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
"These are all the assets under NTS. We will provide you with all the reports and necessary documents from the last fiscal year so that you'd be updated even before the board meeting two days from now," ani Atty. Azarcon, ang legal counsel ng NTS. She had a photo shoot today subalit dahil maaga iyong natapos, muli siyang bumalik sa NTS at kinausap ang abogado. She wanted to know everything she needed to know before she attends the board meeting. If she plans to kick out the rest of the Nacionaleses who are now seating on the board, she needs to study the game well and plan her next move from there. "As of the moment, the controlling shares of NTS is still under your father's name given that he also took over the shares of Mr. Antonio Tan, the other founding owner of the company, when they were both still alive. However, Emilie and Jerome has been representing you in all of the meetings for the past 15 years. There are some long-term contracts they've entered in and there are also st
Naalimpungatan sa pagtulog si Lauren nang maramdaman niyang wala sa tabi niya si Kiel. Mula nang bumalik sila mula sa San Ildefonso, sa kwarto na niya sa guestroom natutulog si Kiel. She doesn't have any complaints though. She loves sleeping with his warmth surrounding her. Kaya lang, nasasanay na siya na lagi itong katabi sa pagtulog. A thing she knew she must begin to unlearn as early as now given the circumstances of their marriage. Gaya ngayon, ramdam niya ang lamig kapag wala ito sa kanyang tabi. Noon naman, ayos lang siyang mag-isa sa higaan. But now... she can feel the cold emptiness whenever Kiel is not beside her. Ugh! She really had it bad, she thought in frustration.She forced herself to sit on the bed and that's when she heard a hushed voice from the veranda of her room. She got up and listened to the voice some more. That's when she realized it was Kiel. Bahagya niya itong sinilip sa kinaroroonan nitoHe was pacing while raking his fingers through his hair. He looked..
"Lauren!" nag-aalalang tawag ni Kiel sa kanya na noon ay nasa tabi niya. The fear in his voice was palpable. But she cannot even respond because the burning pain in her chest was unbearable. And just when she thought that's all there is to the confusion, a thick smoke quickly surrounded them from somewhere.Tear gas, she thought. "Get Ms. Lauren out of here, Sir," nagmamadaling utos ni Garrett kay Kiel. Kiel didn't wait to be told twice, he quickly scooped her off the floor and carried her to safety-- out of room.Paglabas nila ng conference room, nagkukumpulan na ang tao sa labas sa hallway. There were also policemen and operatives from SSA. Eric Samaniego was also there. Agad itong lumapit sa kanila nang maibaba siya ni Kiel sa carpeted floor. "I-it's burning. My chest ia burning," she managed to spoke in between gasps."She's shot. I need medic! Fcking get one, Eric!" tarantang utos ni Kiel sa lalaki. Kiel cupped her face. "Stay with me, baby. Stay with me," he said in a half worr
Tahimik na pinagmamasdan ni Lauren ang marble urn na nakalagay sa isa sa mga niche sa columbarium na kinaroroonan niya. It was the remains of her Tita Lileth.When Armando Domingo confessed everything he did for Emilie Nacionales, itinuro din nito kung saan naroon ang bangkay ng kanyang tiyahin.Honestly, she doesn't know what to feel even until now. She felt conflicted then when she learned that her aunt had died. Even now, na nabigyan na niya ito ng maayos na himlayan, hindi pa rin niya alam ang dapat niyang maramdaman para sa namayapang tiyahin.She doesn't have any good memory with her aunt. Ang tiyahin din niya ang dahilan kung bakit nawala ang anak niya. She had endured a lot of awful things because of her aunt. But even then, she was prompted to give her late aunt a proper burial, the last thing she'll ever going to do for her in this lifetime.She heaved a sigh and glanced at the marble urn for one final time before she started to walk out of the place. It's probably the last
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