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 "Daddy!" I moaned, feeling his fingers wander along my back. He could get at it easily because of my backless shirt.He responds, his voice raspy. "I'm your daddy?" he mumbles. I'm catching my breath since his hand is doing something unpleasant to my back. "Yeah, I'd certainly put your name on my contact list as Daddy Maddy." He gave me a growl. Ramdam ko, 'yung hininga niyang parang hinahabol din. With his forehead pressed against mine, he gave me the look of a man who is about to consume me. "Can we go home now? You deserve to stay at my penthouse, in order that we might do something to make you pleased, you seem like a lost kitten right now," he grumbled.Hindi ako nakapag salita nanatili lang akong nakatitig sa mga mata niya. I'm contemplating something right now: sasama ba ako sa kanya or nah. Baka kasi kapag sumama ako sa kanya, mawawala na naman, 'yung pag-iisip ko about tito at kay Maddy. Pero kapag hindi ako sumama sa kanya, baka magtataka na siya. G
Sariel's point of view I didn't answer his question; instead, I slipped inside the car. I'm in the passenger seat, fastening my seatbelt. He only cracked a smile at me as he circled the car towards the driver's seat. When he reaches the back of the wheel, I answered his question earlier. "Just play whatever you want later; I'm going to take a nap; it feels like I'm going to throw all the contents of my stomach," I said, closing my eyes. He gasps, but I didn't mind, and everything goes black. I sank to sleep for the reason of drinking too much. Nang magising ako ay nasa kama na ako ni Maddy. We continued our flirting rendezvous. Hinayaan ko nalang 'yung sarili ko na manaig ang kagustuhan ko. Siguro bukas ko nalang iisipin ang mga kalalabasan nito. Yeah, we do the foreplay. Hanggang doon lang kami, kaya ko namang ibigay ang sarili ko sa kanya, pero parang ang complicated pa. He can hold himself together well enough to fvck my cunt, though. He is, I suppose, great at everything, e
Maddox's point of view Sariel looks extremely worn out after our little rendezvous. Nakainom din kasi siya, kaya nakatulog kaagad. It is nearly 2 a.m., and I am still up. I have trouble falling asleep, so I decided to look at some of the CCTV Kenzie installed during the past month. I usually check it when I have time in case Finn Dixon is lurking around. I also have an exclusive CCTV system in my room that only I can access for the fact that I am sometimes doing weird things here. Kagaya nalang ng ginawa namin kanina ni Sariel, hindi ko naman hahayaan na makita pati 'yun ni Kenzie. Hindi man ako magaling sa technology and such, but may alam naman ako kahit kaunti dahil na rin kay Kenzie. I check the office first, then the others as well. Afterward, as I was getting out of my room to get milk for Sariel, I caught a peek at the record here. Napakunot ako ng noo, nang bigla siyang tumayo at may hinalughog sa drawer ko, like parang may hinahanap siya. She then turned to face my cabinet
Maddox's point of view Jasper and Jhovel Messina are Sicilians, and I don't know why they're here in the Philippines—maybe to hide. The Sicilian is in chaos. Taguan nga ata ng mga criminals ang Pilipinas. Well, it's vice versa, though. "Do you think, marami silang mga taong, nasa priso?" Chandler asked, pulling his long sleeve into 3/4, clenching his jaw. Well, if I were him, I would do the same. He looks like he's going to murder someone right now. Meron kasi siyang backstory about prison, and that's not my story to tell. Sisiguraduhin talaga namin na, this is Finn Dixon's and Jasper's last breath on earth.We don't want them lurking around and breathing the same air as we do.I have a lot on my plate right now, but I really need to multitask starting today. "At least guys, we have a lot of good news right at this moment. Meron na kasi akong nakitang location ni Finn Dixon, it's a warehouse located at downtown at Molina's valley. I have a plan to install a tracker and a listening
Maddox's point of view As I was saying, we're all ready to go to Finn Dixon's location to install the tracker and listening device. The warehouse located in the downtown valley is almost an hour's drive. Well, Jasper and her mother, Jhovel, are on the move. We have to include them in our mission. Nabulok na ata ng hospital ang anak niya. Ang kasama ko lang ngayon ay si Knight, Kenzie, and Lowe. Chandler's going back to Italy, and the others are going home. They're keeping in touch with us, though. It's already 6 p.m. o'clock, and the sun has set. The clouds are getting heavy as it is about to rain. This is going to add tension, as if we're going to war. Parang nasa action movie lang. ✯✯✯ When we got to the location where Finn Dixon's warehouse is, it's like the whole area is in quiet mode. Nasa loob palang kami ng sasakyan at nagmamasid, kung may tao ba talaga o wala. "Ay, walang tao?" Kenzie snaps. "Ano tingin mo sa sarili mo hayop?" Lowe spat back. "Tanga naman nito,
Sariel's point of view The skies have been so dark since 2:00 p.m. that it looks like a storm is coming. But my instincts are so right, I'm here in the middle of the road near our mansion. Pero ang swerte ko lang, kasi pinalapit lang ako bago masiraan ang kotse ko. Kinuha ko nalang ang purse ko at cellphone at kaagad na bumaba. Kunting ambon lang mero, pero nang paparating na ako sa mansion, doon lang lumakas ang ulan. Well, hindi naman ako masyadong nabasa. I took a deep breath as I turned the knob to open the door. Pero bigla akong nanlumo, nang sa pagbukas ko ng pinto ay bumungad si tito Finn at mommy na nagbabangayan. Sinampal bigla ni tito Finn si mommy. Hindi ko alam kong bakit umabot sila sa ganito. This past few months, okay naman sila, walang ganitong ganap. Lalapitan ko kaagad sana si mommy. Pero nang malapit na sana ako sa kanya, ay bigla akong nadulas. Nabasa kasi talaga ako, malakas na ang ulan, meron siyang kasamang kulog at kidlat. Grabe 'yung palpitations ko. Takot
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