26Naglakbay ang kamay nito sa likuran ko habang inaangkin pa rin ang labi ko. Ang isang kamay ko ay nakahawak at nanatili sa panga niya habang ang isa ay parang may sariling buhay na naglalakbay sa matigas na katawan niya.Ghad! How can he build this kind of muscle? Ang pagkakatanda ko noon ay payatot ito, iyon din ang rason kaya tinawag ko siyang lalampa-lampa. Bigla tuloy akong nahiya ngayon kasi hindi na nuya deserve masabihin ng lalampa-lampa.Hindi na ako bata para hindi malaman kung ano ang mangyayare kapag pinagpatuloy namin ito sa lugar na kaming dalawa lang. Alam ko na rin kung bakit bigla akong nakaramdam ng init sa katawan ko kahit na alam kong malakas ang aircon dito.I can't believe this. Daryha, itulak mo siya. Pero kahit anong dikta ko sa sarili na itulak siya ay hindi ako sinusunod ng katawan ko. I don't want to say this, but I felt excited about what would happen next. Magaling ba siya? Damn! Wake up, Daryha!Inalis niya ako sa pagkakasandal, pero hindi pa rin nag
27I didn't do anything when Madam Anastasia insisted that Zacky take me, which is why we are already in his car. We are both silent, but I felt his glance at me every time he had a chance. I know he has a lot of questions for me because I suddenly agreed with what my lolo wants."Thank you, and sorry sa abala," sambit ko nang tinigil niya ang sasakyan sa harap ng condominium na sinabi ko. Lalabas na sana ako, but he stopped me."Can I use your comfort room?" Tanong nito sabay kamot ng batok niya na para bang nahihiya pa itong sabihin iyon."Of course," mabilis na sambit ko. Hinintay ko siya nang ipark niya muna ang kotse at sabay kaming umakyat. Wala si Herica sa condo dahil magkasama sila ni Garry ngayon."Mag-isa ka lang ba rito? This condo is big at dito rin pala ang condo mo, malapit sa kanya," Zacky said when he did his business in comfort."No. I'm with my bestfriend, but she is with her boyfriend right now. Minsan dito siya, minsan naman wala siya. By the way, what do you wan
28I'm so happy that Zacky didn't ask anything and that we had a different conversation."So how's the deal between the investors from China?" He asked while driving.Nagtataka man dahil alam nito ang tungkol roon ay sinagot ko naman ang tanong niya. Siguro ay sinabi ni lolo sa kanya. "Maayos naman, and I was so thankful na hindi na ako umabot ng isang linggo roon." "Hindi umabot ng isang linggo. So I think your lolo is really right when he says that you are really good at handling business. I didn't want to disturb you and talk about our first date because I know that you're busy, but are you free next Saturday? Sunday and Monday?Inaaya niya na ba talaga ako for our first date? So he is really serious about the three dates. "I'm not sure, but I'll check my schedule." "My sister will celebrate her birthday in Batangas, so I just want to invite you. Is it okay for you?" Sinulyapan niya pa ako bago muling binalik ang tingin sa harapan."Of course, it's fine for me. Bakit naman hind
Napansin ko ang paghilot ni Jerico sa sintido niya at napapikit ng mariin. Hanggang sa sumulyap siya sa'kin."Can we exchange our seats for a while, Daryha?" Tanong nito. I was wondering, just like I was wondering why Leo had suddenly turned up like that. Don't tell me he's jealous. No. I don't think so. Didn't he think that Danica was better than me?I don't want to ask anymore. Lumapit ako sa tabi ni Keith at si Jerico ang naupo sa pwesto ko, pero bago iyon ay lumabas siya at kinausap muna ang kapatid niya na nasa labas at kitang-kita badtrip siya. Seryoso silang nag-usap sa labas. Hanggang sa pumasok si Jerico, kasunod nito si Leo, but Leo didn't go in the driver's seat. PInalitan siya ng pinsang lalake ni Zacky. No one talks after that. Tahimik ang lahat hanggang sa makarating sa kilalang beach resort sa batangas. Masayang lumabas ang sakay ng isang van, habang kami ay tahimik pa rin na parang nasakluban ng langit at lupa. Lahat ay gulat pa rin sa nangyare."Ba't nagmamadali kay
30Why do we end up like this? Galit ako sa kanya diba? Dumidistansya ako sa kanya diba, pero bakit hinahayaan ko siyang yakapin ako ngayon? I bit my lower lips and removed his hug from me, pero mas hinigpitan niya iyon."Ipapaalala ko lang sayo ang mga sinabi mo noon baka kasi nagka amnesia ka na lang bigla. She's better than me. Mabait siya at maganda. Matured din siya kaya bakit ka nangyayakap diyan?" seryosong sambit ko sa kanya at hindi maiwasang lagyan iyon ng hinanakit.That's what he said, right? Sinabi pa nga niyang titigil na siya sa pagpipilit ng sarili niya sa'kin, na pagod na siya. I bit my lower lips. Mali ang pagsunod ko sa kanya rito. Narinig ko ang buntong hininga niya. Hinawakan nito ang daliri ko at pinunan ang mga gitna ng daliri ko ng daliri niya. Napasulyap tuloy ako sa sugat sa isa niyang kamay."I'm sorry about what I said. I'm sorry, I was a fucking asshole that night. I just hate it that you are so into Jerico, but when you talk to Zacky, I feel like you don
"Akala ko ba hindi mo ako gagapangin?" Sambit ko agad nang maghiwalay ang labi namin, pero nakahiga na ako sa kama habang siya ay nasa ibabaw ko.Kinagat ko ang labi upang maitago ang ngiti sa labi ko.I saw his lips rise. "Ang sabi ko, hindi kita gagapangin kapag sa kwarto ko, but I'm here in your room. I didn't say na pati rito ay hindi kita gagapangin," mapaglarong sambit nito.Lumipat ang tingin niya sa gilid ko. Pinanood ko ang paglagay niya ng buhok ko sa gilid ng tenga ko."But if you don't want, hindi kita pipili--" Sinasabi niya ito habang umaalis na sa harap ko, kaya mabilis kong inilagay ang braso sa leeg niya at dinampian ng halik ang labi niya.Kinagat na rin nito ang labi at hindi na mapigilan ang paglabas ng matamis na ngiti nang inilayo ko siya ng kaunti."But if we both remained here, baka talagang gapangin na kita at hindi ka na tuluyang makalakad bukas," narinig ko ang pagbibiro niya.Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang pamulaan ng pisngi. Hindi makalakad? "So if we remained h
32I had been in love with his brother for years. I feel it. The excitement when I saw Jerico. The happiness when he is there talking to me and giving me his attention, and the courage to get him even though he already has a girlfriend, but that feeling is not even 10% of what I am feeling right now. Hindi ko alam. Hindi ko maipaliwanag. Now that I am in Leo's arms, I can't explain anymore. I don't know now if what I am feeling for Jerico is really called love or if I am just letting myself think that it is really love dahil wala pa akong minahal sa buong buhay ko. Leozardo Luenco. I hated him very much in the beginning. I hate him for being lalampa-lampa na walang ginawa kundi maghabol sa'kin at bigyan ako ng ginagawa niyang yarn na teddy bear. I hate him kasi subrang kulit niya.I was hating him, so why did I suddenly feel the other way around?"Ouch!" Napadaing ito nang kurotin ko siya.He has taken me many times. I think he
33"I'm sorry," I sincerely said after saying that we needed to stop the agreement between us."Mahal mo talaga?" Tanong nito na ikinagulat ko."Zacky--""Wala naman akong magagawa kung sabihin mong oo," natawa ito habang tumatango-tango.To be honest, he is so kind. The news that Zacky Villanueva was a heartless businessman was wrong. They said he was rude and didn't care about the feelings of other people. A womanizer. They are wrong to say that he was rude and mean. Sa pagkakakilala ko sa kanya, hindi siya gaya ng mga sinasabi ng iba.In the little time I've known him, I can say that he is kind and respects girls like me, which is a bit out of character for a rich man like him.Anak mayaman. Oo anak siya ng mayaman, but I know that all he has right now is because of his hard work. Alam ko iyon dahil kay lolo. Galit man noon si Lolo sa mga Villanueva, Lolo is always praised the only son of Zachary Villanueva.
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