Hindi mapakali si Charlie habang nakasakay siya ng sasakyan niya patungo sa St. Gabriel University. Today is the start of classes. She's now an official part of the graduating class -- a thing she had always looked forward to in the past. She initially dreamed of going to Oxford for her masters after she graduates from college. And after that, she will take the helm of SSL and lead it. It was a perfect plan. Well that was before. Before her life got all messed up when her future was decided for her by people other than herself!Mahigit isang linggo na mula nang makasagutan niya ang Daddy niya. Isang linggo na rin mula nang pumutok ang balita tungkol sa engagement nila ni Theo. Isang linggo na rin siyang grounded. Her father took her phone away. Pinagbawalan na rin siya nitong pumasok sa SSL. She's basically a prisoner in her own home Home. Oh how the words tasted bitter in her mouth. Should she have the opportunity to choose, she would stay out of their house for a while. She felt su
"I heard my princess was crying so I came," nakangiting sabi ni Gael, marahan pang inabot ang pisngi ni Charlie at pinunasan ang natitira pang luha niya roon.She sobbed even harder when she realized that she was not imagining things. Gael is really there with her! Hindi na siya nag-aksaya pa ng oras at niyakap si Gael. His warmth and presence enveloped her in an instant. His arms felt like home. Her home."I-I thought... I won't see you again," aniya sa pagitan ng paghikbi. "I-I thought you already l-left me."Gael's arms around her tightened. "I'm sorry, love. I had no way of contacting you. So I just took my chance to come here and see you. Sinabi sa akin ng janitress na dito ka madalas nagagawi kapag nasa campus ka dahil hindi madalas nagagamit ang CR na 'to." He explained in a hushed voice. He then told her about the talk he and her Dad had after she and Theo left that day. Ikinuwento rin nito kung ano ang nangyari sa trabaho nito. And her heart felt heavier with everything sh
"What did he do to you?" malumanay ang boses na tanong ni Gael sa kanya. They were parked under a tree na sa tingin niya ay parte ng isang natural park sa labas ng Maynila. They drove in silence for more than three hours. Ngayon lang sila huminto.Bumaling siya kay Gael. The storm in his eyes didn't go away, but it was more subtle now. She knew he was fighting his emotions. Siya rin naman. But what Theo did to her today was unforgivable. Hindi niya lubos maisip kung ano man ang maaring nangyari sa kanya kung wala si Gael sa malapit. Muling nangilid ang luha niya."H-he k-kissed me and tried to..." Napahawak siya sa damit niya, sa may bandang dibdib. Theo almost touched her there. Gael cursed under his breath, gripping the steering wheel tight, his knuckles almost turned white. "I will not let this pass, Charlie. He will pay. He will damn pay for what he did to you today!" Humagulgol na siya, tuluyang napayakap dito. Theo's threats ringing inside her head. "P-please, Gael. Just let i
Tahimik si Charlie habang nakaupo siya sa waiting room sa bahay ng judge na kakilala ni Gael. She looked at the simple infinity ring on her finger as it slightly glistened agaist the soft light of the room she was in. She removed it from her finger and looked at the engraving inside the band. Palagi. Iyon ang nakasulat sa singsing. A promise of forever and always.Muling nangilid ang luha niya. Just a few minutes ago she made a decision that will change her life forever. She married Gael.Matapos pumayag si Gael na pakasalan siya, muli nitong tinawagan si Gray at pinahanda ang mga papeles na kailangan nila. She's glad that Gael has connections too kaya nagawa nilang magpakasal nang madalian at walang aberya.She knew marrying the man she had always loved is the best solution for her situation. It was the escape she was always longing for. Subalit bakit gano'n? She still feel troubled.Maybe because this is the first time that she defied her parent's will. This is the first time sh
"What? Tonto! What am I paying you for? Hindi mo na naman inaayos ang trabaho mo!" singhal ng Mommy ni Theo sa kausap nito sa telepono bago tumingin sa kanya. Sigurado siya, kausap na naman nito ang secretary nito. "Well make a way! If you should move the heaven and earth just to get to that client, then do it. No! You do it or else you're fired!"He grinned. He really took after his mother's impatience. Kaya nga siya nagtataka kung paano niya natagalan ang sang gaya ni Charlie. Charlie. That stubborn girl. He automatically balled his fists when he recalled her insults and rejection earlier that day.He will make sure that she'll pay once he found her. He will bang her and taste every inch of that beautiful body of hers. He had waited for so long at hindi na siya makakapagpigil pa. Masyado na rin siyang matagal na nagpapakabait.His mother told him that marrying Charlie would be good for him-- for his image. So that he would gain the favor of her aunt's husband, the baron who doesn
Agad na pinanlamigan ng katawan si Charlie dahil sa sinabi ni Gael. Awtomatiko siyang lumingon upang silipin ang sinasabi nitong mga sumusunod sa kanila. There she saw a black sedan that was gaining its speed to their direction. I will send men to hunt you and Gael, Charlie. And when you both are caught, I will make sure Gael will pay for his crimes. And you young lady, will surely know what it really meant when I tell you not to mess with me.Her father's threats rang in her ears and her heart instantly raced. Tinotoo ng Daddy niya ang banta nito sa kanya kanina. He will chase them. And he won't stop until she surrenders. "Oh my god!" wala sa sarili niyang usal, tarantang muling bumaling kay Gael. Magsasalita pa sana siya but Gael cussed under his breath."Keep your head low, Charlie. Now!" nagmamadaling utos nito. Agad siyang tumalima. Umuklo siya at mabilis na itinakip ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanyang mga tainga. Pagkatapos niyon, naramdaman niyang lalong bumilis ang takbo nila.
Hindi mapigilan ni Charlie ang panginginig habang inihihinto ni Gael ang sasakyan sa ilalim ng isang puno. They drove to a small dirt road, just a few hundred meters away from the highway. They were surrounded by bushes, hiding them from the view of anyone. It took them almost half an hour to reach there and shake the damn black car away. And now she can really feel the cold. Moreso, when there is a storm raging outside. "Take off your clothes, Charlie," nagmamdaling utos ni Gael sa kanya. Sinubukan niyang tumalima subalit masyadong malakas ang panginginig ng mga kamay niya. Seeing that she was struggling, si Gael na ang nagtanggal ng mga damit niya until all that's left were her underwears. Gael reached for the backseat and took from there the big blanket they bought when they first went to the market before they went into hiding by the sea side. Ibinalot nito iyon sa kanya. But she still can't stop shivering. "G-Gael, i-it's c-cold," sabi niya. She heard him curse unders his b
Hindi maampat-ampat ang pagpatak ng luha ni Charlie habang nakaupo siya sa waiting area ng maliit na private hospital na pinagdalhan niya kay Gael. Gael was unconscious when they wheeled him inside the operating room about half an hour ago. And no matter how she remind herself to think positively, she can’t. How can she when Gael is fighting for his life! There were mixed noises surrounding but she cannot figure out any of it. She can her people chattering around her but she cannot fully understood any of it. Her mind and ears were silenced by the chaos inside her head. Marami siyang naiisip at inaalala. Ang panganib na nakasunod sa kanila, ang tumitinding galit na nararamdaman niya para sa mga magulang niya, at higit sa lahat ang kaligtasan ni Gael. She took in a sharp breath and clasped her hands tighter. She wanted to pray but her mind cannot process any coherent thought. And so she just cried some more. Her heart was heavy with guilt. She will not be able to forgive herself sh
“Again? Pero puno pa ang fridge niyan, love. Nakita ko kagabi nang bumaba ako sa kitchen,” reklamo ni Gael kay Charlie nang muli siyang maglagay ng dragon fruit sa cart. They were out grocery shopping in a local grocery store in Cancun. They have been staying there for a week now in celebration of their second wedding anniversary. It was a trip she didn’t really want to take at first because she easily gets tired lately. But when Gael told her that she will call the shots every time, she was in in no time. She rolled her eyes and faced him. “Can’t you get it? I’m not buying them for me to eat. I’m buying it because they looked cute,” pagrarason niya, muling naglagay ng dalawang piraso pa ng nasabing prutas sa cart. Gael huffed. “Should I buy you a dragon fruit farm?” “Of course not!” sabi niya, muling naglakad sa aisle ng prutas na kinaroroonan nila. “What about a grocery store then? You want me to purchase this grocery store for you?” Namawaywang na siya at hinarap ang asawa.
“Are you ready?” tanong ng Mommy ni Charlie sa kanya. She filled her lungs with air and gave her mother a slow nod. “Yes,” she replied smiling. Gumanti ng ngiti ang Mommy niya, nangingilid ang luha. Masuyo pa nitong inabot anag kanyang pisngi. “I wish you all the happiness in the world, sweetheart.” “Thanks, Mom,” sabi niya bago niyakap ang ina. They stayed like that for a while bago sila nakarinig ng katok sa pinto. “Hey, the music’s starting and all the guests are waiting. Don’t tell me may balak ka pang itakbo ‘yang anak mo, Sam,” said her father’s familiar voice outside the door. Natatawa nilang binitiwan ng Mommy niya ang isa’t-isa. Sandaling nitong pinunasan ng panyo ang gilid ng mga mata nito bago siya muling nginitian. “Let’s go. Your Dad cannot wait to give you away… officially,” pabirong sabi ng Mommy niya bago inabot sa kanya ang kanyang bouquet. When her mother opened the door to her room, she was met by her father’s loving gaze. “Finally,” anito, nakangiti. He gave
It was a manic day for Charlie. No. It was chaos spelled in all caps. She was supposed to wake up an hour ago for her scheduled appointment. But because she and Gael stayed up late yet again last night, there she was rushing to fix herself so she could run to where she’s heading to for the day. “Hey, slow down, beautiful. You’ll hurt yourself,” nakangiting sabi ni Gael sa kanya, sumandal pa sa hamba ng pinto ng walk-in closet niya—looking so handsome with just his lounge pants on and nothing else. “Go away, Gael. You know I cannot be late today,” sabi niya habang naglalagay ng sunscreen sa mukha. She’ll need lots of those sa pupuntahan niya. Gael chuckled. “Bakit, hindi ka naman late a. You still have at least an hour and a half to spare.” She scoffed and picked up her blush powder. She won’t wear her full make-up today. “An hour and a half spare that I’ll spend for travel. You know how’s Manila traffic in the morning, Gael. It’s one of the worse and I can’t afford to be late toda
Sandaling namanhid si Gael sa kanyang nasaksihan. Panandalian niyang kinumbinsi ang sarili na imahinasyon niya lang ang lahat. Na nasa maayos na lagay si Charlie at walang kaguluhan na nangyayari sa mismong araw ng kanilang kasal. He even tried to blink a few times—willing the dreadful scenario away from his head. But when he opened his eyes, his bride, his wife still laid there on the cold ground, bleeding.With his chest constricting, he tried to stand up, wanting to go to Charlie as soon as he can. But his bodyguard nearby kept him from doing so. Anger burned his skin in an instant. He had to go Charlie and no one, not even the damn death god himself could prevent him from doing so.He turned himself onto the ground, lying on his back, and gave the bodyguard hovering over at him a straight jab to the jaw. Napaupo ito, bago siya mahilo-hilong binitiwan. He took that chance to crawl his way to Charlie, who fell near the entrance of the church. ‘I like the water, Kuya Gael. Can you t
Kanina pa nasa harap ng salamin si Gael subalit panay pa rin ang pag-aayos niya sa kurbata ng kanyang suit. The damn thing just won’t align!Frustrated, he took it off altogether and huffed.He’s anxious for some unknown reason. Gray, who arrived last night, said at it must be the wedding jitters but he refuses to believe so. He’s just on edge because he didn’t get to see his wife and son for hours now. Sneaking in at Charlie and Levi’s hotel room crossed his mind a few times last night. With his skills as a former elite boduyguard, he could do that with no sweat involved. But his grandfather gave him a talk about keeping his word and just wait until it’s time for them to meet at the altar again. Subalit naging sobrang napakahirap niyon sa kanya dahil sa iisang hotel lang silang naka-check –in na mag-anak—just different floors. Idagdag pa na talagang makulit si Tala at panay-panay ang pagbabantay sa mag-ina niya, h’wag lang niyang makita ang mga ito.Gray told him to have a little dr
Lena was in the bathtub for hours now. She was watching the tiny drops of water coming out of the faucet as they join the already cold water she was soaking her body in. On the background, she can hear the news from the old TV— the dreadful news she had been hearing for her entire week now. Gael is getting married again… to his wife Charlize. When Gael broke up with her more than a month ago after he had learned about her deceit, she had always been on the run since. Her father and the authorities were after her. She cannot afford to get caught. Especially not by her father. She just knew that when her father would find her, he’ll punishher for ruining his plans. And with her state right now, she knew she'd die with just one blow. Tears fell from her eyes as her heart wracked with pain. She remembered the days when her life was better, when she had so much hope, and when she was still loved. Oh how she wished she could go back. For now, she had lost all of those and slowly losing
“You did what?” hindi na napigilan pa ni Charlie ang magtaas ng boses dahil sa sinabi ni Tala.They were at the private office of her husband. Doon niya ito dinala upang makapag-usap silang dalawa ng pinsan nang masinsinan. Kaya lang, ilang minuto pa lang tumatakbo ang usapan nila, pakiramdam niya gusto na niyang sumuko. “I got married,” pag-uulit ni Tala. “H-he's a prince," alanganing dugtong nito, namumutla.Her eyes widened even more. Did she hear her right?"I’m sorry, what?"Tala released a slow breath. She looks flustered as she was. "Knoxx is a prince of a small country called Maritria. It’s somewhere in the Mediterranean. I don’t know more than that. I stopped my research the minute I’ve learned that his family was related to the British royals.”She paled and gasped aloud. "You married into royalty?!" she asked in disbelief, her voice a notch higher.She had always known her cousin to be troublemaker, wild like how the world put it. But Tala really outdid herself this time.
“Des Auge (Eyes).” “D-des Auge.” “Die Nase (Nose).” “Die N-nashie.” “No, schatzi. It’s die Nase.” “Die N-nase.” “Very good, Levi! You are a fast learner just like you Dad.” Nagmamadaling lumingon si Levi kay Charlie. Her son’s eyes were sparkling with pride. “You heard that, Mommy? Grampy said I learn fast like Dadddy!” Charlie chuckled and walked over at the bed where Levi and Aksel were. She reached for her son’s cheeks and gave it a gentle pinch. “I heard that, sweetheart. Now why don’t you go with Jacob for a while and let me help Grampy with his food,” aniya. Mabilis na ibinalik ni Levi ang mata kay Aksel at nagmano sa matanda. “Bis später, Grampy! (See you later, Grampy!)” bibong sabi ni Levi bago lumabas sa silid ni Aksel. “You raised a really smart boy, Charlie,” ani Aksel nang sila na lang dalawa ang naiwan sa silid nito. "That's because you are a great teacher, Aksel. Don't you agree?" she said as she helped Aksel sit on the bed. The old man chuckled and spoke som
“Here, have some coffee,” ani Charlie habang ibinababa sa harap ni Gael ang tasa ng kape na siya rin ang may gawa.Nag-angat ng tingin si Gael sa kanya. His eyes, just like the few days that have passed, was distant—gloomy. It was as if she's not there. O mas tamang sabihin na nasa iba ang isip nito. He forced a smile. “Thanks, love,” anito bago tahimik na dinala ang tasa sa bibig nito.She released a slow breath and sat on the chair in front of her husband. They were at the balcony of the Bernstein mansion. It was already late afternoon and the sun was beginning to set on the horizon. But she feels like Gael’s day was just about to start.Ito kasi ang nagbabantay sa lolo nito sa gabi. Mula nang dumating silang mag-anak sa Germany halos tatlong araw na ang nakararaan, hindi na natigil sa pag-aalala si Gael sa lolo nito. Why wouldn’t he? The old man was shot on the chest by one of the three butlers in the mansion, whom, they had found out later on, had been working for Alaric for the