The room was dimlit, ngunit kitang kita mo ang mukha ng isang lalaki na halos wala kang makitang mali, para bang siya lang ang paborito ng Diyos.
His handmade black fitted shirt ang nagiging rason para mas makita ang hulma ng napakaganda niyang katawan. His eyes were just staring at the corner, and anything that he does, even if wala siyang ginagawa, napakapogi pa rin nitong tignan. Biglang narinig niya ang papalapit na yapak papunta sa kwarto niya and a sweet voice from his grandmother ang umalingawngaw sa isip niya. “Just marry Rosa, my dear. I will never accept anyone but her as my granddaughter-in-law. You know me, Trojack. I don't usually likw people especially those who will be part of us.” But, at this point, isang tao lang ang pumapalibot sa isipan ni Trojack, the first and only woman he was possessed while in the dark. Simula ng nangyari ang gabing iyon, hindi na siya nawala sa isipan nito kahit ilang taon na ang nakakalipas. She was the only person who made him crazy despite the fact na hindi niya man lang narinig ang pangalan nito. That was the same night that he drank something and was unconscious. Hindi niya maalala sino ang naglagay or kung ano ang nilagay sa usual order niya sa club, but all he can remember was she was under him, and she was sobbing brokenly and begging for mercy. Afterwards, he took off his watch and handed it to her saka siya nawalan ng malay. Ngayon, Limang taon na ang nakakalipas ngunit na mapahanggang ngayon hindi niya pa rin malaman kung sino siya at kung ano na ba ang nangyari sa kaniya. He was feeling guilty for whatever happened that night, and it was obvious something already happened and the woman would have never forgiven him. Ayon rin naman ang gagawin niya. Just last week lang niya nalaman na naibenta na ang relo sa isang second hand market, ang nagiisang relo na may engraved name ng pangalan niya kaya hinding hindi siya magkakamali. Nagulat na lang siya ng biglang banggitin na lang ng lola niya na ikakasal siya sa babaeng hindi naman niya kilala, and it pisses him off pero in the end, mukhang wala rin naman siyang magagawa sa utos ng lola niya. Biglang nagring ulit ang cellphone niya, but this time, sinagot na niya. “Hello?” Malalim na tanong ni Trojack. “Sir, we already found the girl, her name was Sheena and the same watch you had was traded from her,” saad ng nasa kabilang linya. Trojack stood up and there was furious in his eyes, hindi siya mapakali na after five year may nahanap na siyang clue. His heart rose with excitement and he knows, unti na lang malalaman na niya ang identity ng babaeng hinahanap niya. “Give me her address, I’ll go find her myself,” utos niya. Sheena just took over a women's clothing store a year ago, ngunit sa kasamaang palad mas lalo lang lumala ang sitwasyon niya day by day. She can’t pay rent pero hindi dumaan sa isipan niya ang tumigil sa negosyo, and all she did was sell a few things sa bawat araw na kailangan niya ng pera pambayad. Ngayon lang niya naisipang ibenta ang relo dahil nung una ay akala niya walang value lalo na’t mukhang luma na ito, but as soon as she went to sell it, nabayaran pa siya ng 50,000 pesos. Wala naman siyang naramdaman dahil it wasn’t hers in the first place. Five years ago, the club contacted her that someone left a watch sa private room na binook niya after her plan in that same room, Room 808. Even if she already saw it as something not valuable enough to be sold or worn, she just took it and kept it to herself. “I really can’t imagine na ang isang walang kwentang relo na iyon ang maglalagay ng laman sa banko ko,” bulong ni Sheena sa sarili habang nakaupo sa loob ng store niya, tinitigan ang 50,000 pesos sa screen ng phone. Bigla na lang may malakas na nagbukas ng pinto at dali dali siyang tumayo, but before she could ever say anything to protest kung paano sirain ng taong iyon ang pinto, she was already feeling the fear inside her. Isang matangkad at poging lalaki ang pumasok sa loobm, and there was a noble aura in the way he looks and walks. “W-welcome, sir,” nauutal na sabi ni Sheena, “what are you looking f-for?” Tinignan niya ng maigi ngunit dahan dahan ang lalaking nasa harapan niya, and he was a man wearing a top-grade haute couture suit. Halata sa kaniya ang kakaibang aura and sa katangkaran nito, he would be around 1.9 meters. He was definitely not here to buy clothes. “Are you Sheena?” His eyes narrowed as he looked at her, waiting for her response to find out if she really was teh person he was looking for. “Y-yeah, bakit? Why are you looking–” He took a watch in his hand and bigla na lang nagulat sa Sheena ng makita muli ang relo na binenta niya nakaraang araw lang. He handed it to her, and asked in a low voice, “Did you have this specific watch all this time?” Tinigna niya ang relo sa harapan niya, and the way he confronted her just scared more inside, “Y-yes, I do recognize this watch,’ nangingnig na sagot ni Sheena habang nanginginig ang mga hita. “Five years ago today, there was a woman in Room 808. Was it you?” He stared at her, asking himself whether she was the girl she was with that night. Without any hesitation, she just replied, “Yes, that was me.” Suddenly, her memories and thoughts collided, and there was this one question that came in her mind. Is this the person inside the Room 808 that I booked five years ago to frame Rosa? Why would he come back sa relong matagal ng nawawala sa kaniya? “Keep my watch, and don’t ever sell it again. I will comeback and compensate you for what happened last night,” his voice became softer and he looked down for a second, “Remember my name, Trojack Yddro.” He didn’t waited for her reply nor her reaction, and just left the store with Sheena still in shock.“Yes! Kung saan pupunta ang mommy ko, I will always follow!” Masayang sigaw ng batang si Brent habang walang tigil sa pagtatalon sa saya. Tuwang tuwa rin namang pinapanood ni Rosa ang anak habang paikot ikot ito habang lumulundag sa harapan niya. All she felt everytime she sees her son was pure happiness and kahit anong problema ang sumusubok sa kaniya, nawawala ito kahit papaano. Ever since he was born almost 4 years ago, he was her main source of motivation and hope. Sobrang cute pa ng batang ito at napakabait, everyone who would meet him would end up loving more because of his personality. People would tell her na tama ang pagpapalaki nito sa kaniya, but deep inside ang nararamdaman niya ay kulang pa rin ang efforts niya lalo na’t walang kinagisnang ibang kadugo o mismong tatay si Brent. It still surprises her that he hasn’t ask about his father, but she knows that it will come any day now. It could be some time that she would least expect it, that’s why nakahanda na siyang sa
They both watched the women and his kid entered the taxi, and drove off the airport. Bigla uli nagring ang cellphone ni Trojack, and as he looked at it, it was amessage from an unknown number. From: Unknown Hi, this is Sheena. Can I call? Before he could even reply sa text na ito, the same number called and he had no choice but to answer it. “Hey, this is Sheena,” she paused, “well, I was wondering if you are busy?” “Why?” Malamig na sagot ni Trojack. “I have two tickets sa cinema for tomorrow, baka gusto mo maging plus one ko.” He paused and he felt something was off, “Yeah, I guess. Sure. Let me know where and what time we will meet.” And he just ended the call like that. He already felt something was really wrong as soon as he saw tha woman with her kid. It wasn’t the feeling he expected to feel ng makita niya si Sheena sa shop, it was odd. Napakagulo ng nararamdaman niya. “I think I need to do more investigation on this.” He whispered. +++ Madame X was on the sofa, drin
Bago umalis ng bahay si Rosa, niyakap niya ang anak. “You will be back by 6pm, right mommy?” Masayang tanong ni Brent na halos hindi kumawala sa mga bisig ng ina.“Of course, now, be a good boy kay ate Gigi ha,” ngiting sambit ni Rosa habang hinahaplos ang malambot na buhok ni Brent.Tumango bilang sagot si Brent at tumakbo papunta sa kasambahay nila na si Gigi. Halos apat na taon ng kasambahay ni Rosa na halos naging katuwang niya sa bahay. Mabait na tao at halos lahat ng mga kailangang tapusin sa bahay ay natatapos na agad ni Gigi bago pa siya makauwi. Kahit di niya ibinilin, ginagawa na lang niya.Hindi pa rin mawala sa isipan ni Rosa ang nangyari 5 years ago. Hindi niya pa rin matanggap kung ano nga ba ang ginawa niya para gawin iyon sa kaniya. She just can't even determine whether it was a nightmare or blessing simula nung dumating ang anak niya.It still made her feel uneasy lalo na nung pinalayas siya ng sarili niyang ama na hindi man lang pinakinggan ang side niya. In the pa
“Is there something wrong ba?”“Nothing mommy, it's just,” napatigil saglit ang bata at sumimangot pa lalo, “magiging busy ka rin po sa work tapos ako sa school.”“Anak, I know na nagaalala ka lang sa akin, but I will always support you sa mga gagawin mo. Tatapusin ko agad work ko para makauwi agad ako and play games with you, okay? Promise ‘yan ni mommy.”Napansin niyang ngumiti na uli ang anak at hinawakan siya sa braso.“Promise iyan mommy ah, you just made a promise!” “Everything for you anak, okay, nandito na tayo,” tinigil na ni Rosa ang makina ng sasakyan at kinuha ang bag ng anak mula sa tabi, “take a few deep breaths, and don't worry, people there are good people.”Huminga ng malalim si Brent and looked at her, kitang nabawasan bigla ang kaba sa mga mata ng anak dahil kitang kita nito ang takot kanina simula nung umalis sa kanila.“Si ate Gigi mo ang maghahatid sa iyo ha. Don't ever go with strangers. Baka may mangyari sa iyo.”“Yes po, tara na po, excited na po ako!” Masaya
“To be honest, I think you wanted to clarify something sa akin before I start my work. I know this seems to be kind of rude, but can we just go straight to the point, Mr. Trojack?” She said while her grip strengthen sa briefcase na bitbit niya.“Did you even know na hindi ako ang may ari talaga nitong company na pagttrabahuan mo? Or you just want to play hard to get?” “Wait, what do you mean?” Sa punto na ito, dito lang napansin na parang alam na niya kung sino ang nasa harapan. Ang apo ni Madame X.“Let's have dinner with my grandmother later, 7pm. Don't be late and don't refuse, I’ll pick you up sa inyo. You can bring your kid. That's all, you can go,” saad nito saka tumalikod and ignored Rosa.Umalis na lang ng office si Rosa, and mukhang hindi na siya makakatanggi pa. Kailangan niya na talagang harapin ng mismo si Madame X para matigil na yung binabanggit nitong repayment na nagawa ng mama niya few years back.She doesn't owe anyone and she doesn't need anyone's help either. Gus
“Is there anything I can help you with?” Simpleng tanong ni Rosa habang nakasandal sa pader.“I guess,” huminto saglit si Trojack at huminga ng malalim, “alam kong nagaalangan kang pumunta mamaya sa dinner pero sana pagisipan mo ng mabuti. My grandmother really wants to meet you and your son.”“What if it’s my choice not to go?”“This is a request, a favor. Just come to the dinner and I ensure your safety till you get home. Hindi naman nangangagat ang lola ko.” Huminga ng malalim si Rosa at tumingin sa mga mata nito.She felt he really wants her to come lalo na ang lola nito. Although she feels guilty agad sa idea palang na pumunta roon at magpakita, feeling niya kasi gagamitin niya lang yung tulong na ibibigay.“It just that,” she frowned, “I am not the type of person na may mahilig sa mga binibigay ng ibang tao lalo na utang na loob. I am very thankful for the thought ng lola mo, pero I feel like it is not right.” Kumuha ng barya sa left pocket si Trojack and inserted a few coins s
“Well,” Rosa paused, “she suddenly made a scene here saying na siya ang nauna sa upuan na dito. She suddenly started screaming at me that's why I fought back. That's where he suddenly showed up and told her na suspended siya for a week. Pinapapunta nga sa hr e.” Biglang tumawa ng mahina ang dalawa habang magkatingin.“Nako, ganyan talaga iyong si Penny. Everyone hates her actually, siya nga ang reason bakit natanggal yung dating designer head. She made this rumor about her being,” biglang tumigin kaliwa’t kanan si Flara at nilapit ang mukha sa tenga ni Rosa, “kabit ng isa pang empleyado. Ayon, nasisante agad. Kawawa nga iyon, may anak rin na pinapalaki.”“What was her reason?”“Sabi nila, she hates those who are talking back at her. Same kayo halos ng personality nung natanggal, i think they fought something about sa work and tinatama lang naman siya. They said na she took it personally, and knowing daw na mahinhin na tao ‘yon, probably pangit talaga ugali ni Penny.” Saad nito.“Pangi
+++++5:58 P.M.“Nag-out na ako!” Sigaw ni Flara at bigla itong pumasok ng office ni Rosa ng walang pasabi.“Ano ka ba, we got 2 minutes left, bawal yung ginawa mo. Gaga ka talaga.”“Duh,” naglalakad na sambit niya, “I didn’t do that, hindi pa ako nag-oout ‘no. Ayokong ma-kick out dahil sa kagagahan kong makauwi agad.”“Nako lang talaga, Flara. Nakakabaliw ka. Lahat talaga ginagawa mo para matanggal ka.”BIglang may kumatok sa pinto ng office ni Rosa at parehas silang nagtinginan kung sino ito.“Can we talk, Miss Rosa?”“You can come in,” sagot ni Rosa.Agad na pumasok ng office si Trojack at nagulat na lamang si Rosa dahil hindi naman siya nagsabi na pupunta siya rito. “I think this is my cue. I’ll leave,” mahinang sabi ni Flara and awkwardly left the office.“How can I help you, SIr Yddro?” Ayon na lamang ang naitanong ni Rosa sa kaniya.“Can we go now? I can wait you sa labas ng bahay ninyo. My grandmother wants to see you now, she will leave the Philippines tonight.” Malamig na s
HIndi makakalimutan ni Trojack ang mga sinabi ni Rosa bago pa ito umalis ng opisina niya.Lumingon si Rosa, sinulyapan ang lalaking nakatayo habang nakapatong ang mga kamay sa mesa, at mahinahong pinaalalahanan, "She isn’t as kind as she looks," she said coldly, her voice carrying a hint of mockery. "You’d better be careful not to be tricked by her."His eyes narrowed, his expression unyielding. "Ironic. The one who hit someone today was you," makitid ang mga matang sabi ni Trojack.Gusto talaga ni Rosa na hindi lang saktan kundi tuluyang tapusin si Sheena, pero tamad na siyang magpaliwanag pa. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. No one will ever believe her tulad ng nakaraan, mismong ama niya pa nga ang mas pinili siyang palayasin sa kanila, and no one was there by her side.Kung ang lalaking ito ay napakabulag para gawing sentro ng buhay niya si Sheena, ano pa nga bang masasabi niya?Not only did I want to hit her—I wanted to throttle her.Nang makabalik si Rosa sa opisina nang
"Be good and listen," Trojack said softly, stroking Sheena’s head.Hindi niya makakalimutan ang mga sinabi ni Trojack sa kaniya habang naglalakad palabas ng company.Her heart leaped at his gentle gesture. In that moment, she felt as though she had captured all the affection he had to offer. The warmth in his voice and the protective touch made her feel comforted, validated, and undeniably triumphant habang si kay Rosa, labis ang kanyang natatanggap. Ngunit sa sobrang takot niya na baka parusahan siya ng kanyang kasakiman, tumigil na siya sa paggagawa ng gulo.Could her greed lead to punishment? She suppressed the thought quickly, resolving to maintain her composure. No more provocations, at least for now. Wala naman siyang taglay na pambihirang kagandahan. Ang tanging paraan upang makuha niya ang pabor ni Trojack Yddro ay sa pamamagitan ng kanyang personalidad.That had always worked for her, and it would keep working. After all, Rosa would soon be out of the picture."She’ll be fi
"Get out! I don’t want to see you again!" Rosa’s voice was icy, her finger pointing resolutely toward the door. Sheena sneered, leaning lazily against the armrest of the sofa. "Ano? Hindi ba sapat ang lakas ng lalaki mo? Or are you disappointed in the... service?" Her mocking smile deepened. "Rosa, you’d better watch your tone with me. Otherwise, I’ll let the entire company know about your little secret. Tingnan natin kung paano ka mabubuhay sa trabahong ito." It only made her more angrier deep inside, wala siyang karapata para sirain na naman siya. She did it once, but never twice. She was the reason why her life sucked, and kung paano niya kinaya ang trauma ng magisa. Her expression didn’t waver, but her hand moved instinctively to the phone. Mariing pinindot ni Rosa ang telepono sa opisina at tinawagan si Vrest. Pressing the internal line, she spoke in a calm but firm tone. "Vrest, come to my office." Agad na dumating si Vrest, pawisan at nagmamadali. Itinuro ni Rosa si Sheena
Three days later, it was five in the morning.Nanaginip bigla si Sheena. "Ah...no!" Sheena sat up in fear, sweating profusely. When she looked at everything around her, she realized that it was a nightmare.Rosa’s face turned pale, but she quickly regained control, her eyes narrowing with contempt as she stared at Sheena. The memories of that night, though fuzzy, still haunted her. She hadn’t recognized the man at the time, but she was sure it wasn’t someone of importance."You're wasting your time," Rosa responded coldly, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside."I don't care about the past, and I certainly don't care sa kung ano ang ginagawa mo ngayon.”Sheena leaned against the back of the chair, her lips curling into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, really? You don't care? Yet here you are, trembling." She took a step closer, her eyes scanning Rosa’s face, trying to gauge her reaction."You think I’m scared of you?" Rosa snapped, her posture straightening. "You
The ambiance of the café was calm and elegant, contrasting sharply with the tension Andrea brought as she stormed in. Sheena dressed modestly yet with subtle elegance, sat waiting at a table in the corner. Her fingers tapped the side of her coffee cup as Andrea slid into the seat across from her.“You’ve been so elusive lately,” Andrea started, narrowing her eyes. “Nagpunta ka raw ng trip. Saan ka nagpunta?” tanong nito, puno ng kuryosidad.Sheena’s grip tightened on her cup. “Just a quick getaway,” she said, her tone casual. “Naglibot lang ng dalawang araw para mag-relax,” mabilis na sagot ni Sheena, pilit na itinatago ang katotohanang namuhay siya nang marangya nitong mga nakaraang araw.“Your shop must be struggling for you to take time off,” Andrea probed, suspicion in her voice.“Hindi naman, pero wala ring masyadong customer, kaya nagpahinga na muna ako,” sagot ni Sheena nang walang bakas ng kaba while she smiled faintly..Andrea leaned in, lowering her voice. “You won’t believe
Alam ni Jon na hindi maganda ang naging relasyon nina Kieshna at Rosa noon pa. His expression darkened as he turned to glare at Kieshna and said, “Rosa and her son just got back. There’s no need for your sharp words. You’d better get along with them.”Her lips tightened, but before she could respond, a voice from the staircase broke the silence.“Mom, kaninong bata ito?” biglang singit ni Andrea mula sa hagdanan. Her curious tone echoed through the hall as she descended the stairs. Her gaze landed on the boy in her father’s arms, and her brows furrowed in confusion.“Kaninong bata? Anak ‘yan ng ate mo, ipinanganak niya sa ibang bansa,” sagot ni ina nito sa malamig na tono.Andrea’s eyes widened in shock. “What?” she blurted, hurrying down the stairs to confront Rosa. “You didn’t even tell us you had a child. Hindi ka ba nahihiya?”“Andrea!” His father’s voice snapped like a whip. “How can you speak that way? Brent is family, and I won’t allow you to disrespect him or your sister. Hind
Since Jon Melandez had given advance notice, Kieshna ordered the servants to prepare dinner. The table would be set lavishly, but not a single dish catered to Rosa's preferences. Instead, she focused entirely on her daughter's favorites, ensuring her point was made without words.The quiet hum in the kitchen was interrupted when one of the servants approached her hesitantly."Madam, sabi po ng amo, mahilig daw sa hipon ang panganay na dalaga. Bumili po ako ng hipon. Hindi niyo ba ipapaluto?" tanong ng kasambahay habang lumapit.Her eyes narrowed, her expression darkening. She waved a hand dismissively. "Oo, ipaluto mo! Cook it—but make it spicy enough to burn. Let that little brat choke on her arrogance,” sagot ni Kieshna nang may galit sa tinig.Agad namang sumunod ang kasambahay at umalis. Halos hindi maibsan ang sama ng loob ni Rosa; tila umaapaw ang init ng kanyang ulo. Sa mga nakaraang taon, yumaman nang husto si Jon, and the company was listed, their family assets soaring well p
The meeting concluded shortly after, but as everyone prepared to leave, Trojack said, “Miss Rosa Melandez, please stay.”Saktong iinom sana si Rosa para maibsan ang tuyong lalamunan, ngunit halos mabulunan siya nang marinig ito. Kaagad siyang napapalibutan ng mga inggit at selos na tingin, especially Penny’s sharp, resentful stare.After the others left, Rosa took a steadying breath, then turned to him. “Is there something I can help you with?”He cut to the point.”Bakit ka pumasok? I told you to stay at home, hindi mo kailangang pumasok.”“I can do everything without your permission. Plus, I do not need your help especially raising my son. I’ll talk to the hr about my sudden day off kahapon. Hindi mo ako kailangang bigyan ng mga special requests. I am just staying at your house because we needed to make sure na makulong muna yung—” she stopped talking dahil unti unti na naman niyang naalala yung nangyari kahapon, and the thing that happened in between them.Trojack’s tone softened.
Habang nagluluto, bigla na lang umalis si Trojack at nagpaalam kay Brent.He went to the kitchen and said, ‘Rosa, I’ll be out, baka bukas na ako makabalik. Eat and have some sleep. Pupuntahan ko lola ko sa ospital rin before work. I’ll text you for some updates about her, pero the doctor said she is fine.”“Thanks for letting me know, be safe.” Rosa replied while cutting some onions.Hindi na nagsayang ng oras si Trojack and umalis na agad, leaving both of them downstairs. Hanggang ngayon tulog pa rin ang kasambahay nila na si Gigi, sa sobrang pagod siguro ay hindi na ito nakakilos or nagising. Hinayan na na lang muna ni Rosa kaya hindi na niya ito ginising.Patapos na rin naman siya sa mga gamit nila.That night after they ate, she held him close as they fell asleep together under the gentle moonlight.The next morning, after dropping him off, she took a taxi to her company, AD Pavillion. Though the building was small compared to the nearby skyscrapers, the brand had gained respect l