Brent and Ryan having their Breakfast when he heard his phone rang. He quickly picked up and saw on the screen that it was Erick who called him.
“Hello, dude, morning!” Brent answered his phone
“Dude can you come to my home for lunch?” said the other line
“What’s the occasion dude? May gagawin sana ako today, regarding don sa plan ko,”
“There’s no occasion but I have a surprise for you?”
“Surprise? What is it?” he asks
“Just come here, it will not be a surprise anymore if I’m going to reveal now. Basta punta ka rito, huh?”
Saglit na natahimik si Erick nang marinig niya ang hinanakit ni Brent. Matagal na niyang alam kung gaano nito kamahal si Shantal dahil mula pa noong high school days nila lihim nilang sinusandan ang bawat galaw nito sa eskwelahan at sinusuportahan niya ang ganong ginagawa ni Brent.“I just said this advice because I know how you love her before. Ilang beses pa tayong lihim na sumusunod sa kanya noon, kahit nga nagmumukha na tayong mga stalker at halos mahuli na tayo ng mga kasama niya, sinusuportahan pa rin kita,” nakangiting sabi ni Erick ng maalala ang panahong iyon.“Forget about it, time flies and she had hurt me. Ang lalim ng galit niya sa akin dahil sa makasarili niyang pananaw sa buhay. Akala ko kasi noon darating din ang time she will look at me as a man with dignity pero mali ako, dude. Siya pala ang sisira at magpapalubog sa ak
She’s been in deep thought recently as Brielle and Yaya Santina said they saw Brent. Kagabi late siyang nakatulog dahil ilang oras siyang nagtagal sa entertainment room, paulit- ulit niyang naaalala ang maamong mukha ni Brent. Her husband’s memories have been haunting her even in her sleep, she had a few nightmares lately and all those moments that she hurt Brent flashed back in her mind. Hindi mawaglit sa isipan niya ang sinabi ni Brielle ng nagdaang gabi, the man who saved her son looks like Brent, kaya gusto niyang makita kung totoo nga ba ang sinabi ng anak niya. Gusto niyang tanungin si Erick about it but she hadn't dared to call him just to ask about the guy whom Brielle had mentioned. Ayaw niyang isipin nito na meron siyang interest sa kaibigan nito. Alam niyang matalik na magkaibigan si Brent at Erick mula pa noong high school, kaya hindi niya magawang mag-usisa kay Erick. Hindi nag-iwan ng contact number sa hospital ang taong suma
“Hi, good evening, Sir!” her voice trembled and her knees become weak. Magkahalong kaba at takot ang nararamdaman niya sa mga sandaling ito dahil silang dalawa lamang ang naroon sa malaking kwarto. He was facing the window looking at the city light that gives a bright scenery. He heard the door opened, but he still facing back at her.Hindi umimik ang taong nakatalikod kay Shantal. Magkahalong kaba at takot ang nararamdaman niya dahil ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na nakipag-meeting siya sa isang tao na di pa niya nakikita at nakilala. Samot-saring eksena ang pumasok sa utak niya.“Ehmmm! Hi, Sir good evening!” inulit niya ang kanyang sinabi, trying to get the man’s attention. It is a very awkward moment for her dahil alam niyang narinig nito ang boses niya na nanginginig.Pum
Brent had left in the hotel immediately before Shantal would wake up. He called his Assistant Ryan to pick him up in the main lobby. Pagkasakay niya ng kotse mabilis na humarurot ang sasakyan nito pabalik ng condo na tinutuluyan nila. Nasa receiving area na siya at naghubad ng suot niyang suit. Kasunod niya si Ryan nang bigla itong nagsalita.“Boss, ibang klase iyong meeting nyo ni Miss Shantal at inabot ka ng madaling araw may kiss mark at kalmot kapa sa bandang leeg mo ah,” pang- aasar nito sa kanya.Paupo na siya ng sofa at tinanggal ang jacket na suot niya. “Anong kiss mark?” patay malisya niyang tanong.“Ay nagdeny pa, ayan kasi tingnan mo sa salamin, bakat sa leeg mo. Ang tindi pala ng meeting niyo, may something,”“T
Everyone in the meeting room breathed hard as they saw Brent suddenly came in. Walang kumurap sa kahit sinuman sa kanila. Biglang tumahimik ang lahat ng naroon at walang nagsimulang magsalita. Brent stares at everyone, especially Celso Chan whose face turned pale and scared.Narinig niyang suminghap si Shantal at Mica ng makita siyang pumasok. He made a side glance at Shantal who is now looking so pale and shocked. Pakiramdam ni Shantal ng mga oras na iyon halos lumubog siya sa kinauupuan niya. The last thing she could wish for is seeing him alive. She wanted to run and hug him, yet she felt so much ashamed and underserved of his attention. She wanted to cry but it is not the right time to do it. She’s so overwhelmed seeing Brent alive. Lahat ng takot at pag-aalinlangan niya para sa kinabukasan ng kompanya ay napalitan ng pag-asa ngunit sa kabilang banda, may hinanakit siya rito dahil limang ta
She was so lost in this moment because Brent never looked at her the way he loved her before. Pakiramdam niya gumuho ang mundo niya sa pagbalik nito. Alam niya ang dahilan kung bakit nito binili ang kalahati ng shares ng company nila. He wanted to avenge what she had done to him. They are still married until now because they never get a chance to have an annulment the day she shamed him in front of the whole nation. Ibang Brent na ang bumalik ngayon. A cold-hearted man and full of resentment. She wanted to ask forgiveness from him, and she hopes for a reconciliation between them for their son.Suddenly drops of tears flowed from her eyes. Nalulungkot siyang makita ang anak nya na umaasang makikita nito si Brent. She mentioned Brent to Brielle because she wanted to let him have a good image of his father in his mind. Ngayon naduduwag na siyang sabihin sa anak niyang bumalik na si Brent dahil hin
Kinabukasan maagang nagpatawag ng meeting si Shantal sa mga tauhan niya sa bahay. Malungkot ang mga ito ng marinig ang sinabi niya. Bumuhos ang luha ng bawat isa ng sinabi niyang ibibigay na niya ang huling sahod at bonus ng mga ito. Pagkatapos ng pakipag-usap niya sa mga ito, mabilis na niligpit at binalot na ang mga gamit sa loob ng mansyon.Maagang nagising si Brent at nagcheck ng email niya. He sent another instruction to his subordinates in Singapore because they have an ongoing project. After his daily routine work-out, he fixed himself, preparing to go to Erick’s house. Ang nasa isip niya ng mga oras na iyon ay ang pagpasok sa opisina dahil siya na ang mag mamanage ng kompanya ngunit nangako siya kay Erick na doon siya magtatanghalian kaya nagpahatid nalang muna siya kay Ryan. Pagkahatid sa kanya dumiretso naman ito sa company. After a few doorbells, the gate open and Erick’s invit
Pagpasok ni Brent sa loob ng bahay nagulat siya ng makitang halos niligpit na ang lahat ng gamit sa sala. Tinakpan na ito ng puting tela, lalong dumilim ang anyo niya. Biglang huminto sa kanilang ginagawa ang mga kasambahay at yumuko ng makita siya sa may bukana ng pintuan.“Itigil ninyo at tanggalin lahat ng takip sa mga gamit. Sinong nag-utos sa inyo na gawin ito?” dumadagundong ang boses ni Brent“I asked them to do it, this is my parent’s house, and I have all the rights to decide what is best for us,” sabi ni Shantal sa likuran niya.Ilang hakbang lamang sa kinatatayuan niya si Shantal na marahas niyang binalikan at hinawakan ang braso.“You’re challenging my patience, you’ve done too much. Ngayon gus
Karga ni Brent ang natutulog na sanggol at abot tenga ang ngiti niya habang tinititigan ang maamong mukha ng bunso nila.“Baby, I’m your Dad, welcome to our family, sweetheart!” bulong nito sa anak.“Love, ibaba mo na ang anak natin baka magising. Kanina mo pa karga iyan!” Shantal called Brent’s attention.“Okay lang Love, magaan naman sya. And I love to watch her innocent face!” He walked over to Shantal’s bed. “Look, she’s beautiful like you. My princess resembled her mom!” he showed a wonderful smile on his face.“Hindi kaba napapagod? Kanina mo pa karga ang baby natin!”“Of course not! She’s my precious princess!” s
Shantal gives her sweet smile to Ivana. She feels pity for her when she sees her face full of tears. Bakas pa sa mga mata nito ang patak ng luha. Napansin niya rin ang mahigpit na paghawak nito sa mga kamay ni Brielle.Kakarecover lang niya mula sa mahabang oras ng kanyang labor period. Inabot ng halos siyam na oras bago lumabas ang bunso niya. Pagod ang pakiramdam niya ng mga sandaling iyon ngunit masaya ang pakiramdam nilang lahat ng masilayan ang munting anghel nilang si Denise. Her little angel gives more joy and overwhelming happiness for both of them. Hindi niya inakalang masusundan ulit si Brielle dahil wala sa plano niya ang magkaroon agad ng baby mula ng biglaang bumalik si Brent sa buhay nilang mag-ina.Parang kailan lang, halos di pa sila magkasundo ni Brent dahil sa mga pangit na memories nila bilang mag-asawa. Bakas sa mukha ng asawa niya ang labis
2 months laterBrent had just landed at Changi International Airport from his two months travel to Shanghai. He’s been waiting for Ryan at the arrival area. Nakita niyang papalapit na ito sa kanya, kasama nito ang fiancee.“Welcome back to Singapore, Sir Brent!” bati nito sa kanya sabay kuha ng luggage niya.“Sorry if I bothered you guys. Nakakapagod sa biyahe,” he said“Hi, sir Brent, kumusta po kayo?” bati ng fiancee ni Ryan“Hello, Samantha. I’m doing fine! How’s your wedding preparation, guys?” he asked after he got inside the car.“Tapos na po, and I’m excited kasi sa isang linggo na
Kinagabihan, tahimik na nag aabang si Brent sa labas ng opisina ng Rodriguez Group of Companies dahil plano niyang sundan ang sasakyan ni Shantal pauwi ng bahay. He parked his car near the company and stayed inside his car, waiting for Shantal to come out. He still cares about her, yet he chooses not to show up because he had told her that he would no longer bother her again. Nakita niyang sumakay na ito ng kotse at sinundan niya ang pag-uwi nito ng bahay. He saw Brielle at the terrace with Shantal, and he wanted to come back to the house to stay with them, but he dare not break his promise.Tears started to fall down in his handsome face, he missed them so much, and it hurt him a lot seeing his wife and son in a far distance. Halos madaling araw na siya umalis sa harapan ng mansyon. Takot siyang madamay si Shantal at Brielle sa kinakaharap niyang laban. Pagbalik ng condo, nadatnan niyang gising pa si Agen
Brent picked up his luggage and walked towards the door. Hindi alintana ang hapdi ng sugat sa braso niya, dumaan siya sa kwarto ng anak at nadatnan itong mahimbing na natutulog. He walked towards Brielle’s bed and sat down immediately.Tears slipped in his eyes, and he touched Brielle's tiny face. Magkahalong lungkot at pag-alala ang nararamdaman niya ng mga sandaling iyon ngunit kailangan na niyang umalis sa bahay na ito. He & Shantal ended in a tragic way, hindi natupad ang pinangarap niyang bubuo sila ng masayang alaala bago siya umalis sa buhay nito. He planted a soft kiss on Brielle’s face and bid his farewell.“Buddy, Daddy had made the worst decision in life and hurt your Mom. I will no longer be coming back into your life, and this would be the last time I could see you. Thank you fo
Kinabukasan maagang nagising si Brielle at nagtungo sa kwarto nilang mag-asawa. Tulog na tulog pa silang dalawa ng pumasok ito. Mabilis itong lumapit sa kama at lumapit sa pwesto ni Brent.“Daddy, Mommy! Wake up! It’s too late! It’s getting late, why are you still in bed?” boses nito na nangibabaw sa buong kwarto.Mabilis na dumilat ang mata ni Brent at umupo sa kama. “Hmm! My little boy. What time is it?”“Past nine o’clock in the morning, Daddy!” Brielle said cheerfully near his side.“Buddy, come here and lower down your voice, Mommy’s still sleeping,” mabilis siyang bumaba sa kama at kinarga ang anak.“Daddy! Aren’t you going to work
After half an hour Brent decided to head back home. Binilinan niya ang guard sa main entrance na magmasid ng maigi sa paligid. Hindi mawaglit sa isipan ang huling sasakyan na sumunod sa kanya kanina. Nag-aalala siya para kay Shantal at Brielle. Alam niyang tauhan ito ni Celso Chan at pinasusundan siya. Sa susunod na linggo na ang muling pagbubukas ng kaso niya laban dito. Ilang taon na ang nakalipas at hanggang ngayon malaya pa rin itong nakakalakad dahil natigil noon ang pagsampa niya ng kaso laban dito. He promised to send this man to jail no matter how long he will fight against him. Pagpanhik niya ng bahay nakita niyang nag-aabang sa sala si Shantal. Her face looks terrible like a lioness who is in a state of anger.“Where have you been?” she asked him immediately, and her voice sounds pretty bad. In her mind, Brent went to his mistress again.
Rodriguez Group of CompaniesBrent and Shantal are on their way to the company. Tahimik na umupo sa harapang bahagi ng kotse si Shantal ng biglang nagsalita si Brent.“What if the case of Mom’s death a few years ago will reopen? Would you still want the culprit to be jailed?” tanong ni Brent.“What do you mean? Mom’s death was planned? By who?” she asked“Nothing, just forget about it. Let me ask you another question,”“Sure! What is it?”“Are you not wondering why I suddenly disappeared five years ago?” he asks while his eyes are on the road.Matagal nag-
Matapos magligpit sa kwarto ni Brielle bumalik si Shantal sa room niya. Dinampot niya ang Digital Camera na nasa sahig. Ngayon lang niya ito ulit naalala. She sat down in her bed, looking at those photos that were taken a few years ago by Brent during her fashion show in the US. All candid photos of her reminded her younger age. A beautiful young lady who seemed to look so strong but deep inside silently bleeding. She remembered her parents were so busy with their business, giving her all material things in life and allowing her freedom to be enjoyed. Her parents didn't bother to ask her if she's happy and okay.Akala ng mga ito, she enjoyed being an independent child, ngunit may malaking puwang sa puso niya na hindi kayang punan ng pera. Ang atensyon at pagmamahal ng mga ito na napunta lahat kay Brent. She lived a sad life all along. She was so jealous of how they treated Brent right in front of her. Ito