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Chapter 24: Aftermath
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Zyrone instantly took a protective stance in front of Belle. “Nice to see you too, Dad. I see you haven’t worked on your attitude while I was away,” Zyrone replied, sarcastic.
Belle tensed instantly as soon as she saw Zyrone’s father clench his jaw and narrowed his eyes on her some more. Para itong isa sa mga tambay sa gilid ng riles ng tren na matapos uminom ng alak ay handa nang mag-amok at siya ang target.
Mabuti na lang at mabilis itong sinaway ng Mommy ni Zyrone. “Richard, please, “ anito, pumagitna sa pagitan nila at ng Daddy ni Zyrone.
Zyrones’s father scoffed, mabilis na inilapag sa coffee table sa malapit ang hawak nitong baso ng alak. “Bakit ako ang pipigilan mo e ‘yang anak mo ang bastos, Miranda? He’s the one who made a mess with his life by forcing a woman who dosen’t love him enough to marry him, and now he is showing up with a poser wife from only-god-knows-where
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Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 25: Aftermath 2
Agad nakita ni Belle ang bulto ni Marie na maluha-luhang nakatayo malapit sa kanya.“A-Ate Belle,” anito, mangiyak-ngiyak na lumapit sa kanya.Agad na bumigat ang d*bdib niya nang maalala ang kalagayan nito. Kilala niya si Marie. Masipag ito at isang mabuting anak. At hindi nito deserve ang maipit sa ganoong klaseng sitwayson just because Zyrone’s father was throwing a fit because their son wouldn’t obey his wishes.Lalo tuloy tumindi ang kagustuhan niyang maayos na ang lahat upang bumalik na ang lahat sa normal.She took a deep breath and reach for Marie’s hand. “Aayusin ko ‘to, Marie. Pangako, magiging maayos din ang lahat.” Malungkot na tumango si Marie, nagyuko ng ulo. Mabilis niyang dinukot ang wallet sa handbag niya at naglabas doon ng ilang libo at inabot kay Marie.“N-naku, Ate w-wala po akong pambayad sa—““Hindi ‘to utang, Marie.
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 26: Mrs. Craig
Belle was watching the dark clouds outside the private plane’s window. It has been a few hours since they left Manila subalit ayaw pa rin siyang dalawin ng antok. Marami siyang iniisip-- mga bagay sa hinaharap na pawang walang kasiguraduhan. Maging ang madilim na gabi iniisip niya.Para kasi niyong inilalarawan ang buhay niya ngayon. Madilim. Hindi makita kung saan ang direksyon ang tungo.She turned to Zyrone who was sitting adjacent to her seat. His eyes were already closed and his breathing was leveled—signaling her that he was already asleep.Kung sabagay, kung pagod siya sa buong maghapon, sigurado siyang mas pagod ito. They have been travelling for the whole day at ni hindi ito pumayag na humalili siya sa pagda-drive. Idagdag pa na pagdating nila sa Maynila, hinarap nila agad ang matapobreng ama nito.She sighed and looked at her hands.She can still his warmth from there—that comforting warmth she’s gett
Marry Me, Stranger Chaptr 27: Mrs. Craig 2
Belle’s heart was hammering inside her chest as the car pulled up in front of a white mansion that was double the size of the Craig’s mansion in Manila. Honestly, the mansion could easily pass as a castle in one look. At kahit na hindi naman na bago sa kanya ang makakita ng malalaking bahay, the house in front of her is still one for the books.“Ready?” ani Zyrone sa kanya nang tuluyang huminto ang sasakyan sa harap ng bahay. He turned to her and gently reached for her hand.She took in a sharp breath and nodded her head. Ilang sandali pa, nauna nang bumaba ng sasakyan si Zyrone, sumunod siya.Agad silang sinalubong ng unipormadong katulong. Bumati ito sa kanila ngunit makahulugang tumingin sa kanya. She knew that look, a condescending one. Pero ayaw niyang patulan. She had conditioned herself then from the moment she married Zyrone that she will be getting a lot of disapproval from people.Maya-maya pa, pinagbuksan n
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 28: Family Curse
Ilang beses na kumurap-kurap si Belle. Nag-iisip siya. Iniisip niya kung anong magandang isagot sa matanda nang hindi sila mabubuking o mapaghihinalaan na nagpapanggap lang ng apo nito.Baga sila nagtungo roon ni Zyrone, they had a few rehearsed answers for questions they had anticipated Grandma Eve would ask. Gaya na lamang kung paano sila nagkakilala at kung paano sila na-in-love sa isa’t-isa. They both agreed to stick to one story that what they had was love at first sight that’s why they eloped for a few days to distract the people’s attention from the failed wedding Zyrone supposed to have with Audrey. Maging ang mga basic information questions tungkol sa kanya, praktisado na rin niya ang sagot. At sa totoo lang, nagpunta siya roon na medyo confident sa question and answer portion nila ng matanda.But the old woman’s question about the pregnancy, ‘yon ang hindi niya napaghandaan. At ang magaling niyang asawa, hindi
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 29: Family Curse 2
Napasinghap si Belle sa biglaang paglalapit nilang iyon ni Zyrone. Her heart hammered rapidly inside her chest as his presence engulfed her whole being—sending all of her logic flying out of the window. Taranta siyang nag-angat ng tingin rito. Her mind instantly went blank when she realized that their lips were just inches apart—she could almost taste his addicting minty breath. His sea-colored eyes were looking down at her with much intensity, her knees almost gave in. “Do you trust me?” seryosong tanong nito maya-maya. Lalo siyang naguluhan. “H-ha?” He didn’t respond. He just quickly picked her up in his arms and made her sit on top of the old oak wood table. She wanted to protest. But she was too confused to think, how much more to speak! Zyrone gently cupped her face with his hands and planted a soft kiss on her lips. The kiss was brief, almost a peck. Subalit lalo lang niyong pinatindi ang kalituhan sa isip n
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 30: True Lies
Tahimik si Belle habang nasa daan sila patungo sa lake house ng pamilyang Craig. Bukod kasi sa naghihimagsik pa rin ang damdamin niya sa fake make-out session nila ni Zyrone, kina-career na rin niya ang pagma-mantra para hindi na niya ulit makalimutan na hindi talaga niya totoong asawa si Zyrone!She’s serious in conditioning her mind. Ayaw na niyang maulit ang nangyari kanina sa library na para siyang gaga na dalang-dalang sa mga halik at haplos ni Zyrone.Mabuti nang handa ang huwisyo at mga hormones niya sa mga biglaang fake make-out sessions na kasama sa pagpapanggap nila.She released a slow breath—trying to rein in her emotions. There she was a no-boyfriend-since-birth virgin woman, engaging to a fake make-out session with her fake husband in order to make their sham marriage believable to his dying grandmother who’s the only one who has the power to reverse all the crazy things his shitty father had done.She used to
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 31: True Lies 2
“This will be our room,” Zyrone announced before he pushed the big wooden door in front of Belle.Agad na tumambad sa kanya ang malawak na silid na naliliwanagan ng natural light mula sa veranda. And though she knows that everything in that room is as expensive as she could only imagine like the rest of the things she had seen from the rest of the house, their room felt airy and light—welcoming and relaxing.The room was overlooking the famous Lake Tahoe with its silvery serene water glistening against the warm morning sun. And she must admit, the beauty of nature on that side of the world was really a sight to behold!She’s sure, she’d enjoy vacationing there. Kaya lang, hindi naman bakasyon ang ipinunta niya roon. Nandoon siya para umarte. Nandoon siya para magpanggap bilang Mrs. Craig.She hesistantly stepped inside the room and followed Zyrone. Nang makapasok siya, mabilis na isinara ni Zyrone ang pinto ng k
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 32: True Lies 3
Once inside the bathroom, Belle quickly stripped off her clothes and went straight to the shower. She needed that bath to calm herself. She willed herself not to think of anything and just enjoy the bath she was having so as to relax herself from all the trouble her life was currently having.She changed into a casual floral dress and paired it with her flat designer shoes. The shoes was a gift from Lee Ann last Christmas. Sa totoo lang, twinning sila nito. Mayroon din kasi itong ganoong sapatos na parehas ng design subalit iba lang ang kulay.She was never into designer things. Because aside from she knew that spending for those things is beyond her pay grade, she was never really into expensive things. Siguro dahil lumaki siya sa simpleng pamumuhay kasama ang Mama niya. At tinuruan siya nito na ang mga materyal na bagay ay hindi ang sukatan ng kayamanan kundi ang kabutihan ng puso. She looked at herself in the mirror and put on a lig
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Marry Me, Stranger Author's Note
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!
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 142: Epilogue
“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
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 141: Home 2
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
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 140: Home
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
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 139: Hope 3
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
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 138: Hope 2
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
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 137: Hope
“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
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 136: Waiting 2
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
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 135: Waiting
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
