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
Carmella."He is okay now. Luckily, the venom was not much. It wasn't enough to kill Brodie. He is now safe and needs a rest. He will be discharged tomorrow.""Thank you, Mr. Millie.""That's alright. And by the way, I heard what about Almond. I'm sorry. . . That dog was adamant and such a hero."I bit my inside cheek and smiled a little bit. Mr. Millie patted my shoulder and then trailed off. I sighed, feeling so heavy at the moment.Almond is dead. He probably found the snake inside Brodie's working shed and managed to chase and kill it. But it also bites him. And unfortunately killed him. . . My poor baby.Napasandal ako sa dingding habang tinitigan ang pinto ng kwarto sa pribadong hospital na ito. Nagpapahinga si Brodie sa loob na kasama si Nathaniel. Nalulungkot dahil wala na si Almond at wala ng maingay na tatahol sa akin kada umaga sa tuwing pupunta ako sa farm.Nakakamis naman pala ang mga alaga. Kaya ngayon naiintindihan ko kung bakit walang pakialam si Smokey sa mga hayop,
Carmella.I smiled wickedly after picking Brodie. Hindi pa siya lumabas ng kotse at ako ang nauna. Nilingon ko siya at hinintay para sabay kaming papasok sa loob ng bahay niya. Buong biyahe nga siyang tahimik at nirerespto ko ito. May pinagdadaanan siya at masakit mawalan ng aso na katulad ni Almond.He stepped out, and I watched him fully while walking towards me. He then stopped two feet away from me."Do you want something that I can offer?"I smirked. It wasn't a partner's offer but a stranger's."Brodie, let me ask you. Who am I to you?" I tilted my head, looking at him in the eyes, waiting for him to say something."Carmella. . . You are, of course, my wife." Brodie's jaw tightened."Yes, I'm your wife!" Pinakita ko agad sa kanya ang sing-sing ko sa kamay at itinapat ko ito sa kamay niya."See that? It's perfect." Sabay hawak ko sa kamay niya. "So don't ask me what you can offer when you know the answer. Come one, let's get inside together." I tightened my grip on his hand and
Carmella's POV."Oh, I love this!" I whirled around and grabbed the chilled wine. Brodie is still showering, and here I am, preparing our food like a wife."Oh hang on, I'm not like a wife because I'm his wife legally. Tsk, ano ba itong iniisip ko. Nakakalito rin naman pala ang pagiging baliw ano?"I hummed while preparing everything. I kept talking to myself and my audience is my cat, Smokey. He settled here like me. Parang wala siyang problema sa bahay ni Brodie at mabilis siyang nakapag-adjust katulad ko."Okay, Smokey, here's yours." Ibinigay ko na ang para sa kanya, dried cat food. Kumain agad siya.Lumabas na si Brodie mula sa banyo at napangiti ako, dahil isinuot niya ang damit na inihanda ko."Dinner's ready. Let's eat?"He nodded and never said anything and followed me.I made a silent prayer and we started. Hindi ako sanay na magdasal dahil makasalanan ako. Hindi na siguro ako mapapatawad ng Dyos dahil sa daming masasamang taong pinaparusahan ko noon. Pero kahit papaano ay
Brielle.Nakaraos din ang gabi at heto, tulala ako sa sarili.His mother and brother, Glenn, left about an hour ago. Morris and I stayed because this restaurant also provides overnight accommodations for those who wish to stay longer than a day.Hinintay ko lang na matapos si Morris sa banyo at ako na ang kasunod. Wala ako sa sarili kanina at pilit akong nakikisama sa ina niya.She asked many questions as if she were one of my teachers in school. She seemed classy, as she came from a good family, the Monteverde.Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na hindi basta-basta ang pamilya ni Morris. May pangalan siya. May pinangangalagaan. May sari-saring negosyo sa buong Asya at Amerika and mga magulang at kapatid niya. Si Morris lang ang naiiba at hindi ko alam kung bakit. Ang alam ko lang ay may negosyo rin naman siya sa Italya, pero hindi raw kalakihan ito. Hindi raw tulad ng kapatid niyang si Glenn at ng mga magulang niya."Are you alright?"I spun, and there he was, standing a few feet from me, a
Morris."Just meet them. That's the only way. Glenn is doing everything he could. He is in a tight sport, Mors. Hindi ko ito sasabihin sa 'yo ngayon. Pero ginagawa ni Glenn ang lahat para sa 'yo. He might be heartless, but he loves you as his brother."I shut my eyes while listening to Reeve in the line. Wala siya rito at nasa Amerika. Pansamantala, ay si Glenn ang humahawak sa negosyo niya na nasa parehong Isla."I already gave Glenn the details, and your mother will be there. Meet them for once," he added.I gritted my teeth. "I hate the old man," I uttered under my breath."He is not around the country at the moment. It's a good opportunity, Mors. And with the deal Glenn made with your father, it saves you."I inhaled deeply and shook my head.That lunatic Glenn, really? How many times I told him not to worry about me. He needs to worry about himself first! Ang tigas ng ulo niya."I know what you're thinking, Morris. Glenn is your brother. You and him are the same, bro. Hard heade
Brielle."All of the sudden? Akala ko ba hindi ka seryoso sa relasyon na ito? Hindi ba sinabi mo sa akin na wala kang maipapangako?" I looked at him, confused, thinking of the other way around. Excited ako, at kabog ang pintig ng puso ko habang dikit ang tingin ko sa mga mata niya. Napaigting siya, at nakuha ko agad ang ibig niyang sabihin.I sighed, feeling disappointed. "Okay lang, Morris. You don't have to force yourself to introduce me to your parents. I'm not ready for this." Inunahan ko na. I shook my head and turned away from him. I know I should be celebrating because most woman looks forward to this... To introduce them to the parents of the person they love. But Morris is different. We already had a deal. He doesn't want any lingering promises, and I don't like this. I don't want a commitment. Kahit pa sabihin na natin na sabik ako at gusto ko naman, ay puno naman ng pag-aalala ang puso ko. Kaya mas mabuting wala na."Hey, Bree. Listen to me." He followed me.I paused an
Morris."Did you stuff it up?" Bryce asked in the line."No. I did not, asshole. I'm not as sick as you," I laughed while connecting the line to Linus."Fuck. You know you're an asshole, too, at times, Mors. You almost give me a heart attack, bro." He chuckled. His line came back clear now, and I can see him better than before."Yo, looks great! What did you do to yourself, Mors? You're finger-licking good, man," Linus spat. He can see me better, too.My face flushed, and I shook my head."Psst, keep quiet, gentleman. Let me remind you that our big black bear is in love." Diezel uttered."What? Damn. Are you serious?" Bryce's mouth parted. "I can't believe it." He shook his head."Oh well, who's the lucky girl?" Linus smiled."Let me guess? Is it Brielle? Siya lang naman ang magtitiyaga sa isang katulad mo, Mors," kantyaw ng walanghiyang Diezel."Stuff you." I cursed and growled at him, and the rest of them laughed."Ibang klase… So, this Brielle what she's like?" Linus asked."Oh, u
Brielle.Mainit, pero hindi masakit ang sikat ng araw. Naka two-piece swim suit ako at tinutulungan ako ni Morris sa paglagay ng sunscreen.Nasa gitna na kami ng dagat at may dalawang fishing rod na nakatambay na para sa isda. Hinihintay na lang ni Morris na may kumain sa pain niya."All done, babe. You are well covered and protected from sunburnt." He puts back the lotion on the side bench."Thank you, babe," agap ko at kinuha ko na ang sombrero. "Hmm, gaano ba katagal ang isda?" Titig ko sa dalawang fishing rod sa harapan."In a second… here we go." Pumwesto agad si Morris at hinawakan ang fishing rod. May isda na. Pero gumalaw rin agad ang isang fishing rod. May isda na rin ito."Take that one, babe.""Okay… paano nga ba?" Pinuwesto ko ang dulo ng fishing rod sa tagiliran at saka hinatak ko ang reeling pabalik sa akin. "Ang bigat!""Just hold still. I won't be long with this, and I will help you with that," he says and quickly maneuvered his move.Steady lang ang hawak ko at reeli
Morris."Done and dusted. All sorted, boss.""Motlo bene, Blue. Very good. And please don't call me boss, especially in front of Brielle." I whispered because I could see Brielle ahead, smiling, approaching me."Va bene, capo."I smirked a little. Still, he called me boss in the Italian language. Asshole."Morris, baby!" Brielle hugged me, and I hugged her tighter. Blue sharply looked at her, and by the time his eyes glanced at me, I growled. He then dipped his head."Y-you have someone with you?" Nakatingin na si Brielle kay Bleu, at nakayuko pa rin ang gago."Yes. This is Blue, baby. He is my dear friend," I introduced. "Say hello to my girl, Bleu."Tumitig muna si Bleu sa akin at maamo na ang mukha niya. At saka kay Brielle na siya ngumiti."È un piacere conoscerla, signora." Nilahad niya ang kamay kay Brielle."Huh? Ano raw?" Brielle looked at me in confusion. I gritted my teeth, giving Bleu an ultimatum."Fanculo. Parla in inglese, Blu." I fucking swore, asking him to talk in En
Brielle.The air crackles between us. It's intense, hot, and demanding.Sa totoo lang, simula nang maibigay ko ang sarili ko kay Morris ay nakalimutan ko na ang lahat ng pait at masasamang ala-ala na pinagdaanan ko.I'm not a virgin to this, and I'm not a prostitute either. However, I am close to that because of my job, as I used to tame dangerous people, and when they got drunk and naked in front of me, a killer who was on standby would take over the job and kill them.That wasn't a bad job, and I earn a lot of money from it. Hindi man kalakihan ang pera na kinikita ko noon, ay iyon lang din naman ang nakikita kong paraan para makapag-ipon at nang sa ganun ay makatakas kami ni tiya sa imperyno.There was no escape, honestly, in that hell as they held me by the neck. I thought I could easily escape that hell, but I was wrong. But luck was on my side, and here I am with tiya, living on this remote Island.Walang nakakakilala sa amin at walang maghahanap sa amin dito.I bite my lower l
Morris."And what are you planning, Morris? Are you sure you are going to be okay on your own?"I scoffed and shook my head in disgust. Does he really think I can't do it alone?"Do you want me to cut off your head, Dez?" I scowl."Yeah, yeah, I know, bro. I'm just worried." He chuckled."Don't be worried. You don't know what you're dealing with, Dez. Worry about yourself. You are about to enter your world now, and you will be forbidden from seeing us for a while. Can you handle that?" I smirked."Oh well, I have no choice. I can handle it, Mors. I'm a big boy you know. Limang taon lang naman ang kailangan nila sa akin, at bibilisan ko ito. Sisiguraduhin ko na sa loob ng tatlong taon o dalawa ay makukuha ko na ang market target, at isa na ako sa pinakamayaman tao sa buong mundo. Fuck." Malutong na mura niya at natawa akong bahagya."I know you can do it, Dez. I will wait for you after five years, okay? Suit yourself to everything, and you know where I am. I am a phone call away. And
Brielle.Nakakapagod. Balot sa pawis ang boung katawan ko at hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako ngayon. Ramdam ko ang sakit sa paa at balot ito ng dugo at putik. Mabilis kong pinunasan ang luha at saka matapang na inayos ang damit ko.Tapos na akong umiyak, at ubos na yata ang luha ko. At kahit pa iiyak ako ng dugo ay hindi maawa sa akin ang mga iyon. Mga hayop sila! Wala silang awa!Hindi ko naramdaman na pumutak ang katiting na luha sa pisngi at mabilis kong pinunasan ito. Kinagata ko ang labi at namuo ang galit sa loob ko.Babalikan ko si tiya. Babalikan ko siya.***"Bree, baby. . ." Ang mainit na dampi na halik ni Morris sa tainga ko ang nagpamulat ng mga mata ko ngayon. Nanaginip na naman ako, pero iba ito at hindi kagaya nang mga nakaraang panaginip ko.Humikab ako at ramdam ko ang konting kirot sa hita. Napa-ungol ako nang maramdaman ko ang kamay ni Morris sa bahaging ito."I'm sorry, I made you tired, baby, and I know you want to sleep more. But we have to go." He rested his face