Maddox's point of view There's a burning feeling in my chest. My mouth snaps shut; I have no words to say. Alam kong kahit hindi ko na siya tanungin, ay magsisinungaling na naman siya. Why does she have to lie? Well, in case na may tinatago talaga siya sa akin. But what else? I already knew her parents, and she doesn't have an illegal background, they're all clean. Neighbor? Tsk. Neighbor, my ass. I turned my heel to walk back to my office. I bounced at my seat, not minding Kenzie knotting his brows to me. "Anong nangyari sayo at para ka namang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa?" he pondered. I clenched my fist, my knuckles turning white. Damn. I have no choice but to know what she's really up to right now. Hindi ko sinagot ang tanong niya. Binato ko nalang ulit ng tanong. "Can you locate where Sariel is right now?" I muttered, calculating my stern voice. His face was beaming, and he went on, " Naman, ako pa ba? Just give me a minute." Sumandal ako sa upuan ko at nag-iisip n
Sariel's point of view Murphy changed his mind like a flash. Nagpa discharge siya kaagad, nung narinig niya ang pag-uusap namin ni Maddy. Pinatayan ko na nga si Maddy ng tawag, e. Tsaka, kaya nga ako lumabas ng kwarto para tuloy-tuloy ko siyang makausap, tapos sumunod naman ang tarantado. Nang makapasok ulit kami sa kwarto niya ay may hinugot siya sa likuran niya. My eyes widen. "What the heck?" Paano siya nakadala ng Glock sa loob ng hospital na 'to? I take a step back and give him a glare. "Paano mo napasok 'yan dito?" I hissed, gritting my teeth. He steps forward to be inches from me and grumbles, "Oh, my uncle is the owner of this hospital. Isn't that good?" Hindi na ako umatras, at pinantayan kung paano siya tumitig sa akin. Awe transformed his face, and my face went blank. Ha! Magkamatayan man kami rito ngayon, ay hindi ko na siya aatrasan. Does this hospital, therefore, engage in illegal business? I hope that's not the case, as this is how they market out people. Wha
Sariel's point of view Pagkatapos akong i-tour ni Murphy sa impyerno nila ay hinatid naman niya kaagad ako sa bahay. Nagkita pa nga sila ni tito. Aba't tuwang tuwa naman ang dalawa. Nasa circle of hell ba naman. Sana talaga last na namin na pagkikita 'yun. Gumagawa pa ako ng paraan para makaalis dito sa bahay. 'Yung hindi talaga makatunog si tito. Pinuntahan ko muna si mommy sa kwarto niya. "Hey, mom, what's up?" I beamed. I was walking toward her. She turns to look at me. She's doing something on her bed now, I think it was crochet. "Oh, well, pumunta ako kanina sa Seira's sweet haven. Busy kasi sila kaya tumulong na ako. Wala naman akong ginagawa rito sa bahay, e." Napatango naman ako sa sinabi niya. Meron kasi kaming bakeshop, marami namang tauhan si mommy, kaya okay lang na kahit minsan lang siya nalagi roon. I smiled at her sweetly. "Oh, ano na namang ngiti 'yan? Mga ganyan mong ngiti parang alam ko na 'yan, e," she mumbles, raising her eyebrows at me. "Ito naman s
Third person's point of view The sounds in the background are Ennie Meenie mixed with Danza Kuduro, and they reverberate throughout their bodies. They stand up and head toward the club's center. They're all dancing like crazy, banging their heads, jumping, and roaring from the back of their throats. They're swinging their bodies, forming a tiny circle, and dancing to the beat. Kaelyn walked to their center and danced, followed by Aster, Sunny, and, last but not least, Sariel. Naghiyawan sila ng walang tigil, feeling nga nila wala na silang boses pagka labas nila ng high-end bar na 'to. Nang mapagod sila kakasayaw ay tumigil muna sila at tinungo muli ang couch at napahinga sandali. Babalik din naman sila mamaya. They're all talking about their romantic and sexual lives. Nalalasing na rin sila dahil walang tigil na ang pag-inom ni Meli, at bigay sa mga kaibigan ng iniinom nilang scotch. Si Sariel naman ay kahit nahihilo ay tinawagan niya si Maddox, drunk call ang mga ante nyo. Taw
Third person's point of view "But my parents said that Aster and I are hidden because they don't want us to be seen or not to be known as one of the Venturas, but rather because someone tried to abduct us when we were young, back when Daddy was still the company's CEO, he really has so many enemies. Hindi man nila sabihin pero ramdam kong meron silang bodyguard na pinasusundan ako. Ramdam ko 'yun, e, hindi ko lang alam kay Aster," she trailed off looking at where Aster was sitting. Tumango naman si Aster, indicating that she agreed with her and that they both felt it. Then she continued speaking. "Pero hinayaan ko nalang, kasi para rin naman 'yun sa magiging kaligtasan namin," she stopped, then reached for a glass filled with scotch and gulped it straight. "So, you're all family, and I was acting foolishly the entire time, thinking things like, 'Oh, you guys are so wonderful; I like hanging out with you all,' and suddenly, like magic, bugaw na bugaw na pala ako sa kapatid nyo. Pwed
Sariel's point of view Biglang dumating si Maddox at mga kapatid niya. Sinuntok muna niya ang lalaki bago tuluyang lumapit sa akin. With gentleness, he asks. "Hey, are you okay, baby? Tell me where it hurts." Pero hindi ko siya sinagot. Iyak lang ako ng iyak, masakit na rin ang pisngi ko sa pagsampal ng lalaki sa akin. Hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko at dahan dahang hinarap sa kanya. His face became rigid as he looked directly at my left cheek. It hurts a little and is somewhat flushed, but other than that, I'm okay.As he motioned for me to get up, "Come on, let's take you home," my phone rang out of nowhere. Maddox was staring at me the entire time, which is a good thing because my uncle is the one who is calling me at the moment. I'm trembling with anxiety; this is all far too much."No, I'm fine. I need to take this call. Excuse me," I sputtered. Nang tumayo ay deretso lang ang lakad ko. Hindi ko na siya nilingon, I went to the corner where I could count the people on two hands, and
Sariel's point of view When we arrived at the office, he gestured for me to get near him. He pulled an envelope out of his drawer as he sat in his table chair. Sana all kasi pasarap lang sa buhay, tapos 'yung mga pang illegal na business nila pangsisira sa lipunan. I roam my gaze at the whole office; it looks like a library—an office library, to be exact. This was my favorite place when I was young and when Daddy was still alive. I like it here because of the books. I love reading mysteries and thrillers. Well, Daddy also likes it, he's the best dad ever talaga. We have a lot in common, and it saddens me to think about this place's past each time I visit. Si Hudas na kasi ang naninirahan. I snapped back when Tito handed me the envelope that he had taken from his drawer. I knotted my forehead, curious, and took it out of him. Sinilip ko kung ano ang laman, mga pictures. Upon seeing the photo of Maddy, the Maddox Ventura, my mouth dropped open. In exactly how did Tito know him? Meron
Sariel's point of view How much time has passed since then? After five months together, it's amazing that we've all been happy. As friends and family, we've shared so many memories and adventures. Pero sa limang buwan na pagsasama na 'yun, ay parang maglalaho nalang na parang bula ang mga alaala na 'yun. I have no idea what to do, and Maddox Ventura's connection to my tito concerns me. Why does he want me to be a spy? I need to refresh myself so that I can think more clearly, but how can I do that when I have so many plates spinning right now? Binigyan naman ako ni tito ng ilang araw bago ko gawin ang pinapagawa niya. Kaya hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa at tumayo na para magbihis. I wore an above-the-knee black silk skirt with a black backless shirt. I paired my black purse with five-inch heels and a black stiletto strap. I adore my natural look, so I'm wearing little to no makeup. All in all, I'm completely black. Huminga ako ng malalim, this is it. Kailangan ko talaga
Sariel's point of view The closure that I've been looking for has come to an end, and Maddox and I are no longer in any danger. It's been a long time. Now we are in the city of Amsterdam. It was at the narrow bridge that Maddox made his second proposal to me. Wala ng mas makakapagpigil sa kanya, e. Tinotoo talaga 'yung biro na mag-propose 'ulit. As for my mother, she has decided to remain in this wonderful place permanently. She has found a Dutch partner here, and I will always be there to support her. She has earned the right to have a life with the man she loves now and to take care of each other, but I will never forget about my father. Gusto ko lang ulit sumaya si mommy gayong siya nalang mag-isa. Ayaw din naman niyang sumama sa amin ni Maddox. I am currently six months pregnant, and Maddox is such a sharp shooter. My second baby, and it's a girl. Minsan nga pinaparinig ko, na sana siya nalang ang nagbuntis kasi ang hirap naman 'yun. Well, I set aside those thoughts. For
Sariel's point of view Everything is going smoothly fine, but when Maddox stormed into my house one day, It feels like we are back again at our storming bekering. "Wow? Akala ko ba nakapag-usap na tayo? Hindi pa pala sapat 'yun. Ano pa bang gusto mo?" "Yeah, I thought so. But you know what? I'm waiting for you to tell me that Mason is my son, but you didn't. So when are you going to tell me that? When he's old and not really knowing me as his father?" He spat. Napatahimik naman ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko naman akalain na mas mauuna pa niyang malaman, 'to na dapat ay ako ang nagsasabi sa kanya. It's just that naghahanap lang ako ng timing. Ngayon sana kaso 'yung timing ng pagpunta niya rito sa bahay parang kidlat, ang bilis. Huminga ulit ako ng malalim at tinitigan siya. Buti nalang wala rito ang anak ko, kasama niya si mommy gumala. "So? Can we talk in a calm manner?" I ask, tilting my head. "I'm calm!" He yelled, and I raised my brows at him. "Why are you yelling now?"
Sariel's point of view Well, every day feels different now. Maddox's comments don't intimidate me. Instead, I'm moving forward with what's going to happen. Nakakapagod ng takbuhan ang mga pangyayari, parang lumalala lang nga, e. Palagi nalang kami nagsisisihan. Parang walang katapusan. My phone buzzed. Nang tingnan ko kung ano ay ganun nalang ang pagkunot ng noo ko. Talaga lang ha. Pinaalala pa talaga. Wala na nga atang pakiramdam ang lalaking 'yun. What if nandoon pala ang asawa at anak niya? Tsk. Bahala na nga. 'Meet me at the Jungle K; I know you remember where it is. The place you're held captive with' That was his text message. If he wasn't my son's father, maybe I'd kill him already. Kill him with my love then; I don't want to be brutal anymore. Shame on me. There's a lot of memories in there, Jungle K, that poured out of my heart, expressing my regret and my desire for something or longing. I'm sitting in our modest living room, the moonlight filtering through th
Third person's point of view As Lowe, Mason, and Sariel finished their food, Sariel's son excused himself to go to the bathroom. Lowe and Sariel volunteer to accompany him, but Mason says that he can handle himself. See? Sariel's baby boy is kind of an independent na talaga. Hinayaan nalang siya ni Sariel, masisilayan naman niya ito papunta kung nasaan man ang bathroom. Tsaka, this is a luxurious resto, so Sariel is expecting that there's no bad, evil people lurking there. Lowe, on the other hand, has already seen his brother and is concealing his expression to prevent Sariel from noticing it. Baka mahambalos na talaga siya nito. Initially, Lowe had stated that he would not interfere in their relationship. However, upon witnessing his brother and Sariel's intense longing for each other, despite their denial, Lowe decided to intervene. As for Mason, he's already in the bathroom, one of the cubicles, and once he's done. He got out jumping a little bit; he just was hyper about the f
Sariel's point of view After those incidents happened, I've been contemplating what to do. I didn't answer well to my son's question, and I don't like to lie to him either. I need to talk to Lowe. I know he's here because he followed me back to the Philippines after my flight. I'm about to call Lowe, but it seems luck is on me right now; he's calling me already. I swiped the answer button, put the phone in my ear, and walked back to my room. I just checked on my son, and he's still asleep. It's Sunday today, and later in the afternoon we're going to visit sister Jane. "Hey, whats up?" Lowe greeted. I open the door, push it back with my foot, and then head to my bed to settle in. I heave a deep sigh. What should I tell him, then? "Oh, ano na? Parang ang laki naman ata ng problema mo niyan, ah. Abot pa ata rito 'yung pag buntong hininga mo ng malalim," he exclaims and laughs out loud at the other line. I snorted and rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see it. "Scram, tawang
Sariel's point of view After six years, my son has grown up, and I and my mother raised him in the United States for those six years. I was called to the company that my uncle had previously run when it was brought back with us when he was arrested 6 years ago. We'd like to thank our lawyer for that. Now that six years have passed, I'm experiencing mixed emotions. For those six years, there has been someone I trust at the company, so I don't have any concerns. However, right now, they really need me in the company, so I don't have a choice but to bring my mother and son back to the Philippines. I began running the business right away once we got to the Philippines. I'm currently in traffic on my way to pick up my son from school. I merely sighed and drummed my fingers on the stirring wheel, signaling that I was anxious right now. I’m simply frightened that he’ll come out again and wait in the waiting shed, despite the fact that there are guards outside. I’m just concerned that
Sariel's point of view In order to get away from all that was going on in the Philippines, my mother and I settled down in Amsterdam and purchased property there. And now we live in Amsterdam, where we are able to repair the scars that have been in my heart. I was able to kill time by creating whatever I wanted, including a cake, a cookie, and whatever else I desired. There is a small bakery that we own; although it is small, people adore it and absolutely enjoy all of my baked goods. But the only thing that worries me is that a month after I found out I'm pregnant, I'm happy because Maddox is the father of the child. However, I plan to keep it a secret from him, as he harbors a deep-seated hatred for me and believes that retaliation is always on the horizon. Nakaramdam naman ako ng symptoms, pero binaliwala ko lang sa inaakala na palagi lang akong pagod for baking. Kaya nang hindi ko na kinaya nagpacheck-up na ako, kasama ko si mommy. The fruit that happens is the night wher
Sariel's point of view I dialed my mother's number, the second ring, when she picked up. "Hello, dear? You already decided what to do?" She greeted. "Yup? Ready to kidnap me?" I playfully chuckle to myself. "Right away. Wait for me." She chirps, then the call ends. I make sure to leave the less important items behind and bring only the essentials. Isang backpack lang 'yung dala ko. Hindi ko naman balak ipaglandakan na maglalayas ako, na sana aakalain nila na namasyal lang ako rito sa Jungle K. I will miss this place so much. My phone beeps, and when I see my mother's text messages, I cautiously and silently stroll around the back of the house, taking care not to be noticed. They're still in the living room. Nasa hindi lang kalayuan ai mommy hinihintay ako, nagpa booked lang siya ng Grab. Dadaan lang kami kahit sandali sa puntod ni daddy para magpaalam. Nang makalabas na ako ng bahay ay napahinga ako maluwag, buti naman at hindi nila ako napansin. Tinakbo ko na ng tuluy
Sariel's point of view Lumapit nalang ako sa kanila at umupo sa harap ni Maddox. Hindi ko na tinapunan ng tingin ang babae na kanina pa nakatitig simula nang lumingon siya sa akin. Yay, pangit na ba ako sa paningin niya? Namamaga pa kasi ang mga mata ko. Maddox didn't mind it, though. My stomach became more sour as I stared at the prepared foods. My gaze flew to Maddox when he started to speak. "This is Winona, Sariel, and Winona, that's Sariel." He gestures back toward me and Winona. "Winona will be staying here for a moment. Nasa Cebu pa kasi si Meli kasama si Aster, kaya walang makakasama si Winona, I just can't let her stay alone in the hotel. She's just here for a vacation," he explained her reason for being here. I shrug my shoulders, not caring if she stays here or not. Bahay naman niya 'to. "Sure, nice meeting you. Feel free to roam around as you wish. Just don't mind me." I look up at Winona and smile at her. She just smiled back at me. "Thank you, Sariel. Nice mee