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Chapter 42: Back Home
Huling Na-update:
2024-10-29 19:42:56“Please take care, Grandma. Zyrone and I will be back. And we’ll go boating in the lake like what you’ve said this morning,” ani Belle, marahang niyakap ang matanda. Hapon na at bibiyahe na sila ni Zyrone patungo sa airport para sa kanilang flight pabalik ng Pilipinas.
Gumanti ng yakap ang matanda. “Looking forward to that, Belle,” anito bago bumaling sa apo nito na nasa likuran lang niya. “Be kinder to your wife, Zyrone. Don’t give her as much trouble as you’ve given me.”
Zyrone chuckled and held her by the waist. She secretly gasped and stilled herself when her heart hitched. That was the first time they’ve been that close since both of them woke up this morning.
“You don’t need to worry about that, Grandma. Naughty or not, Belle still loves me. Right, baby?” anito bago bumaling sa kanya. Mabilis siyang sumulyap dito. Nang matanto niyang halos gahibla na naman uli
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Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 43: Back Home 2
Abot-langit ang pagkabog ng d*bdib ni Belle habang unti-unting binabagtas ng private jet ang daan patungo sa private hangar sa ‘di kalayuan.Hindi niya maintidihan ang sarili niya. Nang umalis sila ng Nevada, excited siyang umuwi ng Pilipinas. Pero ngayon na ilang minuto na lang ang ipaghihintay niya para tuluyan siyang makababa ng jet, parang ayaw naman niya ngayong umuwi.Paano, balik Pinas na naman siya. Ang lugar ng mga tsismoso’t tsismosa na wala nang ibang ginawa kundi bulabugin ang mga nanahimik at intrigahin ang mga hindi umiimik.Ilang araw lang silang nawala ni Zyrone. At sigurado siya, hindi pa rin humuhupa ang eskandalo tungkol sa kanilang dalawa. Sigurado siya, magiging usap-usapan na naman sila ng suplado kung makikita sila ng media na magkasama nito ngayon.Because aside from the fact that she was not formally introduced to the elite crowd in Nevada a few days ago, Richard spent a big amount of money to keep the tr
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 44: Magic
Tulala si Belle habang inaabangan niya ang pagsikat ng araw sa langit sa may bandang swimming pool area ng penthouse. Ikalawang araw na niya iyon sa penthouse ni Zyrone at dalawang magkasunod na araw na rin siyang windang, puyat at nagugulumihanan.Paano kahit na milya-milya na ang layo ng suplado sa kanya, iniisip pa rin niya ito at ang ginawa nitong paghalik sa kanya sa elevator.That day, when they finally reached his penthouse, ni hindi nila pinag-usapan ang ginawa nitong paghalik sa kanya at ang announcement nito sa buong mundo na totoo nga ang balita na kasal na sila.Basta pagtuntong nila sa penthouse nito, naroon na at nakaabang si Ivy, ang personal secretary nito. The two had a quick business related conversation that’s why she quickly distanced herself from them. Trevor joined Zyrone and Ivy after a few minutes before they went on their way again. Ni hindi nga pormal na nagpaalam sa kanya ang suplado. Kumaway lang at sinabing,
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 45: Magic 2
Tahimik na pinagmamasdan ni Belle sa kanyang cellphone ang babaeng ipinakilala ni Marie sa kanya na si Madam Chacha. The woman, who seemed to be in her early 50’s, wore a colorful batik dress, a yellow bandana, thick eyeglasses, and a stack of bracelets in the complete color of the rainbow. There were weird gold trinkets and burning incense on the woman’s background—adding a little more eccentricity on her aura.Nakabalik na siya sa penthouse at isinama niya roon si Marie. She called Ivy to tell the hotel manager that she’ll have Marie accompany her for the day. Subalit hindi niya kasama si Marie sa kuwarto niya ngayon. Iniwan niya ito sa sala na nanonood ng TV at ngumangata ng tsitserya.Sa totoo lang, kinakabahan siya na parang hindi. She’s determined to know what could’ve happened to her. And at the same time, she’s also scared to know what’s really wrong with her.She watched as the woman close he
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 46: Old Life
Pigil ang hininga ni Belle habang binubuksan niya ang pinto ng penthouse ni Zyrone. It’s just past 5 in the morning at hindi pa pumuputok ang liwanag sa labas. At umaasa siya na wala gaanong tao sa lobby na puwedeng makakilala sa kanya at pigilan siya sa nais niyang gawin.She is going to sneak out again today. Kung kahapon, hanggang sa ibaba lang siya ng hotel, ngayon, desidido na siyang umalis ng hotel at umuwi sa bahay niya.Ayaw na niya roon. Hindi na siya puwedeng manatili doon.Kagabi, habang nagngangalngal siya dahil sa lintek na suplado at kay Grace, napagtanto niya na iisa lang ang solusyon para maprotektahan niya ang sarili niya—ang tuluyan nang layuan si Zyrone. Kahit na pagtsismisan na siya ng buong Pilipinas at kuyugin siya ng mga baliw na fans ni Audrey na hindi maka-move on, ayos lang sa kanya.Basta ang importante makalayo siya kay Zyrone. Ayaw na niya ulit kasi na maranasan ang kagabi—ang masaktan kah
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 47: Old Life 2
“So you’re not pregnant?” ani Victor sa kanya, ang kapatid ni Lee Ann. They were inside Lee Ann’s office at Pastel. Kasama din nila doon si Drew na talagang sasadyain pala si Victor para kausapin. Umiling siya bago, “I’m not,” sabi niya. Katatapos lang niyang magpaliwanag kung ano talaga ang totoong nangyari sa kanila ni Zyrone. Well, just the parts she’s allowed to tell. Of course, kahit na wala na siya sa poder ni Zyrone, she wouldn’t out herself nor him to other people. Their secret will remain a secret even after their contract ends. “See, I told you she’s not pregnant, Victor!” ani Lee Ann sa kapatid nito. “You’re just reading too much gossip news,” sabi pa nito bago humigop sa go-to coffee cup nito na mula sa isang sikat na cafee. Victor’s brows furrowed. Lalo din naningkit ang mga mata nito. “Hey, Lee Ann Chen, you better watch your mouth, brat. We are in the office. Technically, I’m your boss,” saway nito sa kapatid.
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 48: Confusion
Marahang nagmulat ng mata si Belle upang mapapikit lang ulit nang mariin dahil sa malakas na buhos ng puting ilaw na nasa kisame ng silid na kinaroroonan niya.She groaned when she felt a slight pain registered on her head. Wala sa sarili siyang napahawak sa ulo niya at muling ibinukas ang mga mata. That’s when she saw an IV line connected to her left hand.Bakit siya may ganoon? Nasa opsital ba siya?Dumako ang kamay niya sa kanyang leeg nang makaramdam siya nang kakaiba doon. Nagulat pa siya nang makapa niya roon ang isang neck brace.Paanong…Then in instant, the memories of the accident flashed in her mind-- enveloping her in fear and worry once again.Nangilid na ang luha niya. Ang akala niya katapusan na niya kanina. Mabuti na lang…She carefully turned her head towards the door when it opened.“Belle? You’re awake!” ani Lee Ann, mangiyak-ngiyak. Nagmamadali ito
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 49: Confusion 2
Maingat na inalalayan ni Drew si Belle sa kanyang pagbaba sa kotse nito. Ito at si Lee Ann ang naghatid sa kanya pauwi.Nang mabalitaan ni Drew ang nangyari sa kanya through Victor, Drew rushed to the hospital to see her. Ilang beses niya itong sinabihan na h’wag nang pumunta dahil pauwi na siya pero nagpumilit nito. Ang ending, pagdating nito roon, she was just about to leave the hospital.Kaya naman nagboluntaryo na lang itong ihatid siya pauwi. Lee Ann was with them too na tila imbyerna pa rin kay Drew dahil panay ang irap nito.“Careful, Belle. Do you want me to carry you?” ani Drew sa kanya nang matagalan siya sa paghakbang nang tuluyan siyang makababa ng sasakyan. Hinawakan na nito ang kamay niya. Subalit mabilis din niyang binawi ang kamay niya sa lalaki.“H-hindi, h’wag na. Okay ako. Kaya ko,” sabi niya bago nag-concentrate sa paglalakad. Subalit nang si Lee Ann ang tumulong sa kanya, hindi siya tu
Marry Me, Stranger Chapter 50: Gestures
Nang magmulat si Belle kinabukasan, nanghinayang pa siya nang mapagtanto niyang mag-isa na lang siya sa kanyang kuwarto. Malakas na ang buhos ng liwanang mula sa kanyang bintana at maingay sa tenga niya ang mahinang huni ng aircon.And though the morning looked peaceful, hindi niya mapigilan ang malungkot dahil wala na si Zyrone sa tabi niya.Anong gusto mo, 24/7 na kadikit sa ‘yo ‘yong tao? Sino ka ba? Saway sa kanya ng isip niya.Kumibot ang labi niya. Inuumaga siya ng lohika niya. Hindi man lang siya pagbigyan sandali na namnamin ang moment nila ni Zyrone kagabi.Kagabi.Napangiti siya nang maalala ang nangyari nang nagdaang gabi. True to his word, Zyrone never left her side. His warmth and presence enveloped her the whole night. And she must say that last night was one of the sleeps she had in a long time.Para tumabi lang, bigay na bigay ka na naman sa karupukan, saway ng isip niya
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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
