OLD house, new life. The mansion that’s used to be quiet has come into life. It’s always filled with Luna’s laughter especially whenever they invite her classmates every Saturday. They usually have barbecue parties in the pool area, which always filled their home with tons of children’s laughter.
After the funeral of Dona Margareth, she returned to teaching preschoolers. Luna Serene has just turned five and will soon start kindergarten. She can now read short sentences and spell simple words and she’s certain that her daughter won’t have a difficult time adjusting.
She also went back to managing the coffee shop. Carl insisted that she keeps it despite her refusal. It was his way to make up for everything that he’s done, and didn’t do. She was thankful, of course but somehow, she felt as if she didn’t deserve everything.
He let her do anything and go wherever she wanted. He let her live her ol
BULLET stood in the kitchen doorway, just staring at her as she’s preparing their breakfast. She was wearing silk shorts, too short that it covers too little. Her top was loose and thin with really tiny straps, which shows her shapely bosoms. He immediately felt his manhood react, just looking at her.He has known her for just over a month but it felt a lot longer than that. He met Audrey at an office function in L.A. and since then, they’ve been inseparable especially when they found out that they were actually working for the same corporation. She’s just supposed to be a ‘fling’ but as he has gotten to know her more, he realized that she’s more than just a pretty face.He came closer to her and hugged her gently from behind.“Hi, there, handsome,” she greeted as a respond to his kisses on her neck. “It’s still early, why are you up?”He didn’t say anything but
IT was almost eight in the morning, the first Friday of the month and his first week at their Manila office. It’s also his first week as one of the new account executives of ECA Publishing Group, a new publisher and distributor of children’s books based in Los Angeles. So far, so good. It was actually better than he had anticipated.He didn’t want to accept the position at first because taking the job means having to go back to Manila, which was the last thing he wanted. He has managed to live in L.A. for many years and he actually loved it. But aside from the fact that it was indeed a good opportunity, there’s this part of him that’s telling him that seven years were probably long enough to forget.Forget? Well, not really. For Bullet, there are certain things that’s just impossible to forget.Coming to L.A. was never part of his plans. He’s satisfied with his job as a business consultant in Manila, des
YES and no. She’s not yet ready to see Bullet again but she has to.It has been seven years and Astrid should already have built the courage to see him again. But truth is, she hasn’t. Facing Bullet and asking for his apology for leaving without a trace is something that she has been delaying for a long time now. After coming back to Manila, she told herself that she’d do everything to find him for Luna’s sake. But yeah, many years had passed and she’s still not up to it.She’s got too many what ifs that she just wants to tell Luna that her father no longer exists. A part of her prays that Carl would be able to locate Bullet as soon as possible but another part of her wishes otherwise.But unfortunately, Luna found Bullet’s pictures, called her Dada Carl and asked for his help. Ah, sometimes, she wants to regret her decision of letting Luna call Carl whenever she wanted, even without her perm
“WHY are you looking at me like that?”Astrid heard Theo chuckled. He shook his head and focused on the book he’s reading. They were sitting at the bench inside the amusement center where Luna was having the time of her life. She’s been bugging her to visit the mall and let her play at the amusement center as a reward for being the top of her class. So she had no choice but to find time to grant her wish. Good thing that Theo was free to drive them since she had to take her car to the shop for maintenance.“Hey, what’s the matter?” she asked once more when he fell silent. His eyes were on the book but she can see that he’s smiling. “Come on, what is it?” He’s been glancing at her every now and then and it somehow makes her uncomfortable. “Do I have something on my face?”Theo glanced up and shook his head. “I’m sorry, it’s just that...&rdq
"OMG!”Astrid laughed out loud at Martha’s overreaction when she told her about 'the' news. She was about to sip her coffee when Martha excitedly yelled.“It’s about time, girl!”“Martha, don’t get too excited. we’ve just started dating okay?”“Still!” Martha held her hand and smiled brightly. “I’m so happy for you, Astrid. At long last, you’re ready to fall in love again!”They were inside the coffee shop just across Luna’s school where she always waits for her. After her teacher’s assistant job finishes at ten, then she visits her shop for an hour and picks Luna up afterwards. Martha was supposed to be on a date but when she told her about the news, she immediately called off her date and came to see her instead. It was expected of Martha to be happy for her but she didn’t expect her to be this thrilled.&ldquo
“IS that all, sir?”Bullet has been staring at his monitor for the entire three minutes. He didn’t even hear their office secretary, asking him about his meetings for the day. The secretary had to ask multiple times before he could answer.“By the way, Miss Audrey just called. She said she won’t be able to join you to dinner tonight because she’ll be going to her grandparents.”“Noted. Thank you, Miss Mendoza,” he replied without looking at her. He just heard the door opened and then closed.When Audrey’s grandparents learned that she’s now working in their Manila-based company, they invited her to visit them in the province. She wanted him to come but he refused because he still has a lot of things to do so now, she’s been avoiding his call the entire day. He’s used to her temperament though and he knows that she’ll talk to him again when she’
BULLET crossed his arms over his chest and watched her from afar. He chose to sit at the far end corner of the restaurant where nobody can bother him. He came there right after his last meeting just to make sure that he arrives at Mandy’s before she did.Honestly, he’s not expecting Astrid to show up. He should know because he’s already used to her letting him down and not keeping her promise. Ah, why the hell did he ever come here in the first place? He was able to live a normal life for seven years and he shouldn’t be wasting his time for this.He’s not even sure if the email really came from Astrid or it was just from someone who wanted to play tricks on him because after she abandoned him and left for another man, he decided that he didn’t want to have anything to do with the woman anymore and he won’t let her in his life again, ever. So he flew to the US, changed his email address and contact number,
“HI.”Astrid was about to stand up but Bullet motioned her to stay seated. Instead, he sat down opposite her at the table. She’s not meant to stare but it was inevitable. He has always had that look that stopped women in their tracks. Yeah, he’s probably used to it, those glances and sudden pause when women look his way, accompanied by easy gaze and flirtatious smile. Though he’s always known his effect on women, he’s modest about it, which just made all the girls fall all the more.“How did you find me?” he asked without hesitation. The muscles in his face tightened but kept eye contact. His usual cheerful smile was replaced with a blank expression.“You are late,” she accused, trying her hardest not to stare.“I came here a few minutes before you arrived,” he confessed. “I just want to make sure that the email I received really came from you.”
“CAN you believe this?” “Can you?” Bullet asked back as he squeezed Astrid’s hand, her engagement ring sparkling on her finger, together with her wedding band. An endearing smile lit her face as they walked hand in hand towards the fireplace. “After more than a decade, after everything that has happened, we’re here,” Astrid beemed after sipping her wine. “At last.” She then looked at her husband and suddenly, she felt this warm fuzzy feeling inside her chest. God, Bullet is now her husband. It was just like a dream. Everything was just like a dream to her now since his proposal. Bullet sat next to her on the extravagantl
AFTER SIX MONTHS... THE humble Italian diner located at the hotel rooftop was packed with guests early that evening. Though it was a simple ceremony, Carl and Michelle made sure to invite all the people closest to their hearts including Astrid, Luna and Bullet. They were surprised when they got the invitation just a week ago. In fact, everyone was surprised, especially Luna. Oh, surprised wasn’t the right term. She was ecstatic! When she saw Carl picking her up at the gate of her school, she cried, literally. According to Carl, they’ve decided to hold a simple civil wedding since they are just staying in Manila for a couple of weeks. They were already married in the states anyway and they just wanted to celebrate their marria
ASTRID was on her way out of her coffee shop when somebody blocked her way. She was busy going through her bag for her cellphone so she wasn’t able to see what’s on her way. “Oh, I’m sorry, I-” And when she looked up, she saw a huge bouquet of red American roses. She couldn’t quite figure out who’s holding them due to the size of it and she had to step closer to recognize whoever it was.“Hi.”She has already prepared a smile but when she realized that it wasn’t who she was expecting, she straightened and all the muscles in her face tightened.It was Theo. He’s all dressed up with his freshly-ironed light blue long sleeves shirt and cream
“AM I late?”Everybody glanced at him at the gate, including Luna who’s trying hard to stay awake by her mom’s side. But when she heard that voice, she quickly stood up and shrieked.“Daddy!” Luna rushed to her Dad and hugged him tight. “I knew it, you’re gonna come! I’ve been telling Mommy that you told us you’re not coming but you are just going to surprise us this Christmas eve!”“Yes, hon, you’re right.” Bullet crouched and kissed his daughter on the cheek. “Did Daddy’s plan worked?”“Yes Dad!”“Did you miss Daddy?”“Oh, I missed you so much Daddy! I’ve been telling Mommy to call you and tell you to visit but she said...” Luna had to take a deep breath before continuing. “She said that you are very busy with work and meetings and stuff that I don’t really understand.&
ASTRID was just about to turn off the moon night light on her night stand when she heard a knock at her door. It was Bullet, his hair already scruffy. His smile was quite uneasy when he entered her room.“She fell asleep even before she was able to read to me her new book.”She sat up and straightened up her blanket. ”I bet she got tired from riding her new bike around.”“Yeah, she told me about her ‘adventure’ in your backyard.”“Anyway, thank you for staying. You better go now so you can still catch the last full show.”Bullet shook his head. “I already called Audrey. Told her to take a rain check on the movie tonight.”“Why?”“Because you’re sick, that’s why.”“I feel better now, really.”He moved towards her bed and touched her forehead, just like what he did earlier. “Have yo
OH MY GOD, Astrid! What has gotten into you?She shook her head while looking at the pictures on her phone - pictures of Luna with Bullet and some stolen shots of him. She can’t remember when it happened or how it happened but one day, Astrid just found herself thinking about him all the time.And she hates it.She hates it every time he’s with them but his mind is into something else - oh yeah, someone else. She hates it whenever he promises to visit but doesn’t keep it due to ‘unforeseen’ circumstances. And she hates it when she wants to see him but he’s not available.She’s going crazy, she’s certain about it. Because if not, she wouldn’t be like this at all.This is all because of Bullet. All the flirting he’s been doing, all his sweet talks in the past months were now replaced with coldness. Now, he barely visits and when he does, he’s not his usu
"DREAM on, Mister!” Astrid laughed out loud, literally. “Why would you even think that?" she inquired.“Remember last week when we went to Lukas' night swimming birthday party?"Of course, she remembers. That was the time when she started getting confused about her own feelings. Because of Bullet, because of Theo, because of their complicated situation.“Remember when Audrey and I were getting cozy? You pulled that teacher closer, whispered in his ear and kissed him on the lips.”Astrid’s eyes widened and covered her mouth with her hands. “You saw that?” Yes, she remembered whispering to Theo and kissing him but it wasn’t because she wanted to make Bullet jealous. Alright. Maybe, half of it was true. She didn’t know how it happened but it was too late before she could even control herself.“Of course. I think everybody saw that.” He smiled but
“DO we really have to do this?”Bullet glanced at Astrid. He was about to push the doorbell button when he heard her behind him. Luna was just clinging to her Mom, smiling at him. She’s wearing the cute dress he got her on her birthday and carrying.Ever since his parents knew about Luna, they insisted to meet her as soon as possible. He’s not supposed to tell them about his daughter with Astrid yet but one of their closest friends allegedly saw the three of them together at the mall. He was even surprised to get a call from his mom asking too many questions about it that he wasn’t able to do anything but to admit it.“They are expecting us. Dad canceled his business trip today and Mom already cooked her special baked macaroni for Luna.””Wow! Baked macaroni? That’s my favorite, Daddy!”Bullet smiled and patted her hair lightly. “Yeah, your grandma made it beca
ASTRID just wanted to go home but she doesn’t want to lose face. When she got to the acoustic bar, Martha was already there. Lukas was also there, and Bullet and a beautiful young woman who seems really fond of Bullet.It’s her first time for a long time to visit such place since having Luna. It was one of the new clubs in the city which cater acoustic bands and promote fresh talents. The place is filled with smoke that’s artistically twirled, forming coils in the dimness.Acoustic music, chips, beers, murmurs and whispers. More and more people are coming inside the bar - men, women, couples, groups. There’s someone crying at the end corner of the place, some are just standing across the bar, while there are couples in hidden lounges.It was Martha’s birthday celebration and she was actually surprised when Martha told her about her and Lukas.“Are you kidding me?” she asked doubtfully. “Sinc