CHAPTER 19
DAYS HAS PASSED, Hera noticed that Augustus is being cold and always yelling to his employees in three days. Halos lahat ng pumapasok sa loob ng opisina nito ay nasisinghalan at napapagalitan nito. Iyon na ang routine nito sa loob ng tatlong araw.“Anong nangyayari kay Boss? Parang tayo ata ang pinagbubuntunan niya ng galit?” Dinig niyang bulong ng isang empleyado sa kapwa nitong empleyado. Halata ang pagkairita sa boses nito na ikinailing niya.
“Ewan ko ba, baka nag-away sila ni Ma’am Venice.” Ani ng kausap nito. Hindi mapigilan ni Hera ang makinig lalo pa at nasa gilid niya lang ang mga ito.“Anong si Ma'am Venice? Hindi naman ganun si Boss kung mag-away man sila ni Ma’am Venice, ah. Pero ‘di ba, matagal na silang wala, ‘tsaka may nabalitaan ako na may jowa na daw si Ma’am Venice at hindi si Boss iyon.&rdCHAPTER 20HERA shut her eyes off, trying to make herself fall asleep after what she heard from Augustus. Did he just confess his feelings for her? Mahina niyang ipinilig ang ulo para burahin ang katanungang iyon sa isipan niya. Lasing lang ang lalaki kaya nasabi niya ang mga bagay na iyon, he's not aware of what he is saying. Don’t assume, Hera. He’s just drunk, he’s not aware of what he is saying.She keep on brushing his hair with her fingers and stared on his handsome face. Bumaba ang daliri niya para haplusin ang noo nito, pababa sa matangos nitong ilong, pataas sa makapal nitong mga kilay. She keeps on doing it, admiring how handsome this man is. And then her eyes settled on his lips. Mapula-pula ang ito at parang gusto niyang ilapat ang sariling labi sa labi nito. God! Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata para pigilan ang sariling gawin ang iniisip niya.As she opened her eyes, she gently caressed his face. “Bakit ba kasi ang gwapo mo?” Wala sa sariling tanong niya.“It runs in o
CHAPTER 21NAGISING si Hera ng biglang kumalam ang kanyang sikmura. Itinukod niya ang magkabilang siko sa kanyang higaan para makaupo. Ramdam niya ang pananakit sa pagitan ng hita niya. And then, the memories of last night entered her mind.Malalaki ang mga matang tiningnan niya ang katawan niyang nakabalot ng comforter.“O my God…” mahinang sambit niya nang makitang wala siyang saplot ni isa.Halos mamula ang buong mukha niya nang maalala ang nangyari kagabi. Augustus and her, having a hot and steamy sex! Shit! Ano nalang ang mukhang ihaharap niya sa boss niya mamaya? Mabuti nalang talaga at wala na ito sa condo niya—A knock from the door make her stop from thinking. Kumunot ang noo niya, iniisip niya kung sino iyon.&nb
CHAPTER 22 “WHO’S THAT MAN?” Iyon ang kauna-unahang lumabas sa bibig ni Augustus na bumasag sa nakakabinging katahimikan. They are currently eating in the so called VIP room and they’ve been in silence since they started eating. Laking pasasalamat ni Hera at tinawag kaagad si Cortez ng manager dahilan para makahinga siya ng maluwag. Nilunok muna niya ang karneng ningunguya bago sumagot. “Ah, yun. Kababata ko, si Adamson Cortez.” Maikling sagot niya habang nakatingin sa pagkain niya. “Childhood friend, I see.” Bulong nito na hindi niya narinig, “do you find him handsome?” Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa tanong nito. He’s pissed, again. She can see in his deep brown eyes an emotion she can’t name. “Yeah? He’s handsome…” nakita niyang nagsalubong ang magkabilang kilay nito. Irritation is visible on his handsome face making her smile teasingly. “But of course, my cariño mio is more handsome than every man who I’ve known. So stop being pissed or irritated, Gus. Cortez is handsome but you
CHAPTER 23NAGISING si Hera sa mahimbing niyang tulog nang may sunod-sunod na nagdoorbell sa condo niya. Pagod niyang iminulat ang kanyang mga mata at tumingin sa wall clock. It’s still 7 A.M! Alas otso pa siya papasok sa trabaho niya, she still has one hour to sleep and rest.Napipilitang bumangon siya saka naisipang pagbuksan ang pangahas na panay ang pagdoorbell sa condo niya. She wants to thank that freaking human for waking her up.Nang mabuksan na niya ang pinto, kaagad sumalubong sa kanya si Augustus na may mga ngiti sa labi habang may bitbit na transparent na plastic. Her face remained stoic while staring at him, grinning like an idiot.“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Kaagad niyang tanong kay Augustus habang ang ito naman ay walang hiyang pumasok sa condo niya.As she stared
CHAPTER 24“SAAN MO NGA AKO DADALHIN?” Kanina pa nagtatanong si Hera sa kanya kung saan daw niya ito dadalhin, sa kalagitnaan ng byahe nila.He sighed. “Ikaw ang bahala. I suggested you more than five places to go for our date and you said no. Ikaw na ang bahala, I’ll accompany you wherever you go.”Napalabi ito sa sinabi niya, kitang-kita niya iyon sa kanyang peripheral vision.“I want to go to a place I’ve never been before.” Dinig niya ang mahina nitong bulong.“Where is it? Malayo ba? Should I contact my personal pilot—”“Amusement park…” mahina nitong sabi pero sapat na para marinig niya. “Nevermind.”
CHAPTER 25“CAN I SLEEP HERE IN YOUR CONDO?” Tanong ni Augustus sa kanya nang maihatid siya nito sa condo niya. May paglalambing sa boses nito na ikinairap niya.After what happened there in the restroom, pilit siyang lumalayo kay Augustus na panay ang pagdikit sa kanya. Halos hindi na ito humihiwalay sa kanya, after they do the shopping, they went to the cinema, after that they ate on a French Restaurant. Hanggang sa dumilim na ang langit at napagdesisyonan na nilang umuwi ay nakahawak parin ang kamay nito sa palad niya. He’s really clingy and she’s starting to like it. Isang simpleng paghawak sa balat niya, tumitibok na ng mabilis ang puso niya, isang tingin lang sa gwapo nitong mukha, nawawala agad ang kanyang bahala. And she’s starting to worry. Alam niyang panandalian lang itong nararamdaman niya dahil kapag nalaman na nito ang totoo, ito na mismo ang lalayo sa
CHAPTER 26“ANONG GUSTO MONG PAG-USAPAN NATIN?” Kaagad na tanong ni Venice sa kanya ng makapasok ito sa opisina niya.Siya ang nag-imbita kay Venice para makipag-usap. He wants to clarify everything for him to focus his full attention to Hera.Imunwestra niya ang visitor's chair na nasa harapan niya para paupuin ang dating kasintahan.“What now?” Mataray nitong tanong nang makaupo na ito. She’s wearing a gray v-neck t-shirt paired with a blue denim pants.“I want to clarify some things about us.” Diretso niyang sabi saka pinagsiklop ang sariling mga daliri. “You know we’re already over, right? And about why we broke up, it’s all my fault, okay? Walang kasalanan si Hera sa paghihiwalay natin.” 
CHAPTER 27 HERA WENT back to her condo feeling relieved and happy. Pagkatapos nilang mag-usap ng mga magulang niya, after clarifying things, she went to her kids and spend her remaining time to talk to them. Hindi pa man siya nakakapasok sa mismong condo unit niya ay namataan na niya ang isang pamilyar na bulto ng lalaki. Kahit medyo madilim na ay kilala niya ito. She took a deep breath before walking towards her condo unit. She stopped in front of the door of her condo and was about to open it when a baritone voice of a man suddenly spoke. “Saan ka nanggaling?” Augustus asked while crossing his arms in front of his chest. Pero sa halip na sagutin ito ay kinuha niya ang susi mula sa bulsa niya at binuksan ang pinto ng condo niya. She acted like Augustus wasn’t there. Akmang papasok siya sa loob ng bigla siyang tawagin nito. “Hera—” inis niya itong hinarap at bahagyang lumayo ng mapansing ilang dangkal nalang ang layo nila sa isa't-isa. “So we’re back to first name basis?” Sarcas
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.