Reeve."Hindi mo siya anak, Reeve. The kid is not yours to begin with."My jaw tightened, and my heart deflated.Dammit."Are you sure, Mors? Did you check well? How come? Dammit." I swore in silence and turned around. I felt like everyone is playing on me, including Melissa."Oo, sigurado ako, Reeve. Inulit ko pa ito. Pinaulit ko sa laboratoryo. Hindi mo talaga anak ang bata. Here's the record?""That's bullshit, Mors. Inabot mo nga, pero sinabi mo na resulta sa loob. Nasaan ba ang excitement n'yan? You are a fucking kill joy, Mors. It's written all over your forehead, dickhead!" Tinapik ni Diezel ang balikat ni Morris at bahagyang natawa ito. Napatiim-bagang ako at agad na binasa ang resulta.Tama si Morris. Hindi ko anak si Madison."And who the hell is Madison? I'm fucking sure that Melissa. . . Oh, damn this! I don't want to accept this!" Inihagis ko ang papel pabalik sa mukha ni Morris at nagtagpo ang kilay niya. Natawang bahagya si Diezel."Stop smiling like a fucking lunatic,
Melissa."This is Reeve, anak. Kaibigan ko siya. Mabait siya at mapagkakatiwalaan mo."I smiled as I introduced Madison to Reeve. The two looked at each other seriously and Madison's brows crossed as he met Reeve's serious gaze. I swallowed hard. Kinakabahan ako sa titigan nang dalawang ito. Wala yatang gustong magsalita sa kanilang dalawa, at parehong titig lang ang nasa mga mata nila."And what do you do, Mr Reeve? Ikaw ang bumili sa poop painting ko 'di ba?" Nagtagpo ang kilay ni Madison kay Reeve."Yes, that was right. That was me." Kumindat si Reeve sa kanya at tahimik lang din ako sa gilid nilang dalawa. Parang wala ako sa kwarto ito at sila lang yata."I run the studio. And I have two more in the Philippines.""So, you run a business painting? Is that so? Are you making enough money for that?"Bahagyang ngumiti si Reeve at saka mahinang tumango. "A little bit. Enough to cater my needs and some of my employees." Tumitig si Reeve sa akin. "And more than enough to pay your mother
Reeve."Naapektuhan ang kalahati ng utak niya, kaya hirap siya sa lahat. Not to mention, the physical treatment and other rehabilitation therapy has to keep going for him plus his maintenance. It's costly."Doctor Martini Edwards explained everything to me. Mabuti nalang at kilala ako ni Marty Smith, ang head sa accounting unit. Kaya nakausap ko ngayon ay pribadong doctor ng clinic na ito."But back to five years ago. The improvement of the patient has risen significantly. Hindi man mabilis, pero nakikita natin ang bawat pagbabago sa kanya. Noon nga halos hindi niya maigalaw ang buong katawan niya at nakahiga lang siya sa kama.""But now, look at him. He can stand up and sit by himself onto his wheelchair. I don't think the verbal language will be back as normal. May chart siya sa gusto niya at itinuturo niya ito. Nalalaman namin kung ano ang gusto niya sa pamamagitan nito."I sighed and looked at the other room. Makikita ito mula rito, at naglalaro si Madison na kasama ang lolo niya
Melissa . "I'm not going to sign it, Melissa. You know my answers to that, right? Why bother asking me? What is it that you want? Do you want money? You have the access to that, as I've said, but you're not using it. What the hell are you up to? May dapat ba akong malaman na hindi ko alam na pinaggagawa mo!?" Matalas ang titig ni Frank sa akin, at may kasamang inis sa mga mata nito. "Then when are you going to let go of me, Frank? I want to -" "Why are you acting like this? This is not you, Melissa." He cut me off, and I was off guard by that. "Bakit? May ibang lalaki ka ba? Are you meeting someone behind my back?" "At ano naman ito sa 'yo? It's not like you are not having an affair." "But like I've said, Melissa. I broke up with Sasha. I ended our relationship." "What? Wala ka namang sinabi sa akin, Frank. I don’t want this. I want my freedom. Pinangako mo ito sa akin noon, Frank." Tinalikuran niya ako at sumunod agad ako sa kanya. Bumaba siyang hagdanan at mukhang sa kusin
Melissa."Go, go. . . M-Madison. . . Go.Walang humpay ang luha sa mga mata ni Papa at napailing ako sa sarili. I open up a conversation about a divorce to Frank and I know Papa wants to say something."Papa, I'm sorry kung hindi ko na magagawa ang gusto ninyo. Gusto ko nang makawala kay Frank. Hindi na ako masaya, Papa."Mahina siyang tumango at nahihirapan siyang magsalita. Pero nakuha niya parin ang gusto ko."He wanted you to be happy, Miss Melissa," tugon ni Michelle, ang isa sa mga staff rito. She is also the Speech Therapy of Papa."I think your father wants you to do the things that will make you happy. Tama ba ako, Sir?"Tumango si Papa at pinunasan ko ang luha sa mga mata niya. Napangiti ako."Sir, do you want Melissa and Madison to go to the Philippines and leave you here?"Mahinang tumango si Papa at hindi ko inasahan ito sa kanya."Papa. . .""I guess this is what your father has been wanting to say to you, Miss Melissa. Masaya na po ang ama ninyo rito, at lahat po ay i
Melissa.“What the hell is this all about, Melissa? Who told you, you could file a divorce against me!?”I gasped when Frank's hand caught my neck and my body panic, causing an impact behind me. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at mabilis na inalis ito sa leeg ko. Tumakbo ako at kinuha ang baseball bat na laruan ni Madison. Itinutok ko ito sa kanya.“Are you crazy!? How dare you touch me!”Bahagya siyang natawa at humakbang ulit na palapit sa akin.“Don’t you dare touch me, Frank! Ba't ka nakapasok dito!? Get out before I call the police!”“Huh, and you think you can scare me with that? What is it that is making you strong like this, Melissa? Is it because you are seeing someone now? Don’t you think I wouldn’t know that you fuck someone behind me!” Napakawala siya nang isang suntok at umilag ako. Tumama ito sa dingding.“Stop it, Frank! You are drunk. This is not you!” I shouted and moved away. Parang nagpaikot-ikot kami sa mesa.“You fucking bitch! Isa lang ang hiningi ko sa 'yo. Just be
Reeve."Thank you, Carmella. I will fly tomorrow.""No, Reeve! Stay there and wait!"My shoulder dropped together with my fucking heart. It's freaking insane. I want to be with her, but it will only complicate everything on her side.Nasa proseso anf divorce niya kay Frank at hindi maganda kung gigitna ako. I need to be away. To stay away for a while so that the divorce will process will without hurting Melissa's reputation. Walang ibedensya si Frank laban sa kanya, at ito ang pinaghahawakan ni Melissa ngayon.I introduce the lawyer to Dianne and Montreal before I went back here. I reached out of Carmella, because it will easy if a woman is beside Melissa rather than Deigo. Iba naman kasi kapag babae. At alam kong mapoprotektahan ni Carmella si Melissa pagdating sa bagay na ganito."Leave it all to me and stay the hell out of Melissa's life for the time being. Don't you dare contact her! Maraming mata sa paligid, kasama na ang mga magulang ni Frank. They have the money too, you know.
Reeve."R-Reeve? D-Dong?"Nanginig ang boses ni Tiya Esperanza nang makita niya ako. I know it's hard to believe for them, that I am still alive, and here, standing."Dios ko, Dong!" Mabilis ang hakbang niya at agad akong niyakap. Umiyak siya at kinapa ang buong katawan ko."Totoo ito! Buhay ka, Dong!" Ulit na yakap niya.I gritted my teeth. Manong Paeng stood a few feet before us and couldn't move. He blinked a few times and brushed his face using his palms.Hindi rin siya nakatiis nang ngumiti ako sa kanya, at agad niya akong niyakap."Salamat, Dong, at buhay ka pa. Salamat."We sat down, and Tiya Esperanza offered us a refreshing coconut drink. Glenn smiled and thanked Tiya."Sus, mag pinsan diay kayo, Dong? Hindi ko talaga akalain na isa kang Mondragon, Dodong Reeve? At talagang pinsan mo si Engr Glenn. . . Salamat, Engr. Kung hindi dahil sa 'yo, ay hindi mabibigyan ng panibagong buhay ang mga tao rito.""H-Heto kain muna kayo. Gawa ko ito, Dong. Hindi ba paborito mo ito.""Salam
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
Morris."Did you stuff it up?" Bryce asked in the line."No. I did not, asshole. I'm not as sick as you," I laughed while connecting the line to Linus."Fuck. You know you're an asshole, too, at times, Mors. You almost give me a heart attack, bro." He chuckled. His line came back clear now, and I can see him better than before."Yo, looks great! What did you do to yourself, Mors? You're finger-licking good, man," Linus spat. He can see me better, too.My face flushed, and I shook my head."Psst, keep quiet, gentleman. Let me remind you that our big black bear is in love." Diezel uttered."What? Damn. Are you serious?" Bryce's mouth parted. "I can't believe it." He shook his head."Oh well, who's the lucky girl?" Linus smiled."Let me guess? Is it Brielle? Siya lang naman ang magtitiyaga sa isang katulad mo, Mors," kantyaw ng walanghiyang Diezel."Stuff you." I cursed and growled at him, and the rest of them laughed."Ibang klase… So, this Brielle what she's like?" Linus asked."Oh, u
Brielle.Mainit, pero hindi masakit ang sikat ng araw. Naka two-piece swim suit ako at tinutulungan ako ni Morris sa paglagay ng sunscreen.Nasa gitna na kami ng dagat at may dalawang fishing rod na nakatambay na para sa isda. Hinihintay na lang ni Morris na may kumain sa pain niya."All done, babe. You are well covered and protected from sunburnt." He puts back the lotion on the side bench."Thank you, babe," agap ko at kinuha ko na ang sombrero. "Hmm, gaano ba katagal ang isda?" Titig ko sa dalawang fishing rod sa harapan."In a second… here we go." Pumwesto agad si Morris at hinawakan ang fishing rod. May isda na. Pero gumalaw rin agad ang isang fishing rod. May isda na rin ito."Take that one, babe.""Okay… paano nga ba?" Pinuwesto ko ang dulo ng fishing rod sa tagiliran at saka hinatak ko ang reeling pabalik sa akin. "Ang bigat!""Just hold still. I won't be long with this, and I will help you with that," he says and quickly maneuvered his move.Steady lang ang hawak ko at reeli
Morris."Done and dusted. All sorted, boss.""Motlo bene, Blue. Very good. And please don't call me boss, especially in front of Brielle." I whispered because I could see Brielle ahead, smiling, approaching me."Va bene, capo."I smirked a little. Still, he called me boss in the Italian language. Asshole."Morris, baby!" Brielle hugged me, and I hugged her tighter. Blue sharply looked at her, and by the time his eyes glanced at me, I growled. He then dipped his head."Y-you have someone with you?" Nakatingin na si Brielle kay Bleu, at nakayuko pa rin ang gago."Yes. This is Blue, baby. He is my dear friend," I introduced. "Say hello to my girl, Bleu."Tumitig muna si Bleu sa akin at maamo na ang mukha niya. At saka kay Brielle na siya ngumiti."È un piacere conoscerla, signora." Nilahad niya ang kamay kay Brielle."Huh? Ano raw?" Brielle looked at me in confusion. I gritted my teeth, giving Bleu an ultimatum."Fanculo. Parla in inglese, Blu." I fucking swore, asking him to talk in En
Brielle.The air crackles between us. It's intense, hot, and demanding.Sa totoo lang, simula nang maibigay ko ang sarili ko kay Morris ay nakalimutan ko na ang lahat ng pait at masasamang ala-ala na pinagdaanan ko.I'm not a virgin to this, and I'm not a prostitute either. However, I am close to that because of my job, as I used to tame dangerous people, and when they got drunk and naked in front of me, a killer who was on standby would take over the job and kill them.That wasn't a bad job, and I earn a lot of money from it. Hindi man kalakihan ang pera na kinikita ko noon, ay iyon lang din naman ang nakikita kong paraan para makapag-ipon at nang sa ganun ay makatakas kami ni tiya sa imperyno.There was no escape, honestly, in that hell as they held me by the neck. I thought I could easily escape that hell, but I was wrong. But luck was on my side, and here I am with tiya, living on this remote Island.Walang nakakakilala sa amin at walang maghahanap sa amin dito.I bite my lower l
Morris."And what are you planning, Morris? Are you sure you are going to be okay on your own?"I scoffed and shook my head in disgust. Does he really think I can't do it alone?"Do you want me to cut off your head, Dez?" I scowl."Yeah, yeah, I know, bro. I'm just worried." He chuckled."Don't be worried. You don't know what you're dealing with, Dez. Worry about yourself. You are about to enter your world now, and you will be forbidden from seeing us for a while. Can you handle that?" I smirked."Oh well, I have no choice. I can handle it, Mors. I'm a big boy you know. Limang taon lang naman ang kailangan nila sa akin, at bibilisan ko ito. Sisiguraduhin ko na sa loob ng tatlong taon o dalawa ay makukuha ko na ang market target, at isa na ako sa pinakamayaman tao sa buong mundo. Fuck." Malutong na mura niya at natawa akong bahagya."I know you can do it, Dez. I will wait for you after five years, okay? Suit yourself to everything, and you know where I am. I am a phone call away. And
Brielle.Nakakapagod. Balot sa pawis ang boung katawan ko at hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako ngayon. Ramdam ko ang sakit sa paa at balot ito ng dugo at putik. Mabilis kong pinunasan ang luha at saka matapang na inayos ang damit ko.Tapos na akong umiyak, at ubos na yata ang luha ko. At kahit pa iiyak ako ng dugo ay hindi maawa sa akin ang mga iyon. Mga hayop sila! Wala silang awa!Hindi ko naramdaman na pumutak ang katiting na luha sa pisngi at mabilis kong pinunasan ito. Kinagata ko ang labi at namuo ang galit sa loob ko.Babalikan ko si tiya. Babalikan ko siya.***"Bree, baby. . ." Ang mainit na dampi na halik ni Morris sa tainga ko ang nagpamulat ng mga mata ko ngayon. Nanaginip na naman ako, pero iba ito at hindi kagaya nang mga nakaraang panaginip ko.Humikab ako at ramdam ko ang konting kirot sa hita. Napa-ungol ako nang maramdaman ko ang kamay ni Morris sa bahaging ito."I'm sorry, I made you tired, baby, and I know you want to sleep more. But we have to go." He rested his face