Wala sa sariling tinanaw ni Belle ang kadiliman ng gabi habang nakalulan sila ni Zyrone sa sasakyan nito. Panay pa rin ang pagkabog ng d*bdib niya at kahit na anong gawin niya, hindi niya magawang pigilan ang sariling mag-isip. They Craigs have an unknown enemy out there—attacking everyone close to the family. Just about an hour ago, nakatanggap ang security team ng mga Craig ng report tungkol sa aksidenteng kinasangkutan ni Audrey sa California. Zyrone said that that was where Audrey had decided to hide for a while because she had relatives there. Apparently, she breached her security protocols and decided to go shopping by herself. Audrey was on her way home when she met an accident, severely damaging her face. Hindi lang iyon, Callum Grant, the one who assaulted her on her own welcoming party at the Craig’s lake house, was also found hanging on his jail cell just this morning. Reports say he died of stangulation first before he hanged to make it look like his death was suicide. F
Malakas sa tenga ni Belle ang mabilis na pagkabog ng kanyang dibdib habang nakatingin siya kay Grandma Eve. The old woman’s blue eyes were looking at her intently. They were by the fountain at the garden of the mansion. Doon sila humantong para sa late afternoon stroll ng matanda who was currently seating on her wheelchair. Sila lang dalawa ang naroon and she just told the old woman her biggest secret— her contract marriage with Zyrone.It has been almost a week now since they arrived there in Nevada. And ever since she agreed to marry Zyrone again, hindi na nawala sa isip niya ang magtapat sa matanda tungkol sa naging pekeng kasalan nila ng apo nito. Zyrone said that it’s not important anymore because they are getting married for real. Subalit para sa kanya, it’s important to come clean about their contract marriage kahit na kay Grandma Eve lang.For the past few days that they had spent there, she had seen how unstable the old woman’s health was. One day she was well and the next d
Agad na napangiti si Belle nang magising siya dahil sa magagaang paghalik sa kanyang balikat. “I want to sleep some more,” she protested in a hoarse voice, her eyes still closed. “C’mon babe, wake up. It’s already over lunch,” ani Zyrone sa kanya, habang pinaglalandas ang labi nito sa kanyang h***d na dibdib. She automatically arched her back when he brushed his tongue on one of her still sensitive peaks. She gasped as the cool air traced the wetness his tongue had left on her skin. They just spent the whole night making love and yet, the heat of passion between them cannot seem to subside. One kiss cannot seem to suffice. They need to have a taste of each other, feel each other until they both surrender to the frenzied passion over and over. She groaned and opened her eyes when his fingers gently traced her slit. He delved two of his fingers inside her while her thumb played with her knub. Heat flowed through her core in an instant. And she knew at that moment, sleep was the last
Mabibilis ang kilos ni Belle habang nag-eempake siya ng mga gamit na dadalhin niya pauwi sa Pilipinas. It has just been a few minutes ago since she and Zyrone had come back to the mansion after their short vacation in the woods. At doon siya dumiretso sa kuwarto nila upang maghanda sa pag-uwi nila sa Pilipinas habang si Zyrone naman ay kinakausap ang mga magulang nito. They were supposed to go home last night. Their boat can still travel back to the lake house even at night. But Treyton said that they should just wait till morning for their own safety. And they agreed. She was restless all night though. Iniisip niya ang matalik niyang kaibigan. Hindi pa niya naririnig ang buong kuwento kung paano nagkaroon ng sunog sa Pastel, subalit ang sabi ni Treyton, Lee Ann got caught in the fire and hurt her shoulders and sustaind some minor burns. Maisip pa lang iya ang nangyari kay Lee Ann, lalong tumitindi ang kagustuhan niyang makauwi agad sa Pilipinas upang makita ito. Lee Ann is more tha
"When did you arrive?" tanong ni Drew kay Belle nang umalis na si Tita Lee Hua. Drew volunteered to look after Lee Ann so that the old woman could go home and sleep."About an hour and a half ago," aniya. Tumango-tango si Drew bago hinayon ng tingin ang kaibigan niya na noon ay wala pa ring malay na nakahiga sa hospital bed. He fell silent for a while. Bakas ang lungkot sa mukha ito habang nakatingin kay Lee Ann.May bandage ang magkabilang kamay ni Drew. There’s also a long gash on his right arm covered by gauze. Marahil natamo nito nang iligtas nito si Lee Ann sa sunod. But that didn’t keep him from gently reaching for Lee Ann’s free hand.Hindi niya napigilan ang mapakunot-noo dahil sa ginawi nito. There was also an unspoken fear in his eyes and something more-- an emotion that looked so powerful but she cannot name. At sigurado siya, sa maraming taon ng pagpapalipad-hangin ni Drew sa kanya, he had not gazed at her the way he’s looking at Lee Ann now.“She and Victor had a fight,
“When are you coming back?” tanong ni Zyrone kay Belle. She just had a hot shower and was getting ready to sleep when Zyrone called her.Umupo siya sa vanity mirror at nagpahid ng cream sa kanyang mukha bago pinagmasdan ang mukha ng asawa sa screen ng phone niya na nasa harap niya.Kahit hindi nito sabihin sa kanya, her husband looked tired. He probably had a rough day and she wasn’t there with him to give him a little comfort. She sighed when guilt rose inside her chest.“Lee Ann is not yet awake. The doctors weaned her from sedative just this morning. They said she might wake up this afternoon.” She tried to smile. “Bakit? Nami-miss mo na ‘ko agad?” she asked in a singsong voice, teasing.“Every second that I’m not with you, I always miss you, Mrs. Craig,” anito, seryoso.Natigilan siya. The sadness in his voice tugged something in her heart. Malungkot siyang ngumiti. Isang araw pa lang silang magkalayo ng asawa, but she can already feel that the distance from her husband was beginn
Belle anxiously drum her fingers on the table as she await for Drew at the coffee shop just below where his condo building was. Doon nila napagkasunduang magkita. Malapit lang iyon sa Angelicum Hospital kung saan naka-confine si Lee Ann.She was anxious not just because Drew was late, but she's also thinking about Marco, whom she asked to get something from her house in Brgy. Happy Village. Alam niya kasi na hindi na ito papayag na makipagkita siya kay Drew outside the hospital. Kaya naman ginawan niya talaga ng paraan na mapaalis ito upang makausap niya si Drew. At nag-aalala siya dahil late si Drew, baka makabalik na ang bodyguard niya sa ospital pero hindi pa rin niya nakakausap si Drew! Mabilis siyang sumulyap sa wrist watch niya. It's almost lunch. Zyrone will call her by the next hour. If she really wanted to talk to Drew, she better make it fast dahil kung hindi, mabubuking na siyang talaga sa kanyang pagtakas.She was about to bring out her phone from her purse when someone cl
"How long have you been feeling dizzy?" ani Dra. Angel Pedroza o Doc Angel, ang doktor na nakatira rin sa building at pinsan ni Drew. She had met the lady doctor a few times before. Mabait ito. Maganda rin. Bagay na bagay rito ang pangalan nito.Drew called the doctor ilang minuto matapos siya nitong dalhin sa unit nito dahil ayaw mawala ng pagkahilo niya. He suggested to rush her to the ER subalit tumanggi siya. Kaya ngayon, naroon si Doc Angel upang tignan siya. She chewed her lower lip."Madalas po nitong mga nakaraang araw," sagot niya.The lady doctor released a controlled breath and turned to Drew, who was anxiously standing at the bottom of the bed."Can I talk to Belle privately, Drew?" anang doktora sa pinsan nito.Mabilis na lumipad ang tingin ni Drew sa kanya. Hesitation was written on his face. Alanganin siyang tumango, urging him to do what the doctor said. In the end, he just gave her a small nod and left the room quietly.As soon as Drew closed the door behind him, agad
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