(Reese's POV) With my laptop's bag hanging on my left shoulder, I walked towards the entrance of my favorite coffee shop—Autumn's Café. After I opened the door, I immediately smelled the coffee's aroma. The smell of it was just too addicting for me that I took a deep breath to savor it more. Pero hindi ito naging sapat para pagaanin ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. I slightly shook my head and walked towards the counter. "Iced Vanilla Latté and a slice of yema cake, please!" I gave the girl, Ava, a small smile before giving the payment. Madalas ako rito kaya alam ko na kung magkano ang babayaran ko at kung bakit hindi na niya tinanong kung anong pangalan ko. Whenever I feel like sulking up because of too much re
(Reese's POV)I yanked my hair out of irritation. "Bwisit!" inis na bulalas ko at tinadyakan ang basurahang na sa gilid ko na buti na lang ay walang laman. Hindii pa ako nakuntento, pati ang dustpan na nasa tabi nito kanina ay idinamay ko. "Kalma, Lincoln. Masyado kang hot," pang-a-asar ni Olive habang inaayos ang mga tinadyakan ko. "Kalma?" Natawa ako ng pagak. "How could I freaking calm down after talking to that inconsiderate puppet of a businessman?!" Itinuro ko pa kung nasaan ang tinutukoy ko. Sabado ngayon kaya walang kaming klase. Wala rin naman akong gagawing requirements kaya kaninang tumawag si Sister Dolores at sinabing pumunta kami rito, agad kaming pumunta ni Olive. Agad kumulo ang dugo ko nang makita ko kung
(Reese's POV)"W-What?" I asked after I recovered from the shock because of what he said. "Marry someone for you? Really?" I laughed with no humor at all. Marrying someone for him doesn't even make sense. Is this old man out of his mind? "You know that I don't know how to joke when it come to business, Reese," he seriously countered. "Why should I marry someone for you?" I asked even though I already knew what he would answer. "Because that's irrational, you know?" "Irrational but it can solve your problem." He had this triumphant grin that made me nervous and unable to sit still. "Yes or no, Rose Destiny Lincoln." I rolled my eyes, not caring if he
(Reese's POV) NAKAKUNOT ang noo ko habang sinasagutan ang practice problems na ibinigay kanina ng teacher namin sa CE 151. Nakinig naman ako ng maayos kanina att na-gets ko naman ang gagawin pero hindi ako makapag-focus dahil wala dito ang isip ko. Hanggang ngayon, kahit kahapon pa nangyari, hindi pa rin maproseso ng utak ko ang mga nalaman ko. "Matagal pa ang mahal na araw pero biyernes santo na 'yang mukha mo." Nag-angat ako ng ulo at tinignan ng matalim si Olive. She's in front of me drinking her favorite drink. "Sapakin kaya kita?" walang kangiti-ngiting tanong ko. Wala ako sa mood makipagbiruan ngayon. Lalo na at hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa alam kung binayaran na ang utang ng orphanage, Ngayon
(Reese's POV) SATURDAY. The day to meet my future husband like my father had told me. I received a text message from his secretary last night, telling me that I should be there before 8 PM because my future husband hates wasting his time. As if namang siya lang ang nasasayang ang oras. Pati rin naman ako ay nasasayang ang oras dahil kung sinabi na nila sa'kin ang susunod na mangyayari, hindi na sana ako nag-a-abalang maging presentable ngayon. Hindi ko nga maintindihan si Daddy kung bakit niya pinasabi na dapat maging presentable ako. I'm not the kind of girl who loves wearing dresses and heels. I'm a jeans-and-shirts-kind of girl. Minsan nga ay pinagkakamalan akong tomboy dahil sa ayos ko pero pakialam nila? The most important thing for me when it comes to what I wear is comfortability. Aanhin k
(Reese's POV) I was silently chewing my food. I remained looking down at my plate because I felt suffocated. I could barely swallow the food because of his presence. The intimidating aura from him is so much. Kagat ang ibabang labi ng hiwain ko ang steak dahil hindi ko maiwasang alalahanin ang nangyari bago kami nagpunta dito. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang magkaharap kami ngayon habang kumakain. Every time I try to open up the reason why I'm here, he's just raising his eyebrows at me. Wala akong ibang magawa kung hindi yumuko na lang at tumahimik. "Have dinner with me, future wife." Kulang tala
(Reese's POV) THE wind blew gently and danced with my hair. Squinting my eyes against the harsh rays of sunlight, I ran faster towards Tiara who's holding an umbrella. We are here at the soccer field to get Gavin's car key. Na sa loob kasi ng kotse niya ang laptop niya na kailangan namin ngayon dahil itutuloy namin ang Lab Work namin. Gavin's part of our college's soccer team since freshman year and they're having a practice now for the upcoming University Games. "Anong sabi ni CEO?" Tiara asked when I got near her. Ngumisi ako. "Mahal ka pa rin daw." Umismid ito kaya natawa ako. "Comeback na kasi," pang-a-asar ko pa. "I love you but someti
(Reese's POV) I'm someone who wouldn't mind spending all day alone. Mas gusto ko pang magkulong na lang sa kwarto kaysa gumala sa labas. Mas gusto kong kasama ang mga libro ko kaysa makihalubilo sa mga taong mabait lang kapag nakaharap ka pero sanga-sanga ang sungay kapag nakatalikod ka na. I heaved a sigh and put down the fork on my plate. I felt the one in front of me looked at me. I looked at him and gave him a glare. But him being the annoying creature, he just smirked at me before leaning his back on his chair. "Ang yaman-yaman mo pero nagtitipid ka sa pagkain," komento ko. "Mabubusog ka ba sa mga ito?" Iminuhestra ko ang mga pagkain sa harapan namin. It's expensive but it's so small. Hindi ako mabubusog sa mga ito. Ilang kilo ng karne na ba ang mabibili? Aabot na siguro sa tatlo. "You should had told me earlier—" "Nagtanong ka ba kung saan ko gustong kumain?"panunumbat ko
(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