Zyrone drove like a madman, pauwi siya sa mansiyon. He had a lot of questions circling in his mind. And he wants the damn answer now!Mula nang iwan siya ni Belle sa White Oaks Garden, he felt his already broken world was shattering into a million little pieces as if it has had not been reduced to nothing since three years ago when she left him. They had a child. A child that could possibly mend what has been broken between them and yet…Lalong humigpit ang kamay niya manibela. The pain inside his chest was so overwhelming that he finds it hard to breath. The last time he felt like that was when he woke up from his coma and his mother told him that they cannot find Belle no matter what they do. And no matter how he wanted to look for her, his damns leg won’t allow him too. And so the days turned into months. And months into years. But he never found her. Not until she showed-up unexpectedly in front of him, already a different person—bearing a different name. He thought then that th
"P-please say something," alanganing sabi ni Belle kay Eliseo.Kasasabi lang niya rito ang plano niyang bumalik sa London dahil nga gusto niyang iwasan si Zyrone. Sinabi na niya sa lolo niya na alam na ng mga Craig ang tungkol kay Baby Theodore. In fact, she drove to Bulacan right after she met Zyrone at White Oaks Garden because she was so distraught and needed someone to talk to. She knew there was no sense of keeping her situation anymore from Eliseo. Lumiliit ang mundo niya at alam niyang ang lolo lang niya ang maaring tumulong sa kanya. That's why she had to come clean. And right now, the anticipation of his response about her decision of leaving to London is killing her.Eliseo took in a sharp breath and went to sit with her on the couch at the balcony of his house. Sandali siya nitong pinakatitigan, bago masuyong ginagap ang isang kamay niya. "Maybe, you took the leadership of PSC too early. Siguro, dapat na ulit akong pumasok sa opisina."She shook her head, worry rising in he
Napasinghap si Belle, tarantang lumapit sa anak bago ito kinarga. She quickly closed her eyes and silently wished that she's at some other place instead of in that damn resort that Zyrone owns. Subalit pagmulat niya, gano'n pa rin. Naroon pa rin siya kasama ang anak niya habang si Zyrone, nasa malapit lang! "Mimi, look! This pretty," masayang balita ng anak niya bago tumingala sa kanya at pinakita ang hawak nitong shell. Her daughter's eyes were shining in amazement. Malayong-malayo sa kaba at tensyon na nararamdaman niya. "T-that's nice," she replied, anxious. Agad siyang nag-angat ng tingin kina Willa at Marco nang tuluyang makalapit ang mga ito sa kanilang mag-ina. "W-we're leaving," agad niyang deklara sa mga kasama. Nangunot-noo agad si Marco. Maging si Willa napamaang din sa kanya. Subalit hindi siya nagsalita. Not when her insides were shaking and all she wanted to do was to get the hell out of that place. "I-I'll just explain l-later," sabi niya bago humakbang patungo a r
Napabuga ng hininga si Belle habang pinagmamasdan si Lillie na naliligo sa pool ng private villa na pinagdalhan sa kanila ng tauhan ni Zyrone. She wanted to frown because of their but seeing her daughter enjoying the water brings a different kind of joy in her heart. It has been a while now that they had visited the beach. Kaya naman, talagang na-miss mag-swimming ng anak niya.She took a sip of the mango juice that was on the table infront of her. She was sitting at pool lounge which was shaded by a big plant. The villa was heavily inspired by world-class resorts in Bali. From the design of the roof down to the wooden pathway that surrounds the small villa, everything screams of perfection. The place was really breathtaking. Halatang pinag-isipan at pinaghandaan nang husto.Well what should she expect from Zyrone? He only operates on perfection. Anything that doesn't please him, he throws away. One small mistake and he's already walking out of the door.Just like what he did to us
Marahang tinulak ni Belle ang pinto ng kuwarto nila ni Lillie sa private villa. Maingat siyang pumasok doon at nang muli niyang maisara ang pinto, pumikit siya at nanghihinang sumandal sa dahon niyon. Katatapos lang nilang maghapunan. Kaalis lang din ni Zyrone.Zyrone overstayed. At kung paano niya nairaos ang ilang oras na kasama ito sa iisang lugar, hindi niya alam. Marahil dahil ang iniisip niya, naroon ito upang pagbigyan ang anak niya.She had not seen her daughter that happy talking and playing with someone. Not even to Willa, Eliseo or even her. Lillie beamed at Zyrone like it's the most natural thing to do. And to be honest, she's actually conflicted on what or how to feel about it.Sa totoo lang, gusto niya na nakakakilala at nakakasalamuha ang anak niya ng ibang tao maliban sa kanila. Lillie has been practically hidden from the public eye ever since she was born. Not that she intended to. Subalit dahil sa magulong mundo na ginagalawan niya, she wanted to protect her daught
Napakurap si Belle. Ni hindi man lang niya narinig ang paglapit ni Zyrone “K-kanina ka pa?” tanong niya rito.He smiled and walked closer. “I was at the bar. I came as soon as I saw you and Lillie sitting here,” anito, tumingin sa langit bago tahimik na umupo sa tabi nilang mag-ina.She would’ve ran but… sa posisyon nilang mag-ina, it’s nearly impossible. Maya-maya pa, muli itong bumaling sa kanya.“Your daughter is adorable. Thank you for allowing me to… to know her.”Tumango-tango siya at muling itinuon ang mga mata sa langit. They fell silent for a while. She was contemplating on leaving but she seemed stuck there—awaiting for something she doesn’t even know.Maya-maya pa, nagsalita si Zyrone. “Hi, Theodore Wyatt II. Can I call you Theo too? I am… your… your D-Daddy. I’m sorry that we haven’t met. I’m sorry that… I didn’t know about you. There are things that I’d always regret. But… I-I love you, son. Always.”Her heart instantly felt heavy. She drowned in the pain of losing thei
“Halos isang taon nang wala si Nanay, Ms. Belle. Mula kasi nang madulas siya sa daan, anim na buwan matapos niya kayong makakilala ni Sir Zyrone, nahirapan na siyang magkikilos dito. Doon nag-umpisa ang tuluyang paghina ng katawan niya. Kaya salitan kaming lahat dito sa pag-aalaga sa kanya. Alam mo po, noong huling gabi niya, maaga pa siyang natulog no'n e. Nagbilin pa na gusto niya ng dinengdeng na ulam kinabukasan. Kaya lang, hindi na siya nagising. Siguro nami-miss na niya talaga ang Tatay kaya gano’n,” kuwento ni Tasing ang bunsong anak ni Lila Mati. Asawa nito si Manolo, ang lalaking mangingisda na unang sumalubong sa kanya kanina. Anak din nito ang dalagita na pinagtanungan niya kanina, si Minette.She heaved a sigh as she flipped the pages of the album Tasing handed to her when they first entered that familiar bungalow of Lila Mati. Hindi niya napigilan ang maiyak nang makita ang mga pictures ng matanda at ng pamilya nito. Kung ang pagbabasehan niya ay ang wheelchair kung saan
“Here. You can change with this,” ani Zyrone kay Belle, habang inaabot sa kanya ang isang pares ng t-shirt at short. She dreadfully looked at the clothes before lifting her eyes to him. “Don’t worry, mabango ‘yan. Ako ang naglaba,” sabi pa nito, ngumisi. She rolled her eyes and cursed at herself, the rain and just about everything with her situation. It was past 8 in the evening and the heavy rains just won’t stop! Reminding her again that she really was, yet again, stuck there with Zyrone. Kanina, matapos niyang maubos ang kape na isinilbi nito sa kanya, nagpatulong na siya rito para makontak niya ang resort. It seemed the rain was jamming with her mobile phone’s signal that’s why her calls won’t go through. And she knew she needed to at least notify any of her companions that she was fine and that she was with Zyrone. Thankfully, mayroong satellite phone si Zyrone. He said that the resort manager also owns one of their back-up communication line. And finally after hours of trying
Thank you for sticking with me up to the very end of this book. This story is a witness to the many silent battles I had to face while writing it. And I'm still glad that despite the struggles, I can say that I have given Belle and Zyrone a beautiful ending they deserve. And just like Belle, we may enocunter a rough patch on our journey, but that doesn't mean we will have to remain in there. May we all find the courage to stand up after a fall, give forgiveness after getting hurt, and restore our faith in love after the pain. Thank you once again my beautiful readers. On to the next story! Keep dazzling!
“Jax Dominic!” nag-aalalang tawag ni Belle sa magtatatlong taong gulang na anak nang bigla itong kumawala sa kamay bago nagtatakbo sa direksyon ni Zyrone.She tried to hasten her walk kahit na alam niyang kahit na anong gawin niya hindi niya mahahabol ang anak dahil kabuwanan na niya sa ikatlong anak nila ni Zyrone. And according to her last prenatal check up with Doc Angel, she’s due to give birth any moment. And running is not just prohibited, it’s nearly impossible!She sighed and turned to Willa na siyang yaya na ngayon ni Jax. Nanikwas ang nguso nito bago nagmamadaling hinabol ang alaga nito. Natawa na lang sila ni Marco na siyang kasama nila ni Lillie na naglalakad patungo sa loob ng Prime Mall.Jax, just like Lillie, is really a handful. More active than Lillie was, actually. Her little boy loves to explore and discover new things like any kids his age. And he particularly has interest in cars and buildings. He has endless questions too with just about anything under the sun. E
Marahang naglakad sa aisle si Belle kasama sina Eliseo at Lillie. She still cannot wrap her head around what’s happening because she still thinks it’s impossible to happen at that very day when she received an answered prayer and a gift, but then again … it’s really happening!She’s really getting married to Zyrone… again!She looked up at the night sky peppered with stars, blessing them with their dazzle and beauty—a perfect background for their wedding ceremony. The air smelled soft and delicate, coming from the flowers surrounding them. And the music, sweet—full of promises.She quickly surveyed their guests. They were the same people who came and visited Zyrone today, people who had shared with their joy that finally the storm had passed and her little family is complete again. Their guests were just a handful compared to the number of people included in their original guests list. But she’s fine with it. They are the most important people in her and Zyrone’s life anyway. And she
Panay ang kabog ng dibdib ni Belle habang binabaybay niya ang hagdan patungo sa rooftop ng hospital. She took the stairs because the elevator on the floor were Zyrone’s hospital suite was in, suddenly was not working. And so she took the stairs instead. She’s actually quite thankful that the lift was not working because she had more time to think things through. She wanted to buy some time to think. She wanted to take careful steps on how she would handle the situation all by herself.Yes, by herself. Dahil apparently, wala siyang makontak sa mga kaanak niya—not Miranda nor Richard. Not even Eliseo! She had tried countless times to call their phones but her calls just won’t go through. Mukhang sabay-sabay na nag-off ng cellphones ang mga ito. Which is just so freakin' weird! Maging sina Marco at Leon, hindi rin niya matawagan. Not even Willa and Marie!At first she was having second thoughts about the note. Why wouldn’t she? She had just survived a kidnapping incident two-weeks ago. A
Lalong naiyak si Belle sa sinabi ni Zyrone. Walang sabi-sabi niyang kinalong si Lillie bago umupo sa gilid ng hospital bed. She looked at Zyrone and more tears fell from her eyes.Her emotions were overwherlming her, leaving her speechless but grateful.That day, she woke up and prayed to God to end her waiting. She thought that today, like all the other days that has passed, would be just another day of hoping and waiting. Never did she know that today, God will grant her pleas and bless her with a gift-- her very own miracles.Masuyo niyang hinaplos ang pisngi ni Zyrone. He leaned on her palm and another wave of warmth rose from her chest. “Y-you are really here. I-I missed you,” she tearfully confessed.Zyrone just smiled and said, “I missed you too and Lillie.”She smiled as she sobbed and gently pressed his free hand on her cheek. They are much warmer now—alive.Oh how she missed his warmth.Maya-maya pa, bumungad na sa pinto sina Eliseo, Leon at Marco. His grandfather quickly s
Nagising si Belle na nakahiga sa isang hospital bed. At first she was confused. Why wouldn’t she? The last thing she remembered was she just arrived at the hospital together with Marco after her secret visit with Laura and then…She gasped when the events came back to her all in one go. Nahilo siya sa parking lot. It was not long before that when everything around her went black. And now this… she’s waking up in a hospital bed, which she can surmise, based on the noise and curtains surrounding her, is located at the emergency room. Unti-unti siyang bumangon. Sakto namang nahawi ang kurtina na nasa may bandang paanan niya. Nagulat pa siya nang biglang lumitaw doon ang bulto ni Eliseo. His face was contoured with worry. She saw a glimpse of Leon and Marco outside the cubicle she was in nut they didn't come in with her grandfather. “I came as soon as I can. Itinawag ni Marco sa akin ang nangyari,” anang lolo niya nang tuluyan itong makalapit sa kanya. Marahan nitong hinaplos ang buhok
“Why are you here?” bungad agad ni Laura kay Belle, hindi pa man ito nakakalapit sa mesa na malapit sa kanila ni Marco. Bumaling si Laura sa kasama nitong pulis. “Ayoko silang kausapin. Ibalik mo na ‘ko sa loob,” utos nito.Subalit imbes na tumalima, tinulak lang ng pulis si Laura. The crazy bitch was forced to step forward until she was just a few steps away from her. The policewoman never left. She just stood behind Laura, alert.Laura looked at her with all the hate she could muster from the world. Like all she did for the past decades of her life was to live and breathe to hate. Well, that’s what Laura really did with her life—wasted life.Laura was wearing plain clothes. Her hair was in a messy bun and dark circles were visible under her eyes. Kumakalansing din ang mga posas na nakakabit sa mga kamay at binti nito. Malayong-malayo ang hitsura nito ngayon sa glamurosang Laura na nakilala niya.“Oh please, save your pity line to yourself.” The old lady rolled her eyes in annoyanc
Ten days. Ten lonely days.It has been that long since Zyrone was shot and yet… he is still unconscious. Doctors kept reassuring her though that he is stable and that they are confident that he will make a hundred percent recovery. But still, her worry will only stop when her husband will finally open his eyes and envelope her in his familiar warmth.Husband.She smiled bitterly. Tatlong araw na mula nang malaman niya kay Richard na hindi pinirmahan ni Zyrone ang divorce papers nila. And honestly, she doesn’t know what to feel about it. She’s happy that she’s still married to him and yet… the guilt that’s overtaking her was too much.She had spent three years hating Zyrone for the many things she thought he did but actually didn’t. She had deliberately hurt him several times but he stayed quiet and patient—telling her how much he loved her still despite of everything. She used to wonder where was his confidence was coming from. Ngayon alam na niya kung bakit.He really stayed true t
Umingit ang pinto ng private suite sa Angelicum Hospital kung nasaan si Zyrone. Agad namang napabaling si Belle sa direksyon niyon. Awtomatikong dumiretso ang upo niya sa sofa nang mapagsino ang nasa pinto. It was Richard.“Hi,” matipid nitong bati sa kanya bago tuluyang pumasok sa silid. Tahimik niyang tinanguan ang matandang lalaki at sinubukang umakto ng normal.But with Richard around, she knew she could never act normal. Heck! She didn’t have any pleasant memories with him, paano siya aakto nang normal?It has been almost a week now since the incident happened. Nakasampa na rin ang mga kaso laban sa mga Del Valle. At nai-transfer na rin nila si Zyrone sa Maynila—sa Angelicum Hospital and Medical Center. But still the same, her Zyrone is not yet awake. And though the doctors said that he is stable, no good news would count for her until he opens his eyes.Kaya naman, sa bawat araw na dumaraan, patuloy siya sa pakiusap sa Diyos na sana, bigyan pa siya ng pagkakataon kay Zyrone—pagk