CMMB 8"Kwarto niya 'yun?" Gulat kong tanong kay Jerico na ngayon ay busy sa laptop niya."Yes," he answered without even looking at me. He was too busy na talagang hindi niya matanggal ang tingin niya sa laptop niya.Ngumuso ako at pilit tinatanggal sa isip ko na iisang toothbrush ang ginamit namin. Akala ko kasi hindi niya kwarto yun! Saka fine! Ang tanga ko sa part na gumamit agad ako ng toothbrush na hindi nagtatanong, but hell! "Wala bang ibang kwarto? Ayoko roon.” Para akong pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa, lalo na noong sinabi niyang under renovation ang iba. Grabe, sa dami ng araw na pwedeng irenovate, ngayon pa talaga? Like? Seriously? Pinaglalaruan ba ako ng tadhana?Napsulyap ako kay Jerico nang mapansin ang pagngiti niya at napangiwi ako sa sunod na tinuran niya."Hi, Beautiful," sambit nito at talagang abot tenga ang ngiti niya.Hindi ko na kailangang itanong kung sino ang kausap niya sa video call. I bit my lower lips at nag-iwas ng tingin.I should do now my plan, to d
"Lolo?" Nanlalaki ang matang sambit ko nang makita si Lolo sa opisina ko. Late akong pumasok kinaumagahan dahil kailangan ko pang umuwi sa condo ko. Napasulyap ako kay Secretary Girie, he is a a secretary of Lolo, na ngayon ay pansamantala kong secretary."Secretary Girie, you should told me that lolo is --""Didn't I say that you shouldn't do something about modeling?" He asked seriously after taking a sip of coffee.I noticed secretary Gerie's look, and when I looked at him, he immediately looked away. Of course, he is more loyal to Grandpa. I should get my own secretary as soon as possible.Lolo wants me to focus on the company, and I hate that! This is not my passion, pero wala itong pakealam sa kung ano man ang gusto ko. "Lolo---""And I heard from your mom that you are rejecting the arranged marriage thing?" He didn't even let me finish what I wanted to say."I want to marry someone who can loves me, Lolo. Stop this nonsense!" Madiin na sambit ko, pero alam ko namang wala iton
Kahit anong gawin kong hindi pagpansin sa kanya, hindi ko magawa dahil sa titig niya sakin. What is the use of his laptop in front of him kung hindi naman iyon ang haharapin niya!I tried again to ignore him, but I was still disappointed in myself. I hate how he stares at me; it makes me feel uneasy. I can't help but wonder if I'm swimming well or if the color of the bikini I'm wearing is right for my skin. Maayos ba ang postura ko? I know that I am sexy, and I am confident of that, but I am really confused and conscious of myself!This is insane. Napaupo ito ng maayos nang magtama ang paningin naming dalawa. He twisted his lips and was still staring at me. Ni hindi man lang ito natinag sa masama at matalim na titig ko sa kanya. "Yung tequila pakiabot!" I spat angrily.Akala ko hindi niya ako susundin, pero kinuha nito ang Tequila na nasa lamesa at naglakad papalapit sakin. Umawang ang labi ko nang pinanood ko ang paghakbang nito papalapit sakin. Kinailangan pa nitong yumuko ng kaun
"Grabehan, Daryha? Ang ganda ng shape ng body mo," si Herica pagkalabas ko sa kwarto ko.We are planning to get party dahil linggo bukas. The previous day, I didn't want to go to the office, but I still had a heart. Yes, and I don't want to be with grandpa's company, but I know that is my responsibility.Galit ako kay lolo, pero hindi ko naman maaatim na pabayaan iyon lalo na at ako ang pansamantalang nilagay niya bilang CEO. I even got my new secretary dahil ayokong maging secretary iyong alam kong mas si lolo ang sinusunod."Maaakit ko na ba si Jerico sa lagay na 'to?" I just asked that as a joke dahil hindi ko naman alam kung makikita ko pa si Jerico roon, pero napairap na lang ako sa naging sagot niya."Ang ganda-ganda mo tapos maghahabol ka lang sa isang taong hindi ka naman mahal. Why don't you find a guy mamaya sa bar? Surely maraming lalapit sayo," narinig ko pa ang sarkastiko sa boses nito."I don't need to find a guy, gaya nga ng sabi mo, maraming lalapit sa'kin, pero mas ma
I pushed him hard after that, not because I was angry with him for kissing my neck, but because even though I was a bit dizzy, my eyes caught his brother on the sofa not far away."Jerico," I said it softly and was about to walk closer to where Jerico was, but Leo held my waist."Baby, please just this once. Ako muna," paos na sambit nito, and when I look at him, mapungay ang mata nito at nakikiusap ang tingin.I just want to go to Jerico tp just say hello, pero ngayong nakatingin ako kay Leo, I don't know why I suddenly want to be with him. Nababaliw na ba ako? I hate him, pero gusto kong manatili rin sa tabi niya ngayon.Nakakapanghina ang hawak nito. Nanghihina ako sa titig niya. Damn! I hate this feeling."S-Sa lamesa na tayo," tanging nasabi ko. I heard his relieved sigh. Nauna akong maglakad at nang nasa mesa ay wala na si Herica at Garry roon. Mukhang napansin ni Leo ang paglinga ko para hanapin sila."Nasa dancefloor rin sila," sambit nito at umupo sa mismong tabi ko.Hindi ko
I glanced at my phone a few times after I showered. He said he was going to text me, but why still nothing? Is he pranking me?Napanguso ako at inis na tinampal ang pisngi nang may mapagtanto. Teka nga! Bakit ba hinihintay ko talaga ang text niya?Nang marinig ang pagtunog non ay mabilis akong lumapit, pero umawang ang labi ko at nalaglag ang balikat ko nang galing iyon kay Herica.Herica:Umuwi na kayo?I quickly replied to her. I remembered that I didn't tell her because I was embarrassed earlier. I waited for a while again, and when my phone beeped again, I quickly looked at it, but it was from Herica.Herica:Double-check the door and lock it. Matutulog ako sa condo ni Garry. Bukas, mag kwento ka.Umirap ako at hindi na iyon nireplyan. Binaba ko iyon at lumabas para tignan kung nakalock nga ang pinto, sa pagbalik ko sa kwarto ko ay muling tumunog ang phone ko. Hindi na ako nag expect na si Leo iyon, siguro ay kausap nito ngayon ang girlfriend niya. Ang girlfriend niya. Napairap na
It was late when I arrived at my condo. The place where the photoshoot was held is a bit far from my condo. This is the first time that I have been very tired because of my work in modeling. Nangalay ang leeg ko sa pagdadrive."Ngayon ka lang?" Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at halos mapatalon nang makarinig ng pamilyar na boses sa gilid ko."Bakit ka ba nanggugulat!" I shouted at Leo, who was leaning against his car. Both hands were in his pockets, and his cold and dangerous eyes were staring at me.He sighed, then he came closer to me, and I couldn't help but frown when I saw that he was walking a bit unsteadily. I quickly came closer, noticing that he seemed to be struggling to balance himself. I almost fell when I touched him, but luckily I was able to balance myself, nagawa niya rin na balansehen ang sarili.Hindi naman ito gaanong lasing, pero kahit na ganoon ay siguradong nahihilo ito."Are you drunk?" Tanong ko kahit na kitang-kita naman sa kanya na nakainom nga ito. Hinawakan ko
15Pagkabalik ko ay ganoon pa rin ang ayos niya. Nang mapansin ang paglapit ko ay minulat niya ang isang mata at hinawakan pa ang sintido niya.He is wearing a black longsleeve at nakalislis ito hanggang siko. Napansin ko rin na nakakalas na ang ilang butones nito sa taas. Napatikhim ako at nilagay ang kape sa lamesa sa harap niya. Napaayos ito sa pagkakaupo at inabot naman iyon."I'm sure you have your own unit here because you own this condominium building, kaya pagkatapos mong ubusin ang kape mo, umalis ka na," mariin na sambit ko at tinalikuran siya.Pagod na pagod na talaga ako. Gusto ko nang humilata agad, pero kailangan ko pang mag shower."Let's talk," pagod ko siyang sinulyapan at sinimangutan nang marinig iyon galing sa kanya. He sipped on his coffee before giving his full attention to me.Let's talk? Ano namang pag-uusapan namin?"There's nothing we need to talk, Leozardo Luenco. Huwag mo na bulabugin ang buhay ko at umalis ka na lang pagkatapos mo diyan.""There is," sam
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