“You will not go to work?”Narinig kong tanong ni Elijah nang makita akong lumabas ng kwarto kinabukasan. Nakasuot pa ako ng pajama at walang planong lumabas ng condo para sa araw na ito.Iniisip ko pa rin kung paano ko lalapitan si Jake sa ganitong sitwasyon. Ang hirap sumingit sa oras niya lalo na't abala siya sa sariling pamilya. He has a family to take care of. I don't think it will be easy to have an appointment with him. “No, I'm still on leave,” I said. I've finished my shift for this month and took a week leave from work. Aside from that, someone signed it as soon as I requested for that. It must be Jake's or someone else. "Okay," sabi niya. Nasa condo ko na naman siya at naghanda para sa brunch namin ngayon.Lumapit ako kay Elijah at niyakap ang kaniyang likod. Wala itong suot na t-shirt kaya ramdam ko ang init ng katawan nito. I can feel his abs against my palms as I touched it. I giggled when I pinched one of it. “Rielle...”"I want pancakes, Elijah," I mumbled and sni
I can't keep my eyes away from kuya Rash while he keeps his eyes on the crowd. I can see the smirk plastered on his lips and I begin to think if he's just joking or what. But based from his expression, he's not just joking. Matagal ko na ring hinihintay si kuya Dash. Laking gulat ko lamang nang may sumulpot na naka V-neck shirt at pinaresan ng black board shorts. His hair was brushed up, different from kuya Rash that has undercut hairstyle. I agaped when my eyes met his brown orbs. Dash Ferrer, his identical twin, is here!Kaswal siyang naglalakad patungo sa direksyon namin at diretso niya akong tiningnan. Hindi man lang niya sinulyapan ang kakambal niya na katabi rin ni kuya William. Sobrang nabigla ako nang makita ko siya kaya hindi ako makapagsalita.I felt Elijah's arms let go of me before I felt him whispered on my ear. "Go to him."I nodded before I step forward. I was already a meter away from him. Hindi siya ngumiti o tumango. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin. And there's no em
We decided to go back to our room nang makita namin si Denver sa hallway. Hindi siya nag-iisa. May kasagutan siyang babae na sa tingin ko ay kasing edad ko lang base sa pangangatawan niya. Denver faced and pinned her on the wall. While I am just beside Elijah, watching them.“You know where 'she' is!” Tinuro ni Denver ang direksyon namin kaya nakita niya kami. Bahagya pa siyang nagulat bago siya tumayo ng tuwid at humarap sa amin na nakakunot ang noo. The woman grips on his arms as if she's afraid of us but recognition plastered on the woman's eyes as it diverted to me.Kumunot ang noo ko. She looks familiar. Her short hair really suits her chubby cheeks. She has dark toned skin and set of brown eyes. She's voluptuous and beautiful with the way she handle herself. Where did I see... U-huh! She's Carmienne's sister!“R-rielle?” Narinig kong bulong niya. Binitawan ko ang kamay ni Sean Elijah at lumapit sa kaniya. I smiled before I glanceed at Denver who's curiously looking at us.
After we talked with Sharmienne, Denver and I went to our respective rooms. My mind was preoccupied with this plan of ours. They want me to be the 'bait' to lure Jake out. As expected. This was also the one that Noah told me. But I feel scared to execute this. Even with that thought, I know Elijah will be against it. Earlier, he was refraining himself. He even left our room that's why it was me and Denver who came to Sharmienne. He was mad with the idea of his co-members but he can't do anything about it. He knows the risks if we cancel their plan. It will damage me or the other targets. Napabuntong-hininga ako kaya napansin iyon ni Denver. Huminto siya nang malapit na kami sa kwarto ko at sumulyap sa akin. "Sigurado ka bang mapagkakatiwalaan natin si Sharmienne?" tanong niya. Tumingin ulit ako sa kaniya at tumango. I was the one who told them about Sharmienne being our ally. She's perfect and fits the duty to be our spy. As of now, siya na ang magbabantay s
Naramdaman ko ang pagpintig ng aking ulo habang dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang aking mga mata. Matamlay akong nakahiga sa malambot na kama. Agad kong nilibot ang paningin at ni wala akong makita dahil nilalamon ng dilim ang buong kwarto.Naalala ko bigla ang nangyari kagabi. Nagsimula na namang lumuha ang mga mata ko hanggang sa humagulgol na ako. Patuloy na kumirot ang puso ko sa pag-aalala tungkol kay Elijah, sa mga kapatid ko at sa iba ko pang kaibigan.Biglang bumukas ang pinto kaya pumasok ang ilaw mula sa labas. Nakita ko ang anino ng lalaking kinamumuhian ko ngayon. With the sight of him, I feel my blood boils. He turned on the light making me saw him completely. I immediately glared as our eyes met. I gritted my teeth and he saw it. He was just at the door, observing me."Gising ka na pala," sabi niya. “I must say you have a nice sleep after what happened last night. The drug I injected on you, worked.”“You assh*le!” I hissed. Sinubukan k
The next few days, I always ended up being inside of the bathroom and feel like throwing up on the sink. There's nothing coming out except for my saliva. My body felt heavy as if I am having a fever. Lorecia noticed it that's why she's assisting me. “I-I’m fine,” sabi ko kaagad nang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. Parang kakaiba ang aking tiyan. I'm not hungry nor what pero may gusto akong kainin. Weird.“Ma'am, isang oras na po kayo pabalik-balik sa banyo. Wala ka naman pong naisuka.”“Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ako nagkakaganito pero huwag mo munang sabihin ito kahit kanino, okay?”"Okay, ma'am," sabi niya. "By the way ma'am, nagdala po ako ng lunch niyo." Tumango ako at bahagyang ngumiti sa kaniya. Nakita ko ang mga iyon sa bed side table. May kanin sa plato, Tinolang manok at isang basong tubig.I nodded and went to my bed. I eat my food while Lorecia is waiting for me. But when I tasted it, I almost vomit again. I pinched my nose and we
Dinala kami sa pribadong ospital na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ni Denver. The doctors also examined us. Nawalan ng malay si Sharmienne matapos niyang malaman ang pagkawala ni Carmienne. Hindi pa namin sinasabi sa kaniya na maaaring magkasama ang nakakatandang kapatid niya at si Jake. Hindi pa sigurado si kuya Rash doon. Nasa loob ako ng private room ni Sharmienne. Nagvolunteer akong bantayan siya. And I saw Denver here with baby Carmina in his arms. Denver who was taking good care of her, can't seem to ease his mood. His eyebrows are furrowed while looking at the woman. I can see that he's also worried about Sharmienne. Dalawang araw na ang nakalipas pero hindi pa rin nagigising si Sharmienne. Napakapayapa tingnan ng kaniyang mala-anghel na mukha. Kitang-kita ang mga sugat sa braso at binti nito, may eyebag din siya sa ibaba ng mga mata niya. And her cheeks are turning purple. It looks like she was beaten before we hot out from the mansion. At sa loob ng d
As what Elijah told me, we visited their house where he grew up. Dito raw ngayon nakatira si Selene at ang tatay niya. Ilang oras lang ang layo nito mula sa Madrigal's Tower. Pero ramdam ko ang bahagyang panginginig at panlalamig ng mga kamay ko nang makita ko na ang bahay nila.The exterior has a modern and very intricate design. It has two floors with wide windows. The colors used blended perfectly—blue, white and a bit of black. The guard opened the gate and my heart started pounding faster than normal.Mula sa harap ng pintuan, nakita ko si Selene sa kaniyang yellow dress at may nakaukit na ngiti sa kaniyang mukha. Sa tabi niya ay isang lalaki na nasa early 50's na. Pumunta si Elijah sa gilid ko at binuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan. Iginiya niya ako palabas at pareho naming hinarap kaniyang pamilya.“Dad... Selene...” Tawag niya sa kanila pagkatapos niyang tumikhim. “This is Arabella Rielle Rivera, my girlfriend.” Magalang akong ngumiti sa kanila matapos akong ipakilala ni Elijah.Ha
• October 14, 2020I groaned as I moved my body. I opened my eyes and noticed that I was in an unfamiliar room covered with white paint all over the four corners of the wall. I arched my back but the pain worsen making someone cuss. I looked around only to see my friends sitting on the couch. They look calm and composed as they eyed me with stoic faces.Nagtataka ako kung bakit sila nandito. They are busy and they're unusually quiet right now. Even Daniel who's the loudest of us is just eating an apple. Denver who sat on my bed just nodded with his arms crossed. The Ferrer twins are here too. Gusto ko silang tanungin kung ano ang nangyari nang may mga doktor na pumasok para tulungan ako. They let my friends stay while also explaining that they'll run some tests."Anong nangyari?" I spoke after the doctor examined me. William went out with the doctor to further ask about my case. “Where's Rielle?” "She's with Jake and Kian right now," sabi ni Daniel, tumayo mula sa sofa.I balled my
“Hey guys!” It was Rielle and she didn't even look at me. She sat beside Rash. “Sorry, I'm late.”“Rielle...” bulong ko pero nang magtama ang mga mata namin, umiwas ako ng tingin at napalunok.“You're wasted, dude,” Denver commented when he saw me. I showed him my middle finger.I may look drunk but I'm still sane. I can even stare at Rielle even with the loud music. She glanced at me but immediately looked away. I smirk and drink again.We're done playing, my lady.Napatayo ako nang mapansin kong wala siyang planong makipag-close sa akin. I went behind her and ask if she could move. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at niyakap siya bago ko ipinatong ang ulo ko sa leeg niya. Mabango. Nalalasing ako sa pabango niya. D*mn.“He's whipped!” Narinig ko si Clifford pero hindi ko siya pinansin. What important is that she's with me.“He's been waiting for you, Rielle. He thought you'll ditch him."Naririnig ko silang nag-uusap pero hindi ako maka-focus sa kanila. Gusto ko nang umuwi kasama si Rielle.
She was safe with us. She already knows my co-members and she already got close with Daniel and Denver. She's with The Falcon, the whole day. She even teases Rash who's not in the mood right now. And it was because of her sister.And as expected from him, he didn't pass this through. Rielle and he argued. William even joined. And Matthew, the m*therf*cker who's Rielle's crush (based on Daniel), was just smiling while looking at her.He noticed my glares at him which he just shrugged off. He knows that Rielle's my girl. It's our bro code. I just can't stand seeing him with Rielle especially when I saw them embraced in the kitchen.I don't understand myself. I felt like he was taking my property away from me. I just want to punch his face. He's a threat to me.“U-oh. Someone's jealous, huh?”I even heard Daniel say that but I don't care and walked out. Jealous, my ass! I don't have the right to be jealous! It's a slap to my face that she's not mine eventhough I am always claiming her to
• March 13, 2020 • She seems distant to me, I'm sure of that. And she's uncomfortable around me. Earlier this morning, she didn't even open up about herself. What she did was just ask about what happened. She can't keep eye contact with me. Tsk. What would I expect? I am the one who reject her before. “So? What happened?” she asked."You were in the bar. I just saw you going to the comfort room being unable to move because of those guys."“I drank a lot last night. I didn't remember anything,” she said. “Did something happen? And who are the guys you're talking about?”Humigop muna ako sa kape ko bago ko siya tinitigan ng buo. "They are 'The Hawk'. An underground gang who happens to be our enemy. Mas maganda kung wala kang maalala. Ngayon mo lang narinig ang sikreto nila pero napahamak ka na."“Are they after me already?” tanong niya. "Tell me, are they dangerous?"“They are,” simpleng sabi ko. Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na buntong-hininga bago ibinaling ang tingin sa akin.“Salam
• February 12, 2020 •I was in Madrigal's Tower when I received a message from Lolo Elias that I need to attend his friend's birthday (he has the same name as my dad). Tsk, if I know, he will just look for a woman for me to marry. And I just can't decline him. He always put me into trouble and will definitely tell my father about my whereabouts. It's not like, I'm afraid of my father, I just don't want to stress him out. I'm already 25, for Pete's sake.After I talked with Rash Ferrer, I immediately went out to leave. He has a condo unit here too. Zaine Madrigal, one of our friends and the owner of the Madrigal Towers, even offered me one but I'm still thinking if I will accept it. Besides, Rash gave me a personal mission and it's about his sister. Riellana Ferrer... It seems familiar and sounds like 'her' name. I suddenly miss her. I immediately shook my head as I was in the elevator. I didn't have a lead. I've been looking for her. It's been like five years. But I won't give up.I
“Eli!”I was interrupted from wearing my tuxedo when I heard my little sister's scream from my room's door. Selene walked inside and looked up to me. She pouted as she looked at my outfit.“Where you going?” she asked. “Can I come with you?” I smiled before I shook my head at her. She pouted and just give me a kiss on my cheeks. “Bring me chocolates.”"Sure." Hinalikan ko lang siya sa noo bago siya lumabas ng kwarto ko. I wonder what she wants this time. She always come to my room when she needs something.I glanced at the full-length mirror in front of me. I smirk when I was satisfied at my look. I brush my hair up first before deciding to go out. I saw Dad talking to someone on his phone. He just tapped my shoulder as he looked at me from head to toe.“I'm going.” I muttered before I went out and used my car to get 'there'. I can't suppress my smile as I remember Rielle. It's her debut today and I am her last dance.
Sean Elijah Dela Fuente's P.O.V • Clivette UniversityI always wonder why people leave? Is it because they don't want their relationship anymore? Are they satisfied to see those people they left suffer? If it's yes, then it's a total bullsh*t!That's what always stuck in my mind. I always expect people to leave after they become part of our life. I always tell myself to not get attach to them. I'm already tired hoping that they will come back.'Like what she did to us.'I can't help but to shrugged that thought off my head. It's been years since I knew that my mom left us. I already felt contented that she's no longer with us. Umalis siya. Iniwan niya kami. But here I am, still hoping that I can hear her explanation. The woman who I love so much will also be the one to hurt me back by leaving. I heaved a sigh as I remember my dad always missing my mom. He can do something about it though. He's a hacker, for Pete's sake! But he never use
Dahan-dahang tumayo ang kaniyang ina at pinunasan ang sariling luha. She nodded and just gave me a smile nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Tatayo na sana ako pero umiling siya sa'kin at tahimik siyang umalis sa condo unit.“F*ck sh*t!” Elijah was unstoppable. He punched the wall with his bare hands repeatedly until his fist were already full of his blood. “D*mn!” He cussed continuously until he knelt down to me and lowered his head on my thighs. Niyakap niya ang bewang ko nang mahigpit at ang sunod kong narinig ay ang mga hikbi niya.I covered my mouth with my right hand as I caressed his hair with my other hand. My eyes watered as I saw Elijah like this.Oh, Sean Elijah. I don't know how much pain you felt. It must be too much for you.“S-sean...” I bit my lips for the nth times so he won't recognize my stuttered voice. “Everything will be fine.”“I can't face her... I can't.”He keeps his head low and sobs. He's like this when he's badly in pain. We stayed like that until I felt h
As what Elijah told me, we visited their house where he grew up. Dito raw ngayon nakatira si Selene at ang tatay niya. Ilang oras lang ang layo nito mula sa Madrigal's Tower. Pero ramdam ko ang bahagyang panginginig at panlalamig ng mga kamay ko nang makita ko na ang bahay nila.The exterior has a modern and very intricate design. It has two floors with wide windows. The colors used blended perfectly—blue, white and a bit of black. The guard opened the gate and my heart started pounding faster than normal.Mula sa harap ng pintuan, nakita ko si Selene sa kaniyang yellow dress at may nakaukit na ngiti sa kaniyang mukha. Sa tabi niya ay isang lalaki na nasa early 50's na. Pumunta si Elijah sa gilid ko at binuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan. Iginiya niya ako palabas at pareho naming hinarap kaniyang pamilya.“Dad... Selene...” Tawag niya sa kanila pagkatapos niyang tumikhim. “This is Arabella Rielle Rivera, my girlfriend.” Magalang akong ngumiti sa kanila matapos akong ipakilala ni Elijah.Ha