Carmella."Ugh! Konti nalang talaga at magiging bulalo na kayong lahat sa akin!" I let an air out, soaking in my own sweat."I swear I'm going to kill your boss. Aalis siya at iiwan kayong lahat na nakatuwang-wang sa buong paligid!? And worst, you animals ruined my backyard!" I screamed in expressed.Mooo! Mooo!Meow? Meow?Tumabi na si Smokey at naupo sa paanan ko. Pangatlong araw na ngayon, at kahit na mahimbing ang tulog ko dahil walang ingay sa gabi ay naiinis ako dahil sa nangyari sa likod ng bakuran ko.Walang available na builder. Lahat sila abala sa mga proyekto. Ang hardenero ko naman ay on leave. Sa susunod na buwan pa siya babalik para maglinis. At heto ako ngayon, pilit na inaayos ang mga halamang natira sa paligid."Ba't ba kasi iyan pa ang kinuha at binili mong lupa? Imagine, you have one hundred acres of land, Carmella. You don't even have an animals around except for the cats. Ni wala ka nga'ng aso sa paligid. Alam mo naman na venomous ang mga ahas diyaan 'di ba? Hind
Carmella."Oh my, God, multo!" Napaatras ako. Iyong tipong lumubas ang kaluluwa ko sa katawan at bumalik lang din."What?""Shit." I stood up, composed myself, and smiled a little bit."G-Good morning, Sir. Uhm, I-I'm here to see the owner of the farm. H-He's cows are eating my plants in my beautiful backyard, and now I have no plants left on that part. The cow wrecked my fences five days ago," I stammered.Eh, sino ba naman ang hindi mauutal sa kanya! Eh, mukha siyang maligno sa paningin ko ano. Utusan yata ang lalaking ito sa farm na ito.Hindi siya umimik at segundong pinagmasdan ako. Hindi yata ako naintindihan ng malignong ito."Oh God. I'm here to complain, okay!" tumaas na ang boses ko."Tell your boss that he needs to pay the damage! Your boss got thousands of hectares of land, but why the hell did those cows trespass on my property? Okay, I get it. Wala namang utak ang mga kalabaw ano. Kaya kasalanan talaga ito ng boss mo!""I don't if you don't understand me. Who cares! Jus
Carmella."What are you looking at? Talk!?" I squinted, "Ano 'to magtititigan nalang tayo hanggang umaga?"Hindi siya umimik. Nakalimutan ko. Hindi pala nakakaintindi ng tagalog ang taong ito. Ba't nga ba ginagawa niya ang normal na gawaing pang-umaga sa gabi? Iba ba ang paningin niya sa buwan? Araw na ba 'to?"Don't you dare make any noises. I'm going back to bed!" I pointed my finger at him and walked away.Mabilis kong pinaandar ang quad bike at gaya ng dati, nasa likod ko na ang pusa. Pinaharurot ko ito pabalik sa territoryo ko.I never realized I went out wearing only my evening dress. I have nothing inside except for my undies. I'm sure he saw what he need not meant to see. And the hell, I care! He can watch me. That's not a big deal.NAGISING AKO sa ingay ng iilang boses sa paligid. Pakiramdam ko ay astronaut ako ngayon. Lutaw kasi ang ulo ko. Kailangan ko ng kape.Before going out to check what was happening outside, I washed and fixed myself. I changed my clothes and combed
Carmella."Really? Are you sure about this, Daisy?""Yes, Miss Del Fiore. It's on lease for three years."I sighed. I canât believe it! I didn't see this coming. Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko. Masyado akong kampante sa lahat, at hindi ko man lang binasa ang pinirmahan ko.This is why I donât do business. It's a headache. The contract is too contradictive for me to understand. I'm not into that. I'm not good at understanding rules, primarily if they are written in legal forms. It's too complicated.Kung baril lang siguro ay kayang-kaya ko ito. Eh, sino ba naman ako? Kung nandito lang sana si Drake ay hindi ako mahihirapan. Pero wala ako sa Italya. Nandito ako sa isang bansa balot sa salitang Ingles at nag-iisa."But the good thing about this, Miss Del Fiore is the money. Wala ka naman sigurong pag-gagamitan sa lupa ano? Are you planning to do beef cows? Or milking? Or plowing the land into some crops?""No. Not really, Daisy. Wala akong alam sa pagtatanim. I just want to have a big la
Brodie.It's weird that she didn't come out after I finished everything. I did all her orders and requests. I covered the holes, fixed the fences, and planted the plants that she needed. It was my obligation anyway. It was written on the lease contract that anything that my animals damaged along her property is my obligation to cover.The electric fence alongside was set, too. I don't want my animals, whom she called 'polka dots', to wander around again in her yard. I felt terrible that my cows damaged most of her beautiful bush and flowers. And the only remedy I could think of is to replace them with new ones.The animals are good. The Angus beefy ones are pretty calm, except for the two male ones that I mixed together with the female dairy ones. And they're the ones that she named polka dots."This is very professional, Brodie. You will win again. I'm sure about that," Jarrod, my cousin, exclaimed while looking into my sculptor masterpiece.It has become my hobby at the moment. Asi
Carmella . "Shoo! Don't look at me, Polka one. Go away!" "And you, too, Polka two, three, four, five, lahat kayo! Shoo!" I dismissively moved my hand, and the bloody cows just looked at me like nothing! Ang hirap pala makipag-usap sa mga hayop. Hindi nila ako naiintindihan at ganoon din naman ako. Hindi ko rin sila naiintindihan ano! Kumunot ang noo ko habang malayo ang tingin ko sa unahan. Nasa likod ako ng bakuran, at sa pinakadulo na ito. The cows are probably five meters away from me. They can't get close because of the electric fence around. Hindi sila bobo, at alam nilang nakukuryente sila sa tuwing nadidikit ito sa balat nila. Masakit din ano! Konting kuryente rin ito. Mga 12volts siguro. Tanghaling tapat na, pero parang may mali sa mga hayop na ito. I know I'm weird, too. I can't deny that. I'm watering my garden at noon! Mataas ang araw at mainit. Pero may halaman na uhaw at nasa ilalim ng puno naman ang mga ito. I ran the hose around the yard. And when the cows hear
Carmella."I see. . . Hmmm, ang linis ng bahay niya!" I smiled as I looked around. I didn't touch anything, but I was impressed by how everything was tidy inside. It's the complete opposite of Brodie.Kung mukhang kapreng maligno si Brodie dahil sa buhok niya at balbas at pananamit, ay iba naman ang bahay niya. . . Malinis na malinis at ni alikabok ay wala.Binuksan ko ang ref at healthy ang options niya sa lahat. Kompletos recados at higit sa lahat, maraming karne sa malaking freezer niya.Mabuti nalang at hindi siya vegetarian. Halata naman sa hitsura niya na karne ang kinakain.Humakbang ako, at sa sala na ito. The paintings on the wall are livid. Creepy and weird? Who cares about Art! It's not my line ano!Isa-isa kong tinitigan ang bawat dispalys na mga picture frame sa napakalaking book shelves niya. Book reader nga naman siya. Eh, ginawa na niyang library ang dalawang malalaking espasyo sa bahay niya.The smell of books is refreshing. It reminds me of my father."Oh, he have t
Brodie."She did what?"Kausap ko si Rob sa kabilang linya at sinabi niya sa akin ang lahat. Carmella is looking after the farm at the moment. She was doing excellent and easy to deal with everything. According to Rob, she's doing great and is learning fast."That's really cool. I can't wait to meet her. What does she look like? Sexy ba?" tanong ni Nathaniel sa tabi ko.I gritted my teeth, and I had no appetite. I can't wait for us to be home. Nathaniel is temporarily with me. May iilang papelis akong ibibigay sa kanya bago siya babalik sa Queensland."Come on, Brodie, talk, mate. I would like to know about this woman named Carmella. Is she the new girl that made your heart flutters?""Flutter may ass. I'm not into her. She's a neighbor, alright. Siya ang nakabili sa bahay ni Mrs Green.""Really? That's cool anyway. I can't wait."I shook my head and sighed silently. There's no point in talking to Nathaniel because when it comes to women, Nathaniel is crazy, which is his weakness."I
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."Ă 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