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FORTY-ONE

Author: Miss_Valentine
last update Last Updated: 2022-03-23 23:04:29

NIKKI'S POV

I woke up to the loud ringing of my phone. Pupungas-pungas akong nagmulat ng mga mata ko at sandali pang napatulala nang na-realize ko na wala ako sa kwarto ko. It took me several minutes before realizing that I'm in Paris!

Hinanap ko ang cellphone ko na kanina pa tumutunog. I smiled when I saw Ate's name on the screen.

"Ano ba, ate? Isang araw pa nga lang akong naka-alis, miss mo na agad ako?" I joked as I answered her video call.

"Tita Mommy! Where are you?" sigaw ng kambal habang nag-aagawan sa cellphone ni Ate.

"Nandito ako ngayon sa Paris. See that? That's the Eiffel Tower," saad ko sabay turo sa Eiffel Tower na malapit lang sa Hotel na tinutuluyan ko.

"Wow! I want to go there too, Tita Mommy!" namamanghang saad ni Thea.

"Sa susunod, I will bring you here," tugon ko.

Naiiling na lang ako nang makita ko silang patalon-talon pa.

"How are you? Nakapaglibot ka na ba riyan?" sabik na tanong ni Ate.

"Ate, kagigising ko lang. It's only sev
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  • Guilty Pleasures   FORTY-TWO

    GALE'S POV"Any news about her?" I asked the man who was sitting in front of my desk.The middle-aged man held his cap, and removed it. He looked at me with a sad face and shook his head. Pang-limang private detective na siya na ni-hire ko para mahanap si Dominique."Still no lead on her, Sir. It's like she's gone without a trace," naguguluhan nitong tugon.Kumunot ang noo ko. Paanong bigla na lang mawawala ang isang tao? Not unless someone messes up with her records."It's okay. You did great. By the way, this is your payment. Tatawag na lang ulit ako," I said and handed him an envelope containing the amount of money we agreed."Thank you, Sir," aniya, saka siya tumayo upang lumabas ng opisina ko.The moment he closed the door, I heaved a deep sigh. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at tinitigan nang matagal ang mukha ni Dominique. I touched the screen of my phone, wishing it was her face that I was actually touching. Pinahid ko ang butil ng luha na kumawala sa mg

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  • Guilty Pleasures   FORTY-THREE

    GALE'S POV"Are you out of your freaking mind? Why are cancelling the wedding? Everything's already been prepared! Gale, ilang beses nang na-postpone ang kasal niyo ni Ara dahil sa mga excuses mo, I can't let you back down anymore!" Mom shouted in my face.Nandito ako ngayon sa mansion para makiusap sa kanila na huwag ituloy ang kasal. "Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng mga kumpadre namin ng Daddy mo? Na hindi kami marunong tumupad sa usapan? Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng Ninong at Ninang mo? They're counting on us, Gale! We've planned this wedding a long time ago!" dagdag pa niya. Hindi ko kayang pakasalan si Adhara dahil hindi siya ang mahal ko. Kung may babae man akong ihaharap sa altar, si Dominique lang iyon.I felt my body shaking in suppressed anger. I never wanted to be part of this plan! Kung ang tinutukoy niya ay ang noon pang panahon na kami pa ni Adhara, then that's bullshit! Matagal nang natapos ang kabanatang iyon ng buhay namin."Kayo lang ang may gusto

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  • Guilty Pleasures   FORTY-FOUR

    NIKKI'S POV"Thank you, Pierre!"I tiptoed and kissed him on the cheeks. Tuwang-tuwa ako dahil sinamahan niya ako para sa limang araw kong bakasyon sa Scotland. The place was one of my dream destination, and I'm beyond thankful to Pierre for going with me there.Sa loob ng isang taon na pamamalagi ko sa France, natutuhan ko na rin ang kanilang mga kultura at pamumuhay. Noong una ay aminado akong nahirapan ako na mag-adjust, lalo na ang magtiwala sa mga taong nakikilala ko, pero kalaunan ay unti-unti ko ring natutuhan iyon.Pierre had been my guide. True to his word, he never took advantage of me. Naging mabuti siyang kaibigan sa akin, kahit pa alam naming dalawa na higit pa roon ang pagtingin niya sa akin.I met a lot of people who showed interest in me, pero dahil hirap akong magtiwala, I ended up pushing them away."You're always welcome, Dee," he replied with a grin.Napangiti rin ako sa tinuran niya."I'll get going now, see you at the café," paalam k

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  • Guilty Pleasures   FORTY-FIVE

    NIKKI'S POVFor a moment, I found it hard to speak. Everything that happened a year ago, came back rushing into my mind. All the pain, the betrayal, it all came back. Pakiramdam ko, muling umahon ang sakit sa puso ko. I was wrong when I said I'm already okay, because seeing Gale today brought back a lot of unwanted feelings that I tried to forget.Kusang tumulo ang luha ko. Noon, iniisip ko kung ano'ng mararamdaman ko kapag nagkita kaming muli, pero ngayong nasa harapan ko na siya, tahimik kong hinihiling na sana ay wala siya rito. Masakit pa rin pala. Akala ko, naghilom na ako, hindi pa pala.Gale started walking towards me, while I stayed standing. Parang bigla akong nawalan ng lakas, hindi ko magawang igalaw ang mga paa ko para umatras. Hindi ko magawang umalis sa kinatatayuan ko, para bang napako na lang ako roon."Love... Am I too late?" He asked, breaking me from my trance.I gasped. Why is he calling me love? Hindi ba't kasal na sila ni Adhara?"Please,

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  • Guilty Pleasures   FORTY-SIX

    NIKKI'S POVI could feel the tension building between Gale and Pierre as they exchanged dangerous looks with each other. Pierre was holding my right hand, while Gale has the other one. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng mararamdaman ko, habang nakikita ko silang nagtatagisan ng tingin. At siguro nga, kung nakamamatay lang ang tingin ay kanina pa silang nakabulagta."Who are you?" It was Pierre who broke the awkward silence."I'm her boyfriend," Gale answered confidently, making me glance at him.Sa halip na sumagot ay isang mahinang tawa ang pinakawalan ni Pierre. Umiling-iling pa ito na para bang isang kahibangan ang sinabi ni Gale."You must be kidding. Dee said she has no boyfriend," he answered smugly.I felt Gale tensed, and his grip tightened a little bit. He gritted his teeth, and looked at Pierre's hand that was still holding me. Agad akong natauhan dahil doon.Marahas kong hinila ang kamay ko mula sa kanilang dalawa at pinandilatan sila ng mga mata."Stop

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  • Guilty Pleasures   FORTY-SEVEN

    NIKKI'S POV"You're late."I turned around, only to find Pierre standing behind my back with his eyebrows raised. He looked at me intently, as if he was trying to read my mind. I let out a deep sigh."I'm sorry. I just did something important," I replied."I see. And that something important is eating breakfast with a guy?" He asked.Napasinghap ako, hindi ko inaasahan na marinig iyon sa kanya. Nagtatanong ang mga matang nagbaling ako ng paningin sa kanya. Did he saw us?"I saw you two. I'm confused, you told me you're single," he stated, as if he read my mind.I immediately recognized the pain that laced his voice. I held his hand and pulled him inside my office to talk to him."Pierre, I wasn't lying when I told you that I don't have a boyfriend. But I also told you, I'm not ready for another romantic commitment. That guy, he was the reason why I left. He was the reason why I came here, why I needed to heal..." I explained.Hindi naman lingid sa kany

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  • Guilty Pleasures   FORTY-EIGHT

    NIKKI'S POV"So, you knew?" I asked.I didn't bother to hide the surprise in my voice. Buong akala ko ay wala siyang alam sa nangyari noon."I had just found out. But it won't stop me from pursuing you. Ikaw ang mahal ko, ikaw ang tinitibok ng puso ko, so bakit ako makikinig sa iba? I could go on, and chase other people, but will it make me happy the same way I am with you?" He asked in return.Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Tama ba na sumugal kami, kahit na alam naming marami ang hahadlang sa amin?"I don't know, Gale. To be honest, hindi ko rin alam kung tama ba na nandito ka. It would hurt your Mom," I replied."And it would also hurt me if I let her take you away from me. She may be my mother, but she can't simply decide for me. Ako lang ang tanging may alam kung sino ang nilalaman ng puso ko. And that's you..." masuyo niyang sagot.I looked away, feeling my heart melting at his words.Akala ko pagkatapos ng hapunan namin ay uuwi na kami, pero nagulat ako n

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  • Guilty Pleasures   FORTY-NINE

    NIKKI'S POV"Are you sure about this? What if mag-resign ka na lang? I'm not comfortable with you going back to work after what happened last night," Gale said with a sigh.Kasalukuyan kaming kumakain ng agahan dito sa apartment ko. Pagkatapos ng nangyari kagabi, hindi pumayag si Gale na maiwan akong mag-isa sa apartment ko, kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang hayaan siya na matulog doon.Magkahalong kaba at excitement ang naramdaman ko. It's been a year since we last slept under the same roof. He volunteered to sleep on the couch in the living room, because he doesn't want to invade my privacy."I need to talk to him, Gale. Naging mabuti siyang kaibigan sa akin. Ayaw ko rin naman na masira ang pagkakaibigan namin nang dahil lang dito," I replied.Deep inside, I was thinking of the best options."I know. Ang sa akin lang naman, I want you safe. How can you be so sure that last night was just an isolated case?" nakataas ang kilay niyang tanong.Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. Sa totoo lang, hindi

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  • Guilty Pleasures   LAST CHAPTER

    NIKKI'S POVThe bright rays of the morning sun touched our skin, making us feel a lot warmer today. I looked around, and took a deep breath, realizing how peaceful this place is.I stood in front of a grave. Nandito ako para magpaalam, at makipag-usap sa isang tao na matagal ng nawala sa mundong ito. This will be the last time, because after this, I will surely go somewhere far away."Are you sure about this?" Gale asked from behind me.Lumingon ako sa kanya at ngumiti. I've never been sure. Napagtanto ko na kapag hinayaan ko ang sarili ko na masaktan habang buhay, ako ang talo. Kasi ang taong nanakit sa akin ay matagal nang tahimik sa kabilang buhay, habang ako, nandito pa rin sa pahina kung saan puro sakit at pighati ang nararamdaman ko."Y-yes, I am." I cleared my throat. "This is the only way for me to move forward, Gale. I needed to let this one out. I need to let go of my pain, and my anger...""I know." He replied.Lumapit siya sa akin at marahan niyang hinaplos ang mukha ko, sa

  • Guilty Pleasures   SEVENTY-ONE

    GALE'S POV"Nooooo!"A loud scream left my lips as I saw Adhara's car crashing to a ten-wheeler truck. Bumigat ang dibdib ko, at parang hindi ako makahinga habang tinitingnan ang wasak na sasakyan. Kusang tumulo ang luha mula sa mga mata ko.Mabilis kong itinigil ang sasakyan, hindi iniinda ang sakit na nanalaytay sa balikat ko. Bumaba ako at lumapit sa sasakyan. My heart was racing, fear consumed me.No! God, no! This isn't happening!Gusto kong paniwalain ang sarili ko na panaginip lang ito, pero ang eksenang tumambad sa akin ay patunay na totoo ang lahat ng ito.Wasak ang unahang bahagi ng sasakyan, at kita ko ang duguang katawan ni Adhara. Naipit ang dalawa niyang paa. Sa passenger side naman ay nandoon si Dominique. Wala siyang malay, at puno rin siya ng dugo. Kumabog ang dibdib ko nang makita ko ang dugong umaagos sa kanyang binti.Fuck, no! Our child!Wala sa sarili kong kinatok ang bintana, pilit siyang ginigising ngunit nanatili siyang walang malay. Ayaw kong isipin na... Hind

  • Guilty Pleasures   SEVENTY

    GALE'S POV"No! Dominique!" sigaw ko habang dinidiinan ang paghawak sa balikat ko, kung saan tumama ang bala.Dali-dali akong tumayo sa tulong ng mga magulang ko at susuray-suray na tumakbo palabas ng bahay. Sinubukan kong habulin sina Adhara, ngunit hindi ko na sila naabutan pa."Gale, we need to take you to the hospital!" histerikal na sigaw ni Mommy."No, Mom! I won't go anywhere until I find Dominique and Adhara. Call the police!" I instructed.Mabilis kong tinungo ang sasakyan ko at nagmaneho palabas ng village. She wouldn't have gone that far yet.I hissed from the pain that filled my system. Kinagat ko ang labi ko para pigilan ang pagsigaw. Sandali akong tumigil sa tabi ng kalsada. I tore a part of my shirt and wrapped it around my shoulder. Napapikit ako at napamura sa sakit, pero hindi ko iyon ininda. I have to find Dominique. Kapag may nangyaring masama sa kanya at sa anak namin ay hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko.I wasted no time. Muli kong pinatakbo ang sasakyan at mabil

  • Guilty Pleasures   SIXTY-NINE

    NIKKI'S POVMy mouth parted and my heart started beating so loud, seeing the look on Adhara's face. She's standing on the doorway, her hands were inside the pocket of her black cloak. Hindi ko naintindihan ang kaba na biglang lumukob sa akin, hindi ko na siya makilala. She's far too different from the Adhara I knew a year ago.Siguro nga ay pagpapapanggap lang ang pinakita niya sa akin noon, pero gusto ko pa ring paniwalaan na may kabutihan pa rin sa puso niya. However, seeing her face right now, I could only think of the worse. Masama ang tingin niya sa aming lahat.I gulped when she started walking towards us. Instinctively, Gale pulled me to his side."What are you doing here, Adhara?" Gale's voice was stern, and serious."I came here to claim what's mine," she said.Napasinghap ako, lalo na nang makita ko ang kakaibang ngisi sa mukha niya. She looked like she lost her mind, and the way she laughed, I can't stop thinking that maybe she lost her sanity."Akin ka lang, Gale. You promi

  • Guilty Pleasures   SIXTY-EIGHT

    NIKKI'S POV"I'm really sorry for everything..."Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko. Tita Graciella was sitting in front of me, asking for forgiveness. It was something I never expected. After all, hindi maganda ang naging huling pag-uusap namin.I cleared the lump in my throat, trying so hard to stop myself from tearing up. Something warm touched my heart, and I felt as if it was burning. I always imagined how it would feel to make amends with her. And now I knew, the word happiness will never fit the way I'm feeling right now."I know saying sorry isn't enough to compensate for all the damage and pain that I caused you, but please know that I am sincere. I'm really sorry for all the things I did," she said, her voice started to crack.Her tears spilled uncontrollably from her eyes. Something told me that she's not lying. Her eyes held truth, and genuine regret.Hindi ko na rin napigilan ang sarili ko na umiyak. Bumalik sa isipan ko ang lahat ng masasakit na salitang binitawan niya

  • Guilty Pleasures   SIXTY-SEVEN

    LOUIE'S POVI glanced on my wristwatch, it's already a quarter past three which means she's already fifteen minutes late. I sighed, and told myself to wait for another fifteen minutes, and if she doesn't show herself yet, I will leave.The door suddenly opened, and I saw her walking inside with her eyes settling on me. Sa unang pagkakataon ay nakita ko siyang ngumiti ulit sa akin.Kumalabog ang dibdib ko at hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko. It's been years, but the regret I felt for not telling her the truth is still eating me."Gracie..." I whispered her name."Louie... It's been ages," came her reply.Binalot kami ng katahimikan. Nanatili lang ang mga mata ko sa kanya, pilit na inaalala ang dating Graciella na naging kaibigan ko. She's still beautiful and regal, the past years did a good job in maintaining her beauty.Habang nakatingin sa kanya ay napagtanto ko na iba na siya sa dating babae na minsan ay naging parte ng buhay ko. And along the memories of our friendship, the

  • Guilty Pleasures   SIXTY-SIX

    GRACIELLA'S POV"Dominique is pregnant..."His words kept ringing inside my head. I couldn't take it! I wanted so bad to be mad at him, but when I looked at his eyes, I could see how happy he was. His eyes were filled with different emotions, and I knew it was all he ever wanted.Am I that heartless?Am I that selfish?Dominique stayed sitting on the couch, as Gale walked towards her, occupying the space beside her. He kissed her forehead, and it broke my heart. Gustong-gusto ko na hayaan sila, pero sa tuwing naaalala ko ang mga nangyari noon, hindi ko maiwasan na magalit.I trusted her parents, but they broke my trust.Unable to take the sight in front of me, I slowly backed down and left their apartment. Parang nawalan na rin ako ng lakas na pilitin pa si Gale dahil alam ko na mali ako. Alam kong mali ako, pero hindi ko pa rin talaga matanggap na sa dinami-rami ng mga taong pwede niyang mahalin, ang anak pa talaga ni Diana.Dali-dali akong sumakay sa sasakyan ni Ara na naghihintay sa

  • Guilty Pleasures   SIXTY-FIVE

    GALE'S POV"Dominique is pregnant."My own voice resonating in my ears. Malakas na kumabog ang dibdib ko, lalo na nang makita kong nag-iba ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Tito Louie. Alam ko, I haven't yet done much to prove myself worthy of Dominique, but this pregnancy was unexpected. Nevertheless, I don't regret having her pregnant. The only thing I felt upon knowing about it is pure happiness.Umigting ang panga ni Tito Louie, habang si Nicole at Camille naman ay parang na-estatwa at hindi agad nakapagsalita.Naramdaman ko ang init ng palad ni Dominique nang ipatong niya ang kanyang kamay sa kamay kong nanginginig."D-Dad..." bulong niya.Ramdam na ramdam ko ang kaba at takot niya. Kitang-kita ko sa kanyang mga mata ang pangamba."What's your plan now?" Tito Louie asked.His voice was strained, but he didn't sound angry. Napalingon ako sa kanya, ngunit wala pa ring nagbago sa ekspresyon ng mukha niya. Seryoso pa rin ito at hindi kakikitaan ng kahit anong emosyon.Napatingin ako kay Domi

  • Guilty Pleasures   SIXTY-FOUR

    NIKKI'S POVI paced back and forth inside our room. I was restless, and worried about my family's reaction to our news. Our pregnancy wasn't planned, but it was the best thing that happened to us. And I'm hoping that this baby may unite our family, and strengthen our ties."Relax, everything's going to be okay," Gale whispered, wrapping his hands around my waist and giving me a soft kiss on my shoulder blades.I instantly relaxed under his touch."How can I?" I whispered back."I'm here, hindi ko kayo pababayaan. I will fight the world for you, love," he assured me.I nodded my head, and turned to meet his eyes. I can see the sincerity and honesty brooding in his eyes. He gave me a small smile before lowering his lips to capture mine.A few minutes later, we were already inside the car, driving towards the restaurant where we had a dinner reservation. We decided to let my family know first. As much as I wanted to invite Gale's family, I know it would only be full of tension and awkward

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