It was almost like playing tug of war. However, no one wants to lose so they keep dancing around each other hoping the fire would burn out itself. But as the days passed by, their feelings for each other gets stronger. Sinilip niya si Vanessa sa silid at tulog pa ito. He couldn’t sleep last night. Naisip niya ang kalagayan ng ama. Habang tumatagal ito sa kulungan ay lalong nanganganib ang buhay nito. He has to move fast and find a way to get him out. Ngayong safe sila sa village ay malaya niyang napapakilos ang iilang tao niya. Alam niyang nasa movie industry si Damien at wala sa hitsura nito ang gagawa ng malaking krimen, but he cannot shake off the feeling that something is off with him. Pinabantayan niya ito at ang ikinalat ang iba para sa ibang gawain.Before he cooked breakfast, it has been his routine to pick up his newspaper in the morning. Pero ngayong umaga, hindi lang diyaryo ang naroon. May isang itim na envelope uli siyang natanggap at kapareho ‘yon ng dati. His steps w
Humahangos siya na pinuntahan ang dalawa. Damien has a temper and Kons is the same. Ang pagkakaiba ng dalawa, Kons would tear Damien in snap. Bukod doon ay magaling pa itong mang-asar kaya lalong nagagalit ang kaaway.“What was he saying, Vanessa?” galit na tanong sa kaniya ni Damien. Ang dalawang technician pati ang babaeng nag-assist sa kanila ay nakaramdam na kailangan nila ng privacy. Naiwan silang tatlo sa maliit na silid. Lalo iyong lumiit sa presensiya ni Kons. He dominated the room without trying. Hindi niya sinagot si Damien. “What are you doing here?”“He was telling the tech guys to stop playing a song for you so he can talk to you.” “Hindi ikaw ang kausap niya!” singhal ni Damien kay Kons. She gave Kons a look. Sa hitsura nito ay mukhang hindi naman mananakit. Mapang-asar lang talaga. She appreciated the fact that he wasn’t trying to hold her. Nanatili ito sa gilid niya. “Damien, stop. I came here with him. You have no right to treat my guest like that.”“Excuse me— I
Wala silang imikan habang nasa sasakyan pauwi sa Albarracin. She couldn't finish her meal-- that's how upset she was with the whole thing. Kons had no right to do it without her consent. Kung tutuusin ay null and void ang kasal nila dahil wala naman pormal na seremonyas na naganap. Isa pa, niloko siya nito nang magpapirma.Sumaludo ang guards nang makita ang sasakyan nila at nang iparada ni Kons ang sasakyan ay hindi na siya naghintay na pagbuksan pa nito ng pinto. Umibis siya mag-isa at binuksan niya ang pinto gamit ang six digit passcode. "Watch it!" Muntik na mauntog si Kons nang ibalibag niya ang front door pasara. "Why are you so mad? Magpapakasal din naman tayo bago matapos ang isang taon. You should be thankful that I cross out one thing on your-- Vanessa!" Nahagip niya ang isang mamahaling plorera na naroon na noong bilhin nila ang bahay. She could care less kung mabasag lahat ng bubog sa bahay kasama ang pagmumukha ng hinayupak niyang asawa."I should be thankful? Have you
Hindi na siya nagtanong pa. The woman was a part of Kons’ past. Pareho naman silang nagkaroon ng ibang ka-relasyon. The only difference was Kons has already broken up with the woman while she was still in a relationship with Damien when they were forced to remain in each other’s lives. Nang matapos silang kumain, pumunta siya sa kwarto habang naiwan naman si Kons sa baba. She still can’t believe they are married now. Ni hindi siya nakapagbigkas ng “I do” or even wear a wedding dress. Hell, not even a white dress because there was no ceremony to begin with. If her mother was alive, Valya would be pissed and delighted at the same time. Her mother loved Konstantin like her own son, kaya nga nang hindi natuloy ang kasal nila noon— sumama ang loob ng kaniyang ina, pero naniwala itong may mabigat dahilan at sa dulo ay sila pa rin ang magkakatuluyan Iyon naman pala ay na-plano na rin ng kaniyang ina. Late in the evening at Visavi…“Just so you know, I don’t like this idea of yours. You co
“That’s enough!” gigil niyang saway kay Damian. “Masakit marinig ang totoo, Vanessa. You would not react this way if it wasn’t true.” Ngumiti ito sa kaniya nang nakakaloko. "My reaction had nothing to do with it." Pigil pero may diin ang bawat kataga na binitawan niya sa ex-boyfriend."It had everything to do with it. You can't fool me. I know you.""Actually, you don't." Kumunot ang noo ni Damien. "You know I never liked quiet nights at the beach. You always like lounging in the club and socializing with your friends. Or how about simply knowing when I'm tired?" Ngayong tapos na sila ay malaya na niyang masasabi ang lahat ng gusto niya. She's not afraid to hurt his feelings anymore. "You knew how tired I was from doing shows and yet you'd plan for another guesting the next day. I know it's business but I'm not a robot— I get tired too.""If you didn't want to, all you had to do was say no. What's the point of telling me this now?" All she could do was shake her head. She was tryin
"Hey, we're here." He didn't want to wake her up but the view was amazing and he didn't want her to miss it. Naalimpungatan si Vanessa at tumambad sa kaniya ang maraming ilaw. They were at some lookout and the area was isolated. Para bang exclusive para sa kanila ang lugar na 'yon. Nang marinig niya ang pagkalam ng sikmura ni Vanessa ay inabot niya ang isang plastic sa backseat. "I kinda knew you'd be hungry. Hindi ka masyadong nakakain kanina so I bought some snacks."Bakas ang pagtataka sa mukha ni Vanessa. "When did you get that? I don't remember you getting out of the car."Napatawa siya. Paano naman nito malalaman e tulog na tulog at naghihilik pa. "You were snoozing when I stopped by at some mini mart. May tambay doon kaya siya ang pinabili ko. Binigyan ko ng isang libo tapos sabi ko ikuha niya ako ng mga chips, chocolate at soft drinks pati tubig. He gave me back the change so I told him to keep it."Kinuha ni Vanessa ang isang Pringles. "Buti hindi ka tinakbuhan," biro nito
“You have got to be kidding me,” sabi niya sa sarili. With the windows rolled down, it was easy for him to hear an approaching car. Worse, if it’s a police car and if they get caught having sex in public, making an excuse that they are on honeymoon will not fly.“Put your shirt back on. Bilisan mo.” Binigay niya kay Vanessa ang damit nito at nagtataka itong tumingin sa kaniya.“Are you serious?! Didn’t you hear— Oh shit. Cops.” Dali-dali nilang inayos ang sarili nila. Vanessa’s hair is so messy she looked like she just had sex. “You missed a button,” sabi ni Vanessa sa kaniya.“It’s fine.” He started the car at bago pa nakalapit ang police car ay nakabalik na sila sa main road. Wala silang imikan on the way sa bahay. They were so close to being caught and as much as it was exciting, it was terrifying too. Not to mention— embarrassing. Nang makarating sila sa bahay, lipas na ang moment at si Vanessa ay hindi siya pinansin. Napahilamos siya sa mukha at hindi alam kung susundan ito o
His hands began to roam. Kons traced her spine and she was amazed how her body responded to his touch. It's like it's all she's ever known. She moaned and her arousal flooded her with adrenaline. He reached for her hands and held them together on her back. Para siyang bihag nito, katulad kung paanong wala na siyang kawala sa pagiging asawa ni Kons. It was like a sentence... but if this is what it felt like to have one, then she doesn't mind having it for the rest of her life. Kons blew some air on her hole at hindi niya naiwasan ang mapakislot at magpakawala ng isang impit na ungol. Hindi pa siya nakababawi sa paghinga pero heto na naman at umaatake na ang dila nito. Kung tikman siya ay parang hindi marunong magsawa. One would think she'd by dry by now based on how her husband licked her, pero ang sutil niyang katawan ay patuloy sa paggawa ng nektar. "Kons," tawag niya sa pangalan nito nang pumasok ang isang daliri sa loob niya habang patuloy siyang dinidilaan. Naglabas masok 'yon
The air was strangely dry at Baljci when they arrived. After the war years ago, people fled to go to another city or even a new country to start over. But for many people who died here, their family chose to stay and let nature claim them. Napilit niyang manatili sa safe house si Vanessa at naroon si Ale, Travis at Estefan para protektahan ang asawa niya. He can't be in two places at once. "Are we ready?" tanong niya kay Georgina mula sa earpiece.Natahimik ito sa kabilang linya, and it's a first. For someone who knew the woman, iisipin na impostor ang kausap niya dahil buko sa madaldal ito ay palaging may solusyon sa lahat ng problema. "I will do my best, KK. You gave the old man a conch?" This time, si Gordan ang sumagot. "I didn't cry like a little bitch." Ngumisi sa kanya ang matanda. He was old school and piercing was not his favorite, but Gordan took it as instructed. The earring is supposed to connect to the shockwave device and disable it after thirty seconds, then their
Two days later….They managed to leave the fortress and go to the safe house. The fight ended at lahat ng ipinadalang tao ni Mr. Lee ay walang nakaligtas maliban sa isa na bahagya niyang tinirhan ng buhay. Kons wanted to send a message to the enemy.The fight isn’t really over until Mr. Lee is laid to rest, and for that— he needs Gordan.Himbing na natutulog si Vanessa sa kabilang silid at habang narito s’ya sa silid ng biyenan. They have three more days to formulate a plan. Hanggat nasa kamay ni Mr. Lee ang shockwave device ay hindi sila matatahimik. Ang alam niya ay iisa lang 'yon at sira na ang pangalawang device.“How’s my daughter?”Gordan’s color has improved significantly, but still weak. Bagamat nakakakilos ang matanda ay hindi pa rin kasing listo kumpara nang una silang magkita. If the old man didn't take the bullet for him, hindi ito malalagay sa ganitong sitwasyon.“Asleep.”Tumango-tango ang matanda. Tell me about your plan.""My plan is to kill Mr. Lee.""And how are you
Damien said he will take them to a secret passage which will lead to safety. May naghihintay na chopper sa dulo ng tunnel at ilalayo si Vanessa kung sakali na magkagulo. Iyon ang plano ni Gordan at alam ito ni Damien. “I still don’t trust that man,” Kons said to his wife.“We have no time for this. If you don’t trust him, then trust me. Damien is on our side.” Matalim niyang tinitigan ang lalaki at hindi nagpigilan na pagbantaan. “If you cross me, I will make sure you won’t be able to see the light of day. I’ll gauge your eyes out and feed them to you.” Damien looked like he was going to gag. “There is no need to be gross.”Sumunod sila ni Vanessa at tinalunton ang tunnel. Ang hindi nila inaasahan ay masusundan sila ng ilang kalaban bago pa makarating sa dulo. Dinig niya ang mabibilis at mabibigat na hakbang ng mga ito at palapit ng palapit.“Run and don’t look back!” utos niya sa asawa.“Hindi kita iiwan!” Her eyes were filled with fear.“I will find you.” Hinalikan niya ng marii
Yulia’s dead. Ksenia killed her. She was wearing the same clothes from earlier so it must be Ksenia. But the way the man was holding Vanessa— it tells him that he’s not an ally.“LET HER GO!” Itinutok ni Kons ang baril sa lalaking may hawak kay Vanessa.It wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but what it was the first thing that came to mind when he saw Vanessa being dragged out of the bedroom. “Calm down, she’s fine. We are here to save her. Put your gun down.”“Save her? You were dragging her and you put a ducktape on her mouth. Take it off!” sigaw niya na hindi pa rin ibinababa ang pagkakatutok ng baril.“You have nothing to worry about. We’re just taking her to a different room that’s much safer and we want to make sure that she doesn’t make a sound.”“I’m here to take her wih me. Let her go.” Sinenyasan niya ang lalaki na bitawan si Vanessa pero hindi nito ginawa. “It was a last change of plan from the boss. Put your gun away.” Ngumiti si Ksenia.The woman is insane if she thinks h
Kons never thought for one second that he would fight alongside this once feared man who was supposed to be dead years ago. The sound of grenades exploding is enough to scare the shit out of any human being but Gordan Markovic was as cool as that rapper from the streets of Brooklyn. “Have a drink.” Inabot niya sa akin ang isang baso na may lamang alak. “I don’t think we should be drinking. It’s getting crazy outside and—““Drink and sit your ass down, Morozov.” Lumigid s’ya sa mesa at binuksan ang drawer sa kanan. From there, he took a Desert Eagle. He checked it then put it down on the table. Was he going to kill him with that? S’ya rin ang sumagot sa tanong niya nang tumambad ang isa pang baril na kagaya nito. “Where is my wife?” “She’s safe. Now, give me the information I need. We do not have time.”“What makes you think I have the information? Telling me my wife is safe does not guarantee anything.”“Nothing is guaranteed in this world, Morozov... even your life.” Bumilis an
"I'm not Yulia." He has to be smart about this. The woman in front of him was not his friend. He doesn't even know who it was. But he knows he won't be alone. By now, Georgina is working on his location thanks to his earing that she bugged. Binigay 'yon ni Luc sa kaniya noon at kahit naiinis si Vanessa na may suot siyang hikaw, nangatwiran siya na napakaliit naman nito at halos hindi pansinin. "Obviously. Care to tell me who the fuck are you?" Ngumisi ang babae sa sinabi niya. "On second thought, don't bother. I'm going to have to kill you anyway."Napatawa ang babae. "Careful now. You have nothing on you. Besides, is that how you want to repay the woman who saved your wife?"His face remained neutral. Ano naman ang pinagsasabi nito? Saved my wife? Nababaliw na ba ito? Kinidnap niya si Vanessa mula sa banyo tapos gusto niyang magpasalamat pa ako?"Do you not remember me? Not with this face, of course." She rolled her eyes."If you're wearing a fake face, that would mean you wanted to
She asked for a couple of days to think about it. Kahit alam niya na pwedeng maging dahilan ng paghihiwalay nila kung magdesisyon siyang huwag sumama. Nagfocus siya sa trabaho at kahit gusto niyang makasama ang mga kaibigan para malibang ay hindi niya magawa. Alex and Stan had a disagreement and they have stopped talking. Ngayon ay nasa gitna siya at pinipilit na walang kampihan. Stan was dating Alex's sister and they broke up. There is a reason why you don't date your friend's sister or brother, but Stan won't listen. "Have some strawberry cheesecake and coffee, Val," alok sa kaniya ni Ana. The smell was so divine that she didn't have a chance to say no. Sunod-sunod ang pagsubo niya at tulalang nakatitig sa kaniya ang kaibigan."Are you okay? You're not a big fan of sweets and I know the cheesecake is good, but it's weird seeing you eat that fast. It's like you wolfed it down.""It's really good." Then she remembered the coffee but as soon as she tasted it, Valya felt like vomitin
Valya ruined her surprise when she tripped on the foot of the bed."OUCH" Like a child, she kicked the bed and swore in many languages before sitting on the floor.That's when Gideon burst into the bedroom looking all worried and ready to kill whoever hurt Valya, only to find her alone with a swollen toe."Are you okay?" Ininspect agad ni Gideon ang paa ng nobya. "I'm fine. I was trying to surprise you when my little toe got caught on this stupid bed.""Should we toss the bed and buy a new one?" Gideon asked while checking her foot. He sat down on the floor beside Valya. "No. I love this bed. It's my toe's fault." Napatawa si Gideon. "Who were you talking to on the phone?""Some asshole who wanted to pull his investment." Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Valya. She was able to hear Gideon, but not the person on the other line."Some nerve of that guy to call you this late. Office hours was over at five, wasn't it?""Hmm." He agreed with her, then picked her up from the floor and sat her on
Tahimik silang kumain ng niluto ni Gideon. They agreed to talk more after dinner. She put her thoughts aside for a bit and focused on the delicious he cooked for her. He even said it wasn't poisoned so she had nothing to worry about. Inismiran lang niya ang lalaki at saka naupo nang hilahin nito ang silya kanina. Once they were done eating, Gideon cleaned up and even made her tea. "Are you going to tell me why you've been avoiding me?" His cup of hot tea was still sitting on the coffee table. "How about you tell me who you've been seeing other than me."Saglit na kumunot ang noo nito. "I meet a lot of different people everyday. It's expected with the kind of job I have.""Even after office hours?""Yes, it happens. What are you hinting at? Can we just go straight to the point so I can explain?" Kahit naguguluhan ay hindi niya pinairal ang init ng ulo. He doesn't want to scare Valya or make her mad even more. "I saw you with a woman." Sinabi ni Valya ang nasaksihan niya nang gabing