No! I'm still sleepy, Cali! Let me sleep!”Binawi ko ang braso ko sa kay Cali at muling ibinagsak ang katawan sa higaan. “Isa! Sasabihin ko kay mommy na huwag kang bigyan ng allowance!”Muli akong napaungol sa inis at kaagad na napaupo at sinamaan ng tingin si Cali. Tumawa lang naman siya bago tuluyang lumabas.Alam na alam talaga kung paano ako inisin! Bagay na bagay talaga sila ni Thaddeus! Palaasar!I went through my morning routine as usual and took a selfie in front of the mirror, admiring my look. My reflection showed off my green eyes, a trait I inherited from my father. Unlike my sisters, who share our mother's chestnut brown eyes, my green eyes stand out prominently. My ey
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-299 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 2 - Lure
Mr. Gomez is already teaching us his subject—Filipino. Sobrang hot niya lalo na kapag nagsasalita ng puro at malalalim na tagalog. It was required for us to speak Tagalog during his class, at kapag hindi, may parusa. Kada salita ay kapalit ng ilang homework.At mukhang sinasadya ni Rian na mag English para mapansin ni Mr. Gomez.“Sir, that tongue twister is hard to pronounce.” Rian said in a seductive tone. Na ako lang ang nakakaalam ng tono ng pananalita niyang iyon.“This is an international school, sir. Why do we have to speak Tagalog though?” Dugtong niya pa.Umigting naman ang panga ni Mr. Gomez, tila nanggigigil sa panunukso ni Rian sa kanya. I smirked as I saw Mr. Gomez gulp and avert his gaze away from Rian.At ang malandi, sobrang lawak ng ngisi habang nilalaro ang mahabang buhok. Nice ka, Rian.I turned my gaze to Josh, who was completely clueless about our Filipino subject.Nag-taas naman ako ng kamay kay Mr. Gomez. “Ginoong Gomez, paano naman si Josh? Hindi niya naman naiin
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-299 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 3 - Tutor
Nagulat si Cali nang makitang bihis na bihis na ako nang makapasok ito sa kwarto ko para sana gisingin ako. The look on her face was priceless. Malamang, hirap ba naman ako gisingin araw-araw, pero heto ngayon at hindi na siya magpapakahirap pang gisingin ako."Wow, anong dahilan at maaga kang nakapag-ayos?" she asked, intrigued and trying to figure out the reason.I laughed and winked at her. "Secret." I teased, enjoying her curiosity.Pinandilatan niya naman ako ng mga mata at nai-intriga pa rin siya. Muli akong napatawa dahil sa kanya."Basta!" natatawa kong sigaw sa kanya.Her expression softened. "Better used protection, Erato." I groaned when she called me Erato."Take your pills and check you ob-gyn regularly!" sabi niya at binato ako ng unan, natamaan ako sa likod ko pero tumawa lang ang magaling kong Ate.I glared at her. "As if naman magpapabuntis ako." natatawa kong sabi. But Josh's face flashed on my mind.She walked further into the room, still smiling. "Anyway, get ready
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-299 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 4 - Meredith
I was about to lean even more to kiss him pero tumayo siya kaagad tsaka tumikhim. Napatawa ako ng mahina at umayos sa pagkakaupo. I knew it. Hinding-hindi siya bibigay kaagad sa akin.I smirked. “Are you a gay?” I asked and teased.He looks at me with a disgusting look. “What?!” His irritation is evident.Napasandal ako sa upuan tsaka napahalukipkip habang malawak ang ngiti na inaasar si Josh. His reaction was priceless. Tila nawala bigla ang pagiging malamig niya nang sabihin ko sa kanya ang katagang iyon.I crossed my legs and played with my hair, maintaining a smug smirk. “Oh, come on, Josh. You keep avoiding my kiss. Is it that hard to kiss a girl?”Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi ko nang lumakad si Josh papalapit saakin, inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin at ilang pulgada nalang ang namamagitan sa aming dalawa.He glanced at my lips and then gently cupped my chin, tilting it up. The touch of his hand made my heartbeat accelerate even more. I feel excited. Hahalikan na niya ba ako?
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-299 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 5 - Shock
Napansin ko ang pagtingin ni Meredith kay Josh, napatingin din ang lalaki sa kanya at lumawak ang ngiti ng babae. “È lei quella di cui stai parlando, amore?” (Is she the one you’re talking about, love?) She asked, brows furrowed but then she smirked.Napataas naman ang kilay ko sa sinabi ng babae. What? Pinaguusapan ba nila ako? And ano daw? Kinukwento ako ni Josh sa kanya? Bakit niya naman gagawin iyon e, hindi nga halos lumalapit sa akin. Ayokong umasa ano! Teka ba, isang Erato Adeline Devin? Aasa? Aasa lang ang nag-iisang Erato kung magiging square na ang mundo! Hmp!“Ano daw pinag-uusapan, Era? Hindi ko sila gets.” bulong ni Rian sa akin tsaka napanguso kaya napatawa ako nang mahina.“Ang ganda ko raw.” sagot ko, habang tawang-tawa parin.Napataas naman ang kilay ni Rian at hinampas ako sa braso. “Hindi nakakatuwa.” sagot niya, tsaka napanguso.Inirapan ko nalang siya. Alam naman kasi ni Rian na marunong akong mag Italian kaya napatanong siya sa akin.Lumapit si Josh kay Meredith t
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-299 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 6 - Falling?
Nagising nalang ako na nasa isang kwarto. This is not my room. Where could I be? I am not even familiar with it. Ano bang nangyari?Nakaramdam ako ng kirot sa kamay ko nang mapaupo ako sa kama. Shit. This can’t be! I have an upcoming cheer dance competition! Napangiwi ako nang makita kong namumula pa iyon. Damn that guy! I swear I will kill him once I see him again!“You’re awake.”I nearly jumped out of bed at the sound of Josh’s deep, husky voice. Damn it, Bakit kailangang manggulat?! My heart was pounding, and as I took in my surroundings, the realization hit me. Wait a second... Is this his room? Bakit niya naman ako dadalhin dito, e iwas nga siya sa akin? Wait! Magpapatikim na ba siya? Then, a mischievous grin started to creep across my face. Was this it? Was Josh finally going to make a move?I glanced at him, trying to gauge his expression, wondering if this was the moment I’d been waiting for. My mind raced with every possible scenario, each one more daring than the last. I co
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-299 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 7 - Proteggere A Tutti I Costi
Josh arrived and seated beside me, but I didn’t even bother to look. Wala lang ako sa mood—lalo na kung sa kanya lang din. Napansin rin iyon ni Rian kaya ang gaga, palagi akong inaasar. Isama pa ang pangangasar niya sa tuwing lalapitan ako ni Timothy para ayain minsan sa lunch, o hindi kaya mag-date after class. But sorry siya, I don’t do dates. I'm really not into a relationship. And speaking of the devil. “Era, are you free after class?” he asked like a child.Napataas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya na kaagad ding kumunot. “I don’t know. I have my practice after class and,” napatingin ako kay Josh na mukhang hindi naman nakikinig saamin.Hindi ko naman sinabi na may lessons kami ngayong lunes kaya okay lang naman atang sumama kay Tim. Muli akong napatingin kay Timothy na nag-aantay ng sagot ko.“Why?” I asked.Humarap naman si Rian saamin. “Go na ‘yan. Kunin mo na ang bestfriend ko, Tim,”singit niya pa at pinagtatabuyan pa ako ng bruha. ‘Di ba? Sinong hindi maasar kapag ganyan ang best
Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29
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9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies Epilogue
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9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 64 - Sienna
JOSIAH EROS LUCHESSE“Adeline, don’t leave me, hmm?” I pleaded, wrapping my arms around her from behind.She chuckled softly, turning to face me as she set the paintbrush back in its holder. Cupping my face gently, a sweet smile spread across her lips.“Baka nga ikaw pa ang mang-iwan sa’kin,” she teased. “Kapag iniwan mo ako, hinding-hindi na kita tatanggapin sa buhay ko, Josh. Kahit pa magmakaawa ka at suyuin ako. No. Never. Kaya don’t leave me.”Napatawa ako ng marahan sa sinabi niya at inayos ang hibla ng buhok na nakaharang sa kanyang mukha. I pulled her closer and sat down on the couch, letting her rest against me. “You love me so much, huh?” I teased.Napaismid naman siya. “Asa ka.”But I couldn’t help but laugh when she rested her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her small frame, holding her close. She was so tiny and delicate, yet she was the strongest and most independent woman I’d ever known.“Subukan mo talaga, Josh… Iiyak at magagalit ako. At kahit na mahal n
9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 63 - Confrontation
ERATO ADELINE DEVIN-LUCHESSE “Mommy! Mommy, wake up!” Napaungol ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Josh, tsaka ako gumulong sa kabilang kama, para magpatuloy sa pagtulog.“20 minutes, Josh. Inaantok pa si mommy, call Mommy Nia to fetch you here, okay?” Saad ko tsaka muling napaidlip, at bago pa tuluyang mapalal ang tulog ko nang maalala ko ang nangyari kagabi, kaya naman ay napabalikwas kaagad ako ng upo.Napatawa si Josh sa ginawa ko, pero napaungol ako dahil sa sobrang kirot ng ulo ko. Napahawak pa ako sa ulo at inipit iyon na para bang kapag ginawa ko ay mawawala na ang sakit sa ulo ko.“Fvk.” mura ko nang hindi mawala-wala ang sakit no’n.“What’s fvk, mommy?” Muli akong napaungol dahil sa tanong ni Josh kaya napaupo ako ng maayos at tinignan ang anak ko. Medyo nahihilo pa at dalawa siya sa paningin ko.I grabbed my son’s arms and pulled him closer to me.“That’s bad words, anak and you can’t say that to anyone. So please, refrain yourself from cursing okay?” Saad ko sa anak ko ha
9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 62 - Husband
ERATO ADELINE DEVIN-LUCHESSE “You seemed drunk, Lady. Can I drop you to your home?”Hindi ko siya pinansin at tumayo para sana bumalik na lang sa hotel, dahil mukhang wala pang balak magsiuwian ang mga kasama ko nang natapilok ko kaya napadaing ako sa sakit.“Are you okay?” Puno ng pag-aalala niyang saad tsaka ito napatayo rin para lapitan ako.“Back off,” matigas kong sabi sa lalaki nang simulan niya akong hawakan.He chuckled again. “You’re really cute when you’re drunk, my Adeline.” My Adeline. Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko nang marinig ang pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko. His voice. That voice. It tugged at memories I thought I had buried long ago. Pilit kong inihilig ang ulo ko para mawala ang pagkakalabo ng paningin ko at nang medyo luminaw na ay napaatras ako nang makilala kung sino iyon.But before I could stumble, his arm circled my waist, steadying me, pulling me closer. His breath was warm against my face, sending shivers down my spine.“Nakakatampo, mahal,” he murmured,
9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 61 - At The Bar
ERATO ADELINE DEVIN-LUCHESSETitig na titig ako kay Josh habang mahimbing itong natutulog sa tabi ko. Sinuklay ko ang kanyang buhok na medyo humahaba na dahil nakalimutan kong dalhin siya sa barber para sana pagupitin siya.Hindi ako makatulog. Josh’s words keep replaying on my mind like a broken cassette. Is that real? Eros went to see him? Bakit sa kanya lang? Bakit sa’kin hindi? Ano ba talaga totoo? Is he alive? Gusto kong panghawakan ang sinabi ng anak ko, na baka nga buhay si Eros lalo na nang sabihin ni Lander na IP address ng internet mula sa condo ko ang ginamit para mai-send ang video na iyon sa cellphone ko.Hindi ko na alam. Gusto kong maniwala na baka nga buhay pa si Eros. Pero bakit hindi niya pa rin ako nilalapitan? Nakakatampo. Nakakagalit.Buong maghapon akong naglinis ng condo ko. Naglaba, naghugas ng mga linis na pinggan, paulit-ulit na pagva-vaccum sa bahay. Pero kahit anong gawin ko para mawala lahat ng tungkol sa sinabi ni Josh ay hindi maalis alis sa utak ko. “E
9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 60 - Stranger
ERATO ADELINE DEVIN-LUCHESSEPagkauwi ko ay naabutan ko si Josh kalaro si Nia at Thalia, habang tulala naman si Poly sa sofa. Sobrang kalat ng sala dahil sa daming laruan na nakakalat, maging mga coloring materials din ni Josh ay nakakalat.“Mommy!” sigaw ng anak ko nang makita niya akong naglalakad papalapit sa kanila.“Baby! How’s your day? Did you have fun?” tanong ko sa anak ko, pero napaungol naman sa inis si Poly kaya napalingon kaming lahat sa kanya. “That bastard! Lagot siya sa’kin kapag nakita ko siya ulit! Argh!” Sigaw nito, kaya napatingin ako kina Thalia, but they shrugged their shoulders at muling binalik ang atensyon kay Josh.Hinubad ko ang heels ko at sinubukang buhatin ang anak ko pero hindi ko na kaya dahil ang laki na niya. Natawa naman sila nang makitang nahihirapan na akong buhatin ang anak ko. “Mommy you don’t have to carry me anymore! I’m big na kaya!” Ginulo ko naman buhok ni Josh. “You’re still mommy’s baby,” naluluha kong saad. Lumapit naman si Josh sa’k
9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 59 - Move On
ERATO ADELINE DEVIN-LUCHESSE“The IP address was tracked at your condo, Era.”At my condo… Nanghihina akong napaupo sa swivel chair ko dito sa opisina ko matapos kong puntahan si Lander para ipatingin ang mga videos na nasa cellphone ko. Hindi pa rin ako mapakaniwala sa sinabi niya. Tracked at my condo? Hindi ko alam kung matatakot ba ako o matutuwa na malaman kong nasa paligid lang si Eros o baka naman e minumulto lang ako ng lalaking iyon.“Miss Era, may ipapadagdag ka pa ba na decorations para sa birthday ni Josh?” tanong ni Agatha na siyang sekretarya ko.Napaisip ako. At tatango na sana nang maalala ko ang mga videos ni Eros para sa anak namin. “Wait,” aniya ko tsaka ko kinuha ang cellphone kong nasa bag ko.“I have some videos here from his dad. Make sure that you will play these after the birthday song,” utos ko sa kanya.“Copy, Miss Era. Anything?”I leaned back in my chair, tapping the tail of my pen against the table as I stared blankly ahead. “Is the security tightened?” I
9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 58 - Videos
ERATO ADELINE DEVIN-LUCHESSE“Mommy! Mommy!” Nilingon ko si Josh na tumatakbo papalapit sa’kin bitbit ang pirasong papel at lapis. Ningitian ko siya at binuka ang magkabilang braso ko para yakapin ant anak ko.“What is it, baby?” My voice is sweet as honey while smiling at him.“Mommy, look!” Josh said with enthusiasm in his voice.Kaagad itong nakarating sa’kin at pinakita ang kung ano sa kanyang papel. Nang makita ko iyon ay napakagat ako ng labi na isang family picture na pala namin iyon.There’s his grandpa, grandma, his Mommy Cali and Daddy Thaddeus together with Anchor, Talon and Talia, Mommy Kleio, Mommy Ali, Mommy Mel and Daddy Tristan, Mommy Lia, Mommy Athena, Mommy Poly, and Mommy Nia and most especially, his dad Eros na siyang katabi naming dalawa.“Mommy, where’s daddy?” Malungkot na tanong anak ko. Binitawan ko ang ballpen na hawak ko dahil may mga pinipirmahan akong papeles, para buhatin ang anak ko at iupo siya sa kandungan.Josh is now four and in the next two months
9 Muses Series #2: Love & Lies 57 - You're My Smile
ERATO ADELINE DEVIN-LUCHESSEHawak ko ang daliri ko kung saan nakalagay ang singsing na sinuot ni Josh no’ng araw ng kasal namin habang malayo ang tanan sa bintana. Hindi ko pa rin makalimutan ang lahat. Sariwa at masakit pa rin.“Era! Maghanda ka na! Jusko kang bata ka!” sigaw ni mommy nang buksan niya ang pintuan ng silid ko tsaka ito pumasok at lumapit sa crib na katabi ng kama ko. Marahan niyang binuhat ang anak ko, kaya lumapit ako sa kanila.“Nako, anong oras na! At hindi ka pa nagbibihis, bilisan mo! Aalis na tayo ng maya-maya,” stress na saad ni mommy.Bago pa ito makaalis ay niyakap ko siya kasama ang isang taong gulang kong anak. “Thank you, mom.”“Umayos ka, hindi ko forte ang drama! Stress na ako sa kadramahan niyo ni Cali! Bilis, magbihis ka na at baka mahuli pa si Josh sa araw ng birthday niya!” singhal ni mommy sa’kin tsaka ako kumawala sa pagkakayakap.Mabilis namang nakalakad si mommy palabas ng kwarto ko. Alam kong iiyak na naman iyon, kaya nagmamadali siyang umalis
