CHAPTER 11NAGISING si Elizabeth nang maramdamang kumakalam na ang tiyan niya. Dahan-dahan siyang bumangon at tiningnan ang wall clock. It's already 12 PM! Pumasok siya sa banyo at naglinis ng katawan. She took a bath, brush her teeth, and wear something comfortable before going out from the cabin. Mukhang napasarap ata ang tulog niya at tinanghali na siya ng gising.Her feet automatically walks towards the kitchen only seeing Alaister preparing the table for the two of them. May pagkain nang nakahain sa lamesa, may kandila din sa lamesa at petals pa sa sahig. Nagsalubong ang magkabilang kilay ni Elizabeth sa ginagawa nito. "Anong ginagawa mo?" Tanong niya at kita niya ang pagkaigtad nito. Mukhang hindi nito napansin ang presensya niya.Napakamot si Alaister sa likod ng ulo nito at sinusubukang takpan ang ginagawa niya kahit nakita na naman niya."Ahm, ha-ha... g-good morning?" Aligagang sambit nito na parang hindi sigurado sa sasabihin. Mataray na tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. Anong
12 ALAISTER woke up early, feeling happy and satisfied, seeing Elizabeth laying down beside him, wrapping her arm around his waist. This is the best day of his life, he can say. It’s been years since he last experience this kind of happiness. And that was with Elizabeth. Only her can make him feel that way. Ang sarap palang gumising sa umaga kapag ang babaeng minahal mo ng sobra ang bubungad sa'yo. His happiness was replaced by worry seeing Elizabeth's calm state. What if she leaves me again? Tanong ng isang boses sa likod ng utak niya. Malungkot siyang napangiti kasabay ang masuyong paghaplos sa pisngi ng dalaga. “Of course she’ll leave me, there’s nothing important about me for her to stay.” Mahinang usal niya kasabay ang pagkirot ng puso niya. He took a deep breath and calm his nerves. Negativity is slowly eating his whole being. Maingat siyang umalis sa kinahihigaan at nagtungo sa labas para lumanghap ng sariwang hangin, umaasang makakatulong ito sa pagkalma niya. But a bad lu
PrologueNAGISING si Eliza sa lakas ng tunog ng cellphone sa kung saan. She groaned and tapped Israel's chiseled chest. They are both tired and naked after they make love. Israel was so insatiable that he didn't stop until their body was drained. Para ba itong sabik na sabik sa kanya kahit palagi naman silang magkasama. "Babe, answer the call." She said in a hoarse voice, still closing her eyes but Israel just groaned and buried his face on the pillow.Seconds later, the phone stopped ringing and Eliza was about to go back to sleep when the phone rang again. Whoever the caller is, he or she is so annoying! Mukhang hindi talaga ito titigil hangga't hindi sinasagot ang tawag kaya naman ay napipilitang bumangon si Eliza at sinundan ang ingay. She walked with her naked body towards the drawer located on the very corner of the condo unit, meters away from the king-size bed where they were lying.She picked up the call without looking who the caller is. Hinintay niyang magsalita ang nasa k
Chapter 1“IT WAS NICE TO FINALLY MEET YOU, Ms. Vasiliev.” The Chairman of the Perfecto Security Company said as they shook each other’s hands for a second. She just closed a deal between the company she’s been handling and to the security company who wants to merge with them. She needed the most successful and trusted security company globally. Though she don’t give her trust easily, at least the background of the company and so as the people working on it are trustworthy and has clean record. They wouldn’t like what she can do if they try to betray her. She’s Elizabeth Stheno Vasiliev, the owner of the Vasiliev Emerald Empire, daughter of the most dangerous businessman and drug baron in Russia. No one would dare to mess with her.“Prepare all the documents and files that I have to sign, Mr. Donovan, and let your secretary send it to my villa.” She said in a matter of fact as she bid goodbye and left the company. “MOMMY, do we really have to go back to the Philippines?” Kaagad na ta
“ELIZA VILLANUEVA… nice seeing you again, my love.” Malalim ang boses na sabi nito sabay tanggal sa face mask at sunglasses na suot nito. Halos mapugto ang hininga ni Elizabeth nang makita ang kabuuan ng mukha ng lalaking kaharap niya. But remembering the past and his background, she erased all the emotions in her face and gave him a forced smile. She can’t deny the fact that he became more handsome and so as his features, it became manlier. His stubborn jaw that moves every time he clenches it, his pointed nose that added up to his handsomeness, his green eyes that look so mysterious, his eyebrows that always met like he hated the world, and his luscious lips that always look inviting. She smiled bitterly when a pang of pain struck her heart. She tried to calm herself and force herself not to show any weaknesses to the man in front of her. Hindi pwedeng maging mahina siya. Pinaghandaan niya ang araw na ito kaya dapat pulido na ang bawat galaw at mga salitang lalabas sa bibig niya. S
Chapter 3 IBINILIN ni Elizabeth ang anak niya kay Greg kasi may conference meeting pa siyang dadaluhan. A meeting between the partnership and investors under her empire. As of now, she already has three business partners and ten investors. Mahirap kasing maghanap ng makapagtitiwalaan business partner. She’s now heading to her main firm in the Philippines, driving her white mustang. Habang nasa byahe siya ay hindi niya mapigilang maalala ang usapan nila ng kanyang ama. Her father wants her to capture Alaister, dead or alive. That was supposed to be her mission but she decided not to accept it. Ewan ba niya, hindi niya kayang gawin iyon sa lalaki. “We have a deal, Elizabeth. Either you capture him, or I’ll execute him. You choose, Elizabeth.” That’s what her father said earlier before ending the call. Kailangan niyang paganahin ang utak niya at mag-isip ng paraan kung paano magagawa ang misyon niya ng hindi sinasaktan ang lalaki. If she captures him, her father will surely use him as
Chapter 4 “SO, you’re dating Atty. Alvarez?” Napaigtad si Elizabeth nang biglang may magsalita pagkalabas niya ng kanyang opisina. It’s already eleven in the evening when she decided to finish her paperworks. Kunot ang nuong tinitigan niya ang lalaking nasa harapan niya. “At bakit ka nandito?” She asked as she put her phone on her shoulder bag. “Because I want to talk with you,” simpleng sagot nito kaya hindi niya mapigilang irapan ito. Palagi nalang kasi iyon lumalabas sa bibig ng lalaki. Wala na bang bago? “I told you, we have nothing to talk about. We’re done,” sabi niya at tinalikuran ito. She then entered the elevator and at the same time, Alaister entered before the elevator closed. Muling napairap si Elizabeth nang tumabi ito sa kanya. His presence is enough to mess her senses. Kaya itinikom niya nalang ang kanyang bibig at pilit pinapakalma ang sarili para maiwasang magkabangayan sila ng lalaki. “Are you dating Atty. Alvarez?” Pagbasag nito sa panandaliang katahimikan. S
Chapter 5 ELIZABETH was so frustrated when she found out that she was in the middle of the sea, currently riding a big yacht, out of nowhere. Hindi niya alam kung nasaan siya o kung anong araw na. She can’t even find her cellphone! Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin. The only thing in her mind is to leave this yacht immediately. For sure nag-aalala na ang anak niya. Hindi pa naman iyon sanay na hindi siya umuwi. With her mind in chaos, thinking of any way to leave the yacht, she went to find Alaister. Nilibot niya ang buong yacht at nakita ang lalaki sa lower deck, sitting comfortably on the rattan chair, reading some documents like he didn’t do something illegal. Gusto niyang murahin ang lalaki dahil sa ginawa nito pero anong magagawa niya kung mumurahin niya ito? Makakawala ba siya dito kapag ginawa niya yon? She sighed and went to him. Kaagad itong nag-angat ng tingin at binigyan siya ng nagtatanong na tingin. “Let’s make a deal,” she said in a formal tone. “Paano kung ayaw ko?” Na
12 ALAISTER woke up early, feeling happy and satisfied, seeing Elizabeth laying down beside him, wrapping her arm around his waist. This is the best day of his life, he can say. It’s been years since he last experience this kind of happiness. And that was with Elizabeth. Only her can make him feel that way. Ang sarap palang gumising sa umaga kapag ang babaeng minahal mo ng sobra ang bubungad sa'yo. His happiness was replaced by worry seeing Elizabeth's calm state. What if she leaves me again? Tanong ng isang boses sa likod ng utak niya. Malungkot siyang napangiti kasabay ang masuyong paghaplos sa pisngi ng dalaga. “Of course she’ll leave me, there’s nothing important about me for her to stay.” Mahinang usal niya kasabay ang pagkirot ng puso niya. He took a deep breath and calm his nerves. Negativity is slowly eating his whole being. Maingat siyang umalis sa kinahihigaan at nagtungo sa labas para lumanghap ng sariwang hangin, umaasang makakatulong ito sa pagkalma niya. But a bad lu
CHAPTER 11NAGISING si Elizabeth nang maramdamang kumakalam na ang tiyan niya. Dahan-dahan siyang bumangon at tiningnan ang wall clock. It's already 12 PM! Pumasok siya sa banyo at naglinis ng katawan. She took a bath, brush her teeth, and wear something comfortable before going out from the cabin. Mukhang napasarap ata ang tulog niya at tinanghali na siya ng gising.Her feet automatically walks towards the kitchen only seeing Alaister preparing the table for the two of them. May pagkain nang nakahain sa lamesa, may kandila din sa lamesa at petals pa sa sahig. Nagsalubong ang magkabilang kilay ni Elizabeth sa ginagawa nito. "Anong ginagawa mo?" Tanong niya at kita niya ang pagkaigtad nito. Mukhang hindi nito napansin ang presensya niya.Napakamot si Alaister sa likod ng ulo nito at sinusubukang takpan ang ginagawa niya kahit nakita na naman niya."Ahm, ha-ha... g-good morning?" Aligagang sambit nito na parang hindi sigurado sa sasabihin. Mataray na tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. Anong
CHAPTER 10GULAT na gulat si Alaister sa sinabi ni Elizabeth kani-kanina lang. Gusto niyang tanungin kung nagbibiro lang ba ito pero kitang-kita niya sa mga mata nito na nagsasabi ito ng totoo. He saw pain and anguish in her amber eyes. After she said those words, he left right away with a pain and guilt in his chest. Hindi niya kaya ang manatili sa tabi nito matapos ang nalaman niya. Ngayon alam na niya kung bakit siya iniwan nito. Kahit siya naman ang nasa posisyon ni Elizabeth, he would left for sure. Hindi niha masisikmura ang makasama ang anak ng lalaking lumapastangan at pumatay sa ina niya. He loathe his father very much because he made his and his mother's life miserable... paano pa kaya si Elizabeth. Nananalaytay sa kanya ang dugo ng taong pumatay sa ina nito kaya marapat lang na layuan at iwan siya nito. Naiintidihan na niya ang lahat. Ang pang-iiwan at ang matinding galit na nararamdaman nito sa kanya.Alaister went to the top deck, trying to clear his mind. Pero mukhan
CHAPTER 9 RAMDAM niya ang panginginig ni Elizabeth habang yakap-yakap niya ito. She’s scared and that nightmare of hers triggered her. They stayed silent for a couple of minutes. He keeps on rubbing her back, trying to calm her. He can even hear her heartbeat, beating quickly because of fear. Hindi niya maggawa ang hindi mag-alala dito because anything that has something to do or that is connected to her will surely affect him. “Eli, what happened? You can talk to me…” aniya pagkalipas ang limang minutong katahimikan sa mababang boses. He felt her shaking her head. “You won’t understand.” Anito sa mahinang boses habang humihigpit ang yakap nito sa kanya na nagpangiti sa kanya. “Try me, Elizabeth.” May paghahamon sa boses na sabi niya. “You know I won’t judge you, come on.” Pang-uudyok niya dito dahil siguro, kung sasabihin nito sa kanya ang kwento nito, marahil ay maiibsan ang takot na lumulukob sa puso at pagkatao nito. Naramdaman niya ang paghinga ng malalim ni Elizabeth bag
Chapter 8: UnfairNAKITA NI ALAISTER si Elizabeth na nakaupo sa rattan chair habang nakatanaw sa karagatan. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip nito habang namimilibis ang luha sa kaniyang mga mata. His heart clenched in pain. She’s crying because of me. Mapait niyang ani sa kanyang isipan. Bakit ba kasi lahat ng minamahal niya ay nasasaktan dahil sa kanya? Nagmahal lang naman siya ah. Una, ang Mama niya. Pangalawa, ang nakababata niyang kapatid. At ngayon naman, si Elizabeth. Talaga bang wala siyang karapatang magmahal o sumaya man lang? Puro pasakit nalang ba ang dala niya sa mga taong minamahal niya?He took a deep breath. Lumapit siya at umupo sa tabi nito. Elizabeth then hurriedly wiped her tears off and didn’t bother to glance at him. “What if we hadn't met seven years ago?” Biglang basag ni Elizabeth sa katahimikang lumulukob sa kanila.Halata namang ayaw nito sa presensya niya. Ramdam niya ang matinding galit at pagkamuhi nito sa kanya. Ang gusto niya lang malaman ay kung bakit big
Chapter 7 ELIZABETH was stirred up from her slumber when she felt a warm hand cupping her other boobs. Dahan-dahan niyang iminulat ang mga mata at kaagad tumuon ang paningin sa mauugat na kamay na nakayakap sa beywang niya habang ang isang kamay ay nakadakma sa isa niyang dibdib. Malalaki ang mga matang napabalikwas siya ng bangon at sinamaan ng tingin si Alaister. The jerk… talagang mapangahas ito, he touched her boobs! She stood up and glared at Alaister who’s still sleeping. Nakita niyang kinapkap ni Alaister ang hinigaan niya kanina, animo’y hinahanap siya. Kitang-kita niya ang pagsalubong ng makakapal nitong mga kilay at dahan-dahang iminulat ang mga mata. His eyes wandered around the cabin, panicking. Nagtatakang tiningnan niya ito. And when his eyes settled at her, nagmamadaling tumayo ito at niyakap siya ng mahigpit. Naguguluhang tinapik-tapik niya ang likuran nito at nagtanong. “Anong meron?” “I thought… I thought you left,” nanginginig ang boses na anito. Parang may kumu
Chapter 6 “I’M SORRY,” iyon ang unang lumabas sa bibig ni Elizabeth nang tumahan na si Alaister sa pag-iyak nito. He was crying silently, forcing himself not to make a sound and she felt guilty. Ramdam niya ang bigat ng nararamdaman nito habang umiiyak ito. She can feel his pain, she was there before and up until now. Hearing the truth about Alaister’s father, mas lalong nadagdagan ang galit niya sa ama nito. He's really a devil! And she can feel that Alaister has been through in his father’s hands. Alaister let out an empty laugh before wiping his teary eyes. “It’s okay, wala ka namang kasalanan. I just want you to know… who really I am.” Anito na mababakas ang sinseridad sa boses nito. Elizabeth is still rubbing his back and just stay silent. Ayaw niya munang ibuka ang bibig niya at baka kung ano pa ang lumabas na hindi maganda mula dito. Hindi pa siya handang malaman ang mga pinagdaanan ng lalaki. She can’t bear to hear and see him cry. Parang may pumipiga sa puso niya, hindi ni
Chapter 5 ELIZABETH was so frustrated when she found out that she was in the middle of the sea, currently riding a big yacht, out of nowhere. Hindi niya alam kung nasaan siya o kung anong araw na. She can’t even find her cellphone! Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin. The only thing in her mind is to leave this yacht immediately. For sure nag-aalala na ang anak niya. Hindi pa naman iyon sanay na hindi siya umuwi. With her mind in chaos, thinking of any way to leave the yacht, she went to find Alaister. Nilibot niya ang buong yacht at nakita ang lalaki sa lower deck, sitting comfortably on the rattan chair, reading some documents like he didn’t do something illegal. Gusto niyang murahin ang lalaki dahil sa ginawa nito pero anong magagawa niya kung mumurahin niya ito? Makakawala ba siya dito kapag ginawa niya yon? She sighed and went to him. Kaagad itong nag-angat ng tingin at binigyan siya ng nagtatanong na tingin. “Let’s make a deal,” she said in a formal tone. “Paano kung ayaw ko?” Na
Chapter 4 “SO, you’re dating Atty. Alvarez?” Napaigtad si Elizabeth nang biglang may magsalita pagkalabas niya ng kanyang opisina. It’s already eleven in the evening when she decided to finish her paperworks. Kunot ang nuong tinitigan niya ang lalaking nasa harapan niya. “At bakit ka nandito?” She asked as she put her phone on her shoulder bag. “Because I want to talk with you,” simpleng sagot nito kaya hindi niya mapigilang irapan ito. Palagi nalang kasi iyon lumalabas sa bibig ng lalaki. Wala na bang bago? “I told you, we have nothing to talk about. We’re done,” sabi niya at tinalikuran ito. She then entered the elevator and at the same time, Alaister entered before the elevator closed. Muling napairap si Elizabeth nang tumabi ito sa kanya. His presence is enough to mess her senses. Kaya itinikom niya nalang ang kanyang bibig at pilit pinapakalma ang sarili para maiwasang magkabangayan sila ng lalaki. “Are you dating Atty. Alvarez?” Pagbasag nito sa panandaliang katahimikan. S