"You didn't tell me that Gail was your ex. Pinahirapan niya 'ko," reklamo ni Lauren kay Kiel habang magka-video call sila.It was thirty minutes past four in the morning. Subalit gising na siya at tapos nang mag-shower. She needs to be at Ace Logistics hub by 5 A.M to take the final scenes of the commercial.The jerk Kiel just grinned, irking her more."I prepared you well, haven't I? Ako pa mismo nagturo sa 'yo how to fly a plane para hindi ka mapahiya sa pilot mamaya. You might've done something to make Gail--""She's getting revenge on me! What possible explanation could there be for making me repeat the same scene over and over but that!" gigil niyang putol rito habang nagsusuklay sa harap ng vanity mirror. Bigla siyang natigilan kapag kuwan. "Or, she might still have feelings for you and... Oh my god! That's probably it!"Kiel chuckled. "You know what they say, once you've tried Kiel, you'd never recover well."She scoffed. "Arrogant much, aren't we?" aniya, pinagbuti ang pagsusu
Tahimik na binabaybay ni Lileth ang daan patungo sa opisina ng kanyang sadya. Despite spending a few weeks behind bars, hindi siya nahirapang makapasok sa building. Aside from learning na walang pumutok na anumang balita tungkol kay Lauren at sa pagkakakulong niya, talagang kilala siya ng mga tao roon kaya hindi siya nahirapan sa security check. The guard even lead her to the lift and she finds the gesture sweet. And now there she is, walking straight to the very people who will solve her current money problems. She thought that letting the 'source' know she already knows their identity would give her more opportunities to collect money from them. At kapag nangyari 'yon, ikakanta niya si Atty. Valentin. She couldn't live even just another month na may kahati pa sa sustento ni Lauren. Ano ito sinuswerte? That rotten lawyer needs to go down, she said to herself, balling her fists.Inayos niya ang kanyang suot na pulang bestida nang malapit na siya sa table ng sekretarya na naroon. She
Dumura ng dugo si Lileth matapos siyang muling undayan ng suntok sa mukha ng tauhan ng mga Nacionales na si Armando. Agad siyang nahilo at muling bumagsak sa malamig na semento ng lumang warehouse na pinagdalhan sa kanya ng mga Nacionales.Ang walanghiyang mag-ina, akala niya'y naisahan na niya ang mga ito noong isang araw nang malaman niya ang tungkol sa tunay na pagkatao ng kanyang pamangkin. Subalit lubos siyang nagkamali. Mas halang pa ang kaluluwa ng mga ito kaysa sa kanya. Akala niya nang ayain siya ng mga ito na kunin ang pera na hinihingi niya, sa bangko sila didiretso. But she was so wrong. Armando beat her up in the car until she passed out. The next thing she knew, she was already there, at the filthy old warehouse where she had endured their beatings for the past two days. But that won't break her easily. Mas malala pang pasakit ang pinagdaanan niya habang lumalaki siya nang wala man lang nagmamahal sa kanya dahil inagaw iyon lahat ni Lorraine. Tapos ngayon, naroon siya s
Buong umaga nang nakasalampak si Lauren sa sahig ng kwarto ni Micha. Katatapos lang niya ulit maligo, she already did that thrice, but the ugly feeling crawling on her skin doesn't seem to go away. She still felt dirty. She curled her knees to her chest once again, hugging them as tight as she can, trying to shake the awful memories of last night.She can remember more fragmented details of what happened last night. She remembered when was laid on the bed. She even remembered how she allowed to be touched in places only Kiel had touched. She even remember moaning and writhing from the pleasure overtaking her body, making her feel disgusting all the more.Napalingon siya sa bedside table nang muling mag-vibrate ang cellphone niya. It has been like that kanina pa. But she doesn't have the heart to talk to anyone right now, not when she felt dirty and confused. Mabuti na lang at talagang naiintindihan siya ni Micha. Her friend and assistant didn't ask her too mnay questions when she pop
"I know. I don't have any plans to leave her on her own for now, Mom," ani Kiel sa ina na kausap niya sa cellphone. Her mother is in lockdown sa bahay ni Joshua at Ana simula pa kagabi. Matapos ang nangyari kay Lauren, napagpasyahan nilang magkakapatid na doon muna ang Mommy nila imbes na mag-isa ito sa kanilang family house sa Tagaytay. It was for precaution. Past events told them there never is no such thing as too much when it comes to being careful."That's good to hear, son. What about those other people involved? They need to be in jail too," anang Mommy niya, determination in her voice. She was referring to the waiter and two bodyguards of Jerome who helped him carry Lauren to his car.He released a slow breath. "Yes, everything's been taken cared of, Mom. I have all of that covered. Hinihintay ko na matapos ang interview ng mga pulis kay Lauren. After this, I will take her to some place-- far from the city," sagot niya. He's not decided yet on where they'd go. He'll discuss
Tahimik na nakaupo sa may passenger's seat si Lauren. Tinatahak nila ngayon ni Kiel ang patungo sa simbahan ng San Ildefonso. Nang sabihin ni Kiel sa kanya kaninang magising siya sa eroplano na nasa San Ildefonso sila, magkahalong saya at lungkot ang bumalot sa kanyang dibdib. Saya dahil matapos ang higit isang dekada, muli siyang nakabalik sa probinsiya kung saan siya nagka-isip. At lungkot dahil na rin sa totoo lang, wala naman na talaga siyang babalikan doon. Wala na ang mga magulang niya. Hindi niya alam kung nakatayo pa ang dati nilang bahay o kung naroon pa ang mga taong kakilala niya. She had always regarded San Ildefonso as home and yet... she's not sure if there's really something in there for her to go back to.Kiel gently reached for her hand, as he drove the rented car. "Are you alright?" tanong nito, marahang pang dinala sa bibig nito ang kamay niya at hinalikan ang likod niyon.She gave him a small smile, her chest warming up from the gesture. "It just feels... surreal t
Paulit-ulit na pinagmamasdan ni Lauren ang mga alon sa dalampasigan.The sea was glistening like diamonds under the heavy light of the mid-day sun. The breeze was calming and soothing but was never enough to still the raging storm of confusion and anger inside her.She has read everything that was written on the document given by Kiel. Every lie, every secret, everything she thought she knew about her past was written there. It was a lot to take in. The truth was a lot to take in. Kaya imbes na tumuloy sa bahay nila, nagpasya siyang doon muna magpalipas ng oras sa may baybayin. She had been there for sometime now, sitting under a big tree, looking at the waves crash towards the shore as if it would give her more clarity to her current situation.Her aunt was lying when she told her that her father was just poor provincial man. Her father was part-owner of NTS. Ito ang S sa pangalan ng network, which stands for Salvador. She knew that NTS was founded by three people. Subalit ni sa hinag
It was already night time but sleep was still elusive for Lauren. There are still a lot of things to think of; a lot of questions to ask and; a lot of problems that needed fixing.Honestly, she doesn't know how she was able to survive the last few hours of the day. She looked at Kiel beside her. He's already fast asleep. He's probably tired from all the driving and looking after her the whole day. She doesn't know what exact phase they are in their 'relationship' right now, but she must say she's glad Kiel was with her today. Should she be alone, she would've just cried herself to sleep like she used to. But she's done crying. There are things she needed to do, for her parents, for herself.She gently climbed off the bed and stepped towards the veranda of the beach house Kiel rented for their stay there. She hugged herself when the cold wind of the night blew. The sea in front of her was dark, as if mirroring the confusion inside her head.Maya-maya pa, naramdaman niya ang pagpulupot
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