Continuation....
Author's POV:
A huge slap was heard in the living room.
"DAD!" Bella uttered out of shock habang hawak ang namumulang kaliwang pisngi sa sampal ng ama. She also looks so scared.
"What's this?" Itinapon nito sa ibabaw ng mesa ang iilang litrato. Iilan nito ay pictures ni Bella na nag-clubbing. "I paid for your classes. Your tutorials and everything but what were you doing behind my back?" Pasigaw na tanong ng Dad niya. She wants to cry but she knew her Dad will be angrier tha he is now if she'll show her weak side.
"Dad, it's just a day, it's summer can't I have the time to rest? College na po ako, magfo-fourth year college." She said trying to let her Dad understand her but she already knew he won't.
"Rest? that is for the one who don't aim for success. Iniwan ka ng MOMMY mo sa akin. Prove her you can do things without her." He said angrily specially when he mentioned
continuation....Author's POV:Ilang araw makalipas bumisita si Marie at Ethan sa bahay nila Lia. Habang nag-di-discuss si Marie at Stella sa mga kinakailangan sa kasal ng mga anak nito kasama si Ethan, sakto ring bumaba si Lia at ang kapatid nito sa hagdanan na kakagising pa lang."Ang pangit mo." Saad ni Lio. "Magsuklay ka nga." Tinanggal nito ang tali ni Lia sa buhok na kanina ay naka bun, now it flows freely on her back.Tinaasan siya ng kilay ni Lia, hindi nila napansin na nakatingin na sa kanila si Ethan, Marie at ang Mommy nila. Inis na inis si lia sa kapatid niya lalo na at kakagisi
continuation....Lia's POV:Another day came and it’s Thursday today, by Monday next week is the start of another school year. After completing the enrollment, since magkasabay naming inasikaso yun ni Ethan, he left me with Kendra dahil sa tinawagan siya ni Dad (Daddy Harold) to join him for a business meeting. Though Ethan took Pol. Sci. their Dad trained them for business, they own large and different kinds of businesses.“So how is the life of a married woman now?” Tanong ni Kendra while we are eating. Siya nga pala ang bride’s made ko, while Ethan had Kuya Edward as a groom’s man that time.“Nahh! Nothing new naman. We still live separately.” I answered.“You know what nagtataka ako, your marriage is so sudden. It doesn’t make sense na hindi kayo nakatira sa isang bahay ngayong kasal na kayo.” She said, bakas sa mukha niya
continuation....Author's POV:Everyone gathered inside the hall.“Good evening everyone!” Harold greeted the people around the venue.“Thank you for spending time with us in this special event that we prepared for everyone in the celebration for merging the Lee Corporation with Luna Real Estate and The Zodiac Corporation. My business composed in different varieties from Hotels and Resorts to Farm production. Merging with The Luna is a great idea for me. Mr. Luna and I had thought of it more than twice as we both considered our business partners. Our merging won’t really affect to our existing partners but we guarantee that this will help the management of our business and both of us will help each other in filling in to those what we lack in both sides. We promised that as our business had grown enough these past years, you will expect more growth in the future.” Mr. Lee said.
continuation...Author's POV:(*Babe, where are you?*) Yun ang natanggap na message ni Fernan kay Kendra.Napangiti siya, he was late kasi galing pa siya abroad to attend a family dinner with his grandparents from his mother's side. He even had a jet lag but because he misses her, pinilit niyang pumunta sa party.(*I’m on my way*) He replied.Lumabas na siya sasakyan niya at naglakad na siya patungo sa elevator. Nasa basement pa kasi siya. Habang papalapit sa mismong elevator, may narinig siyang humihikbi. He looks for where the crying noise is coming from. Lumapit siya sa likuran ng nakaparadang itim na kotse. He found a girl who is crying on her knees.“Miss are you okay?” Tanong niya sa babae. Napaangat ang ulo ng babae, it’s Bella.Tumingin lang ito saglit sa kanya pero umiyak rin ulit. Umalis saglit si Fernan, pagkabalik niya, nilag
continuation....Lia's POV:Fast forward, ilang araw na ang lumipas mula ng opening ng school year. Wala namang nagbago, yung routine ko tuwing nag-aaral gaya parin ng dati maliban na lang sa fact na may asawa na ako pero I’m still using my last name since we are still hiding our marriage from the people. With our group of friends, si Kendra lang at Fernan ang nakaka-alam.“Feeling ko talaga ang haggard ko na, biruin mo kakaumpisa pa lang ng pasukan kinailangan na nating mag-dobleng tiyaga.” Reklamo ni Kendra. Kasalukuyan kaming kumakain ng lunch. Kasama namin si Ethan at Fernan.“Nagreklamo ka pa eh paano naman kung uumpisahan na yung submission ng thesis natin.” Saad ko sabay subo.“Babe! Chill kahit magmukha ka pang baliw, ikaw pa rin ang pinakamagandang babae sa mata ko.” Saad ni Fernan sabay niya sinuboan si Kendra. Napatawa ako saglit ang
continuation....Author’s POV:Papasok si Hannah sa lobby ng office ng The Zodiac, it’s a corporate office located adjacent sa area ng kinatatayuan ng main branch ng The Zodiac. Agad na may nag-welcome sa kanya sa front desk.“Good afternoon Ma’am. How may I help you?” Tanong ng staff na malapad ang ngiti. In fairness the workers here are well trained when it comes to accepting visitors.“Uhmm I was the friend Miss Lia Aerabelle Luna asked earlier to have a 5 minutes appointment with the Head of the Board of Directors.” Saad ni Hannah sa staff.“Let me check.” The staff is checking carefully on her monitor.“Ma’am can I have your name?” Tanong ng staff kay Hannah.“Hannah Chu!” Saad ni Hannah sa staff na kasalukoyang tina-type ang name niya sa keyboard to check if her name matches the
continuation....Author's POV:Kasalukuyang nag-uusap si Bella at ang Dad niya sa loob ng mini library nito sa mismong bahay. Kadalasan skung hindi about sa business nito na unti-unti niyang ini-introduce sa anak ay tungkol naman sa pag-aaral ni Bella."I will be expanding my business Bella. I am hoping I will hear no silly news about you skipping classes and not attending the training I asked my assistance to be given to you while I have business trips out of the country." He said in an authoritative tone. Well, Dan is always like that nothing new."I promise Dad." Bella shortly replied. She's afraid of him but making her scared face visible will lead to a no good conversation."Good." Dad said.Bahagya lang nagbitaw si Bella ng ngiti. she is too afraid. Too afraid to tell her Dad that she is having a hard time learning things in the business together with making sure that she is doin
continuation....Lia’s POV:Ilang araw makalipas, magkasabay kaming kumain ni Kuya Lio. Wala sila Mommy at Daddy since they are on business trip abroad. We're silently getting foods to eat for breakfast. Silent kasi pag-may nagsasalita sa amin at napipikon wala ng paawat. Pero napansin ko talaga ang band-aid na nasa gilid ng upper part ng noo niya. Eh sa nag-alalala ako so I chose to talk.“Kuya bakit nga pala may band-aid yang noo mo?” Tanong ko sa kanya. Hahawakan ko sana pero pinigilan niya ako.“Kumain na lang tayo.” Saad niya, hindi siya ata nangungutya ngayon. Anong problema nito."Hey!" I uttered. Napatingin siya sa akin, since kanina focus lang siya sa food niya. "I'm just worried. Baka may nagtangka na sa buhay mo at minsan ka ng pinagdeskitaan. Now tell me may nag-akma bang pumatay sa'yo?" I asked, he frowned."Stop your nonsense Lia. Mas makakalaban p
Lia's POV:Gabi na at kasama ko si Ethan at ang parents niya pati na rin si Kuya Edward na kumakain sa dining nila. Biglang nag-lagay ng ulam si Mommy Marie sa plate ko."Lia anak kumain ka pa ng marami." Saad niya."Thanks Mom." I responded sabay subo."I don't have to be worried kung may mukha pa ba akong ihaharap kay Arnulfo since I see na hindi naman napapabayaan ni Ethan si Lia. Mas nagkalaman ka ngayon anak." Saad sa akin ng Daddy ni Ethan."Hahaha Daddy naman parang ayaw ko ng kumain dahil sa sinabi mo. Baka pag tumaba ako iiwan ako ni Ethan." Pagbibiro ko pero nabulonan si Ethan.Nakita kong agad siyang uminom ng tubig bago niya ako tiningnan ng mariinan."What did you say? Are you accusing me of something that I won't ever dare to do?" Saad niya sabay taas ng isang kilay at nag-aantay kung may sasabihin ako pero I chose to stay silent."Lia, Ethan won't do that hindi niya sasayangin yung g
Author's POV: Both Hannah and Edward were silently eating, unconsciously napangiti ang lalaki sa dalaga. Hannah noticed him smiling kaya napangiti narin siya. She thought of him as a nice person *Hindi katulad nung...* Hindi na niya tinuloy ang nasa isip niya. Napailing siya, ba't naman niya iisipin yung taong matagal tagal na niyang hindi nakikita at ayaw na niyang makita ulit. "Haielie, can I ask something?" Tanong ni Edward nang huminto ito sa pagkain, tumango naman si Hannah. "Do you perhaps consider marrying at such a young age?" Edward asked with curiosity. Hindi naman nag-isip nang kung ano si Hannah kaya agad niya itong sinagot, she want to be honest with him as she finds him a person she can trust and be comfortable with. "Yes, I want to continue the family that was built by my parents. It must have been nice to experience a complete family but take it as our secret, everyone thought I just wa
Continuation...Author's POV:Sa kabilang banda naman makikita mo ang mukha ni Lio na kahit sa kagwapuhan ay hindi ma-idrawing ang reaksyon nitong nakaupo kaharap ang babae sa isang mesa.His Mom once again tricked him that made him went to this place, a Restaurant. Kausap pa lang niya si Edward kanina when he was driving and he almost laughed to his friend because the guy somehow is willing to give a try sa isang blind date. bagay na ayaw niyang gawin.Iniisip niya na someday magiging bestman na pala siya kung tutuosin. Hindi naman sa ginagawa niyang katatawanan yung marriage. It's just that he don't want his parents to decide it for him. Pero ito siya ngayon nakakunot ang noo habang kaharap ang isang napakachik manamit na babae."If I haven't forget that Mom went to the airport today I shouldn't have come here." Saad ni Lio sa babaeng kaharap niya but the girl's response is a seductive smirk as
Continuation....Lia's POV:Sinusubuan ko si Ethan ng lugaw. Nakasandal siya sa headboard. I keep on feeding him without talking."Galit ka ba sa akin?" He asked me in a weak tone."Tapusin mo 'to panghuling kutsara na 'to." Saad ko sabay subo sa kanya. I put the small bowl on the bed side table."Love seriously you can go home. Ayaw kong mahawa ka sa akin." Saad niya and I glared at him."Hey! Lia Aerabelle stop glaring at me." He said trying to look scary but he's weak. I chuckled sarcastically."Really Haeil Ethan?" I said, sounding so frustrated as I sighed."Did we just fight?" Tanong niya sa akin."And you think we're not?" Tanong ko naman sa kanya.Nakita ko siyang napakagat labi. Binuksan ko yung drawer ng bed side table to get his medicine. I paused
Continuation.... Lia's POV: Magkasabay kaming kumain ng family ko with Ethan. Mom asked him to have dinner with us. We keep on eating when Dad initiate a conversation. "Ethan I heard you are working with Edward and Harold. Are you sure you can manage it anak? Tandaan mo nag-aaral ka pa." Saad ni Dad. "Yun nga ang sabi ko eh, I talked with Marie about it pero nagpupumilit daw itong si Ethan." Saad naman ni Mommy. Ramdam ko yung kamay ni Ethan na nakahawak sa kamay ko sa ilalim ng mesa. Gusto kong matawa, minsan kasi walang preno 'tong pamilya ko unlike Ethan's family na ang tahimik. "Mom-Dad don't worry I'm taking an off tonight. Hindi ko naman yun gagawin kapag hindi ko naman kaya. I am doing good with it so I'm keeping the job whebever I have time to work part time on weeknights and fulltime by weekends." Ethan explained. "Why bro? Are you planning to buy a new car? Nahh just name it akon
continuation.... Author's POV: The loud buzz was heard across the gym. An indication na tapos na ang laro. "Ouch!!" Sabay saad ng mga students who were cheering for Pol. Sci. "It's the first time they lose in the game." Lia uttered. "Sayang naman!" Saad nung ibang students. "Medyo wala sa mood maglaro si Fernan ngayon ah, isa pa naman siya sa ina-anticipate ko!" Saad naman nung isa. "They lose the game but it was a good match so far." Saad naman ng isa. "Given naman na mahihirapan sila te, na-injured yung isa sa kanila, isa lang yung substitute nila." Saad naman ng isa pang student. "I am sorry for Ethan's team." Saad ni Kendra. "Why?" Tanong ni Lia. "I am partly to blame for Fernan's play today." Kendra said looking like she's about to cry. "Hindi naman sa lahat ng panahon mananalo yung t
continuation....Author's POV:"Why did she left last night?" Tanong ni Fernan sa sarili habang nakasandal sa headboard ng kama. Hawak hawak niya ang cellphone niya. Kakatawag pa lang niya kay Kendra pero hindi naman ito sumagot."Ahhh!!" Umimpit siya sa sakit ng ulo. "I did drank too much last night." Saad niya ulit. He checked his phone again at may message ito galing sa Daddy niya asking where he is.He responded whatever he can think as an alibi bago pinatong sa lamp table ang phone. Tumayo siya at naisipan niyang tumawag sa front desk ng hotel to check if they have something to cure for hang over pero bago pa man siya maka-dial sa intercom ay nakita niya ang bottled water na may katabing hang over medicine na nasa mesa di kalayuan sa bed ng hotel.He thought everything was prepared by Kendra because as far as he can remember, it's Kendra who brought him in the hotel room last night
continuation.....Author's POV:Friday ngayong araw, the last day of the School Fair. Kakarating pa lang ni Ethan at Lia sa parking lot ng school, bago pa man makababa ang dalawa sa sasakyan ay may napansin si Lia kay Ethan."You look so sick. Are you okay?" Tanong ni Lia sa kanya.Tumango lang ito. Nilapitan ni Lia si Ethan at idinampi ang palad sa noo nito tapos nakiramdam."Wala ka namang lagnat." Saad ni Lia habang bahagya namang ngumiti si Ethan."I told you love I'm okay." Saad naman ni Ethan.Tiningnan nito si Lia at pinatong sa ulo ni Lia ang kamay nito. He make sure Lia's head won't move para yung tingin ni Lia ay nasa kanya lang."If you are okay then let's get out of the car, what are you doing now?" Lia asked him. Ethan gave her a smirk before he ruffles her hair. "Hey! I'm having a hard time fixing my hair ba't mo naman ginulo." Saad n
continuation..... Author's POV: Bella is inside her car while waiting for her driver who went inside the bar, she's too exhausted for having to participate on some activities in school for the School Fair and has to attend business training in her Dad's Company. She wants to take a break but she can't do anything about it. Her Dad's Secretary called her on their way home that her Dad is already drunk inside the bar and couldn't drive alone so they have to pick him up. This kind of scenario happens when her Dad is happy and wants to celebrate on something that ended him to get drunk. Bella sighed as she gets bored inside the car. "I hope Dad will calm himself, he has been drinking for quite a while now." Saad ni Bella. "I still need to drink. Why are you kicking me out as if i'm not gonna pay you?" A loud shout near the bar house entrance was heard by Bella that made her loo