Erykah Sunshine.Panic."Salamat, Manong. Gustong gusto ko talaga 'to." Pinalaman ko agad ang kalamay sa pandesal. Paborito ko na ito kada umaga, at ako lang ang nakakaubos sa lahat ng pinamili ko noong nakaraang linggo.Wala ito noong inutusan ko si Nay Esperanza noong pumunta siya ng bayan dahil naubos na raw. Kaya ngayon ay ang saya saya ko, dahil may nabili si Manong Paeng na tatlo."Si engineer ang bumili niyan, Ma'am Erykah," saad ni Manong.Nilingon ko agad siya at nahinto ako sa pag-nguya."H-Ho?" Napaawang ang labi ko."Anim ang binili ni engineer, at pinalagay niya sa loob ng ref ang tatlo para hindi masira. Paborito niyo raw iyan lalo na sa tuwing umaga." Ngumiti si Manong. Kumurapkurap ako. Siguro napansin ni Glenn ito dahil ito naman madalas ang kinakain ko, lalo na 'pag wala na akong makitang ibang pgakain sa loob ng ref niya.HINDI ko na pinalampas na hindi makapag beach man lang. Babalik na kami bukas ni Glenn sa estate ng lolo niya, dahil may aayusin daw siya roon
Erykah Sunshine."Iyon naman pala. . . magkayakap."I quickly let go of Glenn and moved when I heard Indie. I shifted my body away from him, and gave Indie an annoyed look as she laughed loudly."Ikaw talaga bata ka!" Suway ni Nanay Esperanza sa kanya. Napatingin din si Nanay sa amin ni Glenn."Naluto na ang isda, engineer. Kain ulit tayo!" Ngumisi si Nanay at nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa amin ni Glenn bago niya tuluyang hinila si Indie palayo. "Okay, Nay!" sagot ko at nilingon ko si Glenn saglit. "Kain na raw tayo."Mabilis kong tinalikuran si Glenn at sumunod agad ako kay Nanay. Alam kong nakatitig pa rin si Glenn sa akin, na parang naghihintay na may sasabihin pa ako. Kumurap lang ako at binaliwala ito dahil naglalaro na naman ang mga baliw na paru-paru sa tiyan ko.We had a lovely lunch, and I couldn't help but notice that Glenn was gazing at me the whole time we were eating. I couldn't look back at him as I felt shy… not just shy, but somehow my heart was having trouble
Erykah Sunshine.I plaster my best smile when I finally face Saber. She was dolled from head to toe. Iniba niya ang kulay ng buhok at naging ash blonde na ito. Naka skinny white jeans, powdered baby blue na ladies polo at naka white Nike running shoes. She's stunning, like the first time I saw her back then.Napansin ko agad ang maleta niya sa gilid. Inakyat ito ng isa sa mga tauhan ni Glenn kanina."So, what I mean is, I personally came here for the work, Glenn." Saber glanced at me quickly before moving closer to Glenn's side.Pasimple kong kinuha ang plato ko na may lamang tinapay na pinalamanan ng kalamay. Mas mabuti na mag-usap na muna sila at aalis na lang ako. Tutal labas naman ako pagdating sa negosyo nila."Where are you going?" Glenn looked at me as I tried to sneak out behind him.Napatuwid ako sa sarili na bitbit ang snacks. Taimtim ang titig niya, at mukhang iritado. "Uhm, sa kabila na ako, para makapag-usap kayo.""You're not going anywhere, Erykah. Stay here," he firml
Zebedee Glenn.How am I going to prove to Erykah that I am sincere this time if Saber keeps following me?Umalis ako roon dahil sa mga magulang ko at kay Saber. I want to get away from them and hide. I only want to Erykah with me and spend time with her.I'm a stranger to this feeling, but I like it… I am happy every time I am with her. I feel contented and can start my day productively with her. I'm at my best every time I see her around me.I took the ring out of my pocket and put it on my finger. I don't want Erykah to doubt my sincerity. I truly want her as my wife and not just as a cover."Ano ba ang meron kay Erykah na wala sa akin? I am better than her, Glenn. Our families are tied for decades in business. I know I've made a mistake in the past, and I regret it, Glenn. I want you back…give me a chance." She said, begging in the way she looked at me in the eyes.I know Saber is sincere, but I could no longer feel the same way I had with her for years. I no longer longed for her
Erykah Sunshine.Jealous.Parang lumabas sa kaluluwa ko ang puso ko nang makita sa baba si Glenn. Hindi ko pa nga abot ang buko, ay ipinapababa na niya ako! Hindi puwede 'to. Nandito na ako at dapat lang na makakuha ako kahit isang bunga man lang."Get down, Erykah! Get the hell down. Now!" Ma-awtoridad ang boses niya at parang kampanang kumalampang ito sa tainga ko. Natakot akong bigla."Kukuha muna ako ng isa. Isa lang, please…para naman ito sa 'yo ah!" Inis sa boses ko. Ang hirap umakyat sa niyog at parang palaka akong kumakapit dikit, tapos ipapababa niya lang ako? Hello!"What the fuck, Eres! I don't want anything! Just get the hell down!"Wala na. Galit na talaga at parang hindi na nga ako makakakuha ng bunga.Ngumuso ako at tinitigan lang ang malalaking bunga sa ibabaw. . . Malapit na eh. . . Sayang."Oo na!" Maingat ang pagbaba ko, at napakunot-noo ako nang mapagtantya ko na mas mahirap palang bumaba kaysa sa umakyat.Ang dali kong naakyat ito kanina, pero ang hirap bumaba
Erykah Sunshine.It will never be a solo for us. Saber joined, uninvited, acting bitchy towards me."Ang kapal ng mukha." Ngumuso ako at nagpatuloy na sa pagluto. Piniritong isda and niluluto ko. Naluto ko na ang ibang putahe at si Saber na mismo ang nag ayos ng mesa.Ano pa nga ba ang maasahan ko? Wala na. Nandito siya sa bahay na ito, at hindi ko naman basta-basta siya mapapaalis dahil bisita siya ni Glenn!"I think that's overcooked." Her eyes pointed at the fish frying."I like my fish golden and crispy," I smirked. "Glenn hates oily foods. Although he loves fish, but not fry. Steam or sabaw ang gusto niya pagdating sa isda, at hindi prito. . . Don't make it too brownish because you can no longer taste the fish on it. It's just burnt oil, crispy, and that's unhealthy."I twisted my lips. Saber reminds me of Sarah. They have the same food preferences and both dislike oily dishes.Sa totoo lang, dito lang din naman ako nahilig sa mga pritong pagkain. Iyan din naman kasi ang nabibi
Erykah Sunshine.Drunk.Saber laughed. It wasn't convincing by the look of it. Matibay rin pala ang apog ng babaeng ito at napaka-confident niya sa maraming bagay."What's funny?" I rolled my eyes and walked past her. I have no time to play bitchy with her. She's good at what she was doing with Glenn. Then, I may as well leave her to that and see if she can truly get Glenn back to her side."Ano ba ang kailan mo kay Glenn? Pera ba? Magkano? I can double or triple it. Name your price."Wow, ang hanep ah! Sampalin ko kaya ito ng pera."Magkano ba ang kaya mo?" Hamon ang pagbalik tingin ko sa kanya. If she only knew I can afford to pay her price she would probably go mental."Huh, lumabas din ang totoong kulay…" She smirked, enough to get my blood pumping again."Pera nga ano? Oh, well, I can't blame you. A lot of women who are linked to Glenn only want money from him. I can't blame them. So, would a million or two be enough?"What? Isang milyon o dalawa lang? Ang cheap ah."Nope. That
Erykah Sunshine.kiss.What did he say? Ano raw?"Hindi ako malalasing…""You will, and I don't want that." He smirked and then continued on what he was doing. I swallowed hard, trying to settle the beat of my heart. Masyadong halata yata ang puso ko, at ayaw kong marinig niya ito.I assisted him, and he taught me gradually. Mabilis akong natuto at namangha, dahil sa kabila ng pagiging abala ni Glenn sa trabaho niya ay may alam din naman pala siya sa pagluluto ng ganito."Ang swerte ng mapapangasawa mo," I uttered and gazed at the buko pie in the oven. I heard him chuckle."I'm not kidding, Glenn. Ma-swerte si Saber sa 'yo. Iba ka kaya… Engineer ka, negosyante pa. Mayaman na mayaman, gwapo, may konting kabaitan at magaling pa magluto. Ano ba ang kahinaan mo?" I twisted my lips as I looked at him in front of me."What?" He didn’t seem pleased at that, because there was no smile on his face."I'm your husband, Eres. What the hell are you talking about?" He scoffed, feeling annoyed at
Antonella."Ten cuidado con eso, Mercy... you be careful with that. Antonella needs it badly. It's for her health. They don't have it here in Italy."I whirled around and looked at Mamá. She seemed a bit agitated as she gave instructions to the maids around her. I crossed my arms, and my shoulders sagged."Por favor, háblales en tagalo, Mamá. Todos son filipinos. Tú también lo eres," sa salitang columbian ito. Gusto ko na magsalita si mama sa salitang tagalog dahil purong mga Pinoy naman ang mga katulong namin, pero ang tigas niya talaga! Kaya minsan pinag uusapan siya ng mga ito. "No quero hablar en ese idioma." Humalukipkip na siya. Ayaw raw niya sa salitang tagalog. Hindi raw niya ito gusto!Minsan iniisip ko kung talagang itinakwil na ba ni mama ang pagiging Pilipino niya. Pero minsan naririnig ko siya sa salitang tagalog sa tuwing tumatawag siya ng Pilipinas. Iyon nga lang ay purong ka-malditahan ang pinapakita niya sa mga tauhan roon.Ibang iba si Papa kay Mama. Pinay si Mama
Epilogue.Everything is dark around me, with no direction in sight. And it seems like the heavens are giving me the judgment I deserve.Yes, I killed a lot of people—the bad ones, of course.But I gave them chances to change for themselves, to prove that they could change after all. And if there was no hope, I ended their lives as they wanted them. I hold the law in my hand… I am God.Are we truly living in an equal world? What does equality really mean for us today?It does not exist anymore. We simply live in a harsh world now.The rich become more affluent. The poorer becomes the most indigent. The victims are always vulnerable, and the criminals are running wild without apprehension.You can't blame me if I act like one of the Gods punishing the suspects.If you think I am bad, I don't think so.Huh, this is how the mafia world operates. This is the reality of life. This is the fate if you belong to this institution.I have a heart for those in need, and I love all my cousins' ch
Morris.What the. . . Bree!Before I could do something, Brielle's lifeless body landed on me helplessly. Then chaos followed.Iilang putok ng baril ang narinig ko at nagkagulo ang lahat ng tao. I did not care anymore about my surroundings because all I want to see is Brielle.I'm holding her helplessly, scared that I might lose her."Blue!?" I lift Brielle’s body, and her eyes immediately shut. I gritted my teeth as I searched for Bleu.I saw him chasing the woman, winding her up, and the rest of the guards followed the clash."Damn it!" I glanced around, and the people near me were looking at me with expressions of helplessness."Ambulance? I need an ambulance!""Tumawag na kami, Sir!""Damn it. Why the hell does it take so long!""Pasensya na, Sir. Pero ma-traffic talaga sa bahaging ito. Paakyat na rin po ang mga medics, Sir. May medics dito, Sir."My breath caught as I looked at my wife helplessly. My heart is now beating in fear, and my hand behind Brielle's body is covered in b
Brielle.Umiiyak si Tiya na nakangiti sa akin. Ramdam ko ito, at alam ko na masaya siya sa desesyon ko."As a power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride…"I looked at Morris with so much love. His lips landed on me and we kissed. Pumalakpak ang iilang katao sa paligid, kasama na si Judge. Niyakap ulit ako ni Morris, at saka bahagya akong binuhat."Mrs Brielle Mondragon?"Tumaas bahagya ang kilay ko. "Yes?""That sounds better, right? Te amo…" Bulong niya at saka hinalikan ulit ako.There's no event afterwards but a small feast was held on the top deck. Mabilis kasi ang lahat. Binibilisan ni Morris ito para maisama na niya ako sa Italya.Wala na akong pakialam sa lahat, dahil alam ko na masaya ako kay Morris, at alam ko na magiging okay si Tiya rito sa Pilipinas.I trust the people around us here, and the Mondragon Boys will protect Tiya. That's what Morris has promised me."Tiya, tumawag ka, okay? At alam mo naman kung paano ang messenger 'd
Morris."What are you planning, Morris?" Reeve looked at me seriously."You know you can't keep her with you, Mors. She doesn't have any documents to start with. Lahat ng mga papelis niya ay gawang ilegal. She uses different names to get out of the country." He chuckled and gave a slight shake of his head."It must be easy for her to get the job done, and she was lucky to go to Columbia for that. She got out safely and returned safely as well."Napabuntonghininga ako at nag iwas ng tingin kay Reeve."She can't go out now. The boarders are strict considering Italy hold it's immigration now at peak… Mahihirapan ka na ipasok siya sa bansang Italya."I gritted my teeth, and fucking damn it… I know that, but still, I want to try a different route to get her into Italy safely."I will find a way…" My brows met as I looked at the documents I had with me.Lahat ng impormasyon na hawak ko ngayon ay galing kay Linus at Xavion. Lahat ng ito ay tungkol sa organisasyon na kung saan ay nagsilbe si
Brielle.I'm glad that Morris understands me. I’m not sure if I should feel happy about this, but I won’t hide anything anymore. I will embrace it... I love him, and that's the honest truth."Morris. . ." Namaos ang boses ko at namungay ang mga mata niya nang dumapo ito sa labi ko.Kanina pa kami ganito, sabik sa isa't isa. Ang alam ko ay dapat sana aalis na kami papunta sa kung saan sina Glenn at Bryce, pero parang walang gusto na lumabas sa amin ni Morris sa kwartong ito. Kaya heto na naman kami… magkayap na huba't hubad. Nasa ibabaw ko siya, at masuyo niyang hinahalikan ang lahat ng parte sa katawan ko."Morris. . ." I swallowed the lump in my throat when I feel him sucking me below. I gasped, massaged his hair and clung to his arms as his hands were busy kneading my breasts.Nakakabaliw nga naman ang ganito sa akin. Lahat ng ginagawa ni Morris ay gustong-gusto ko. Lahat ng haplos, yakap, halik ay talagang gusto ko. Walang gabi na hindi ko siya inisip. Na mi miss ko siya ng sobra
Brielle.I twisted my lips as I looked at myself in front of the mirror.Nakakatawa ang t-shirt na suot ko at shorts. I'm sure kay Glenn ito. Mahilig nga naman siya sa mga ternong kulay. Magkaibang magkaiba sila ni Morris.Glenn is tidy at his stuff. Lahat nakaayos, at naka-plansa pa. Pero si Morris? Huh, kahit na habulin pa siya nito ay wala siyang pakialam.Ginulo ko ang buhok. Wala akong suklay. Tinapon yata lahat ni Morris ang gamit ko. Sana nga lang hindi niya tinapon ang ID ko at passaporte. Nandoon iyon sa bagpack. Binigay niya iyon kay Glenn.I feel so airy underneath. Wala akong panty. Basa iyon! Alanggan naman suotin ko eh basa pa nga!Huminga ako nang malalim at saka lumabas na. Wala si Morris sa kwarto. Siguro lumabas na. I grabbed some candy mint on the silver round bowl. May tsokolate naman, pero hindi ko gusto. Naiinis pa ako, at gusto kong kumalma muna.Aalis kaya ako? Pero saan naman ako pupunta? Wala rin akong pera! Kinuha lahat ni Morris 'yon. Walang cell phone. Ku
Morris.We found ourselves at Bryce's hideout, the nearest place to our location. It's well-positioned. The securities remain secure, and Cappytano has likely not tracked us yet. Bleu and Reeve, along with their team, are at Cappytano's site. If they find him, it will be a nightmare for Cappytano... this will be his end. "Sa labas muna kami ni Glenn, Mors. I will update you soon. Reeve and Bleu are on it now.""Okay. . ." Napaigting ang panga ko nang maisaradoni Bryce ang pinto ng kwartong ito.I inhaled deeply and turned halfway to look at Brielle. My brows knitted together as she averted her eyes, evading my piercing stare."What the hell are you doing there, Bree?" I already know the answers to that, but I still want to listen to her.I step closer towards her and she looks at me shyly. We stared."Come on, talk…" I placed my hands on my hips, preparing to listen.She blinked and swallowed hard. "C-Cappytano gave me the mission… Hindi ko naman alam na ikaw iyon!"I chuckled, sha
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