Glenn.Great. What a good timing.I did not expect to see her inside my office. She was temporarily relieving Nay Mira. I've seen Nay Mira before. Madalas ako sa opisina ko lalo na kung may mga bagong proyekto na kailangan kong matapos. Nanay only does cleaning every weekends. Day off kasi ito ng mga cleaner sa firm.I admit it. I was kind of lost a while ago, but then seeing her again took the weight off my shoulders. That's how I describe that. That was somehow how I felt earlier."Any good news?" si Drew, tinapik niyang bahagya ang balikat ko at saka naupo na sa tabi ko."Yes. I was just finalizing the paperwork," I said as I grabbed the right folder. It was on the top."May nahanap ka na ba? Beauty told me that you are looking for a responsible and trusted PA. I can help you with that.""No need, Drew. I found her." I smiled, feeling confident this time."Really? That's good. So, ano? Sasama ka sa survey ngayong linggo?""Oo. I will take my new PA with me.""That's good. Then, I
Erykha Sunshine.What a short-tempered engineer.I almost twisted my lips in dismay as I looked at him, walking back and forth while talking to someone in the line. I should be going home right now, right? I should be. Kanina pa ako rito, at tapos na ako sa pinapagawa niya. Akala ko ba may family lunch gathering siya, eh, lagpas alas dose na.Ang inakala kong janitress ay PA pala.Oh, well, not bad, as I don't mind this job. I'm okay with this. It's a big bonus twist, and I didn't expect this."Excuse me, Sir?" I interrupted with a signaled in hand.Nahinto agad siya at kunot-noo akong tinitigan. He paused talking to someone in the line when I signaled the time using my hand."You have a lunch with family, remember?" I said in a whisper signed. Kahit papaano ay alam ko kung paano mag sign language, dahil pinag-aralan ko ito.Tumango agad siya at tiningnan ang oras sa relo na suot niya. Napansin ko agad ang relo niya. Ito lang yata ang magarbo at mahal sa lahat ng nasa katawan niya.
Erykah Sunshine.What the hell?Nabilaukan ako sa sariling laway nang marinig ito mula kay Glenn. Kumurap ako at hindi ko inalis ang mga mata ko sa kanya. Seryoso siyang nakatitig sa mga magulang niya at mas lalong humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko.Straight away, I converted my stare at the people around us, especially his parents."What did you say?" Glenn's father asked in a stern voice. His eyes were deadly serious."Oh, my..." Glenn's mother gasped and covered her mouth in shock.Yeah. It's bloody, oh my god!I looked back at Glenn, asking for an explanation. But all I could get from him was a tightening stare that almost havoc my troubled heart.I want to contest and explain to them because that's the right thing to do. That's what my mind told me, but something is stopping me, and it's my heart.Kaya na imbes na ipagtangol ko ang sarili ay ngumiti akong tinitigan si Glenn at ang mga magulang niya na parang wala sa sarili."Pasensya na po kung nabigla namin kayo ni Glenn. We
Erykah Sunshine.Tawang-tawa si Nanay habang kumakain. Nakikinig lang siya sa kwento ko at namula na ang mukha niya sa kakatawa."Nay, ano po ang nakakatawa?""Wala, anak. Congratulations! May trabaho ka na. May asawa ka pa! Ayaw mo ba?" Ulit na tawa niya.I rolled my eyes and shook my head. It's not funny, like how Nanay wants me to laugh at my misery, thinking that Glenn is an absolute jerk.Yes. He is a damsel jerk in distress!"Huwag kang mag-alala, Eres. Bukas na bukas iba na ang mundo mo. Malay mo, baliw lang ang amo mo, at baka bukas ay babalik na ulit ang dating anyo niya. Kaya kumain ka na. Malamig na ang sabaw."Napatango na ako at mahinang napabuntong-hininga sa sarili. Baka nga tama si Nanay. Sadyang may tupak lang siguro ang engineer na iyon, at baka bukas ay okay na siya, at siguro makakalimutan na niya ang lahat.Oo, tama nga naman. Itulog ko nalang ito, at tiyak okay na sa pag-gising ko.MAAGA AKO NGAYON SA OPISINA. Dinaig ko pa yata ang in-charge sa reception dahil
Glenn Mondragon.I know it won't be easy, but I guess Eres's personality will make it easier for me. It's better to give this contract to a stranger than to someone who knows me and my family. Eres is just perfect for the rule.My brows furrowed as I read my mother's message on the phone again. She reminded me of tonight's dinner with the family. They want to know Eres, and now I am left with no choice but to woo her again and make amends with her."The contract is simple, Eres. You will work as my PA, and our relationship at work is secret. There's no need for them to know that you are my secret wife." I started the moment I stopped the car and parked it in my designated basement spot. She looked at me in confusion, and I understood that."Ano? Are you joking, right?""No. I'm not. Come on. I'll show you around." I smiled slightly and stepped out of the car. Hindi ko na siya pinagbuksan dahil sa iba si Eres kung kumilos. Mukhang kaya niya namang gawin ang lahat. Nakasunod siya sa a
Erykah Sunshine.What the heck? Oh, my goodness!I can't believe I agreed to this type of agreement. I never in my wildest dream would someone, a stranger, for instance, come to me and offer me this type of setting out of the blue.Nanginig ang tuhod ko nang makalabas sa gusali na kung nasaan ang penthouse niya. Napahawak ako sa dibdib at humugot nang malalim na hininga.Wala na si Glenn. Nauna na siyang umalis dahil may tumawag na kliyente sa kanya. Babalikan niya raw ako mamaya at dito kami magkikita sa penthouse niya.I don't need to go back to the office anymore as he will not be around there. He doesn't want me to accompany him to meet this new client because he wants me to pack all my things and move them to his place.This is insane. It's too fast, but I have no choice. I know this is crazy, but it is temporarily the solution to my problem.It's been months since I left home without knowing what was happening there. I don't want to know about them because I know my stepmother
Erykah Sunshine.Nerve crackling. . . este, wracking.Nanginginig ang tuhod ko at sadyang pinigilan ko lang ito. Peke akong ngumiti sa mga magulang niya, at malamig pa sa ice candy silang lahat makatingin sa akin.I cleared my throat and glanced at Glenn beside me.Naghahanap ako ng kakampi, pero mukhang wala akong maasahan kay Glenn. Dahil katulad din siya ng mga magulang niya. . . malalamig sila.Maraming pagkain at ang sasarap nito. Pero hindi ako matutunawan sa gabing ito. Puno ng kaba ang puso ko at ang katahimikan nila ay dumadagdag lang sa pag-aalala ko ngayon."How did the two of you meet?" Cheska asked. I didn't expect that it was coming from her. I anticipated Glenn's parents would ask me that, but I was wrong."Uhm, we-we meet in New York," pekeng ngiti ko. Nakatitig ako kay Glenn, dahil siya naman ang katabi ko, pero mukhang wala siyang narinig. Panay lang ang pag-subo niya at ganoon din ang mga magulang niya."New York? I see. . . That's explained why kuya always go over
Erykah Sunshine."It's not Singapore but Hong Kong," I corrected.Napaigting ang panga niya habang nakatitig ng husto sa akin. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa labi ko."Okay, Hong Kong.""Yes," I mumbled and looked away. It was a minute of silence, and my mind was totally blank. I was close to telling him that we should stop this madness, but now? It's getting insane."Glenn?" Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kanya. "Let's think about it first. I-I mean, getting married is not a joke. I don't know your plan, and I don't understand why you're doing this. If you are doing this to prove that you have moved on with your feelings from Saber, then don't do it. . . This is not right."Ayaw kong isipin niya na opurtunista ako. Oo, desperado na ako ngayon, at tama lang ang dating ni Glenn sa buhay ko para masolusyonan ang problema ko sa madrasta ko. Pero hindi parin tama ito.Marriage is sacred. It should be performed when two people are in love, which is not our case.He looked away and sighed.Gwapo si
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
Brielle.Busog ako at masaya. Nagpahinga na si tiya at naiwan kami ni Morris na gising pa. Maaga pa naman, at alam ni tiya na sa bahay ni Morris ako matutulog ngayon. Kaya inayos ko muna ang lahat, para wala na siyang iisipin pagkagising niya bukas.Mahigpit ang hawak ni Morris sa kamay ko, at panay naman ang ngiti ko habang tanaw na ang treehouse. Huminto kaming pareho, at saka dumampi ang labi niya sa likod ng kamay ko na hawak niya. "I'll be missing you, Bree…" Humarap siya sa akin, at saka hinaplos ang gilid ng mukha ko."And I will miss you too, Morris…" Pinalupot ko agad ang mga kamay ko sa leeg niya at saka hinalikan siya.With both of our eyes shut, we kissed. . . It was majestic. Nakakatawa ang hitsura namin pareho. Para kaming mga teenager rito. We kissed, hugged, laughed and kissed again. Morri's jokes were not funny at all. Kahit pa anong jokes ang sabihin niya ay hindi nakakatawa ito dahil hindi bagay sa hitsura niya. Kaya heto, tudo tawa ako.Morris is also not romant
Morris."Ilang linggo ka sa Italya? Buwan ba? Taon?"Glenn grimaced as he looked at me with never-ending questions. I shook my head, sipping the light champagne.It must be my last family dinner for I am going to go back to Italy in the next few days.“I will be back before you know it, Glenn.”He laughed a little bit.“I will keep an eye on your woman if you want.”I chuckled as I looked at his wife below."Brielle is fine. She's easy and she'll never go anywhere. Hindi naman siya katulad ng napangasawa mo ngayon. Mukhang palaban ang misis mo."“A little bit. She’s stubborn, but I can handle her.”"Sinusuban ang pasensya mo ano? In that case, I will not bother you to keep an eye on Brielle. I trust her,” I proudly said, and it was his turn to chuckle.“So, are you going back into business again?”I know Glenn is worried, but everything is okay with my business abroad. Iyon nga lang may mga bagay na sadyang naiiba sa kalakaran, at alam na niya kung ano ang mga ito.My father knew abo
Brielle.I couldn't sleep, ending up staring at him while he was asleep.Noon, hindi ako naniniwala sa pag-ibig. Wala akong alam kung ano ang nagagawa nito sa buhay ng isang tao. Marami akong tanong tungkol sa pagmamahal, at nang hindi ko makuha ang tamang sagot ay kinalimutan ko na ang mga ito.Si tiya lang ang mahalaga sa akin noon. Siya lang ang pamilya ko. Siya lang ang kinikilala kong ina. Pero nang dumating si Morris sa buhay ko, ay nagbago ang pananaw ko sa pangalang 'pag-ibig'.I suddenly feel a weird desire, longing, and love for him. I want to be with him. I can't be at peace without seeing him. I want to sleep and wake up beside him. I want him to be a part of me. I want him with me forever… I know I'm selfish at times, but… that's me.Pero hindi naman ako bulag. Alam ko ang pangako namin ni Morris sa isa't-isa. Pumayag ako sa gusto niya, dahil wala namang kasiguruhan ang buhay.I'm not a good person. I've done a lot of bad things, and I have a dark past that I've been try
Brielle."You don't want us to go somewhere, Brielle. Why not? The weather is good, baby. Let's go out fishing.""No. I don't feel like fishing." Tumalikod ako kay Morris at saka nag-kunwaring abala sa lababo."Alright. So, when do you feel like fishing or swimming?""I don't know. . ." Kibit-balikat ko. Nilingon ko siya. Nakaupo siya at hawak ang mainit na kape sa kamay. Dapat sana ay pupunta siya sa kabilang Isla para mamalengke, pero pinigilan ko. Si Bleu ang gumawa nito. Inilipat ko ang gawain na ginagawa niya madalas sa amin ni tiya."Why don't we finish the project you started at your place?" I sweetly smiled and walked towards him.Nasa bandang likod na niya ako nakatayo at niyayakap siya."The tree house?""Oo... Hindi ba matagal mo na na gusto matapos iyon. Mas mabuting tapusin na natin bago ka bumalik ng Italy."Humawak siya sa kamay ko, at saka umikot ang tingin sa akin. Tumayo siya at nakatingala na ako ngayon sa kanya.Matangkad si Morris, at polido ang katawan. His broad
Morris."How are you feeling, Nay?" I gazed at her with concern. Brielle hadn't shared the truth about yesterday's events, and I learned about it only from Nay Belen."Okay lang, dong. I'm good, oi. Why worried? I was having fun there, you know." Humalakhak si Nanay at napangiti ako."Nag-alala ako, Nay. . . You are no longer young to wander around on your own. So, please be very careful." I gave her a quick hug."Oo naman. . . Hindi ko pa pwedeng iwan si Brielle ano." She smirked at Brielle, and my darling Brielle looked worried at her.I moved to her side. "Why didn't you tell me yesterday? I could have helped," I whispered."Okay lang. Wala namang nangyari. Naka-uwi naman kami ng maayos dalawa ni Tiya." She placed the food she made on the table."Next time, please let me know first, Bree," I gritted my teeth. "I'm here. I should be the first person to know. And the first person you seek for help."We stared, and she nodded gently."Next time. I will seek you first before anything
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