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
Brodie.Standing to see him in the flesh scares the hell of me. He is alive. Axton Crimson Gray, my brother, who is not related by blood, is alive.Damn, this is for real."Brod."Buo at pulido ang boses niya. Mahina ang hakbang niya palapit sa akin at huminto nang iilang dangkal sa harapan ko. Tumikhim siya at napatiim-bagang na ako sa sarili."Axton?" I uttered as my brows creased, and he smiled."Damn, Brodie. You look fucking great, bro." He whispered and instantly hugged me.I stood stiff as my body froze for a moment. Faustino cleared his throat behind us, making my mind return to the present.Kusang gumalaw na ang kamay ko, at tinapik ko ang likod ni Brodie. This is no longer a dream because I am hugging my brother now in flesh.It took us a while to process things before we could normally smile. Faustino got in between us, and after a few minutes, he left us to talk.I have a lot of questions that are bugging me, and I want to know everything about him. I want to know what ha
Carmella.Kung malas ka nga naman ano. Ba't pa ba bumalik mula sa hukay ang hinayupak na 'to!"Carmella, babe. . . It's a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand for a handshake. "I've heard a lot about you from my brother," he continued.I twisted my lips in dismay and looked at him thoroughly. "Hm, the pleasure is mine, Mr. Axton Gray."Ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko? Okay, best actress nga naman ako. Pangangatawanan ko na ito.Mabilis ko agad na binitawan ang kamay ni Axton. I felt like I'm going to vomit after I touched his hand. It felt gewy, ewy, and yuck!Naupo kami sa nakareserba para sa amin. Inalalayan ako ni Brodie at ngumiti akong lalo sa mahal ko. Humuhugot ako ng ngiti mula sa kanya."I've ordered the house specialty, Brod. I hope it's okay," Axton told Brodie."Sure, Axe, not a problem. You know me better when it comes to what I like. I'm okay with that." Brodie chuckled and sweetly looked at me."What about you, mahal? Anything you would like to add that's not on t
Carmella.It's confusing and torturing me. Because of this, I didn't have a good night's sleep last night. I was out of sorts, and I couldn't think straight."Paano na ngayon iyan? Alam ba ni Brodie?"Nagtagpo ang kilay ko habang nakatitig kay Butter ngayon. Ininom ko na ang kape at napangiwi ako sa sarili."Ba't ang pait? I didn't order an expresso, Butter. Kainis ka na naman eh!"Natawa agad siya at umikot na sa counter pabalik sa puwesto niya."Cappuccino with four sugars?" She sweetly offered. "Akala ko mapapansin mo agad na expresso ang binigay ko sa 'yo. Hindi! Kasi iba ang tumatakbo sa isip mo. Iniisip mo ang ex ng buhay mo." Hinawi niya agad ang buhay niya at saka napabuntong-hininga na ako. Tinikman ko na ang kape at parang naalimpungatan ako sa sarili."He was abducted? By who? Do you believe it? Huh, sounds suspicious, okay?"Naupo na si Butter at tinitigan lang ako. Napalingon ako sa paligid at wala siyang ibang customer rito maliban sa akin."Is business that bad?" I cha
Carmella.Kung may isang bagay man na gusto kong baguhin sa buhay ko, ay iyon ang burahin ko sa ala-ala ang mukha ng ina ko. Ba't pa siya bumalik? At ano ang plano niya? What the hell she wants from us after all? How dare she!"Carmella, can we talk, mia figlia?"I scoffed in silence without looking at her. I wish I hadn't shown up today, but why is everything twisted this week?"What for?" I whirled around to see her, and the look on her face made me want to vomit somewhere."Mia figlia, I know it's late, but - ""Oh? Late?" I cut her off. I have no heart when it comes to her, and she can't blame me for that."I can't remember that I have a mother. What's with you?" Tumaas ang kilay ko at namuo ang puot at galit sa puso ko. "Naubusan ka na ba ang pera at bumabalik ka na ngayon kay Papa? Huh, ang hanep ah. O baka naman, iniwan ka ng mga lalaki mo, at bumabalik ka sa lalaking pilit na nagmamahal sa 'yo sa kabila ng kapalpakan mo!" Tiim-bagang ko, at nag-aapoy ang titig ko sa kanya. Um
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
Anastacia.Resign.With a heavy heart, I rolled up my last document with him and inserted my resignation letter.Matagal ko na itong pinag-isipan. Tama na ang limang taon ko sa kompanyang ito. Nakaipon na ako ng pera at bibilhin ko na ang dream house na gusto ko.I want to live in the countryside, where birds chirp freely, and the breeze is fresh and pleasant. I am tired of city life and want to settle down in the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle.May nakita na akong property na nagustuhan ko sa Bukidnon. Walang kapit-bahay iyon at medyo okay lang ang laki ng lupa. May konting ilog sa gilid, at may iilang puno sa paligid. May harden din ito.Gusto kong mag tanim ng sarili kong gulay at prutas. Gusto kong mamuhay ng tahimik at walang gulo. Gusto kong manatili sa isang lugar na walang nakakakilala sa akin. Gusto ko ang simpling buhay...Gusto ko na maging masaya na ako.Ang bahay na iyon ay medyo may kalumaan na, pero nakatayo paring matibay. Dalawang palapag iyon at sakto
I don't really know why I'm still hoping.My heart is hollow, and you are the only person who can fill the emptiness.-Anastacia Dream-****Anastacia.Every woman has a dream—a dream of having a loving man who will cherish and love her forever, a man who will do everything for his woman, a devoted man to his woman for a lifetime.But this type of man will only exist in my dream because, in reality, I have devoted five years of my life to a man who does not even replicate a single feeling towards me.My name is Anastacia Dream. I am the personal assistant of a multibillionaire businessman in the country. I'm in love with my boss and will do everything to make him happy.I excel in my job. He can never find another me in his life. I know my worth in his company."Tacia! My goodness! Kanina pa nagwawala ang dragon! Nasaan ka na ba, gurl?""M-Malapit na ako, Tin. T-Teka lang—" Tumawad agad ako. Nagmamadali na ako dahil late na ako, pero ang malas ko naman. Kamuntik na akong masagasaan.