“So, this is where you live. You must be very rich!” Gulat na gulat na bungad ni Terrence nang ihatid siya nito sa bahay nila sa Corinthian Gardens. “But why are you so simple?” Puno nang paghanga na dugtong nito.
“My choice.” Nakatawang sagot niya. Hindi na tumagal ito at sinabi na niyang naghihintay ang ama sa kanya.
“Oy, sino yung naghatid sayo?” Tukso ng Yaya Marta niya pagkapasok ng bahay.
“Yaya, school mate ko. Tumirik ang sasakyan ko eh buti na lang hindi pa ako nakaalis.” Pagpapaliwanag naman niya.
“Eh, bakit lalaki ang naghatid? Wala ka bang kaibigang babae?” Paninita nito. Palibhasa ito na ang nag-alaga sa kanya kaya parang ina at anak na din ang turingan nila.
“Sus, ito naman oh. Para nagmagandang-loob lang iyong tao, binigyan agad ng malisya. Huwag po kayong mag-alala, Yaya. Determinado akong maging matandang-da
Cooper decided to get close to Zyon. So, when he saw her driving papasok ng parking lot hindi siya umalis sa pagkakasandig sa kanyang sasakyan. Balak niyang batiin ito at sabayang pumasok. Unfortunately, she did not park beside his car. At nakita niyang bumaba ang isang may edad na lalaki at sumunod kay Zyon. Pinuntahan ng mga ito ang Honda Civic na gamit ng dalaga kahapon saka iniwan nito ang may edad na lalaki at dali-daling pumasok ng campus. He immediately ran after her pero hindi siya pinansin nito.“Hi, Zyon.” Bati niya dito. Pero tiningnan lang siya nito at diretsong naglakad.He was dumbstruck. Hindi siya pinansin? The whole day sa campus, inabangan niya ito. Dahil alam niya ang daily routine nito, alam din niya kung saan ito pumupunta at dumadaan. Minsan inabangan niya ito sa isang nook pero dinaanan lang siya nito. Ni hindi siya tiningnan kahit nag-hi na siya. Pagkatapos ng klase inabangan niya ito sa parking lot. Nang makita
“Wow! Nice seeing you on that dress! You’re gorgeous!” May paghangang bulalas ni Maggie. Zyon is wearing an off-shoulder printed yellow mini-dress paired with a white sneakers. Siya lang yata ang naka-sneakers at lahat naka-high heeled shoes. Ayaw niyang maging agaw-atensyon. Dahil kapag nagsuot siya ng may takong, kitang-kita ang tangkad niya and for sure she would just provoke the jealousy from the girls on the party at ayaw din niyang lapitan siya ng mga boys. They went inside the school auditorium hand-in-hand. The venue was beautifully decorated, slightly dimmed with a live band playing on stage. Though she hates to party, but she loves music so she decided to just enjoy the night. After finding a seat in a corner with Maggie, they chatted shortly as they can barely understand each other due to the loud music. Everybody is dancing even on their places to the rock song playing. She just remained on her seat, and enjoyed wat
Si Cooper at Zyon ang itinanghal na most popular students of the university. Matapos ang awarding ng bouquet ay bumaba na isa-isa ang nasa stage. Si Cooper naman dahil sila ang winners ay sila ang huling umalis ng stage. Inalalayan niya si Zyon pababa ng stage pero dumistansya ang babae. “Can we talk?”“No, Cooper. We have nothing to talk about. I didn’t expect what you did but I don’t want an explanation. It’s just for a show.” At dali-dali na siyang bumaba ng stage pabalik kay Maggie. Nagtaka si Zyon at wala ang babae sa pwesto nila. So, she went looking for her. Hindi niya namalayan na nakalabas na pala siya ng auditorium sa kakahanap sa babae. Saka pa lang niya naisip i-check ang phone. Maggie texted her, telling her na nauna na ito umuwi at bigla daw sumama ang tiyan nito. After texting her back to get well, she decided to just go home.Madilim ang nadadaanan niyang c
Cooper felt overjoyed. After they went out the room, he held Zyon’s hand and go with her in the parking lot.“Are you sure you want to go home? Ayaw mo na bumalik sa loob?""Yeah. Gusto ko nang umuwi.""Sabagay. Ayoko ko rin namang pinagtitinginan ka ng mga lalaki doon. For sure, hinahanap ka ni Terrence ngayon.” Madilim ang mukha na sabi niya sa babae. Pero bago pa siya nakapagsalita ulit, they both saw Maggie leaning on her car as if waiting for them. She was excited when she saw them holding hands. She hurriedly went to them and hugged her tight.“I’m so happy for you, for the both of you!” Nanlalaki ang mga mata na pahayag nito."Teka, akala ko ba nauna kang umuwi at sumama ang tiyan mo." Nagtatakang tanong ni Zyon.Maggie looked at Cooper helplessly and then Zyon guiltily."Eh, ito kasing magaling kong pin
It was the best moment in Zyon’s life. She giggled while lying on her back on her bed. She rolled back and forth and can’t contain her happiness. She touched her lips and blushed, remembering the first kiss she shared with Cooper. Her face turned red like a cooked lobster. How naive! The next morning, Cooper went to fetch her from their house but the guard of the subdivision won’t allow him to enter. They reasoned out that he was not on the list of the allowed visitors of the Mercado family. He was waiting on the gate for 20 minutes already. “What kind of boyfriend am I? I don’t even have my girlfriend’s cellphone number!” He desperately sighed. He tried texting and calling Maggie but she is not responding and is not answering her phone too. So, he just went off and go directly to their house. He directly went upstairs and knocked on her door but no one answered. Pinihit
Her dad is in the library when Cooper arrived. She then guided him straight to the library. Abot-abot ang kaba ni Cooper. Ilang beses na niya nakita sa TV ang ama ni Zyon but not in person. When they entered, he saw a distinguished man behind the table, sitting on his swivel chair comfortably, holding a document. He saw how fit Zyon’s father is. He is not the typical politician with bulging belly and wrinkled forehead as he pictured out while driving a while ago. What he saw amazed him. He was physically fit with a handsome but stern face. He then stood up when Zyon introduced Cooper to him. He was stunned by his towering height. In fact, magkasing-taas yata sila, standing at 6’1. He now understands where Zyon got her height.“G-good evening po, Sir Mayor.” Magalang na bati niya dito sabay extend ng kamay na tinanggap naman nito. He pressed his hand firmly relaying a thousand messages about his daughter. H
Matapos ipakilala si Cooper sa mga katulong lalo na sa Yaya Marta niya, ay dumulog na sila sa mesa. Marami pa silang napag-usapan habang kumakain. Her dad asked Cooper about his family and he was delighted to know that Cooper’s father was in fact an acquaintance of his. Rafael Mercado was ranked no. 3 in this year’s Richest Man in the Country whereas Eduardo Ayala, Cooper’s Father, ranked no. 5. It was a fun night and Cooper was so happy that everything is okay with him and Zyon, even getting her dad’s approval. At 9:00 PM, Rafael excused himself to rest early so Cooper decided na umuwi na rin. Hinatid siya ni Zyon sa gate nila.“Thank you for standing up with Dad. I was so relieved that he finally met you and we have his approval too.”“Moo, thank you for coming into my life. Whatever promise I made to your dad, I swear to keep them.” He looked directly into her eyes and touched her
“Mandy, do you know that girl Zyon?” tanong ng isang kasamahan niya sa peep squad.“I saw her. And why?”“Aren’t you afraid that Cooper will like her? You remember during that ball that she beat you for the most popular student award and Cooper had drawn her? Maybe he likes her.”Mandy shot a fierce look to her friend.“Cooper doesn’t like her. If he indeed does, still, he has to keep it within himself. He knows that and I am confident that he won’t do something stupid as to court that girl.” Nakangiting sagot niya sa babae. Pero deep inside, it awakens her possessive instinct. After changing clothes, she hurriedly proceeded to her first class. She saw Cooper and Jason talking and laughing at the same time. His face is so bright. “Hi, fiance!” Masayang bati niya sabay halik sa pisngi ng lalaki. She saw how
Kinaumagahan, maaga pa lang ay headline na ang gagawing live presence nina Cooper at Zyon sa programang iyon. Kahit sa social media ay marami silang nababasa na nag-aabang sa interview nila. Elise’s fans are speculating that they would tell lies of course, to clear their names. Pero marami din ang nag-aabang ng pasabog nila na kampi sa dalawa kaya nag-aaway-away ang kani-kanilang fans sa social media. 3:00 PM ay nasa studio na ang dalawa. Lahat nang nakakasalubong na mga staff ng programang iyon ay binabati sila. Dumiretso sila sa isang dressing room at maya-maya pa ay kumatok ang host na bakla. “I am so amazed with how beautiful you are, Zyon! Kung maganda ka na sa screen at magazines, mas maganda ka sa personal. Your beauty exudes sexiness and you are glowing! My gosh! Parang hindi ka na-stress sa mga atake sayo ng kabilang side.” “Coz I am not guilty, Tito. Kung ako lang, ayaw ko nang pansinin ang ganitong isyu
Kinabukasan, pagkagising nila at pagkatapos kumain ng breakfast, namili sila ng mga pasalubong para sa kani-kanilang pamilya, kaibigan at kasamahan sa bahay.7:00 PM ang flight nila kaya 5:30 PM ay nasa airport na sila. Kinabukasan na ang dating nila ng Pinas kaya matapos makaakyat ng eroplano ay sinubukan nilang matulog.9:00 AM nang dumating sila ng Pilipinas. Iniwan ni Cooper ang sasakyan nito sa airport nang umalis ito kaya hindi na sila nagpasundo. Hinatid siya nito sa bahay nila. Pagkapasok na pagkapasok ay agad tinawag ng dalaga ang ama.“Dad!” She knew that he is at home dahil linggo at wala itong trabaho.“Ohhhh, Zyon! I’ve missed you, princess.” At niyakap siya ng ama paglabas nito sa library.“ I am sorry, Daddy! Hindi ako nagpaalam at….”“Shhhh…It’s okay. Alam kong may malaki kang
Maagang nagising sina Cooper at Zyon. Para sa kanilang dalawa, iyon ang pinakamapayapang gabi sa buhay nilang pareho at ang ganda ng gising nila. Matapos ang mahabang halik ay agad na bumangon ang dalawa.“I’ll make our breakfast then you can take a bath and get ready for today’s outing.” Nakangiting wika ni Cooper sa dalaga.“No. I’ll make breakfast for both of us.”“Babe, let me do it. Gusto kong pagsilbihan ka on our first breakfast together.”“A-are you sure?" Nag-aalangan at parang nahihiyang sabi ni Zyon.“Yes, of course. Now get ready.”Mahinang tumawa si Cooper habang napapailing na nakatingin sa papalayong dalaga. Pumasok na ito sa loob ng bathroom. Dahil ang totoo, alam niyang hindi marunong magluto ang dalaga. Pampered na pampered ito ng ama at ng yaya nito. At kahit nang nasa
8:00 PM. Zyon went to the restaurant she and Sean agreed to meet up. He invited her for dinner. Nakita niya itong nakaupo sa table na pina-reserve nito habang may kausap sa phone. Nang makita siya ay kumaway ito at ibinaba ang phone.“How are you?” Agad na tanong nito pagkalapit niya. Tumayo ito para halikan siya sa pisngi.“I’m good. I am hungry. Did you order our food already?”“Yes. Always your favorite.”At natawa siya sa sinabi nito. Alam na nito kung ano ang gusto niya sa mga menu sa restaurant na iyon. Masaya silang nagkwentuhan. Hindi nila in-open ang topic ng dahilan nang pagpunta niya doon. Basta ang sinabi niya lang sa lalaki nang tawagan niya ito na aayusin at kukunin niya ang ibang mga importanteng gamit sa naiwang apartment and she is letting go of her apartment too.Matapos ang halos dalawang oras na kainan at kwentuhan ay
“I am very disappointed with you, Ogie! Hindi ko akalain na magagawa ninyo ito sa anak ko!”“I..I am very sorry, Mr. Mercado. Wala akong kaalam-alam sa mga plano at pinanggagawa ni Elise. She maybe is my talent pero hindi ko alam na gagawin niya ito.”“Kahit na. You damaged my daughter’s reputation publicly and I’ll make sure that anyone involved in this matter will pay! Also, forget your business partnership proposal of putting up an agency together with me. I would like to build an entertainment agency for my daughter and I first thought that you running it, would be a success! But I can see now that you do not manage your talents efficiently! The movies you offered to be produced and financed by me, I am withdrawing from it also! Nagkamali kayo ng binangga! I’ll see your talent in court!”Iyon lang at ibinaba na ni Rafael ang telepono. Galit na galit siya. Hindi ni
6:00 AM. Nagising si Cooper sa tunog ng alarm clock niya sa bedside table. Kahit na siya ang may-ari ng kompanya ay maaga siyang pumapasok kaya nasanay siya na may alarm clock bawat umaga.Nakangiti siya habang nakapikit pa ang mga mata. The memories of what happened last night came rushing back in. Kinapa niya ang katabi ngunit nangunot ang noo niya nang maramdamang bakante ang espasyong katabi niya na kagabi lang ay okupado ng dalaga. Bumalikwas siya ng bangon at nang makitang wala ito sa loob ng silid ay dali-dali siyang bumaba ng kama, tinungo ang banyo, mahinang kumatok sabay tawag ng pangalan ng babae. Nang walang sumagot ay pinihit niya ang door knob saka pumasok. Wala ito doon.Natatarantang lumabas ng banyo si Cooper saka hinagilap ang cellphone niya. Nakita pa niya ang damit ng babaeng nakatupi sa paanan ng kanyang kama. Tinawagan niya ang guard sa ground floor para tanungin if nakita nitong lumabas ang dalaga. Kinumpirma naman ito
Naramdaman niya ang pag-ganti ng dalaga ng halik sa kanya. Kaya ang kaninang maingat na mga halik ay naging malalim until Cooper realized that he is ravaging her lips. Iyong klase ng halik na parang sabik na sabik at ayaw tumigil na tinitikman ang bawat sulok ng labi ng dalaga. What excites him the most is that, Zyon is giving him an equal intensity.Nakapikit silang pareho habang ninanamnaman ang halik ng bawat isa. Pero biglang natigilan si Cooper. Iniangat niya ang kanyang ulo at tiningnan ang nakapikit na dalaga. She felt his lips’ absence so she opened her eyes.“Z-zyon, please tell me to stop. Alam ko wala ka sa tamang pag-iisip sa ngayon at lasing ka. I don’t want to do anything that will make you regret tomorrow. Kaya kong panindigan ang kung ano man ang mangyari ngayon but I don’t want to do this without your permission. At hindi ito ang tamang panahon dahil nakainom ka. Baka pagsisihan mo ito bukas.” S
“So, totoo nga, Elise na nanliligaw si Cooper kay Zyon?” Tanong ng beteranong TV show host.“Hindi ko po alam, Tito. Basta ang alam ko lang ay okay pa kami ni Cooper bago dumating si Zyon.” Mangiyak-ngiyak ito na nagkwento habang panay ang punas ng mga luha nito.“Alam naming masakit ito sa’yo, Elise. Pero totoo bang ikakasal na sana kayo ni Cooper bago nangyari ang lahat ng ito?”“Y-yes po, Tita. Naging busy lang kami kaya hindi pa na-finalize ang lahat.” Pa-victim pa ito.“Uhm, so sad. I’m sorry to ask you this, pero to confirm, break na kayo ni Mr. Ayala?”Doon na ito yumuko at humagulhol saka mahinang tumango. Marami pa itong sinabi na hindi man direktang itinuro si Zyon bilang dahilan ng hiwalayan ngunit lahat ng mga sinasabi nito ay pinupuntirya si Zyon. Ipinakita pa sa screen ang pictures nina Zyon at
Pagdating ng Maynila, dumiretso sina Zyon at Sean sa bahay nila. Wala ang kanyang ama at nasa US ito for a business trip.“You know that I am going home tonight. But I won’t leave until you tell me what exactly happened.”Nasa veranda sila ng guest room na tinutulugan ni Sean ng mga oras na iyon. Malungkot na tumingin sa malayo si Zyon. She knew na hindi siya tatantanan ni Sean. Bumuntong-hininga siya nang malalim saka ikinuwento dito ang buong nangyari sa Siargao.“Let me be honest with you, Zyon. Do you know why I accepted this project with Ayala Jewelry Empire?”Matama lang siyang nakatingin sa binata na nakaupo sa harap niya.“I did it for you.”“W-what? How? Why?”“You think that I don’t know it was Cooper who owns the company before signing the contract, didn’t