NEW YORKVANESSA GORDANA DE LUNA'S MOTHER IS FUCKING DEAD. He just got off the phone with his half brother, Cam. Ito ang nagsabi sa kaniya na inakusahan ang kanilang ama na pumatay kay Valya— ang ina ni Vanessa. And now he's in jail for murder. Kakaunting panahon pa lang niyang nakakasama ang ama, pero hindi niya inasahan na ganito ang kahihinatnan ng buhay nila. Everything is a fucking mess."My apologies but I have to cut the meeting short," anuns'yo niya nang makabalik sa boardroom mula sa hallway. "I have a family emergency. Lorenzo will continue with the meeting." Tinapik niya sa balikat ang bunsong kapatid ni Lucian at tinungo ang pinto.When he left his position, sinalo ito ni Lorenzo. It's not like they have a choice, being born as a Profaci has responsibilities attached to it. He was waiting for the elevator when his phone rang. It's P from Italy."Kuya Kons, do you know if Lorenzo's busy? He's not picking up his phone." Itinuring niyang mga kapatid si Pietra at Lorenzo. He
Kons didn't want to talk to the woman either at bigo siyang bumalik sa upuan niya. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon-- mas mabuting magkakampi sila and they can go on their separate ways after pero talagang galit ito sa kaniya. Sino nga namang babae ang matutuwa kung hindi sumipot sa altar ang groom niya? Kung natuloy ang kasal nila, may anak na kaya sila ngayon? There's no use thinking about it, pero may mga araw na sumasagi sa isip niya 'yon. Vanessa grew up in Russia at schoolmates sila. Likas na matalino ang babae kaya kahit mas matanda siya ng isang taon ay naging ka-eskwela niya ito. Hiwalay ang mga magulang ni Vanessa at ang ina nitong si Valya ay ninang ni Kons. Valya is friends with Alexander-- ang tiyuhin ni Kons at siyang nagpalaki sa kaniya, and Stan, who he later on found out is his real father. Matalik na magkakaibigan si Valya, Alex at Stan. Nasira lang ang pagkakaibigan ng tatlo nang may makilalang ibang babae si Stan habang engaged kay Katerina na kapatid ni Alex. Sa kabil
Winter is dreadful with those dead trees and some pine trees coated in snow. The bitter cold wind was enough to freeze anyone but people still came to pay their last respects. He could be wrong because their reasons could be something else too. Regardless, they showed up.Kons went to the funeral despite the murder case against his father. He had nothing to do with it. Kaya siya nagpunta ay para magbigay ng respeto para sa ninang niya sa huling sandali, at para na rin makiramdam kung sino ang posibleng may gawa ng krimen. It could be anyone. Ayaw man niyang aminin, nagpunta rin siya para bantayan si Vanessa. He doesn't like what he's seeing right now, pero wala siyang karapatan magcomplain. She can date anyone just like he did. Kons dated Taisiya for a bit but it didn't work out.Tahimik na lumuluha si Vanessa habang hinahagod ni Damien ang likod niya. Damien Quijano is one of the biggest movie producers in the Philippine film industry. He has Russian features too, pero lamang ang pa
Naiwan silang dalawa ni Vanessa sa study at umalis na ang abogado. They have three days to decide. Kung ano'ng gusto ni Vanessa ay 'yon ang gagawin niya. She's angry. Ramdam niya ang galit nito. Kanina lang sa libing ng ina ay umiiyak ito pero ngayon, Vanessa looked like she's about to explode. "Let me know what you want to do and I'll support you." She scoffed. "Funny how you could say that. We won't be in this stupid room having this conversation if you—" Hindi itinuloy ni Vanessa ang sasabihin. But Kons knew what she was going to say. If he showed up to their wedding day, walang magiging ganitong kondis'yon si Valya. "I just don't understand why we need to get married," frustrated nitong wika. Hindi alam ni Kons kung siya ang kinakausap nito o hindi. Maybe he is just voicing out her frustrations."If she's here, I'd ask her," wala sa loob na sambit ni Kons. Sinamaan ni Vanessa ng tingin si Kons. He was out of line and Kons knew it. Gusto lang naman niyang pagaanin ang lahat ng
Hindi kaagad nakapagsalita si Kons sa pagkabigla. He is pretty sure he heard her right. Pero suot pa rin ni Vanessa ang singsing na bigay ni Damien— how ironic is that? Balak ba niyang mamangka sa dalawang ilog? Kons doesn't share. "What did you have in mind?" It was safe to ask then make a comment that would make him look like a fool. At this rate, time is precious and he doesn't have time for games."I was thinking we can get married before the time is up. I am not in a rush to get my inheritance. We are just going to make sure that it doesn't go to charity." Kumunot ang noo ni Kons. "I am still donating— but I am not giving everything. My mother worked hard for it, and she told me it's all for me.""Point taken. Until then, what?" "I was thinking we'll just stay as is until then." Vanessa sipped his wine and looked into his eyes. Hindi niya mabasa ang gusto nitong laro. "So let me get this straight. You're agreeing to marry me but the wedding won't take place until before the ye
Kons woke up when he heard the announcement. Malapit na silang maglanding. Bukod doon ay ngalay na rin ang braso niya. Nakatulog sa pagod si Vanessa at nakaramdam siya ng awa rito nang makitang kung saan-saan napapabaling ang ulo. Nagkaroon si Kons ng pagkakataon na mapagmasdan ng malapit si Vanessa. How he was able to stay away from her all these years was unknown to him. Hirap na hirap siya nang una pero kalaunan ay nasanay din siya. At ngayong magkasama na sila, hindi niya hahayaan na magkahiwalay pa sila. Of course they still have to do ‘the talk’. But that’s the least of their worries right now. “Babe, wake up,” bulong niya kay Vanessa. Umungol lang ito at nanatiling nakapikit. Her lips looked inviting. Hindi niya napigil ang sarili at pinatakan ito ng halik sa labi. Whether she was dreaming or not, Kons felt happy that she responded. Pinalalim niya ang halik hanggang sa pisilin niya ang isang dibdib nito. His hand managed to undo the buttons of her dress at habang pinagsasaw
"Get your stuff and we'll come back for the rest of it tomorrow," wika niya kay Vanessa.She wasn't finish picking up the papers. Napakaraming papel ang nagkalat. Sana lang ay walang nakuhang importanteng dokumento ang mga nanloob. Ang driver na sumundo sa kanila ay katatawag lang at sinabing aakyat na para dalhin ang bagahe nang pigilan niya. He used the washroom earlier kaya hindi kaagad ito nakasunod. He's now waiting for them at the parking lot."Ha?" Tumigil si Vanessa sa ginagawa at hinarap siya."We can't stay here tonight and I need to keep you safe." Napailing si Vanessa. "Can we please not argue about this? You need to put this place up for sale too. Who's your realtor?" Napahilot si Vanessa sa sentido. "Teka nga. Bakit napunta na sa bentahan? I can't just sell this place.""Why? Sentimental reasons na naman?" He didn't mean to sound like an arrogant asshole pero ganito na siya kahit noon pa. He is not afraid to hurt her feelings kung totoo naman ang sinasabi niya. "Did Dam
When Vanessa woke up, Kons was nowhere in sight but he left a note. May pupuntahan lang daw itong importante. Kabilin-bilinan nito na huwag s'yang lalabas ng hotel dahil delikado. Wala naman s'yang balak gumala pagkatapos ng nangyari sa condo niya kagabi. Hindi niya alam kung uunahin ang pagligo o pagkakape. Sa huli ay pinili niyang maligo muna. That would wake her up the same way. She enjoyed her shower and looked for something to wear. White shirt and denim jeans. Bukod sa relo at pares ng hikaw ay wala na s'yang suot na iba pang alahas. Wala s'yang pupuntahan kaya pinili niya ang casual wear at sneakers saka nagtimpla ng kape. It tasted like crap. Siguro naman ay hindi magagalit si Kons kung bumaba s'ya at magpunta sa cafe. She's not leaving the premises anyway. She left the room and walked towards the elevator. Lumulan s'ya roon nang bumukas at nakasabay niya ang isang lalaki at babae. They looked like a married couple dahil lambingan ng lambingan. Sana all may happy ending.
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