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
CHAPTER 28 “I BROUGHT YOU A BREAKFAST, BABY!” Hera's face automatically crumpled when she heard Augustus annoying voice. She’s already pissed yesterday, when he hurriedly left the company to go to his ex-fiancé. Kahapon pa niya ito iniiwasan at hindi pinapansin kahit panay ang pangungulit nito sa kanya. He also explained everything and promised not to meet his ex-fiancé anymore. Until now, she keep on avoiding him. Sinadya niyang abalahin ang sarili para iwasan ang lalaki na panay ang buntot sa kanya. She check here, there, and ask some things about the upcoming show. Kahit alam na niya ang lahat ng bagay na kakailanganin sa show ay nagtanong parin siya, of course, just to avoid him. “Come on, baby. Lalamig na ‘to, I cooked it by myself.” Dinig niyang sabi nito mula sa kanyang l
CHAPTER 29 HERA is smiling radiantly and was inspired in doing her sketches. Remembering what they had done yesterday makes her shook her head while smiling. Augustus made love with her. He took her from every corner of his house that she can’t even remember where they started at when they ended. Basta nahimatay nalang siya bigla dahil sa sobrang kapaguran. Her legs are even shaking and she’s still sore but she decided to work, kahit panay ang pigil sa kanya ni Augustus na huwag ng magtrabaho. She’s now feeling at ease when Augustus assures her that he don’t feel anything to Venice. At kanyang-kanya daw ang lalaki. And now, she has decided to tell him the truth. Alam niyang magagalit ito at susumbatan siya, but she’ll choose to tell him about their kids. Naniniwala siyang mas mangingibabaw ang pagmamahal nito sa kanya kaya mataas ang komp
CHAPTER 30 AUGUSTUS BRUSHES his hair in frustration. Halos paliparin niya ang kotse niya papunta sa condo ni Hera. After what Venice did, he immediately called Hera but she’s unreachable. Venice told him a very nonsense information. Sinabi nito sa kanya na buntis ito at ang ama ng dinadala niya ay hindi siya pinagutan. All he could do is to shrug and leave her behind. He keep on calling Hera's number and she’s still unreachable kaya naman ay pinuntahan niya ito sa condo nito. Nagmamadaling hininto niya ang kotse niya sa gilid saka dali-daling lumabas sa kotse niya. And to his surprise, he saw Elias and Hera. Together. Elias handed her a ring like he was proposing to her and Hera took it before hugging Elias and whispered something. He clenched his jaw in anger and jealousy as he furiously but silently walked away from them. Galit na pumasok
CHAPTER 31 AUGUSTUS faced Hera's father decently and formally. Talagang pinuntahan niya ito sa teritoryo nito ng mag-isa. Arison Empire is really a huge place or he could even call it a village. May tatlong mansion sa lugar na pinalilibutan ng matataas at matatayog na mga gate na gawa sa metal. May limang mga hindi gaanong kalakihang mga bahay na pare-pareho ang mga kulay. The place is guarded from the outside and especially inside. Maraming bantay sa labas, mga armadong lalaki na may dala-dalang mga matataas na baril. Pero mas maraming bantay ang loob nito na animo'y anong oras ay may papasok na kalaban. As Augustus looked at the man’s strict face in front of him, he gulped but tried to look tough. Hera's father’s aura shouts authority and power. “Mr. Florin, what are you doing
CHAPTER 32 “MOMMY! IT’S OUR BIRTHDAY!” Nagising si Hera nang maramdamang may nakadagan sa tiyan niya. She slowly opened her eyes and saw her daughter sitting on her stomach. Hera groaned when Mina jumped at her belly. “Good Morning, Mommy!” Maligayang bati nito sa kanya saka siya pinupog ng maraming halik sa mukha. Natawa nalang si Hera sa ginawa ng anak niya. “Good Morning, baby. Where’s Hero?” Hera asked as she hugs Mina tightly but gently. “Kuya is still sleeping pa po... Excited na po ako! Gusto ko na po makita si Papa!” She screams in excitement making her realized something and asked. “What if he will not co
CHAPTER 33PARANG isang lantang gulay si Hera habang naglalakad papasok sa kompanya ni Augustus. She can even hear the employees whispering something but she’s too tired to care. Wala pa siyang tulog but she chooses to go in Augustus’ company. For her daughter.Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad hanggang sa nakarating siya sa harapan ng opisina ng CEO. She felt nothing but sadness. She knocked three times before pushing the glass door and went inside the CEO's office. Nakatalikod ito mula sa kanya kaya naglakad siya palapit dito.“I told you not to disturb me, didn’t I?” Augustus said in a cold tone of voice.Huminga ng malalim si Hera bago ibinuka ang bibig para magsalita.“I-It's
CHAPTER 34“YOU SHOULD SLEEP, TESORO.” Sabi sa kanya ni Augustus habang sinusuklay ang buhok niya gamit ang mga daliri nito.She’s resting her head on Augustus’ lap. Nasa sofa sila, tahimik na pinagmamasdan ang kanilang anak na walang malay na nakahiga sa puting higaan. Maraming mga tubo ang nakakonekta sa katawan nito.Hera sighed heavily as she looks at Augustus’ face. Alam niyang umiyak ito kanina nang makapasok ito sa silid na iniukupa ni Hermina. His red and swollen eyes tells it all.“Sorry, Gus. T-This is all m-my f-fault. I-I was really p-planning to tell it to you…” nabasag ang boses niya habang nagsasalita. This is all her fault. Kasalanan niya ang lahat. Kung sana ay hindi lang siya nag-isip ng kung anu-ano, edi sana ay
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.