Hello! Pasensya na at matagal ang update. Ilang araw din po akong nilagnat kaya hindi ako nakapagsulat nitong nakaraang mga araw. By the way, mukhang nawala sa spotlight si Alex. Gusto niyo ba siyang ibalik sa tabi ni Jenica? Nami-miss niyo rin ba ang side comments ni Carlos?
"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
"It happened before the wedding so our family won't be responsible on this scandal!" galit na turan ni Bryce sa harap ng mga Mondragon. Pagkatapos kumalat ang scandal pictures nina Irene Mondragon at Joseph Antonete ay nagpalabas ng official statement ang Desmana Group lingid sa kaalaman ni Bryce. Ayon sa official statement, hindi totoo ang pictures at gawa-gawa lang daw ito ng mga taong gustong magpabagsak sa kompanya. Inako rin ng Desmana Group ang responsibilidad sa nangyari at wala umano'y kinalaman ang Antonete Enterprise rito. Kahit bata ay alam na pinoprotektahan ng Desmana Group ang reputasyon ng mga Antonete. And it all happened without Bryce's consent kaya gano'n na lang ang galit nito habang kaharap ang board of directors pati na ang Vice President na si Bree. Humalumbaba si Jenica at nilibot ang tingin. She could see the gloating in the eyes of the people present inside the meeting room. Ang hindi lang niya mabasa-basa ay ang mukha ni Bree Mondragon. That woman's too cu
Speaking of the couple who went viral in a night, kahit hindi nagpalabas ng official statement ang mga Antonete at kahit hindi na nagpakita si Irene matapos itong sampalin ni Bryce sa opisina ay hindi nawala ang confidence ng dalawa. They have their heads held high as they walked closer to the group of surprised and bitter people watching them entering the huge mansion. Ang matriarch ng Desmana ang unang nakabawi sa gulat. "What is the young master of Antonete doing in our humble abode?" sarkastikong tanong ng matanda. Huminto ang wheelchair ni Joseph sa tapat ni Bryce. Tumingin ang bagong dating sa matanda at ngumiti nang malapad. "Mrs. Desmana, when my woman entered my house, my mother gave her a seat. But ---" Nilibot ni Joseph ang tingin sa sala. "I don't see any chair for my woman. Is this how you treat your guest?" ngiting tanong ng lalaki.Saglit na natahimik ang mga Desmana bago nagsalita ang matriarch. "Watch your tongue, young man!" babala nito. "How dare you enter my hous
Jenica dropped the call. Ilang segundo siyang hindi nakakibo ni nakaimik. Para siyang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig habang inaalala ang narinig na boses ni Alex sa kabilang linya. Kumuyom ang kamao niya at kumunot ang noo. Alam niyang sa mata ng publiko, engage ang dalawa kaya walang masama roon. Pero sa huling naalala niya, kasal pa siya kay Alex at wala siyang pinirmahang divorce papers. Kahit ayaw niyang aminin pero alam niyang nakatali pa siya kay Alex kahit nagpapanggap itong binata sa publiko. And that bastard husband of hers has the guts to fool around? Naging isang linya ang mga labi ni Jenica. Nagpaalam na ang mag-asawang Mondragon pagpatak ng ala-una y medya. Sukat noon ay lumabas ng silid si Jenica at hinanap si Bryce. Nagulat pa ang lalaki nang makita siya nito. "Do you need anything?" tanong nito. Saglit na pinasadahan ng tingin ni Jenica si Lynet na nakatayo sa gilid at nakatingin sa kaniya nang may munting ngiti sa mga labi. Sumama ang pakiramdam niya habang nakati
"Pangalan po natin, Maam?" tanong ng colonel na nakaupo sa tapat niya. Pagkatapos siyang akusahan ni Bree sa harap ng ospital ay dinala siya sa Police Station na nasa malapit para makuha ang statement niya sa nangyari. Kumurba ang gilid ng mga labi ni Jenica. "Jane Lau."May sinulat ang colonel sa papel na hawak at nagtanong tungkol sa matanda. Sinagot ito ni Jenica at pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay binigyan na siya ng permisyong lumabas ng istasyon. Nilibot ni Jenica ang tingin sa labas ng istasyon at nakita niya si Bryce na kausap si Lynet sa hindi kalayuan. Humakbang siya palapit sa dalawa at si Lynet ang unang nakapansin sa kaniya. Masama ang tingin nito sa kaniya kaya tumaas ang kilay ni Jenica. Ano na naman ang problema ng babaeng 'to?"When the autopsy report is out, the Mondragon will file a case against the Desmana," sabi ni Lynet kay Bryce habang nakatingin nang masama kay Jenica. "Didn't I tell you that this woman will only cause you trouble, Bryce?" Kumunot ang noo ni B
"You all want to look on my things?" tanong niya na may munting ngiti sa mga labi, saka siya tumingin sa gawi ni Bryce. "What do you think, Mr. Desmana? Is it really good for them to check what's inside?" paniniguradong tanong niya."Just--" Lumunok si Bryce nang magtama ang tingin nilang dalawa. Mukhang nakuha nito ang gusto niyang iparating sa tingin na iyon kaya ito na mismo ang naunang umiwas ng tingin. "Stop harassing her, Grandma. She knows nothing and this ID card might just be a hoax. Miss Jane and Doctor Acinea might not know each other nor have met so how can she stole something from the doctor? We all know that Doctor Acinea is not an ordinary doctor when she is able to hide from the eyes of the government and private institutions," seryosong saad ni Bryce.Lynet sneered. "I saw that ID card in Doctor Acinea's hand. You all should believe me!"Bumaling ang tingin ni Jenica kay Lynet. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya. Sa gathering na 'yon, hi
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
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