Reeve . "I want you to know, Tiya Esperanza, that the owner of this land trusted you with all his life," Glenn spoke to Tiya. I was behind him, listening to everything. "Naku, Engr Glenn, nakakahiya naman po sa may ari ng lupaing ito. Pero nagpapasalamat kami sa kanya, dahil nandito pa rin kami hanggang ngayon sa lupain na ito. Malaki ang utang na loob namin sa may ari," si Tiya Esperanza kay Glenn. "Pakisabi sa kanya, Engr, na taos puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng kabaitan niya. Sana bigyan pa siya ng maganda at mahinhawang buhay ng Panginoon," saad ni Manong Paeng. Glenn smiled and turned around to see me. His brows raised, waiting for me to say something. I nodded. "Honestly, Tiya and Manong Paeng, the owner of the land is here with me." "H-Ha? S-Sino?" si Tiya. Sabay silang dalawa ni Manong Paeng na napalingon sa paligid at pabalik-balik ang tingin nila sa bawat banda. Bahagya akong natawa sa kanilang dalawa. "Eh, si Dodong Reeve lang naman ang nandito. May aakyat pa
Melissa."We're nearly there, Melissa. It's going to be over soon."Napabuntong hininga ako at napaupo sa tabi ni Carmella. Ngayon ang ika-dalawang buwan ng proseso at pinal na pag-anunsyo ng Judge sa divorce namin ni Frank. Madison is not with me at the moment. Dianne and Montreal had him for a month now. The divorce is dragging me down, draining everything around me. Hindi lang ang pinansyal na bagay ang pinaglalaban ko, kasama na ang lahat ng karapatan ko noon sa mana.If money weren't involved from the start, this divorce would have long gone."It's disappointing that you signed the agreement, Melissa. Hindi mo sana ginawa, pero nasa sa 'yo and desisyon na iyon.""I want this done and be over with everything, Carmella. I could no longer wait for another month. It feels like I'm going to die."Totoo naman. Pagod na ako sa lahat at gusto ko ng matapos ito. Kung hindi lang sa huling testamento ng lolo ni Frank, ay wala na sanang problema. Pero dahil sa testamentong ito ay gulo ang
Reeve."Naku, Dong, okay ka lang ba sa ganito? Ako ang nahihiya sa 'yo, Dong eh.""Tiya, you are like a family to me. Wala na po kayong pinag-iba sa ina ko. Kaya okay lang po. I'm doing this for Melissa. It will be best if they will stay in the same old house. I want them here, Tiya."Emosyonal ang mga mata ni Tiya at mabilis niya akong niyakap."Salamat, Dong! God Bless you, Dong Reeve.""Salamat, Tiya." Haplos ko sa likod niya. Bumitaw agad siya at mabilis niyang pinunasan ang luha sa mga mata niya."Kailan ba ang alis mo, Dong? Kailan ka babalik?" Pinatuyo niya muna ang luha at saka ngumiti pabalik sa akin. Ininom ko na ang buko juice na ginawa niya."I will miss your buko juice, Tiya. Thank you for this." I put back the empty plastic cup on the table. I wiped my mouth and heard Manong Paeng still cutting some young coconut for Glenn."Siguro sa mga susunod na buwan, Tiya. . . I need to take care of my mother. She needs me."Mahinang tumango si Tiya at saka hindi na siya nagtanong
Melissa . "Salamat, Manong! Oh, heto baon ninyong dalawa ni Madisson, at may extra pang dalawang box para sa mga anak mo, Manong." "Naku, dai Melissa. Salamat. Gustong-gusto ng mga bata ang bento-bento na luto mo." "I love you, Mama! Buy me pasalubong later, okay?" "I will, anak. I love you too! Be a good boy, okay?" Madisson nodded and I kissed his cheek. Sandali ko silang pinagmasdan ni Manong hanggang sa mawala sila sa paningin ko. Manong Paeng will take care of him today together with his own two kids. Wala akong mapag-iwan kay Madisson dahil delivery namin ngayon ni Tiya Esperanza sa lungsod. I'm happy living now in the same land where I used to live with Reeve. It's been two years now, and living on Reeve's property without paying anything really helps me. Noong una akong dumating dito na kasama si Madisson ay nahanap ko agad ang puso ko. The place was the same, and what touch me the most was the house. It was way beyond what it used to be. Maraming nagbago, kasama na a
Carmella . "Ngumiti ka naman, Carmella. Type mo ba si Reeve at parang ibinaon ang mukha mo sa lupa?" "Oh, shut up, Glenn! Konti nalang at makakatikim ka na sa akin. Stay away from me!" Tulak ko sa katawan niya at natawa lang din ang walanghiya. I strode closer to Madisson. Mas mabuti pang sa bata ako makikipaglaro kaysa naman sa isang taong isip bata sa paligid ko! "Come on, Carolina, play with me. I want to be your playmate." I stopped and whirled around to see him again with a hawk eye. "Don't call me by that name, Glenn. I hate it." He chuckled. "And that only means one thing. I will call you more often, Carolina," he said, placing both hands on his hips. "May death wish ka ba, Glenn?" Humakbang ako palapit sa kanya at nahinto siya. Mukhang aatras na yata. "Nope. I don't want a death wish. I just want to be your friend," he joked and laughed. "Asshole!" Sapak ko sa ulo niya at umalma agad siya. Tinalikuran ko na ang mabilis akong humakbang patungo sa kumpunan ng mga bata.
CarmellaDownhill"Are you sure you're going to be okay?""Yes, Fel, don't worry. Hindi na ako bata para bantayan pa ano! Sabihin mo iyan sa asawa mo. I don't need his nagging every morning. I'm in good hands!" I responded with an open arms. I shut my eyes and inhaled deeply.Naka-speaker ang cellphone at maaga pa rito sa Victoria. I've toured almost all the countries in the world and settled here. I found my peace here down the countryside. Walang kapit-bahay. Malawak ang bukid at purong mga hayop lang ang nasa paligid.Drake and Diego has settled on their own and the clan is not making any troubles anymore. Naubos na yata ang mga demonyo sa paligid at lahat sila ay nagbagong buhay na.This is the new millennium of my life, and I'm happy. Life wasn't easy as I've been through a lot of roller coasters, after all. And whatever is left now is a peaceful life that I want to establish.Ang huling misyon ko ay tapos na. Maayos na sina Melissa at Reeve sa bago nilang pamilya."Gabriel alway
Carmella Noise I can't sleep! Kanina pa ako hindi makatulog dahil sa ingay na galing sa labas. Hindi ito malakas, pero nakakabulabog ng utak. Iyong parang musika sa tainga mo at hindi maalis-alis ito. "My goodness! At sino naman ang nagpupukpok ng martilyo sa oras na ito!?" I looked at the time on the vintage wall clock. It's past twelve midnight. Baliw nalang siguro ang gagawa ng ganitong klaseng gawain sa dis-oras ng gabing ito. Kung sa Pinas ito, ay maiintindihan ko. Nasanay ako sa maiingay na traffic sa paligid. The penthouse where I was living for one month was in Makati. I was living in the center aisle of it, and I got used to all the rapid noises and busy life of living. Pero ito ngayon. Nasa countryside na ako nakatira at dapat sana ay ang ingay lang ng mga tipaklong at palaka ang maririnig ko sa gabi. Maliban na nga lang sa mga kalabaw sa kabilang bakod na hindi naman akin! Maiingay ang mga iyon! Lalo na ang mga lalaki. Parang nakikipagtalo sa mga babae tuwing gabi.
Brodie."I'm sorry to tell you, Brod, but you must return to Victoria as soon as possible. Your father is dying and wants to see you before it's too late," our family's lawyer, Atty Simone, is on the line."I'll be in first thing in the morning," I responded. Even though it's against my will, I have no choice. I need to go home."Okay. I will fetch you. Bye," Atty Simone ended the call.I came home that same date. I'm glad that I wasn't that far from Australia. I was visiting the company branch in New Zealand when I got the call from Atty Simone. It happened so fast. It seemed like a dream, but it was no longer a dream as reality hit me.Pumanaw si Papa at nakausap ako sa huling pagkakataon, at narinig ko ang huling testamento niya."Fuck. Damn." I gritted my teeth and held my breath when I accidentally hurt my hand."Shit." I wiggled my fingers, and they were all okay."That was close," I said, looking at Almond beside me. He wiggled his tail. I showed him the cut from my pointy fin
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