Brodie's POVMore than two weeks have passed, and Carmella has quickly adjusted to our living type. She liked the house that I have here. It was a simple one and not much as big back in Victoria. She made it more comfortable with the designs and types of furniture that we bought.Malapit lang din ang tahanan namin sa mansyon ng ama niya at minsan ay madalas kami roon tuwing weekends para magtipon. Carmella loves the kids. She spent more time with them during her free time without me."Finally, it's nice to catch up with you, Brodie." Silveztri patted my shoulder, and the two of us sat down in our usual spot."The same as usual, Mauve. Thank you," I ordered.Naiwan kaming sandali ni Silveztri sa puwesto. Ang pub na ito ay isa sa mga paboritong tambayan namin noon, noong mga kabataan namin. We hang out here together with our friends and with my brother Axton. The things around has improve through the years. But the environment and the ambiance stays the same."Thank you, Mauve," I said
Brodie's POVShe's pissed off. I know that. Damn.I took a deep breath, and I felt nervous. I didn't mean to be rude, but I just can't bring myself to smile and be authentic.I'm tired. I want to do something for Carmella today, but the news of Axton being here in Italy gives me the chill already.That damn bastard. He just likes to give me a headache."Did you give it to her?" Nathaniel asked in the line. I looked at the time, and I was not sure if Carmella was still awake at this hour."Not yet.""What the fuck, Brodie? Be a man! Go and do your job, mate."Bahagya akong napayuko sa sarili at pumailalim ang kamay ko sa kanan na bulsa. Maingat konng nilabas ang maitim na box at tinitigan ko itong mabuti."It's nearly twelve o'clock there, right? Matatapos na ang anniversarry ninyo. May bumabagabag ba sa isip mo?" tanong ni Nathaniel galing sa kabilang linya."Axton is here and it's doing my head in.""Really? Damn.""Yes," I sighed. "I will see him this weekend. Silveztri has already
Carmella's POV.I looked impatiently at the door, gawking at the first person to enter. I've made up my mind, and no matter what happens, I will never surrender Brodie to her. Kahit na bumaliktad ang mundong kinatatayuan ko, ay wala akong plano na bitawan si Brodie para sa kanya.Palaban ako. Alam nilang lahat iyan. I can quickly kill my enemy without mercy, and I play a lot with the boys to escape my boredom. I don't give a damn shit about fucking them because I don't do that.Yes, I kissed a hundred more lips because I was looking for my prince charming. And yes, I have found him. He made my heart fluttered to the fullest and made me excited, but that was it. I thought he was the right one. In the end, he ended up leaving me alone after knowing who I was.I didn't expect anything from Brodie. I found out a lot about him before I married him. It was my father's order. It was easy, but I never thought that this marriage would build a strong connection in my heart to Brodie. And now t
Carmella's POVI will never be affected! Huh, akala siguro ni Nicolle susuko ako? No way! Wala ito sa bokabularyo ko ano!I hum as I prepared our food. Brodie will be here anytime soon. I called Nathaniel in Australia, asking for advice about Brodie's likes when it comes to food. I will do my best to get his heart. I know I'm getting there."Mahal?" Ang baritonong boses ni Brodie ang nagpatigil sa akin. Nilingon ko siya mula sa pinto at agad akong tumakbo para mayakap siya."I miss you!" I said and slammed my body against his. Pinalupot ko ang kamy sa leeg niya at mabilis ko siyang hinalikan sa labi. Tumugon din naman agad siya sa halik ako at pumalupot ang kamay niya sa katawan ko."Are you hungry? I cook something," I twinkled my eyes."Oh? You cook?""Yes! I'm sure magugustuhan mo ito! Come here!"Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay niya at hinili siya patungo sa kusina. Hindi ako magaling magluto at alam niya iyan. Mas magaling pa mag luto si Brodie kaysa sa akin. Pero kahit papaano ay
Brodie."Brodie! I miss you!"I held back as I took a step backward. I didn't expect to see Nicolle here, of all places. I thought she was still in Rome, but the heck. Why the hell is she here now?"I'm glad I came here all the way from Rome. I miss you so bad, Brodie." Higpit na yakap niya sa katawan ko."N-Nicolle? How are you?" I distance myself straight away and step backward."I'm really good. Thank you!" Hinawi niya ang buhok at mulo ulo hanggang paa ang titig niya sa akin."You look good. So handsome," she smiled. Is your wife taking care of you well?" She flirtatiously twirled her hair using her pointy finger.I smiled seriously. "I'm happy, Nicolle. I'm happy with my wife." I said and turned away from her."Really?" She followed me. "Pero hindi mo naman siguro nakakalimutan ang usapan natin noon ano?" Humarang na siya sa harapan ko at nahinto akong saglit.I gritted my teeth while we stared, and I could no longer bring myself to talk to her."Come on, Brodie. I understand thi
Brodie."Brodie!" Carmella whimpered in sweet agony as I pushed behind her. The room is covered with her moans, and no matter how much I want to stop myself, I can no longer control my needs.So, this is what it means to be with the woman you like the most. To be with the woman who owns my flesh including my soul."Damn, it, baby, love it, take it. . . Take it, Carolina," I huskily whispered and bit her ear.The pure lust and love, build up quick like a lava inside me. My shaft was hard as it pumped inside her. She moaned exquisitely, calling my name, arching in any direction, meeting my needs, and fulfilling the desire we have for each other.Sandali akong huminto at habol ang hininga ko sa sarili nang maabot ko ang katiting na langit sa loob niya.Carmella completes me, and I never felt so damn good ever in my entire life. She's the only one that gives this fulfillment inside me."Carolina Ellai, mahal." Sabay halik ko sa labi niya.Nabalot ng pawis ang mukha niya at pati na ang bu
Carmella's POV."Just be yourself. I don't think it will be your husband's parents, ano! Paktay na sila."Ngumiwi ako kay Butter at bahagya siyang natawa."Ang baliw mo talaga!" Inirapan ko na siya. Nagpatuloy na ako sa pag-aayos sa sarili, at sekreto lang din ang titig niya sa akin."Hmm, so everything changes now?" Pagdududa sa mga mata niya. "So, Brodie will stick to the marriage and not with the contract anymore?""Uhm!" Ngiti ko. Proud at kampante ako sa sarili. Taas noo ang tingin ko sa sarili sa salamin at ang ganda-ganda ko. Mas lalo akong gumanda ngayon sa tingin ko."Then, that's good on you! Kailan ang kasal?"Nahinto ako at tumaas bahagya ang kilay ko. Tinitigan ko na siya sa repleksyon ng salamin mula rito."What's with you today, Butter? You sounded annoyed." I whirled to see her, and she sighed."Nothing. It's just that if Brodie and you are getting this serious, then should the two of you get marry again, right? I-I mean, the marriage in Australia was part of the play
Carmella's POV.The ringing bell inside my ears deafened the whole of me. I could no longer hear anything. Not even my own heart beat."A-Axton?" Parang hangin lang na lumabas sa bibig ko ang pangalan niya at saka tipid siyang ngumiti. Nabitawan ko ulit ang susi at kusang bumagsak ito sa paa ko. Ramdam ko ito, pero ang tigas ng katawan ko at hindi ko maigalaw ang lahat. Tanging titig lang ang kayang ibigay ng mga mata ko sa kanya.Bahagya siyang yumuko at pinulot ang susi."You drop this, Miss?"Napako agad ang tingin ko sa kamay niya at napakurap ako sa sarili. Kusang umangat ang kamay ko at saka tinangap ito. Ibinalik ko ang mga mata ko sa kanya, pero ngumiti lang siyang konti at tumalikod na. Humakbang na siya palayo, at papasok sa Café Club.It's impossible. It's not him!I must be dreaming, right? Axton was long time dead. He doesn't exist anymore in my world."Woah, what was that? Did he know me? He doesn't seem like he knows me at all." I step backward as I was talking to myse
Anastacia.Is he engaged? Soon to be married? Huh, good on him!After seven years, I never once checked about him or what's happened lately with the company. I don't want to hear any news from them, especially from him.Naging abala na rin naman ang buhay ko. Mahirap magpalaki ng kambal, at kahit ngayon ay nangangarag pa rin ako.Nawala na sa isip ko si Diezel. Hindi na ako interesado, at wala na akong pakialam kung nag asawa na ba siya o nagkaroon na ng maraming anak. Pero nang marinig ko kanina kay Dianne na engaged na siya ay nababagabag lang ako.Ba't ba ako ganito? Hay, naku, Anastacia!I can’t sleep, and it’s after one o’clock in the morning. I’ve already checked all the items I will deliver tomorrow after dropping the twins at school.Nakatitig na ako sa relo sa dingding habang inom ang chamomile tea. Tulog na ang kambal, pero ako? Heto, hindi man lang dinalaw ng antok.Kinuha ko ang cellphone sa bag at saka nag-search sa app tungkol sa kompanya. Dito tumambad sa akin ang mga
Anastacia.My heart raced when I saw Zev's face. He's got bruises around the right eye like someone had punched him in the face."Anong nangyari sa 'yo? Who did this to you?"Napaluhod ako at ininspeksyon ang mukha niya. Hindi ko sila nasundo ngayon dahil delivery ngayon ng orders ko galing Amerika. Ako mismo ang kumuha ng mga ito sa pantalan. Kaya pansamantala si George ang kumuha sa mga bata."Tinanong ko rin, Ate. Pero ayaw magsalita. Ganyan na ang mukha eh. Gusto ko sanang kausapin ang guro nila, pero wala raw. Kaya umuwi na kami."Bitbit ni George ang bag ng dalawang bata. Inilapag niya ito sa gilid at saka namaywang sa likod ko."Patingin nga. Dios ko…" Tumayo ako at kumuha ng maligamgam na tubig. Pina upo ko si Zev at tahimik siyang nakayuko. Samantalang si Skye ay nasa gilid lang. Nakasandal sa dingding at pinagmamasdan kami."Ano ba ang nangyari, Skye? Who did this to your brother?"Siya na ngayon ang tinanong ko. Alam kong matigas ang ulo ni Zev at madalas ay hindi siya na
New BeginningAnastacia.Note: This is seven years later. The twins are now six years old.Binalot ko ang makapal na jacket sa katawan. Tumigil na ang ulan. Kailangan kong umakyat sa bubong kahit na hindi mabuti ang pakiramdam ko. Wala kong choice at kailangan ko ng gawin ito. Baka kasi mamaya ulit ay uulan na naman. Mas mabuting maagapan ko na ngayon.I need to climb up the roof to check the leak. The rainwater drips in Zev's bedroom. It's not that bad, but it really annoys me every time I hear the drip sound inside his room. It sounds frustrating, and my poor boy can't even complain. It hurts to the bones to see my children struggle along with me.Hindi man nila sinasabi sa akin ito, ay ramdam ko ito bilang isang ina. Naiinis ako at galit ako sa kung ano man ang sitwasyon meron ako ngayon. Wala akong ibang masisisi kung 'di ang sarili mismo."Mama? Aakyat ka?" Celestine Skye looked innocently at me, my sweet, beautiful baby."Yes, Skye. Get back inside. You will get wet, anak."Kin
Anastacia.Mama accepted it without knowing the entire truth about my secret. Only Tessie knows everything, and she promised me that she would never tell anyone about it.Bumalik na si Mama sa probinsya. Marami siyang ginawa para mapagaan ang lahat sa akin dito sa loob ng bahay. Babalik siya sa kabuwanan ko, at mananatili ng iilang linggo.May isang anak si Mama sa bago niya, pero malaki na ito. Nasa high school na si Neri. Mabait na bata at magalang. Malapit siya sa ama niya at nakakaingit ang closeness nila.I have no memories of my father. He left us when I was only five years old. Mama and he were never married. Since then, I haven’t seen him. The last I heard, he was doing well and living in Baguio with his five kids."Okay ka lang ba, Anastacia?"“Oo, okay lang.”Abala kaming pareho ni Kagawad Camilla. Siya ang kasama ko ngayon sa convention ng lungsod. Nasa Cagayan de Oro kami, at dalawang araw kaming mananatili rito dahil sa convention. Parte ito ng bagong proyekto na iniluns
Anastacia."Ano? Dalawang buwan!? Anong klaseng lalaki ba siya? Hindi pwede 'to, Anastacia! Babalik tayo doon. Kakalbuhin ko ang lalaking 'yon!""Ang galing naman niya! Pagkatapos siyang magpakasarap sa 'yo ay ganun na lang ba? Wala lang sa kanya ang lahat? Anong klaseng lalaki ba siya!? Pesti! Halika! Babalik tayo! Bilis!"Hinila niya ang paa ko at pinadyakan ko siya. Bumitaw siya at mabilis kong binalot ang kumot sa katawan. Umiiyak ako. Hindi hihinto ang luha sa mga mata ko dahil nasasaktan ako ngayon. Pinipilit kong magpakatatag, pero bakit ang hirap? Sinusubok ako ng tadhana at pakiramdam ko ay wala na akong pag asa sa lahat.I have no work, and I'm running out of money. What will I do next?"Anastacia…"Ramdam ko ang pag upo ni Tessie sa paanan. Minasahe niya ang paa ko, at tahimik siyang nakikinig sa hikbi ko.Promise, huli na ito. Bukas at sa mga susunod na araw ay ayaw ko ng umiyak. Nakakapagod umiyak. Nakakawalang gana sa buhay. Pero ganito naman talaga 'di ba? Kasalanan ko
Diezel.My eyebrow raised while listening to John. He's got less than twenty seconds before he fuck up. How the hell will he bring an investor to this project if he can't deliver his report properly? He can't even justify some of this. I'm not listening to him while I read his report. It's full of nonsense."Next!""B-But, Sir. I'm not yet done.""You're fired. Next!" I blurted out, fixing them with a hawk-like stare. When I locked eyes with them, they all averted their gaze."Damn it! Wala bang maayos na proposal sa inyong lahat? These reports are all boring! How will you bring a golden egg to the table if all your proposals are as boring and useless as shit!Tumayo ako at saka napabuntonghininga sa sarili. I need some air, or I could end up dismissing the entire team.Lumapit si Joel sa akin at bumulong."Your secretary is on the line. It's important, she said."I rolled my tongue, and Joel handed me the phone."Yes, Sharon?" I raised my eyebrows. "I'm not in a good mood already, S
Anastacia.Bago na ang lahat. Pinalitan niya ang lahat ng staff rito at hindi ko na kilala ang mga ito. Kahit pa ang gwardiya ng gusali ay bago.What the heck? Talaga bang ginawa niya ito dahil ayaw na niya akong makitang muli?Shit.Hindi ko na tuloy alam kung tama pa ba itong ginagawa ko ngayon. Nanginig tuloy ang tuhod ko, at peke akong ngumiti sa babae rito sa front desk. Nasa likod ko naman si Tessie."Yes, Ma'am. How can I help you?" She smiled, but it was obviously a fake smile. She looked at me from head to toe and back again."Uhm, I would like to see Mr. Dennis Ezequil Mondragon?" Kumurap kurap ako. Nilakasan ko na ang loob."Oh? Do you happen to have an appointment with him, Ma'am?""A-Appointment? Wala, Miss."Nawala ang ngiti ko. Inaasahan ko na ito. Kilala ko si Diezel, at kahit noon pa ay hindi siya basta-basta tumatangap ng bisita.Ang buong akala ko ay nandito pa sina Kimmy at Dora. Pero wala na. Ano kaya ang nangyari sa kanila? Nilipat din ba sila ni Diezel?"Sorry
Anastacia."Ano!? Buntis ka? At dalawa pa talaga? Shit!"Parang putok ang boses ni Tessie sa tainga ko. Sinabi ko na sa kanya. Wala akong ibang mapagsasabihan at siya lang din."At ano ang plano mo, aber?"Namaywang siya at seryoso akong tinitigan. Umiwas ako at nagpabalik-balik ang lakad ko sa harapan niya."Hindi ko alam. Nalilito ako, Tessie." Kinagat ko na ang pang-ibabang labi."No, Anastacia. I know what you're thinking. Hindi puwede 'to! Kailangan mong sabihin sa kanya! Sasabihin mo at sasamahan kita!"I paused and inhaled deeply."Paano kung ayaw niya? Paano kung ipagtabuyan niya ako, Tessie?"Takot ako, at hindi ako handa kung sakaling magkikita kami ulit. Hindi na kailanman sumagi sa isip ko na makipagkita sa kanya.After he abandoned me, I erased his existence. I hated him so much! I want to forget him. At kung kailan ay okay na ako at handa na ang puso kong makalimot sa lahat, ay saka naman dumating ang problemang ito.Talagang hindi ko na makakalimutan si Diezel dahil bu
Diezel.What are the odds? I'm so effing bored. I raked my hair in exasperation, feeling so frustrated.I'm back here in the business after Italy. I went to Italy to forget Anastacia, but damn it. I couldn't get over with her. I couldn't forget her. Every time I shut my eyes I always see her face, crying, pleading and I feel effing guilty about it.Kung hindi ako pinigilan ni Joel ng gabing iyon, ay tiyak kasama ko na si Anastacia ngayon.I was determined to leave because it was the right thing to do, even if my heart said no. I hesitated and briefly considered going back to Anastacia, but Joel stopped me. He told me there was no hope for me and Anastacia. If I chose her, it would only complicate everything.Damn him! Damn them!They think my life is a game, right? Eff them all.Yes, I have set my goals. I want to build a perfect family with an Italian heritage. That's the ideal gift I could give to my mother and to the whole clan. The Elders are hoping that I will produce an Italian