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Reeve's POV . Mainit ang panahon dahil tagtuyo't ngayon at sa bawat araw ng buhay ko ay nasanay na ako sa buhay na ganito. Wala na ang manokan, at pati na ang isda. Tanging tanim nalang na gulay at mais sa paligid ang pinagkakaabalahan ko. I diverted my attention into doing where my expertise matter. Nagtayo ako ng maliit na talyer para magkaroon ng kita kahit papaano. Wala na akong balita kay Melissa, at sa higit dalawang taon na simulang mawala siya na kasama ang ama niya, ay wala na kaming balita mula sa kanila. I've heard different stories from different people in the business where Melissa's father used to be a member. They all said the same thing. Melissa is probably now having a hard time trying to save her father's company. Iba-iba rin ang narinig kong balita. Nag-asawa na raw siya, at isang negostong taga Amerika ang pinakasalan niya. Pambayad utang daw ito sa lahat ng mga utang ng Papa niya. At maliban doon, ay nasa critical pa din daw ang kondisyon ng ama ni Melissa a
Reeve's POV . Is it possible to come back to life after death? The odds are slim, only one percent. However, Diego, Cariena, and I were fortunate to fall into that small percentage. "What a load of bullshit, Reeve! What do you want to do here? Nakakatamad maglakbay nang pabalik-balik dito. Inaaway na ako ni Cariena. May babae raw ako! Shit and biscuits!" He spat the bubble gum he was chewing, and I continued doing what I was doing. "Go back to your family, Diego. Just leave me alone. I'm happy here." "Happy? Do you call this happiness? Shit and. . . more shits!" He looked around and shook his head. Both of his hands are resting on his hips. After I saw Diego that day, I couldn't believe it. Ang akala ko ay hindi niya ako nakilala, iyon pala ay nagmamasid lang siya. Hindi agad ako nagpakilala sa kanya na ako si Reeve. Umuwi siya, pero bumalik lang din pagkaraan ng tatlong araw. He lingered at the repair shop, feigning issues with his motorcycle and making numerous excuses. Ulti
Reeve's POV . I gripped tighter at the steering wheel like there was no tomorrow for me. Then, I heard Diezel swear hard while holding onto the side of his seat. I chuckled and smiled at my most challenging dare. "Shit, holy crap! We are going to crash." Diezel swore again, and I knew he was now looking at me like a reaper. "Don't give me the reaper look, Dez. You are not our Xavion." "Fuck! Shit and biscuits!" he swore in Diego's wit. Natawa ako habang premaryado ang hawak ko sa control stick. "Any last word?" I challenged Diezel with an evil look "Holy crap! You are insane, Reeve! Mayday! Mayday!" Pinindot niya ang maliit na wireless tub sa harapan para makakuha ng saklolo sa kampo ng kapatid ko. "We are crashing the hell out, Linus! Send help! Send the parachute!" Tarantang boses ni Diezel at bahagya akong natawa. Linus Leone cursed in the line while listening to Diezel's call for help. "You effing, gorilla! You have a parachute with you, dickhead!" Linus swore at home, a
Reeve's POV.I bowed down, surrendering my mind and heart in respect to the woman who gave birth to me. I have nothing inside my mind. It was all blank and blurry."Dito ka lang, okay? Babalik ako. Babalikan kita at bibilhin ko ang paborito mong pagkain. Huwag kang sasama sa kahit na sino, okay? Kay Tita Grasya ka lang sumama kung sakaling magdilim na at wala pa ako. Pero pipilitin kong makauwi bago magdilim, okay? I love you, Ranger. Mahal na mahal ka ng Nanay."My jaw tightened when I remembered my mother's last word. However, I could no longer recall the emotion I had at that time. I can still remember like it was yesterday when she left me. At kahit pa sa panaginip ko ay pabalik-balik ang eksenang ito sa akin… ang eksena ng isang batang musmos na iniwan ng ina at hindi na binalikan.The image of my mother on top of the table was exactly the same as how she was back then, as I remembered. She got a fair skin like my father now. But because we were poor, her beauty got tinted. She
Reeve's POV."I love the look on your face, Reeve. It tells me that good things will happen from now on." Diezel looked at me like a puppy. I shook my head while putting on all my gear."Hindi ka pa ba gagalaw? Tatalon na ako at iiwan kita rito." I said and hold the rope, getting ready to jump off."You can't do that. Diego will never gonna like that tactics, Reeve. Isa iyan sa mga dahilan kung namatay ka. Pero nabuhay naman ulit.""Oh well. You can stay there as long as you like. I will you down there." Sabay talon ko. Rinig ko agad ang pag-sigaw ni Diezel. Natawa ako habang mabilis ang pagbaba ko sa gusaling ito.I am here in Italy in Morris kingdom doing some stupid stunt with Diezel. I've been thinking about a lot of things, including getting my life in line with what my father wanted. I have set some of my priorities in just one week, and it wasn't bad. The business and money were fun to play with.Masasabi ko nga na isa akong Mondragon dahil pagdating sa bagay na ito ay malakas
Reeve's POV . "And what are you planning this time, Reeve? I smell trouble is coming on its way." Bryce chuckled and sat down beside me. "What sort of trouble? Can I join?" Glenn's voice behind us. Bryce and I looked at him walking towards us. I smirked and shook my head. "And why is that you are following me again, Glenn? Pinagbawalan ka na ni Papa 'di ba? Bawal kang makihalubilo sa mga itim sa tupa." Bryce snorted and shook his head. He passes the beer to Glenn, and he accepts it. And the three of us are now sitting down, facing the beauty of the little town. "I miss this view. It reminds me of my first love," Glenn uttered. "Damn. Is that so? Kaya ba magpahanggang ngayon ay wala ka pang pinapakilala kay Mama?" Bryce snorted at his brother. Glenn and Bryce are brothers but didn’t grow up in the same environment. Lumaki rito sa Italya si Bryce at dito na nanatili. Magaling siya sa trabaho niya at nakakatulong ito sa bawat misyon na binibitawan namin. He can easily blend in
Reeve's POV."How do I look?" Jade's eyes beamed while staring at me. She purposely bit her lower lip, trying to seduce me."You are beautiful, Jade. And please don't seduce me. You are attractive enough tonight." I winked and touched her nose. She wrinkled her forehead, and I shook my head."Ang tigas mo talaga ano? Hindi ka ba talaga maakit sa akin?"I shook my head and smiled sweetly at her. "I will not. You are my lovely sister, and I want to keep it that way. Don't worry. I will introduce you to someone else tonight.""Ayaw ko!" She crossed her arms together and pouted."I am your partner tonight, Reeve, and I will act like one. So be it!" Umirap siya at lumabas na. Sumunod na ako sa kanya.It's our deal, and she's happy to take part of this event. Iba sana ang isasama ko. Pero napagtanto ko na tama si Glenn sa payo niya noong nakaraang linggo.Finding a partner for tonight's event will be easy. I can easily get one. But getting a genuine one where you can act close is difficult
Melissa's POV.It's been four years since I left the Island. Iba na ang buhay ko sa kung ano man ang buhay ko noon. A lot of things had happened and no matter how much I want to correct things, there is no point anymore.Hinugasan ko ang brushes na gamit ko sa pagpipinta. Napangiti ako, dahil sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay ngayon lang din nangyari na may nagkagusto sa mga likha ko.I was adamant with my talent, and with the help of Frank, I found myself again."Tapos ka na ba? Bilisan mo dahil hinihintay na tayo ni Papa.""Konti na lang. Mga five minutes.""Okay."Binilisan ko na ang kilos ko hanggang sa nailigpit ko ang lahat. Lumabas ako na bitbit ang mga gamit ni Papa at kasama na ang mga gamit ni Madison.Pumasok agad ako ng kotse at mabilis na pinatakbo ni Frank ito. Inayos ko muna ang sarili at saka naglagay ng konting lipstick sa labi. Mabuti na lang at walang traffic masyado ngayon. Mabilis kaming nakarating sa kindergarten ni Madisson. Kailangan muna namin na kunin siya bago kam
New BeginningAnastacia.Note: This is seven years later. The twins are now six years old.Binalot ko ang makapal na jacket sa katawan. Tumigil na ang ulan. Kailangan kong umakyat sa bubong kahit na hindi mabuti ang pakiramdam ko. Wala kong choice at kailangan ko ng gawin ito. Baka kasi mamaya ulit ay uulan na naman. Mas mabuting maagapan ko na ngayon.I need to climb up the roof to check the leak. The rainwater drips in Zev's bedroom. It's not that bad, but it really annoys me every time I hear the drip sound inside his room. It sounds frustrating, and my poor boy can't even complain. It hurts to the bones to see my children struggle along with me.Hindi man nila sinasabi sa akin ito, ay ramdam ko ito bilang isang ina. Naiinis ako at galit ako sa kung ano man ang sitwasyon meron ako ngayon. Wala akong ibang masisisi kung 'di ang sarili mismo."Mama? Aakyat ka?" Celestine Skye looked innocently at me, my sweet, beautiful baby."Yes, Skye. Get back inside. You will get wet, anak."Kin
Anastacia.Mama accepted it without knowing the entire truth about my secret. Only Tessie knows everything, and she promised me that she would never tell anyone about it.Bumalik na si Mama sa probinsya. Marami siyang ginawa para mapagaan ang lahat sa akin dito sa loob ng bahay. Babalik siya sa kabuwanan ko, at mananatili ng iilang linggo.May isang anak si Mama sa bago niya, pero malaki na ito. Nasa high school na si Neri. Mabait na bata at magalang. Malapit siya sa ama niya at nakakaingit ang closeness nila.I have no memories of my father. He left us when I was only five years old. Mama and he were never married. Since then, I haven’t seen him. The last I heard, he was doing well and living in Baguio with his five kids."Okay ka lang ba, Anastacia?"“Oo, okay lang.”Abala kaming pareho ni Kagawad Camilla. Siya ang kasama ko ngayon sa convention ng lungsod. Nasa Cagayan de Oro kami, at dalawang araw kaming mananatili rito dahil sa convention. Parte ito ng bagong proyekto na iniluns
Anastacia."Ano? Dalawang buwan!? Anong klaseng lalaki ba siya? Hindi pwede 'to, Anastacia! Babalik tayo doon. Kakalbuhin ko ang lalaking 'yon!""Ang galing naman niya! Pagkatapos siyang magpakasarap sa 'yo ay ganun na lang ba? Wala lang sa kanya ang lahat? Anong klaseng lalaki ba siya!? Pesti! Halika! Babalik tayo! Bilis!"Hinila niya ang paa ko at pinadyakan ko siya. Bumitaw siya at mabilis kong binalot ang kumot sa katawan. Umiiyak ako. Hindi hihinto ang luha sa mga mata ko dahil nasasaktan ako ngayon. Pinipilit kong magpakatatag, pero bakit ang hirap? Sinusubok ako ng tadhana at pakiramdam ko ay wala na akong pag asa sa lahat.I have no work, and I'm running out of money. What will I do next?"Anastacia…"Ramdam ko ang pag upo ni Tessie sa paanan. Minasahe niya ang paa ko, at tahimik siyang nakikinig sa hikbi ko.Promise, huli na ito. Bukas at sa mga susunod na araw ay ayaw ko ng umiyak. Nakakapagod umiyak. Nakakawalang gana sa buhay. Pero ganito naman talaga 'di ba? Kasalanan ko
Diezel.My eyebrow raised while listening to John. He's got less than twenty seconds before he fuck up. How the hell will he bring an investor to this project if he can't deliver his report properly? He can't even justify some of this. I'm not listening to him while I read his report. It's full of nonsense."Next!""B-But, Sir. I'm not yet done.""You're fired. Next!" I blurted out, fixing them with a hawk-like stare. When I locked eyes with them, they all averted their gaze."Damn it! Wala bang maayos na proposal sa inyong lahat? These reports are all boring! How will you bring a golden egg to the table if all your proposals are as boring and useless as shit!Tumayo ako at saka napabuntonghininga sa sarili. I need some air, or I could end up dismissing the entire team.Lumapit si Joel sa akin at bumulong."Your secretary is on the line. It's important, she said."I rolled my tongue, and Joel handed me the phone."Yes, Sharon?" I raised my eyebrows. "I'm not in a good mood already, S
Anastacia.Bago na ang lahat. Pinalitan niya ang lahat ng staff rito at hindi ko na kilala ang mga ito. Kahit pa ang gwardiya ng gusali ay bago.What the heck? Talaga bang ginawa niya ito dahil ayaw na niya akong makitang muli?Shit.Hindi ko na tuloy alam kung tama pa ba itong ginagawa ko ngayon. Nanginig tuloy ang tuhod ko, at peke akong ngumiti sa babae rito sa front desk. Nasa likod ko naman si Tessie."Yes, Ma'am. How can I help you?" She smiled, but it was obviously a fake smile. She looked at me from head to toe and back again."Uhm, I would like to see Mr. Dennis Ezequil Mondragon?" Kumurap kurap ako. Nilakasan ko na ang loob."Oh? Do you happen to have an appointment with him, Ma'am?""A-Appointment? Wala, Miss."Nawala ang ngiti ko. Inaasahan ko na ito. Kilala ko si Diezel, at kahit noon pa ay hindi siya basta-basta tumatangap ng bisita.Ang buong akala ko ay nandito pa sina Kimmy at Dora. Pero wala na. Ano kaya ang nangyari sa kanila? Nilipat din ba sila ni Diezel?"Sorry
Anastacia."Ano!? Buntis ka? At dalawa pa talaga? Shit!"Parang putok ang boses ni Tessie sa tainga ko. Sinabi ko na sa kanya. Wala akong ibang mapagsasabihan at siya lang din."At ano ang plano mo, aber?"Namaywang siya at seryoso akong tinitigan. Umiwas ako at nagpabalik-balik ang lakad ko sa harapan niya."Hindi ko alam. Nalilito ako, Tessie." Kinagat ko na ang pang-ibabang labi."No, Anastacia. I know what you're thinking. Hindi puwede 'to! Kailangan mong sabihin sa kanya! Sasabihin mo at sasamahan kita!"I paused and inhaled deeply."Paano kung ayaw niya? Paano kung ipagtabuyan niya ako, Tessie?"Takot ako, at hindi ako handa kung sakaling magkikita kami ulit. Hindi na kailanman sumagi sa isip ko na makipagkita sa kanya.After he abandoned me, I erased his existence. I hated him so much! I want to forget him. At kung kailan ay okay na ako at handa na ang puso kong makalimot sa lahat, ay saka naman dumating ang problemang ito.Talagang hindi ko na makakalimutan si Diezel dahil bu
Diezel.What are the odds? I'm so effing bored. I raked my hair in exasperation, feeling so frustrated.I'm back here in the business after Italy. I went to Italy to forget Anastacia, but damn it. I couldn't get over with her. I couldn't forget her. Every time I shut my eyes I always see her face, crying, pleading and I feel effing guilty about it.Kung hindi ako pinigilan ni Joel ng gabing iyon, ay tiyak kasama ko na si Anastacia ngayon.I was determined to leave because it was the right thing to do, even if my heart said no. I hesitated and briefly considered going back to Anastacia, but Joel stopped me. He told me there was no hope for me and Anastacia. If I chose her, it would only complicate everything.Damn him! Damn them!They think my life is a game, right? Eff them all.Yes, I have set my goals. I want to build a perfect family with an Italian heritage. That's the ideal gift I could give to my mother and to the whole clan. The Elders are hoping that I will produce an Italian
Anastacia.I was crying the entire time I was inside my bedroom. After he dropped me off yesterday morning, I never went out. I have no work anymore. I've finished all my work at Diezel's company, and I have no plans to look for other work at the moment. Ang buong akala ko pagkatapos ng masasarap na gabi namin ay iisa na kami. Nagkamali ako, dahil heto umiiyak ako ng wala sa sarili.I was hoping that he would come back. I never went to bed last night. I was waiting for him the entire time. My cell phone was not even turned off. I was waiting for Diezel to call me, but it never happened.Siguro nalilito siya at nag iisip? Iyan lang ang iniisip ko, na baka hindi siya nakatawag agad dahil nag iisip pa siya. Pero mukhang wala na yata, dahil dalawang araw na ngayon simula nang huli ko siyang nakita, at wala pa rin akong balita sa kanya.The two days have suddenly passed into seven days, and still, Diezel has not even contacted me.Mataas ang pride ko, pero sobra na ito. Ganun na lang ba
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