Pakiramdam ni Thelma ay sumabog siya sa mga narinig mula sa bibig ng dati niyang daughter in law. "How dare you talk to me like that!?" Dinuro duro pa niya si Audrey. "Saan ka nakakakuha ng lakas ng loob na pagsabihan ako ng ganiyan?" She was so triggered like a water boiling at the highest form. Audrey only glanced at her indifferently, ignoring all her fuss. Hinarap niya ang lahat ng naroon. She looked really presentable and polite as she acknowledged everyone's presence. "Good day, everyone. First of all, I apologize for disturbing you just because of my personal matters. I am here to clear my name and side. I have seen the post on the university's website. Buong puso kong pinasisinungalingan ang post na 'yon. The photo included on the post is not enough to make me convicted. It's almost fully blurry, only showing that I was there but what else does it bring?" Audrey narrated her words in a neither humble nor arrogant manner. She was calm and only determined to say factual t
Thelma immediately realized the man who arrived and she was quickly flustered. The man with a strong aura in front of them was the Young Master of the Vasquez family. He was clearly not someone that the Villafuente family could easily offend. And they should not even do anything against them. Sekretong napalingon siya sa surveillance video na nasa projector, she made sure that the man in the video was not clear. Hindi ito makikilala. Pumasok muli sa isip niya ang sinabi ng anak niyang si Leandra, na pinaglalaruan lang ni Regan Amadeus si Audrey. Of course, that must be the case! How could a man like him, a noble, be serious to a divorced woman like Audrey? She has nothing to offer to him!Dahil do'n ay nabawasan ang kabang nararamdanan ni Thelma. She's much more at ease. Napangiti siya nang maisip na may anak siyang dalaga. Not only Leandra is a lady who cake from the rich Villafuente family but she also had a high level of education. Maganda ang kinalakihan nito. Her daughter is wa
Magkatabing naglakad si Audrey at Regan Amadeus paglabas sa office ng principal. Audrey's heart was at peace at that moment. Nilingon niya ang lalake sa tabi niya. "Thank you, Mr. Vasquez. I really appreciate your help. If it weren't for you, mahihirapan talaga akong ma-resolve iyon. I could be expelled by now so, thank you so much for helping me clarify the issue," she sincerely uttered, her tone was gentle. Regan Amadeus chuckled, it was such a magnetic low laughter as if it was bewitching. Napatitig si Audrey sa mukha nito na halos perpekto na. He's really handsome. It doesn't have any dead angles. Ang kabuuan ng mukha nito ay talagang perpekto ang detalye, as if the creator took all his time to sculpt his face. He's flawless. Audrey could not imagine if there's any woman who can be worthy of such a man. Nabalik sa reyalidad si Audrey nang magsalita ang lalake. "Don't thank me, Serenity. Just remember, you owe me a favor."Bumagal ang mga hakbang ni Audry. She knew that owin
"Ano ba ang nangyari? Why are you all like that, Tita? Leandra? Did something bad happen?"Hindi alam ni Gayle kung ano ang eksaktong nangyari ngunit may ideya siya na may kinalaman iyon kay Audrey. Only that woman could make them so angry to the point that their blood was boiling. Nang marinig iyon ni Thelma Villafuente ay ibinaba niya ang hawak na alahas, her expression turned gloomy. Maliwanag na ang mukha nito kanina ngunit muling dumilim ngayon nang maalala kung ano ang mga nangyari kanina. Gayle watched her expression intently and just waited for the answer. "It's all Audrey's fault! If it weren't for her, I would not be embarrassed in front of so many people," she dramatically said. Nagsimula siyang ikwento ang lahat ng nangyari. There was no ounce of guilt as she told the story. Hindi makikita o maririnig sa kaniya na aware siya na may kasalanan siya. Gayle understood that Thelma and Leandra plot something again against Audrey but as usual, it seemed like they failed mi
"I have already apologized, Audrey. Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin ko para tanggapin mo ang apology ko? My mother really didn't mean what happened... I told you," ani Leandra. Wala siyang magawa kung hindi tiisin ang galit niya at habulin si Audrey. Hindi siya huminto sa pagsasalita, pilit na pinapaniwala ang babae na totoo ang paghingi niya ng tawad. Sa wakas ay huminto si Audrey at hinarap siya. There was so much coldness in her gaze. "If you and your mother really don't want to cause anymore trouble to me... If you are really sincere in your apology... the best way you could do is to stay away from me. As far as possible, Leandra. Iyon ang gusto ko."Inis na inis na si Leandra kanina pa at nang magsalita pa si Audrey sa kaniya ngayon ay halos sumabog na ang galit sa puso niya. Tinalikuran na siya ni Audrey. She could only watch her walk away. Leandra's eyes were full of violence. Gigil na gigil na siya sa babae. This bîtch! "I've already apologized and this is what you did. Wait
Audrey was stunned when she realized who the man was. Hindi niya pa inaasahan na si Regan iyon dahil sa nakasinding sigarilyo nito sa pagitan ng mahaba niyang daliri. She didn't know he smoke cigarette. Never niya pa kasi ito nakita na gano'n, ngayon lang."Mr. Vasquez, you're here," aniya sa lalake. Nang makita siya ni Regan ay agad nitong binitawan ang sigarilyo saka iyon inapakan para mamatay ang sindi. Kaya hindi pa man siya nakakalapit nang tuluyan ay wala na ang usok no'n. "I came to see you," simpleng sagot ng lalake. Napakurap siya. "See me?" she confusedly asked, Audrey was slightly absentminded. Tumango si Regan at inabot sa kaniya ang pamilyar na invitation letter. Iyon ang tinanggigan niya kanina kay Reina. "I came here to personally invite you to our family's banquet. We agreed that you owe me a favor, Serenity. And I thought that this would be the perfect way for you to repay it. I am inviting you to be my companion. And I am letting you know that you have no choice
Dumikit kay Gayle si Leandra. "Look how proud that bîtch is, Ate Gayle," she said through gritted teeth. Gayle removed her gaze from the two then put a decent smile as she face Leandra. "She's the companion of the Young Master Vasquez, magiging proud talaga siya. Almost all of the young ladies here in the banquet dreams to be Regan Amadeus' partner for tonight." Mahinahon ang boses niya. Idagdag pa sa labis na selos at inggit na nararamdaman ni Gayle, sigurado siyang maraming babae roon ang katulad niya. Although they are not showing their real feelings on the surface, but deep inside, they are cursing Audrey for being in that spot. Lalong nagalit si Leandra sa narinig. Bakit pa ang babaeng katulad ni Audrey ang nasa tabi ngayon ni Regan? Bakit hindi siya? On the other side, Gayle scanned the people in the hall. She realized that Regan Amadeus was nowhere to be found. Napatingin siya sa second floor at may agad sumagi sa isip niya.A gleam of light flashed in her eyes. Of course
Napangisi si Leandra sa nakita. "Oh, Miss Reina, your outfit is ruined. I brought an extra dress for back up. Pwede mong gamitin 'yon, hindi naman nagkakalayo ang sizes natin." Reina frustratedly looked at her dress. While Leandra has a plan in her mind. Kung hiramin ni Reina ang spare dress niya, it would be the start of establishing a good relationship with the Vasquez. But Rena shook her head. "No need. I also have extra dresses upstairs," aniya. Hinawakan niya ang palda niya saka nilingon si Audrey at marahan itong hinila. "Tara, Ate Audrey. Magpalit muna ako ng suot."She would not leave her Ate Audrey. Siguradong may lalapit dito para bully-hin siya. Isa pa, bilin sa kaniya ng Kuya Regan niya na wag sila maghihiwalay. At this moment, a waiter suddenly came over. "Miss Audrey, pinatatawag po kayo ni Young Master Regan..."Nang marinig iyon ni Reina ay agad niyang pinakawalan si Audrey. "Sige na muna, Ate. Puntahan mo si Kuya Regan. I will change my dress first then susunod a
Half an hour ago, Audrey wanted to cook some noodles in the kitchen. Sinubukan niya kaso talagang sumakit ang legs niya dahil sa mga paso niya kaya tinawagan na lang niya ang bestfriend niyang si Lucy. Pagdating nito ay alalang-alala ang babae. Audrey had no choice but to tell everything to Lucy. Lahat ng nangyari ay kinwento niya sa matalik na kaibigan, simula sa nangyari sa kompetisyon, sa pagsabuy ng mainit na tubig ni Leandra sa kaniya, and even the fact that Lawrence went to infirmary with such request and demands.Kaya naman gigil na gigil si Lucy matapos marinig ang buong kwento ng nangyari. "Ang mga hayop na 'yon talaga! 'Yang si Leandra, ayaw ko na talaga sa babae na 'yan noon pa. When you're still her sister in law, she bullied you and treated you as if you are her nanny. Ngayon na divorce ka na sa gagó niyang kuya, talatang pinapakialaman at kinakalaban ka pa rin niya. Ang pangit-pangit talaga ng ugali ng babaeng 'yan, sobra na!"Napailing si Audrey saka bumuntong-hininga.
Agad siyang yumakap sa Kuya Lawrence niya at agad siyang umiyak, hindi pa rin nauubos ang luha mula kanina. "Kuya, please! Palabasin mo ako rito. Ayoko dito! Please, kuya. I don't like it here, I don't belong in this place!" Ang ina niya ay tinignan siya, awang awa at tila nadudurog ang puso para sa anak. "Alalang-alala kami sayo ng kuya mo, Leandra. As soon as we heard the news that you were in trouble, we immediately went to find that bîtch to release you from here, but she refused to let you out no matter what! And that Vasquez, I think he is determined to protect Audrey. And were you even thinking? Bakit kinalaban mo pa talaga si Reina knowing na isa siyang Vasquez!? How dare you mess with their family!" "Mom! I was wrong, I know I was wrong! Please get me out of her quickly! All the news tomorrow will definitely be about me being taken away by the police! How embarrassing would that be? I don't want it! Kuya, you will definitely help me, right?" Punong-puno ng luha ang m
Maingat ang paghawak ni Regan kay Audrey. Tila ba babasagin siya na kailangan talaga ingatan. Kahit sa pagpapasakay nito sa kaniya sa kotse ay talagang dahan-dahan upang hindi masagi ang mga paso niya. After getting in the car, Audrey could see the condition of her legs clearly. After applying ice, her legs were now swollen. Napabuntong hininga siya habang pinagmamasdan iyon. Regan sat in the driver's seat, and he felt a little guilty seeing her wounds even clearer. After all, he was the one who gave Audrey the thermos cup, and he also put the hot water in it. If he hadn't given her the thermos cup, perhaps this situation wouldn't have happened. Wala sanang maitatapon na mainit na tubig si Leandra kay Audrey. There was a deafening silence in the car. Pansin ni Audrey ang malalim na pag iisip ni Regan. "What are you thinking about? Parang ang lalim," aniya sa magaan na boses. He didn't have this expression in the infirmary just now. Could it be because of th
"Keep it on for a while longer," ani Regan, tinutukoy ang ice pack na nagbibigay ginhawa kahit papaano kay Audrey sa sitwasyon niya. After a while, just as the ice was removed, the door of the infirmary was pushed open loudly. Pumasok ang pamilyang Villafuente, nangunguna ang ina nila na sinundan ni Lawrence at Gayle. Kasunod nila ang ama ni Gayle na sumama roon. "You, bitch! Give me back my daughter! Pinadampot mo siya sa mga pulis! Kausapin mo sila ngayon at ipa-release mo si Leandra!" Sinigaw iyon ni Thelma habang dinuduro siya. On the other hand, Lawrence was somewhat calm and rational. Nabigla pa siya mang makita ang lagay ni Audrey ngunit nang makita si Regan Amadeus sa tabi niya ay nagbago ang ekspresyon nito. "Sobra na ang ginawa mo, Audrey! We can apologize to you, mamghihingi ako ng tawad sayo para sa kapatid ko pero kaya hindi mo na kailangan na ipadampot siya sa mga pulis! Call the police now then tell them to release her, then we will negotiate later to
Leandra came back to her senses. Napatayo siya, nanlalaki ang mga mata. "No, you can't do that to me!" she screamed like a madman. Tinignan niya ang principal. "You must not call the police on me! If you call the police, my life will be over! Hindi pwede. I am also from the Villafuente family! My brother is on the school board. Hindi niyo pwedeng kalimutan 'yon!" she cried. Absolutely not! Hindi siya papayag. Never in her life did she imagine that she would be brought to the police station.Her eyes were full of tears. They must not call the police! Siya rin ang nag-iisang babaeng anak ng Villafuente. She's their princess and she had all the people's attention in their city. Once they called the police on her and she went to jail, she would be ostracized by all the rich families and she would inevitably become the target of their scorn. Pati pamilya niya ay damay at talagang malalagot siya sa kuya niya no'n. Principal Lee hesitated a little... after all, the Villafuentes w
Taas noo niyang tinignan si Leandra. Audrey's eyes became sharper, staring at the lady. "Who told you that?" tanong niya. Leandra's eyes dodged her gaze, but she still said with determination, "Don't worry about who told me that! Anyway, this test paper is the original test questions for the competition. Don't deny it! You helped Reina cheat because you have a good and close relationship with her! Bakit? Dahil gusto mo siyang manalo, 'di ba?" The people present were once again ignited with anger. Muling do'n na-focus ang attention nila, sa pambibintang kay Audrey. If it was really like what Leandra said, Audrey had the audacity in challenging the nerves of each of them. The long-lasting glory of the Department of Psychology has always been because of the annual psychological knowledge competition. And now, someone actually cheated in the school competition! Audrey smiled indifferently and stretched out her hand to get everyone's attention. "Please listen to me... Miss
Miss Vanessa, Professor Henry, the principal and all the judges were shocked and confused when they saw the test questions. They received a new set. Iba iyon sa test questionnaires na natanggap nila kaninang umaga at iyon ang inaasahan nilang gagamitin sa competition. All the contestants only had ten minutes to answer the questions. Pagkatapos ng unang round na 'yon ay nakabibiglang forty na estudyante lang ang nakalusot para sa susunod na round. Reina advanced to the next round while Leandra was immediately eliminated. Halos padabog siyang umexit. Kinuha niya ang bag niya saka galit na galit na kinuha ang crumpled na test paper mula roon. Ang alipores niyang si Gina ay agad siyang nilapitan para aluhin siya. "It's okay, Leandra. This is just a competition. At isa pa, si Audrey ang nag-organize no'n, so it's no big deal!" "Go away, Gina. Layuan mo ako!" she pushed her away as she threw tantrums. Gigil niyang pinunit ang test paper saka iyon tinapon sa kung saan. Iniwan
Tumayo si Regan at kinuha ang pot kung nasaan ang iba pang tsaa na nagawa niya. Umuusok pa iyon. Dinala niya 'yon sa mesa kung nasaan si Audrey na pinagmamasdan siya. "Drink more of this tea. Ubusin mo," saad nito sa kaniya. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Audrey nang makita ang sinasabi nitong dapat niyang ubusin. "It's too much! Hindi ko 'yan mauubos, Mr. Vasquez." Sa dami no'n ay pwede pa siya ro'n maligo! It's an exaggeration, pero talagang marami iyon. It's impossible for her na ubusin ang lahat ng 'yon sa isang upuan lang. "It's for your health. It will make you feel even better." Regan smiled at her. "For your health." Rong Yu smiled gently. Hindi niya alam kung seryoso ba ito. Napatingin siya sa wall clock saka muling tinignan ang lalake. "Mr. Vasquez, it's already late. You should go home and rest..." Marahan niyang sinabi rito. Tumayo si Regan at tumango. "Remember to drink all of that." He reminder her. Pilit siyang napangiti. Hinatid niya ito sa may pin
Mas naging abala si Audrey sa araw bago ang kompetisyon. Halos tapos naman na ang paghahanda pero kailangan niyang balik-balikan ang mga detalye para masiguro na maayos ang lahat. Naging abala siya at ang mga estudyanteng katulong niya sa pag-organize ng competion sa pag-decorate sa venue kung saan iyon gaganapin bukas. Even Professor Henry was worried and stayed late with them. "Have you already secured the test questions for the competition?" Professor Henry asked. Tumango naman si Audrey. "Opo, Professor. It's already in the safe in the consultation room. I'm the only one who has the key to the safe." Professor Henry nodded. "That's good to hear." Nakangiti nitong sagot sa kaniya. Nang nauna ng umuwi si Professor Henry ay naiwan do'n si Audrey. She tested the various equipment in the auditorium again. She needed to make sure that everything will go as planned. After everything was checked, it was already 11:30 in the evening. Nakahinga nang maluwag s