"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?" "
"Wait!" sigaw ni Jenica nang makitang papalapit ang mga guwardiya sa kaniya. Tumingin siya sa babaeng bagong dating at pinaningkitan ito ng mga mata. "Who are you?" Tumaas ang sulok ng mga labi nito at humalukipkip. "I'm the real Vice President of Desmana Group, Bree Mondragon. My father, whom you're making fun of earlier is the acting Vice President. The president should know that I did not do anything to strip me off my position so the incident of you taking over is a joke." Huminga nang malalim si Jenica at tumingin kay Bryce. "I see." Naningkit ang mga mata niya. "The president must have forgot about Miss Bree. In that case, I won't take over this position. Then President, I won't disturb you. Please excuse me," ani Jenica at taas-noong lumabas ng meeting room. "Wait, Code-- Miss Jane!" sambit ni Bryce at malaki ang hakbang sumunod palabas ng meeting room. Nagusot ang mukha ni Bree habang pinagmamasdan ang aligagang ekspresyon ni Bryce. "What the h*ll's happening? Tell me!"
Saglit na natahimik si Bryce kaya mas lumaki ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Jenica. Naningkit ang mga mata niya at tinitigan ang lalaki. "You don't have to be afraid of those leeches. They're not the main Mondragon family because I found out that Bree Mondragon, her father, and some of the board of directors are just third grade Mondragon."Dumilim ang ekspresyon ni Bryce. "You mean they want to eat my company because they can't compete in South?""If not, then why do they have to be leeches in your company?" She chuckled. "The main family is not concerned about what the other branch is doing so they might not know that the third Mondragon branch is garnering influence in the North. If this third branch is playing in the capital, the main family might do something to stop them."The capital is a tricky place for those who wants to establish power and influence from the other places. One wrong step and everything might crumble under the power of the most influential families that control the
Tumingala si Irene kay Bryce na madilim ang mukha. Nagsalubong ang kilay ng babae. "Damn! Did you just throw me away like a rag doll?!"Tinaas ni Bryce ang kamay at ginawaran ng mabigat na sampal ang pisngi ni Irene. Bumaling sa kaliwa ang mukha ng babae. Irene drew a breathe at takot na tumingin sa lalaking nakatayo sa harapan niya. "W-Why did you slap me?" nanginginig nitong tanong. May namuong luha sa gilid ng mga mata ng babae.Nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay ni Jenica sa nakita. "Mr. Desmana, even though that woman slept with your mortal enemy, she's still your fiancee and a woman. Your hand is too heavy for her."Huminga nang malalim si Bryce at tumalikod. "I don't want to see your face. Leave!" sigaw nito. Mabilis na tumayo si Irene at paika-ikang tumakbo tungo sa pintuan. Lumabas ng silid ang babae at tumaas ang kilay ni Jenica. "Hindi ka ba natatakot na makita ng empleyado mo ang itsura ng fiancee mo, Mr. Desmana?"Bryce sneered. "My people will escort her to the basement. Yo
"Dad!" Shimen called and looked at Jenica worriedly. "Don't lock her up. We're not yet married, and she has still her Uncle Marc who is her close kin. You can't make her agree to your requests," dagdag nito. Mr. Takura squinted and seemed to remember her Uncle Marc. He snorted and stood, leaving her behind with Shimen. The dinner ended just like that."Sorry for my father's behavior," Shimen apologized. "Let me make it clear to you and your father," sabi ni Jenica. "This is just a paper marriage. If he wouldn't give me respect and would insist in his personal agenda to trample my Uncle Marc's prestige by shaming me, I will not hesitate to cancel the wedding.""But your inheritance ---"She raised a hand to stop his words and looked at him in the eye. "I can still find alternatives to free my inheritance. This marriage is just the easy way to obtain, but I am willing to go beyond just to get what's rightfully mine."Shimen clenched and unclenched his fists. "I understand," he mumble
Alex did not know why Jenica suddenly sent him a divorce paper. She did not elaborate her plan. But he received an invitation earlier regarding Jenica's upcoming marriage with a man named Shimen Takura.He did not like it at all.Jenica looked at Alex who was staring badly at her, and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you glaring at me?" She squinted. "Hindi ba 'yan din ang ginawa mo months ago?""What?" Alex mumbled."You engaged yourself with Gia Antonete before, but did you hear me questioning you?" Jenica crossed her arms against her chest. "Now that I want to remarry, you will voice out your disagreement. Tell me, isn't that fair?"Alex's gaze darkened. "I did tell you that it was a fake engagement.""So what? It's still an engagement anyway."There was a long pause between them, before Alex continued. "I won't sign the divorce letter." He smirked. "So you can't marry that bastard."Jenica stared at him and squinted. "Are you for real?"But Alex only flashed an evil smile.So when she
"What's your name?" Jenica asked, looking gently at the weak boy lying in the hospital bed.She had been staying in the hospital for a week now and her other son had woken up. Ngayon na gising na ang bata, naisipan niyang itanong dito kung anong pangalan nito. Ayaw niya kasing marinig na tinatawag itong 'Totoy'. "Totsie, Ma'am," bulong nito na narinig niya. Totsie, what a name. Then she introduced herself to the young boy as his mother, and presented Alex standing beside her as his father. And Totsie's reaction? Well, as what she expected from him. "Hindi ko po kayo kilala, Ate at Kuya."Jenica sighed as she expected this outcome. When she first saw his photo, she let Carol pursue her little boy. So technically, it was their first time meeting each other. "Huwag mo akong tawaging Ate. Tawagin mo akong nanay."Umiling si Totsie. Ayaw talaga nitong tanggapin na sila ang parents niya. Mula nang nagkamuwang siya ay ang Tata Pobe na ang nag-alaga sa kaniya. Hindi na pinilit pa ni Je
It seemed like while she was fighting for her inheritance, her son unlucky fell deep into the enemy's schemes. If not for Agent Z and Carol rescuing him on time, her other son might not be alive by now."What happened?" she asked. Although she didn't want outsiders know of her personal business, but given Agent Z's intelligence and Carol's care towards Sham's twin, she was not surprised that Agent Z called to inform her of the bad situation.There was a long pause on the other line before he answered, "When I recovered, I went back to the syndicate's lair and happened to hear them discussing about a certain boy's condition. It seemed like while the boy was operating on the street, a car bummed into him."Nangunot ang noo ni Jenica. Ang sinasabi ni Agent Z na 'operating on the street' ay malamang may kinalaman sa panlilimos nito sa kalsada."Where is he now?" "They rushed him into hospital but I don't think they will fork out a large sum of money for his surgery." Kumuyom ang kamao n
Kumunot ang noo ng Uncle Marc niya pero hindi ito kumibo ni umimik. Even Shimen didn't say a word. Nagkatinginan ang mga tao sa loob at nagdesisyon na huwag nalang din umimik. Jenica nodded and grinned a little. She now realized that no one is trustworthy in this group of wolves in sheep's clothing. Even her Uncle Marc is hiding something from her. Now, she just wanted to use her new identity as Guam Business Empire's CEO to find her son. Looking at Shimen, she squinted her eyes. "Send me the marriage contract, and I will send a partnership contract to your father." She clicked her tongue. "That father of yours is someone I can't afford to offend noh? He didn't attend this welcome meeting."Shimen sighed. "I'm sorry. He's sick and been recuperating at the hospital.""I see." She nodded. "Send my regards to him then, and to your mother.""I will."With that, Jenica exited the conference room leaving her Uncle Marc with the board of directors. Shimen stood and smiled as he looked at h
"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