72I couldn't sleep because of the fear I felt that night. Takot na takot ako na biglang bumalik ulit si Tito Alfredo. I want to call Maddix, but I'm afraid of Tito Alfredo's threat. The way he looked at me last night was so scary, as if if I didn't really follow what he wanted me to do, he would do something I wouldn't like.Ang sabi nito ay si mama ang pupuntahan niya kapag hindi ko siya sinunod. Napapikit ako at agad na tinwagan si Mama noong gabing iyon. I was so scared, and I can't even think straight.Kailangan niya ng pera, iyon lang naman siguro hindi ba? Nawala lahat sa kanya noong nakulong siya kaya paniguradong naghihirap siya ngayon at isa sa kailangan niya para magsimula ulit ay ang pera, pero nasaan ang anak niya? Asan si Kael? Napapikit ako at medyo hinawakan ang ulo dahil masakit pa ang ulo sa pagsabunot niya sa'kin. Pera lang ang gusto niya ngayon. Siguro naman hindi na niya ako guguluhin pagkatapos ko siyang bigyan ng pera. Isang milyon.Inasekaso ko agad kinabukasa
73I don't know how long I slept, but I woke up when I smelled some smoke. I closed my eyes and sat down. I tried to stand up, but I couldn't because I realized that my feet were tied, as were my hands. Nasa likod ko ang dalawang kamay ko at parehong nakatali iyon. I bit my lower lip and started crying because I already didn't know what to do."Tito!" Hinanap ko sa paligid si Tito kahit na alam kpng paniguradong wala na siya.How can he do this? Ang sama-sama niya. He is really planning to burn me alive! At ang tanga mo, Aliyah! No! Aliyah, do something! Don't fucking just cry! I don't want to die like this. "Maddix," umiiyak na sambit ko habang sinasambit ang pangalan niya na alam kong malabong mapuntahan niya ako at iligtas. He is out of the country! It's just me! I needed to get out of here!I tried to remove the rope from my wrist while my tears continued to fall. but the tie is too tight. I also continued to cough as the fire and smoke grew bigger.I tried several times to remo
74"Your baby is safe, Aliyah. Now, rest," Tito said that rason kaya nakahinga ako ng malalim. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at parang may tinik na nabunot sa lalamunan ko, pero uung luha ko ay ayaw pa rin tumigil."Safe na siya, pero mahina ang kapit niya. If you really don't want to lose a child again, huwag kang pasaway, Liyah. Rest and don't think anything other than the baby in your tummy," said Tito Peter gently but firmly.Napapikit ako dahil alam kong tama siya. Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko. Muntik ko nanamang napahamak ang anak ko."Rest, please," bulong ni mama sa'kin ng punong-puno ng pag-aalala.After that, they leave me alone, pero sinabi ni Tito na maraming tauhan si Maddix sa labas na nakabantay sa'kin dahil hindi pa nahahanap si Tito Alfredo.Hindi ko maisawasang isipin ang nangyare. Si Maddix. Pinag-alala ko nanaman. Yung namamaga sa kamay niya, dahil ba iyon sa pagpasok niya sa bahay para iligtas ako? Naramdaman ko ang hapdi ng balat ko at alam ko na may paso ako, pero ala
75I know that it's good for me to cry, but I couldn't stop it when I was already alone at home. Days have passed; Maddix comes here, but we don't talk. He never tried to talk to me, kahit na nasa harap naman na niya ako. Mama is the one he often asks about me; even though he could ask me, he doesn't do that.He even brought me some fruits, but he is really so distant and cold.Now he is here. Gabi na at ayaw kong matulog kasi baka kapag umakyat ako ay aalis nanaman siya. I want to be with him kahit na hindi kami mag-usap. I just want to see him here and smell his scent. I miss him.Napahikab ako at napansin niya iyon."Matulog ka na," sambit nito, pero mabilis akong umiling ng pa-ulit-ulit sa kanya.Maybe because I'm pregnant. I always get sleepy. Palagi akong pagod kahit na wala naman ako halos ginagawa. I yawned again and immediately closed my mouth when I saw his gaze on me. I smiled at him, pero napasimangot ako nang seryoso pa rin ang titig niya sa'kin. We are watching TV, and h
76 The employees greeted him when they saw him, pero ni isa sa kanila ay hindi niya pinansin, ni hindi niya tinapunan ng tingin. He is just serious while walking. He also walks ahead of me, while I just stare at his back. I've calmed down and stopped crying, but I feel like I'm going to cry again. I felt that his anger toward me caused him to fall out of love. I can't blame him if that's what happened. I feel that he already thinks that I don't deserve to be loved by him. Years ago, he protected my future, and now I almost lost our child again because I was so careless. Nang makarating kami sa labas ay pumarada ang kotse niya sa harap niya. Malungkot akong napatitig doon. May lumabas na nakaputimg lalake at binigay kay Maddix ang susi. Maddix opened the door for me, pero hindi ako lumapit roon. Napatitig ako roon bago siya tignan. I tried to smile habang umiiling. "K-Kung may gagawin ka pa, pababalikin ko na lang si Bella," sambit ko, pero nang mas luwagan niya ang pinto ay napapi
77"Anak, open this door. Mag-usap kayo ni Maddix. Think about your decision first. Bakit ka naman nakikipaghiwalay bigla? Nasa sala siya and he is waiting for you! It's just your hormones, Aliyah." Mama kept saying that every time she knocked, but I ignored it."Aliyah! Come on, Anak. You shouldn't make decisions that fast. Huwag kang ganyan bumaba ka at kausapin mo siya," dugtong pa niya.Mama kept knocking on the door, pero hindi ako lumabas para sundin ang gusto niyang gawin ko. I locked myself in my room and cried a lot, but after a few hours, I calmed down. I don't know, but I felt like I wanted to just eat something.I don't know if it's part of my pregnancy, but if it's my hormones, like mama said, I don't know. Suddenly my sadness disappeared, and suddenly I just wanted to eat. It was already 8 p.m. when I went out. Ilang oras akong nagkulong sa kwarto ko. I have food inside my room because I have a mini fridge here. I did eat some fruit, and a while ago mom left some food t
78"Oh! Let's eat, Anak." Mama said this when she saw me entering the dining area."Goodmorning!" Bati ni Maddix sa'kin nang makita ako. He smiled at me."There's no goodmorning kung ikaw ang bubungad ng umaga ko," masungit na sambit ko at gusto ko na lang ulit tumalikod at iwan sila rito para magkulong na lang ulit sa kwarto ko."Aliyah," mahinahong pagsaway sa'kin ni mama."Why are you still here?" Iritang tanong ko kay Maddix na ngayon ay nakaupo at humihigop ng kape."Let's eat?" Tanong nito sa'kin na para bang hindi niya narinig ang tanong ko."Why are you so rude, Anak? Huwag kang ganyan," Si Mama iyon, pero nakatitig lang ako ng masama kay Maddix."Wala ka bang trabaho?" Marahas na tanong ko."I'm on leave," He answered, so I just rolled my eyes again. I approached the table, but when I smelled something, I covered my nose."What's that smell? Ang baho!" "Aliyah? Ayos ka lang?" Si Mama.I noticed that Maddix stood up in a panic and came to me, but I passed him and quickly head
79 Halos hinihingal ako pagkagising ko kinabukasan. I can't believe my dream right now. Napasinghab ako at hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko. What the hell? Why do I have a dream like that? What the hell is that? I closed my eyes tightly because I could feel the wetness of my underwear. Napasulyap ako sa tabi ko sa kama at wala namang Maddix doon. Why am I having a wet dream so suddenly? This is the fucking first time that I have had a dream like that! I couldn't stop cursing in my mind because of the dream I had. Naligo ako pagkatapos non at sinubukang kalimutan ang naging panaginip ko. Ang kaso lang, hindi ako makapaniwala na kahit sa pagligo ay iniisip ko iyon. I am thinking that Maddix is caressing my clitoriś. I close my eyes as the water flows over my body from the shower. I am now using a cold shower, but the fire in my body hasn't died down. Halos natapos ang pagligo kasabay ng paghawak ko sa sarili ko habang iniisip si Maddix. I can't believe myself. Nababaliw na ak
Leozardo's POV "I love you," I whispered when we were already lying in bed after I had taken her many times. She didn't say anything. She just buried her face in my neck while hugging me. "May lakad pa tayo," I whispered at her. Her dad called us last night. We will go to their house in Makati. I closed my eyes so badly that I thought Daryha had married Vanzeus Guevera. I can't help but think about everything. When I learned that she had already married someone, nawalan na ako ng pag-asa. Akala ko hindi ko na siya mayayakap ng ganito, hindi ko na siya mahahalikan at hindi ko na siya makakasama. "Love," I whispered again. "Pinagod mo ako kaya maghintay ka," masungit na sambit nito, pero mahigpit naman ang yakap niya sa'kin. Natawa ako at hinila siya para mas mayakap ko. The first time I laid my eyes on her when we were still studying, I said to myself that she would be mine, even though I knew that she liked Jerico. Everyone knows that she likes Jerico, but maybe she feels that
Wakas is waving!!!_________________________________________Takot pa rin akong umuwi sa Pilipinas. Nag-aalala ako na baka makita ko si Mommy at ang asawa niyo. Hindi pa rin akong handang makita sila, pero alam ko na dapat kong harapin ang mga nangyare sa nakaraan.It's been a month since Leozardo knew about Kent. We moved into his condo, and dad allowed us because that's what I wanted. Dad, Tita Geva, and Van also went back last Sunday to the Philippines. In a month, Leo and I both did not work. We spend our time together with Kent.I already talked to James and president. Sa totoo lang wala na akong contract sa kanila. I'm just continuing to work as a model, pero wala ng contract. I told them the truth: I want to spend my time with the father of my son and my son.The president and James got shocks when they learned that Leozardo Luenco was the father of Kent.Sa isang buwan namin dito ay kapansin-pansin ang palaging pagtawag ng pamilya niya kay Leozardo. They want Leozardo to go ba
WARNING! 18+ ONLY! ____________________________________________ Tita helped me cook after that, and Manang apologized more times nang madatnan kami at nakitang kami pa ang nagluto. Tita and I just say na hindi naman niya kailangang humingi ng pasensya. Mas naunang dumating si Daddy, kasunod niya lang sila Leo at Kent. Napangiti ako nang makita ang masiglang tawa ni Kent nang papasok na sila ni Leo. "Papasok ka, Anak?" Tanong ni Dad habang nilalagay namin ni Tita ang ilang mga niluto namin. Napansin ko ang pagsulyap sa'kin ni Leo na animo'y hinihintay din ang sagot ko. "Oo, dad. Ilang araw akong absent at kahapon ay hindi ko pa tinapos ang trabaho ko buong araw," sambit ko. "Kung ganoon ay?" Napasulyap si Dad kay Leo. I bit my lower lips. "It's fine if you stay here for Kent habang nasa trabaho ako," alanganin kong sambit kay Leo. Hindi agad ito nagsalita, pero napansin ko na para bang may gusto itong sabihin. Nagpakawala muna siya ng buntong hininga bago tumango. "Okay, th
46 "Let's talk about what you meant a while ago," he said gently and a little weakly while burying his face in my neck. "It's not necessary. Let's not talk about it--" "I want us to talk about it, Love. I want to know what's on your mind," he said quickly, not letting me finish what I had to say. Bumuntong hininga ako bago sabihin ang nasa isip ko. "I just don't want you to decide this fast. I want you to take your time thinking kung ano talaga ang nararamdaman mo. Mamaya hindi ka pala sigurado at gusto mo lang na mabigyan ng buong pamilya si Kent, well I also want to give Kent a complete family, but I don't want to be selfish towards you at ikulong ka sa responsibilidad mo kay Kent. Hinding-hindi kita ikukulong," malumanay na sambit ko. Narinig ko ang malalim na buntong hininga niya. Kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap sa'kin at iniharap niya ako sa kanya. "Ayos lang sayo kung magpakasal ako sa ibang babae?" Tanong nito sa'kin habang titig na titig sa mata ko. Para niya akong b
45Leo was the first to stop crying. He was even able to stop Kent from crying. He talks to him, and Kent seems to know what Leo is talking about. I cannot resist staring at them, especially Leo. I know that he will be a good father."Papa," Si Leo habang tinuturuan si Kent na banggitin iyon."Pap.. pa," Hirap na sambit ni Kent. Titig na titig si Kent sa ama at subrang attentive sa sinasabi ng ama niya.We are all in the sala. We are all sitting. No one talks, and we are all staring. Kent and Leo na para bang may sarili silang mundo."Pap...pa!" Ulit pa ni Kent habang tumatawa na at nagagawa pang pumalakpak."Yes, baby. I'm your papa," Leo said tl Kent.We remained on the sofa until Kent fell asleep in Leo's hand. When Leo fell asleep, I stood up to take Kent, but Leo didn't want to give him to me."Ilalagay ko siya sa kwarto namin," sambit ko, pero umiling ito."I still want to hold him," mariin na sambit niya kaya napabuntong hininga ako."Pero baka mangalay ka---""It's fine," sery
44Masaya ako, pero alam kong may kulang, pero sino ako para hilingin na mapunan ang kulang? We are going to talk, right? Then fine. What I want right now is for him to know about Kent. Kung noon ay medyo takot akong sabihin kasi baka mag duda siya lalo dahil wala itong maalala noon, ngayon ay sigurado akong hindi siya mag dududa. He knows what happened that night. He knows na siya lang at alam niyang nagsisinungaling si Joseph Vuenavista."He is the reason I endured everything that happened in my life these past few years. He is my everything. He saved me when I was so down and broke." dugtong ko.I saw him staring at his glass. Napansin ko ang malalim na pag-iisip niya. Pati ang pagseseryoso niya ay namimiss ko. Nakakainis! Kanina lang ay subra akong naiirita sa kanya."Ikaw? Are you happy right now?" Hindi pa siya nakakasagot ay muli ko iyong dinugtungan. "Of course you are, right? But I want to ask you, is it Danica? or some other girl?"Hindi man lang nagbago ang expression. Ser
43"Mr. Luenco, what do you think are you doing?" Tanong ko, pero nahimigan ko ang sariling gulat sa boses ko.He didn't speak, nagpumiglas ako para mabitiwan, but a car suddenly parked in front of us. The same driver I saw last time got out of that car."Ano ba? Ano ba 'to?" Nagtatakang tanong ko sa kanya at patuloy na tinatanggal ang kamay niya sa palapulsuan ko."Pumasok ka," mariin na sambit niya."N-No! What is this, Mr. Luenco? You think it's nice to pull someone like this? And you think sasama ako sayo? Makakarating ito kay President!" Iritang sambit ko. "Let's talk," seryoso nitong sambit na ikinatawa ko."Bakit kailangan ako? You had a girl beside you a while ago! Kung gusto mo ng kausap, pwede naman siya! Bakit kailangan mo pa akong hilahin!" "I said let's talk, Ryha!" Bulyaw niya na nagpatigil sa'kin.Pareho kaming natahinik sa biglaang tinuran niya. Napapikit siya at bumuntong hininga."Please, let's talk," mas malumanay na sambit na niya.Ayokong paasahin ang sarili kon
42I did what he said. Right in front of him, I called Van and told him that he didn't have to pick me up, but Van said he would still come. He said that I would go with James and the president to the place, but we would go home together. Doon na raw kami magkikita.Tudo tingin ako sa side mirror, malinaw ko kasing nakikita ang kotse ni Leo na nakasunod sa amin."Really, mom? That's good, so we can be able to have our photoshoot in there hotel," I just glanced at James when I heard his happy words to the President."I was really shocked why he suddenly offered his hotels in the Philippines, but well, business is business, and he will have benefits if he lends us his hotels," sambit naman ni President.Philippines? Mukhang napansin ni James ang pagtataka ko sa usapan nila nang sulyapan niya ako sa front mirror ng kotse."This is the project that will be held in the Philippines, and we're lucky that Mr. Luenco offered his hotel. If you don't know, Mr. Luenco is a billionaire. His hotel
41"Daryha, let's go." I heard a serious voice. James diverted his attention to Van, as did Leo and Levi, who both glanced at Van.Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip. Tumayo ako at pilit na ngumiti kila James at Levi. It was hard for me to look straight into his eyes, but I did my best to do that. I smiled at him. He just stared at me blankly, na para bang ni minsan ay hindi niya sinabing mahal niya ako.Nanikip ang dibdib ko at pinigilan ang nagbabadyang luha sa mata ko. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at naglakad para malapitan si Van. "We go first, James. I'm sorry," paumanhin ni Van kila James."Stay a little bit, Van," sinubukan pang kumbinsihin ni Levi si Van, pero pakoramdam ko ay gusto na rin talagang umalis ni Van.Tumayo naman si James at niyakap ako and say his goodbye. Aalis na sana kami, pero mabilis kaming pinigilan ni James."Oh, I'm sorry. By the way, before you two go, I want to introduce Mr. Leozardo Luenco to you, Van. Mr. Luenco, this is Vanzeus Guevera," pakilala nito."Oh. I