Jealousy I blinked my thoughts back when I heard Ivory's voice. I felt like floating in the air as I continued walking towards the fitting room. In a split second, I noticed all the changes in him. He looked so corporate. Even with his long sleeves folded at the arm and black slacks. I even thought for a second that he was an executive of a big company. His body also grew a lot and became taller. His features are more defined now that he has aged a bit. How many years have passed since I last saw him? Three or four years? Surely he's changed a lot during those years. I wonder what he's been up to these years? Still in Malolos? Managing the plantation? I suppose so. That was his plan, wasn't it? To grow the plantation. I shook my head as I faced the mirror. I have changed too in the last four years. My rise to the top of modeling was fast compared to those who started at the same time. But I can proudly say all of these are by-products of effort and hard work and not because of my
Flowers "What the hell is your problem?!” I struggled violently to get away from him. He held my arm tighter as he continued to pull me out. He managed to take me to the parking lot. I can feel my arms hurting. I swear it will leave a mark the next day. But that's the least of my concerns now. I have to get out of his hold. "Santi, what are you doing?! Let me go!” He stopped walking but still didn't let me go. He turned to me, eyes bloodshot and angry. He clenched his jaw, holding back his anger. "What the hell is your problem?!" I shouted again. Who does he think he is to just pop out of nowhere and pull me whenever he wants? He is really so frustrating! He pursed his lips and looked away. He seems to be holding back himself. I glared at him. Now he has nothing to say? He just ruined my night totally and then he won't even talk about why he did this? Damn, bastard. I was about to turn around when he stopped me again. Now the pain in my arm is evident. "You're going back ther
Kiss "There is something you need to know about Xander," his voice dark. I was about to go past him when I got stunned by what he said. I looked at him, tired. Is this one of his tricks? Using Xander to get to me? I had enough roller coaster of emotions tonight. And his being here doesn't help at all. "What is it?" "I shouldn't be the one saying this but I just think you need to know," he sighed. "Stop beating around the bush and just say it," I crossed my arms and glared at him even more. "Xander is seeing someone." Surprised is not even enough to describe how I felt when I heard that. He's joking, right? Cause that doesn't sound like a funny joke! "Liar," I gritted my teeth. "I wish I am just lying," he said seriously, his eyes dark. "You can go home and see for yourself. I'm telling you this so you can stop wanting him to love you back. Cause that won't happen. Especially now that he's with someone already." "You!" I screamed in annoyance. I was about to rush at him when
Miserable I have everything planned out already. If I had to follow Xander every step of the way, I would. I just want to know who the girl he likes is if there is one. It was a good thing I heard from Tita Alondra he's working on a project in Baler. And I have a strong feeling that the woman Santi is referring to is there. But if she's not there, I will try to find other ways to know where she is. Xander didn't even need to know what I was going to do. And he doesn't seem to have any intention of letting me know. All I want now is to talk to whoever that girl is. I had to put on the best disguise I could get just so that what I was doing would not be recognized and would not be noticed. It was all normal until half of the day. He went on-site inspection and he also went to several meetings. Afternoon came and I just kept following him. My eyes widened when I saw where he went at nearly five in the afternoon. He went into one of the biggest universities here in Baler. I know this
Mistake I was out of focus even though I was busy with the shoots for that day. All I could ever think of is that cryptic message from Xander. I can't help but be nervous. Does he know that I talked to Aurora? Is that why he's asking to meet me? Still, I shrugged the thought. Although it's very unusual of him to text me like that and ask to meet me, I just thought he just wanted to talk. I saw him waiting for me inside the coffee shop just a short distance away. I smiled at him when our eyes met. "Hi!" I greeted him warmly. I was about to hug and kiss him when he took a step back. I stared at him for a long time and cleared my throat. I just ignored it and smiled again. He remained serious, his expression unreadable. I ignored what he did and just called the waiter for my order. I smiled at him when the waiter went to prepare my order. "What are we going to talk about?" "What did you tell her?" He asked immediately that I was not prepared. So he knew what I did. That fast? Doe
Special We boarded the plane that morning. I received a few more sermons from Bailey when I got back to the hotel that morning. He kept on asking me where I'd been the whole night. I can't tell him that I got drunk again and he will only scold me more. "I almost search the entire Metro Manila just to find you! I was worried sick!” I stared at him tiredly. I have no energy to quarrel with him. He was slightly stunned. "Can I rest for now, please? I'm tired from the flight. After all, the go-see you're talking about is still this afternoon." He chose to check in at a hotel in Tagaytay where the go-see will be held. I would have been more satisfied because the organizer chose a good resort if only what happened last night would stop bothering me. First with Xander, and then with Santi. But I shouldn't think much of the latter right? Because for me it was just nothing. “I-I'm sorry. I was just really worried because you didn't come home last night. Okay fine, take a break first. I'll
Smitten Ever since I heard their story from Grandma Gracia, although I did not experience the same intensity of pain, I empathized with him. Ever since I heard that, unconsciously I tried to understand him. As Grandma Gracia begged me. Even though there are many times when I don't really understand his behavior, I just think that's how he really is. That's how he deals with his issues. And that no matter how many times I try, I will never fully understand. Their family seems to have a lot of secrets and mysteries. I have an idea but my understanding of his family is not that deep. He was raised alone by a grandparent. It can still be considered family, but I know that somehow he still misses his parents' care. The things Elize and I talked about have not been removed from my mind. That's why I feel like I'm floating when I get home to the condo. Bailey wasn't there when I came in. He usually would lurk around my unit when we were not that busy. Either to annoy me or just entertain h
In Love I almost ran out of breath when I opened the door for Bailey. I kept looking at the terrace to check if I could see Santi from there. I was relieved that it wasn't. I forced a smile when Bailey and I locked eyes. His frowning face greeted me. "What were you doing that it took you so long to open the door?" He went in and checked my luggage. Right, I haven't packed my things yet. He looked at me with raised eyebrows and gestured to my suitcase. I smiled shyly at him. "What did you do here and you still haven't fixed your stuff? The briefing will begin anytime soon," he said and looked back at the luggage. "J-Just resting. I forgot, I'm sorry.” I kept looking at the terrace when Bailey wasn't looking. My chest is throbbing so fast that I feel like he could hear it. “I'll just freshen up a bit. I will come down afterward," I assured him, afraid he could think of something else to ask. "Okay, fine. You go freshen up while I organize your things," he said as he started openi
Together"Are you coming later?"I looked up to see Xander's smiling face. It looks welcoming. Most of my classmates that year would either make fun of me or ignore me. I don't mind either of those. I'm used to it. That's why it's refreshing to have someone approach me to make friends."I have some things to do at the farm," I said while arranging my things."I'll let Grandma Gracia know. Mommy baked cookies for us. Cianna's coming, too." He smiled."Who is that?" I asked brows furrowed. We don't have any schoolmates with that name."Family friend. They just moved here."I couldn't do anything when Xander came to my house to get permission from my grandmother. She also agreed with joy. Even though I don't tell her, I know she hears from school that other kids make fun of me. That's why she was so ha
PregnantI calmed myself while waiting quietly in the visitors' area of the correctional. I don't know what has gotten into me for coming here. I didn't bother to find out about the progress of the police investigation because the only thing that matters to me is that my son is safe and that the perpetrator is punished. My son is too young to experience such things. And the hardship and pain I felt as a mother were doubled.It took me a ton of courage to come here and see Ivory. I don't know why I'm doing this but I felt like I had to do this to move on.I looked up when the door opened and two female police officers entered, holding the handcuffed Ivory in both arms. She looked wasted and her sunken eyes are out of focus. Her pale lips rose for a sarcastic smirk when she saw me. After a while, she laughed a little."Who do I owe the honor of having you here?
Wait"What the hell are you doing?"I got out of the car in the middle of the rain without second thoughts. Even I couldn't understand myself and rushed to attend to him. My heart skipped a beat when he turned to me with a grim expression. His head and face were wet."You weren't inside," he murmured to himself.Just in time, the gate opened and some of the bodyguards came out with umbrellas and towels. I turned to Santi again and he still has the same expression. His jaw clenched and he looked away in anger."Let's go inside," I murmured after getting the towels from the bodyguards.The cold wind blew and my body shivered slightly. I jolted when I felt his arms wrapped around me as we walked to the mansion door.Mom and Dad were waiting in the living room when we entered. They were both surprised t
SoakedI have always wondered how all of it went wrong. We were happy and I thought it was something that would last. It never occurred to me that I could lose everything in an instant. My son is my everything. I can lose other things besides him.The sound of the gunshot still lingered in my ears until now. I heard commotions as I closed my eyes. When I woke up again, I was even more shocked by what I saw. Hugging me and my son, and shielding us from the shot, was Lance."L-Lance," my voice trembled and my eyes heavy. I tried to look at him properly.He just smiled lightly and then coughed up blood. I wanted to scream but I couldn't open my mouth. My tears just kept flowing tirelessly. He fell on the ground then the commotion around became more evident. The last thing I saw was Ivory lying on the ground being restrained by some uniformed men.
GuiltI took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. I was still shaking while holding the steering wheel. This is not the time to panic, I scolded my mind. It's more important that I get my son safely away from Ivory.I kept looking at the location Ivory gave me until I got out of the city. For several hours I crossed the narrow road with almost no houses around. It's afternoon, so darkness is slowly eating the surroundings.A few more minutes and I reached a dead end. My car won't fit if I force myself to enter the forest. I dialed Ivory's number and she answered it after a few rings."I'm at a dead end," I said immediately. I gritted my teeth as the seething anger enveloped me."There is a narrow road on the side where you are. Go through it. In the end, you will see a small hut."I roamed my eyes to look for the way
SaveMy whole body trembled and my eyes lose focus. Santi caught up to me and held my shoulders."What's happening?" He asked worry is etched in his voice. I, on the other hand, couldn't stop looking everywhere to find my son."Callar... The teacher said our son is waiting at the gate…"My chest throbbed so badly while I looked for the guard. No one is inside the post and he couldn't be found anywhere. No more students are coming out from inside and the surroundings are quiet."Let's ask the teacher once again. Maybe they sent him back because we haven't arrived yet," he said and pulled me inside.We caught up with the teacher inside the classroom who arranging her things. I roamed my eyes around but no one else was there. My chest throbbed louder. It wasn't even five minutes since the teacher called to say my so
DreamI know we have to talk things out. And here I am being stubborn again because I'm clouded with so many doubts and insecurities. Maybe he has a plan to tell me and he's just looking for a good time. Or he's hoping the issue would die down on its own so he doesn't think he had to tell me anything about it.Well, that frustrates me even more. Even more so, Ivory points to me as the reason why Santi chose not to continue with that project.And damn, I know he wanted it so bad. He worked so hard for it. I know, more than anyone, how hard it is to give up on the things I love because of other things as well. And if the thing that stops him is us, how did he expect me to react? Of course, I'd be mad! As much as I want to keep him with us, I can't just do that. And what hurts, even more, is he doesn't even share with me his dreams, his goals, his plans. I know nothing at all.
Selfish"Leave him."If she hadn't been staring at me seriously while saying those words, I would have thought she was joking. I wanted so bad to laugh at her right now. She looked helpless and a hopeless desperate bitch."Stop spewing nonsense, Ivory," I said firmly."Do you think I'm just fooling around, Cianna? Or am I just saying all of these things because of how I feel for Santi? You're wrong. Can't you see you're pulling him down?"My eyes narrowed at what she said. What the hell? What did I do to pull Santi down?"Will you please snap out of it, Ivory? If you don't have anything sensible to say, don't talk to me. You're just wasting my time," I said and turned my back on her.Just when I was about to take a step, she spoke again."You don't know anything. Or is it becaus
WantI don't know how to feel about what Jacob said. My chest throbbed with a familiar pain."Maybe they're talking about work?" I faked a smile. I tried to hide the tremor in my voice.Right. I shouldn't jump to conclusions. But no matter how hard I try, I can't stop my brain. I almost didn't even hear the loud music."Maybe," he shrugged. "Anyway, let's just enjoy the night," he grinned and gently pulled me again to dance.Before I could even refuse, a pair of hands grabbed my arm from behind. I felt Santi's familiar hold that I automatically turned to him. His eyes were dark staring at Jacob's hand that was still holding mine."Santi," I called his name in protest.He turned to me, jaw clenched so hard."Sorry dude," Jacob apologized, raising both his hands.I was about to say something when I noticed someone chasing after Santi. She stopped walking when our eyes met.Ivory looked at Santi's back in a forlorn way. My anger grew even more when it was proven that what Jacob said was