“Mommy!” agad na sigaw nia Atlas pagkadating na pagkadating ni Tala sa high-end apartment niya. Her son stood and ran towards her. She quickly caught her 4-year old son in her arms and gave him a gentle squeeze. “I miss you, sweetheart,” aniya bago pinupog ng halik ang pisngi ng kanyang anak. Her son’s giggle quickly filled the four corners of the house. Pakiramdam niya nawala ang pagod niya sa maghapon nang narinig niya ang taw ang anak niya. She kissed him some more before she finally let him go. “Tell me what did you do? Are you a good boy today?” tanong niya habang karga-karga ito patungo sa upuan. “I learned about integers today and I wrote until 500. Ms. Agatha said I’m good and gave me this.” Ipinakita nito sa kanya ang star sticker sa damit nito na may nakasulat na very good. Napangiti siya. Mukhang nage-enjoy talaga ang anak niya sa homeschool sessions nito. Mabuti na lang nahanap niya agad si Ms. Agatha, her son’s homeschool teacher who specializes in teaching gifted chi
Kanina pa pinagmamasdan ni Tala ang tasa ng kape na nakasilbi sa kanyang harapan. Subalit wala roon ang isip niya. Nasa biyahe niya mamaya patungong Maritria.Ilanga raw na siyang hindi pinapatulog ng biyahe niyang iyon. If only Elle did not bombard her with questions she cannot and will not dare answer when she expressed her intent to withdraw from the said project, hindi na sana siya tutuloy.Maritria is a small place as per her research. At hindi malabong magkita sila ni Knoxx doon lalo na kung ang magiging kliyente niya ay ang mismong pinsan nito!Again, she groaned inwardly. Maisip pa lang niya ang posibleng pagkikitang iyon, parang gusto na niyang h’wag ulit tumuloy at magtago na lang sa kung saan kasama ng anak niya. Kaya lang, naka-oo na si Elle kay Princess Olivia. Ang pangalan na ng kumpanya nila ang nakataya. At hindi niya pwedeng sirain ang pangalan ng brand niya dahil lang natatakot siyang muling makita ang ama ng anak niya.This is the first time that she’ll be working
Tala slowly took in a lungful of breath as she anxiously watched Princess Olivia study the wedding gown designs she made based on the demands of the princess. She made three gown designs last night as soon as she arrived at her hotel in Maritria.The exhausting 9-hour trip to the country did not make her sleeping easy. Lalo kasing tumindi ang pagte-tensyon niya nang lumapag ang private airplane ng Star Airlines sa Maritria. If she was anxious when she left New York, she was more anxious and fidgety now.Heck! She’s always on the look-out if Knoxx was anywhere near. Paranoia was getting the better of her and it instantly messed up with her psyche. She was even contemplating on going back home to her son the minute she arrived at the hotel. Her emotions went haywire last night. Mabuti na lang at naisipan niyang mag-sketch.The tasked helped her to calm down and focus on the task at hand. That’s how she managed to make three wedding gown styles for Princess Olivia to see today, their fi
Hindi malaman ni Tala kung ano ang uunahing gawin, ang magtanong o ang tumakbo. She had been staring at Knoxx for a while now, confused and so damn ready to run.Why was he there? How did he find her? Did the royals had a background check on her before she go there? If they did, they how far did their search go? Do they know everything about her now? Do they know her real name? Do they know…Napasinghap siya, lalong tinambol ng kaba ang dibdib at nanginig.What about her son? Do the royals know about Atlas now?“N-no… N-no!” she whispered, distraught, panic now racing in her veins. Without second thoughts, she took a few steps back before she tried to dash her way out of the room. Subalit bigo siya. Knoxx quickly caught her in his arms and carried her back to the room, which, she’s more convinced now more than ever, her place of doom.“Not so fast, Tala. You’re not running away from me again until you settle the mess you’ve made five years ago,” anito, habang idinideposito siya sa k
"What? Are you freakin' kidding me?!" bulalas ni Tala, hindi na niya napigilan.She wanted to keep her composure but she cannot anymore. She was more than shocked, she was incredulous! La Belle and Stella are doing well but she can't just pull money out of her companies just like that. Besides that's too much.Kung kanina nakukunsensya pa siya na siya ang dahilan kaya hindi nito mapakasalan ang fiancée nito, ngayon hindi na. Bakit? Ganoon na lang ba ang kahalaga ang mga napanis na semilya nito sa nakalipas na ilang taon na hindi ito nakagawa ng tagapagmana?A friggin’ billion dollars! Heck!Isa pa, technically speaking, may tagapagmana na ito sa katauhan ng anak niya. Kung tagapagmana ang prinoproblema nito, meron na.But even if hell would freeze over, she’ll never tell him about Atlas. She doesn’t want her son to be caught up in a life as a spare in leading a country. Her son might be a genius but she wants him to live a full life. Her son deserves a peaceful life.“I am being con
"What do you mean they are not coming? I'm being held here against my will and you don't care?" mataas ang boses na reklamo ni Tala sa manager ng hotel na tinutuluyan niya. Anger and desperation now pulsing in her veins. At kahit na anong gawin niyang pagtitimpi, hindi na niya magawa. She needs to get out of there. she needs to go home to her son!Kanina, kinausap niya ang hotel staff na naghatid ng pagkain niya, binilinan niya ito na gusto niyang makausap ang manager ng hotel. She would've not resorted to that if only the two royal guards guarding her room would listen to her reasons. Kaya lang, kahit na siguro umiyak siya ng dugo, tila bingi ang mga royal guards sa pakiusap niya. Kaya naman sa manager na siya ng hotel nakiusap. Subalit gaya ng mga guards, ayaw din siya nitong tulungan. She was then forced to use the phone directory sitting at the corner of the suite and called the cops through the landline. Agad siyang nabuhayan ng loob nang sabihin sa kanya ng pulis na nakausap
Tala froze at Ander's question. Now that she realized that the royal assistant was near, she cannot help to think kung gaano karami sa usapan nila ng anak niya ang narinig nito.Napalunok siya sa naisip, lalong tumitig sa lalaki. She cannot tell him about Atlas. She cannot tell anyone related to the royal family about her son. Who knows what would the royal family do when they learned about Atlas? She's not being selfish. She just wants to protect his son.Mabilis niyang hinamig ang sarili. Kumurap siya, tumikhim. "T-thank you. H-here's your phone," aniya bago iniabot pabalik sa lalaki ang cellphone nito.Tumango ito, muling isinuksok ang cellphone sa bulsa nito. “So, again, who’s Atlas?” tanong ulit nito.Dammit! He just won’t let it go, naisip niya.She lifted her head a fraction, trying to look unfazed by the man’s question. “I don’t to want answer your question, Sir. I guess even prisoners have the right to remain silent, don’t we?”Tipid na ngumiti ang lalaki. “Very well, I won’t
Knoxx released a slow breath as he watched the children's choir of the orphanage he was visiting sing their special number prepared for the day. That's the third event he had to attend to for the day in replacement of his brother Ares. His father and mother will attend the benefit ball tonight. And Olivia was with him the whole day, working on their royal duties. If he'd be honest, royal duties bore him. Not that he doesn't want to help his people. He really does with all his heart. He is a Stavropolous. Nakamulatan na niya ang tumulong sa kapwa dahil ang pamilya niya ang itinuturing na leader ng kanilang bansa. But should he had a choice, he'd rather spend his time in other things that interest him, like that car prototype his team from Nebueluse had emailed last night. He could also study that proposal from another car parts manufacturer that was willing to work with all his specifications. Or probably, he could go back to the hotel and visit her feisty prisoner, his wife, Tala Eloi
Tala slowly gave her reflection on the mirror a once over. On her was a black silk dress; an exquisite diamond necklace Knoxx had given her on their anniversary; and of course her favorite pumps produced by her very own brand, Stella. She tried, but she cannot help herself but smile. Why wouldn’t she, life has been so good to her for the past two years. After that heartfelt reunion she and Knoxx had at her parent’s house in Manila, she officially became Mrs. Stavropolous, again, that very same day. After her parents and the rest of her family came back from their quick tour at Asteri Island, that is. Hindi niya alam na sa buong panahon na asar na asar siya kay Knoxx dahil hindi ito nagpapakita sa kanya, pasimple na pala nitong hinahanda ang kasal nila with the help of her Auntie Sam and her parents. Yes, her parents did a great part on the display of ‘sea-of-roses’ inside their house. Her father proudly admitted that himself right after the wedding. Knoxx then had decided to move h
Tala's heart instantly hitched, turning around as quick as she could. And there she saw him, under the bright morning sun, just a few steps away from her, the prince who’ve swept her off her feet since their crazy wedding night, Prince Knoxx Iossif Stefanos Stavropolous. She quickly gave him a once over and he never disappoints! Her prince is as handsome as ever. He grinned, making her eyes roll in fake annoyance. Agad siyang namaywang. “Why are you here? And where are the people of this house? What did you to my parents, Knoxx? And Atlas, where is my son?!” sunod-sunod niyang tanong sa mataas na tinig. Knoxx gave her a heart-stopping smile, making her want to rush to him for a hug. But she stilled herself. She must not let logic falter now. They must talk. They must. “You don’t have to worry, mi bella. Everyone’s safe. And regarding your question, I came here to explain—“ “I already know everything. Everything,” she said, cutting his words. He paused and stared at her for a whil
“Arise, shine, Star Princess!” anang pamilyar na tinig ng Mommy ni Tala na siyang nagpagising sa kanya. She gently opened her eyes and the warmth of the morning sun coming through the big windows of her bedroom greeted her. Pasimple siyang nag-inat at umayos ng pagkakahiga sa kama. She saw her mother arranging another bouquet of pink Ecuadorian roses on the vase on top of the bureau inside her room. “Another one?” she asked, gently pushing herself to sit on her bed. Her mother smiled. “Yes, princess. Your husband doesn’t miss a day,” anang kanyang ina bago muling ipinagpatuloy ang pag-aayos sa mga bulaklak. Husband. She still can't believe that the arrogant prince made her go through all the tears and heartaches for nothing. Knoxx is still her husband or so her father had told her. These days, her parents are openly discussing about Knoxx, especially her Dad. And she is more than relieved to know that despite his absence, Knoxx is slowly making his way through her parents' hearts.
Knoxx heaved a sigh as he stared at his phone, recalling the brief conversation he just had with Tala. Talagang ayaw pa rin talaga siya nitong kausapin. Well, with his wife’s temper he knew that the whole ‘getting-back-together’ plan he had in mind would surely be a feat. But that doesn’t mean he is giving up. He’s just… being considerate given Tala’s condition.Olivia had given her last night an earful of dos and don’t’s when it comes to dealing with pregnant women. At totoong nakinig siya. He clearly remembered how his bratty princess of a cousin reminded him over and over again that pregnant women must always have things their way. And that’s what he just did. Hopefully, that by giving in with Tala’s wishes for now, lumamig na rin ang ulo nito sa kanya at tuluyan na siyang kausapin pagbalik niya sa Pilipinas.Pagbalik niya sa Pilipinas.He sighed and put his phone back to his pocket. Pagkatapos niyon ay pinagmasdan niya ang royal ring sa kanyang palasingsingan. His Majesty gave it
“Yes, Genevieve seduced me and I gave in. I allowed her to fool me and get the better of me. I-I’m sorry,” said King George, still lying down on his hospital bed. Makahulugang nagkatinginan sina Ares at Knoxx, sharing the same gleam of anger in their eyes towards their enemies who had made them suffer for years. Kararating lang nila mula sa Pilipinas at doon sila sa ospital dumiretsong magkapatid. At first Knoxx was conflicted to leave Manila. Bakit hindi, inaayos pa niya ang gusot sa kanila ni Tala tapos aalis siya? If it wasn’t for his mother’s persuasion to go home, baka nagpa-iwan na siya. But he’s glad he did go home. Because if he didn’t, he would’ve missed the clan’s meeting and his Uncle George’s confession. Yesterday, they were informed that his Uncle George had already opened his eyes. But the doctors didn’t allow any member of their family to talk to him just yet. They had to make sure that the King’s condition is stable and that he is ready to receive visitors. It took a
“Ano pang tinatanga mo d’yan? I told you to leave, haven’t I?” gigil na singhal ni Tala kay Knoxx. She really cannot believe he’s inside her room right now, and lying on the bed with her, her very own bed! Nasa baba lang ito kanina a, kasama sina President Tuazon at Ares. Paanong naroon na ito agad sa kwarto niya? Pinaakyat na lang ba ito ng mga kaanak niya nang gano’n-gano’n lang? Imposible. Her Dad hated Knoxx’s guts noon pa. And she’s sure her father, hated Knoxx all the more after everything that has happened between her and her ex-husband. So how in the world was he there inside her room—comfortably sitting on her bed looking more handsome than she remembered? She tried to get her wits straight as she questioned herself. But all she could ever think were all the awful—morbid even- thoughts on how Knoxx ended up inside her room. She groaned inwardly as panic and anger instantly rose in her chest.Pagdating talaga kay Knoxx, ni minsan, hindi umayos ang huwisyo niya. Tumikhim si
The dinner was filled with formal talks about business, leading a country and current events. The topics were of his interest but when Atlas finished his food, Knoxx excused himself to spend more time with his son.They were by the receiving room, playing a race game on his son’s IPAD when Joshua approached him again, asking him to step inside the library. Agad siyang nagpaalam kay Atlas at nagsimulang maglakad pabalik sa library. He glanced at Ares who was walking towards the lanai with the rest of the Sandejas family and President Tuazon. His brother grinned at him and gave him a thumbs up. For what, he does not have any idea. Pagdating sa loob ng library, agad na nagsalita ang Daddy ni Tala. “There are three things you must know before we move forward from here. First, I hate you. That won't change even after a million years. Second, I still think you don’t deserve my daughter nor my grandson. Understand?” “I understand, Sir. And the third?” Sandali siyang tinitigan ni Joshua.
Knoxx had been in many difficult meetings and negotiations his entire life. He had been exposed to such since he was younger for he’s been born a leader, one who's supposed to see beyond the mist—composed, level-headed, sure with just about everything. But right there, in front of Tala’s parents, Knoxx felt like he has just been thrown in the water when he doesn’t know how to swim. Nangangapa siya at halos hindi niya alam ang sasabihin. If he’d be honest, his knees were shaking like a fckin leaf. Well, he should be. Noong huli niyang makaharap ang mga magulang ni Tala, nangako siya na iingatan niya ang mag-ina niya. And the events that had led them into that situation clearly proved, he had not been taking care of his family like he promised. He doesn’t even want to lie either or appear to be all righteous in the midst of the chaos. Because at that point, he knew, alam na ng mga magulang ni Tala ang mga nangyari rito sa pananatili nito sa Maritria. He cannot deny any of it. So he wan
“I dont’t know what got into your head and created trouble inside the hospital. Sa pagkakaalam ko, malinaw ang pagkakasabi ko kay Quint na galit sa inyo ang mga Sandejas,” sermon sa kanila ni Kylie habang ginagamot nito ang sugat ni Ares. Naroon sila sa isa sa mga treatment room sa emergency ward. A different doctor, a resident he presumed, was attending to Knoxx and dressing his wounds. “Bakit ako ang pinapagalitan mo? It was all Knoxx’s fault! I had warned him dozens of times—Ouch! Dammit! That’s hurts, Dr. dela Vega!” reklamo ng kapatid niya, panay ang ngiwi habang patuloy si Kylie sa pagdampi ng antiseptic sa sugatang mukha nito. “And it will hurt more if you’d continue complaining, Prince Ares!” gigil na sagot ni Kylie, patuloy sa pagdiin ng bulak sa mukha ng kapatid niya. Ares complained again, louder this time. Knoxx huffed. Why can’t his brother keep quiet? Hindi ba nito nahahalata na sa bawat reklamo nito, siya ring pagdiin ni Kylie sa mga sugat nito? Quint’s cousin surel