For a moment, Charlie’s mind was filled with haze. She cannot think of any logical explanation how the hell Gael ended up inside her fitting room… and has helped zipped her clothes up!Lalong nanlaki ang mata niya sa naisip.He zipped up my clothes, she thought. Oh my god!He just had a glimpse of her damn bare back! She didn’t even wear her brassiere that day, she just had he Nippies on. And Gael just…“Oh my, god!” she groaned in utter disbelief.She cannot believe she allowed Gael, her very own enemy, to have a partial free view of her naked body! Of course she had been naked in front of him before. But that was before. The Gael now doesn't!Mabilis niyang pinagkurus ang mga kamay sa kanyang dibdib. She felt so exposed!Shame and confusion washed over her again. But just after the shame, came the rage. Gigil niyang dinuro ang dibdib nito.“How dare you come in here, Gael! Are you out of your mind? Have you become a damn perv? Hindi ka man lang nahiya! Ano bang—“ Her next words we
Kanina pa sinisipat-sipat ni Charlie ang sarili niya sa salamin. She’s now wearing a black silk midi-dress that has a decent neckline. She didn’t go for the lacey dress that she initially thought of wearing. That’s why she bought another dress for the occasion. Occasion. She scoffed inwardly. Her date today with Mr. Dominguez is not an occasion for her at all. It’s a responsibility. A torture if she’d be honest. She had never been on a date since she gave birth to Levi. Not that nobody wanted to, there were some men who had shown interest on her for the past years but she turned them all down. Hindi kasi pag-ibig ang priority niya. It has become clear to her after she gave birth to her son that her life would revolve around Levi and SSL for the many years to come. That’s probably the reason why dating doesn’t interest her anymore. Besides she has a lot on her plate—responsibilities after responsibilities. Subalit hindi naman siya nagrereklamo, she knew her hardwork was providing w
"So, tell me how your parents are doing? Won't they come home soon? Kalahating dekada na rin sila abroad, aren't they bored?" kaswal na tanong ni Mr. Dominguez kay Charlie.They were already at the balcony of the room he booked, sitting in front of a table set-up for two. And like what he said, the view from there was overlooking the city. Hinayon niya ng tingin ang kabuuan ng siyudad. The night view was indeed breathtaking from up there but it wasn't enough to ease her troubled mind. There was still that knowing feeling in her gut telling her thtat something will definitely go wrong tonight.Mabilis na lumipad ang isip niya kay Levi. She would've been talking to her son right now-- hearing her cute giggles and stories. Oh what she wouldn't give just to spend more tim with Levi."Charlize?" pukaw ni Mr. Dominguez sa kanya, maya-maya.Kumurap siya agad na bumaling sa lalaki. "I-I'm sorry. You were saying?""Mukha yatang lumilipad ang isip mo ngayong gabi, Charlize. Parang gusto ko n
Gael impatiently taps his fingers on the stirring wheel of his car. Ilang minuto na siyang naghihintay sa sasakyan niya subalit wala pa ring balita sina Hugo at ang ilang tauhan niya tungkol sa identity ng kinatagpo ni Charlize ngayong gabi.Kanina pa pumasok ang mga tauhan niya sa hotel upang matanong-tanong. And he's getting bored being stuck in his car for sometime now. What's taking them so long anyway? Gaano ba kahirap makuha ang impormasyong gusto niyang makuha?Maya-maya pa, tumunog ang cellphone niya. It was Hugo."About damn time," he hissed before answering the call. "Hugo--""Sir, I think there's something wrong," mabilis na putol sa kanya ng assistant.Agad na nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "What do you mean something's wrong?""Ms. Sandejas is not inside the restaurant. Her bodyguards are frantically looking for her now."Hindi niya alam kung bakit but something inside of him tick off instantly when he heard that Charlize is missing. Gigil siyang lumabas ng sasakyan.
"What? No!" mariing tutol ni Gael sa sinabi ni Gray. "I cannot have sex with Charlize! That would be just... just—""Right. That's just right, Gael. You are still her husband!" giit ni Gray. Charlize groaned and curled like a ball. She sobbed again and clutched the sheet tighter. She's now full of sweat and mumbling words he cannot figure out. He just knew that she's getting worse. Lalong umigting ang panga niya. Charlize maybe his enemy but he cannot watch her in pain like the way she is now. There's a pain ripping through him just by looking at her. And he doesn't even know where it's coming from. His eyes snapped back up at Gray. "Think of another way, there should be another way! Call her boyfriend!"Nangunot noo si Gray. "She doesn't—" Hindi nito itinuloy ang sanay sasabihin. "Kung ayaw mo, maybe one of your men could!"Agad na lumipad ang tingin ni Gray sa nakabukas na pinto. From there, he can see Hugo, standing by the door, gulat na nakatunghay sa mga nangyayari sa loob ng
Madaling-araw na nang lumabas ng silid si Gael. Outside of the hotel room he was met by Gray and two more guys that looked familiar to him.Their eyes instantly widened when they saw him. "G-Gael," anang isa. "He doesn't remember any of us, Jacob," mabilis na paliwanang ni Gray sa lalaki bago bumaling sa kanya. "They are Charlie's bodyguards. Hindi ka nila kasi nakita kanina. Sa kanila ko ibinilin si Theo Mondragon."Agad na kumuyom ang mga kamay niya. The mere mention of the guy's name sent him to the edge immediately. "Where is that a*shole?" he asked, his brows furrowing further. "Axel and Jacob handed him to the authorities just a few minutes ago. I will go to the police camp where he is temporarily detained later for follow-up and to give my statement too. Don't worry ako nang bahala kay Theo Mondragon," paniniguro ni Gray sa kanya. "And what about Stanley Dominguez?" tanong niya ulit. "Authorities are already after him. He'll have his punishment in no time."He gently mas
Nagmamadaling umibis ng sasakyan si Charlie pagkatapat na pagkatapat niyon sa isang restaurant sa loob ng mall. She had an overtime today at work dahil na rin sa dalawang araw siyang um-absent after her drugging incident. Sa totoo lang, to say that her family was angry with what happened was an undestatement. Her family was livid! After learning about the incident, her Grandma, Uncle Joshua and Uncle Kiel wanted to send her to California right there and then. That was after they went straight to the Secretary of Justice to ask for help and make sure that the Mondragons and Mr. Dominguez will pay for their crimes. Mabuti na lang napakiusapan niy ang mga ito na h'wag muna siyang pabalikin sa California at least for another 2 weeks. Kritikal kasi para sa recovery plan ng SSL Cruise ang susunod na dalawang linggo kaya hindi siya pwedeng umalis. She wanted to make sure that the initial phase of the recovery plan is well executed to ensure its success. Mabuti na lang pumayag ang mga it
Charlie carefully watched Gael as he sipped from his cup of coffee. She was sitting opposite him at a round nordic style table inside a coffee shop that doesn't seem to have much customers, just them. And even at that point, she still doesn't know what made her say yes to his invitation. Call it folishness or temporary insanity or whatever. But one thing remains sure, she still believes it's a stupid idea going out with him for a cup of coffee. The man lived and breathed to make her life miserable. He was the cause of chaos in her life. The man who abandoned her and her child because of money. 'He is also the one who helped you with your need', mabilis na dugtong ng isang bahagi ng isip niya, pilit nangunsensiya.She secretly rolled her eyes with the thought. So ibig bang sabihin no'n lagi na lang siyang magpapasalamat dito tuwing magkikita sila? Na palagi siyang magpapakumbaba kahit na inaapi na siya nito dahil may utang na loob siya rito?She bit the inisdes of her cheeks. Bigla
“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