Napakurap ang mga mata ni Madeleine habang nakatingin sa isang kulay bughaw na kisame. Mahinang napaungol siya nang maramdaman niya ang kirot sa kan'yang may beywang at hapdi sa may ibabang parte ng kan'yang katawan. Kahit sa konting pagkilos lang ay napapangiwi siya sa dahil sakit. Her body felt so heavy that Madeleine can't help but to whimper in pain.Habang kinakapkap ang kan'yang sarili, napagtanto niyang wala siyang damit na suot at nakahubad lang siya sa ilalim ng kumot na nakabalot sa kan'ya. Nagising ang kan'yang diwa at bumalik sa kan'yang ala-ala ang nangyari sa kanila ni Perez kagabi. Nangiginig na napatakip si Madeleine ng bibig at nanlaki ang mga mata niyang tinignan ang lalaking kan'yang nakasiping. Yes it was her husband, but what happened to them last night should never happen at all. Inaamin ni Madeleine, she was happy to be embrace by the one she love and share the night with him, but it doesn't mean that it would be the same for Perez. After all, sino ba naman si
Madeleine's world fell apart as she experience another blow. At hindi pa iyon, dahil sa loob ng article was the story of how Madeleine and Lawrence meet down to why they broke up hanggang sa nagka-ibigan ang kan'yang half-sister at si Lawrence. It was really a spot on story, 'yon nga lang, the debt of 20 million was never mentioned in the said article. Habang nagpatuloy siya sa pagbabasa, the story got a little bit off and it was said that Lawrence already had a romantic relationship with Francheska during his and Madeleine's relationship, and that Francheska made Lawrence broke up with Madeleine pagkatapos ay ipinakilala niya ang nobyo sa pamilya nila to make their relationship official. It was a mess, everything of it was a mess. Maraming netizens ang nag-react because no matter how you look at it, it was cheating and betrayal. There are so many questions like; ano ang tingin ni Madeleine tungkol dito? Does Madeleine know? What did she do to her ex-lover and to her sister when sh
Madeleine’s family background was exposed by the end of the day. The blog stated na dahil illegitimate na anak lang si Madeleine kaya hindi problema ang ginawa ni Francheska rito. In fact, mas pabor ang mga magulang nila na si Francheska at Lawrence ang magkatuluyan. They recognized more of their relationship rather than when Lawrence and Madeleine were together.Umani ito ng maraming reaksyon. Iba’t-iba ang ipinyon nila sa issue na ito ngunit mostly sa mga netizens ay nagreklamo sa pamamaraan ng paglahad nito sa publiko. It doesn’t mean dahil illegitimate na anak ang isa ay mas pagtutuonan ng kahalagahan ang legitimate. Pareho silang anak, kahit anak sa labas ang isa, it’s not his or her fault na maging bastardo o bastarda. It was the parent’s fault for being too lustful or not contented with their partners.Cheating was definitely not tolerated, husbands having mistresses can be considered as a crime. Ngunit kung ano man ang bunga nun ay hindi kasalanan ng bata. Hindi naman sa mas
Lumapit si Francheska kay Lawrence at naglalambing na yumakap rito. “Look at my Daddy, Ren. How can he say something like that to his daughter? Inaapi na nga ako’t lahat-lahat ‘yung Madeleine pa rin ang iniisip-isip niya,” sumbong nito at itinaas ang ulo para tignan sa mata si Lawrence. “I am his daughter too, right? I am his legitimate child, why did he kept on finding Madeleine. He should focus on me!” Isinubsob ni Francheska ang kan’yang mukha sa malapad na dibdib ni Lawrence at hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap niya rito. Ngunit napabitaw siya sa pagyapos nang biglang tinanggal ni Lawrence ang braso niya sa pagkakayakap. Sumakit ang ulo ni Lawrence. Edison was actually right, kahit mahal niya si Francheska hindi niya maipagkakaila na makasarili ito at immature. She was pretty and caring but sobrang unreasonable at all times. Minsan nga ay nakakasawa na rin ang ugali nito, mabilis pa itong magselos na siyang dahilan ng kanilang away. Francheska was very different to Madeleine. Naa-ala
Pagkatapos pagka-initan ng kararamihan ang post ni Francheska ay nabaling ulit ang kanilang atensyon sa blog. Lahat ng katanungan ng netizens ay nasagot dahil sa blog article na ito at sari-sari ang kanilang perspective mula sa impormasyon na nakuha sa blog.Iba-iba ng opinyon ang mga tao ngunit karamihan sa kanila ay naawa sa kuwento ng buhay ni Madeleine. Kahit ang nakasulat sa blog ay may intension na sirain si Madeleine dahil ini-highlight nito na isang anak siya sa labas, hindi pa rin mapigilan ng publiko na mas kaawaan si Madeleine kaysa na husgahan ito.A teenager, who can barely sustain herself, was abandoned at the age of sixteen by her own family just because she was an illegitimate daughter. Hindi man masiyadong mayaman ang pamilya ni Madeleine, but her father had a small business enough to spare another mouth to feed. Pero katulad nga ng ibang kuwento tungkol sa mga step-mothers, Gina Lodrigo was the kind of person na nagtatanim ng sama ng loob at dinamay ang bata dahil sa
Dahil sa pangyayaring ito, Madeleine was once again became the center of attention in every social medias and platforms. Not in a negative way, but in a positive way. Umangat ang kan'yang fans rate at 'di nagtagal ay umabot na ng milyon ang kan'yang fans at follows sa lahat ng kan'yang social media accounts. It was a big shock na naka-ani siya ng popularity because of the issue that should've been ended her acting career. But in a brighter side, dahil dito ay muling namulat ang kararamihan tungkol sa ganitong issue. Mas umungkat ang iba't-iba balita tungkol sa abuse, negligence, equality and abandonment. Nagbigay itong daan para mas aware at mas pagtuonan ito ng pansin ng kararamihan. Kahit sino man, kahit pa bata, matanda o kahit pa man tao sa kalye, no person should have the right to inflict such cruelty among those who have no power. It was a sensitive topic that invoke the sympathy of the public. Ngunit ang mga tao sa loob ng showbiz, they thought of this as a big joke that w
Parang nabingi si Madeleine sa narinig. She refused to believe what she had heard from him. Siguro ay dahil wala siya sa tamang huwisyo at kung ano-ano nalang ang kan’yang naririnig. Ngunit kahit ganoon man, her little heart can’t help but to tremble in joy and longing, but at the same time she stilled her heart dahil natatakot siya na baka ay umasa na naman siya.Yes. Dapat na siyang makontento. If she wanted to stay by his side, keeping mum over her feelings was the right choice. Hindi niya alam kung hanggang kailan siya mananatili sa tabi nito, but just a little longer pa sana. She wanted to cherish this, until he no longer needed her anymore. Para sa huli ay wala siyang pagsisihan so that when the time comes na aalis na siya, she would hold onto this feelings tightly kahit wala na si Perez sa tabi niya.Even loving him in the distance was already enough to make her happy. She shouldn’t be too selfish, kasi in the first place, she was nothing but a wife in name only. “Okay lang a
“Oh my god!” Singhap ni Gina sabay yakap sa anak. Nakalimutan niya ang lahat ng galit kanina at nasisiyahan na tinignan ang maliit na tiyan ni Francheska. “That’s great news! Magkaka-apo na tayo, honey!” nasisiyahang sabi ni Gina sabay lingon sa asawa. But contrary to her excitement, no emotion was shown to Edison’s face. He was not excited nor giving any enthusiasm to what’s happening. Bagkos ay nakaramdam lamang siya ng matinding disappointment at galit sa kan’yang kaloob-looban. “Magpa-public apology ka parin, Francheska. If you want to still live comfortably, h’wag mong hayaan na mawala ang business. We can still save the company if you do it. H’wag kang masiyadong maarte!” riin niyang sabi sa anak. Ngunit nagmatigas pa rin ito at hindi pumayag, “Ayoko ko nga! Why would I apologize? Sila naman ang nagsimula!” naiiritang saad ni Francheska kay Edison. “Of course, baby. You don’t need to do anything. Honey maybe we can find another way. Just tell Madeleine na hindi totoo ang la
“At talaga ngang sinusubok mo ako, Barbara! You are being insensible. I’ve raised you, binigay ko sa’yo ang magandang buhay ngayon ay susuwayin mo lang ako. I can’t believe nakipagbalikan ka sa lalaking iyon. I supported you before dahil you said Xenon will get the inheritance. Now, what? He cheated on you; he already loses the trust with some of the board members!” galit na sabi ng nasa kabilang linya.Napakagat ng labi si Barbara at pinapakalma ang kan’yang galit na ama. “Dad, just trust me one more time, okay? I love Xenon, you know that. He also loves me, gano’n naman siguro ang pag-ibig di’ba, Dad? This is just a challenge that we need to conquer. Xenon had always been the one who was cast aside from any business matters, I want to give him a chance to prove himself. And if I can help him, I will do this to make him happy. Let’s support him one more time.” Pagkukumbinsido ni Barbara sa kan’yang ama.“You.. foolish child!” sigaw naman ng kan’yang ama. “Don’t be fooled with that ma
Walang magawa si Madeleine kundi tignan kung ano na ang nangyayari sa social media. Napahilot siya sa kan’yang sintido nang makitang walang ginawang statement ang MAHARLIKA dito. Although hindi na ito masiyadong nakakalat sa social media marami pa rin ang nag-aabang na article tungkol sa kung ano talaga ang ugnayan nilang dalawa ni Terrence.Hindi na niya mapigilan na tawagan si Terrence.“Mady.” Nakailang ring pa lamang ay agad na sinagot ni Terrence ang tawag ni Madeleine.This was the first time that Madeleine called him, deep in his heart, he was secretly happy.Ngunit hindi pinansin ang masayang tono sa boses ni Terrence at agad niyang isinabi ang pakay ng kan’yang pagtawag.“Terrence, wala pa bang statement ang agency natin about sa issue sa ating dalawa? Dapat na nating i-clear ‘yung article ano nalang iisipin ng mga tao. Baka maniwala silang lahat na may relasyon talaga tayo,” sabi niya kay Terrence.Narinig niya ang pagbugtong hininga ni Terrence sa kabilang linya. “Actually,
“You saved me, Perez. I am so sorry to bother you when you are together with your wife,” agad nagsalita si Barbara nang makapasok na siya sa kotse at umupo sa backseat. Madeleine peaked at the rear-view mirror and was suddenly shy when she was caught by Barbara for looking at her.“Hello, you are Madeleine, right? I am Barbara, by the way. Perez’s bestfriend,” pakilala ni Barbara sabay lahad ng kan’yang kamay.It would be rude to not accept the handshake kaya agad tinanggap ni Madeleine ang kamay nito at nag-handshake silang dalawa.“Why did you do, Barbara? Ito ang unang beses na naglayas ka, what are even doing?” pagalit na tanong ni Perez ngunit may halong pag-aalala sa boses nito. Tahimik lang si Madeleine at nakikinig.“Nag-away lang kami ni Dad, okay? Maliit na hindi pagkakaunawaan lang,” sagot naman ni Barbara.“Small misunderstanding? Is it enough for you to run away? Just like that?” hindi makapaniwalang wika ni Perez habang nagmamaneho.Hindi na pinansin ni Barbara si Perez
Hindi makapagsalita si Madeleine, para bang may bumabara sa kan’yang lalamunan and she doesn’t have the courage to speak up. Madeleine unconsciously fumbled the hem of her shirt and hummed to answer his call. “Are you okay?” Rinig niyang tanong ni Perez at may pag-aalala sa boses nito. Strangely enough, she somewhat kind of heard his footsteps like he was walking up the stairs with his breath slightly rugged, probably through the exertion of movements. Madeleine found herself relieved and let go of all her worries before answering. “Yes, ikaw?” “Hmmm,” sagot lamang ni Perez. ‘Di na napigilan ni Madeleine at siya na mismo ang unang nagsalita tungkol sa issue. She explained, “N-nakita mo ba ang balita? Magkaibigan lang talaga kami ni Terrence. Nagkita lang kami at kasama ang mama niya. Pinakilala niya lang ako bilang katrabaho. Kung ano man ang nababasa mo online, Perez, sana h’wag mong paniwalaan.” Hindi alam ni Madeleine kung paano niya ii-explain kay Perez ang katotohanan basta a
Hindi pa natapos ang party ay umuwi na sila Perez at Madeleine. Contrary to Madeleine’s worry, after those rude remarks from Felipe ay wala nang nagtangkang insultuhin o mag-isip na kalabanin si Madeleine. It was a peaceful and normal party, ngunit dahil napansin ni Perez na medyo hindi na maganda ang pakiramdam ni Madeleine ay agad niya itog inalalayan papauwi.Lumipas ang ilang araw ay hindi naging maganda ang pakikitungo ni Madeleine kay Perez. Maski man siya ang naiinis sa sarili kung bakit niya tinatarayan pa minsan-minsan o ‘di kaya’y ‘di niya papansinin ang asawa, ngunit sa tuwing lumalapit ito sa kan’ya ay parati niyang naaamoy ang pamilyar na pabango sa katawan nito.She knew she shouldn’t be like this, pero talagang naiinis siya. She was not that sensitive before, she wondered what was going on with her these past few weeks.Akala niya ay maiinis na sa kan’ya si Perez dahil napaka-moody niya ngunit nakakapagtaka lang dahil mas lalo itong nag-aalala sa kan’ya.Inaalala pa lan
Because of what happened, Barbara’s heart was shattered knowing na pinagtaksilan siya ng kan’yang pinakamamahal. She had loved Xenon for almost ten years without setting her eyes to others. She always believed na si Xenon na talaga ang mamahalin at makakasama niya sa buong buhay niya.Pero nang dahil sa nangyari, bumagsak ‘di lang ang kan’yang puso kundi ang pagtitiwala niya rito.Ngunit nang makita niya ito sa party ay nanumbalik ang kan’yang pagmamahal sa dating kasintahan. She thought she already gave up on loving him but now seeing his haggard appearance and dark circles under his eyes, Barbara can’t help feeling pity towards him.Nang makita siya ni Xenon ay agad na nanlaki ang mga mata nito. Tila ba nabuhayan ang pagkatao nito nang makita si Barabara at agad itong lumapit sa kan’ya. “Honey, can we talk?” Xenon asked hoarsely.Barbara’s heart wretched at the sight of Xenon’s weary and sick look. Additionally, nang tawagin siya nito sa kanilang endearment ay tuluyan nang lumambo
“Why are you at the hospital, Madeleine? May nangyari ba sa iyo? Is anything wrong?” tanong ni Terrence sa kan’ya pagkatapos nilang kumain sa isang pribadong restaurant. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pag-aalala.“Ah, wala. Para lang iyon sa regular checkup ko,” sagot niya sabay iwas ng tingin, Uminom siya ng tubig at hindi tinignan sa mata si Terrence. Tinitigan ni Terrence si Madeleine at hindi nagsalita, na para bang sinusuri niya ito kung nagsasalita ba ito ng totoo. Mayamaya pa ay napabugtong hininga ito. “You are not a good liar, Madeleine. I saw it, it was wrong for me to ask knowing you usually don’t want anybody knows whenever there’s something wrong. Alam ko na ayaw mong maging pabigat but it just hurts those people around you na pinapahalagahan ka. I am your friend, am i? Gusto ko lang malaman kung okay ka, ayaw kong malaman isang araw na may nangyari na pa lang masama sa iyo,” nag-aalalang sabi ni Terrence kay Madeleine. Napakagat ng labi si Madeleine nang marinig iyon at hin
Perez gave out a cold aura as he was shuffling the papers on his hands. Hindi mawala sa isip niya si Madeleine. Dalawang araw na ang nakakalilipas at hanggang ngayon ay hindi niya pa rin mawari kung bakit iba ang kinikilos ng kan’yang asawa. Pakiramdam niya ay unti-unting lumalayo ang loob ni Madeleine sa kan’ya. It was like she was hiding something and that she was distancing herself from him for some reason.Perez grew anxious by that, may mali ba siyang nagawa? Ngunit kapag lumalapit at naglalambing siya rito, hindi naman ito umaayaw. She let him kiss her and hugged her like everything was fine but the thing was, Perez knew too well that something between them was going downhill. “Mr. President, the meeting is about to start. We need to go now,” pag-a-anunsyo ni Francis. Perez was in his bad mood since yesterday, Francis was being too careful these days but today’s meeting was important kaya hindi na puwedeng ipa-schedule pa niya itong muli. After all, the agenda for today’s me
Nasa may sala si Madeleine at naghihintay kay Perez. Ngunit, sumapit ang alas onse ng gabi ay wala pa rin ito. Hindi na niya namalayan na sa kakahintay niya ay nakatulog na pala siya sa sofa. Narinig na lang lamang niya ang pagbukas ng pinto kaya dahan-dahan niyang iminulat ang kan’yang mga mata. “Madeleine?”rinig niyang tawag ni Perez sa kan’ya. Madeleine’s head was hazed and her sight was still blurry from being woken up ngunit pinilit pa rin niya ang sarili na tumingala para tignan si Perez. Nang makita niya ang mukha ni Perez at ang banayad nitong ngiti habang nakatingin sa kan’ya ay agad nawala ang kan’yang antok at kusang din namuo ang malaking ngiti sa kan’yang mga labi. Perez took off his suit coat and put it at the arm rest of the sofa bago siya umupo. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ni Madeleine nang hawakan siya nito sa pisngi. Madeleine closed her eyes, nuzzling her own cheek at his warm palm. “How’s your day? You look tired,” tanong ni Perez habang mahinang hinimas-himas an