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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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