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FORTY-THREE
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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
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,
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
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
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
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
Guilty Pleasures FIFTY
NIKKI'S POV"Dominique, wait!"I can hear Gale's loud voice, calling me, but I didn't stop. I was so stupid! Bakit ang dali kong naniwala na wala na talaga sila?She's here! Adhara's fucking here!Seeing her ripped my heart again. My heart shattered for the second time when she threw her arms around him and kissed him in front of me.Ang sakit!I closed my eyes, and tried so hard to regain my self control."Dominique, please. Not again, don't leave without hearing my explanation again," he whispered.Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang ipalibot niya ang kanyang mga kamay sa bewang ko. He was hugging me from behind, tightly."It's okay, Gale. You don't have to explain. Matagal na tayong tapos," saad ko.Pilit kong tinatagan ang boses ko, kahit na ang totoo ay gusto ko nang umiyak. Naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng yakap ni Gale."No! Isang pagkakamali na noong hinayaan kita na lumayo nang hindi ako pinapakinggan. Now, I want you to listen to me. Ikaw ang mahal ko, walang iba, Dominique," s
Guilty Pleasures FIFTY-ONE
NIKKI'S POV"How are you, Dad?" I asked as I walked towards him and enclosed him in a hug.God, I missed him! I missed them! I missed my home!Dad smiled at me, and tapped my shoulders, "Hindi ba't ako dapat ang nagtatanong niyan sa'yo? How are you, anak?"Dad held my hand, and we walked into the living room, settling on the couch. "I'm doing fine, Dad," I replied."And your heart?" he asked again, raising his eyebrows at me.Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. How can I say my heart is okay, when it's definitely not? Siguro, kung hindi pa kami ulit nagkita ni Gale, I would say my heart is fine, that I've already moved on. But I knew better now."Well, I think it still beats for the same person who broke it," I replied, giving him a sad smile."It's alright, anak. Hindi naman ganoon ka-dali ang mag-move on. Sometimes, pinapaniwala lang natin ang mga sarili natin na maayos na tayo, pero ang totoo ay hindi. Lalo na kapag ang taong nakasakit sa atin ay iyong nga taong pinag-alayan natin ng pagmamaha
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