Naabutan niya ang bata at mabilis niya itong niyakap para pigilan ito sa pagtakbo. "Shhh.... Hindi kita sasaktan," bulong niya rito.
Doon lang huminto ang bata sa pag-iyak at nangunot ang noo niya nang mahimatay ito. Bumalik siya sa kotse bitbit ang bata sa mga bisig niya. Patakbong lumapit si Carlos at tumingin sa bata. "Agent J?""Look for a vacant hotel room in next town."Hindi na nagtanong kung bakit si Carlos at agad na ginawa ang inutos niya. Nilapag niya sa passenger seat ang bata saka sinukbitan ng seatbelt bago siya umikot at lumulan ng kotse. Pinatakbo niya ito palayo at naiwan na naman si Carlos sa kalsada."Walang puso," bulong nito bago lumulan ng sasakyan at pinatakbo iyon pasunod kay Agent J.Hindi nagtagal ay narating nila ang sunod na bayan. Dinala ni Jenica ang batang paslit sa hotel at ingat na pinaligoan at binihisan. Nahigit niya ang hininga nang makita ang malinis nitong itsura."Hmm... mukhang anak-may"What?" maang na sambit ni Alex at hinawakan ang balikat niya. "We had a child?"Tumango siya at umiwas ng tingin. "He's five years old now and a sweet little boy."Inalis ni Alex ang kamay sa balikat niya at pinasadahan ng kamay ang sariling buhok. Huminga ito nang malalim. "I'm sorry. Wala ako sa tabi mo sa panahong kailangan mo ako, Jenica." Mahina itong nagmura at pumikit nang mariin. "Dapat hindi ako tumigil sa paghanap sa 'yo noon. It's my fault. I'm sorry, wife."Kinagat ni Jenica ang ibabang labi sa sinabi nito at nagbaba ng tingin. "I should be the one saying sorry...""No. Naging duwag ako noon kaya hindi kita pinakilala sa pamilya ko. Dapat hindi ko na tinago na kasal tayo, Jenica." Bumuntong-hinga si Alex at hinila siya sa isang mahigpit na yakap. "I'm sorry. Natakot ako na madamay ka sa gulo ng pamilya ko at balak kong ipakilala ka sa kanila kapag nalutas ko na kung sino ang gustong magpabagsak sa pamilya Fuego. Ayokong may magtangka sa buhay mo. But I underestimated those
Hilaw na ngumiti ang assistant ni Alex at bumaling sa kaniya. "Mrs. Fuego, mukhang masama yata ang bagsak ni Mr. Fuego. How about dito na muna siya magpalipas nang gabi?"Kumibot ang sulok ng mga labi niya at humalukipkip. "Pwede naman. But you have to stay and I'll change rooms.""Ay!" Umiling ang personal assistant ni Alex saka malungkot na tumingin sa kaniya. "Nakausap ko ang front desk kanina. Wala na raw vacant room, Mrs. Fuego.""Really?" Ngumiti siya at bumaling kay Alex na tahimik lang na nakatigtig sa kaniya habang nakahiga na parang hari sa kama niya. "Yon naman pala. That's easy to solve. I'll just change hotels!"Nagkatinginan sina Alex at personal assistant nito. Umikhim ang personal assistant at pumaskil ang problemado expression sa mukha. "Mukhang mahihirapan kayo, Mrs. Fuego. Paparating na kasi ang piyesta kaya maraming taga-ibang bayan na bumisita. Lahat ng hotel ay naka-advance book na."Tumaas ang kilay niya saka dinukot ang phone sa bulsa. Tinawagan niya ang kalapi
"You are here, Doctor Acinea!" biglang sabat ng babaeng nasa mid-30s. Nakangiti itong lumapit sa kaniya at nilahad ang kamay. "I'm Samantha Mondragon, and Governor Jobert is my friend!" Tahimik niyang tinanggap ang pakikipagkamay nito nang may munting ngiti sa mga labi. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Acinea.""I know, I know. Halika, Doc. Please take a seat and be at ease!" Bumaling ito sa katulong. "Prepare the snacks and drinks. Bilisan mo," sita nito at pinadilatan pa ng mata ang katulong. Mabilis na yumukod ang katulong saka patakbong nagtungo sa kung saan. Bumaba ang tingin ni Jenica para itago ang dumaang emosyon sa mga mata niya bago pumili ng upuan at naupo. Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa assistant niya kuno. Nakatingin ang lalaki sa kaniya kaya tinaasan niya ito ng kilay kahit pa hindi nito makikita ang gesture niya dahil sa maskara. "You are the second assistant of Doctor Acinea?" tanong ni Samantha habang nakangiting nakatingin kay Carlos. "Come, please have a seat. You can pu
"Doctor Acinea, paparating na ang ambulansiya," seryosong sambit ni Carlos. Pawisan ang mukha nito at hindi mapakali habang nakikitang duguang nakahandusay si Alex. Sh*t. Wala siyang pakialam kung matitigok ang lalaking 'yan, pero hindi pwede sa poder ni Doctor Acinea! Oo. Alam na niyang si Alexander Fuego ang pekeng assistant dahil tinext siya ni Agent J kanina. The heck. Isang dakilang Alexander Fuego 'yan at mabubulilyaso ang mga plano nila kung sakaling mamatay ang lalaking 'yan sa mga kamay ni Doctor Acinea. Nilibot ni Carlos ang tingin at napansing walang outsiders. Mukhang humingi nang tulong sa labas ang dalawang saleslady ng boutique. Walang security guard sa tindahan na 'yon siguro ay dahil protektado ng Mondragon Store ang naturang boutique kaya walang naglakas-loob na manggulo, with the exception ngayon. Mabilis na nilagyan ng first aid ni Jenica ang sugat ni Alex. Conscious pa rin ang lalaki kaya paminsan-minsan ay ngumingiwi ito. Nangunot ang noo ni Jenica. "Ano ban
May namumulang bukol sa inner thigh ni Celino Mondragon at tulad nga ng inasahan niya, may traces ng poisonous needle sa katawan nito. Pero maliit na porsiyento lang 'yon at nasa early stages pa lang ang sintomas kaya hindi ito naging tulad ng asawa ni Jobert na inaagnas nang buhay. Sigurado siyang kakalason pa lang ng matanda, mga tatlumpung minuto bago siya pumasok sa loob ng silid. Pinakain niya ito ng pill na siyang nagpagaling sa mga tao ni Jobert. Binihisan niya ang matanda saka nilibot ang tingin sa paligid. Kumibot ang sulok ng mga labi niya at lumapit sa kurtina na mula kisame hanggang sahig ang haba. Hinawi niya 'yon at hinayaang pumasok sa loob ng kuwarto ang sinag ng araw."Uhh," ani ng matandang nakapikit. Pinagmasdan ni Jenica ang unti-unting pagkakamalay ng matanda. Tuluyan nang nawala ang amoy ng hallucinogenic herb kaya bumalik na ang ulirat nito. "Uhh! Mmm!" Mabilis na nagtalukbong ang matanda para iwasan ang liwanag ng araw. Tumayo si Jenica at lumapit sa kama.
"Dinala si Mr. Fuego pabalik sa capital for immediate operation, Mrs. Fuego. He's inside the operating room for twelve hours now." Pumikit si Jenica. No'ng tinawagan niya ang assistant ni Alex ay nalaman niyang matagal na palang alam nito na siya si Doctor Acinea. Mukhang inabisuhan ni Alex ang personal assistant simula no'ng welcome party sa capital. "Call me after the operation," aniya. "Alright, Mrs. Fuego." "Wait. Does his family know?" Ilang segundong natahimik ang personal assistant bago ito sumagot. "Mr. Fuego wants to keep a low profile now." "That's good," aniya bago nagpaalam at pinatay ang tawag. She drove the car towards the cliff where those kidnappers drove his son away. Tumayo siya sa gilid ng bangin at tinanaw ang dagat na kumikinang sa ilalim ng sinag ng araw. The salty sea breeze blew past her and she closed her eyes. "Sham, it might take long before I'll find you. I'm sorry, my son." Tumulo ang luha sa mga mata niya. "Rest assured, I'll make those who hurt
"Mr. Desmana, I'm not fond of lousy business," sagot ni Code X.Ngumiti nang pilit si Bryce at agad na sinenyasan ang assistant. "This is not a lousy business. We are willing to give you a huge sum in exchange of your service," sagot nito pabalik. "We are also willing to give you ten percent share of the company as our token of gratitude and willingness to work with you, Code X."...Inside the hotel.Tumaas ang kilay ni Jenica at binasa ang follow-up information na bigay ng assistant tungkol sa Desmana Group. It turns out, may ahas sa company na gustong pabagsakin ang Desmana. That snake gave a valuable information to Desmana's enemy. And a few days after, inatake ng hindi kilalang grupo ng mga hackers ang Desmana which made them lose almost a billion. Mukhang desperado na ang Desmana na kunin ang serbisyo ni Code X at gawin itong shareholder. Such a bold and smart move from the Company President. Kung magiging shareholder ng Desmana si Code X, malamang na makakalibre sila ng serbis
Dumilim ang mukha ni Bryce. "What are you doing here, Irene?" Lihim na nilibot ni Jenica ang tingin at tumaas ang sulok ng mga labi niya. Irene Mondragon, ang fiancee ni Bryce Desmana. And yes, cousin ni Grey Mondragon ang papakasalan ng president ng Desmana Group. Such a small world. Tumaas ang kilay ng matandang babae na nakaupo sa mataas ng upuan sa sala. Sigurado si Jenica na ito ang ina ni Bryce at ang kasalukuyang matriarch ng pamilya Desmana. "Sinabi ko na sa 'yo, Bryce, huwag kang magdadala ng babae sa pamamahay ko!" singhal ng matanda. Bryce pursed his lips. "Ma, it's not what you think --" "Oh stop defending that gold digger, Bryce!" biglang sabat ni Irene at binato sa lalaki ang ilang pictures. "My assistant send me those photos. How dare you cheat behind my back? Akala mo ba hindi ko malalaman?" Lumapag sa sahig ang pictures na binato ni Irene. Bumaba ang tingin ni Bryce sa mga pictures at dumilim ang mukha nito. "Didn't I warn you not to put paparazzi on me?" "
"This is the heiress of Guam?" biglang tanong ng lalaking kanina pa masama ang tingin sa kaniya. "I didn't expect her to be so young and incapable" dagdag nito. Bumaling ang tingin ni Jenica sa nagsalita at ngumiti nang malapad dito. "I just arrived in the company and might need the guidance of the senior," sabia niya.The old man snorted. "If you can't handle this big empire, then you should not come back!""Why?" Pumaling sa kaliwa ang ulo niya at ngumiti nang malapad sa lalaki. "The senior didn't ask help from anyone?"Nagkatinginan ang mga tao sa loob. If the man said no, then it means he shoot himself on the foot. If he would say yes, then he is declaring that he never experienced being a newbie and it would make him a liar. In the end, he didn't say anything and just snorted.Lumawak ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Jenica at muling nilibot ang tingin sa loob ng conference room. As an agent, she's not easily intimidated by the scornful faces of everyone present. In fact, it made her
She had a dream. A girl of five was wearing a pink dress while smiling brightly at the woman who was sitting beside the round table. The woman had a pair of almond eyes and a sweet smile was hanging at her lips. Suddenly, a tall man walked towards them and lifted her up while laughing happily. That warm picture of a family of three was replaced with a bloody scene. The woman was lying in a pool of blood while the man was telling her something with a pained expression on his face. Just like the woman, the man was bathed in blood.She could not read his lips nor hear what the man was telling but she could feel the child's fear. The girl cried and ran away from that room. The scene changed into a huge mansion being eaten in fire. The girl was standing in front of the mansion and a man with the same face as her Uncle Marc approached the little girl. Jenica slowly opened her eyes. She noticed her tear-stained cheeks and she frowned. Her heart was heavy and she knew it's because of that d
"Aren't you too calm for someone who's reputation went downhill in one night?" tanong ni Jared nang lumapit ito sa kaniya. Tumingin siya sa lalaki. She smirked and twirled the wine glass she's holding. "So you're able to walk around with the HQ's men, huh?" tanong niya saka tumingin sa mga spies at agents na lihim na nakikihalubilo sa mga bisita. Afterall, it's a big party of the elites at hindi palalagpasin ng HQ ang pagkakataon na makipagkonekta sa naglalakihang angkan sa bansa. What made her frown was the fact that her workmates didn't realize that Jared's around. He's really able to fool a lot of agents from the HQ."I told you." Ngumiti nang pagkalaki-laki si Jared. "No one will be able to find me unless I let them."She rolled her eyes at him and looked around again. Nakita niya si Alex na may kausap sa hindi kalayuan. Lumapit siya sa lalaki at tumayo sa gilid nito. Nang mapansin siya ni Alex ay nagpaalam na ito sa kausap. Bago pa man humakbang palayo ang kausap ni Alex ay tum
Alex smiled and said, "Yes, grandma."Nanlaki ang mga mata ng matanda at nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin nito kay Jenica at kay Alex. Disbelief was clearly written on the old woman's face. Natahimik ito nang ilang minuto, at maya-maya pa ay bumuntong-hinga."Alright. If that's really the case, what else could I do?" Taimtim na tiningnan nang matanda si Alex. "I know you don't like that Antonete lass and I won't make things hard on you and your wife, but you need clean the mess you made, understood?"Tumango si Alex at nagpasalamat sa matanda. The old matriarch then turned her hawk-like gaze on Jenica. Tiningnan siya nito mula ulo hanggang paa. "You don't seem like a country bumpkin to me so I suppose you have someone backing you up young lady. From what clan are you? Alex didn't tell me anything about your origin so I expect honest words coming out from that sinful lips of yours," sabi nito sa kaniya. The corner of lips twitched. Mukhang hindi talaga maganda ang gising ng matanda dahil
When Jenica saw the man, she froze. Is she seeing things? Bakit niya nakikita ang Tito Marc niya? Nawalan ng kulay ang mukha ni Jenica.More than 40 years ago, the old man from Guam clan adopted a boy who lost his parents from the big fire that killed more than a thousand lives. The boy is said to have possessed great resemblance to the old man that prompted him to adopt the child. And according to the DNA result, the boy was the old man's illegitimate grandson that made the whole Guam clan scorn him. The old matriarch of the Guam disliked the boy and made things difficult for him. For years, the boy endured everything until an accident occured in the Guam family. A big fire engulfed a huge mansion in one night and killed all members of the Guam family except for the only survivors, Marc Cenizo the adopted grandson, and Jenica's favored father. Starting from that day, the Guam family hid behind the spotlight for years and the masses slowly forget the powerful family who shook the en
It was not the first time that Jenica saw Alex and Jared talking to each other. Pero ngayon lang niya napagtanto na sa harap ni Alex, bahag ang buntot ni Jared. It looked like Alex held the upperhand against the HQ's number one enemy. Naningkit ang mga mata ni Jenica. Matapos ang pag-uusap ng dalawa ay ngiting lumapit si Jared sa kaniya. "It must be fate that we came to know each other --""We're not done yet," sabi niya. "We still have business to settle."Nag-isip saglit si Jared, pagkuwa'y ngumiti na naman nang abot sa tainga. "It is about those poisonous needles?""I'm not talking about that," aniya at sa isang iglap ay sinapak ang mukha ni Jared. "Oww!" hiyaw nito at hinawakan ang nasaktang mukha. Masama itong tumingin sa kaniya. "Do you still wanna fight?!" galit nitong sambit. "Alex and I agreed that my forces will stop fighting you. Or do you think that my temper will let you trample my face?" dagdag pa nito. Nag-igting ang bagang ni Jenica. "You owe me a child."Jared w
It was a one night's mistake. Nagising si Jenica sa kama ni Alex and she didn't know what to think while looking at her husband's sleeping face. For all those years living with the 'dying' him, Jenica was in good hands. Actually, Alex treated her well except on circumstances that'll involve his family.Jenica knew that his family was a bunch of greedy dogs whose after their master's crumbs, and it was the reason why Alex had to marry her in order to secure his wealth against those bunch of dogs. Kaya sa ilang taong pananatili niya sa poder nito ay hindi naman talaga siya minaltrato ng asawa niya. Sadyang may pagkakataon, lalo na kapag bumibisita ang matriarch sa mansion, na kinukulong siya ni Alex sa loob ng kuwarto nilang mag-asawa para itago siya sa mata ng mga Fuego. And except for that foolish Robert na nakahuli sa kaniya minsan, walang sinuman sa mga Fuego ang nakakaalam na may asawa na si Alex. The Matriarch was worried that Alex will die without leaving an offspring, kaya ila
"Am I obliged to answer your question?" tanong ni Jenica. Umasim ang mukha ni Gia at akmang itataas ang kamay para sana sampalin siya pero umiwas si Jenica at humakbang palayo. Narinig pa niya ang nagtitimping impit na sigaw ni Gia sa likod pero hindi na niya pinansin ang babae. She didn't know why the two of them always cross paths. Parang itinadhana talagang mag-away sila sa public places. Gia should be thankful na wala siyang time para makipag-away dahil hindi talaga siya magpapatalo sa rambolan. But she'll admit. There's something off about Gia's presence that she needs to find our sooner. Hindi kalaunan ay narating niya ang likod ng hospital. Isa iyong malawak na bakanteng lote at walang katao-tao, but Jenica knew better. The place was full of discarded medical equipments and knee-length wild grasses were growing around them. Hindi kalayuan ay may abandonadong subdivision na ayon sa mga tagaroon na pinamahayan na umano ng masasamang elemento. Hindi naman naniniwala si Jenica
She heard footsteps coming down from the stairs and Jenica squinted her eyes and crossed her arms against her chest. It seemed like her husband was a good friend with her enemy? Or maybe not?Nakita niya nalang kasi na kinaladkad ng mga security guards si Jared palabas nang sumenyas si Alex. "Who is that guy?" tanong niya, glancing at him and studying his expression.Tumayo si Alex sa gilid niya at sabay nilang tinanaw ang nagdadabog na lalaki sa tapat ng main door. "A nuisance," kunot-noong sagot ni Alex sabay tingin sa gawi niya. "What would you like to eat?" "Chicken," sagot niya. Iginiya siya ni Alex sa kusina and Jenica stole a glance at the main door, where she saw Jared standing there. The man grinned when their eyes met and Jenica smirked in response. Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Jared pero kalaunan ay gumanti ng ngiti. Jenica smiled in secret and followed Alex onto the kitchen. Pero hindi pa roon nagtatapos ang pagdaupang-palad nila ni Jared. Kinabukasan ay nakita niya ang