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SEVEN
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2021-11-02 21:09:57NIKKI'S POV
Nakaupo ako ngayon sa harap ng vanity mirror sa loob ng kwarto ko habang pinapatuyo ko ang aking buhok. Kakatapos ko lang maligo at gawin ang skin care routine ko tuwing gabi. Napahawak ako sa noo ko kasabay nang biglang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Biglang nag-init ang aking mukha at bumalik sa akin ang pakiramdam nang lumapat ang labi ni Gale sa noo ko.
Oh, Jeez! Nababaliw na yata ako!
Kaisa mag-isip pa ng kung ano-ano ay pinili ko na lang na matulog. Mahirap na at baka lutang na naman ako sa trabaho kinabukasan, ayaw ko naman no'n.
MINASAHE ko ang sentido ko nang makaramdam ako ng bahagyang pagkahilo. Kakatapos lang ng board meeting namin at sabog na sabog na ako sa rami ng mga napag-usapan, kabilang na roon ang tungkol sa bidding para mag-supply ng inumin sa isang malaking kompanya. Malawak ang sakop ng
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Guilty Pleasures EIGHT
NIKKI’S POV Habang nakahiga ako sa aking kama ay naroon pa rin ang kaba sa aking dibdib. Hanggang ngayon ay kinikilabutan pa rin ako sa sinabi ni Vonn at hindi iyon matanggal-tanggal sa isipan ko. Sa wari ko’y tila isang pahiwatig iyon na may hindi magandang pangyayari na naghihintay para sa akin. Ayaw ko man na isipin pero para itong sirang plaka na paulit-ulit sa isipan ko. Lumabas ako sa kwarto ko at maingat na naglakad papunta sa kusina bitbit ang cellphone ko na ginamit kong flashlight. Kumuha ako ng malamig na tubig mula sa fridge at agad na nagsalin sa isang baso. Mabilis ko itong ininom para kalmahin ang puso ko. Huminga ako ng malalim at muling naglakad pabalik sa kwarto ko para matulog. That night before going to sleep, I prayed because I was really tr
Last Updated : 2021-11-03Guilty Pleasures NINE
NIKKI'S POV"Babe! Are you okay? Nasaktan ka ba? May ginawa ba si Krisna sa'yo?" mabilis kong binaling ang paningin ko kay Vonn na ngayon ay nakahawak na sa braso ko.Agad kong hinila ang aking mga kamay, ayaw kong magdaiti ang mga balat namin dahil para akong dinedemonyo. Ang kapal naman talaga ng mukha niya para tawagin akong babe sa harapan pa mismo ng babaeng binuntis niya!Binitawan niya ang kamay ko at nagmamadaling pumunta kay Krisna. Hindi pa man ako nakakabawi ay muli akong nabigla nang marahas niyang itayo si Krisna at hawakan ng mariin sa braso. Kita ko sa kanyang mukha na nasasaktan siya, pero hindi man lang siya nagsalita. Patuloy lang siya na umiiyak at hinayaan niya lang si Vonn na saktan siya."Bakit ka nandito? Nag-usap na tayo, hindi ba? Sususportahan ko naman ang bata per
Last Updated : 2021-11-04Guilty Pleasures TEN
NIKKI'S POVI smiled while humming to the tune of Frank Sinatra's 'Fly Me To The Moon' which was playing at the background. It was an old, but feel good song that always made me feel light and happy. The car window was open and I could feel the brush of the morning air, making my skin ripple. Alas, what a good way to start my day!"You look happy," Gale uttered. He glanced at me shortly before focusing his eyes on the road again."Mas magaan pala talaga sa pakiramdam kapag nailabas mo ang mga bagay na gumugulo at nagpapabigat sa dibdib mo," sagot ko. Napatingin akong muli sa labas ng sasakyan at sumalubong sa akin ang luntiang tanawin."I'm glad you came with me, Milady," I heard him say. I could feel his wide grin even if I wasn't looking at him."As if I have a choice, Gale. I owe you a date, remember?" nakataas ang kilay kong tanong at lalo siyang napangisi.
Last Updated : 2021-11-05Guilty Pleasures Eleven
NIKKI'S POVNanatili akong nakapikit kahit noong maghiwalay na ang mga labi namin ni Gale. Nararamdaman ko pa rin ang malambot niyang labi na nakadampi sa labi ko. Pakiramdam ko ay parang nakalutang pa rin ako sa ulap. Hindi ito ang unang halik ko, pero kakaiba ang pakiramdam. Ibang klase ng sarap ang pinalasap ng halik ni Gale sa akin. Napamulat ako nang marinig ko ang mahinang pagtikhim ni Gale."I'm sorry..."Agad na nangilid ang luha sa aking mga mata nang marinig ko ang sinabi niya. Nag-sosorry ba siya dahil ayaw niya akong halikan? Hindi niya ba nagustuhan, o ako lang talaga ang nag-enjoy sa halik na iyon? Hindi ko maintindihan, pero parang hiniwa ang puso ko nang marinig ko ang salitang sorry galing sa kanya.Natatarantang lumapit siya sa akin at pinun
Last Updated : 2021-11-06Guilty Pleasures TWELVE
NIKKI'S POV"Should I refer you to a psychiatrist now?"Napalingon ako kay Camille na hindi ko namalayan na nakatayo na pala sa harap ng mesa ko. I couldn't stop smiling as I remembered our so-called weekend date. Akala ko noong una, hindi ako mag-eenjoy, turns out, I enjoyed every moment I spent with Gale. Every bit of that weekend was so memorable, that I cannot take it out of my mind."What are you talking about?" patay-malisyang tanong ko kay Camille."You're smiling like an idiot! Simula nang bumalik ka galing sa date niyo ni Gale, parang naging ibang Dominique ka na. Instead of frowning, I can now see you smiling to yourself," saad niya.Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin. Siguro nga, iba talaga ang naging epekto ni Gale sa akin. Because of
Last Updated : 2021-11-07Guilty Pleasures THIRTEEN
NIKKI'S POV"No, it can't be!"Nagulat kami sa naging reaksyon ng Mommy ni Gale. She was looking at me with disbelief evident in her eyes. Para bang hindi niya inaasahan na makikita niya ako. Wait— does she know me? Pero sigurado ako na ito ang unang beses na nakita ko siya."What, Mom? Here we go again with your exaggerated reaction. By the way, meet Dominique. She's the one, Mom," Gale said as he introduced me to his Mom.Pakiramdam ko ay biglang tumigil ang mundo ko sa sinabi niya. I'm the one?"Milady, this is my Mom, Graciella Miller. And my Dad, Andreas Miller," Gale continued.I gave his parents a nervous smile and shook their hands. His
Last Updated : 2021-11-08Guilty Pleasures FOURTEEN
NIKKI'S POVTahimik lang kami habang binabagtas ang daan papunta sa bahay ni Gale. He didn't want to leave me alone in my apartment kahit pa nga dinampot na ng mga Tanod si Vonn. He will be staying in the Barangay Hall for the night. I was still thinking if I should file a case or file for a blotter report, since I don’t want to cause a ruckus. Nanginig ako nang muling sumagi sa isipan ko ang nangyari kanina. As if he knew, Gale took my shaking hands and held it firmly."Hey, nandito lang ako, Milady. You don't have to be afraid," he assured me.Pagdating namin sa harap ng bahay niya ay mabilis niyang inihinto ang sasakyan sa garahe. Nauna siyang bumaba at inalalayan niya ako. Dala ko ang isang maliit na backpack na naglalaman ng damit na pamalit ko. Ayaw ko sanang maka-istorbo sa kanya ngunit mapilit siya. Aniya, baka raw balikan ako ni Vonn doon.Hanggang ngayon ay nagtataka pa rin ako kung p
Last Updated : 2021-11-09Guilty Pleasures FIFTEEN
NIKKI’S POVWhen I woke up the next morning, I immediately looked for Gale but he was nowhere to be found. Realizing that I was alone in the bed, I quickly got up and washed my face before heading down stairs.I could hear Gale’s faint humming and an aromatic smell filled my nostrils. I found myself standing in the kitchen doorway, watching as Gale moved to the rhythm of a certain disco song. Nakasuot siya ng apron at may hawak na sandok na siyang ginagamit niya sa pagluluto. Napapangiti ako habang pinagmamasdan siya na umiindak-indak sa saliw ng kanyang musika. He was topless, and I couldn’t seem to look away from his well-built body. Para itong isang piyesa ng sining na nililok ng isang bihasang iskultor.My smile faded when I suddenly remembered the picture frame I saw last night. I was dead curious about the woman, but I can’t ask him. I don’t want to sound nosy, and bes
Last Updated : 2021-11-10
Latest chapter
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
