His Office TULALA ako habang nakatingin sa doctor at nurse sa mga oras na iyon. My daughter suffering from hard breathing that day.Gusto kong lumapit sa anak ko ngunit ayaw nila akong palapitin rito. Kitang kita ko na mas tumamlay ang anak ko. Hindi na rin ito tulad ng dati na masigla. Maputla na rin ang buong mukha nito. Ang mga mata nito na nanlalalim. Mas marami na ring nakatusok rito na aparato na mas nagpapahina sa anak ko. I am also suffering from pain for my daughter. Para bang lahat na nakatusok na karayom rito ay parang tumatagos din sa puso ko.My tears begin to fall as I watch her."M-mama..." she call me and held her arms in my direction.Papalapit ako ngunit pinigilan ako ng doctor. "D-doc, hahawakan ko lang ang kamay ng anak ko, please? Let me stay by her side. She needs me. My daughter needs me..." I beg while my tears keep falling.Wala na itong nagawa nang lumapit na ako sa anak ko. I hold her tiny finger. Hinahalikan ko iyon ng masuyo."Be brave, baby..." I said as
Business Card HE deeply continues staring at me in my eyes. I then also stared at him. Maya maya ay napapakurap ang aking mga mata at bahagya kong binitiwan ang aking buntonghininga."C-can I talk to you?" I asked him again.His eyebrows suddenly raise. "What brought you here?" he seriously asked me.Napalunok ako at naglakas loob na ako bago pa ako umatras sa totoong sadya ko sa kanya. "I-I want to ask you for help." diretsyahan kong sinabi rito.He frowned. The edge of his lips lifted. "What do you need?""Money," diretsyong naging sagot kong muli rito."Money..." napapatango ito habang nakangisi. "I wondered how did you know my identity? Are you tracing my track and background, kaya nandito ka ngayon upang humingi ng tulong sa akin?"I suddenly gulped because part of what he said was true. I also have a sense of a little harsh in his tone kaya naginit sa hiya ang aking magkabilang pisngi. But it's okay, wala na kasi akong choice kundi ang ilahad kung ano ang kailangan ko sa kanya.
Doorbell AFTER my shameful and unsuccessful visit to his office, I hurried home to check all the needs of my daughter's medical papers. Pinakiusapan ko na lang muna si Mama Flor na mag stay ng kahit sandali sa tabi ni Astrid. I also go home to count all the cash I have in the house.I let out my deepest sigh as I finish counting the cash and my personal savings. Napahilot agad ako sa aking noo matapos kong makita ang kabuoan.What should I do now? This is not enough for her entire operation. Diyos ko... Paano na ang anak ko? She badly needs to proceed with the operations."Mama,"I immediately open my eyes and I simply avoid eye contact. Pinahid ko muna ang munting luha na namuo sa gilid ng aking mga mata saka ako humarap kay Axel na ngayon ay nasa pinto nakadungaw."Yes, baby, come in." I smile and gesture to him to go inside.Lumapit naman ito sa akin. I let him sit on my lap. Humarap ang mukha nito sa akin."I miss my twin sister, Mama. When did she come home? Are she already okay
Body, Money "COME in," his deep voice sexily echoed in my ears.Awtomatiko akong napalunok habang nakatitig ako sa kanyang mga mata. I slowly wave my head and come in. Nagbigay naman ito ng daan para makapasok ako.Pagharap ko rito ay hindi ko mapigilan ang mapasinghap as he immediately pushes me into the wall and he pressed his body against me.I suddenly panicked and my heart pants. "A-Ashton–" he didn't let me talk any words. He just simply pressed his lips against me.My mind is blank at the moment his lips brush mine. Yes, I was expecting it to happen as I come into his place, but what I did not expect is his quick movement. He didn't stop kissing me until I didn't respond to his kisses.Napapikit ako ng mariin at mas lalo pang kumabog ng malakas ang dibdib ko. I push to remain calm even though inside I was trembling about what might happen that night.I kept on reminding myself that this is an exchange of money.Our lips parted when we are out of breath with the intense kisses w
No Appointment BUMUNTONG hininga ako. I am very worried for Astrid. Bahagyang lumalala ang komplikasyon niya sa puso na umaapektado sa kanyang paghinga. Bumagsak na rin ang kangyang katawan. Day by day my daughter suffering. The doctor always keeps on visiting my daughter. From time to time nila sinusuri ang bata. Ako na halos walang pahinga at puyat dahil hindi ako masyado nakakatulog para lang bantayan ang kalagayan ng anak ko. On the other hospital, si Mama Shirley rin ay hindi pa umaayos ang kalagayan nito. The doctor is still undecided to make an operation. Iyon pa ang kanilang pinag-aaralan sa kaso ni Mama. Hindi ko na alam kung saan kakapit para lakasan pa lalo ang loob ko. I am very helpless about all of the problems we have on our shoulders. Financially unstable is also stressing us. Awang-awa ako kay Mama Flor at Mama Joan dahil alam ko pati sila nahihirapan na. Napapabayaan na rin namin ang family business namin. "Amber," tawag sa akin ng bagong panauhin. It was Mama
Revelation [ ASHTON P.O.V. ]I WAS waiting in my office patiently. A smirk on my lips won't leave as I remember what happens last night.Last night... I swear, I did not expect that I quickly got the opportunity to take her body after a year. When she appears in front of my door I just couldn't resist looking at her. But what surprised me, she did not protest and let me do what I want to happen. And that is very satisfying. Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan ay kung bakit kailangan niya ang ganoong kalaking halaga. I thought to myself while smirking.Until then, I can't still be figuring out. But surely I will find the reasons soon.My mind is still going somewhere else, and my eyes deeply looking away. A knock outside my office door drags me out of my reverie."Sir, nandito na ho ang bisita n'yo. Kaso... Nanay raw ho siya ni Amber, Sir."I frowned upon hearing that her mother is visiting me. I pause in a while sorting out why her mom is here in behalf of her.Does something happen to he
Furious Eyes [ ASHTON P.OV. ]HINDI ko maipaliwanag ang aking nararamdaman sa mga oras na iyon. I feel so glad knowing that I have a child with Amber, but at the same time, I am angry with her for trying to hide my child from me.I was driving at that time. Malalim akong bumuntonghininga. Bahagya akong lumingon sa kabilang passenger seat. There is the woman who claims Amber's mother silently sitting."When did she give birth?" tanong ko sa pagitan ng katahimikan sa loob ng kotse.Lumingon ito sa akin saka sinabi kung kailan ito nanganak. I clenched my hands while driving. Bumigat rin ang aking paghinga. Ngayon pa lang gustong gusto ko ng sumbatan ang babaing walang pakialam sa nararamdam ko kung sakaling malaman ko na ang totoo."A-alam naming mali ang ginawa ng pamangkin namin sa pagtatago ng anak niya mula sa 'yo. Hindi namin masisisi si Amber kung ginawa niya iyon, for sure malalim ang dahilan niya. Alam kong labas na kami sa anoman ang gagawin mo kapag nalaman mo ang totoo, but pl
Consequences LUMAPIT agad ako sa anak ko nang makita ko na iginalaw niya ang kanyang isang braso. When I notice the time, I almost forgot that it was time for her soft food and milk.Naramdaman ko ang pagpasok muli ni Mama Joan at Ella sa loob ng silid. My mother approaches me and help me to feed my daughter."H-hija... Patawarin mo sana ako sa nagawa kong panghihimasok sa desisyon mo." wika nito sa mahinang tinig.Tumingin ako rito matapos kong maiupo ng maayos si Astrid. Huminga ako ng malalim."It's okay, Ma. I understand why you did it." tugon ko rito saka ko sinubuan ng pagkain si Astrid."Alam ko na galit ka sa ginawa ko," she said sitting on the side of the bed."Kung galit man ako... 'yon ay mismo sa sarili ko, Ma. Dahil pinalala ko pa ang kalagayan ng bata kaysa ang humingi agad sa kanya ng tulong." ngumiti ako ng bahagya rito. "You and he made me realize my mistakes. I deserve his anger." I added.Patuloy ko pa ring pinapakain ang anak ko. Nasa mukha pa rin ng bata ang kata
Ducati IslandASHTON three words I LOVE YOU skip my heartbeats. I smiled at him as we looked at each other intently."Do I need to respond to it?" tanong ko sa kanya ng hindi ko na natagalan ang pagtitig niya.The corner of his lips raised. "Yes," he said."What if I do not want to respond?" I teased him.He frowned while smirking. "Then, let me force you to say it.""Say what?" I continued."Hm... Say it or else, I will kiss you as hard as I can right here and right now," he says slowly lowering his lips to mine.I cleared my throat ng makita ko sa dulo ng aking mga mata ang ibang empleyado na nakangiting nakasulyap sa aming dalawa. Namumulang inilayo ko ang mukha ko rito at marahan kong itinulak ang dibdib nito."Stop teasing me. Look, your employee is glaring at us." namumula kong bulong rito.He chuckled and then kissed the edge of my lips. "My woman is shy. Okay, utang na muna ang kiss mo ngayon."Tumayo ako ng matuwid at lumayo ng bahagya rito. "Anong utang ang pinagsasabi mo d'y
Promise to Fulfill[ ASHTON P.O.V ]I LOOK Amber who is quietly sitting beside me. I was driving but I could not help but glance in her direction.My wife... My beautiful wife... I thought."Eyes on the road, not to me, Ashton." wika nito ng naramdaman nito ang madalas kong pagsulyap sa kanya.I couldn't help but smile. I gently grab her hand and hold it tightly. Napatingin naman ito sa kamay ko na nakahawak sa kamay niya. "You are too beautiful and I can't help but to stare at you all the time, Amber. Now, anong gagawin ko?" I said and kissed the back of her palm.Agad kong nakita ang pamumula ng magkabilang pisngi nito. Umirap ito pagkaraan ng pagkagulat sa ginawa ko. She then even freed her palm to my hand."Pwede ba umayos ka, Ashton. Nasa national highway tayo. Ayokong may mangyaring masama dahil diyan sa kapabayaan mong pagmamaneho. Bata pa ang mga anak ko para mawalan sila ng magulang. So, please, drive well." mahabang litanya nito na mas ikinangiti ko.I'm still smiling at her.
Dinner Date"I HOPE I didn't interrupt your conversation," Ashton said in his soft tone.I hope that very time the ground will swallow me whole."Who is he?" Iris asked with her widened eyes."U-um... Um, he's-""I am Amber's husband." diretso at walang prenong tugon nito.What the hell is he saying?! I thought to myself. Tinitigan ko ito ng masama, habang nakangiti naman itong tumingin sa akin."What? What? Shit! Ano 'yon? Pakiulit nga Mister-? Sino ka nga ulit? Hindi ko masyadong narinig, pakiulit?" nagtataka at sunod-sunod na tanong ni Iris kay Ashton."Babe, he said, he's Amber's husband," si Royce ang tumugon sa asawa nito. Napapailing pa ito at napapangisi sa naging reaksyon ni Iris."A-asawa? H-how? W-when? W-where? B-bakit... Shit! How could this be happening? Bakit wala akong alam? Bakit hindi ko alam na i-ikinasal ka na pala?" sunod sunod na namang tanong nito. That time sa akin na ito mariing nakatingin.Napalunok ako ng mariin. Napatayo ako at ganoon rin ang dalawa sa hara
VisitorsI WAS late for work that morning. Bukod sa overtime sa trabaho ay mas may iba pang dahilan ang nangyari kagabi kaya tinanghali na ako ng gising. Remembering the other reasons makes me blush and makes my heart beat suddenly.So what, Amber? Dahil may nangyari na naman ay iiwasan mo na naman siyang makaharap? No, I can't do that right now. Imposibleng maiiwasan ko pa siya. He knows where I work, what time I got home, and most of all he gets inside my room freely.Napapailing na lang ako sa mga iniisip ko sa mga sandaling iyon habang nasa loob ng opisina ko. Madalas nahuhuli ako ni Karyl at Kayecee na nakatulala at may malalim na iniisip. But worse, they also caught me smiling. Kaya alam ko na nagtataka sila sa nangyayari sa akin dahil hindi nila ako kilala na ganoon. Yes, I am a silent boss, but I am always serious when it comes to work.I yawned as I looked at the clock placed on my table. It is already 4:00 in the afternoon. Isang oras na lang at matatapos na ang oras ng aking
Midnight SnackASHTON and I agreed to have some warm drinks in Starbucks on our way home. Magmamadaling araw na sa mga sandaling iyon at katulad niya ay gusto ko ring humigop ng mainit na maiinom sa mga oras na iyon.When we got inside the coffee shop, Ashton and I immediately ordered our drinks. Instead of coffee, choco laté na lang ang inorder ko at siya naman ay brewed coffee. He also ordered a cheesecake and carrot cake for both of us. Pagkatapos kuhanin ng waiter ang order namin ay umalis na agad ito sa aming harapan.The coffee shop was quiet and there were just a few customers who were enjoying sipping their coffee while chatting with the person they are with."The young man who gave you that plane toy is me," he said and I looked at him in surprise. "I am that kid, Amber," he added while smiling at me.I was suddenly awed. Kanina pa ako nagtataka sa kanya. Gusto kong magtanong pero hindi ko alam kung ano ang itatanong ko sa kanya. "Y-you? R-really?" hindi ako makapaniwala sa a
ReminisceASHTON and the kids were waiting for me at dinner time. Nasabihan ko na si Ashton na uuwi ako bago ang dinner, but the unexpected happened. May emergency na nangyari sa isa sa tauhan ko sa factory. I have no choice but to replace myself with her role.The factory operations will end at 11 PM, walang ibang tatao sa pwesto nito. I have decided to help my employees that night. Isang gabi lang naman at saka may dahilan na rin ako upang makaiwas pa ng ilang sandali na makaharap si Ashton.I made myself busy, but before that, I already sent him a message saying that I am not going to dine with him and the kids because of some emergencies and also about work. Bago pa ito makapag-reply ay ibinaba ko na ang cellphone ko at saka pumasok na sa loob ng factory.Second, minutes, and hours have already passed. Naaaliw ako sa ginagawa ko kahit pagod na rin ako sa buong araw na pagtatrabaho. Kailangan kasi ng Ambrosia's vase and pots na mag-produce ng maraming items dahil sa maraming naka li
Avoided AFTER our passionate but deep making out, we silently lie down side by side facing the ceiling. Our breathing slowly steadied after a long moment of pause. "Go to your room now, and get rest," I said, my eyes still fixed on the ceiling. "Can I stay here by your side?" naramdaman ko ang pagtagilid nito at pagtitig sa mukha ko. "I want to rest here beside you, pwede naman siguro 'yon, diba?" he desperately asks. Sumulyap ako rito ng bahagya saka umiling. "No, you can't stay here. Now, go because all I wanted is to rest, Ashton." I said. "Please, let me stay for a while, Amber," he said, looking tired. I frown. "Hindi pwede. M-mahuhuli, I mean, papasok dito sa silid ko si Astrid ng maaga. I don't want her to see you inside my room, Ashton." wika ko rito. "Lalabas ako bago siya papasok dito sa silid mo, I promise," paggigiit pa rin nito sa gusto niya. "I rolled my eyes. Still, NO!" mariing wika ko rito. "Come on, Ashton. Go to your room now. Ayokong makipagtalo sa 'yo dahi
Go On WHEN we arrive home I am immediately ready the kids to their bed with the help of their nanny. Agad namang nakatulog ang mga bata dahil sa pagod sa buong araw na pakikipaglaro kay Rowan. I was headed to my room when I saw Ashton on the hallway living sofa holding a glass of wine. Agad tumuon ang tingin nito sa akin at agad ring naglapat ang aming mga mata. She finished his wine, put the glass down, sat up, and then approached me in my direction. I immediately stood straight as he was coming near me. "Can we talk?" he said seriously. Tumingin ako sa orasan ko at saka tumingin muli rito. "It's already late, Ashton. Pareho pa tayong may pasok bukas. Also, I am tired," direktang wika ko rito. He sighed and then shook his head. "The night you saw me in Yvette's hotel room—" he says. Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi nito. I want to say something but my mouth remains silent. Tumuon ang mga mata ko rito. "I admit that I was wrong when I go to her place that night, and—" "Ano ang da
Drive Home EXACTLY at 07:30 pm, we arrived at the Grilled Park House and Restaurant. The staff immediately assisted us by escorting us to our VIP reservation seat. Dinala nito kami sa sang maluwang na cottage na kakasya ang sampo na tao. When the waiter asked for our orders, Rochelle and I let the men manage to do it.Maganda ang buong kapaligiran, presko ang hangin na nagmumula sa buong paligid. Makulay ang mga ilaw na nakapalibot sa buong kainan. The restaurant is not just like an ordinary restaurant. It was an expensive and classy restaurant. Ang restaurant na iyon ay ginaya nila outdoor restaurant sa ibang bansa. It has a touch of European outdoor cuisine. Ang style ng paligid, ang mga kagamitan, ang mga upuan, mga mesa at ipa pang gamit o palamuti ay makikitaan mo ng ganda. Bagay na bagay para sa isang casual family dinner ang vibes na hatid ng restaurants na iyon.Kahit bagong bukas lang iyon ay halatang dinudumog na agad sila ng may mga sinabi sa buhay na mga customer. In able