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
ButterfliesZebedee Glenn."The hell, Glenn. What are you thinking, bro? Is this the best solution you could offer to your parents' needs?" Diezel looked at me in dismay.I shut my eyes and rested my back on the recliner. I'm not listening to him anymore. I'm so tired today. My mother knows what's happening. Matalino si Mama at hindi ko siya masisisi sa mga bagay na ganito. Iba nga lang si Papa. Okay lang sa kanya ang kung ano, basta meron.That's how easy my father is."You are lucky to have such a cool father."Naupo si Diezel sa isa pang recliner sa tabi ko. Isinandal ang likod at pareho na kaming nakatitig sa madilim na langit.Diezel was right. My father was cool and was opposite to my mother."Anong sabi ni tita?""Ayaw niya. She's against Erykah," sagot kong nakapikit ang mga mata."Can't blame tita for that. She likes Saber for the family. Why can't you go back with her? I heard the engagement was call-off."My jaw tightened. I'm not listening to Diezel again. I'm a man in my
Erykah Sunshine.UnlikeableWhen we arrived at our hotel, which was close to the building of our appointment, it was chilly. Glenn reserved a family suite for us, but we had separate rooms.I was exhausted, but I managed to wake up early and prepare a light breakfast. Today is the big day, and I'm already feeling anxious.May pagkain naman sa hotel at nasa baba ito, sa dining area, pero mukhang hindi yata ako makakain nang maayos dahil sa magaganap.I understand that this is only an artificial reality, and no emotions are involved. Although it will be legal in this country to perform the marriage, I don't think it will become legal in the Philippines unless Glenn will file our marriage to immigration.Wala na akong problema sa ganoon. Okay na ako sa set up na pinag-usapan namin ni Glenn. Walang malinaw na halaga pagdating sa pera dahil hindi naman namin pinag-usapan ito.The only agreement we had was that I would become his secret wife for his needs, and he would provide everything f
Zebedee Glenn.The ceremony ended quickly. I managed to secure the right ring sizes for her finger and mine. Diezel signed the documents, and they were processed quickly. Before I knew it, I was holding it now in my hand. I then send the document scan to Xavion for the files to keep in the Mondragon OFS.'Congratulations. Let me know if you plan to marry again in the Philippines. I'll make sure all the boys will be present. When you return from your honeymoon, we will have the traditional ceremony. We'll be waiting.'Napailing ako nang mabasa ang sagot ni Xavion sa email ko."There is no next to this wedding, and that's for sure. As for the tradition, I will ask the boys to keep it. I don't need it anyway.""You can't say no to the boys, Glenn. That's bad manners." Diezel snorted behind me. He is now holding a beer in hand. "Cheers!" He drank.Umikot ang tingin ko at hinanap si Eres.Nasa isang pribadong resto kami. Diezel reserved the whole place as a token gift and I didn't know th
Erykah SunshineUninterested.'You may now kiss your bride, groom.'I was confident that it would be okay. After all, Glenn is not my first kiss. Naibigay ko na ang unang halik ko sa unang naging boyfriend ko noon. Hindi na virgin ang labi ko, pero hindi ko inakala na makakaramdam ako nang ganun.I smiled at him and nod so that he could kiss me. Okay lang dahil asawa ko na siya at dapat masanay ako sa mga ganitong eksena.Gaya nga ng sinabi niya noong nakaraang araw, ay baka may mga eksena na hindi na siya magpapaalam sa akin sa kung ano ang gagawin niya, lalo na kung nasa paligid namin ang mga magulang niya.Glenn's jaw tightened, and when his eyes came down to my lips, I smiled, and the unexpected happened.Our first kiss.I never thought I would feel this hot and tingly. It was a breakthrough, and all the butterflies inside my stomach flew out.Stupid, self.At imbes na itakip ang bibig ko ay mas lalong diniin ko lang ang labi ko sa kanya para matikman siya nang maayos. Masarap si
Zebedee GlennPain.What a load of bullshit."You can't work on it, Glenn. Mr. Okinawa didn't sign the contract today. He is not convinced. I guess we will have to take a different approach next time. I don't want to lose this client. This is a big project, and I don't want the Amantes to get it. "You have to do something to meet their demands!" Umalingawgaw ang boses ni Papa sa buong silid at napakuyom kamao ako sa sarili.I got home to this. I was hoping I could close the deal, but it was a disaster. Mr. Okinawa wasn't happy with what the legal team presented. They missed two things, and one was the most crucial on the list.Dianne told me about it already, but I chose to ignore that because I was confident that I could still win over the bidding project. Dammit. It was a mistake."What are you going to do about it, Glenn? Mr Okinawa gives us a week. You better fix this. We can't afford to lose this project. The entire Monde Firm's name is on the line, son. You better act now!" h
Erykah Sunshine."Hey, are you okay?" Parang robot ang kamay ko at basta-basta nalang itong umangat at hinaplos ang gilid ng mukha niya. Pinakiramdam ko siya, at inamoy na rin."You're drunk?" I twisted my lips.He slightly laughed. "Just a little bit, Eres. I'm sorry." He slid himself inside and walked past me.Sinunod ko siya nang tingin at saka sinarado ang pinto. Sa kusinang bahagi siya dumiretso at binuksan ang magarbong refrigerator at kumuha siya ng malamig na tubig. Mabilis ang pag inom niya nito.Nagtungo agad ako sa bathroom at kumuha ng extrang face towel sa drawer roon, at nag martsa ako pabalik sa kung nasaan siya."Here. What's wrong?"Hindi na muna niya tinangap ang face towel at niluwagan lang niya ang sarili.He unbuttoned his polo shirt and removed it in front of me. He was wearing a singlet underneath, and immediately, my gaze was drawn to his chest."Akin na." Kinuha ko sa kamay niya ang polo at ang kasunod na ginawa niya ay nagpakaba sa dibdib ko, kaya tumalikod
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
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