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CHAPTER 98
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Kaugnay na kabanata
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 99
EVERYONE celebrated the 40th founding Anniversary of the AGC after a few days. Halos lahat ng mga kilalang mukha sa larangan ng negosyo ay naroon sa pagtitipon. It was held at one luxury hotel in Manila. Triana felt proud as she stood beside her husband welcoming the guests. Naroon ang buong pamilya nila pati na ang mga bata. Every employee of AGC was present and wore their best for the party. Nasa hindi kalayuan sina Rini at Ravi na binabantayan ni Dexa dahil panay kain ng dessert. Samantalang kalong naman ni Lucia si Devna at kasama nito sa mesa sina Austin at Lara. The couple had their healthy triplets a few months ago—they came out as two boys and a girl. Pumapailanlang sa paligid ang musika ng isang orchestra na nakapuwesto malapit na stage. There was an enormous signage in blue neon light that spelled—40th Anniversary Celebration. Abala ang mag-asawa sa pag-estima ng mga kilalang taong imbitado. And Triana was surprised to see Caleb walking from the main entrance, but he wasn
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 100
HABANG nasa dance floor nagsasayaw sa malamyos na tugtugin sina Liam at Dexa. Hindi pinalampas ng lalaki ang pagpapahangin sa kilalang socialite. “I’m your follower on all your social media accounts. I can say I’m quite informed about your life.” Liam winked at her. “Are you?” Lumawak ang ngiti sa labi ni Dexa. She admired this young man for his talents. Maganda ang boses nito at napakagaling sumayaw. Kilala rin itong palikero dahil sa dami ng babaeng naghahabol dito. She could not blame them, he was quite gorgeous. Nag-uumapaw ang karisma nito na siyang sinasamantala para mang-akit. “Shall I obey Mrs. Wright’s suggestion?” Pinaikot siya nito at nang muli siyang makaharap ay hinapit nito ang bawang niya dahilan para magdikit ang kanilang mga katawan. “Suggestion?” Dexa’s forehead creased. She was at ease dancing with him. It was like their bodies were made for each other to dance. Proud si Dexa sa sarili dahil isa sa hilig niya ang pagsasayaw kaya ilang dance lessons din ang pinagd
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 101
NATIGILAN sina Triana at Devance habang nagbabasa ng business news mula sa tablet sa living room nang pumasok si Dexa. They were more surprised that she was wearing a simple attire compared to her usual glam look. Ni hindi nga ito naglagay ng make-up sa mukha at nakabusangot ang itsura nito. Agad na kumislap ng kapilyuhan ang mata ni Devance para asarin ang nakatatanda nitong kapatid. “How was your date?” Devance asked. Awtomatikong nagsalubong ang kilay ni Dexa. “Date, my foot.” Hindi nakatiis si Triana na makisali sa usapan. “I’m sure Liam did his best to show off. He’s a nice guy.” Pasalampak na naupo si Dexa sa single sofa malapit sa kapatid nito. “That bastard did something horrible! I hate him with a vengeance!” Biglang naalerto si Devance at nagseryoso ng mukha. Maging si Triana ay bahagyang nag-alala rin. “Did he hurt you?” he sounded concern. Hindi nito palalampasin ang lalaki kung sakaling may ginagawa itong hindi maganda sa kapatid. “He is so immature. I can’t stan
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 102
KINABUKASAN hindi maiwasan ni Eshvi ang mapangiti nang makita si Devance na kapapasok lang sa loob ng kanyang condo unit. Devance simply nodded and quickly stepped back when she approached him because she tried to greet him with a kiss. “What are you doing?” agad na nagsalubong ang makapal nitong kilay. “Come on, why so distant?” Pinaikot ni Eshvi ang mata. Napansin niya habang tumatagal ay lalong lumalayo ang loob sa kanya ng lalaki. But she was just bidding her time. Hindi siya nababahala na kahit wala siyang nakikitang pagbabago sa ugali nito sa nakalipas na ilang buwan. It seemed that her attempt to get him back would not be easy as she thought. Lalo na at maraming sagabal na hindi niya naman basta maitataboy. Hindi pa rin sila ini-introduce ni Devance sa magulang nito. It would be a plus point if she could talk with Akhil and Gracia. Pero may tamang oras para roon. Kapag naisakatuparan na niya ang lahat ng binabalak. She just didn’t do much effort to win him over. Ayaw niya
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 103
MAGKAKASABAY halos nagising ang mag-asawa at si Dexa kinabukasan. They had their morning tea while the kids were still sleeping. Kasalukuyan silang tasa terrace ng second floor ng bahay at nakaharap sa garden sa likod na natataniman ng makukulay na rosas. Mainly yellow roses since it was Devance’s favorite. Kahit sobrang abala ito ay sinisiguro nitong maganda ang kanilang hardin. “What’s your plan for today, Didi?” tanong ni Triana sa hipag habang humigop ng mainit na tsaa. Dexa only shrugged. “Probably just stay here and play with my nieces and nephew. I’ll surely miss them when I go back to Milan.” “How about another date with Liam?” pasaring ni Devance matapos maibaba ang hawak nitong tasa. Dexa glared at her brother. “No thanks. Not gonna happen again.” “But honestly, you look good together. Liam came from a well-known clan before he became a superstar. Dad would approve of him for sure. Besides, just like me, he loves bikes. He is a professional racer, too.” Kaswal na wika
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 104
EVERYONE was settled when Liam dropped by in the afternoon. Kasama ng mag-asawa ang mga anak pati mga nanny ng dalawa. Their bodyguards were there as well. Mas mabuti na ang nag-iingat. Samantalang si Dexa ay nanatiling blangko ang ekspresyon ng mukha. Sa sasakyan ni Liam ito sumakay dahil na rin sa udyok ni Devance. They traveled for over two hours, and they reached Laguna. Agad na tumambad sa kanila ang isang three-story house. The location was near Mount Makiling. “We’re here. Everything is prepared at the campsite, and it’s located at the ridge of the nearby mountain. We’ll have a mini hike in a while,” ani Liam nang makababa na silang lahat mula sa sasakyan. Inasikaso naman sila kaagad ng lalaki. She ordered the house helpers to manage their things. Sandali lang silang nagpahinga matapos ay nagsimula na silang umakyat. The elevation was steep. Sa mga kasama nilang hindi athletic ay dinig na dinig ang paghingal ng mga ito. But everyone continued to climb up until they reach
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 105
LIAM’s smile broadened as he continued playing his violin while gazing at the woman near him. He only stopped when his piece was done. Dexa had her dreamy, deep-set eyes as she watched him in fascination. Saka niya ibinaba niya ang violin sa kanyang gilid. “How was it?” tanong niya sa babae. “What to expect with a superstar? You are showing off your music skills.” Dexa grinned. “Then why does it seem you’re not impressed?” He made a face. “Of course, I’m impressed. I thought you had a lot of talents. You must be heaven’s favorite for bestowing you with so many gifts.” Natawa si Liam. “Really?” Tinawag niya ang isang lalaking staff at inutusan itong ibalik ang violin sa loob ng kubo. Ang kanyang paboritong gitara naman ang pinakuha niya. “Why are you doing this?” seryosong tanong ni Dexa nang sila na lang ang naroon. “Isn’t it obvious that I want to display my skills to impress you? I hope I can reach your standard.” Hindi rin siya nagsinungaling sa kanyang sagot. Liam k
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 106
NAGULANTANG si Eshvi sa nabasang article online. Nakahilata siya sa kama. She was scrolling her tablet reading a piece of entertainment news. Naroon ang malaking larawan nina Liam at Dexa. It shocked her more to recognize the place they were in—a public place without their bodyguards! “Damn!” Hindi niya maiwasan ang mapamura. She never thought this would happen. Unang tingin pa lang niya sa picture ay kitang-kita na nagkakamabutihan ang dalawa. Kaya pala wala nang paramdam sa kanya si Liam. And it was a relief for her since he finally chose to set her free. Wala nang magiging sagabal sa mga plano niya. Pero hindi niya maintindihan ang sarili dahil biglang bumigat ang kanyang pakiramdam. She used to see Liam like a crazy puppy begging for her attention. Pero sa dinamirami ng babaeng pwede nitong ipalit sa kanya, bakit si Dexa? “Shit! Shit!” Eshvi cursed repeatedly. Kilala niya si Dexa, paano kung magustuhan nito si Liam? Ni minsan hindi niya inakala na mai-involve silang dalawa sa
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Billionaire's Marriage Bid EPILOGUE
TRIANA put on the Philippine flag at the summit of Mount Everest. Napakaraming makukulay na prayer flags sa tuktok niyon at itinusok niya ang maliit na bandilang dala niya sa makapal sa niyebe. Nilingon niya ang lalaking nakasunod sa kanya at itinusok din nito ang maliit na bandila ng Pilipinas at tatlong flaglets, dalawang kulay blue at isang pink—the man was Austin. The flaglets represented the triplets. Kaya nakigaya rin si Triana, isang kulay asul, rosas, at dalawang pula—each had a label of their children’s name. “I did it!” Triana muttered inside her oxygen mask. She spearheaded this expedition with Austin’s help. When Triana promised her husband to be his legs, she meant it. Kasama nila ang isang Nepali team na mga professional hikers at halos dalawang taon ang kanilang naging paghahanda para mapagtagumpayan ang kanilang layunin. The climb was highly technical that they even encountered a few frozen bodies on the trail. Pero buo ang isip ni Triana at wala sa bokabularyo niya
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 133
THE Chaudharys yet again gathered as they mourned Eashta’s passing. Sa dami ng mga rebelasyon ay nanatiling magkasama sina Devance at Triana. Hindi sila iniwan ng kanilang malalapit na kaibigan nang malaman ng mga ito ang kanilang pinagdadaanan. Lara and Austin had rescheduled their flight going back to London. Nagmadali ang mag-asawa na tinungo ang hospital na kinaroronan ni Eashta para damayan sila. Even the two could not believe what had happened. But they never blamed them and didn’t even utter a word to make them feel their negligence. Dahil kahit hindi sabihin nina Triana at Devance ay lihim nilang sinisisi ang sarili sa mga nangyari. Caleb and Austin also postponed their honeymoon to be with them. Hindi naman hinihiling ni Triana na isakripisyo ang mahalagang milestone sa buhay ng dalawa para damayan sila, pero pinili ng mga itong manatili sa tabi nila hanggang sa maihatid na huling hantungan si Eashta. They were adamant that their honeymoon could wait. And Triana had appre
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 132
NANLAMBOT ang tuhod ni Triana sa narinig. Mabuti na lang at maagap ang kamay ni Devance at iginalaw nito ang wheelchair para masalo siya mula sa likuran. Mabilis na pumasok sa kuwarto si Eshvi at niyakap ang walang buhay na bata. “Eashta...” Eshvi began to wail. “I’m sorry for your loss. We did our best to revive her.” The doctor expressed their condolences. Magkakasabay itong lumabas sa silid para bigyan sila ng privacy. Triana came back to her senses. Nilapitan niya ang bata at pilit na hinihila ang siko ni Eshvi palayo. “Don’t touch her! You have no right!” Nanginginig ang mga kamay ni Triana sa sobrang galit. Pero tila walang naririnig si Eshvi. Kagaya niya, patuloy ito sa pagpalahaw ng iyak. “Eashta! Wake up baby, please...” ani Eshvi habang mahigpit na yakap ang bata. Samantalang si Devance hindi makuhang gumalaw dahil sa bigat ng mga pangyayari. Tulala lang siyang nakamasid sa walang nang buhay na anak. He lost his two precious children in a year! At mula noon hangga
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 131
THE beeping of the hospital apparatus surrounding Eashta was louder than usual in Eshvi’s ears. Bigla siyang nataranta nang magsulputan ang ilang doktor ng anak dahil sa biglang pagbabago ng kalagayan nito. “My daughter… what’s is happening?” Walang patid ang pagpatak ng kanyang luha. Kitang-kita niyang nire-revive na lang ang anak at kapag hindi ito nakayanan ng munting katawan nito ay baka malagutan ito ng hininga anumang sandali. “Please… no…” nauutal niyang sambit. Hindi siya naniniwala sa dasal pero nang mga oras na iyon ay wala siyang ibang makapitan. She prayed hard to whoever deity listening to her pleading. Hindi niya kakayanin na mawala sa kanya si Eashta. “Miss Javier, please calm down,” anang babaeng nurse na naroon sa tabi niya. They both stood in the receiving area of Eashta’s private room. Pero kitang-kita nila ang nangyayari sa silid ng anak dahil sa dingding na salamin. “Shut up!” singhal niya sa babae. Bigla tuloy itong napaatras dahil sa ginawa niya. Dumista
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 130
HINDI namalayan ni Triana na walang patid ang pagtulo ng kanyang luha habang nakikinig siya sa kuwento ng asawa. Could it be true? “I’m really sorry, Kanchhi. I doubted you. But you know, it was just an excuse to make you hate me. Because despite learning that Devna is not mine, I still love her and nothing will change that she is our daughter.” Ilang ulit na pumiyok ang boses ni Devance. “Oh, God! Eashta!” Biglang nanlambot ang mga tuhod ni Triana. Kung hindi lang siya nakahawak sa handle ng wheelchair ni Devance baka kanina pa siya bumagsak. “Please tell me you are joking, Dev. I never went to Doctor Alfonso’s office since I thought you were just making up that story to drive me away...” Nanginginig ang mga labi niya. Parang ayaw tanggapin ng kanyang utak ang mga impormasyong galing sa asawa. Had Devna been switched? That was impossible! Pero hindi niya puwedeng isawalang-bahala ang mga sinabi ni Devance. Since she and Eshvi gave birth on the same day in the same hospital. At k
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 129
BIGLANG lumundag ang puso ni Triana nang makita ang asawa. Akala niya talaga namamalikmata lang siya pero nang nilapitan ito ng kambal at maluha-luha itong yumakap sa mga anak saka niya napagtantong hindi siya dinadaya ng kanyang paningin. Especially that he saw Grady showed up from the dining room holding a cup of tea. “Dev!” Hindi napigilan ni Triana ang sarili at patakbong lumapit sa kinaroroonan nito. He was comfortably sitting in his wheelchair. Maaliwalas ang mukha nito kumpara nang huli silang magkita. He was clean shaven and wasn’t looking that much miserable compared when he was in his cabin. Pero nanatili ang kaseryosohan ng mukha nito pagdating sa kanya. “I miss you so much, Baba!” halos magkasabay na wika ng kambal na parang ayaw bumitaw mula sa pagkakayapos sa magkabilang braso ng ama. “I thought you broke your promise to come home with Nanay.” Nakangusong anas ni Rini. “But here you are now! Your wheelchair is cool!” inosenteng bulalas ni Ravi matapos ay pinagmasdan a
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 128
SAMANTALA abala naman sina Dexa at Liam sa isang kilalang mall sa Milan. They were merrily strolling around and oblivious to their surroundings. There were no prying eyes there despite them being famous. Wala rin silang kasamang bodyguards na nakabuntot. Although they were watching from afar. Para na rin sa kanilang seguridad. “God, I miss being with you like this.” Palalambing ni Dexa sa kasintahan. “I’d prefer an alone time, though. I can still see our bodyguards from my peripheral vision.” Natatawang saad ni Liam. “At least we could pretend we’re alone.” Ngumiti si Dexa. Pinilit niya na huwag masyadong isipin ang sari-saring problema na kinakaharap lalo na at hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin na pagbabago sa lagay ng kanyang kapatid. Kahit anong sikap niyang i-distract ang sarili, she couldn’t help but worry about her brother’s failing marriage. Higit niyang inaalala ang mga pamangkin. Ilang buwan na rin na hindi nila nakikita ang ama. At wala rin siyang mukhang maihaharap kay Tria
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 127
NAGANAP ang kasal nina Caleb at Anya. It was held at their private resort in the province of Camarines Sur. Iyon din ang resort na minsang napuntahan nina Triana at doon nila unang nakilala si Anya. The couple chose this place since it was memorable for them. Doon daw kasi talaga nagsimula ang pag-iibigan nila. It was a sunrise beach wedding. Tila nakikisama ang panahon sa pag-iisang dibdib ng dalawa. Banayad ang paghampas ng alon sa dalampasigan habang hindi maulap ang kalangitan. Kagaya ng kasal ni Lara, the guests, were no more than thirty. Anya wore a simple white off-shoulder wedding dress. Para itong dyosa ng karagatan. Samantalang si Caleb naman ay nakasuot ng puting three-piece suit. Bakas ang matinding saya sa mukha ng dalawa habang naglalakad patungo sa altar. Napapalibutan ng mga sunflower ang venue at sea colors ang motif ng kasal. The sound of the violin reverberated along with the crashing of the waves when they started the wedding entourage. Bukod kay Triana, naroon d
Billionaire's Marriage Bid CHAPTER 126
TAHIMIK na nakamasid si Akhil sa bunsong anak habang kausap nito ang kanilang private doctor na si Dr. Adhikari. Nasa loob sila ng kanilang residence clinic. They were coordinating with the doctors in the Philippines looking out for Eashta. They had conducted the same test to check if Devance was a match and the result came out in two days. “You are not a match,” wika ng may katandaang doktor mababang tono. Marahang tumango si Devance. Pero hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ni Akhil ang pagtiim nito ng bagang. For Akhil, it was a good sign. It only meant he was bothered on what his illegitimate child was going through. Although he never liked that kid, but he also wanted to help. Hindi naman ganoon katigas ang puso niya para tikisin ang bata. Sa paglipas kasi ng mga araw ay unti-unti na niyang natatanggap na hindi na niya mababago pa ang nakaraan. Kung si Triana nga ay tanggap ito. Panahon na rin siguro para kilalanin niya ang anak sa labas ni Devance. “Kanchha…” Nilapitan ni Akhil ang
