Carmella.Ilang beses ba akong tatamarin? Wala akong gana, pero gutom naman."Slow down, Carmella. Walang aagaw ng pagkain mo," si Venette sa harapan ko.Panay ang nguya at subo ko. Marami akong iniisip, pero hindi ko alam kung saan magsisimula. Galit ako, at ang unang taong gusto kong makausap ay si Papa. Pero ayaw kong pumunta sa kanya. Ayaw kong makita si Mama."Thank you." I smiled as I looked at Venette.Inabot niya sa akin ang preskong orange juice at tinikman ko agad ito. Napawi agad ang ugaw ko."Where's Brodie?" I looked around while chewing my food."Pinapunta ko sa Studio na kasama si Baxter.""What? Are you kidding me?" I paused and drank my juice."Carmella, your husband will do everything to keep you no matter what. So, please let him be. And besides, your father can't do anything. He can't harm Brodie, and you know that."Naupo na si Venette at pinaikot ko na ang mga mata. Mukhang sinabi na yata ni Brodie ang lahat kay Venette. Ang mga iilang sekreto na hindi ko sinabi
Brodie . "I love her, and I'm willing to trade what's left in me. I don't want you to tear us apart. I know it was a deal. We made a deal. I didn't see this coming, and I'll take responsibility for everything." My jaw tightened as I looked at Carmella's father. Mapangahas ang pagpunta ko rito, at hindi ito alam ni Carmella. Kailangan kong bumalik agad sa kanya, dahil ayaw kong mag-alala siya. "It's not me to decide for that, Brodie," he sighed. "It's my daughter, and you know that." Napayuko ako at napakuyom kamao. "She's worried, and it stresses me out. I wish I could help." "As I've said, I'm not the right person to decide, Brodie. If my daughter loves you more than you think, then, she will keep you." Sumeryoso ang mga mata niya sa akin at taim-tim niya akong tinitigan. "You don't know her that much. She may look placid, but she's not. She knows how to rule the clan but chooses not to do it. She's a ruler in a woman's body, Brodie. . . If you love her, then, you must love her
Carmella.Mahigpit ang hawak ni Brodie sa kamay ko at natawa ako sa ekspresyon nang mukha niya."I didn't run away. I just visited Papa for a reason. Ano? Tiningnan mo ba ang mga frozen goodies na binigay ni Butter.""Yes, I did. And it's not healthy."Humalik siya sa kamay ko at mahigpit na pinisil ito. Nakatitig siya rito at sadyang natunaw ang puso ko.I love the look he has right now. It seems unreal, but Brodie is probably in love with me. Kahit hindi man niya sinasabi ito ay nararamdaman ko naman."The festival is in two days. I want us to go to the Baltimore.""Oh, really?"I lost my smile and sighed. I have my plans and there's no backing out. I will not let my father hinder anything I wanted. Kahit pa sabihin niyang labas na ako sa misyon na ito, ay gusto ko parin na malaman ang totoo."No, mahal. I'm sorry. I'm looking forward to the festival. Besides, a lot of my friends are attending. It would be a good opportunity for me to catch up with the clan. It will be peaceful, tr
Carmella.Second day of the festival's event. The display.Brodie indeed was busy. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinag-gagawa niya, pero pinagkakatiwalaan ko siya. Ngayong araw at umaga palang ay umalis na agad siya. May kasama siyang escort at ang iilan sa kanila ay ang mga tauhan ni Papa.I never went to check on my father last night. He sent me a message, but who cares? I bet he doesn't need me anymore because the love of his life is back.Brodie called me earlier, asking me if I already had my lunch. He kept checking, calling me now and then. And tonight he said he will be late. I told him not to worry about me. I have a prior engagement to attend. I didn't tell him that I was now joining the night display."Oh my goodness, thank you, milady," si Emerald. Taranta ang paghubad niya sa sapatos at pati na sa maskara."It's itchy, and I hate it! Grrr!" she grunted, itching the side of her legs.Emerald is allergic display her body bare. Mahanginan lang ay tiyak gusto na niyang kamutin i
Brodie.I had no choice but to become Nicolle's partner tonight. I know Emerald covers as Carmella, but to my surprise, it was my wife tonight. She showed off her skin and gorgeous appearance to everyone. She didn't even wear her mask like Emerald does.Damn. I overlooked things, and now it's all screwed up."Bro."Galit ang mga mata kong nakatitig kay Axton at pumwesto siya sa tabi ko.We looked in the same alley where Carmella and Nicolle were, along with the rest of the women around them. The two looked close, but behind their cunning, fake smiles, I knew they wanted to fight.Another effing damn thing."It's good to see you again. I-I was just escorting Carmella for a reason, Brodie. You shouldn't let your guard down, bro. Maraming halang ang kaluluwa na nasa paligid at pinagmamasdan siya. She's supposed not to be here, right?" Axton gritted his teeth as he looked at me.I scoffed, feeling offended. "I know, but how can I stop her, Brodie? Don't you think I'm doing this on my own
Brodie."So, it's you? What the hell? What's with you and your family? Golden assets from the Ming dynasty? Which clan are you from? I haven't seen you before. It's first time? Are you from another country?"Bahagyang nagtapo ang kilay ko sa mga kalalakihan sa paligid ko. Umalis lang si Nicolle na kasama si Carmella at Brodie ay agad na dinumog ako ng mga tao rito.Carmella's father has already warned me about this; especially if Carmella is with me, a lot of eyes will be on us."Brodie. Excuse me, boys, I have to borrow my brother."Axton came behind me as a rescue. Hindi ko siya napansin dahil ang buong akala ko ay kasama niya ang dalawa, pero mukhang hindi na."Brother? Is Brodie your brother, Axe?" tanong ng isang lalaki na malaki ang katawan sa kanya.Hindi sumagot si Axton, bagtos taim-tim na titig ang pinakawalan niya sa mga ito at umatras silang bahagya. Agad na hinila ni Axton ang braso ko at sumunod na ako sa kapatid ko.I felt relief the moment we exited the hall. Now, we
Brodie.Dammit. I can still feel the sting around my eyelids when I open my eyes. The room is cozy and clean. I know what happened. They refused to fight with me, so they used their tactics of spraying something that could put me to sleep."Nicolle?" Napalingon agad ako sa paligid at napahawak sa ulo ko. Masakit pa ito, konti lang, pero nakakahilo.I heard it right. It must be Nicolle's father, Armando De Pruta, known as De Popeye.Bumukas ang pinto at napatingin ako sa babaeng pumasok. Hindi ito si Nicolle at hindi ko siya kilala."Oh, the frog prince is awake."Huminto siyang distansya sa harapan ko at pilyang ngumiti. Pinaikot ang mga daliri sa mahabang buhok. Nagtagpo ang kilay ko. Tinitigan ko siyang maigi. Pero hindi siya pamilyar sa akin."Who are you, and what do you want from me? Is this Armando De Pruta doing?""Armando? The De Pruta? Of course not!"Hinawi niya ang buhok at saka nilapitan na ako. Tatayo sana ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa gilid, pero hindi ko magawa. Hindi ko n
Carmella.Woah, that was cool!Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa mukha ko nang sa wakas ay mahawakan ko ang kamay ni Brodie. Tapos na ang konting labanan at hindi ko kasalanan kung may mga na-stugi! Kasalanan ni Dessa ito."Tsk, you are fucking serious, you know," Drake spat out and swore in vain while looking at me. He's angry.I walked past him together with Brodie behind me.The operation was done, but Brodie didn't say a word. He was probably shocked. I'm glad that they didn't do anything to Brodie at all. Buo siya at walang bugbog sa katawan. Mabuti nalang."Carmella!" Drake called my name firmly, but that didn't scare me.I had enough and from now on I will do what I want to do. Papa never thinks of a plan for the rescue. His security on the watch is shit and useless.Kaya iyon isa-isa kong binaril sa paa para magtanda sila. Mga walang silbe! Isang tao ang babantayan nila hindi pa nila makuhang protektahan! Anong klaseng mga tauhan ba ang Papa meron ngayon? Mukhang nangalawang na yata
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
Anastacia.I was crying the entire time I was inside my bedroom. After he dropped me off yesterday morning, I never went out. I have no work anymore. I've finished all my work at Diezel's company, and I have no plans to look for other work at the moment. Ang buong akala ko pagkatapos ng masasarap na gabi namin ay iisa na kami. Nagkamali ako, dahil heto umiiyak ako ng wala sa sarili.I was hoping that he would come back. I never went to bed last night. I was waiting for him the entire time. My cell phone was not even turned off. I was waiting for Diezel to call me, but it never happened.Siguro nalilito siya at nag iisip? Iyan lang ang iniisip ko, na baka hindi siya nakatawag agad dahil nag iisip pa siya. Pero mukhang wala na yata, dahil dalawang araw na ngayon simula nang huli ko siyang nakita, at wala pa rin akong balita sa kanya.The two days have suddenly passed into seven days, and still, Diezel has not even contacted me.Mataas ang pride ko, pero sobra na ito. Ganun na lang ba
Anastacia.Naimulat ko ang mga mata at wala na si Diezel sa tabi ko. Bahagyang nakabukas ang bintana. Maliwanag na, pero maaga pa naman. Humikab ako at saka napangiti nang maalala ang ginawa namin. Nakakataba ng puso iyon, dahil ramdam ko na mahal ako ni Diezel sa kabila ng lahat. Gusto niya ako!Tumayo ako para hanapin siya. Lumabas ako ng kwarto niya at bumaba ng hagdanan."Diezel?" I called him, and my eyes surveyed his place as I descended the stairs.This place is massive. This is one of Diezel's place in town. "I'm here, Anastacia." He calls back.Binilisan ko ang hakbang. Nasa kabilang banda siya, sa baba, sa mismong opisina niya.Ang bahay na ito ni Diezel ay malapit lang sa opisina ng kompanya. Madalas na ako rito dahil na rin sa trabaho. Alam ko na ang lahat sa kanya, at pinagkakatiwalaan niya ako sa lahat ng bagay.Nakabukas nga naman ang pinto ng opisina niya rito, at nakaupo siya nang pumasok ako. Parang tinatapos lang ang ginagawa."Nagtatrabaho ka?" Nangunot ang noo
Anastacia.Kung akala ko ay tapos na siya ay hindi pa pala! At kung akala ko ay wala ng kasunod iyon, ay nagkakamali ako. Dahil heto, pagkatapos ng mapusok na eksena ay huba't hubad na kaming pareho at nasa loob na ng bathtub ng banyo.This is insane. I never imagined this for us to happen this way. Our bodies speaks more than the language that we needed. Iba ang bibig ko. Galit ako, pero iba ang sinisigaw ng katawan ko pagdating sa kanya.We were like rabbits, fucking every corner of his place, not minding if his guards will hear us outside.I have imagined him naked in front of me, kissing my below nonstop when I was working before. Those mornings when he walked in front of me, flaunting his half-naked body, ignited me already."Did you ever imagine this with me, Anastacia?" Kinagat niya ang taingang bahagi ko habang walang humpay ang kamay niya sa gitna."Uhm, oo…" Kinagat ko na naman ang labi. Hindi nga naman humihinto ang kamay niya ano? Bahala na nga! Eh sa gusto ko naman 'to!
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