(Reese's POV)THE party went well. Wala ng kahit anong hindi kanais-nais na senaryo ang naganap. Avi didn't stopped glancing Audrina's way. Ilang beses ko na siyang sinuway pero hindi naman nakikinig. And Coz never let go of my hand."Let go of my hand for a minute." I murmured to him. Lumingon ito sa'kin. "I need to go to the restroom." Sabi ko para pakawalan niya ang kamay ko. And I'm not lying because I really need to go to the restroom. Kanina ko pa pinipigilan ang ihi ko."Do I need to go with you?"I shook my head. "No need. I can manage." I gave him an assuring smile."Be back immediately." He said and let go of my hand.I nodded before I stood up. I faced Avi and held out my hand to her. She accepted it with a smile. With intertwined hands, we walked towards the restroom.Walang tao sa loob ng pumasok kami. I went inside the cubicle and do my thing. Paglabas ko ay siya namang pagpasok ni Avi sa pinanggalingan kong cubicle.Ilang segundo p
(Reese's POV)"NAGING kayo?" Agad na tanong ko pagkapasok namin sa bahay.Mas nauna siyang pumasok at kasunod lang ako kaya naman napatigil ito sa paglalakad at lumingon sa'kin. His brows are furrowing at me. Sabi niya kasi ay mag-uusap kami pagdating dito sa bahay kaya naman nagtanong na ako. Kung hihintayin ko pang makarating kami sa library, may chance na takasan na naman niya ang pag-uusap namin."Really? This instant?"I shrugged. "Sabi mo kasi mag-uusap tayo." Sabi ko na para bang masasagot na nito ang tanong niya.Tuluyan na itong humarap sa'kin. "Can't you wait untill we get to the library?"I shook my head. "I know you, Coz. You once told me that we'll talk but what did you do? Iniwasan mo, 'di ba?""Bringing back the past, again?""Oo o hindi lang naman ang sagot, Coz.""Let's talk in the—""Naging kayo ba?" Tanong ko ulit. "Madali lang ang tanong ko. Oo o hindi lang ang sagot."He stared at me. Tinatantya niya kung seryoso
(Reese's POV)'I asked Alex earlier." Sabi ko kay Coz ng buksan niya ang pinto ng kwarto niya. "Wala na raw si Ate sa address na binigay mo sa'kin." Nanlulumong dagdag ko. "Isang linggo na raw siyang umalis doon at hindi niya alam kung saan na naman nagpunta.""I'll asked my investigator." Aniya at pumasok sa kwarto niya without closing the door kaya naman sumunod ako sa kanya.I walked towards his bed and sat on the edge as he called his investigator. He handed me a chocolate bar before talking to his phone."Find where she is right now. I need the address as soon as possible. My secretary will send you the payment." And with that, he ended the call.I was about to bite the chocolate when he talked. "Eat that later. You need to eat your breakfast first."Napilitan akong tumayo at tinungo ang bedside table para ilapag ang ibinigay niya sa'kin. "I'm getting worried of her."I tried calling her these past few days pero hindi niya sinasagot. She kept on
(Reese's POV)NAGULAT ako sa sinabi niya. I didn't expected him to say that kahit na kitang-kita ko naman na sobrang magkahawig sila.Awang ang labi at nanlalaki ang mga matang dahan-dahan akong humarap sa kanya. "A-Ano'ng sabi mo?"He didn't responded. He just stared at me for a moment before he looked at the picture's way and stared at it. At kahit na naka-side siya sa gawi ko, kitang-kita ko sa mga mata niya pangungulila, sakit at...galit ba ang nakikita ko sa mga mata niya?Bakit? Bakit may galit sa mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa litrato? Para ba ito sa nasa litrato?I searched about him. Ang daming articles na nabasa ko tungkol sa kanya at kahit na isa sa mga 'yon, walang nabanggit na may kapatid siya. Wala rin namang sinasabi sa akin ang mga magulang niya. Kahit si Echo na pinsan niya ay wala rin. At pati si Avi na malapit niyang kaibigan ay wala.And Coz... Wala man lang siyang nabanggit na may kapatid siya. Kahit noong mga panahong okay na ka
(Reese's POV)AND just like what Coz said, we really did stayed at his parent's house for a week. And today's our last day. Matutulog pa kami mamayang gabi dito at bukas na kami uuwi. Naki-usap kasi ang Mommy niya na kung pwede ay bukas na kami umuwi. At sino ba naman kami para tumanggi. And besides, I'm still waiting for any of them to voluntarily tell me about the girl in the picture.Mag-iisang linggo na simula nang makita ko ang litrato niya. Hindi ko naman matanong si Olive dahil busy siya ngayon. Kung si Avi naman, wala rin akong mapapala sa kanya dahil baka sabihan na naman niya ako ng 'it's not my story to tell'. At kung si Echo naman, pareho lang sila ni Coz na kung ayaw magsabi, ayaw talaga.Nasa loob ng banyo ngayon si Coz at naliligo. Ako naman ay naka-upo dito sa paanan ng kama simula kaninang pumasok siya sa banyo. I was tempted to ask him pero dahil ayaw kong magalit ito sa'kin, pinipigilan ko ang sarili ko.Then moments late, the bathroom's door
(Reese's POV)"A-ANO'NG..." Ilang beses akong kumurap. "S-She's d-dead?" Hindi pa rin makapaniwalang tanong ko. "W-What... I-I... Y-You mean..."Hindi ako makabuo ng tamang salita. I'm shocked. I really didn't expected to hear those words. Kaya ba walang bumabanggit tungkol sa kanya? Kaya ba hindi nila sinabi sa'kin? Bakit? Ayaw nila? O ayaw lang nilang alalahanin ang pagkawala niya?Ang dami-damk kong tanong. Bakit siya namatay? Ano'ng ikinamatay niya? Car accident? Disease? Or something else? Gusto kong malaman."Bakit?" Tanong ko ng kumalma na ako. But when he didn't responded after awhile, I released a sigh of defeat. "Na-iintindihan ko kung ayaw mong magkwento. You don't have to tell me for now if you're not yet ready. Kahit gustong-gusto kong magtanong, kahit na gusto kong malaman lahat, hindi na muna ako mamimilit na sagutin mo lahat."I clearly saw how his gaze became soft for a moment. And that made me smiled. Like I said, I don't want to pressure anyone to tell me everything
(Reese's POV)GUSTONG-GUSTO kong suwayin si Coz at bisitahin ang kapatid ko. Lagi ko noong sinasabi sa kanya na hinding-hindi niya ako makokontrol pero ngayon, natatakot na akong suwayin ang gusto niya dahil ayaw kong nagagalit siya sa'kin. Gano'n talaga siguro kapag ang puso mo ay nahulog na sa tao.Unang pagkikita namin, sinabi kong hinding-hindi ako mahuhulog sa kanya pero ngayon, kinain ko lahat ng sinabi ko. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na ganito ang mangyayari. All I thought was he never had sweetness in him. He was called 'monster' in business world. All I was expecting was he's all serious and cold.This contract marriage made me realized lots of things; don't judge a book by it's cover, never assume things, curiousity can really kill the cat and many more. Kung hindi dahil sa contract marriage na ito, hindi ko pa malalamang ampon ako ng mga magulang ko.There are so many reasons why I can't say that this marriage is a mess and that I regret entering this. They hide things from me
(Reese's POV)"SUMAMA ka na lang muna sa table namin." Ani Olive ng makapasok kami sa venue.Hindi ko alam kung kaninong hotel ito. Hindi ko rin naman kasi nakita ang pangalan at hindi ko rin binasa ang nasa invitation letter. Pero sigurado akong sikat ang lugar na ito. And if this was owned by the family of my sister's soon-to-be husband, then it's still not enough for me to agree to this engagement.It's not about their wealth, power or connections. Walang silbi ang lahat ng iyan para makampante akong magiging maganda at masaya ang buhay ng kapatid ko sa poder nila.And just like what Olive had said, sumama nga ako sa table nila. I roamed my eyes on the venue to find my family pero hindi ko sila makita. Maybe they are still busy or they are still convincing Desiree to come out here.Hindi na ako nag-abala pang hanapin si Coz dahil imposible naman kasing pupunta 'yon kahit na business partners sila ni Daddy. Ni ayaw nga niyang magkita kami ng kapatid ko, 'di ba?Alice kept on calling
(Coz's POV)PINANOOD kong unti-unting nawawala sa paningin ko ang kabaong ng kapatid ko. Just the thought of not going to see her again smiling made me clenched my fist. Bakit siya pa? What did she do wrong for her to suffer these things? She don't deserved to be in this position. Whoever the reason behind this will pay...big time.Dumiretso kaagad ako sa opisina pagkaalis ko sa sementeryo. I have lots to do and I want to know who did that to my sister. I'll make that person's life a living hell. Hindi siya makakatakas sa ginawa niya.After some minutes, my Secretary entered together with someone I really know. Kaagad itong may inilapag na envelope sa lamesa ko. Sinenyasan ko ang Secretary ko na iwanan muna kami na kaagad namang sumunod."Nand'yan na po lahat ng gusto niyong malaman sa pinapaimbestigahan niyo, Sir," aniya.With gritted teeth, I opened the envelope and pulled out the documents. My eyes squinted at the words I'm reading. He's right. Narito na lahat ng kailangan kong m
(Reese's POV)WE'RE ENGAGED. It was an epic engagement but it's worth it. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa pinili kong desisyon. Sumugal ulit ako kahit walang kasiguraduhan na hindi na ako matatalo. Pero gano'n naman talaga kapag sumugal ka, hindi mo alam ang magiging resulta. Sana lang ay mapunta sa akin ang swerte at hindi ako matalo bandang huli.We're not perfect. Be both have our own red flag. But we're both working on that. He never ffailed to tell me how much he loves me every single day. At sa bawat hindi ko pagsagot, kita ko ang sakit sa mga mata niya pero agad din namang nawawala at napapalitan ng pagmamahal. Hindi ko intensyon na iparamdam sa kanya ang gano'n at hindi rin ako naghihiganti sa ginawa niya.I was back to my reverie when someone snapped in front of my face."Kanina ka pa tulala habang nakatingin sa singsing mo, marecakes," nakangising saad ni Audrina. "Nang-iinggit lang ang peg?"I chuckled as I caressed it. "Hindi pa tuluyang nagsi-sinc in
(Reese's POV)THE night of the surprise came. He told me to wear something comfortable. Kahit hindi naman niya sabihin, talagang 'yon ang gagawin ko. I'm into jeans, not dresses. Shoes and not heels. Ni hindi na nga rin ako naglagay ng make-up at basta na lang sinuklay ang buhok ko.When I went out of the room and walked down the stairs, his attention went to me. May kausap ito sa cellphone pero ang atensyon niya ay na sa'kin. That made me smile. I believe him.I talked to his mother last night. She explained what happened after I left. She made me realized lots of things. And I was shock that their love story was almost similar to ours. Tito also fooled her—her words, not mine. Hindi raw niya ako pipiliting paniwalaan lahat ng sinasabi ni Coz. Ang tanging gusto lang daw niya ay subuan kong intindihin ang mga rason niya. After this night, kung hindi ko pa rin daw kayang tanggapin muli si Coz, desisyon ko na raw 'yon at wala na siyang magagawa.Ilang oras akong nag-isp kung ano ang da
(Reese's POV)PIGIL NA PIGIL ko ang sarili kong matawa sa itsura ni Coz. He looks confused but he still managed to nod his head. That made me smile. Tumayo ako ng maayos bago kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa ko at may tinawagan."Where the fuck are you?!" kaagad na bungad nito pagkasagot sa tawag ko. "Matinong sagot ang kailangan ko, Rose Destiny. Bigla-bigla ka na lang aalis ng walang pasabi kung saan ka pupunta. Letse ka talaga!""Relax, Olivia!" I said with a smile on my face as I stare at Coz who's still confused as to this moment. "I'm with him." There's no need to tell who I'm talking about. Alam niya kung sino ang tinutukoy ko. "I'll stay here for awhile. Don't worry about me.""Loudspeaker this phone right now!" she demanded like she's the boss of me. "Right now, Reese!""Chill. I'll do it," I said then did what she wants and put the phone above Coz's table. "She wants to talk to you." I mouthed to Coz and he just nodded."I know we're not that close, Taylor, but I want you to
(Reese's POV)WHAT he said caught me off guard. My eyes almost popped out as I stare at him looking at me softly. I can't believe that I'm seeing fondness in his usual cold eyes. Is this for real?Mapakla akong natawa. Mahina sa umpisa hanggang sa unti-unting medyo naging malakas. Hinila ko ang kamay kong hawak niya at tumayo. "Y-You..." Napa-iling ako habang natatawa pa rin. "T-That's a good joke," sabi ko.He pressed his lips as he stared at me. "I'm serious."Pinahupa ko muna ang pagtawa ko bago siya sinagot. "It didn't look as a joke to me." Seryoso siya? Mahal niya ako? Hindi ko alam kung nagpapatawa ba siya o nanggagago na naman para utuhin ako.I know it's not right to judge a person pero iba kasi pagdating sa kanya. I should be happy right now hearing him say those 3 words and 8 letters to me pero hindi. Sino ba naman ang hindi matutuwa kapag narinig mo mismo sa taong mahal mo na mahal ka rin niya? That your love for that person isn't unrequited after all?Every woman deserve
(Reese's POV)GULAT ako sa nakikita ko at hindi ko napigilang umawang ang mga labi ko. Pero pagkaraan ng ilang segundo, nakabawi ako at naging blangko ang ekspresyon ng mukha ko."What are you doing here, Mr. Taylor?" I asked in a business tone like he always do every time he's talking to someone. "What's the visit for?"And the brute just smirked at me. I gritted my teeth and stopped myself from smacking his face. Wala akong pakialam kung gwapo pa rin ito kahit na basa na siya ng ulan. Alam na ngang malakas ang ulan, naglakas-loob pang lusungin ito. Akala mo naman ay waterproof ang hudyo."I'm here to pick up my wife," he simply said like he's just asking for a water."Maling lugar ang pinuntahan mo kung asawa mo ang hinahanap mo," walang emosyon na sagot ko. "Wala dito ang hinahanap mo, Mr. Taylor," dagdag ko pa. Bakit ba kasi ito nandito?"Wala?" Mapakla siyang natawa. "Why don't you let me in—""Gago ka ba?!" hindi ko napigilang isinghal sa kanya. "Let you in? Bakit, aber? Sino
(Reese's POV)MY MIND tried to processed what she said but it's declining everything. Naguguluhan ako dahil bakit ako ang dahilan? Ano ang kinalaman ko sa kanya? Ilang buwan na kaming walang communication kaya bakit ako damay?"H-Hospitalized?... L-Last week?... B-Because of m-me?" putol-putol na paninigurado. I can't formulate the exact words that I want to say because my mind was in chaos. "Narinig mo naman ang sinabi ko, 'di ba?" medyo iritang sagot niya pero binalewala ko na lang."W-What happened? Is he okay? Na-discharge na ba siya?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko. Wala na dapat akong pakialam sa kanya, kung ano ang kalagayan niya, pero hindi ko maiwasan. Dapat kinakalimutan ko na siya pero hindi ko magawa.What happened? Ano na naman ang dahilan kung bakit siya naospital? Ano ang kinalaman ko? Okay lang ba siya?"Bakit ka nagtatanong ng gan'yan? Dapat kinakalimutan mo na siya, 'di ba? Bakit may pakialam ka pa sa kanya?""May pinagsamahan naman kami—""Pero niloko ka niya!" inis na p
(Reese's POV)"KANINO galing?" I asked Audrina after she handed me a box of doughnuts from Autumn's."Sa'kin malamang. Ako nagbigay, 'di ba?" She rolled her eyes."Kung isampal ko kaya sa'yo 'to?" I countered and acted like I was about to slapped the box to her. "Ano?" hamon ko pa.Instead of answering, she turned her back at me and even flipped her hair."Pikon ka talaga kahit kailan, Aurora." pang-aasar ko pa gamit ang nickname na ibinigay ko sa kanya."Tangina mo! Audrina ang pangalan ko, hindi Aurora, gago!" sigaw niya mula sa kusina na ikinatawa ko.Sa mga nakalipas na panahon, mas naging close pa kami. Minsan nga ay nagseselos na si Olive dahil mas madalas kong kasama si Audrina. Sabi nga ni Desiree, malapit na raw kaming magkamukha dahil halos kung nasaan ang isa, nando'n din ang isa."Tumanda ka sanang dalaga." aniya ng bumalik ito sa sala habang may hawak na tasa na sigurado akong kape na naman ang laman."Kape now, palpitate later." sabi ko nang maka-upo ito sa kaharap kong
(Reese's POV)AFTER knowing the news, hindi ko alam kung paano ko kinayang makauwi ng ligtas. I was shaking and nervous. Umiiyak ako dahil sa labis na pag-aalala.The news said it was not his fault but he was injured. At hindi nakatulong na hindi man lang binanggit kung ano ang tinamo niya. Nabalian ba siya? Nauntog ba? Wala. Walang nabanggit.The last thing I remembered before I fell asleep was that I cried so hard upon reaching my bed. Gusto ko siyang puntahan. Gusto kong malaman ang kalagayan niya. Pero wala akong ibang magawa kung hindi umiyak na LANG. Umaasa akong maayos ang kalagayan niya. That he's not severely injured or something.When I woke up, I found Desiree peacefully sleeping beside me and holding my left hand. Dahan-dahan akong umalis sa kama para hindi siya magising. When I checked the time, it was already 9 in the morning.I went to the kitchen as I scrolled through my social media accounts, trying to find some news about him. Medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang may