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Chapter XIX: Who to trust?
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The next day I decided not to join Dad with his agenda. I was thankful that I was knocked out from yesterday’s trip because if I was not, I’ll be up all night thinking. Kuya and Mom accompanied Dad with their trip. Ang alam ko ay nasa Bulacan sila ngayon. I withdrew myself from the bed and walked towards the living room of the suite. Mayroon nga palang binili si Kuya kagabi na fastfood on the way back to the hotel. Binuksan ko ang paperbag at naamoy ko na ang fried chicken at spaghetti. Talk about a healthy meal. Inilabas ko iyon mula sa paperbag at dinala ko iyon sa sofa. Looks like I’ll be here all day.
Nanood ko ng Netflix series habang nag aalmusal. I’m currently obsessed with a Netflix series entitled ELITE. The series is set in Las Encinas, a fictional elite secondary school and revolves around the relationships between three working-class teenage students enrolled at the scho
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One Temptation Chapter XXI: Principles
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One Temptation Chapter XXII: Dwight 2.0?
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One Temptation Chapter XXIII: Home
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One Temptation Chapter XXIV: Gift from Mom?
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One Temptation Chapter XXV: The Reeling
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One Temptation Chapter XXVI: Mole
I thought my work here was done when we took the picture, but I was wrong. The politicians decided to host a lunch. We were in a restaurant with Dad's running mates. They were all talking about their achievement. In short, nagpapayabangan.I was busy slicing my steak into smaller pieces when Lyle stood up. Tumingin lahat sa kanya."Please excuse us. Me and Atty. Abad's daughter have some urgent matter to attend," paalam nito. Hindi na ako nag-abala pang tignan s'ya dahil alam kong hindi rin naman sya papayagan ng mga matatanda."Sen. Ramos, your son is so bold to flaunt his intentions," sita ng isang matandang may bigote."Why? Is there something wrong about that?"
One Temptation Chapter XXVII: Suspicious
Hindi ko na magawang tignan si Lyle. How can he be a mole? Kanino naman s'ya nag rereport kung ganun? Napakaraming tanong da isip ko. "Are you okay? You look pale," sita ni Lyle. Binitawan nito ang kanyang pagkain at inabot ang kamay ko. Agad kong inilayo ang kamay ko at nag iwas ng tingin. "I'm fine. Let's just go back to the hotel." Nagtipa ako sa aking telepono ng mensahe para kay Kuya. To: Kuya ♡ We're staying at Escala Tagaytay. I'm sure you can get your way around the management. I thought Lyle will insist on staying but to
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My relationship with Dwight didn’t get any better after our talk. Emotions got the best of me when we last talked. At this point, I don’t even know if we really have a relationship.He’s busy training with the national team while I’m at my dad’s office. It’s just a few days before the election, so our security is at its max. Our house security system has been upgraded. More bodyguards are deployed.“Caily, you should ask your manager to reschedule all your shoots to a week after the election. It’s your dad and aunt’s request,” Mom said when she sat beside me. My schedule has already been pushed far too long. If I do what I was asked, I might lose a few contracts in these coming years.“Mom, I hope they will understand me. I’ve pushed the shoots far too long. I might lose my contracts next year, or worse, they might sue me.” I fidgeted with my phone. Mom sighed beside me. Modeling is becoming my full-time job, and I know my mom has something to say about it because she did modeling as
One Temptation Chapter XLIX: Where were you ?
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One Temptation Chapter XLVIII: Unexpected Encounter
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One Temptation Chapter XLVII: Territorial
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One Temptation Chapter XLVI: Thailand
I flew to Thailand as planned. Maayos naman na ang lagay ni Bella. It was a miracle that the baby survived. Kuya offered Bella to stay in his house but Bella refuses. Bella reasoned out that it is too dangerous for her to be around kuya after the incident. Kuya Jerome is still investigating. Hindi namin alam kung kami ba ang dahilan kung bakit nangyari yun kay Bella o may sarili silang alitan ng mga armadong lalake. “Caily, we will be staying for 2 days and 3 nights. Tanghali ang dating natin ng Thailand. Your first day is your free day. If you want to explore the city, we can do that. Then, the next days will be filled with shoots. Bali 3 layouts per day tayo. Sa huling araw natin naman, we will have dinner with the CEO.” Sumandal na lang ako sa upuan ko at pumikit. Pinapakinggan ko pa lang ang mga sinasabi ni Brithey pagod na ako.Thailand is not that different from the Philippines that’s why I’m not that interested in exploring the country. Plano kong magpahinga lang ngayong araw
One Temptation Chapter XLV: Misfortune or An Organized Crime?
“Baby, you should get some sleep na. Don’t worry about mommy. I will sleep once your Kuya is asleep,” mom said after putting me to bed.It’s Kuya’s Midterm Exam tomorrow. I know to myself that both of them will stay up all night. Leading up to his exams, Kuya always becomes erratic, so mom is scared to leave him alone. “But Kuya won’t be sleeping tonight since his exam is tomorrow,” I said as I tucked myself into bed. Mom was smiling at me while leaning on the door.“Very observant of you, my little princess.” She walked towards me, turned off the side lamp, and kissed my forehead.“Good night, my princess.” She walked away and closed the door.I slept that night assured that everything would be fine the following day, but it was far from the reality I faced the next morning. A loud banging awakened me, not on my door but perhaps in the room beside me, my brother’s room. I went out of bed to check on what was happening. It was my mom knocking non-stop on kuya’s door.“What’s happeni
One Temptation Chapter XLIV: Close Call
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One Temptation Chapter XLIII: Fatherly Love from a Brother
Ever since my early childhood I’m always the type of kid who will just stare around and instantly comprehend what’s going on in my surroundings. Some adults deemed me as mature but the reason that I’m quick to pick up on what’s happening in the surrounding is because in our house we rarely speak to one another. As I grew older, I realized that I’m not that aware anymore of what’s happening around me. It’s like I’ve dived into the abyss.“Are you alright, ate?” I was brought back to my senses when Eli gently racked my body. I looked at him. I can’t figure out his look. Is he apologetic or worried? I didn’t speak. Brithey just looked at me and Eli as if she was trying to grasp what’s happening. I stared at Eli for a few minutes before my phone rang. It was Erica calling. Eli took my phone and answered it. Lumakad s’ya papunta sa may kitchen. Akala ko ba okay na ako? Akala ko tanggap ko na ang katotohanan? Napahawak ako sa noo ko. That’s bullsh*t! I’ll never be alright with it! I neve
One Temptation Chapter XLII: Photos That Haunt Me
I was still shocked from what went down during our lunch. Malapit na bang mamatay si dad? Why on earth is he suddenly sweet and understanding?“Sapphire, I’m talking to you.” I was caught off-guard when dad uttered my name. “Po?” tanong ko dito dahil sa tingin ko mali ang narinig ko kanina.“I’m asking you when you are free. Balak ko kasing pumunta tayo sa ibang bansa bilang pamilya. That’s my graduation gift for you. So when are you free?” paliwanag ni dad.Ibinaba ko ang kubyertos na hawak ko at sandaling inalala ang schedule ko. If my memory serves right, I’ll be free after a month.“I’m not sure if I remember it correctly but I’m free by next month, I guess? I’ll confirm it tomorrow after talking to my manager.” Dad nodded and continued his meal.I swear that was the first time that he acknowledged me. If I only know that this is how I can gain his acknowledgement I should have studied way earlier. Wala sa sarili akong naglakad papasok ng lobby nang bigla akong tawagin ng recept
