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
"Lauren?" alanganing tawag ni Kiel sa kanya mula sa kanilang silid sa beach house.She continued stirring the fried rice she was cooking. She was cooking breakfast for both of them. "I'm here," she said in a loud voice.Segundo lang ang binilang, narinig niyang umingit pabukas ang pinto sa kwarto nila si Kiel. Agad niya itong nilingon. He was just wearing his boxers and worry was written all over his face."Good morning!" aniya, ngumiti bago ibinalik ang tingin sa nilulutong pagkain.She heard him heaved a sigh of relief before closing in the distance between them. Agad siya nitong niyakap mula sa kanyang likuran. "I thought you left," he said, burrowing his head on the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent.She giggled. "Why would I leave? Besides, your security team is just around here somewhere, watching on us. Do you think I could go somewhere without them following me?" Kiel told her when they arrived in San Ildefonso that he instructed his security team to keep their distance f
Hinayon ng tingin ni Lauren ang malalaking karton na nagkalat kabuuan ng silid na kanyang kinaroroonan. That room used to ber her room. It changed so much since she left her family's home more than 15 years ago. Subalit naroon pa rin ang ilan sa kanyang mga lumang gamit. Yaya Lumen and Manang Nena did a great job in preserving most of her and her parents' things left in their old house. And she's glad they have loyal people who still care for them without asking anything in return.Nagbuga ng pagod na hininga si Lauren at niyuko ang nakabukas na malaking karton sa kanyang harapan. It was just another box of stuffed toys she used to own when she was still a kid. She checked everything that were inside, but she can't find any trace of the document she had been looking for for four days now.Apat na araw na siyang nagpapabalik-balik sa dati nilang bahay, hoping to find that document Atty. Valentin was talking about. Honestly, she doesn't know yet what to do if she finds it. All she knew
Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ni Lauren habang hinihintay niya sa visitor's area ng kulungan si Jerome. She insisted on talking to him today. Hindi na iyon makakapaghintay pa kahit na panay ang tutol ni Kiel. She had learned from her previous mistakes that the longer she stalls facing problems,the bigger and graver they become in time. And so she's there, sitting on the chair as she awaits for Jerome's arrival from inside his cell. Maya-maya pa, nakita na niya ang bulto ng pulis sa may entrada patungo sa kinaroroonan niya. Kasunod nito si Jerome. He's handcuffed and his head is lowered. Madumi at gusot din ang damit nito. Malayong-malayo sa Jerome na kilala niya. She met his gaze as soon as he was in front of her. A sudden flash of confusion appeared in his eyes then... he masked it with a fake grin."Alone? You left your dog named Sandejas at home?" he mocked."My husband and his security team is just right outside the door to this room. Your every action is monitored, Jerome. One wro