Sariel's point of view The light of dawn kissed my cheeks as it streamed through my room's window. Since Astrella got me to sleep last night, I felt really happy today. She genuinely remained up until I dozed off.Hindi ko alam if makakasurvive ba ako na walang kasamang matulog sa bahay ng isang estranghero. Huminga ako ng malalim at bumangon. Kailangan ko pang makausap si Astrella, nakakahiya naman kapag tinanggihan ko yung alok niya sa libro niya. Malaki na ngang utang na loob ang pagpatuloy nila rito sa akin. Ang bait din niya masyado. Kailangan ko rin palang makipagkita kay Maddy, para umpisahan na ang inuutos ng magaling kong tito. Pumunta muna ako sa bathroom para mag-ayos ng sarili. Nang matapos ako ay nagdadalawang isip pa ba ako kung lalabas na ba o hintayin ko nalang na tawagin ako. Pero nakakahiya naman maging señorita rito. After turning the doorknob to open the door, I paused to look outside to see if anyone was there or if an assistant was on their way. However, I fai
Sariel's point of view Maddox and I haven't seen each other in five days. I have no idea where to look for him. So, I've chosen to rent an apartment as a short-term solution for shelter. While I was at Astrella's home that morning, my mom texted me to tell me to find an apartment if I hadn't discovered anything new about Maddox with me. Hindi naman pwedi na kay Meli ako tumuloy, dahil hindi pa talaga kami, okay. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako. Nandito lang ako ngayon sa apartment ko. I was startled a bit when my phone chimed. Who the hell is calling me at this hour? But I got so excited when it was my best friend, Bellatrix. I swiped the answer button. "Hello, Bellatrix? How are you doing? You miss me that much, as you call this early hour?" I grumbled. "What? I just want to tell you that I'm here in the Philippines. My fiancé and I were back here last night. And I want to have a date with you. Are you free today?" She asks, and I'm contemplating whether I will go. But she's comin
Sariel's point of view I feel terrible that I took something important from him. As I looked at him, I took a deep breath. He is still exquisite since his figure doesn't change. Five days feels like almost five years to me. And now he's close by, but I can't seem to get in touch with him. I hope that hindi pa ito ang huling pagkikita namin. I just need to talk to him, lang naman. Pero ang sabi ko sa sarili ko, na isusuli ko pa yung folder, pero parang hindi ko na magagawa. Hindi na rin ata ako makakabalik sa penthouse niya. "So, this is Maddox Ventura, babe," she snaps, and then motions for Maddox's hand to join mine. "Maddox, this is my best friend, Sariel," she says, then slightly pushes me to Maddy. I turned to glare at her. This brat. Siguro kung hindi ko pa kilala si Maddy, kikiligin talaga ako. Pero kilala ko naman 'yan, e. Baka nga siguro, hindi kilig ang nararamdaman ko ngayon, kundi kaba. "Yeah, I know her very well," he deadpanned staring at me blankly. I swallowed ha
Sariel's point of view Fortunately, Bellatrix and her fiance are making their way to Maddy's company, and I am already eager to get back home. Bellatrix offered a suggestion to accompany them for a short period of time. Mabuti pa nga si Bellatrix niyaya pa ako. Pero 'yung isa r'yan, wala talaga akong gana ayain. Si Bellatrix naman parang sa kanya, 'yung kumpanya makapang-aya. Pumayag naman si Maddy. Kanina pa niya ako sinusulyapan, hindi rin niya ako kinikibo. Kaya hindi ko rin siya pinapansin. We're going to Maddy's company, which uses an SUV as transportation. Nasa unahan kami si Maddy sina Chandler at Bellatrix naman ay nasa likod. This is going to be the very first time that I have ever entered his office, and I couldn't be more thrilled about it. Perhaps Bellatrix and I could take a stroll through his office together. Like me, she is an adventurous person. Nang makarating kami sa kumpanya ni Maddy ay kaagad kaming umakyat sa office niya. Busy ata talaga si Maddy these pas
Maddox's point of view I didn't expect to see Sariel today. Bellatrix, Chandler's fiancé, said that she would meet someone, and I didn't know that it was Sariel. I miss her so much. However, I'm displaying a different attitude towards her; I simply don't want to draw attention to myself first. But later, I'll talk to her. I haven't asked her about the document she stole from me, as I've been busy in the past few days and forgot about it. Busy din kami ni Chandler sa ganap sa kumpanya. Pabalik-balik na nga siya dito sa Pilipinas. Sinabi ko naman sa kanya na pwedi siya sa isang bahay ko muna tumira. Kaso may mga kinakailangan din siyang ayusin sa Italy. We are meeting right now with the board members, but it's almost done. Gusto ko na nga rin lumabas kanina pa. "Hey, you think it's all good now?" Chandler lashes out, causing me to blink multiple times in shock. Sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin. He wrinkled his eyebrows and asked me, "Why?" Tsk. Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin sa why n
Maddox's point of view Sariel already has my phone number, which I gave her yesterday. Therefore, I asked Sariel to come to my penthouse today. Of course, I want to show her my adorable little pet. Also, I'm almost done building my new home at the Jungle K, so I may ask her to talk about it. Pero hindi naging madali ang pakikipag usap ko sa kanya. Ang dami niyang rason para hindi puntahan, kaya I blackmail her. So, she has no choice but to come here. Nagliligpit muna ako ng mga kalat. Bumili kasi ako ng aquarium kaya, makalat talaga ngayon. Napansin ko kasi na mahilig siya sa animals. Meron na nga rin akong regalo sa kanya na kabayo. Hilig din niya sa mga ganun. As I'm finished with everything, my doorbell chimes. And I expect that it's her. Wala naman na akong bisita na inaasahan. I stride toward the door, twitching the knob and pulling it wide to see who's out there. And I'm so disappointed as fvck that it was my two brothers. What the heck? "So, tell me a compelling rea
☞ THE PRESENT DAY, in relation to Chapter 5, which happened six months ago ☜Sariel's point of view Six months had gone by since that terrible day, and everything had evolved. Getting back to the past, I stood at the brink of the Jungle K. Thinking about the path that had brought me here, I had once enjoyed this spot.There's a lot of change in here. Nagpalagay din siya ng barn dito. I can see the horse where I'm standing inside the stable. A week has passed, and I miss my mother so much. Isang beses ko palang ata siyang nakausap ngayong week. Maddox is still enraged at me. Well, we're going to return to strangers. We all are. Kahit ano naman atang ibuka at paliwag ng mga labi ko hindi pa rin sila maniniwala sa akin. So, why waste my precious breath? A long, heavy sigh escaped my lips. If I could make one wish, it would be to improve myself. I can't decide whether to end my crazy existence or keep on. Now that everyone has left me, I'm completely alone. Meli, my best friend, and I
Sariel's point of view Just like I mentioned the day before, I'm going to go out and explore the fresh air. Hindi naman na ipinagbabawal 'yun, kaya okay lang na pagala-gala ako sa labas. I am going to go horseback galloping. It is already midday, and the sun is not causing my skin to be as uncomfortable as it normally would be. This place is warm, and the air is clean and pleasant to breathe in. Gusto ko sana na ganito talagang buhay, tahimik lang. Kaso hindi 'to kasali dahil isa akong preso rito. As soon as I arrived at the barn where the horses were placed, I headed straight for the white horse. This is one that I enjoy. Also, the other horse is black, and his appearance seems similar to Maddox. Besides that, it is crystal clear that this white one has been chosen to be my one and only baby. "Hi, little there. You're so cute, parang gusto kitang maging alaga. Wala pa naman sigurong nagmamay-ari sayo?" I was enjoying talking to the horse. I run my palm at her head, caressing it
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