She can’t remember how they managed to get home, but they did. Georgina drove while Damien followed them even though he was told not to. So they have to come up with a plan. They made a stop at a random hotel first, only to go out at the back exit as soon as they checked in. They did not even go up to the room. “How are you feeling?” Georgina did not look worried. Aside from a bit of dirt in her pants, she looked unharmed. However, Vanessa was visibly shaken. It was a close call. Hindi niya maisip kung ano ang posibleng nangyari kung hindi dumating si Damien.“If you are thinking that fool saved us, think again,” sabi ni Georgina nang maibaba ang isang baso ng tubig sa harap niya. They are in the kitchen at the moment.“What do you mean?” I had an inkling but Damien maybe an ass but he won’t go to that extreme. “For all we know, he instigated that scheme.” Georgina didn't bother to sit down. Sumandal ito sa counter, pero nanatiling nakatuon ang mga mata nito sa kaniya. "You can't
It was uneventful in the set. They were in the studio today and did not have to travel far. Katulad ng mga naunang scenes, she only had to do one take kaya naman masaya ang direktor. “I am treating you all to lunch. Please help yourself,” sabi ni Damien sa kanilang lahat. Georgina was quiet in the corner munching on some local peanuts. “Are you going to eat that?” Inginuso ni Georgina ang mga pagkain sa mahabang mesa. The crew was getting their food and exchanging jokes when she looked their way. Ang iba ay nakaupo at kumakain na. But before she could answer her, Damien already approached them. “Aren’t you guys hungry? I can assure you, it’s not poisoned.” He cracked a joke but Georgina smirked. “Now that you mentioned it, you should take a spoonful of everything.” Damien’s face turned sour but he did just that. He took a spoonful of each dish and ate. Kung may lason nga ang pagkain ay kanina pa bumula ang bibig nito pati na ang crew nila. She looked at Georgina and as annoye
Sa bibig nahuhuli ang isda, and right now— Vanessa was that fish. It wasn't enough that she was trying to defend her ex, she didn't want to tell him what happened while they were apart. This is not exactly the welcome home greeting he was expecting from his wife. "Are you going to tell me or I have to interrupt Luc's time with his wife?" It sounded like a threat but he had no choice but to do just that. "No! Don't do that." Nakailang iling si Vanessa at kahit naiinis siya sa asawa ay hindi niya magawang magalit dito ng tuluyan. "Then tell me." His voice was firm, and yet it was coated with gentleness reserved for just his precious wife. Sumalampak ng upo si Vanessa sa sahig at iniwasan na tapunan siya ng tingin. She acts like a little child when she's caught doing something she's not supposed to do. Alam niyang hindi siya nito lolokohin.He knew better now. "E galit ka na. Tapos kapag nagkwento ako lalo ka magagalit." Pasulimpat siyang tiningnan ni Vanessa ngayon bago tumitig sa
Hearing it from his wife's mouth made it even clearer for him that Damien has part in everything that's going on. Kahit hindi pa niya nakakausap si Georgina ay alam niyang pareho sila ng kutob. And what better way to find out the truth, than facing your enemy dead in the eye?Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer. And right now, Damien is his key. Titiisin niya ang presensiya nito kahit na walang siyang ibang gusto kung hindi pigilan ang paghinga ng direktor. "You promised not cause a scene," paalala sa kaniya ng asawa habang nasa biyahe sila papunta sa studio. Vanessa has a shoot today at katulad ng pangako ni Damien, ginawan nito ng paraan na gawin ang mga eksena na naroon ang asawa niya. His wife told him everything even about the actress she's been working with who was jealous of her. "I did.""Why do I have feeling you'll cause trouble?" kunot noong tanong ni Vanessa sa kaniya. Luc and Georgina had something to do today and won't be around. Ang ilang tauhan niya
A couple more scenes needed to be done but not until a month or two later. Georgina had a battle of her own, and so did Lucian. Nang ma-secure niya si Vanessa sa safe house sa Spain ay sinamahan niya ang mga kaibigan sa France at maging sa Italy pagkatapos. His father got out safely from prison and Camille did very well. Now he is free to move. Naroon pa rin ang pag-aalala pero nabawasan kahit paano. Georgina told him that Vanessa will be safe and he took her word for it. "Do you miss our home?" Pauwi na sila sa Pilipinas ngayon at doon na sila magkikita nina Luc. The couple wanted to stay a few days more with Lorenzo since he got stabbed. Although he recovered, Luc being the big brother wants to make sure Lorenzo would be okay. Lalo na at ito na ang mamamahala ng negosyo sa Italy."Yes. I miss our place," sagot ni Vanessa sa kaniya. "How's your dad?""He's fine. The cops are looking for him but he is safely tucked away from everyone's eyes. Now, we have to make sure you're safe so
Should he trust his words? This man has shown nothing but kindness to her over the years, but then a person can change in a snap too. And those phone calls from Russia were shady. Gordon knows something and he's going to find out whether this old man likes it or not. After dinner, they moved outside with the view of the ocean. Vanessa's sisters brought the four of them coffee and asked their father permission not to join them. Whatever they have to talk about does not interest the teenagers. Hell, he doesn't even know if Marie should be joining them. Mas maganda pa kung sila lang ni Gordon ang mag-usap. Lalaki sa lalaki. "This is a nice property," komento niya tahanan ng mag-asawa. When Gordon and Valya divorced, he married Marie in the Philippines making her the legal wife. "It is. We were lucky to have found it." "Must have costed a fortune," dagdag niya. Gordon was an average man. He wasn't rich nor poor. Galing siya sa isang disenteng pamilya at kung ang basahen ng pagiging m
All is fair in love and war. If this is how they wanted to play then he would gladly join the fun. It's not like he needed more excitement in his life, but he also did not want to take out the fun of making his enemies suffer in the end. He will make sure his face is the last ting they will see before the light from their eyes fade away. "You've been quiet," komento ni Vanessa habang kumukuha ng t-shirt niya sa closet. She likes wearing his shirts and not wearing any underwear these days. Mainit daw kahit malamig naman ang kwarto at may aircon. It has been a habit for her to take a quick shower before heading to bed.Pasado alas dose na ng madaling araw nang makabalik silang mag-asawa sa bahay nila at kahit narinig niyang mag-offer si Gordon na roon na sila matulog sa bahay nito ay hindi siya pumayag. The look on Marie's face was pure disapproval at hindi rin naman siya komportable na matulog sila roon. Vanessa could be quite loud and he was not sure if the rooms are soundproofed. "
Two months later..."Do you really need to go that long?" She wasn't happy that Kons need to leave her a week. Siguro kung dalawang araw lang o overnight, baka pa. "I'm sorry, sweetie but I need to do this." He was putting his things in a bag."Saan ka pupunta?" "I' can't tell you. It's confidential." "Ugh. Confidential my ass. I'm your wife. We can't keep secrets to each other like this." She was frustrated. Even if he goes somewhere, isa o dalawang araw lang ang itinatagal. Pero ngayon, isang linggo?! Posible pa raw na lumampas.Kons stopped what he was doing and walked towards her then cupped her face. "I'll be back as soon as I can. And you knew the rules— there are things I can't tell you. Now, be a good girl and don't get into trouble. You're wrapping up the movie tomorrow, right?" Tumango siya. "You'll have a bodyguard with you and three more that you're not able to see.""It will draw attention.""She will act as your new assistant and driver.""She?? Why can't Georgina go
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