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
“Rosa,” nanghihinang sambit ng nakikilala niyang boses, “Minolestiya ako rito sa club, please, puntahan mo ako rito sa 808,” humihikbing dagdag ni Sheena.Biglang nag-end ang call at walang alinlangang umalis si Rosa na galing sa kaniyang bahay, iniisip ang kapakanan ng kaibigan na si Sheena Cruz. Damang dama niya ang panginginig ng mga kamao niya lalo na nung narinig niya ang panginginig at panghihina sa boses mula sa phone call.Room 808.Rosa looked at the doorknob, then tumingin sa itaas na may nakalagay na room number 808. Nakakaramdam siya ng kaba, ngunit mas iniisip niya si Sheena, and entered the room without saying any word.As soon as she opened the door, wala siyang nakita kundi kadiliman. Bigla na lang may humablot sa kanyang kamay, and closed the door.“Bitiwan mo ako! S-sino ka?!” Sigaw ni Rosa na hindi napigilang manginig sa takot.Hindi niya makita ang katawan miski ang mukha ng taong may hawak sa kaniya, but she is sure enough na malaking lalaki at delikado ang nasa ha
Lumabas saglit ng kwarto si Rosa ng bigla siyang harangin ni Andrea. “Look who's here. The whore,” nakapamaywang pang sambit nito habang tinitignan siya mula ulo hanggang paa, “umalis ka na rito at huwag na huwag kang magpapakita sa pamilya na ito. You are already disgusting more than what you think!” Mahigpit na kinuyom ni Rosa ang kanyang mga kamao at tinignan ng may galit ang mapangasar na mukha ni Andrea. She wanted to kill her right now and just end hers right after. “You want to hit me? Come on!” Andrea rolled her eyes and muttered, “let's see how strong a whore can be, dali!” Hindi na nakapagpigil si Rosa and her right hand just in the air, and slapped her left cheek. Sa sobrang lakas nito ay umalingawngaw ang tunog at napaluha sa sakit ang kanyang kapatid. “Aray! Did you just hit me?!” She shouted with tears forming in her eyes and hurriedly went downstairs. Saktong nandoon ang mom and dad nila at narinig ang malakas na pagkakasampal. As soon as they saw the red cheek
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 de
“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
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