Dinala siya ng mga paa niya sa library kung saan marami siyang alaala kasama ng kaniyang ina. Kaya lang, marami rin siyang alaala rito kasama ang asawa niya. Kons was like a son to Valya kaya madalas itong nasa bahay nila. She sat on the couch for a bit until her eyes landed on the books not too far from her. With nothing better to do, binaybay niya 'yon at isa-isang tiningnan ang mga titles hanggang sa makita ang isang pamilyar na libro. Kinuha niya 'yon at sinimulang magbasa. This is the book that her mom always read to them when they were younger. It's funny how it was the only odd book there. Puro science books ang collection ng kaniyang ina.Minsan, iniisip niyang sana ay hindi na lang siya umalis at pumunta sa Pilipinas. Mas nakasama pa sana niya ang ina. Kung nasa Russia s'ya, mababantayan niya si Valya. She shouldn't have abandoned her just because her wedding didn't go through. Tama bang isipin na kung nasa poder siya ni Valya ay hindi hahantong sa ganito ang lahat? Could s
She couldn't stand the smell of coffee so she opted for green tea. Iyon din ang sinuggest ni Kons at sinabing huwag na lang muna siyang magkakain ng kahit ano na solid. Napag-usapa nila na soup na lang muna ang ilalaman sa sikmura para hindi siya magsuka. "Maybe it's a virus," sabi niya kay Kons habang nagbibihis sila sa closet. Mainit ang naging umaga nila at hindi niya napigil ang antok after ng make up sex nila. The last thing she heard was Kons was going to clean her up. Hinayaan siya nitong matulog at nang bumalik ay may dalang tsa. Nabanggit pala ni Tres na ayaw niya ng kape kanina. After she finished her tea, she took a shower and prepared for the court hearing. "Do you want to see a doctor?" Inaayos ni Kons ang kurbata habang nakatingin sa kaniya sa salamin. She shook her head. "Ipapahinga ko lang ito mamaya. I already got a dose of my medicine. More than the required dose actually." She winked at her husband and Kons blushed. "Ay nagblush ang mama." She squealed when Kon
Kons remained quiet on her side while she was fuming in anger. Hindi niya alam kung paanong nasasabi ng kaniyang ama ang mga ganitong bagay. Her parents relationship was not perfect at hindi niya alam ang lahat ng mga pinagdaanan ng mga ito. Pero para sa kaniya, mabuting ina at asawa si Valya. Hindi nito magagawang lokohin ang kaniyang ama ng ganoon na lang katulad ng sinasabi ni Gordon ngayon. She was about to stand up and scream at her father when Kons held her back. "Don't," mariin pero halos pabulong ang warning ng asawa sa kaniya.Nagsukatan sila ng tingin. Ayaw niyang marinig ang mga pagdisrespeto sa memorya ni Valya. Kahit alam niyang maririnig niya ang mga 'yon at sinasabi niya sa sarili na handa siya sa lahat ay masakit marinig na nilalapastangan ang kaniyang ina na nasa kabilang buhay na. Walang awa itong pinatay pero heto at niluluray-luray pa rin ang pagkatao nito sa korte... sa harap ng maraming tao na ang majority ay estranghero. Parang puputok ang dibdib niya sa gali
"What the fuck happened?! Where's my wife?!" Sa sobrang galit niya sa nangyaring pagsabog ay nakwelyuhan niya si Tres. He trusted him to get the job done— to keep his wife safe. "I didn't get to her fast enough to–" Abot kamay ni Tres si Vanessa pero hindi niya ito inabot."SHUT UP!" Nagulo niya ang buhok sa sobrang pagkafrustrate habang si Tres ay napahilamos sa mukha nito. "You're bleeding," sambit niya nang makitang tumutulo ang dugo ni Tres sa braso. "Get that fixed." "It's just a scratch– Fine." Tres knew better not to argue. Kahit galit ang kaibigan niya ay iniisip pa rin nito ang kalagayan niya. Tres didn't take it to heart that Kons was upset. Natural lang na magalit ito sa nangyari dahil nabigo niya ito. He knew something was off with Yulia pero isinantabi niya ito. Ganoon pa man ay sumama pa rin siya sa loob ng banyo. Ang hindi niya inaasahan ay ang bilis ng pangyayari dahil may traydor silang kasama.Yulia's team was fast. Naitakas ng mga ito si Vanessa nang ganoon kabi
"Who are you and why would mom send you to prison?" Hindi umimik ang matandang lalaki at tumitig lang sa kaniya. "But then again you kidnapped me and brought me to this place so I highly doubt that you're a good person. What do you want from me?"Tumawa ang matanda. "You think you're a good person?" "I didn't do anything bad in my life so yes, I am.""Everyone has a dark side, lyubov." "Don't call that. I'm not your love," singhal niya sa lalaki. Para itong walang narinig pero hindi na siya muling ginamitan ng endearment. "Weren't you rumoured that you dated a producer to star in a movie? To have a name in the entertainment business? And you say you're a good person," patuya nitong wika sa kaniya. "You said it yourself— it's just a rumor. You don't even know me so whatever you say is irrelevant." She won't even justify that accusation. Wala siyang tinapakang tao sa industriya. Kung anong mayroon siya ngayon ay dahil sa sariling sikap at talento sa pag-awit. Nang pasukin niya ang
"WHO?" He was on the phone with Georgina and she was telling him about a certain Gideon Medved. He heard that name once from his father, but he–"He was the one who took your wife, KK." "That's not possible. He's dead. He died years ago, Georgina. Did you mean his son or perhaps another family member?" "No. I'm talking about the real Gideon Medved. His death was staged. It wasn't easy but I dug it up and he is really alive. He got himself a new name— Gordan Markovic and he has been living in Serbia. I mean, he's part Serbian but that information was deleted from his file which I— wait, you know him?""I don't really know him. I heard his name once from Dad when I was a kid. I accidentally heard him talking to Ninang Valya and Dad said his name."Sumasakit ang ulo niya sa narinig. All this time, it was someone who knew his godmother that killed her? It was someone who knew his father that framed him? "Are you saying this man took my wife to Serbia? You said that's where he's been h
Wala na ang lalaki nang lumingon siya at nakita na lang niya ang front door na pasara na. So now she owes him coffee money and she doesn't even know who he is. Not even his name.Mula nang araw na 'yon ay naging misteryo sa kaniya ang lalaki. Lumipas ang isang linggo. Dalawang linggo. But she didn't see him again until after the third week. It happened at the same coffee shop and this time, she was alone. It was after seven in the evening and she worked late at the centre. Ngayon ay gutom na siya at dahil tinatamad magluto ay nagsettle na lang siya sa kape at pastry para tutulog na lang siya mamaya. Magbabayad pa lang siya ng order niya nang may magsalita sa kaniyang gilid at magbaba ng isang medium size cup of coffee."Add this to her bill, please and thanks." Baritono ang boses ng lalaki at nakilala niya ito nang lingunin. He smiled at her. "You owed me money for two coffees. This order should cover it and a quick conversation." She swallowed once and silently paid for the bill.
She didn't know how to feel about seeing him. What was he even doing at her place? Nakita ba s'ya nitong past time? Someone he could go see anytime or when the mood strikes him? Sa halip na batiin ang lalaki ay hindi niya ito tinapunan ng pansin. Gideon's smile faded and his hand holding the flowers dropped down to his side. Para bang hindi nito alam kung ano ang nangyayari at nagkakaganoon si Valya. He was expecting that she would be excited to see him after being away for awhile."Aren't you going to let me in?" Iniharang ni Gideon ang paa sa pagitan ng pinto at hamba nang tangkain nitong isarado ang pinto matapos susian at buksan. "No." Then she shut the door on his face. He heard her footsteps fading from the inside and all he could do was sigh. He didn't stay long after that. Gideon took slow, small steps toward the exit still holding the bouquet of flowers. The next day, he woke up early because Valya likes to get to work before the others does. "Coffee?" alok niya rito nan
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