"How are you feeling, Lauren?" pukaw ni Madam Liza kay Lauren habang nagkakape silang dalawa sa veranda ng bahay nito sa Tagaytay. Doon siya dumiretso matapos niyang lumabas sa ospital five days ago. Kiel protested at first but his mother-in-law wouldn't have any of Kiel's excuses. Doon daw dapat siya sa Tagaytay para mas maalagaan siya nito nang maayos."I'm better now, Mom. Thank you for taking care of me," ani Lauren.The older woman smiled. "Don't mention it, hija. My Kiel is your husband, you are my daughter now. And as much as I love my son, I know he cannot take care of you that we'll. Not after what you've gone through. You need a mother to take of you. Besides, Kiel is too busy right now with Ace Logistics and the case against your aunt. Don't you worry, dear, our legal team will exhaust all efforts to take back everything your aunt took away from you, " anito bago dinala sa bibig nito ang tasa ng kape nito.Tumango-tango siya, pilit na ngumiti. Hindi alam ng matanda na nakun
"F-fiancee? I thought she was supposed to marry her husband now even before..." Lauren's voice trailed off, confusion was clearly written on her face."Well, yes. Everybody knew that, at least in the elite circle. Nicole was promised to the Sys. I don't really know what happened why Kiel believed that he can have Nicole and worse, marry her! You may need to ask him about that. But to make things worse, Nicole led Kiel to believe that she can marry him. Naghanda si Kiel ng isang intimate wedding but she stood him up. Kiel looked everywhere like a mad dog. He even asked me to use my connections. But Nicole went under the radar for two weeks, and then next thing we knew, she's already married into the Sy family. Kiel asked for an indefinite leave at Ace Logistics after that and then... you two met in the most interesting way."She released a slow heavy breath. What Ana said was a lot to take in. She needed a few seconds to collect herself. No wonder Kiel was still on edge every time anyt
Lauren's heart hitched instantly as Kiel began to walk towards her. His eyes were narrowed and she could already feel the amount of anger pulsating in his veins.Bakit ba kasi ito naroon? Akala ba niya may importante itong meeting? Mukhang ang plano niyang linisin ang pangalan nito ay muling mauuwi sa isang mas malaking eskandalo! No, she cannot let that happen. She willed her brain to work but at that moment she just can't think of anything but... She shook her head. What her mind was suggesting is utterly preposterous but it would definitely distract him and would give her a few seconds to talk to him.She didn't have much time to contemplate. When Kiel started climbing the makeshift stage, sinalubong niya agad ito. Without another word, she threw her arms around his neck, tiptoed and kissed him. He stilled for a while before his strong hands snaked around her waist, pulling her flushed to him. Her heart instantly went into overdrive, remembering the last time they shared a sw
“Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere without you, Garrett. Ihatid mo siya sa bahay ko kapag gusto na niyang umuwi,” bilin niya sa bodyguard bago tuluyang naglakad palayo sa hotel room ni Lauren. Inilang hakbang lang niya ang patungo sa lift, and once inside it, he released a slow breath. He’s still on edge. He can still feel the anger coursing through his veins. But more than anger, mas nangingibabaw ngayon ang frustration sa nararamdaman niya. Why, he cannot seem to talk Lauren into quitting that damn project with Tyler! ‘Well, you’re not giving her the exact context behind your decision that’s why,’ anang isang bahagi ng isip niya. Umigting ang kanyang panga sa naisip. It’s not that he cannot trust Lauren yet with his secrets but… he’s just not ready to talk about Nicole just yet. Pero alam naman nito na legally, bayaw ni Nicole si Tyler. Doon pa lang dapat, hindi na ito pumayag sa project na ‘yon. ‘She said, she didn’t know that Tyler was the producer. Don’t you trust her?’ He hu
“C’mon Ana, bakit hindi ko puwedeng makita ang asawa ko?” inis na tanong ni Kiel sa hipag niya. They were at the lanai, nagkakape. Doon siya nito dinala nang dumating siya sa bahay nito at ni Joshua kanina. Ang sabi kasi nito, kailangan muna nilang mag-usap bago niya puntahan si Lauren. Being respectful as he was, pumayag siya. When Ana offered him coffee, he indulged her kahit na gusto na niyang puntahan si Lauren at nang makauwi na sila sa bahay niya at makapag-usap silanang masinsinan. But when he insisted on going upstairs to see his own wife, ayaw nang pumayag ni Ana. Kaswal muna na humigop ng kape si Ana sa tasa nito bago, “Pinapatulog pa niya si Tala e,” anito. Nalukot na ang mukha niya, tumaas na ang tingin sa kapatid niyang naglalakad palapit sa kanila, may hawak din na mug ng kape. “Are you two broke? Bakit si Lauren ang pinagya-yaya ninyo sa pamangkin ko?” Natawa si Joshua. “She’s just practicing on what industry she might consider to work for next should her career in a
“Lauren, special delivery for you,” balita ni Micha kay Lauren habang nagtatanggal siya ng make up sa banyo ng hotel room na tutuluyan niya hanggang matapos ang commercial shoot niya bukas. It was a tiring and fulfilling day for her. At least kahit na baguhan siya sa mga fantasy concepts ng advertiser, she still pulled it off. Bukas ibang eksena na naman ang poproblemahin niya. But at least, the task for today is over. Nang marinig niyang bumukas-sara ang pinto ng hotel room, agad niyang tinanong ang assistant. “Kanino galing?” “Ay! Ang bongga! Naku, dalian mo d’yan, Lauren. Tiyak na matutuwa ka!” ani Micha, bakas ang kilig sa tinig. She chuckled, mukhang na-miss din ni Micha ang trabaho nito sa kanya. Paano, lahat na lang ng nagpadala ng mga bulaklak sa kanya ngayong araw, big deal dito. She received quite a lot of bouquets today mula sa mga naging kaibigan niya sa industriya, all wishing her well and goodluck on this new chapter of her career. Lalo tuloy siyang ginanahang magtr
Marahang itinulak pabukas ni Lauren ang pinto ng bahay ni Kiel. It’s just a little over midnight and she’s just coming home from the two-day out-of-town commercial shoot she had. Maingat ang kilos niya dahil ayaw niyang magising si Kiel. Ayaw niyang makaistorbo. Nang tuluyan siyang makapasok sa bahay, she quietly picked up her pace towards the stairs. Subalit agad din siyang natigilan nang may magsalita mula sa direksiyon ng kusina. “Welcome home, wife.” Agad siyang bumaling sa direksiyon niyon and her breath instantly hitched when there she saw Kiel, seating on one of the stools surrounding the kitchen island. Sa kamay nito ay isang bote ng alak. He had a soft smile on his face and his eye were twinkling under the soft light of the kitchen island. He looked… happy to see her? Does he really? 'Paanong happy to see you, and hindi ka nga niyan tinatawagan or tini-text man lang,' anang isang bahagi ng isip niya.She blinked, dismissing her previous thoughts instantly. He’s happy bec
Maaga pa lang kinabukasan, handa nang umalis ng bahay ni Kiel si Lauren. And while she barely slept last night and was feeling a bit weak, she doesn't want to see him nor spend the whole day in his house. She'd rather be with Micha or any place else than inside Kiel's house.She cannot afford to stay in his house when she had just realized she's in love with him, can she?She'd just be torturing herself know that the house is filled with Nicole's mementos.Maingat niyang binuksan ang pinto ng guest room at nang makitang walang tao sa hallway, she silently slipped out of the room. It was just six in the morning. The house e is relatively silent except for the people in the kitchen who are probably busy preparing breakfast. Sa kanila na lang siya magpapaalam, naisip niya bago bumaba sa hagdan. She was almost on the ground floor when she heard a loud splash coming from the pool area. Sandali siyang natigilan. Kapagkuwan ay wala sa sariling sinilip ang direksyon ng pool. She can see that
Buhat-buhat ni Lauren ang isang taong gulang na niyang anak na si Amara habang pinipindot ang top floor button sa elevator. “Dad,” sabi pa ng kanyang anak bago yumakap sa kanya. It has been three days now since Kiel has been coming home late. Paano ba naman kasi, inaasikaso nito ang muling pagba-branch out ng Ace Logistics sa Indonesia at Singapore. The move was brought by the huge success Ace Logistics had in Malaysia. Wala sa kanilang pamilya ang nag-expect na papatok nang ganoon ang services ng Ace Logistics sa ibang bansa in just a year at that! Kaya naman napagdesisyonan nilang dalawa na mag-branch out na sa iba pang bansa sa Southeast Asia to cater the needs of their clients. But there is a downside, Kiel needs to work for more hours para asikasuhin ang negosyo nito. At nito ngang nakaraang mga araw, halos hindi na nagpapang-abot ang mag-ama dahil maagang umaalis si Kiel sa umaga at late na rin na dumarating sa gabi. Even their baby can sense his absence. Madalas nitong hanap
Panay ang patak ng luha ni Lauren habang dinadala siya ng nurse sa loob ng delivery room. She wanted Kiel to be there with her, see for himself the birth of their daughter. Kaya lang…“It’s okay, Lauren. I know you can do this. Mukhang excited talagang lumabas ang baby ninyo ni Kiel dahil alam niyang excited na rin kayong makita siya. Sometimes, babies do that, you know," sabi ni Doc Angel habang nagsusuot ito ng gloves. Inalalayan na siya ng nurse at pinahiga sa delivery bed. She can't help but tremble when the nurse helped her to put her feet on the stirrup. Impit siyang dumaing at lumuha. Ngayon siya nagsisisi kung bakit pumayag-payag pa siya na umalis si Kiel noong isang araw. Subalit alam niya, kailangang kailangan ang presensiya ni Kiel sa Malaysia kaya siya mismo ang pumilit dito na pumunta.They had a birth plan. It’s been finalized for months. Part of the birth plan was Kiel would be with her as she push their baby out into the world. But that most important thing is missin
Maingat na inilapag ni Lauren ang pink stuffed toy sa crib na inihahanda niya para sa magiging baby nila ni Kiel. She’s 38 weeks pregnant and she had been nesting for weeks now. Kahapon lang inihanda na niya ang go-to bag niya kung sakaling mag-labor siya anumang oras. Marahan niyang hinaplos ang kanyang tiyan nang maramdaman niya ang muling paggalaw ng anak. “Easy, sweetheart. I know you’re excited. Excited na rin sina Daddy at Mommy na makita ka,” aniya, bahagya pang ngumiwi nang mapalakas ang sipa ng baby niya. She took a deep breath. Lately, hirap na siyang matulog sa gabi dahil doon mas nagiging aktibo sa paggalaw ang baby niya. Maging pagtayo at pagbangon hirap na rin siya. But she’s just fine with it. She’s enduring and enjoying the process. She knew it would all be worth it. She knew that dahil madalas niyang nakikita ang saya kay Ana. During Sundays, when they’d have their regular family lunch in Tagaytay, madalas niyang makita na nagbo-boding ang mag-ina sa pool o kaya sa
Marahang hinaplos ni Lauren ang kanyang tiyan. At 23 weeks, talaga namang maumbok na iyon. Panay na rin ang galaw ng baby niya, which she finds weird and happy at the same time.Nag-angat siya ng tingin at tinanaw ang baybayin sa ibaba ng glass house. Abala na ang mga tauhan ng events company na kinuha nila ni Kiel para sa baby gender reveal nila na gaganapin mamaya. Sa totoo lang, she doesn’t want to share that special moment to the public anymore. Kaya lang, kinumbinsi siya talaga ni Mrs. Cabral na gawin iyon dahil na rin daw nami-miss na siya ng kanyang mga fans at iba pang katrabaho.Mula kasi nang malaman niyang buntis siya, she preffered to step away from the limelight. Kahit noong hind pa sila maayos ni Kiel, she really planned to spend the rest of her pregnancy in some peaceful place na malayo sa nakasanayan niya. She really valued her privacy during those times.But she also know that she owe a glimpse of her current life to her loyal fans. Kaya naman pumayag na rin siya sa g
Mystery Enemy POVMarahan siyang sumimsim ng alak mula sa champagne flute na kanyang hawak bago ipinaikot ang kanyang tingin sa kasayahan ng pamilya Sandejas na nakapaligid sa kanya. From that little dark corner of the lanai where he stood, he can clearly see the happy faces of everyone invited to the party. Everyone’s happy except for him—burning with rage for the family that has ruined his life.He would’ve ditched Kiel’s wedding and just spend the night drinking in the comfort of his home. If only he hadn’t thought that attending the wedding is a social responsibility for him now that he is closer than ever to the family. Of course, he must play the part well now. He has to. He needs to.He took a deep breath as he took another swig of the alcohol he was having. Pinaglipat-lipat niya ang tingin sa bawat miyembro ng pamilya Sandejas na naroon, mula ay Liza, sa mga anak nito, sa manugang nito, at sa apo nito.Death. That’s all he wishes for all of them, their death.“What are you doi
Lauren was smiling as she looked at herself in front of the mirror. She was wearing an elegant and flowy wedding dress. Her hair was curled on the ends and her make-up was simple, just like how she liked it.She's getting married today... again. She smiled at the thought. It has been two weeks now since Kiel made that heartfelt proposal to her by the beach. From then on, hindi na ito pumasok sa Ace Logistics. Well except for the launching of his company in Malaysia a week ago. But that was only a one day affair. He went and came home the same day. Ito kasi ang nag-ayos sa lahat sa kasal nila, except for her gown which she had customised sa isang sikat na local designer na paborito niya. Ang madalas nitong sabihin sa kanya tuwing tinatangka niyang tumulong dito, she only need to be there beside him on the day of their wedding and say yes. Honestly, she still cannot believe that she's marrying Kiel today for the second time. The first time was not even supposed to happen if they were n
"Here you go, as promised, six new investors for NTS Films," nakangising sabi ni Tyler kay Lauren bago iniabot sa kanya ang isang folder.Nang buksan niya, naroon ang profiles ng mga bagong investors na nakausap nito para sa bagong venture ng kanyang kumpanya, ang NTS Films.Pinigilan ni Lauren ang mapangiti. Tyler really is efficient when it comes to business. Well, he is a a Sy, that's a given. But she really is glad that someone like Tyler is now working with her at NTS.Maingat niyang tiniklop ang folder at ipinatong iyon sa coffee table na nakapagitan sa kanilang dalawa. Nasa lanai sila ng bahay nila ni Kiel, binisita siya nito matapos ang tatlong linggong paglalagi nito sa Palawan for a 'spontaneous business trip'. Well whatever that spontaneous business trip is for, she only knows one thing, something has changed with Tyler mula nang manggaling ito sa Palawan. Well, maliban sa malaya na itong nakakabisita sa kanya at nakikihalubilo sa mga Sandejas dahil maayos na ito at si Ki
Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Lauren nang tuluyang huminto sa private hangar ang private jet ng Star Airlines. She’s officially back in Manila with Kiel. “We will be fine. I promise, walang makakagalaw sa atin dito. I will make sure of that,” ani Kiel, bahagya pang pinisil ang kamay niyang hawak nito. It has been days since the incident in her house. Kinausap siya mismo ni Eric na mas makakabuti kung sasama siya pabalik kay Kiel pa-Maynila sa oras na mai-discharge na ito sa ospital. She wanted to argue at first. She had been living the best life in San Ildefonso for some time now. But she knew, she needed to make the hard choices not just herself but also for the sake of Kiel and her baby. Besides, her family’s old house was in ruins. It will take some time to repair it and to make it livable again. Kiel promised to hire the best engineer and architect to restore her old home. She believed that. Kiel was discharged from the hospital early that morning. They didn’t waste any time
Nagising si Lauren dahil sa masuyong paghaplos sa kanyang pisngi. Nang magmulat siya ng mga mata, bumungad sa kanya ang maliwanag na silid na kanyang kinaroonan. Her vision needed a few seconds to adjust until she can finally figure out where she was. White walls, smell of antiseptic, and a soft beeping sound. Hospital. She’s at the hospital. She gasped as memories of last night surfaced inside her head all at a fast pace. Agad siyang napabalikwas. That’s when she realized na nakayupyop siyang nakatulog sa tabi ng mismong hospital bed ni Kiel! ‘K-Kiel,” she whispered as she looked at him, still looking a bit pale but with a small smile on his face. Last night, when the doctors allowed her to go and see him in the recovery room, nakatulog na ito. The nurse told her that the medication they had given him had taken effect and that it’s best for her to just wait for him to wake up after a few hours. Kaya naman naghintay siya. Hindi siya umalis sa tabi nito kahit na anong pilit nina A