His Plans TATLONG linggo ang lumipas simula nang pagkawala ni Mama Shirley. Hanggang ngayon ay may bahid na kirot at lungkot pa rin ang bawat isa sa amin na naiwan. Ngunit dahil nandiyan ang mga bata ay bahagya naming nakakalimutan ang kirot sa aming mga dibdib.Axel and Astrid still filled the house with their laughter and joy. Dahil sa kanila ay naiiwasan rin namin ang manatili sa lungkot.My two mothers go on with their lives again. Trabaho at bahay muli ang inaatupag nilang dalawa. Hinayaan ko na muna sila ang bumalik sa pagma-manage ng farm at shop ng mga ito dahil naiintindihan ko sila na gusto nilang maging abala upang makalimot sa lungkot. I also make sure that Astrid is really fine without me at her side bago ako bumalik sa pagpapalakad ng aking negosyo. Hindi na rin ako masyadong nagaalala sa mga bata at nandiyan pa rin sila Ate Nelia at Ella. Nandiyan rin ang tagapag-alaga na in-hire ni Ashton. I also make sure to check Astrid from time to time kung okay lang ang bata.Asht
Peacefully Sleeping "ARE you already going home, Papa?" Astrid asks her father as he goes down the stairs with her cute pajama.Katatapos lang namin maghapunan at sa isang seryosong usapan. Napatingin ako sa aking anak na ngayon ay nakatingala sa kanyang Ama.Ashton looks at his wristwatch. "It's going to be late, baby. You and your brother need to rest now kaya uuwi na si Papa." sagot nito kay Astrid matapos nitong buhatin ang anak.Astrid look sad when he said he was going home at that time. "Dito kana lang, Papa... Please?" she said with a pleaded tone.He smiles. "Let me tell you something, baby," he said."Ano po 'yon, Papa?" she looks curious."You and your brother move with Papa's home soon," he said.Namilog ang mga mata ng bata. "Realy, Papa?""Yes," he answered with a nod."Also with, Mama and my two Lola?" nasa boses pa rin ito ang kagalakan habang tinatanong ang Ama niya.He nodded. "Of course, they are welcome If they are willing to come and live with us." tugon nito sa a
Right Decision MAAGA at ako ang naunang nagising sa umagang iyon. I was surprised to check the kids and Ashton. Kung anong ayos ang huling silip ko sa kanila ay ganoon pa rin ng magisnan ko sila.I smiled a bit while looking at Axel. It surprise me that he did not wake up and transferred to his bed. While Astrid comfortably rested her tiny arms and leg on her father while peacefully sleeping.Bago ko pa sila maisturbo sa kanilang pagtulog ay pumasok na muna ako sa banyo at naghilamos at nagmumug saka ako bumaba upang ipaghanda ng almusal ang lahat. Sa pagbaba ko ay nakita ko ang tagapag-alaga ng mga anak ko na nagwawalis sa sala at sinisinop nito ang mga laruan ng mga bata."Good morning, ma'am. Gusto n'yo ho ba ng kape? Ipagtitimpla ko ho kayo." tanong nito sa akin ng mamataan niya akong pababa ng hagdanan.Ngumiti ako rito at umiling. "Salamat, pero hindi mo ako kailangan pagsilbihan, Eva." wika ko rito. "Nandito ka upang alagaan at bantayan ang mga bata. Kaya huwag kang magabala p
Exclusive Subdivision WHEN Asthon heard that I have already decided, he then grab the opportunity to move the kids and me into his house on a very weekend.Tapos na rin akong mag-empake ng lahat ng mga kagamitan ng mga bata at gamit ko. Ashton also make a first move, he already let someone arrange our belongings to the house nang sa weekend ay wala na kaming bibitbitin patungo sa bahay niya.Nang sumapit na ang araw na susunduin n'ya na kami ng mga bata, I feel that my two mothers get emotional. I also feel the same way, ngunit hindi na ako nagsalita pa ng kung ano pa mang nakakalungkot dahil sila mismo ay hindi nagsisisi sa desisyon na hayaan si Ashton na magdesisyon para sa mga bata."Will promise to come to visit," wika ni Mama Flor habang buhat nito si Astrid sa kanyang dibdib."Promise, weekly kaming tutungo sa inyo para dalawin ang mga bata, hija." wika rin ni Mama Joan habang buhat naman nito si Axel.I smiled at them. "Don't bother, Ma... Kami na lang ho ng mga bata ang tutun
A Couple DAYS have already passed, and as I observed, the kids are very comfortable and lively every day. Nasa bawat galaw, halakhak at kilos nila na masaya silang kasama ang Ama nila. They bond as soon as their father got home from work. He also spoiled the kids with everything like food, things, and even his attention towards them.Sometimes, I felt useless and invisible kapag nandiyan na ang Tatay nila. They almost forgot about my existence. Kinakausap nila ako but their focus is only on their father. I feel sorry for myself but I didn't complain dahil baka hindi lang ako sanay na may kahati ako sa atensyon ng mga bata. As I observed, he was doing his best to be their father, at alam ko bumabawi lang ito sa ilang taon na wala s'ya sa buhay ng mga bata.Ashton makes some conversations with me sa tuwing nagkakaharap kami. But there was a time I intentionally avoided him, hindi dahil nagseselos ako kundi dahil hindi ako komportable na kaharap at kausapin siya."Ma'am, may bisita ho k
Fake Contracts "IS he your boyfriend?" a deep voice echoed in my ears as I get out of my car in the garage area.My heart beats. Nagulat ako dahil sa isang tinig at malaking bulto na nakita ko sa kadiliman. Bigla akong napahawak sa tapat ng aking dibdib nang maaninag ko kung sino man 'yon."A-Ashton?" nakakunot ang noong tumingin ako rito. I find relieve ngunit para naman akong natataranta nang unti-unti itong lumapit sa kinatatayuan ko."Is he the reason why you are been so busy lately? And, is he the reason why you're going home so late at night?" seryosong tanong nito sa akin.Bakit alam niyang gabing-gabi na ako nakakauwi? Is he checking on me? I wonder in silence while looking at his deep gazes.My eyebrow raises at his question. "Bakit mo tinatanong?" tanong ko rito."Am I not allowed to ask and know your answer?" seryoso at madiin pa ring tanong nito sa akin."Why are you asking, is it important for you to know my relationship with the man I am with?" nakipagtitigan rin ako ng
Wedding Anniversary IT was his parent's 36th wedding anniversary. Lahat ng may koneksyon sa pamilya nila ay naroon. All their relatives are also there to celebrate, and even the whole family of Rochelle is also there to attend the party.As I expected, they were all shocked when Ashton's parents announced in public that Axel and Astrid is their twin's grandchildren. In-announced nila 'yon sa lahat nang mismong nasa mga bisig nila ang dalawa. Also, all of their relatives wondered how it happened, they were really shocked knowing that Ashton Ducati is already a father of twins a long time ago. Isa na si Rochelle at ang ina nito na mismong kambal na kapatid ng ina ni Ashton ay sobrang nagulat sa rebelasyon sa mismomg selebrasyon na iyon.Rochelle immediately runs into Ashton's parents. Sumunod naman rito ang kanyang asawa at anak na si Rowan na sa kasalukuyan ay masaya nang makita si Axel at Astrid."Where is their, Mom? I mean, where is Amber, Tita?" ang narinig kong tanong nito sa tiy
Private Discussion BEFORE the party ended, Mr. and Mrs. Ducati call me in a private conference room of the exclusive three star hotel where the celebration of their wedding anniversary was held.Sa pagtungo ko pa lang roon ay nakaramdam na agad ako ng kakaibang pakiramdam. I didn't expect them to call me on such short notice to talk in such a private area. Wala akong alam o ideya kung ano ang paguusapan namin sa mga sandaling iyon.I quietly excuse myself to Ashton and Rochelle's Family. Nagdahilan na lang ako sa kanila na pinapatawag ako ng mga Nanay ko. When they all nodded, I immediately left the table.Kumatok ako ng tatlong beses sa pinto ng conference room. Bumuntong hininga ako saka ko iyon dahan dahang binuksan. My eyes immediately see Ashton's parent who was sitting next to each other in those chairs on such a large table. I assume that they are waiting for me to arrive.I smile a bit. "H-hi," I said as I peek in their direction.Ngumiti sa akin ang ginang. "Please, come in a
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