Hinayon ng tingin ni Lauren ang malawak na katubigan sa kanyang harapan. Riding the modern junk boat at Victoria Harbour was the calm she was looking for for the entire day. The night sky peppered with stars was picturesque from the deck where she was standing on. She had never seen such an amazing night sky in awhile. Or probably, she was just too distracted with her own troubles that she forgot to look up in for while and be enthralled with the beauty of the cosmos. The wind blew and she took a deep breath. Napatingin siya kay Tyler na noon ay pababa mula sa upper floor kung saan naroon ang iba pang mga turista na kasama nila sa cruise na iyon. Actually, it was Tyler who invited her to try the boat ride on the famous harbour. He was asking her the entire day what's wrong because she, according to him, looked flustered. She's not sad or anything. She was just thinking of a way how to tell Tyler about her situation. Because right now, it's the film that would greatly be affected when
"You two need to save your brother f-from that... that woman!" his mother said to Aaron as she paced on the floor of his penthouse.Bumiyahe pa ito mula sa Tagaytay upang personal na sabihin sa kanya ang bagay na iyon na para bang hindi pa niya ginagawan ng paraan ang tungkol kay Kiel. Well it's probably the intel that Kiel was seen frequently at the Gonzales mansion again that made his mother dash her way to him."What do you want us to do, Mom? Malaki na 'yang bunso ninyo. If he chose to be with Nicole what in the damn fck could we do?" reklamo ni Joshua. Kasama itong dumating doon ng kanilang ina."Joshua, language!" mataas ang boses na saway ng Mommy nila.Joshua huffed. "What? I cannot think of any other adjectives that best describes Kiel's situation right now!" pagrarason nito, umiling bago naglakad patungo sa bar at nagsalin ng alak sa crystal glass.Nasapo ng kanilang ang ulo nito. "Why can't you two see my point here? Your brother needs guidance right now."He released a slo
"Nicole! Come down here right this minute!" gigil na sigaw ni Kiel sa sala ng mansiyon ng mga Gonzales.The house looked emptier than the last time he was there which was just a few days ago. But that's the least of his concerns now. He wanted answers, the truth, even if he had to choke it out of Nicole's lying mouth.Not for long, he heard footstep from upstairs. Maya-maya pa, sumungaw ang bulto ni Nicole sa may balustre ng second floor ng bahay."K-Kiel? What are you doing here t-this early?" anito, inayos ang pagkakatali ng roba nito bago naglakad pababa ng hagdan.He didn't wait for her to come to him. He just closed in the distance between them in a few long strides. Nang malapitan niya ito, agad niyang hinaklit ang isang braso nito. Mabilis na napaaray si Nicole. "K-Kiel, what's wrong with you? P-please let me go. Nasasaktan ako!" pakiusap nito habang patuloy ang pagpiglas. But he shrugged off her plea and tightened his hand around her arm, deep seated anger now coursing throu
"Boss, cut the brandy. Baka hindi ka rin kausapin ni Ms. Lauren kapag nakita ka niyang ganyan," ani Claine. They're now in HongKong. They went straight at Lauren's filming location. Subalit hindi niya malapitan man lang ang asawa. The location was heavily guarded. Kahit na nagpakilala na siya kung sino siya, the guards didn't let him through. He planned to be patient, wait till Lauren's work is over. But having a glimpse of Tyler from afar, getting too close with Lauren was more than enough for him to lose it. Claine had to force him back to the car and drive away.And now, he's at Gold Hotel's bar, killing time with his brandy as he awaits for Lauren's return. He downed the glass of brandy and asked the bartender for another one bago bumaling kay Claine. "C'mon, Claine. Get some drink for yourself. It's on me," alok niya sa bodyguard. Mabilis itong umiling, ngumiti ng mapakla. "Thanks but no thanks, boss. I don't drink while I'm at work."He chuckled. He was about to down the gl
Parang kandilang itinulos sa kanyang kinatatayuan si Lauren. She was too confused and freaked out by Ana's presence that she doesn't know what to say and even do."Ana, Ms. Lauren doesn't wish to be disturbed. Just go," ani Lyle, mabilis pang humarang sa pagitan nila ni Ana.Ana's eyes narrowed at Lyle before bringing her gaze back at her."You know full well that I won't do that, Carlisle," ani Ana, ipinagdiinan pa ang pagbanggit sa buong pangalan ng kanyang bodyguard. Her voice full of deadly threats and warnings. "Lauren is still family to me. You know how I protect my family fiercely."Lyle huffed. "Ana--""I wish to speak with you, Lauren. Before I break Lyle's nose," Ana declared, determined. Her eyes never leaving hers."You cannot force my ward to speak to you," si Lyle ulit, hinawakan na sa braso si Ana. Lalong namula ang mukha ng babae, nagngitngit. Tiningala na nito si Lyle. "Unhand me at once, Mr. Samaniego! Or I won't just break your nose but also the two balls dangling
Malakas ang pagkabog ng didbib ni Lauren habang nakaupo siya sa table malapit sa makeshift stage. She's waiting for Ana to come back from wherever she has gone to para makapagpaalam na rin siya agad."Hey are you okay?" pukaw na tanong sa kanya ni Tyler who was already enjoying his wine."I am. I'm just... looking for Ana," aniya.Tyler's brows furrowed. "Joshua's wife? Why?""Gusto ko nang umuwi," sabi niya."What? Kadarating ko lang," reklamo nito."Right, you were late. Nauna akong dumating when I've clearly told you to be on time," sagot niya, may halong gigil. She asked Tyler to accompany her at the event. It was a favor he agreed to do in exchange for her 'consideration' to sell a few stocks of NTS to him."I'm just getting started with the wine, Lauren. I've yet to enjoy the real booze," anito, muling sumimsim ng wine.She rolled her eyes. "It's just booze. Bibilhan na lang kita."Tyler chuckled, marahan pang pinisil ang tungki ng kanyang ilong. "That's so sweet of you, Lauren
Kiel was gently tapping his fingers on his office desk. Kanina pa siya dumating sa kanyang opisina sa Ace Logistics subalit ang isip niya, na'kay Lauren pa rin.Halos isang linggo na siyang pabalik-balik sa townhouse nito subalit mukhang hindi pa rin ito bumabalik doon. Mula nang anniversary party ng Star Airlines, hindi na niya ito nakita pa. Not that he didn't look for her. Subalit sadya lang talagang pinagtaguan siya ulit nit Lauren. Eric and the rest of the Samaniegos won't talk either on where Lauren went this time. Honestly, their situation has been driving him mad, even worse than the first time she left. What's worse, mukhang ayaw na talagang pakinggan ang mga paliwanag niya. So, how can he fix their relationship? How can he make things clear for them?He huffed and continue tapping his fingers."S-Sir?" alanganing tawag sa kanya ni Carmi.Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa sekretarya. Fear and hesitation were clearly written on her face. "What is it?" he asked coldly."K-kanina pa po
Lauren's heartbeat began running a mile a minute as soon as she laid eyes on Kiel. He was standing in front of her again looking distraught and confused.His eyes lowered down to her belly and she instinctively held it.Oh god! she screamed inside her head, different emotions washing over at her."W-what are you doing here?" she finally said."Why... are you hiding things from me?" he asked in a pained voice, hurting her all the more.Maya-maya pa, lumapit si Claine dito mula sa labas. Ito ang reliever ni Lyle sa pagbabantay sa kanya for a few days."Boss, mabuti pa, pumasok ka na lang at doon kayo sa loob ng bahay mag-usap. I mean, this ain't the city but still, people have ears," anito.She hesitated for a moment, a confrontation wasn't what she planned for breakfast. Subalit pinapasok din niya si Kiel sa loob ng bahay niya. She had always known that Kiel would soon become aware of her situation. She just didn't think it would be that soon. Claine and Yaya Lumen, went straight to the
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