CHAPTER 10 (part 2)
NANG MAKITA ni Augustus na pumasok si Hera sa banyo, wala sa sariling nagpaalam siya sa mga kausap niyang mga business partners.
"Excuse me for a while." Paalam niya at akmang tatayo nang pinigilan ni Venice ang kamay niya kaya nilingon niya ito.
"Saan ka pupunta?" She asked which makes him frowned.
"Restroom." Simple niyang sagot at binaklas ang pagkakahawak nito sa braso niya at naglakad patungo sa pintong pinasukan ni Hera.
Hindi pa man siya nakakarating ay lumabas na ito. May biglang lumapit na lalaki dito at pilit na hinahawakan ang babae na panay naman ang pag-ilag at pagtapik ng kamay nito. He furiously walks faster as he saw that man squeezes Hera's shoulders. Biglang nagdilim ang paningin niya at nagtagis ang bagang nang akmang ilalapit ng pangahas na lalaki ang labi nito k
CHAPTER 11MASAKIT ang ulo ni Hera nang sinubukan niyang bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga. Parang pinupukpok iyon ng martilyo sa sobrang sakit. Nang makatayo siya ay inilibot niya ang paningin sa kabuuan ng silid.What the...nasaan ako? Akmang lalabas siya sa silid ng bigla iyong bumukas at iniluwa nun si Elias."Good Morning," nakangiting bati nito sa kanya pero hindi niya ito magawang ngitian pabalik."Nasaan ako?" Tanong niya habang tinitingnan parin ang kabuuan ng silid. White ceiling, white curtains, white carpet--- halos lahat ng makita niya ay kulay puti. The room is all white and neat."We're in Tagaytay." Kaswal nitong sagot na ikinalaki ng mga mata niya. Wala sa sariling napatingin siya sa suot niya. She's not wearing her gown anymore! Naka pajamas na siya! Nang-aakusa niyang
CHAPTER 12NAGPAALAM si Elias kay Hera nang maihatid siya nito sa hotel na inuukupa nila. May aberya daw na nangyari sa kompanya nito, sino ba naman siya para pigilan ang binata. Nakahinga siya ng maluwag ng mawala na ito sa hotel, hindi sa hindi niya gusto itong makita, talagang hindi pa lang talaga siya handang makipag-usap sa binata lalo na sa nalaman niya.Gabi na at walang ibang nagawa si Hera sa hotel kaya naman ay nagluto nalang siya para sa sarili niya. She cooked a simple dinner for herself and eat it all by herself. Natapos na siyang kumain at nagligpit nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone niya. Nang makita kung sino ang caller sinagot niya kaagad iyon."Good Evening, Mr. Florin. Anong kailangan mo?" Kaagad niyang tanong sa lalaki."Where are you? Mag-isa ka lang ba d'yan? Nakaalis na ba si Ivanov?" Sunod-sunod nitong tanong na nagpakuno
CHAPTER 13PANGITI-NGITING sumusulyap si Augustus kay Hera habang kumakain sa restaurant sa resort na binabakasyonan nila. Kitang-kita niya kung paano kagatin ni Hera ang pang-ibabang labi habang nakayuko. Kanina pa ito hindi makatingin sa kanya.He's grinning from ear to ear as he remembers what happened earlier. Alam niya ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ito makatingin sa kanya ng diretso. Ano pa bang ikinahihiya nito, halos memoryado na niya ang katawan nito. It's been five years and yes, he still remembers how she beg him to do it faster, her goddess body, her moans—"Gus! Earth to my Augustus!" Napakurap-kurap siya ng tawagin ng dalaga ang pangalan niya."W-What?" Tanong niya habang titig na titig sa mukha nito."Kanina pa ako nagsasalita dito, hindi ka naman nakikinig. Mind telling m
CHAPTER 13 "STOP IT, HERA. YOU'RE FUCKING DRUNK!" Magkasalubong ang kilay na saway ni Augustus kay Hera. She's been drinking for an hour! Nagsibalikan na ang mga empleyado niya sa mga hotel rooms nito habang siya ay pilit na pinapatigil si Hera sa pag-inom. She shook her head. "No. I am not d-drunk, just tipsy." Napailing nalang si Augustus sa inakto ng babae. She's drinking from the bottle of the beer. Halos magdadalawang bote ng beer na ang naubos ni Hera and there he is, waiting patiently for her to stop. "Come on, Hera. Lasing ka na." Marahan niyang hinila ang babae patayo pero winakli nito ang kamay niya at mag-isang tumayo. Malapit pa itong masubsob sa lupa, mabuti nalang at mabilis niya itong naalalayan. "Don't t-touch me, you jerk." Napangiwi siya sa sinabi nito. Okay lang naman sila kanina
CHAPTER 15 (Part 1)BAHAGYANG napaungol si Hera ng maramdamang may pumisil-pisil sa mayayamang dibdib niya. Biglang nagising ang natutulog niyang diwa at biglang nag-init ang kaniyang pakiramdam.She slowly open her eyes. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kamay na nakapatong sa dibdib niya. Ang mauugat at mainit nitong kamay ay sapat na para malamang lalaki ito!She slowly turns her head to see the man's face. At nang tuluyan na niya iyong nakita, halos lumuwa ang mga mata niya. She was about to scream when a baritone voice of him speaks."Don't scream, il tesoro. Give me a peaceful sleep." He said in a sleepy voice which makes her stilled. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin, Augustus is now facing her back.Anong nangyari? Bakit magkatabi sila ni Augustus ngayon? Bakit nakahubad siya? At bakit n
CHAPTER 15 (Part 2)DAYS FLIES SO FAST. It’s third day on their short vacation and Hera and Augustus is building a new and maybe, a positive relationship. Hindi na niya tinatarayan ang lalaki at mas lalo pa niya itong nakilala sa pagdaan ng mga araw. Maybe, she can call him a friend since they’ve been talking and sharing a lot of things to each other.And now, they’re watching the sunset together. As they always do in this past few days.“My Mom is a Fil-Am, half Filipino, half American while my Dad is a full blooded Italian.” Paninimula nito at tahimik lang niya itong pinakinggan. “they are both into business, halos lahat ng oras nila ay ginugol nila sa pagtatrabaho, wala na silang oras para sa akin. All my life, I never felt the love of them but still, I am thankful for all they have done just to give me a good future.” Anito habang nakatingin sa
CHAPTER 16BUONG ARAW na inasikaso ni Augustus ang lahat. He answers the questions of some reporters, siniguro niyang maayos ang kalagayan ng mga biktima sa nangyaring pagsabog. He paid all the expenses and the damages, and that fine for him. Wala lang sa kanya ang pera, kaya niyang palitan ang lahat ng nasira, pero ang mga buhay na nasawi ay ang hindi niya kayang palitan. He’s so drain and fucking tired.“Come on, Florin. You still have many documents to sign up, half of it is all about the incident.” Paalala ng sekretarya niya.Pagod niyang isinandal ang likod sa swivel chair at pasimpleng sumulyap sa malaking bintana na gawa sa salamin. It’s already dark, he wonders how Hera is doing right now. Hindi niya kasi ito nakita ngayon araw, pakiramdam niya kailangan niya itong makita at maamoy para mawala ang pagod na nararamdaman niy
CHAPTER 17OMMY!” Tili ng anak niyang babae nang makita siya nito.Sinalubong agad siya nito ng mahigpit na yakap na kaagad niya namang tinugon, saka kinarga ang anak. Masaya na siya ngayong nakita at nayakap na niya ang anak niya, parang wala na siyang problemang iniisip.“Where’s your Lola, Hermina?” Tanong niya sa anak habang naglalakad papunta sa kusina para uminom ng tubig. Napakalayo kasi ng binyahe niya kaya nauhaw siya.“Sa market po, bili daw siya foods.” Sagot naman nito habang nilalaro ang buhok niya. Hermina has this hobbit of playing her hair.Ininom muna niya ang tubig na nasa baso bago magsalita ulit. “and your kuya?” She asked, referring to Hero, Hermina's twin brother.Kaagad namang umasim ang mukha
SPECIAL CHAPTER III: Il Tesoro, te amo. HERA is enjoying the breeze of the air in the veranda, hitting her face directly as she inhale the fresh air, relaxing her nerves. It’s already midnight and she can’t still go back to sleep. A nightmare woke her from her slumber sleep. The memory of her being shot in the park still struck her brain, parang hindi na ito nawawala sa isipan niya. The excavating pain still linger on her side, hurting like hell. Ang pilat na resulta ng pagkakabaril sa kanya ay naroroon pa rin sa kanyang tagiliran, hindi nawawala sa paglipas ng panahon. It’s been eighteen years and she can’t still forget that scenario. “What’s my wife thinking, huh?” A deep baritone voice of her husband suddenly spoke behind her. Hindi na siya nagulat sa biglaang pagsulpot nito dahil nasanay na siya dito. Augustus would appear out of nowhere. That’s what she noticed about him after they got married. Maraming nagbago, hindi maipagkakaila ni Hera iyon, but their love to each other
SPECIAL CHAPTER II: Hero Augustine FlorinKANINA PA NAPAPANSIN ni Hero ang mabigat na atmospera sa paligid nila habang kumakain silang pamilya. They are currently eating their dinner and silence enveloped them. No one bothers to talk, not even her mother or father. Tanging ang ingay ng kutsara't tinidor lamang ang naririnig niya.Pansin niya din ang pagiging mailap ng kakambal niya sa kanila, wala ni isang salita ang namutawi sa bibig nito mula kahapon. Speaking of yesterday, sinugod niya si Ramses sa penthouse nito at inambahan ng suntok pero kaagad din niyang binawi ng makita ang kalagayan nito. He looks like a lost boy in the woods, asking for guidance. He saw it, the disappointment and pain in his eyes. And now he wonders what really happened yesterday between his twin sister and his best friend.Hermina suddenly spoke making Hero look at her. “Mom, I accept your proposal. I will be the head of the Aris
SPECIAL CHAPTER: Hermina Callista Arison-Florin HERO is currently waiting for his twin sister to come out from her office. He's been waiting there for almost two hours but he didn't bother to enter because he respects his sister's privacy. Ano ba kasing ginagawa pa nito sa loob ng opisina nito at napakatagal nitong lumabas. He already messaged her that he is already there. Hermina is already a professional and also a successful doctor while Hero is already a businessman, he's following the steps of his father. His father will give his all assets to him while Hermina will inherit and rule the Arison clan. Pero hindi ito pumayag dahil mas gusto nito ang pagdo-doktor kaysa ang pasukin ang magulong mundo ng negosyo ng mga Arison. Hero can't rule two different businesses, an empire and a huge clan, it would just give him a headache. The Arison, especially their mother, gave
EPILOGUE"MOMMY! DADDY!" Hera and Augustus' youngest child welcome them with a warm hug. Kaagad na umuklo si Hera at Augustus para yakapin ito at halikan ang pisngi ng babae nilang anak na si Ashera."How is my little princess doing?" Augustus asked in a soft voice and slightly pinched Ashera's cheek.Si Hera naman ay nagtungo sa sala kung nasaan nandoon ang kambal niyang anak, si Hero at Hermina. The two of them are both turning eighteen next month while Ashera is turning five four months from now. Hera can't still accept that her babies are now grown-ups, especially Hero who is now changing like his father, a womanizer, and a handsome one. While Hermina on the other hand is busy with her studies."Hey, Mom." Kaagad na bati sa kanya ni Hero nang makita siya nito. Hero hug her and kissed her cheeks.Hera glared at her son and flick
CHAPTER 55IT'S BEEN FIVE CONSECUTIVE DAYS since her mother and Augustus' mother got along. Pagkatapos nitong magkaayos ay halos hindi na ito humiwalay sa isa't-isa. Palagi nalang itong magkasama at isinasama din ng mga ito ang anak niya kaya siya nalang ang naiwan sa mansion. Augustus has been so busy with his company this five days, palagi nalang itong gabi umuuwi at maaga namang umaalis kaya hindi na niya ito nakakasama sa umagahan.She sighed as she pouted her lips when silence enveloped the mansion. Halos mabingi si Hera sa katahimikang lumukob sa mansion. She already taken down her works too kaya wala na siyang maisip na gawin.Three days after her mother and Mrs. Florin talked and clarify things, her father transferred all his properties and business to her. Pero hindi naman siya naging abala masyado, her relatives, the Arisons, are helping her. Not to mention the three loyal families, protecti
CHAPTER 54"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME, HERA!" Malakas na tinig ng kanyang ina ang kaagad na bumungad sa kanya pagkapasok niya sa mansion ni Augustus.Lumabas kasi silang magpamilya, her, Augustus, and their kids, to the mall and amusement park. They spend almost three hours wandering around the mall and enjoying the rides in the amusement park.She gave her mother a forced smile and asked innocently."What did I do, Mom?"Her mother shook her head as she placed her hand on her temple, massaging it.Of course Hera knew why her mother is acting fury to her. She set her up to talk to Augustus' mother."I can't believe this," her mother whispered in the air and point herself. "Me, your own mother. How can you frame me with that woman?!"Hindi natinag si Hera sa lakas ng
53"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU AND MOM? Why are you both crying? Nagkasagutan ba kayo? Inaway ka ba ni Mommy?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Auntie sa kanya nang makapasok silang dalawa sa silid nila.Remembering how Augustus' mother pleaded with her to talk to her mother. She can't help to feel sorry for her, for what her mother did in the past. But she can't just let her judge her mother that easily. Paniguradong may matibay itong rason kung bakit nagawa nitong talikuran ang pagkakaibigan nila ng ina ni Augustus.Her mother left his mother for unknown reason. And it makes her wanna ask her Mom right away but she has to stick to the plan. Kailangan niya gumawa ng paraan para mag-usap ang dalawa. Mrs. Florin wants to see and talk to her mother very much, but her mother might won't agree if she tell her the truth. Kaya kahit gustong-gusto na niyang tanungin ang ina niya ay pinigilan niya. Her curiosity is eating her!
CHAPTER 52 NERVOUSNESS attacked Hera's heart when the two of them sitting on the sofa. Nakaharap siya sa ginang na kasalukuyang nakaupo sa mahabang sofa habang siya naman ay nakaupo sa kabilang sofa. She can feel the awkwardness between them, or it's just her feeling it? Facing Augustus' mother is making her heart thumps loudly as it will explode at any moment. His mother is really intimidating as she stared at her. She tried to hide the nervousness she is feeling, hoping that it will really be hidden. "You're an Arison, right?" The woman suddenly asked after a long silence. Bahagya pa siyang napaigtad sa biglaang pagsalita nito, kapagkuwan ay tumango. "Daughter of Feloso and Heraya, the only woman in the Arison clan. Balita ko ay ikaw na ang mamamahala sa lahat ng negosyo at ari-arian ng ama mo?" Hindi alam ni Hera kung bakit napunta sa mga magulang niya ang topic nila. She thought she wants to talk about her and Augus
CHAPTER 51AUGUSTUS BROUGHT his family to his mansion the next day. Finally, he can now call someone his family. His own family. Mukhang ayaw pa ngang sumama ni Hera dahil kailangan pa daw nitong ayusin ang gulo sa angkan nila. Even though Hera still doesn't hold their whole clan, she has to prove that she deserve to be the leader of the Arison clan. Kaya naman ay laking pasasalamat ni Augustus at nakulit niya itong sumama sa kanila. He knows that Hera can't resist his charmness.As they entered their home, he carefully put his kids down to the floor. The both of them are running around the mansion excitedly. It's been a long time since the twins have been living in Arison's mansion.