AUGUSTUS 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 waCHAPTER 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.
Chapter 46 "This isn't the right time to talk about that, Hera." Iyan ang sinagot ni Augustus sa katanungan niya kagabi. Pakiramdam niya naubos lahat ng tapang at confident niya kagabi. Inipon niya lahat ng tapang na mayroon siya, kinapalan niya ang mukha niya para tanungin kung ano ba talaga sila ni Augustus. At iyon lang ang isasagot nito? Parang sinampal siya sa katotohanang hindi nito kayang bigyan siya ng label. Or maybe she was asking for too much? Malakas niyang ipinilig ang ulo niya saka kinuha ang cellphone niya na nasa bulsa ng jeans niya at akmang tatawagan si Elias nang biglang tumawag sa kanya si Vain. With her eyebrows furrowed, she answered his call. She's confused, Vain w
CHAPTER 47HALOS kalahating-oras nang naghihintay si Augustus sa loob ng library, hindi pa rin dumadating si Hera.Did she do it on purpose?He shook his head and wandered his eyes around the spacious library. It's really wide indeed to be called a library. There are many bookshelves with many books on them. Augustus knew that the Arison are really something.Mayaman ito, they hold many businesses in and outside the country. Though, they kill someone who will go against their way. But not the innocent one.Napatigil siya sa pag-iisip nang biglang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa doon ang babaeng kanina pa niya hinihintay. She's wearing a yellow blouse and denim jeans. She looks so beautiful in that simple attire of hers, but what caught his attention is the bruise on her wrist. Binalot ng pag-aalala at galit ang buong sistema niya at kaa
CHAPTER 48AUGUSTUS keep on glaring Elias who doesn’t seem to care. Kanina pa niya ito tinatapunan ng mga masasamang tingin. Kung nakakamatay lang ang pagtingin, siguro ay nilamay na si Elias.Mahinang napailing si Hera at tinapik ang balikat ni Elias saka pasimpleng itinuro si Augustus na masama pa rin ang tingin.“Seems like someone is really carrying some burden on you, Eli. Ano ba kasing ginawa mo?” pabulong niyang tanong kay Elias.Elias shrugged and smile teasingly while looking at Augustus.“I didn't do anything, he’s just threatened by me.” Kompyansa nitong sagot na para bang sigurado ito sa sinasabi nito.“Hey! Stop talking to my fiancé, Ivanov!” Biglang angal ni Augustus
CHAPTER 49"DADDY!" The wide and spacious living room echoed by the voices of two, cute, adorable kids. Augustus spread his arms widely to welcome his kids with a warm hug.As his kids went near to him, they hugged him as they misses him. Hermina is giggling while Hero is just hugging him silently. Niyakap niya ang mga ito hanggang sa ang mga ito na mismo ang kumalas sa pagkakayakap.The both of them look at him with full of happiness in their eyes. The deep brown eyes of them were inherited from him. The looks were all on him, mukhang walang namana ang mga ito mula sa kanilang ina. Maybe, Hero inherited Arison's attitude and pride."Come on, babies. Kiss your daddy, I miss the two of you," he said and pouts his lips but his kids step back and look at him with a crumpled face.
CHAPTER 50 IT'S ALREADY evening and Hera decided for him to stay in their mansion. Tulog na ang lahat, tahimik na din sa loob at labas ng mansion, but Augustus can't still sleep. Hindi siya dinalaw ng antok kaya naman ay napag-isipan niyang bumaba at uminom ng beer. Papunta na sana siya sa kusina nang makita niya ang bulto ng isang lalaki. Napahinto siya ng bahagya nang makilala ito. It's Elias, currently getting a bottle of beer from the refrigerator. Napabuntong-hininga nalang siya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. "Why are you still here? Wala ka bang bahay na mauuwian?" Hindi niya maitago ang inis sa boses niya nang makalapit siya dito. Hindi man lang ito nagulat sa biglaan niyang pagsulpot. Elias even glanced at him like he was just nothing. Elias handed him the bottle of beer after opening it. "Her
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.