She left with the other gambits to deal with Maeva while Lucian's pals stayed with him. The sky was dark and foreboding, as if a thunderstorm was imminent. All their feelings against the fake who had posed as Margot Vanguard for so long were captured perfectly. Anais Vanguard decided to go nevertheless despite the terrible forecast. To find closure, she had to visit the gravesite of her real sister. A severe punishment is in order for the person who created problems with the Triad. The Lyon cemetery of Loyasse was where Georgina took them. It is among the region's most revered and historic burial grounds. Thousands of burials and tombs dating back to the early 19th century can be found inside. They had to walk a little ways from la Ficelle to get there. "Maeva Moreau. Forever in our hearts," said Anais. Ibinigay ni Georgina ang isang envelope na naglalaman ng DNA test results kay Anais. "I did not have time to exhume the body." "Dig," utos ni Anais sa mga kasama. Ipinasara ni Ana
Two weeks later... It was clear to Lucian that his life would never be the same after he left Italy and handed over control of the Profaci Empire to his younger brother. To the best of his ability, he became whatever his father had dreamed for him. But he won't repeat his past mistakes; he'll stay with Georgina forever. Now that they don't have to worry about the Triad, they can take revenge for their daughter. France is roughly an hour and a half away from Italy. His friends were eager to join them, but he knew they had other commitments. Pumayag lang ang mga ito na magpaiwan kung isasama niya ang iba nilang tauhan. With Georgina and Nikita around, daig pa niya ang may dalawampung katao kaya hindi s'ya nag-aalala. He is not fully healed yet and Georgina wanted to put the trip off, but he put his foot down. Gusto na niyang matapos ang lahat para makapagsimula na sila ng panibago. Remembering the past pained him and he will never get over losing his daughter. Mawawala ba ng tuluyan a
The mattress has been delivered and the men replaced the old one. Tatawagin sana ni Lucian ang isang kasambahay para ayusin ang kama at lagyan ng bagong kobre pero pinigil s'ya ni Georgina. "Let's do it together," sabi nito sa kaniya. Sa bahay nila ay silang dalawa ang gumagawa ng lahat. They do not have a maid because they like to do things together. She saw Georgina locked the door as he took the sheets out from the cabinet. Fitted sheet pa lang ang nailalagay nila nang lumundag ito sa kama na parang bata. "What on Earth are you doing, Ruthie?" natatawa niyang tanong sa asawa. At their age, they know better not to jump on the mattress because it would ruin it. "Just testing how strong this new bed is." Sa huling paglundag ay umupo ang asawa niya sa gitna ng kama at hingal na hingal. Hinila niya ng paa nito hanggang mapahiga. "What are you doing?" She asked while biting her bottom lip. Itinukod niya ang magkabilang siko sa kama at naging maingat s'ya para hindi maibigay kay Georg
Before he could approach Keira, she already got up and left the place. She looked frail and thin. Ang akala niya ay bumalik na ito sa Amerika pagkatapos ng bakasyon nito sa Italy."You know that pregnant woman?" tanong ni Georgina sa kaniya. He nodded. "Nabuntis mo?" Pinisil niya ang ilong ni Georgina bilang lambing, saka hinalikan sa pagitan ng mga kilay na halos magdikit na sa iritasyon."You and your ridiculous thoughts. Her name is Keira and Lorenzo went out with her a few times. Hindi ko s'ya nabuntis at hindi ko alam kung sino ang ama ng anak niya." Relief flooded Georgina's beautiful face. Paano pa kaya ang asawa niya kapag nagbuntis uli sa baby nila? He is expecting the worst ngayon pa lang. Siguradong maghahanap ng mga prutas na wala sa bansa o kaya naman ay hindi napapanahon. "Akala ko—" Ngumuso ang asawa niya. At bago pa ito nakapagsalita uli ay inabot niya ang mga labi nito. He kissed her to his heart's content. If she didn't tap his shoulder, hindi s'ya titigil. Hininga
You can never tell who will be your ally and who will betray you in this world. Some of them have been there for less time, but their allegiance has always been with you. Some of your closest allies may have sold their souls to the devil and turned against you despite their long history of loyalty. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit nagawa ito ng isang taong pinagkatiwalaan ng kaniyang ama sa napakahabang panahon. Itinuring nila itong pamilya. At alam niyang ibinigay ng kaniyang ama ang lahat at maraming beses itong pinaboran. "Why?" tanong niya kay Aurelio. Nasa isang silid sila kasama nila si Lorenzo. Nakaupo si Aurelio sa isang silya at nasa pagitan nila ang isang maliit na mesa. The old man just shrugged his shoulders. He is clearly not willing to talk at this time. Wala itong piring o tali sa paa at kamay. Kung titingnan ay para lamang itong nasa meeting. Maayos ang bihis at walang sugat sa kahit anong parte ng katawan o mukha. Si Lorenzo ang nagsabi sa kaniya na pinasundan it
BERLIN, July 2013 The new Hennessey Venom GT rushed to the finish line, sending waves of heat through the air. She had wire wheels that glowed with a thousand pinpoints of light, chrome fins that glinted in the heat, and dark blue paint that gleamed in the sunlight. "Chi è quello?" tanong ni Lucian kay Roberto, a fellow half-Italian. Kaklase niya ito sa Engineering sa Stanford University. They graduated last month and Don Lucio, his father, attended the ceremony but immediately left using their private plane. Kasama siya dapat nito pauwi sa Italy pero may mga kailangan pa siyang ayusin. Humingi siya ng kaunti pang oras sa ama. Halata ang disgusto nito pero pumayag din. And now Lucian and his friends are in Berlin— enjoying a street race. It's illegal, of course. It has been an issue in Cologne as well but it's still being held away from crowded urban areas."George Dela Garza. I've seen her race a few times." Kumunot ang noo ni Lucian. "Did you just say her?" "Yes. George is shor
TORONTO, January 2016You can be sure that someone, somewhere will tell you that you're wasting your time and talent, that you're doomed to fail, that others have tried and failed before you, that the mistakes you keep making are portents of your own impending failure, that you lack the courage to even try, that your upbringing doesn't match your aspirations, that your personality doesn't mesh with your mission, that the task is too difficult.That someone in Lucian's life is his father. Time and time again, Don Lucio would remind him that his place is not in those glass revolving doors, confined in those four walls. But Lucian loves his job. He loves designing and understanding the rigidity, strength and stability of anything he sees.But most importantly, he loves Georgina. Loving her is choosing not to join his father's organization. Sa mata ng mga tao, isang Structural Engineer si Lucian."Have you done the calculation for the East Canyon Suspension Bridge?" Lucian's thoughts were
NORMANDY, February 2016Secrecy and deceit. They eat at one's spirit like a malignant tumour. They devour the good and leave nothing but ruin in their wake."Does he know where you are right now?" tanong ni Nikita kay Georgina."I told him I have a conference in France and will be back after a couple of days. So, yes. He knows where I am." She does have an advertising agency. It's legit. But her business in France is different.Maaga silang nagising ni Nikita habang si Camille at Krista ay mahimbing pa ang tulog sa kwarto ng mga ito. They are at the Vanguard Triad Main office in Normandy. Kapag sa Pilipinas sila ipinatawag ay sa Calvados sila pumupunta.When she visits here, it's as if time has stopped in Normandy. The structure they are in is a brick one with a steep roof, large arched windows on the upper floors, and sturdy balustrades on the porches. It's well-proportioned and symmetrical.Don't be misled by the structure's age. It is tightly guarded by armed men and women who have
You can never tell who will be your ally and who will betray you in this world. Some of them have been there for less time, but their allegiance has always been with you. Some of your closest allies may have sold their souls to the devil and turned against you despite their long history of loyalty. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit nagawa ito ng isang taong pinagkatiwalaan ng kaniyang ama sa napakahabang panahon. Itinuring nila itong pamilya. At alam niyang ibinigay ng kaniyang ama ang lahat at maraming beses itong pinaboran. "Why?" tanong niya kay Aurelio. Nasa isang silid sila kasama nila si Lorenzo. Nakaupo si Aurelio sa isang silya at nasa pagitan nila ang isang maliit na mesa. The old man just shrugged his shoulders. He is clearly not willing to talk at this time. Wala itong piring o tali sa paa at kamay. Kung titingnan ay para lamang itong nasa meeting. Maayos ang bihis at walang sugat sa kahit anong parte ng katawan o mukha. Si Lorenzo ang nagsabi sa kaniya na pinasundan it
Before he could approach Keira, she already got up and left the place. She looked frail and thin. Ang akala niya ay bumalik na ito sa Amerika pagkatapos ng bakasyon nito sa Italy."You know that pregnant woman?" tanong ni Georgina sa kaniya. He nodded. "Nabuntis mo?" Pinisil niya ang ilong ni Georgina bilang lambing, saka hinalikan sa pagitan ng mga kilay na halos magdikit na sa iritasyon."You and your ridiculous thoughts. Her name is Keira and Lorenzo went out with her a few times. Hindi ko s'ya nabuntis at hindi ko alam kung sino ang ama ng anak niya." Relief flooded Georgina's beautiful face. Paano pa kaya ang asawa niya kapag nagbuntis uli sa baby nila? He is expecting the worst ngayon pa lang. Siguradong maghahanap ng mga prutas na wala sa bansa o kaya naman ay hindi napapanahon. "Akala ko—" Ngumuso ang asawa niya. At bago pa ito nakapagsalita uli ay inabot niya ang mga labi nito. He kissed her to his heart's content. If she didn't tap his shoulder, hindi s'ya titigil. Hininga
The mattress has been delivered and the men replaced the old one. Tatawagin sana ni Lucian ang isang kasambahay para ayusin ang kama at lagyan ng bagong kobre pero pinigil s'ya ni Georgina. "Let's do it together," sabi nito sa kaniya. Sa bahay nila ay silang dalawa ang gumagawa ng lahat. They do not have a maid because they like to do things together. She saw Georgina locked the door as he took the sheets out from the cabinet. Fitted sheet pa lang ang nailalagay nila nang lumundag ito sa kama na parang bata. "What on Earth are you doing, Ruthie?" natatawa niyang tanong sa asawa. At their age, they know better not to jump on the mattress because it would ruin it. "Just testing how strong this new bed is." Sa huling paglundag ay umupo ang asawa niya sa gitna ng kama at hingal na hingal. Hinila niya ng paa nito hanggang mapahiga. "What are you doing?" She asked while biting her bottom lip. Itinukod niya ang magkabilang siko sa kama at naging maingat s'ya para hindi maibigay kay Georg
Two weeks later... It was clear to Lucian that his life would never be the same after he left Italy and handed over control of the Profaci Empire to his younger brother. To the best of his ability, he became whatever his father had dreamed for him. But he won't repeat his past mistakes; he'll stay with Georgina forever. Now that they don't have to worry about the Triad, they can take revenge for their daughter. France is roughly an hour and a half away from Italy. His friends were eager to join them, but he knew they had other commitments. Pumayag lang ang mga ito na magpaiwan kung isasama niya ang iba nilang tauhan. With Georgina and Nikita around, daig pa niya ang may dalawampung katao kaya hindi s'ya nag-aalala. He is not fully healed yet and Georgina wanted to put the trip off, but he put his foot down. Gusto na niyang matapos ang lahat para makapagsimula na sila ng panibago. Remembering the past pained him and he will never get over losing his daughter. Mawawala ba ng tuluyan a
She left with the other gambits to deal with Maeva while Lucian's pals stayed with him. The sky was dark and foreboding, as if a thunderstorm was imminent. All their feelings against the fake who had posed as Margot Vanguard for so long were captured perfectly. Anais Vanguard decided to go nevertheless despite the terrible forecast. To find closure, she had to visit the gravesite of her real sister. A severe punishment is in order for the person who created problems with the Triad. The Lyon cemetery of Loyasse was where Georgina took them. It is among the region's most revered and historic burial grounds. Thousands of burials and tombs dating back to the early 19th century can be found inside. They had to walk a little ways from la Ficelle to get there. "Maeva Moreau. Forever in our hearts," said Anais. Ibinigay ni Georgina ang isang envelope na naglalaman ng DNA test results kay Anais. "I did not have time to exhume the body." "Dig," utos ni Anais sa mga kasama. Ipinasara ni Ana
"Daddy, wake up." Pilit na ibinubuka nito ang talukap ng kaniyang mga mata. He opened his eyes and found himself in a strange place. Wala s'yang maramdaman na sakit sa dibdib, but he remembered being shot on the chest. Moreover, there's a little girl with wavy hair with the same eyes, nose and lips as him. Ang naiba lang sa bata ay ang kilay— katulad ito ng kilay ni Georgina. The kid is wearing a white dress and her hair has a white ribbon to go with it. Nakasuot ito ng sandals na kulay puti rin. "You ruined Lola's plants." Ngumiwi ang bata at itinuro ang kinalalagyan niya. Maliwanag ang kapaligiran at maraming bulaklak. It looked like paradise. Kulang na lang ay makakita s’ya ng unicorn. “What are you doing here, Daddy?” “Luciana?" She smiled and nodded her head. Umupo s'ya at itinaas ang mga braso para yakapin ang bata. Pinagbigyan naman s'ya nito at pumaikot ang maliliit na braso sa may leeg niya. "Where are we?" Kumalas sa pagkakayakap ang bata at nagkibit balikat. "I live o
Those who have a lot of regrets are paralyzed by their own fear. But Georgina lived her life to the fullest and her one regret, if she were to die today, would be that Elena hadn't passed away first. And it's what keeps her going, that and her hope for a family with Lucian and future children. "They are out, Phantom. I counted." "Copy that," sagot niya kay Nikita nang magsalita ito sa earpiece. She, like Krista and Camille, was outside the walls but can still see everything that's happening inside. She was fortunate to have met these women who became like family during her time as a gambit and in the years of retirement that followed, if anybody could call it that. "Can you see her?" "The woman is completely daft, I swear. She's hiding behind Hugo but I have a clear shot. You want me to take it?" "No. Just fire just above her head when I say go." "Copy." She laughed a little. "She looked like a fucking scared mouse right now." "Niki—" "Yeah?" "Don't miss." The last thing sh
Two days from now, they are flying to France. Georgina had no choice but to hack the system of the Vanguard Triad's main office in Normandy. She used to control it five years ago, and developed new systems to increase the security of the facility. She gave up the controls when she retired, and made an oath to never share nor touch it ever again— or she will pay for her life dearly. "There are two main controls in the facility. They used to have just one, but since I came— I created a backup just in case of an attack." She heaved a sigh. "I never thought I would be the one to launch an attack against them and bring their security down." Lucian rubbed her back. "You shouldn't feel guilty. You are doing this for us." She didn't say anything. "Is Anais staying at the main office?" Georgina nodded. "She lives there. That fortress has been with her family for generations. We have the best medical team. Everything we need is there." "And this Margot lives there too?" "Yes. I wouldn't be
Two weeks passed since they've been back to the city. They bought a house at Albarracin at magkatabi lang ang bahay nila ni Kons. They ordered all the furniture online and didn't even look at the cost. His project in Pampanga is going well at next week ay finishing touches na lang ito. He will take Georgina with her dahil isang araw lang s'ya roon. She's been busy finishing off projects and taking on new ones. It's keeping her mind off the Vanguard Triad problem. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nagigising ang pinuno ng organisasyon pero buhay pa rin daw ito. "I'm getting groceries. Do you want to go with me or dito ka na lang?” tanong niya kay Georgina. Kanina pa ito nakaligo pero nakatutok ang mata sa laptop. Mukhang aburido at malapit nang mainis.“You need a break, baby. Mamaya mo na ituloy ‘yan. Ililibre kita ng mais con yelo.” Hinalikan niya sa leeg si Georgina nang makalapit sa kinaroroonan nito. Sumilay ang isang ngiti sa mga labi nito at bahagyang umungol. “Fine. I’m going w