“MER! Mer, what’s going on? Are you okay?” Joebeth asked in a panic mode when she noticed that Meredith was trembling with fear while her hands were covering both of her ears.John Person came over right away. “Mer?! W-what’s going on?” he asked worriedly.Joebeth shook her head. “I-I don’t know! She suddenly became like that after the loud sound.”“Mer, hang-on!” Randall interrupted who was now close to Meredith.“Robi, get my bag, hurry! Hurry up!” he begged, which his friend immediately followed.“Mr. Dacles, what the hell are you doing?!” John Person asked with a mixture of worry and anger after Randall put the earphone in Meredith’s ears.Maybe he thinks what he is doing is crazy.“Mr. Dacles, I’m warning you! If something bad happ—”“Captain, I know exactly what I’m doing!” he interrupted.“But—”“Everything is fine now. She’s just having a panic attack, but she will get over it soon,” he answered.John Person frowned. “W-what do you mean?”“Y-you mean, you don’t know anything a
MEREDITH ends her day without seeing Randall again. She just found out that Don Warrick had not yet been released from the hospital according to what their professor had informed them so she decided to pay him a visit after their appointment with the Forensic sketch artist. And now, they’re just waiting for the result of the sketch.“Oh my gosh! The girl in your dream is stunningly beautiful! She looks like a Campus Queen.” Marylex’s reaction when she saw the face of the woman in Meredith’s dream.“And a goddess who descended from heaven!” Shanaia added.Marylex put her right hand under her chin to think. “I’m wondering, when will you see the man’s face in your dream? I’m sure he’s attractive and handsome too!” “That’s what I’m thinking too.”Shanaia rubbed her shoulder. “Don’t worry, we will help you.”She folded the paper and then stuck it in her notebook before putting it in her bag. “Thank you, girls!”“You’re welcome, Mer!” they said in unison.“Let me take you to the café then,
“IF YOU don’t want to get hurt, give me your bag!” the thief whispered, making Meredith to stiffen in her position. She tightened her grip on her bag because it contained the money she had saved for a month to pay off some of her father’s debt. Their boss gives them tips for their hard work at the café, that’s why they are all blessed so she had saved a lot somehow. The fog that night was cold, but she was sweating because of the danger she was facing right now.“P-please, have mercy on me. I have a lot of debt to pay,” she pleaded. The grace period given to them is next week. What to do?“I’m sorry, Miss, but I owe a lot as well, so don’t talk too much. Will you hand over your bag or I will bury my knife in your waist?”No way! She needed to flee. Until she had no choice but to step on his foot with all her strength to force him to release her. She immediately ran but he caught her hair. She couldn’t do anything but closed her eyes to the possible consequences when the thief suddenly
“D-DON’T tell me you agreed to your grandfather wishes?” Meredith asked when she realized what Randall had said.Meredith knew Randall could afford that large sum, but at his age, he didn’t, for now, especially since his inheritance would only be given if he agreed to what his grandfather wanted. Randall looked her in the eyes. “Well, that’s the only way I can think of to solve your problems. We will both benefit if we agree to Grandpa’s dying wish.”He pointed a finger on her. “You, you can pay your debt instantly.” Then pointed to himself. “And me? I will get my inheritance.”When he got no response from her, he continued. “I also realized that during the time I was happy-go-lucky, he never interfered with everything I wanted to do. He gives me everything I want so maybe it’s time for me to follow him, especially now that he’s getting weaker and weaker. Consider how this agreement will benefit both of us. All we have to do is to pretend in front of Grandpa to make him believe us. P
“ISN’T your grandfather amazing? I can’t believe that he gave away the one million pesos so quickly.” Meredith commented as they made their way to Mr. Hakim when the weekend has come, the day given to them.“I told you, I’m his only grandchild, that’s why it’s easy for me to ask him. If there was anything Grandpa was afraid of, it was me going to America with Dad.”“If I have to bet on the Lottery every day just to save money to repay you, I will.”He laughed and shook his head in response to what she said. “You can do whatever you want. I’m not putting pressure on you.”She nodded. Until they realized they had arrived at Mr. Hakim’s place.“Let’s go straight to our business. Give me what I need.” Mr. Hakim greeted them.Randall showed the check to the paunchy man. Mr. Hakim was about to take it when Randall moved it away from him.“W-what are you doing? Just give it to him.” Meredith whispered when he do that to the paunchy man.“What the hell?! You really want me to get angry, don’t
“WHAT’S the real score between you and Randall? You even came in together and we saw with our two eyes that you were holding hands while walking,” Marylex asked curiously as she approached Meredith, while Shanaia waited for her response.She pulled them to the side of their room before telling them the truth.“Oh my goodness! For real?” Marylex said in shock after hearing the story.Shanaia folded her arms. “Looks like someone is in trouble because of what you entered.”She and Marylex looked at her in awe.“What do you mean, Shan?” she asked.She didn’t say anything, but Shanaia pointed to her heart which she immediately understood. “But you can prevent that from happening,” Shanaia added.“H-how?”“If you can make him fall in love with you.”“Right!” Marylex agreed.She didn’t know if she could do that. For her, their pretensions are difficult. What else could make him fall in love with her? Besides, she has no idea if she possesses the qualities he seeks in a woman.She shook her
A WEEK later, as part of Meredith and Randall’s plan, the two were able to go on a date to the Manila Ocean Park. They need to prove to Don Warrick that they are dating, but first Don Warrick summons them to his mansion.“Good morning, Granpa!” Randall greeted as he hugged his Abuelo.”Meredith took his hand and placed it on her forehead as a sign of Filipino respect. “Good day, Sir!”“Good morning!” Don Warrick greeted them back.“First and foremost, I would like to introduce Atty. Edaño, my personal lawyer. I entrusted him to discuss with you our agreement.”The lawyer handed them some papers. “This is the marriage settlement agreement. Please! Do have a look.”The two of them exchanged glances and carefully read the contract, which Randall immediately signed. Meredith gave him a glance as she handed the contract to the lawyer. There is no turning back because they have already paid Mr. Hakim’s debt, so she no longer has the right to refuse.“It says you promise to marry a week afte
(1982)“SORRY! I didn’t intend to bump into you,” Clayton apologized after colliding with a lady, causing the coffee she was carrying to spill onto her clothes and onto her friends.“Oh my goodness! Look what you've done! Are you blind?! You’re not even paying attention to what you’re passing by!” The lady in the middle said as she wiped away the stains on her clothes.“I’m so sorry, girls! I honestly didn’t—”“Back off! Don’t even think about wiping your dirty handkerchief on me! And take a look at yourself; where did you come from, in the jungle? You’re so out of date! Ugh!” The girl in the middle scoffed.She appears to be the group’s leader.“Gosh! He looks like a beggar," the lady on the left added.“Well, he’s such a hermit for me!” says the lady on the right.“Oh, gosh! You stink!” The lady in the middle added and get a disinfectant in her bag after smelling him.She sprayed it on him all over. “Better! Let’s go Ladies!”Her two friends simply laughed at him first before leavin
“I’M SORRY, Randz, but I can’t marry you,” she replied and runaway.Even their friends, relatives, and guests were taken aback by Meredith’s response.“W-why can’t you marry me?”Meredith is deafeningly silent, unable to face him.“Answer me, please! Give me an acceptable reason why you can’t marry me!” Randall yelled, couldn’t accept the fact that he was rejected.Meredith took a deep breath, trying to hold back her tears and face him. “Because you don’t really love me.” Meredith’s emotions were mixed as fear dominated her heart. It seems that her dream about the red thread that Randall cut in her dream came back to her vision.“Mer, that’s not true! I do love you! Can’t you feel it?!” Randall said as his tears escaped his eyes.She sobbed and shook her head. “Y-you’re only saying that because of Barbara and Clayton’s red thread that is connects us.”Her mother and Rebecca covered their mouths at what she said. Even their friends looked at each other, couldn’t believe that she had b
“MEREDITH?” Ranier was taken aback as Meredith and Editha entered their house. He couldn’t believe that he would see them so soon. He thought that it would be difficult for him to talk to them again. “Where is he?” Meredith asked, worriedly. “He’s inside his room.” Meredith was on her way to Randall's room when she became stunned and closed her eyes. Barbara’s soul appeared in her body once more. She opened her eyes after a few seconds and turned to face Ranier. “Brother! F-forgive me. It’s all my fault. If it wasn’t for me, the people around me wouldn’t have been hurt. I deeply regret being weak and selfish back then. Ranier hugged her back. “Shhh... It’s okay, Barb. I know how you feel. But, please, help and guide my son, your nephew, to be strong. Don’t let him take his own life. I was so damn hurt by losing you then that I can’t bear it if I lose my son as well.” She released herself from his embrace and nodded. “Don’t worry, brother. I will fix everything I was left behind.
“SISTER MARIA!” Editha said as she hugged tightly the nun she considered her real mother. Sister Maria hugged her back. “Oh! Thank God! You’ve finally come! I have waited so long for your visit.” Editha let go of the hug. “I’m sorry, there’s so much happened in the past years. The nun smiled as she looked next at Meredith. “Is she your daughter?” Editha nodded and introduced her only child. “Hi, Sister Maria. Glad to see you,” Meredith said as she took Sister Maria’s right hand and gently struck it to her forehead as a show of respect of every young Filipino for the elderly.” “It was nice to finally meet you, Meredith. You grew up beautifully. You look exactly like your mother,” she complimented. She looked at her mother for a moment then thanked her. “Let’s go inside. I’m sure the other nuns would be pleased to meet you as well.” They were then escorted inside the orphanage. “Was it you, Mom?” Meredith inquired as Sister Maria gave her a photo of her mother when she was young
AFTER their conversation at the Condo unit of Barbara and Clayton, Randall went home to the mansion with his family. They were currently resting in the living room when they suddenly heard a noise outside.“Walter! What is going on out there?” Don Warrick asked.“Mrs. Ebelte is currently causing a commotion outside. She wishes to speak with you.”They all exchanged glances..“Don Martial! Get the hell out of there! Face me!” Editha yelled at the top of her lungs.Randall appeared at the gate shortly.“Mom!”“Where’s your grandfather?! I want to talk to him!”The adults, including his father, rushed after him.“Relax, Mrs. Ebelte. And with all due respect, Ma’am, don't cause a commotion here,” Ranier remarked.Editha was about to approach General Marcial when Randall grabbed her arms.“You, ruthless man! How dare you manipulate our lives, huh?! You are not even satisfied with what you did before! My brother died because of you, and then you’re going to mess with my daughter too? Leave
“WHERE are we? Why did you bring me here? Who’s unit is this? Don’t tell me you’ve moved out of your condo?” Meredith asked Randall when he took her to an unfamiliar condo.But Meredith’s guess was wrong. That unit is the place where Barbara and Clayton’s dark past happened.“Don’t you remember this place?” he asked back.She looked throughout the entire condo. “Y-yeah. This place is quite familiar to me, but how did you know that this was the place?” He held both of her hands. “I told you before that I know the whole truth, didn't I?”She nodded. “However, I also told you that it doesn’t matter what happened in the past if we know it will only affect our marriage.”Randall closed his eyes. “But my conscience won’t let me sleep anymore! Especially you! As long as you dodge the truth, your dreams will keep hunting you. I also want this to end so we can start anew.” “I-I don’t understand what were you saying. Our relationship is getting stronger so why did you suddenly say it so that
“LET’S GO?” John Person said when he picked up Shanaia in her room.Shanaia didn’t respond but she handed him her bag. After that, he clasped their hands but stopped when he noticed that missing in her hand.“Where’s your ring?” he asked.Shanaia looked at her ring finger. “Oh, maybe I left it in my bathroom when I took a shower this morning,” she excused.She actually meant not to wear it anymore. She put it back in its case. She feels like it’s useless.“Is that so?”“Hmm.” John Person didn’t ask any more questions until they reached his car in the BSU parking lot.NIGHT came and Shanaia just finished taking a shower. She was about to close the lampshade and ready to sleep when her eyes caught the goggles she had ordered for JP who arrived yesterday. She took it, removed the cover, and looked at it.She was debating with herself whether to give it to him or not. But in the end, the latter prevails so she put the goggles back in the box. She will just give it to him tomorrow.One ho
“WHAT are you doing, Shan? Don’t tell me you’re going to order something online again.” Meredith asked when they reached their room at BSU.“It’s not for me this time, okay? I’m just turning the favor because I realized that I haven’t given him a single one yet.”“As far as I remember, there’s still five months until his birthday.”“I know! But that’s not the case. He still gives me gifts even when there is no occasion. I just want to return what he does for me. Just help me, okay? So any idea what thing your cousin wants to have for a long time?”Meredith thinks for a moment. “Well, I'm not sure what kind of gift he wants, but if you're going to give him a gift, it should be something he can use all the time. But knowing my cousin, he will accept whatever you give him, wholeheartedly.”“Okay! Now I have an idea. Thanks, Mer! ”Until something stole Shanaia’s attention, a black no leaking anti-fog UV protection swimming goggles with free protection case worth thirty thousand pesos.WH
“LEX, can we talk?” Marylex stopped when she saw the woman that made her not to trust Typhoon again. “M-Maureen?” She looked at her friends. They nodded in agreement to what Maureen’s wanted, that’s why she come with her so they could talk alone. When they arrived at the cafe near BSU, she opened up to her. “Did you and Phoon fight?” she asked. She nodded. “He doesn’t even want to tell me why he had to leave me just to see you.” “It’s not that he doesn’t want to. I told him not to tell anyone about what was happening to me that day.” She frowned. “What do you mean?” “First and foremost, I don’t want you to think that I met you today because he requested me to. I’m here in front of you because I don’t want you to mistrust him solely because of me, therefore I’d want to share my side because it saddens me as well every time I see him sad.” She nodded, indicating that she was ready to listen. “I called him that day because my boyfriend and I had fought,” she explained. “Phoon
“PHOON...” Marylex wakes up Typhoon for the nth time. “You have to wake up so you can change your clothes,” she added. He groaned. “Hmm...” “You have to wake up,” she whispered. “L-Lexi?” he said weakly with a raspy voice. “Can you sit up slowly?” “I-is that really you?” She nodded. “H-how did you know that—” “Edward told me that you’re sick.” Despite his situation, he tried to smile at her. “T-thank you for coming here—” “Shhh... Don’t force yourself to speak. Just do what I say, okay?” He nodded that’s why she quickly help him to sit down and lean his back on the pillow she placed on the headboard. “I’ll change your shirt first, okay?” she asked permission. When he nodded, she slowly removed his shirt. And when she was done, she looked at his newly washed boxer shorts. She wondered if she would also change his pants or not. “L-let me change my pants,” Typhoon said as he grabbed the shorts. “A-are you sure you can change your pa—” She didn’t finish what she wanted to