Agad na natigilan si Belle sa tanong ni Zyrone. She cannot and will not give him the real reason why she left his penthouse without telling him nor Ivy. Ano ito sinuswerte? Nunca nitong malalaman na tumagos na hanggang kaliit-liitang himaymay ng pagkatao niya ang kapangyarihan sa mga mata nito kaya shoot na shoot na siya sa banga ng pagsintang tunay para dito.
“Belle?” untag nito sa kanya maya-maya. “You’re spacing out again. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Kumurap siya,mabilis na inayos ang huwisyo. “O-oo naman. At saka ano…. I-I got bored kaya naisip ko ng bumalik na sa trabaho. O-oo ‘yon!” She cleard her throat and lifted her head a fraction. “At saka, bumalik ka na sa trabaho. So bakit ako hindi puwede? Working woman kaya ako. College pa lang ako nagbabanat na ‘ko ng buto. Hindi ako pinalaking domesticated—“
“Haven’t I told you we
“I don’t care! Just take him out of my wife’s house!” Zyrone roared while they were inside his car.Pilit na pinakalma ni Belle ang sarili kahit na katabi lang niya ang nagpupuyos sa galit na si Zyrone. She had been yelling at Treyton on the phone ever since they left her house a few minutes ago. Pati ang driver ng sasakyan panay ang sulyap sa amo nito mula sa rearview mirror tuwing sumisigaw ang suplado. Mukhang gaya niya, natetensiyon din ang driver sa pagsisigaw ni Zyrone. At kahit na gusto niyang magtanong kung anong tunay na dahilan kung bakit nito sinaktan si Drew, she’s still quite shaken about the incident. She cannot even utter a word.“Whatever! I just want him out. Tell him to never come see my wife ever again or I’ll send him straight to hell!” singhal ulit nito maya-maya, giving her a quick glance after.She shuddered at the anger she saw in his eyes. Zyrone was livid. And at that p
Tulala si Belle habang nilalaro niya ang pagkain sa plato na kasilbi sa harap niya. She was having breakfast by the pool alone… again.It has been two days now since she had last seen Zyrone. Kung saan ito nagpunta, malay niya. Mula nang umalis ito matapos siya nitong iwan sa bahay nito, hindi na naman ulit nagpakita pa ang suplado. At kahit na nagngingitngit pa rin siya dahil sa huling pagtatalo nila, hindi rin mawala-wala ang pag-aalala sa dibdib niya para dito.Ni hindi rin siya nito tinatawagan. At nunca naman siya ang unang tatawag. Ano ito sinusuwerte? Gigil niyang tinusok ng tinidor ang hotdog na nasa plato niya. Inuumaga na naman siya ng suplado kahit na hindi naman niya ito napagkikita.“More coffee, Ms. Belle?’ untag ni Ivy sa kanya maya-maya. Nakatayo ito sa tabi niya at binabantayan siya habang kumakain.Sa buong dalawang araw na wala si Zyrone, ito ang kasa-kasama niya sa penthouse. Ito at ang isang cook
Belle was staring blankly at the stary skyline of the city in front of her. She was by the pool again. Trying to find a way to comfort her hurting heart and her mind drowning in confusion. She was in that state since Miranda left her this morning. Ni hindi siya maayos na nakakain ng tanghalian. Hindi rin siya nag-hapunan. Ayaw kasing maalis ng bigat sa dibdib niya kahit na anong gawin niya.She knew she needed to have a good cry para maibsan kahit paano ang nararamdaman niya. Kaya lang pati ‘yon, hindi niya magawa nang maayos dahil makikita iyon ni Ivy. Panay check pa naman nito sa kanya kada oras—making sure that she gets everything she needs. And though she appreciates the effort, hindi ‘yon ang kailangan niya ngayon. Ang kailangan niya, umiyak at mag-isip nang mag-isa.But she’s stuck at Zyrone’s house—injured and well-guarded.Napabusangot siya ulit.Hindi na niya tuloy alam kung kanino na siya maiinis
“Your foot is healing well, Belle. Mukhang magaling talagang mag-alaga ang mga Craig,” ani Dr. Reeve Laverio, ang attending doctor ni Belle. The handsome doctor gave her a playful smile and a wink bago siya nito tinulungang isuot ulit ang walking boot niya.She’s not sure if he’s just being friendly or he’s hitting on her. Ilang beses na rin nito kasing ginawa ang pagkindat sa kanya. Hind niya tuloy mapigilan ang mailang.“You will need to keep this for another week. After that, you can walk freely. But still, no strenuous activities. Your neck is doing well too. We will remove your neck brace too," dugtong pa nito.Hindi siya sumagot. Alanganin lang siyang tumango bago lihim na ipinilig ang ulo. Reminding herself that she must maintain her respect for the doctor who’s helping her to feel better.Follow up check-up niya ngayon at naroon siya sa clinic ng doktor sa Angelicum Hospital and M
“W-what?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Belle kay Zyrone. Maingay sa tenga niya ang pagkababog ng kanyang d*bdib. At lalong ayaw gumana ng lohika niya. It seemed that the entirety of her being was in disbelief that Zyrone was there with her.Zyrone quickly gave her a once over and she blushed all the more.Maya-maya pa, tumikhim ito bago tuluyang umiwas ng tingin. “Sorry for barging in your room. What I mean is, I need to talk, to you. Sa labas muna ako para makapagbihis ka,” anito bago tuluyang lumabas ng kuwarto niya.She watched him silently as he walked over the door, opened it, and gently pulled it close. Nang tuluyang lumapat ang pinto sa hamba, saka pa lang siya nakahinga nang maluwag. She never realized that she’s containing her breath the whole time he was in front of her! Talking about how intense his effect on her whenever he's around.She quickly shook her head, tyring to shake away the effect
Malakas sa tenga ni Belle ang pagtiktak ng orasan sa dingding. Gabi na at umuulan subalit hindi pa rin bumabalik si Zyrone. At kahit na anong pilit niya, hindi siya makatulog.Una, dahil gusto niya sanang masiguro na naka-uwi nga si Zyrone. At pangalawa, sadyang bumibisita ang mga alaalang gusto na niyang kalimutan tuwing umuulan kaya hindi dumadalaw sa kanya ang antok.She walked over the glass wall of the receiving area where she was waiting for Zyrone. Malungkot niyang pinagmasdan ang sunod-sunod na pagbagsak ng butil ng ulan mula roon.Honestly, she was never fond of the rain. Marami siyang hindi magagandang alaala tuwing umuulan. One time, nadapa siya dahil sa pagmamadali niyang makauwi mula sa eskwelahan dahil ayaw niyang mabasa sa ulan. Nagasgasan ang tuhod at siko niya noon. And even until now, naalala pa niya ang sakit na dulot ng pagkasugat niyang iyon. Umuulan din tuwing napuputulan sila ng ilaw o kaya naman lumalabas ang Mama niya para
Nagmamadaling naghugas ng kamay si Belle sa sink bago niya inabot ang cellphone niya na nagri-ring sa kitchen counter. She was cooking lunch for her and Zyrone. Tuwing lunch break kasi umaakyat ito sa penthouse para sabay silang kumain. Sa hapunan naman, usually, nagpapaluto na lang ito sa restaurant ng hotel para daw hindi siya mapagod nang husto. Gano’n na ang set-up nila mula nang makabalik ito mula sa Germany isang linggo na ang nakararaan. And true to his word, he did took care of her since he came back. He personally checks on her kahit na nasa trabaho ito. Hindi na nito inuutusan si Treyton or kaya si Ivy para bantayan siya. He makes sure that everything she needs he provides, no matter how busy he maybe through the day. And at night, they’d watch a movie or a documentary of her own choosing. After that, he’d tuck her to bed before he goes to his own room to sleep. Hindi na muling naulit pa ang pagtatabi nila sa kama after that one rainy
“Did he tell you why he went there with that… with that…. good-for-nothing girl? What’s the purpose of his presence there? My god, you are his wife now! What the hell was he thinking?” histerikal na pahayag ni Miranda habang kausap niya ito sa cellphone niya.Kababalik lang niya galing sa penthouse nang tumawag ito. Sa totoo lang, mula nang magsimula ang press conference ni Audrey, sunod-sunod na ang pagpasok ng text messages sa cellphone niya mula sa mga common friends nila ni Zyrone. But she chose not to respond to any of those.She wanted to talk to Zyrone first and hear his side. She knew that’s the right thing to do.Kahit na sana ang gusto niyang gawin ay puntahan ang venue ng press con at hilahin paalis doon ang lintek na suplado!But then again, ipapahiya lang niya ang sarili kapag ganoon. At saka baka makahalata si Zyrone tungkol sa tunay niyang nararamdaman. Dahil bakit niya ito pupulisin nang
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