Carmella."This is not good. Huwag ka nga'ng baliw, Carmella! Lumipat ka nga d'yan sa Australia para maayos ang buhay mo! Tapos ngayon balik kabaliwan na naman iyang utak mo!"Gamit ang hightech binocolar ay mas napangisi akong lalo habang pinagmamasdan si Brodie sa malayo.This gadget can get good vision up to one kilometers straight. It can go to two kilometers but it will become blurry. Nakakatuwa ito! Wala nga naman akong baril, pero may mga ganito ako rito.From where I stand, outside my balcony, I can see Brodie. I don't know what's been wrong with me lately. At first, I found him weird, but after working on the farm, I kind of found Brodie's personality and life interesting.Iba ang mundo niya sa mundo. Tahimik ang paligid niya, samantalang magulo ang akin. He was surrounded by nothing except his animals and a few friends. I was surrounded by tough boys who could kill like animals. He can play with money for business. While me? I can play with guns and go crazy."He's very coo
Carmella."Brodie! Good morning!" I smiled, walking towards him. He paused and never smiled back. He was serious.Maaga pa naman, pero mukhang dapit-hapon na ang titig niya sa akin."I cook pandesal. Here have some!" Ibinigay ko ang supot sa kanya at tinitigan niya lang ito sa kamay ko."Is this why you came here? You could have dropped later. Why so early." He avoided my gaze and continued raking the grass.Ako nalang ang naglagay nito sa quad bike niya. Napangiwi ako dahil ang mabait niyang aso na si Almond ay nakaupo lang sa bahaging pwesto nito sa quad bike."What's wrong with Almond? Is he not feeling well?" I patted Almond's head, and the poor dog just ducked."I guess he ingested poison," Bradley answered and didn't even look worried at his dog."Oh, my God! Then let's take him to the vet," I smiled."I will after this. I'm just finishing this then I will take him there.""Good. I will accompany you.""No, need, Carmella.""It's alright. I have nothing to do. I will help you a
Carmella."Axton Crimson Gray?" Halos ayaw kong bigkasin ang pangalan niya, pero nairaos ko ito."Yes," he sighed."What happened to him? Why did he die?"Dapat malulungkot ako 'di ba? Pero hindi ko makuha ang ekspresyon na ito.Axton Crimson Gray is my fucking ex! He is the reason why I stopped kissing boys around. He caught me off guard when I met him. I fell in love with him because of his sweet talk. Mabulaklak magsalita at syempre nahulog ako. I didn't bother knowing his personality because I just felt and thought he was the right person for me.We parted happily when I told him about my identity that night before our wedding. But then, all of a sudden, he didn't show up on the day that we were supposed to get married."I got a call from the police telling me that Axton Crimson committed suicide. He overdosed himself."Pakiramdam ko gatla lang ang ngiti ko ngayon. Knowing Crimson died didn't affect me."He overdosed himself? Of what?""Drugs."I silently chuckled with no express
Carmella."I hate you making noises at this hour, you know!" I sat down beside him and offered him a warm drink.I bought a few coffee in can. Isang kariton ang binili ko nito noong nakaraang araw. Napadpad ako sa Melbourne, dahil sa isang trabaho. Kaya bumili na rin ako ng mga kakailanganin ko at kasama na ang pagkain."Thank you." He opened the can and drank it. "Taste good. I won't be going back to bed with this." He smirked."Oh, yeah? Geez, I never even think of it. I thought coffee helps you go to bed. Hindi ba?" I innocently asked. "Iba kasi ang epekto ng kape sa akin eh. Nakakatulog ako. Baka ito rin ang kailangan mo." Tuwa ko. Napansin ko agad si Almond sa gilid. Naupo ito sa tabi ko."Almond, baby. How are you doing? Is he doing good?" Tanong ko kay Brodie at tumango siya."Yes, he is feeling a lot better. His appetite for food came back normal. I'm happy.""That's good. I'm glad you are okay, Almond. Pinag-alala mo ako sa 'yo." Sabay haplos ko sa ulo niya."Are you okay?"
Carmella.I hummed, coming home, feeling a lot better. It's good to know that Brodie is comfortable around me. I hated him, but not to the point that I would turn him down. He is somehow my neighbor, and I have to play well around him. I realized that Brodie had nothing to do with what Axton did to me back then.Ibaon nalang natin iyon sa limot. Iyan ang pinakamagandang paraan na gawin natin.Naupo agad ako sa swivel chair at kaharap sa computer ko. I haven't opened my emails and other personal stuff for the past three months. I just don't feel it. Simple as that. However, I know the old man is probably venting, steaming hot air out of his nose, thinking I ignored him.At tama nga naman ako. Limang email ang mula sa akin. Luma na ang tatlo at bago ang ang dalawa."What?" My brows crossed, listening to Betty in the line. I ended up calling her. There was only a crypto message from my father, and the email had already been destroyed. Four did as it passed the date and the new one I jus
Brodie . What the hell? It was a dead silence as we stared. Carmella looks different. She's not the typical Carmella neighbor that I know. I felt the chilling sensation as it crawled inside my flesh. This is insane. Why it has to be Carmella? It can't be. "Sit down, Brodie. Don't tell me you are backing out now that you see me?" Tumayo agad siya at saka lumapit sa akin na nakangiti. "Not bad. You look so manly. Shall we start?" Taas ng kilay niya at saka pinalupot ang kamay niya sa braso ko. Hinila rin ako para maupo. I cleared my throat the moment I sat down. She sat across me, eying me so dearly. I avoided her gaze. "So, what do you want to eat?" At siya pa mismo ang nagtanong sa akin, eh siya naman ang bisita rito at hindi ako. Dammit. This is the difference between Carmella and the others. "Anything you want. I'm easy." "Okay!" Carmella pressed the button on the table, and the door opened. It was Mel. She frizzled the moment she saw Carmella and looked back at me, feelin
Carmella."I can't believe this! I'm actually gettingmarried!" Tumili ako habang kayakap si Pepsi. Tumaas ang kilay niya at napangiwi lang ang bruha.Today is our wedding day. It's solemn as it is. We only have one witness each. It's only Pepsi on my side and one on Brodie. I heard his name was Nathaniel. My father called me earlier. Of course, he was okay with everything. This was my father's idea and not mine, and I'm okay with this, provided Brodie and I already had living arrangements.It's as simple as it is. I'll be living in my own backyard, and Brodie will be in the same as hers. The community doesn't need to know. It has nothing to do with them. But in the next few weeks, we have to fly to Italy for Brodie's matter, and I need to accompany him. Bibisitahin ko na rin sina Papa, tutal hindi naman malayo at nasa parehong syudad lang naman kaming dalawa ni Brodie."I hate you, Carmella. Akin dapat ito eh, pero inigaw mo lang talaga." Halukipkip ni Pepsi."But you never liked an
Carmella.It's been two days since we got married, and we still act like we don't exist for each other.Panay ang titig ko sa plantsadong singsing sa kamay ko. Wala nga namang kaartehan ito. Purong bilog na kulay ginto at ni pangalan ko nga at kay Brodie ay wala.Tsk, saan kaya niya nabili ito? Tiyak dito lang din sa tabi-tabi rito. At anong klaseng buhay mag-asawa ito? Ni hindi ko nga siya mapuntahan sa bahay niya dahil nahihiya ako. Dapat tumawag siya at mangamusta. Pero ni hi, hello, how are you, ay wala!"I want to tie Brodie and just give him a damn beating," I exhaled in the line. Feleona chuckled."Oh well, you choose that, right? Nangyari rin naman sa akin iyan noong nagpakasal kami ni Gabriel sa Las Vegas. Don't tell me you tried to copy the same pattern with me?" She laughed again.I pouted. "Of course not! Magkaiba ang sitwasyon mo noon sa sitwasyon namin ngayon ni Brodie. It's Brodie who needs me, Feleona. Not me!" Pagmamalaki ko. Iba naman ito sa kanila noon ng asawa niy
Anastacia.This is real, right?Kumurap kurap ako habang inaayos niya ang damit ko. Nakasuot na ako nito, at heto, panay lang ang titig ko sa kanya. Pagkatapos naming gawin iyon ay hindi na siya nagsalita pa. Hinihintay ko kung ano man ang sasabihin niya, pero parang hindi siya makatingin. Umiiwas na sa tuwing nagtatagpo ang mga mata namin."You're alright?" His jaw ticked, and finally, he looked me in the eyes."Oo…okay, lang."Kung nag aalala siya sa condum, ay okay lang naman. Naka pills naman ako."I'm on the pill. Don't worry," I said, forcing myself to smile. He looked away again, sighed, and spun his body to get something.Nawala ang ang ngiti ko sa mukha, at sinunod lang siya nang mga mata ko. Kinuha niya ang regalo niya para sa akin."Don't forget this." Sabay lahad niya.Tinangap ko ito at mahina akong tumango. Ngumiti ulit ako at naghintay sa sasabihin niya."I'm sorry, Anastacia…" He said, keeping his distance from me."Oh?" My mouth fell slightly, and I was so disappoint
Anastacia.Late na nga. Ang dapat sana na ay uuwi ako ay hindi ko magawa. Sa huling pagkakataon ay gusto kong bumisita sa opisina. Hindi ko nakita si Diezel pagkatapos ng event. Umalis na siya kasama ang mga kaibigan niya. Hindi ko man lang naibigay ang regalo ko. Kaya naisip ko na puntahan ang opisina niya sa huling pagkakataon at iwan ang regalo ko sa mesa niya.Wala ng tao. Wala na rin ang guwardiya ng kompanya. May iilang CCTv naman sa monitoring entrance, at siguro ay nag-break lang ang night shift na gwardiya. Pumasok na ako.Sa elevator pa lang ay ramdam ko na ang bigat sa dibdib. Nakakalungkot, dahil sa loob ng limang taon ay iiwan ko na ang kompanyang bumuhay sa akin. Marami akong ma-mi-miss, at syempre kasama na si Diezel. Pero tama lang ang desisyon na ito. Ayaw ko ng lokohin ang sarili ko. Ayaw ko ng umasa pa, dahil wala na naman akong aasahan sa kanya!The office is dark when I entered, but the windows are open. The air gives a cold chills and the light from the moon giv
Diezel.SadMy jaw tightened as I read the inventory signed by Anastacia. She is finalizing her work, and in a few days, she will be completely gone. I sighed. I could feel my shoulder slammed as I stared into her name.Damn, why do I feel regret? What is this feeling?"I know I shouldn’t tell you this, Dez, but let her go," Joel said, shaking his head and looking very serious.Joel Monteverde is my full-time buddy and bodyguard in this business. He's not supposed to do the job, but when my late father requested it, and when he heard that it was me he was serving, he agreed.Isa rin siya sa stockholder ng kompanya. Matalik na ka-sosyo ni Papa noon sa negosyo ang Papa niya at magkaibigan na kami noon paman. Pareho kaming nagtapos ng combat training sa Russia. Anim na buwan din iyon, at pagkatapos ay wala na akong balita sa kanya, hanggang sa heto, personal na driver/buddy ko.Joel is half Italian-Filipino, and the tradition of choosing a wife has impacted both of us."But, I'm feeling
Anastacia.Abala ang isang linggo ko sa preperasyon ng nalalapit na event sa kompanya. Sa susunod na linggo na ito magaganap, at ito na rin ang panghuling araw ko rito.I dressed up casually the way I wanted now. And as always, I get to work as possible for the transfer and training. Napapansin ko na rin na hindi na naghuhubad si Diezel at pormal na siya manamit.Simula nang gabing iyon, pagkatapos sa rest house niya ay nag iba na siya ng ugali. Hindi na siya ngumingiti. Wala na ang dating mood niya tuwing umaga na kumukanta. Hindi na niya ako binabata, at palagi siyang wala dahil abala na sa mga meeting sa labas.Hindi na rin siya natutulog rito sa opisina niya, at napansin ko rin na wala na ang mga gamit niya sa loob. Wala na ang mga personal na gamit niya, at isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito. Hindi na siya kailanman matutulog sa opisina.The changes made me sad for a reason, but then again, they also provided me with some breathing room. At least he will no longer spend the night he
Anastacia's POVCannot.Bumagsak ang panga ko nang makalabas ng kotse. Nasa rest house niya kami. Medyo malayo nga naman ito sa syudad. Kulang kulang nasa tatlong oras.I was hungry back then, but I sleep from it. Natulog ako at hinayaan na si Diezel, at nagising na lang nang maramdaman ko na hindi na gumagalaw ang sasakyan.Wala siya sa loob ng sasakyan ng magising ako. Kaya heto, bumaba na ako para hanapin siya.Ito ang pangalawang pagkakataon na napadpad ako rito sa rest house niya. Ang una ay noong ipinagawa niya ito. Hindi pa iyon tapos, pero ngayon? Nakamamangha na ang hitsura ng rest house villa niya.I walked closer to see the ocean. Diezel's magnificent yacht is a beauty. The long pole it has holds beautiful sparks of rainbow lights. My lips pursed, and my heart began to feel the warmth. Sa tagal ko na siyang kilala ay alam ko na ang lahat tungkol sa buhay niya. Kahit pa siguro kulay ng brief niya, ay alam ko!I'm not just a mere secretary working under him because I'm obse
Anastacia.Akala niya siguro ay babae ang ipapalit ko sa pwesto ko? Huh, nagkakamali siya!I had enough of all the girls he dated. At kung babaeng sekretarya ang ipapalit ko ay tiyak magpapa-fiesta lang si Diezel dahil ilalantad lang din niya ulit ang kalahating hubad niyang katawan!Akala mo naman kung sinong perpekto Adonis!Oo, perpekto na, okay? May ibubuga naman ang katawan niya at hindi ako magsisinungaling na pinapantasya ko ito. Walang araw na hindi ko inisip kung ano ba ang pakiramdam kapag nahawakan ko ito ng totoo.I can't deny the fact that he can easily melt me and make me wet myself. It's always his fault why I have to pack three panties every day!Nababasa ako at madalas akong nagpapalit dahil sa kanya. I wear panty liners, but I hate the feeling of it when I'm actually wet! It's uncomfortable."Gaga ka rin ano?" Mabilis na ininom ni Tin ang tubig. Kabado siya at mukhang susunod na yatang siyang mag-resign pagkatapos ko."Ba't ako, Tacia? Dios ko naman, gurl! Mamamatay
Diezel.Ask.I kept pacing back and forth.She's not here yet. What is happening? Why the hell is she late today? Is she applying for a job at the other companies? Damn this.I paused, taking a deep breath to calm myself, but my temper refused to settle down. I had a lot on my mind, and it was driving me crazy.Maaga pa naman, pero pinagpapawisan na ako. I arrived early today, and it was still dark when I got to the office. I didn't sleep here last night because I stayed at Reeve's place. I need to calm down a bit so I can think more clearly."Is she not yet here, Tin?" My brows latch as I look at him."W-Wala pa, Sir…" His lips quivered.Damn again!I glanced at the others, who were rattling in their seats. I slammed the door of my office and paced again.I'm feeling edgy, like my skin is itching for something, and I can't take it.Tatawagan ko na sana siya, pero biglang bumukas ang pinto at ang mukha niya agad ang nakita ko."Good morning, Sir Dennis Ezequil!" She widely smiled as
Diezel's POV.I can still feel my blood. It's boiling to the point of no regrets. Damn this! Why am I feeling this way? It's better for her to go. I should let her go, but why the hell I can't accept it?"What the hell, Dez? Slow down, gorilla. Plano mo bang ubusin ang dalawang kahon ng beer?" Reeve chuckled. He grabs one beer from the ice chest and drinks it."Woah, that tastes good. Thank you." He sat down beside me as he wiped the sweat on his forehead.Kanina pa siya abala sa ginagawa at hinayaan ko lang na matapos siya, dahil ayaw ko siyang ma-esturbo. Tinatapos niya ang treehouse sa bahay bakasyonan nila rito. Medyo malayo ito sa syudad, at dalawang oras ang maneho. But its all worth it. The place is quite, covered in thick green and there's no neighbors around, because Reeve owns half of the mountain.Melissa is heavily pregnant. After trying for so long, finally, after seven years, the two will soon have a little bundle of joy.And how lucky is that? They're expecting to have
Anastacia.Tame."You're kidding, right?" He smug, not believing in what I just said."No. I'm not, Sir!"He smirks and shakes his head."Okay, I understand. How much do you want? Would another ten percent increase in your salary work?"Namilog ang mga mata ko.Noon pa man, sa tuwing gusto kong mag resign ay hindi siya pumapayag, at tinataasan ang sweldo ko. At ako naman na tanga, ay walang nagawa. Inisip ko rin na malaki-laki rin ang sweldo, kaya hindi na ako nagpatuloy. Pero iba na ngayon! Iba na ito!"No, Sir…" Napailing ako."Hindi ko na po tatangapin ang increase sa salary. Malaki na po ang naitulong ninyo sa akin noon, at—""Okay, twenty percent increase, Tacia," he looked at me desperately.Bumagsak lang ulit ang panga ko at hindi na ako makapag salita.Bahagya siyang umayos at saka tumingala sa kisame."You are driving me crazy. So, this is what you want, right? A twenty percent increase? Okay! That's fine with me, Tacia. I can give you that," he smiles proudly as he convinc