Five years later “Are you ready for tomorrow?” malumanay na tanong ng Daddy ni Charlie sa kanya. They were talking via video call and she can clearly see the worried look on her father’s face. She forced a smiled. “I will be fine, Dad. Besides, this is not the first time that I’ll be negotiating over our… o-our debt,” alanganing niyang sagot. Even after so many years, the word still tasted bitter on her mouth. “Yes but this is the first time your Uncle Joshua will not be with you. Do you want me to call your Grandma or your Uncle Kiel para may kasama ka—“ “Dad, ‘di ba nag-usap na tayo,” maagap niyang putol sa ama. “How will I learn if I’d always rely on other people? Besides graduation ni Tala bukas, Uncle Josh will not miss his daughter’s graduation just to help me, would he? Don’t you trust me?” Her father had this conflicted look on his face for a while. “I do. It’s the people you meet I don’t trust.” She smiled, her heart warming up a little. There she was all grown up and c
It was ten minutes before lunch at kanina pa inip na naghihintay si Charlie sa may waiting room ng opisina ni Mr. Jones. Ilang beses na rin niyang nakausap ang secretary ng lalaki. But everytime she does, iisa lang ang sagot nito, may importante pa itong kausap na tao sa loob ng opisina nito.She had always been very patient when it comes to her business dealings. Her Uncle Joshua told her to never show extreme emotions when dealing with clients or business associates. And so she had learned to manage her emotions well. But this transaction, no matter how she needed it to go smoothly today is clearly testing her patience. Why wouldn't she? Sinunod niyang lahat ang protocols para makakuha ng appointment kay Mr. Jones. But now that she's here, she felt like the CEO was just making a fool out out of her by making her wait for hours! Hindi niya tuloy maiwasang isipin na baka inutusan ito ng mga Mondragon na paglaruan siya. This is not the first time the Mondragons have used their conne
“So, how was the meeting with Mr. Jones,” anang Uncle Joshua ni Charlie sa kanya. Agad siyang nag-angat ng tingin mula sa kanyang plato, makahulugang ipinalibot ang tingin sa mga kaanak niya na nasa hapag. They were having dinner at his uncle’s house in celebration of her cousin Tala's graduation. Everyone from her father’s side of the family were present, except of course for her parents and her brother Caleb who was away preparing for his Accountancy Licensure Exam. Sa totoo lang, wala sana siya dapat doon ngayon. She’s still flustered from meeting Gael earlier that day. All she would want to do is to spend the night in her bed with the help of a premium drink to knock her senses off to sleep. But Tala’s graduation is quite a big event for the family. Paano, matapos nitong mag-shift ng course ng tatlong beses, her cousin finally got her degree. And soon, Tala will be moving to Italy for her masters in fashion design. Her heart felt a little heavy with the thought. Sometimes, she
“Coffee?” alok ni Jasmine kay Charlie na noon ay sapo-sapo pa rin ang nananakit na ulo. Last night she had one too many drinks while pouring her heart out to Jasmine. The brandy did its magic last night—make her talk and knock her off to sleep. ‘Yon nga lang, hindi siya sa bahay niya nakatulog. Natulog siya sa bahay nina Jasmine at Gray dahil sa sobrang kalasingan. “Thank you,” paos ang tinig na sabi niya matapos salinan ni Jasmine ng kape ang mug na nakasilbi sa harap niya. She took a sip of the hot beverage, wishing that it will take away all the effects of her stupidity last night. It was ten minutes past nine in the morning but she’s still there, in someone else’s home looking like a shit. Ngayon siya nagsisisisi kung bakit uminom-inom pa siya kagabi. Napakarami niyang dapat gawin sa opisina. Idagdag pa ang muli niya sanang pakikipag-usap kay Mr. Jones. Heck! It’s not even yet the weekend but she got wasted! What was she thinking? She silently cursed herself. What’s happening
The woman has been silent for a while now. Her beautiful caramel eyes staring at him were filled with confusion and fear. Gael smiled secretly. Good, he thought. She should really be afraid of me.This woman whom they say was his wife looks a little more matured now compared to the pictures compiled by his men. She still looked beautiful though, an air of effortless sophistication follows her-- a real billionaire brat. She looked so innocent then, breathtaking. No wonder he was smitten. Stupidly smitten. He knew now that she was never good for him. And he curse the day that she met her and her family.Nang magising siya sa isang ospital sa Germany limang taon na nakakalipas at ang tanging natatandaan lang ay ang kanyang pangalan at ng kanyang T'yo Berting, nakilala niya ang kanyang tunay na kapamilya, si Aksel Bernstein, ang lolo niya at ang may-ari ng Bernstein Industrial Technologies.His father was the old man's only son. But Aksel never approved of his mother who was from a p
Marahang dinala ni Gael ang baso ng alak sa kanyang bibig. Malalim na ang gabi subalit hindi pa rin siya makatulog o mas tamang sabihin na may gumugulo sa kanyang pagtulog. A woman. A woman's face to be specific. The face of Charlize Sandejas. Ibinaba niya ang baso niya sa bar counter at muling nagsalin ng alak doon. There's something in her that was haunting him-- a heavy feeling he cannot shake off of his chest since she met her accidentally yesterday. Was it her beautiful caramel eyes that mirrored the quick changes in her emotions-- from fear to defiance, from confusion to anger? Was it her wit in their verbal battle? Or was it that something else in her that he still doesn't know of?He scoffed and down the glass of drink in his hand. The woman was really something. But he must not be fazed. Si Charlize ang puno't dulo ng lahat. May kasalanan ito at ang pamilya niya sa kanya. At naroon siya para maningil.Limang taon niyang pinaghandaan ang muling pagkikita nila ng dating asa
Ang biglang pagbuhos ng malakas na liwanag sa kanyang kwarto ang nagpabalikwas kay Charlie mula sa kanyang higaan. The light coming from the windows of her room were blinding she wanted to throw an endless fit."What the hell!" gigil niyang sabi, marahas na itinakip ang mga kamay sa kanyang mga mata. "Yeah, exactly! What the hell, Charlie!" anang pamilyar na boses ng Uncle Joshua niya. She groaned inwardly and squinted her eyes to look at her uncle. Agad siyang napangiwi nang makita ang nakapamaywang na bulto nito sa paanan ng kama niya. He looked serious, ready to explode.Shit!"W-what time is it?" she asked in a hoarse voice, reaching for a pillow and hugging it tight. "Time to get your ass out of bed and go to fckin work!" singhal ng tiyuhin niya.The curse made her wince.Lalong nalukot ang mukha niya, yumuko at isinubsob ang mukha sa unan na yakap niya. Sanay siyang magalit ang Uncle Joshua niya. She had lived with it for the past five years while he trained her as the new CE
Gigil na nagmartsa pabalik ng kotse niya si Charlie. Hindi na niya alintana kung pinagtitinginan siya ng mga tao na nakakakita sa kanya dahil sa malakas na paglagatok ng heels niya sa lobby ng building. She’s so pissed she doesn’t care a bit what other people think. Paano, ni hindi siya hinarap man lang ni Mr. Reyes, ang may-ari ng New Edge Bank. Sinabihan lang siya ng secretary nito na aalis na ang amo nito at bumalik na lang siya sa susunod na linggo dahil may pupuntahan itong private meeting kanina lang lampas alas-kwatro na ng hapon!Inaksaya lang nito ang buong maghapon niya when she’s supposed to be out there, negotiating with other banks that could help them solve their problem!She huffed and walked over to her waiting car. Si Jacob ang nagbukas ng pinto para sa kanya. Habang papasok siya sa sasakyan, narinig niyang tumunog ang cellphone niya. She threw her handbag in the backseat and caught her head between her hands. She doesn’t need to look at her phone to know who was cal
“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