Carmella.It was lovely to see them again—Cariena and Diego. Although it was short, I was happy because I knew they were now leaving in peace.Iba na ang buhay nila sa buhay nila noon at masaya na ako para kay Diego. Marami ang nagbago kay Diego at napatunayan ko ito. Iba na nga siguro ang buhay kapag may sariling anak na at may pinoprotektahan na pamilya.Amoy ko agad ang polusyon sa hangin nang makalapag sa NAIA airport. Na miss ko ang Pinas at ang iilang tao rito."Carmella!" Ang nakangiting mukha ni Feleona ang sumalubong sa amin ni Brodie."My ghad! I miss you!" Higpit na yakap niya."Hello, Brodie. How are you?" Yakap niya rin kay Brodie. "I'm glad you accepted my invitation.""May choice ba ako?" Ngumiwi ako at natawa agad siya. Napailing si Brodie at napangiti sa aming dalawa.I have no choice but to accept Feleona's invitation. First birthday ng pangalawang anak nila ni Gabriel, at sa isang pridadong Isla ito magaganap sa Palawan.Brodie and I will be staying one week here i
Epilogue.Brodie."All is okay now, Brodie. You don't have to worry anymore. You've done your part, bro, and I will do the rest. This is my war against them, not yours. So, just take care of Carmella for me."My jaw tightened while listening to Axton in the line. Even if he didn't tell me, I would do what was right for Carmella. I don't need his opinion at all."Aren't you planning on taking over the business there?" I asked. The last time I spoke with him, I told him about it and that it would be best if he could continue the business while he was in Italy."For what? I'm not a Gray, Brodie."I chuckled. "Yes, you are, Axton. You don't have to be born as a Grey by blood, but in the eye of the law, you are my brother."Natahimik bahagya ang kabilang linya at pati na ako. Matigas si Axton, at ito siguro ang nagustuhan nina Mama at Papa sa kanya. My parents never spoiled us, but provided us everything with love. Hindi ko kailanman naramdaman sa mga magulang ko na iba ang trato nila kay
Hello, readers! Bringing you here another story of the Mondragon boys, featuring Zebedee Glenn Mondragon. This story contains mature scenes which are not suitable for young readers. All rights reserved to the author. Do not plagiarize! The Billionaire's Secret Wife Synopsis: She's haunted by her past, and his heart is off-limits. They were never meant to cross paths, but when their lives collide, they find solace in each other's arms. Can they break the walls between them and find their way to a blissful ending? Zebedee Glenn Mondragon is in a race against time to secure his family's empire. He needs a wife and an heir, or he risks losing not just the empire but also his brother's assets, which are in grave peril. Despite his best efforts to keep his heart guarded, he finds an unexpected solution in the form of Erykah Sunshine, whose innocence, beauty, and intelligence are a combination he can't resist. Erykha Sunshine's world has taken an alarming turn after her father passed
Zebedee Glenn Mondragon.My brows furrowed as I read my mother's note. I scoffed and slightly smirked.Yeah, I'm so sick of it. Dammit.I unbutton my black suit and hang it on the dry rack. Then, I stride down the hallway to the spacious kitchen.The lavish fridge, which was like a wall, seemed like nothing around the place, but with a single tap on the side, you could almost see what was inside."Damn, Morris," I mouthed and drank the sparkling water.I don't know how to answer my mother this time. I refused to respond, and I knew she would never give up.Hell, do I look like an old bachelor of all time? I must be. Four failed engagements and two long years of hiatus on women make me look like an old bachelor. I shook my head, imagining my mother's face.It's a reaper. This is Morris's fault. This should be him and not me. Damn, him."Do I look like an old bachelor to you, big Mors?"Kausap ko siya sa kabilang linya at komportable ang pagkakaupo ko sa malambot na sofa. Naka-on ang
Erykah Sunshine."Do you think he'll love this?" I gazed at Samantha, and she nodded weakly."I supposed." She rolled her eyes in dismay, giving me a cold shoulder of disapproval."Come on, Erykah. You are not that stupid, are you? Can't you see that Arnold is just using you?"Napabuntong-hininga siya at hindi maipinta ang mukha habang nakatitig sa akin. Nawala ang ngiti ko sa mukha at nabalot ng kaba ang puso ko.Si Arnold nalang ang natitirang pag-asa. Siya ang buhay ko ngayon at bukas. Mahalaga siya sa akin at umiikot lang ang mundo ko sa kanya."Sam, you should try to open your heart. You will see. . ." Umikot akong saglit at saka tinitigan ang kabuuang hitsura ko sa salamin.Somehow, I felt worried, and the pain kept bothering me."Ugh, kung katulad mo lang magmahal ay hindi na ano! Ayaw kong magpakatanga na tulad mo. I-I mean, there's nothing wrong to fall in love, Erykah, but not to the extend of turning a blind eye to everything," she looked at me, feeling worried too.Hindi
Zebedee Glenn."And now he is threatening you." Morris laughed hard in the line. "I told you, little Zeb. You can't get away with him. But I don't want you to worry. I can manage my business on my own. I can survive." He winked.My jaw tightened as I looked at him.Nakakatawa nga naman ang hitsura niya sa kabilang linya. Iilang kaha ng beer na kaya ang nauubos niya? Mukhang hindi pa rin siya tinatablan ng alcohol."I will see what I can do, big Mors."He laughed and shook his head. "Don't worry. I have other means of finding money. The boys all look good, you know. Enzo's grandfather is out of the country at the moment, and we are operating well."I sighed. My mind is blank at the moment. Iba nga naman kapag si Papa na ang kumilos, pero kung inaakala niya na matatakot niya ako, ay nagkakamali siya, dahil hindi ako takot sa kanya."Worry about yourself, little Zeb, and please take care of Mama.""Can you stop calling me little Zeb, big Mors? I'm no longer a little boy," I chuckled.
Erykah SunshineLast will and testaments.Kung may pinakamasakit na pinagdaanan ang buhay ko ay ito ang ngayon.For the past six weeks, I have felt lost and directionless, longing for my father's presence. Despite my prayers for his healing, it seems that they have gone unanswered by heaven and he quietly passed away. My stepmother, who wanted to rule the business, made her way, and my two stepsisters acted as if they owned the entire place and were unfriendly to me. They seemed to have lost touch. I wasn't there to care for the business because I was with my father the whole time.I'm also tired of asking a question to Arnold about him having an affair with Sarah. I don't want another rejection. The pain I have now is enough for me to stand for a while and I don't want to add more to that.Blanko akong nakatitig sa malaking family picture frame namin sa pribadong library room ng ama ko.Ang bahay na dating puno ng saya at sigla, ay pawang tahimik na. Iba na ang bawat sulok ng palas
Erykah Sunshine.Hindi mapigilan ni Samantha ang tawa niya sa bandang gilid habang binabasa ang kopya ng huling testamento ni Papa.Philip and I are in a deep conversation regarding the assets I now have in my name. They are the ones from my deceased mother.Agad kong nakuha ang lehitimong pagmamay-ari nito, dahil ako lang naman ang anak nila ni Papa at wala ng iba. Pero ang pamana ko na galing kay Papa ay on hold pa."My goodness, I can't understand why you had to do it this way, Erykah. You honestly created your own grave of mistakes when it comes to this. I can't help but laugh. And take note, ang cute ng pemanship mo noong bata ka pa." Lakas na tawa niya.Ngumuso ako at nilingon siya. Nahinto si Philip at sabay naming tinitigan si Samantha ngayon. Hindi pa rin siya nahinto at tawang-tawa parin sa sitwasyon ko.I sighed, feeling shit because of that. I couldn't blame my younger self at that time. That's what I wanted, and that proves that I collaborated with my parents for that in
Morris.We have our plan. Bryce is here for that and Glenn is making himself the sidekick.My brother does not belong into this type of business. Malinis siya at iba ang linya ng mundo sa mundo ko, pero sadyang matigas ang ulo niya. Ito yata ang ugali namin na magkapareho.Renzo and the other boys remained extremely vigilant. Cappytano was making a move, trying to get a lot of bad people onto his side to put me down. But it was too bad, and he still couldn't bring me down that way. An ominous black sheep like me is hard to tame. I will kill him first before he can make his moves."We have a spy on our side, Mors. We need to find out who it is." Bryce furrowed his brow while working on the gadgets.Magaling siya, at katulad ni Xavion ay mabilis nilang nakukuha ang signal ng kalaban at napasok ang sistema nila.It must be because Bryce, Xavion, and Hendrix used to work in the same gang before. Of course, they all have the line that was given by their parents. Bryce may not have the sam
Brielle.Ba't hindi ko ito alam. Bakit wala akong alam sa pagkatao niya? Napaupo akong wala sa sarili at tulalang nakatitig sa kawalan.Si Morris ba talaga ang gusto ni Cappytano? Bakit? Pero nasa Italya na siya. Sigurado ako rito. Tinawagan niya ako noong nakaraang araw. Nasa Italya na si Morris!Pero. . . Ano 'to? Ba't may isang katulad niya? O, baka may kakambal siya?Kalokohan talaga!Ginulo ko ang buhok. Sumakit ang ulo ko, at ayaw ko ng basahin pa ang lahat ng tungkol sa kanya.Ibang Morris yata 'to eh? Kakambal niya? Ganoon lang siguro. Pero impossible talaga! Hindi maari ito.Binuklat ko ulit at tuluyan nang binasa ang lahat. Huminga ako nang malalim, at saka bahagyang natawa na sa sarili. Napatingin na tuloy ang iilang matanda na malapit lang sa kinauupuan ko. Siguro naisip nila na baliw na ako.Oo! Magiging baliw na yata ako sa mga sandaling ito!Dalawang basong tubig na malamig ang naubos ko. Malayo ang nilakad ko. Hindi ako sumakay ng taxi, at sinadya ko talaga na maglaka
Brielle.Nanginig ang tuhod ko nang tuluyan na akong nakalabas. Nagmaneho ang isa sa mga tauhan ni Cappytano para makabalik na ako sa lugar nila Clara.Ibibigay raw sa akin bukas ang kaisa-isang misyon ko at pera. Isa lang ang pinapagawa sa akin ni Cappytano. At kung matagumpay ko itong magampanan, ay pinangako niya na hindi na niya kailanman kami gugulohin ni tiya."Don't trust Cappytano, Brielle. Halang ang bituka niya. Wala akong tiwala sa kanya."At nakuha pa talaga ni Alfred na mag komento tungkol sa bagay na ito. Eh, siya nga itong nagpahamak sa akin!Nakabalik na kami at wala na ang mga tauhan ni Cappytano sa paligid ko. Pero alam kong meron nagmamanman sa akin ng sekreto. Maraming mga mata na sa paligid, kaya dapat ay mag iingat na ako sa bawat galaw ko."Get the hell out of here, Alfred! I don't need you. You better save yourself and run away from here." My eyes cut sharp on him."Kung ayaw mo na matuluyan ka, ay umalis ka na! Bumalik ka sa lungga mo!" Galit ko siyang tinali
Brielle.Tatlong katao agad ang sumalubong sa amin. Tinitigan ako mula ulo hanggang dibdib. Nagtagal ang tingin nila rito sa dibdib ko at napangiwi ako."Hindi ko alam kung anong pinasok mo, Alfred. Nananahimik ako ng iilang taon.""It’s not my fault, Brielle. I was lucky that I was alive… Akala ko nga pinatay ka nila noon. Kaya noong nalaman ko na buhay ka, ay inisip ko na sa mga tagong Isla ng Pilipinas ka nagtatago. Wala ka namang record na lumabas ng bansa." Pabulong niya.Napabuntonghininga ako at nahintong saglit. "At talagang hinanap mo ako ano? Kasalanan mo rin pala 'to!"Nawala agad ang ngiti niya. "Nagbabakasakali lang naman…"Nagtagpo ang kilay ko sa kanya. Umiwas siya ng tingin at nilampasan ako. I slightly scoffed at his back, annoyed at him.Noon paman ay talagang balakid na si Alfred sa buhay ko. Para siyang linta na ang hirap alisin sa balat ko. Sumisipsip sa dugo ko. Paunti-unti hanggang wala nang matira sa akin. Saka lang din bibitaw kapag wala na siyang nakukuha."
Brielle."We need to leave, tiya."Hindi umimik si tiya. Alam ko na pagod na siya sa kakatakbo. Medyo matagal na rin kami sa isla. Mag tatatlong taon na. Ito yata ang pinakamahaba na nanatili kami sa isang lugar. Madalas naman kasi noon ay palipat-lipat kami ng tirahan dahil sa mga taong humahabol sa amin."Pagod na ako sa kakatakbo, Breille… Matanda na ako."I press my lips together and look at her.Naipasok ko na ang iilang gamit na kailangan ko. Sa syudad na muna kami. Mas mabuti roon, dahil maraming tao at madali kaming gumalaw.Iniwan ko na ang susi sa bahay ni Morris kay Manong Paeng. Siya na muna pansamantala ang magmamatyag sa paligid. Sa kanya ko na rin iniwan ang susi ng bahay at ng tindahan."Tiya, we have to go, or else…" my lips trembled."Kilala ko ang mexicanong mafia na 'yon, tiya. Mas halang ang kaluluwa nu'n kaysa kay Alfred. Si Cappytano ang nagpapatay sa halos lahat ng mga tauhan ni Alfred, tiya. Kailangan natin na umalis!""Pero bakit ikaw ang hinahanap, Brielle?
Morris."Don't tell her that you're still here, Mors," Linus advises."And why is that?" My brows met halfway."Because that's not you. You don't give your location to anyone, lunatic."I laughed a little bit and shook my head. Linus was right. I don't easily give my location unless it's them, my cousins, asking for it. But Brielle is not just anyone. . . I like her."It seems like you like her. How serious?"I stared at Linus on the big screen. He's not even looking at me. He was busy sorting something. I did not answer and just rested my back on my chair.I'm not sure about it, but one thing is sure… I miss her."Hey, Mors. Don't you know that Cappytano is after you?" He changes the subject.Napatingin na siya sa akin ngayon na seryoso. Nawalang bigla ang tanong niya kanina tungkol kay Brielle.It wasn't important anyway. Linus knows that, and he doesn't care much about it. He is more concerned about the enemies around us."And what does he want? Cappytano was off the hook a long t
Brielle.Pagkatapos malinis ang paligid ay ang mga halaman naman ni tiya ang inasikaso ko. Nakakabagot nga, dahil wala man lang akong lilinisan sa territoryo ni Morris.Lahat ng mga alaga niyang hayop ay wala na roon. Inilipat niya ito sa pangangala ng isang kaibigan. Hindi ko alam kung sino, at tiyak sa kabilang isla iyon.Wala rin siyang halaman sa paligid at purong malalaking bush shrub at mga puno lang. Hindi na kailangan ng tubig dahil nabubuhay naman.Inside Morris house is clean. Nothing else to do there. Nalulungkot lang ako sa tuwing bumibisita ako roon. Dahil naaalala ko siya sa bawat sulok nito.It's not even a week, but it seems like months for me."Tapos na, tiya. Ihahatid ko na lang ito mamaya," tugon ko. Naramdaman ko kasi siya sa likod. Hindi siya sumagot."Siyanga pala, tiya. Ang aga mo naman nakabalik. Hindi ba dapat mamaya ka ba? Wala na bang ganap sa baba?" Pinunasan ko muna ang kamay gamit ang basahan na meron ako. Tumayo ako at saka nagpawis ng pawis sa mukha ba
Eva.I feel lonely already while seeing him walking away from me. Nangilid ang luha ko sa mata at mabilis akong tumingala sa lahat.Sana nga pala ay hind ko na siya hinatid dito sa pier. Heto tuloy. Nakakaiyak na.Kumaway siya at nasa top deck na ng barko. Kumaway rin ako, at nag-flying kiss pa. I want him to remember me as lively and lovely, and will try to wait for him. Alam kong alam ni Morris kung saan kami hahanapin ni tiya kung wala na kami sa isla.Bleu, his only friend was also with him. Wala ng natira sa bahay niya sa tuktok, dahil iniwan ni naman talaga ang lahat sa akin. Nasa akin ang mga susi nito.Nakauwi na ako, at ang tahimik na paligid agad ang namasdan ko. It feel strange. The quite environment around me seems like a haunting dream from my past.Nakakatakot at nakakalungkot. Ibang-iba na. . .Ibang iba na, dahil wala na si Morris sa Islang ito. Naiwan na lang kami ni tiya."Tatawag naman siya 'di ba? Brielle?" si tiya sa likod ko.Gabi na. Madilim ang langit at wala m
Brielle.I look at the blue sea sadly, feeling uncomfortable at the moment, trying to make everything alright.Gusto kong manatili kami ni tiya rito, para pagkabalik ni Morris ay nandito pa rin ako. Nagdadalawang isip na tuloy ako ngayon. Hindi ko alam kung tutuloy pa ba kami sa paglilipat ni tiya sa malayong isla na iyon.Ibinaon ko ang paa sa buhangin at ramdam ko ang lamig nito sa ilalim. Nilingon kong muli si Morris mula sa karagatan.Malayo siya, at hindi ko na halos makita."Inomin mo muna ito, anak." Inilagay ni tiya ang malamig na inomin na gawa niya. At kasama na ang kay Morris."Salamat, tiya." Tinikman ko agad ito, at ibinalik ko lang ang mga mata ko sa kung nasaan na si Morris ngayon. Tahimik ako at panag ang pagbuntonghininga sa sarili."Babalik na ako sa tindahan," aniya. Hindi ako kumibo at tulala pa rin habang pinagmasdan si Morris."Mamimiss mo ano?"Ang akala ko ay umalis na si tiya… hindi pa pala. Nilingon ko siya at katulad ko, ay nakatingin din pala siya kay Morr