CHAPTER 37
“MOMMY! MAGALING NA AKO!” Kaagad na bumungad sa kanyang tainga ang matinis na boses ni Hermina habang karga-karga ito ni Augustus.
Hera is currently cooking for their breakfast. Pagkatapos nilang mag-usap ni Augustus ay naisipan niyang magluto nalang. It was just a short conversation but it actually lighten up her mind and heart.
Nilingon niya ang mag-ama niya at matamis itong ningitian. Kaagad na hinanap ng kanyang mga mata si Hero at nakita ito sa sala, nakaupo habang nakatingin sa kakambal nitong karga-karga ni Augustus. Hermina and her father are both laughing as they exchange words and Hera can see the longing in Hero's eyes. Alam niyang gusto nitong makisali sa harutan ng mag-ama pero mukhang pinipigilan lang nito ang sarili.
Hera took a deep breath
CHAPTER 38MADILIM ang mukha ni Augustus habang nakatingin sa walang malay na si Hera. Kinain ng takot ang puso niya, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, hindi para sa sarili niya kundi para sa babaeng mahal niya. When he saw Hera's expression by getting shot, fear consumed him. By the thought of it was one of Hera's family’s enemy, he thought that Hera's father is making an action and by now, that sniper should be dead.As he stare at her unconscious face, his blood is boiling in anger. Tinawagan niya ang ama ni Hera para ipasundo sina Hermina at Hero at doon muna pansamantala habang hindi pa gumagaling ng tuluyan si Hera. He can still remember how Hermina cry and shiver as witnessed her mother got shot. Habang si Hero naman ay nanatiling kalmado at umaktong para bang hindi nabaril ang ina nito. Just like what the Arison clan acted. Nanatili ang mga itong kalmado habang siya ay todo ang pag-aa
CHAPTER 39“Ha?” Maang ni Hera sa sinabi ni Augustus. Hindi niya alam kung tama ba ang narinig niya.Nakangiting umiling-iling si Augustus at hinalikan ang gilid ng noo niya saka ito umupo sa tabi niya.“Nothing.” Nakangiting sambit nito habang siya ay nagtataka. Ano kaya ang sinabi nito, hindi kasi niya narinig ng malinaw kung anong sinabi nito. Pakiramdam niya tuloy importante ang sinabi ni Augustus.Napasimangot nalang si Hera at naglalambing na niyakap si Augustus mula sa gilid.“Ano nga kasi yung sinabi mo?” Tanong niya. Hindi niya alam pero parang gusto niyang malaman kung anong sinabi nito.Augustus smiled mysteriously. “Nothing important, ba
CHAPTER 40NAGISING si Hera at ininat ang magkabilang braso. Her eyes settled on the man lying beside her. The man she loves. Nakangiting pinakatitigan niya ang gwapo nitong pagmumukha. Ngayon lang niya ito natingnan ng malapitan, kaya lulubus-lubosin na niya.How can this man be so freaking handsome while sleeping? She examined his face, and she found it cute when she saw two moles on his nose. Nanggigigil na pinisil-pisil niya ang tungki ng ilong nito at mukhang nagising niya ito dahil bigla nalang itong gumalaw at unti-unti nitong iminulat ang mga mata.Hera can feel her heart beating faster as her eyes met his. Augustus lips stretched into a wide smile and hug her gently. He then, kissed her forehead, down to her nose, and then his lips met hers. Parang may sariling isip ang kanyang labi at bumuka ito ng kusa, giving Augustu
CHAPTER 41 THREE DAYS HAS PASSED. As what Hera has already planned, she went to the Saavedra's territory. Two days ago, Cortez sent her the full details about the Saavedra. It was stated there that their force in not that so strong because they are lacking. Lacking of money and people. Inutusan ni Hera si Cortez na bayaran ang ibang tauhan ng mga Saavedra para kumampi sa kanila. And they agrees. With a large amount to be given to them, they will obey and obliged to do what she will say. Hindi na nakapagpaalam si Hera kay Augustus lo pa at madaling araw siyang lumisan sa mansion. It’s the perfect time for her plan. Kung saan mahimbing na natutulog pa ang mga tao. Hindi pumasok si Hera sa mismong teritoryo ng mga Saavedra, bagkus ay pumasok siya sa isang five star hotel sa h
CHAPTER 42AUGUSTUS is not really busy. He just make it as an excuse to Hera. Gabi na at nasa himpapawid na siya, sakay ang kanyang private plane, papunta sa Italy. He will personally meet his parents and tell them how contented and happy he is.He’s also planning to buy a ring when he got there. Magpo-propose siya kay Hera and he’s hoping that she will said yes. Alam niyang mahal siya nito pero hindi parin niya maiwasang mangamba. What if her love for me suddenly fades away? He immediately dispose that kind of thought in his mind and shut his eyes off, trying to set those thoughts away from him.Life is short, ika nga nila. Hindi naman sa minamadali niya ang lahat lalo pa at ngayon-ngayon palang naayos ang problema ng mga Arison. But he can’t just wait. Yes, he loves her and Hera loves him too, but he wa
CHAPTER 43A BOMB dropped on Hera's heart on what her son just said. Parang namingi ang kanyang magkabilang tainga, nanlamig ang kanyang mga paa at kamay, at nanginig ang kanyang mga kalamnan sa pangalang binanggit ni Hero.How? Tanong niya sa kanyang isipan habang bumabalik ang alala nila ni Adamson bilang magkaibigan. The first day she saw and met him is the day when something happened to her and Augustus.Masakit ang puso at ego ni Hera nang makalabas siya sa hotel na pansamantalang inuukupa niya. Where something miserable happened to her. Kasama ang ang pagsakit ng puso niya dahil natapakan ang ego niya ay masakit din ang pagkababae niya. But she still manage to walk straight with her head high wearing her sad face.Pulling her small luggage, she sat down on the
CHAPTER 44 WEARING her emotionless face, Hera stares at the man in front of her. She didn't let any emotions escape on her face, she won't give him a satisfaction. She crosses her arms in her chest while staring intently at Adamson who seems don't get affected on the way she stares. Hindi sila nahirapang hanapin ito lalo pa at hindi naman ito nagtatago. He, Adamson, himself surrendered on them, giving them the chance to imprison him. Habang sinusuri ni Hera ang mukha ni Adamson, hindi niya ito nakikitaan ng kaba o takot habang nakatali ang magkabila nitong kamay sa likod ng silyang inuupuan. Nakipaglabanan ito ng titig sa kanya. Si Hera na mismo ang nag-iwas ng tingin saka nagtanong. "Why, Cortez?" Tanging tanong niya na tiyak ay makukuha ag
CHAPTER 45 WALANG emosyon ang mababasa sa mukha ni Hera habang tahimik na nakatingin sa kanya. They are having a simple dinner on his mansion, with his parents. Silence envelop them for minutes not until his father throw some question. "Herajeya Arison, right?" tanong nito kaya napabaling ito sa ama niya. Hera nod tiredly, her eyes shouts boredness. Augustus' father nodded as she get her attention back to her food. She just stared at her food, hindi niya ito ginalaw o kinain. She just doesn't feel like eating, wala siyang gana lalo pa at kaharap niya ang mga magulang ni Augustus. Ramdam na ramdam niya ang mapanuring mga tingin ng mga ito, lalong-lalo na ang ina nito na kanina pa nakatingin sa kanya.
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.