PEOPLE were funnily arguing with whom to babysit the son of Vale and Einille. It was his first birthday, and his godparents wanted to play with him. They named him Viel.
“Aw, my nephew is so cute!” Shari pinched Viel’s chubby cheeks. She was with Kyler, and they were officially engaged. Their love story was no joke, too. But her cousin beamed in joy now. They were getting married next month.
“Guys, let’s take a picture!” Rab caught the attention of the photographer. He was being bullied for being single, but he just laughed at it.
Einille quit her job. She chose to be a full-time mom to Viel. She helped her husband with his business. She would never bargain her happy family to the job she left behind.
“Okay, let’s have a family picture!” Vale got the attention of their official photographers. He held Viel, and he snatched a kiss from her when the camera flashed.
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EINILLE concealed the amazement in her eyes while gently staring at her boyfriend—Hero. She thought how lucky she was for having him in her life. Hero was the type of man she prayed and dreamed of—a total package of his kind. He was articulate, funny, and a natural charmer, plus his lean muscular body that can protect her anytime. He appeared like an angel sweetly talking with her.Hero discussed his newly built business in line with gold mining in the province, and he looked so proud of his milestone. They were currently eating their lunch together in their favorite restaurant in Sorsogon.“Babe, you are extra pretty today,” his eyes dreamy while observing her face.Einille grinned and playfully rolled her eyes, “I know.”They were dating for almost one year. She loved him so much even though there were times that he couldn’t give her time. But she didn’t mind, because she knew that Hero was a very busy per
VALE shook his head as he gazed at Einille walking away. She was too hard on him for these past two months.His jaw flexed, and he exhaled sharply. He firmly believed that Einille would be considerate to date him soon. He only needed to be more persistent.“Intermittent fasting, my ass,” he chuckled, “Darn! This is ridiculous.”Rab heartily laughed, “You’re timing is off. Besides, you look too smug. Take it easy, man! You know Ein is dating someone.”“I really want to regret this assignment. If only the General didn’t choose me. That girl is impossible! I never experienced wooing a woman before. You know what I mean.” He lightly scratched his clean-cut hair.Well, it was true that he had never tried pursuing women before. Usually, it was the other way around. Besides, he had no plans of being into a serious relationship. With the nature of his job, it would take a rare woman
AT the restaurant, Einille arrived thirty minutes earlier. She was feeling uneasy while waiting for Hero. And from time to time, she would look at her reflection on a small round mirror that she always brought inside her bag. She had to look perfect when her boyfriend arrived.She glanced at her gold wristwatch. It was nearly the time of their tryst. She played her phone in hand in a circular motion while thinking that Hero might encounter a minor accident on the way, the reason he took so long. She dismissed the thought of calling him because he might be driving.Einille was interrupted when a waiter came to her table, giving the menu card. Maybe he noticed she had been waiting for quite some time.“I’m waiting for someone, thank you.” She beamed at the young man, and he politely smiled back at her.She looked at her watch again. It had been an hour. But Hero told her he was on the way before. She started to worry more. What if somethin
“WHY are you home this early? I thought you had a date.” Shari greeted Einille with a perplexed look.Even Einille was dumbfounded to see her at home, too. She thought Shari had a twenty-four hour duty today.“Hero didn’t arrive.” She didn’t hide her sadness. She put her handbag to the glass center table and slumped down to the couch.Until now, her chest was still heavy in disappointment with Hero. She wanted to blame him and repeatedly cursed in his face, but she didn’t want to start a quarrel. All she wanted was peace of mind.“You mean he does not show up?” Shari gaped in disbelief. She sat near her, “This is too much, Couz. What happened?” her voice softened.She shrugged, “He said he was on in a way, but suddenly his stomach went upset.”Shari rolled her eyes, “Just wow! I’m impressed with his reasons. He’s busy all the time, and every time
“YOU’RE HERE!”Vale turned his head, and he saw Rab walking in his direction. He had a teasing smile on his face, probably because he had witnessed him and Einille earlier.“Hey!” He tapped his shoulder, “Actually, I’m about to go home. What the hell happened to Einille? She looks like a damsel in distress.”Rab’s expression softened, “I pity her, honestly. They’ve broken up. But it’s for her own good. She’ll get over it soon. Now, it’s your time to shine!”Vale chuckled, “I hope so. Let’s wait until she processed everything.”“Be there for her. At least she is safe under your watch.”“Of course!”“By the way, what happened to your sponsorship in the coming shoot fest?” Rab asked, changing the topic.“Yeah, I’ve talked to Sergeant Marquez earlier. Everything is settled. Are
EINILLE filed a five-day mandatory leave to rest her mind. She planned to go hiking in the North to ease her sadness. She had to make herself busy and regain her normal life after what happened. She couldn’t sulk forever.She readied her things for her hiking adventure. And the only thing she was not prepared for was the coming of an unwanted visitor. Valentino, her overconfident suitor, came unannounced just now!“Hi! Oh, I see that you’re ready.” He flashed out his signature teasing smile. He was comfortably sitting on the sofa. Beside him was a sixty-liters black mountaineering bag, with a folded trekking pole on the side pocket.“What are you doing here?” She gaped at him. She just came out of her room with her hiking bag.“Oops, sorry. I let him in!” Shari shouted from the kitchen. She wore her uniform and appeared ready to go out for her duty.Shari even winked at her before leaving, “I&rs
THE two have met their tour guide for today’s activity, a young man who introduced himself as Greco.“The traverse would take six hours at a normal pace, and if slow, eight hours,” Greco explained. He also gave trivia about the place, and Einille was fascinated while she listened.Vale was quiet at her back, and his eyes traveled around the mountainous area“Ein, I suggest you leave your things here. I’ll bring your tumbler and other important things. You might find it hard carrying that much on your ascent.” Vale sounded worried.Her eyes rolled upward. This man was really belittling her! Although she didn’t train lately, she was sure her knees could take the load of her hiking bag. She had been taught like this before, and she didn’t see any reason to fail.“Why don’t you leave your bag to Rudy? If you think you can’t make it, just wait for me here. I’ll be quick.”
VALE smiled when he viewed the ecstatic face of Einille when they reached the endpoint of their traverse. She enjoyed their adventure for this day because she was so lively. Her happiness was genuine, and he was glad. He hoped that it would last long. “I can’t believe it! Next on our list is Mount Pulag.” Einille started to remove her trekking shoes that full of dirt “Ma’am, I suggest you dropped by at Mount Kalugong tomorrow. It’s like a park,” Rudy suggested when he started driving. “I agree. There’s an overlooking view of the city on top,” Vale said. He noticed the wondering face of Einille. Before they reached the endpoint, she asked him if his body was sore and pushed him to drink a pain reliever medicine. He just laughed at her. The mountain was so easy to scale. It was suitable for beginners. “Have you been at Mount Kalugong?” Einille asked. He gave her a slight nod as a reply. Then Einille agreed on Rudy’s suggestion to drop by
PEOPLE were funnily arguing with whom to babysit the son of Vale and Einille. It was his first birthday, and his godparents wanted to play with him. They named him Viel.“Aw, my nephew is so cute!” Shari pinched Viel’s chubby cheeks. She was with Kyler, and they were officially engaged. Their love story was no joke, too. But her cousin beamed in joy now. They were getting married next month.“Guys, let’s take a picture!” Rab caught the attention of the photographer. He was being bullied for being single, but he just laughed at it.Einille quit her job. She chose to be a full-time mom to Viel. She helped her husband with his business. She would never bargain her happy family to the job she left behind.“Okay, let’s have a family picture!” Vale got the attention of their official photographers. He held Viel, and he snatched a kiss from her when the camera flashed.&ldqu
“THIS is all your fault, Hero! If you weren’t stupid because of that woman, we wouldn’t be in this mess!” said the man from the center.Everybody was ready to fire up, pointing the gun at each other. Einille was puzzled because Hero was at their side this time.Einille’s body was shaking involuntarily because of exhaustion. It was Hero whom she saw at her side the moment she opened her eyes after the ambush. She thought it was her end. But she found out that Hero was also the reason she was still alive until now.“It’s not my fucking fault! I never betrayed the organization.” Hero’s eyes glowed in anger.Einille felt the firm touch of Vale in her hand. She gave a furtive glance to her gun. She had not reloaded yet!The man from the center went berserk. He pulled the trigger aimed at Vale.Vale jumped on the side, and the bullet landed on his right thigh. He fired back, and t
THE test result just came in time. Other officials gathered inside the laboratory. Even Hero was just staring at her intently. He appeared flustered.“Is he positive either on Methamphetamine or Tetrahydrocannabinol?” General Blanco asked, referring to illegal drugs.Einille looked down and shook her head, “Negative, Sir.”The old man nodded. He immediately gave an order to bring Hero into the Regional Office.Einille arranged the documents, and the General gave her a separate order. “Join the security team. You need to personally present the test results.”“Yes, Sir!” she gave him a salute.“Carry on, be careful.”Einille rode the patrol car, following the vehicle where Hero was contained. The security was tight since Hero was considered a high profile.She was not bothered at all. She had been doing this before, only that she felt bored. She had a lot o
EINILLE had been crying for a while now. She couldn’t forget what just happened. Why she had to go through this? Or maybe she deserved this after all. She was so gullible and stupid. She suffered this kind of fate because she always prioritized her heart.“Hey, that’s enough. You will not accomplish anything if you continue sulking. Better if you talk with your husband, he’ll explain everything.” Shari caressed her back because she wouldn’t stop her sob.“He just used me. I hate him. I trusted him my life!”“You’re just blinded by your anger. You know Vale loves you. I can tell, just by looking the way she gazes on you.”“I doubt it. That was just part of his plan!”“Talk to him first before you make any decision. But did it ever cross in your mind that he violated the protocol of his mission when he marries you? If he is a high-ranking official of NIC
“TELL me what I need to know?” Einille asked Hero straightly. She just arrived at the restaurant where he instructed her to meet.Hero didn’t bother to answer her yet. He urged her to eat the food before he would explain everything.Einille didn’t press him. Hero casually ate his food while she never bothered to touch anything on the table. She was already fuming.“I’m just preparing you for all the things I need to spill. Toughen up. You really need it.” Hero drank the pineapple juice then slowly shake it as if arranging the ice cubes.She gritted her teeth, “I didn’t meet you here to exchange pleasantries. I still don’t forgive you for ruining my life.” She glared at him. The man still looked unbothered.“I know I caused you this mess. And I’m really sorry, I mean it. I don’t wish you to forgive me because I dragged you into a greater danger aside fr
THE next morning, Einille woke up with her husband’s hand wrapped around her from behind. She turned around to look at his handsome face while in his slumber. It had been a week since the day they got married. And she would not trade this happiness for anything in this world.She carefully got up. She was off-duty today, and she had a lot of time to make a good meal for her husband. Usually, he would cook for her. Vale spoiled her so much. And she didn’t want to get used to it. She wanted to serve him, too.Einille was in the midst of cooking fried rice when her cellphone rang. The number was unregistered. Her one brow raised because she knew who it might be. And she was right because she received a text message when she didn’t answer the call.This is Hero. I guess the honeymoon is over. You need to meet me because I have to tell you something about your husband. And the threats surrounding you.She didn’t r
VALE silently cursed. A black sedan had been tailing him from the restaurant where they ate. He didn’t mention it because Einille was somehow traumatized during the last shooting encounter. Whoever this bastard, the target was him not Einille.He alerted himself and snatched his gun from the compartment. He hastened the car, but the sedan caught up. He decided not to go straight home. He had to know the identity of his pursuer.Vale parked the car on the sidewalk. He assessed the situation and peered to the dashcam if someone would go out from the car behind. But it stayed at a safe distance from his location.He immediately called Rab and asked for a reinforcement. He waited a bit longer until he noticed the black sedan pulled over and left. Its driver must have had grasped that he called for an aid. Because after a few minutes, two patrol cars came and police big bike where Rab rode.“What happened?” Rab sounded worried.
VALE asked her to join in touring around the well-known tourist spots in Sorsogon. Einille was excited since she badly needed to unwind as well. Their relationship went fine so far. Vale gave her all the attention she needed even without asking for it.“Happy monthsary, Sweetheart!” Vale cheerfully greeted her when they reached the Laug Fish Sanctuary. He had food for the fish in his hand.“Monthsary? Are you serious?” she giggled. She never counted the day since they became an official couple because it was not a big deal for her.It had been a month indeed. But a monthly celebration was not her thing, except if anniversary.“This is an important day. Of course, I counted!”“Monthsary is for kids. It’s giving me bad omen that we wouldn’t reach an anniversary.”“Everything that has connections in our relationship is special.” His eyes traveled to a floating
“WITH that smile of yours, I knew something happened,” Shari said the following day while on their breakfast. She held a cigarette while drinking a black coffee, “Did you sleep with Vale last night?” she flashed a teasing smile.“No! Don’t give me that look.” She giggled.“I don’t believe you. Tell me, is Vale yummy? On a scale of one to ten, ten being the highest, where would you put him? How about the girth size?”Einille laughed, “You’re crazy. Nothing happened. And even if we did, I don’t kiss and tell.”“So, you’re keeping secrets from me.” Shari blew a cloud of smoke to her side.“I am just happy, and I deserve this, right?” she drank her tea, “How about you and Mazareno?”“We’re doing good!”“Good to hear that.”Einille told her cousin about Vale’s