"I'm glad the negotation with Mr. Deschamps went well" Saad ni Mr. Devereux ng may ngiti sa kanyang labi. "I'm sorry I had to put that burden on you" He added apologetically."Don't worry about that Uncle, the conversation went pretty smoothly kaya hindi ako nahirapan." Nicole assured him.Nicole Orlov, daughter of Nile Devereux's friend. Bago pa man naging may ari ng Insight si Nile ay kilala niya na ang ama ni Nicole. Magkapitbahay ang kanilang pamilya noon sa Lexington bago lumipat ang pamilya ni Nile sa Noirville—Estria's capital city.Nicole is like a daughter to him. Nicole is known to the public as the only woman who can get close to Zeke. Nicole understands Zeke's personality and can play along pretty well with his occasional capriciousness.They form a pretty good couple, kaya naman nang pilitin ng ama na mag asawa si Zeke ay hindi niya maikakaila na hinangad niyang si Nicole ang pipiliin ng anak. Ngunit hindi ito ang napupusuan ni Zeke and he doesn't want to force his son t
As Zeke stood there, facing Nicole's barrage of questions and emotions, his expression remained stoic, almost unreadable. The air around them felt heavy with tension, each word hanging in the air waiting for a response.Zeke took a moment, his gaze shifting between Nicole and Asteria, as if weighing his words carefully. Finally, he let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly."I... I have made my choice Nicole," he started, his voice soft but firm. "And I asure you that I am not being forced like what you think."Natigilan si Nicole. She felt her heart sink at his words, a sting of disappointment coursing through her. Sa kalooban niya'y inaasahan niyang "hindi" ang isasagot ni Zeke sa kanyang tanong. Nicole felt a lump form in her throat, the weight of Zeke's words bearing down on her. She wanted to protest, to shake some sense into him, but she knew deep down that it was futile. Zeke had made up his mind, and nothing she said could change that."Fine," she replied, her v
"Asteria!"Umalingawngaw ang boses ng isang lalaki sa aking pandinig ngunit hindi ko ito binigyan ng pansin. Nanghihina at nanlulumo ang katawan ko sa eksenang nakatambad sa akin. Duguan at wala ng buhay, mga katawan ng aming kapwa sundalo na nawalan ng buhay matapos magkaroon ng sneak attack ang military forces ng Estria sa kampo na min na naka base malapit sa border. I felt suffocation creeping and swallowing my chest making my breathing rough and painful. From the distance, I could hear the roaring sounds of gunfires, bombings, panicked screams of soldiers, and the desperate cries of my fellow countrymen.I was pulled out of my reverie nang maramdaman ko ang mabigat at mahigpit na hawak ng dalawang kamay sa aking balikat. "Asteria! Pull yourself together!" He sounded angry but I saw concern when I looked into his murky eyes."Oliver..." Mahina kong bulong"Stop daydreaming Asteria!" He shouted at my face, masyadong malakas na parang nabingi ako. "Pick up your gear and gun," his v
"D-deal", nangangatal kong salita na nagpalingon sa ulo ni Zeke na sinusundan pa rin ng tingin ang paalis nang si Oliver.His green eyes widened as he looked at me. Hindi na niya kailangan pang magsalita at magtanong dahil kitang kita ko na sa mga mata niya ang hindi makapaniwalang ekspresiyon sa sinabi ko."Fine, p–payag na ako sa kasunduan mo." Inulit ko ang nais kong sabihin sa kanya ngunit parang hindi yata siya natuwa rito at nakita ko ang bahagyang pagtaas ng kaniyang kilay. "Aren't you satisfied?", tanong ko sa kanya nang hindi pa ito nagsalita, "Isn't this what you want?"He took steps to near me and gave me a look as if deciphering every inch of me. I stood still, waiting for our faces to come close."Why the sudden change of heart?" A grin worked on his lips and his emerald eyes sparkled under the sun's rays."Tell me, which sane person will let the chance to get a hundred million Solaries slip away?" Iniangat ko ang tingin sa kanya, I didn't looked away. Dapat niyang maram
"Dad," humarap si Zeke sa ama, "wag ka ng magtanong, baka magbago pa ang isip." He warned his dad as if I'm not in front of them. Nilunok ko ang namumuong tawa sa lalamunan ko at pinilit ibalik sa seryoso ang aking mukha. Tumikhim ang ama ni Zeke."I know that Zeke doesn't have a very good reputation in terms of having a woman," tumingin itong muli sa akin, "but knowing that he's willing to settle down puts me in ease."Inosente akong ngumiti sa kanya at tumingin kay Zeke."So...how did you two meet?" Dumagundong ang tanong ng ama ni Zeke sa tainga ko. Biglang binalot ng kaba ang dibdib ko."We met at Paradis." Maagap at maikling tugon ni Zeke. "We met there one night, we were both drinking and..." malokong ngumiti si Zeke, ngiting nagbabadya na may hindi ito kanais-nais na sasabihin. He's taunting me and he finds pleasure in doing that."And we talked for a while, napagtanto namin na aligned pala ang mga interest namin sa buhay and before leaving, he asked for my number. We were in
Namamanas na puwet ko mula sa kinauupuan ko ngayon. I can't seem to focus on what Nile Devereux is saying—my future father-in-law— amidst our breakfast. Yes, nandito ako ngayon sa bahay nila dahil inimbitahan ako ng mag ama na mag almusal kasama sila, and also to "know me more"—that's what Zeke's father said. "Zeke was quite a troublemaker when he was a kid, he once fell off from a tree that he climbed with his cousins kahit na hindi naman siya marunong umakyat ng puno." Nile let out a chuckle na sinagot ko naman ng isang nag aalangang ngiti pero hindi ko inangat ang paningin mula sa steak na hinihiwa ko sa aking plato. "Umuwi siyang may mga gasgas at may punit na short" Napalakas ang tawa ng ama. "Dad, don't embarrass me to my future wife." Pagpigil ni Zeke sa ama. I glanced at them, his dad still laughing while Zeke is looking at him with annoyance in his face. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa pagkaing nakaharao sa akin at kinuha ang tinidor upang isubo ang piraso ng karneng itinuso
"Hello sa inyong lahat!" Magiliw kong bati sa mga staff ng Devereux mansion. Pangalawang araw na itong dito ako nag almusal. Ngayon ay ipinakilala ako ni Zeke sa kanilang mga katulong at mga guards na bumabantay sa kanilang mansyon. Ang mga ito's naka hilera paharap sa akin at maaliwalas ang mga mukhang bumati sa akin ng sabay-sabay. They were all wearing a black uniform. So it's easy to tell that they're working for a one person or family. Ang mga gwardiya ay nakasuot ng itim na coat at may puting panloob. Ang mga katulong naman ay nakasuot ng itim na trousers at white polo na naka tuck-in sa kanilang bewang. Ang kanilang mga buhok at malinis at maayos na nakatali sa isang bun. Ni wala akong makitang isang hibla ng buhok na kumawala sa pagkakatali at sumasayaw sa kanilang mukha. They were all looking prim and proper. Napansin ko ang paglapit ng isang babae mula sa linya sa akin. She might be in her late forties. There are some fine lines visible on her face, but her blue eyes sti
"Zeke, saan mo ba ako balak dalhin?" Sigaw ko sa lalaki ng umakyat kami sa isang burol. Ngayon ko lamang napansing malayo na pala ang narating namin mula sa highway.Tumigil ito sa paglalakad at binitawan ang kamay kong hawak-hawak nito simula pa kanina. "Look . . .“ Tumingin ako sa direksyong tinitingnan niya at napagtantong maraming mga tao ang naroon sa burol. May iba pang burol sa katabi nito ngunit ang kinatatayuan namin ngayon ang pinakamalaki at pinakamataas.Sa likod namin, matatanaw ang kabuoan ng Noirville. Nagmukhang mga umiilaw na laruan ang mga matatayog na gusali ng siyudad mula sa kinatatayuan namin.And when I looked at the view laid in front of us, my mouth parted in shock. Malilim ang mga ilaw pero sapat na iyon upang makilala ko ang lugar na tinatanaw namin.The land of Westaria — my homeland. Kahit makapal ang kagubatang pumapagitna sa amin ay maaaninag parin ang ilaw na nanggagaling sa sa isang siyudad ng Westaria na pinakamalapit sa border.I felt my eyes burn.
"Zeke, saan mo ba ako balak dalhin?" Sigaw ko sa lalaki ng umakyat kami sa isang burol. Ngayon ko lamang napansing malayo na pala ang narating namin mula sa highway.Tumigil ito sa paglalakad at binitawan ang kamay kong hawak-hawak nito simula pa kanina. "Look . . .“ Tumingin ako sa direksyong tinitingnan niya at napagtantong maraming mga tao ang naroon sa burol. May iba pang burol sa katabi nito ngunit ang kinatatayuan namin ngayon ang pinakamalaki at pinakamataas.Sa likod namin, matatanaw ang kabuoan ng Noirville. Nagmukhang mga umiilaw na laruan ang mga matatayog na gusali ng siyudad mula sa kinatatayuan namin.And when I looked at the view laid in front of us, my mouth parted in shock. Malilim ang mga ilaw pero sapat na iyon upang makilala ko ang lugar na tinatanaw namin.The land of Westaria — my homeland. Kahit makapal ang kagubatang pumapagitna sa amin ay maaaninag parin ang ilaw na nanggagaling sa sa isang siyudad ng Westaria na pinakamalapit sa border.I felt my eyes burn.
"Hello sa inyong lahat!" Magiliw kong bati sa mga staff ng Devereux mansion. Pangalawang araw na itong dito ako nag almusal. Ngayon ay ipinakilala ako ni Zeke sa kanilang mga katulong at mga guards na bumabantay sa kanilang mansyon. Ang mga ito's naka hilera paharap sa akin at maaliwalas ang mga mukhang bumati sa akin ng sabay-sabay. They were all wearing a black uniform. So it's easy to tell that they're working for a one person or family. Ang mga gwardiya ay nakasuot ng itim na coat at may puting panloob. Ang mga katulong naman ay nakasuot ng itim na trousers at white polo na naka tuck-in sa kanilang bewang. Ang kanilang mga buhok at malinis at maayos na nakatali sa isang bun. Ni wala akong makitang isang hibla ng buhok na kumawala sa pagkakatali at sumasayaw sa kanilang mukha. They were all looking prim and proper. Napansin ko ang paglapit ng isang babae mula sa linya sa akin. She might be in her late forties. There are some fine lines visible on her face, but her blue eyes sti
Namamanas na puwet ko mula sa kinauupuan ko ngayon. I can't seem to focus on what Nile Devereux is saying—my future father-in-law— amidst our breakfast. Yes, nandito ako ngayon sa bahay nila dahil inimbitahan ako ng mag ama na mag almusal kasama sila, and also to "know me more"—that's what Zeke's father said. "Zeke was quite a troublemaker when he was a kid, he once fell off from a tree that he climbed with his cousins kahit na hindi naman siya marunong umakyat ng puno." Nile let out a chuckle na sinagot ko naman ng isang nag aalangang ngiti pero hindi ko inangat ang paningin mula sa steak na hinihiwa ko sa aking plato. "Umuwi siyang may mga gasgas at may punit na short" Napalakas ang tawa ng ama. "Dad, don't embarrass me to my future wife." Pagpigil ni Zeke sa ama. I glanced at them, his dad still laughing while Zeke is looking at him with annoyance in his face. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa pagkaing nakaharao sa akin at kinuha ang tinidor upang isubo ang piraso ng karneng itinuso
"Dad," humarap si Zeke sa ama, "wag ka ng magtanong, baka magbago pa ang isip." He warned his dad as if I'm not in front of them. Nilunok ko ang namumuong tawa sa lalamunan ko at pinilit ibalik sa seryoso ang aking mukha. Tumikhim ang ama ni Zeke."I know that Zeke doesn't have a very good reputation in terms of having a woman," tumingin itong muli sa akin, "but knowing that he's willing to settle down puts me in ease."Inosente akong ngumiti sa kanya at tumingin kay Zeke."So...how did you two meet?" Dumagundong ang tanong ng ama ni Zeke sa tainga ko. Biglang binalot ng kaba ang dibdib ko."We met at Paradis." Maagap at maikling tugon ni Zeke. "We met there one night, we were both drinking and..." malokong ngumiti si Zeke, ngiting nagbabadya na may hindi ito kanais-nais na sasabihin. He's taunting me and he finds pleasure in doing that."And we talked for a while, napagtanto namin na aligned pala ang mga interest namin sa buhay and before leaving, he asked for my number. We were in
"D-deal", nangangatal kong salita na nagpalingon sa ulo ni Zeke na sinusundan pa rin ng tingin ang paalis nang si Oliver.His green eyes widened as he looked at me. Hindi na niya kailangan pang magsalita at magtanong dahil kitang kita ko na sa mga mata niya ang hindi makapaniwalang ekspresiyon sa sinabi ko."Fine, p–payag na ako sa kasunduan mo." Inulit ko ang nais kong sabihin sa kanya ngunit parang hindi yata siya natuwa rito at nakita ko ang bahagyang pagtaas ng kaniyang kilay. "Aren't you satisfied?", tanong ko sa kanya nang hindi pa ito nagsalita, "Isn't this what you want?"He took steps to near me and gave me a look as if deciphering every inch of me. I stood still, waiting for our faces to come close."Why the sudden change of heart?" A grin worked on his lips and his emerald eyes sparkled under the sun's rays."Tell me, which sane person will let the chance to get a hundred million Solaries slip away?" Iniangat ko ang tingin sa kanya, I didn't looked away. Dapat niyang maram
"Asteria!"Umalingawngaw ang boses ng isang lalaki sa aking pandinig ngunit hindi ko ito binigyan ng pansin. Nanghihina at nanlulumo ang katawan ko sa eksenang nakatambad sa akin. Duguan at wala ng buhay, mga katawan ng aming kapwa sundalo na nawalan ng buhay matapos magkaroon ng sneak attack ang military forces ng Estria sa kampo na min na naka base malapit sa border. I felt suffocation creeping and swallowing my chest making my breathing rough and painful. From the distance, I could hear the roaring sounds of gunfires, bombings, panicked screams of soldiers, and the desperate cries of my fellow countrymen.I was pulled out of my reverie nang maramdaman ko ang mabigat at mahigpit na hawak ng dalawang kamay sa aking balikat. "Asteria! Pull yourself together!" He sounded angry but I saw concern when I looked into his murky eyes."Oliver..." Mahina kong bulong"Stop daydreaming Asteria!" He shouted at my face, masyadong malakas na parang nabingi ako. "Pick up your gear and gun," his v
As Zeke stood there, facing Nicole's barrage of questions and emotions, his expression remained stoic, almost unreadable. The air around them felt heavy with tension, each word hanging in the air waiting for a response.Zeke took a moment, his gaze shifting between Nicole and Asteria, as if weighing his words carefully. Finally, he let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly."I... I have made my choice Nicole," he started, his voice soft but firm. "And I asure you that I am not being forced like what you think."Natigilan si Nicole. She felt her heart sink at his words, a sting of disappointment coursing through her. Sa kalooban niya'y inaasahan niyang "hindi" ang isasagot ni Zeke sa kanyang tanong. Nicole felt a lump form in her throat, the weight of Zeke's words bearing down on her. She wanted to protest, to shake some sense into him, but she knew deep down that it was futile. Zeke had made up his mind, and nothing she said could change that."Fine," she replied, her v
"I'm glad the negotation with Mr. Deschamps went well" Saad ni Mr. Devereux ng may ngiti sa kanyang labi. "I'm sorry I had to put that burden on you" He added apologetically."Don't worry about that Uncle, the conversation went pretty smoothly kaya hindi ako nahirapan." Nicole assured him.Nicole Orlov, daughter of Nile Devereux's friend. Bago pa man naging may ari ng Insight si Nile ay kilala niya na ang ama ni Nicole. Magkapitbahay ang kanilang pamilya noon sa Lexington bago lumipat ang pamilya ni Nile sa Noirville—Estria's capital city.Nicole is like a daughter to him. Nicole is known to the public as the only woman who can get close to Zeke. Nicole understands Zeke's personality and can play along pretty well with his occasional capriciousness.They form a pretty good couple, kaya naman nang pilitin ng ama na mag asawa si Zeke ay hindi niya maikakaila na hinangad niyang si Nicole ang pipiliin ng anak. Ngunit hindi ito ang napupusuan ni Zeke and he doesn't want to force his son t
My eyes rounded as soon as I opened the door and saw that someone was out here waiting for me.Shivers ran down into my body as he forced me to step backwards. We are now back inside the ladies room. Without looking back, he locked the door behind him.I gulped. "What are you doing?". Matigas kong tanong.His eyes looked at me eerily, his lips twitching into a dangerous smile. "Making sure na hindi mo na ulit ako matatakasan."I supressed the feeling of tension in my stomach. Tumalim ang tingin ko sa kanya. "Step away"With eyes either lying or saying the truth, he then smiled."Relax honey, I'm here to help you."Umalingawngaw ang pangungusap na iyon sa aking tenga at nang matauhan na ako'y nakita ko siyang nakaupo sa tabi ko sa loob ng isang kotse.His eyes darted on my face. Inaabangan ang bawat ekspresiyon na ipipinta ng mukha ko."What were you thinking?""Nothing" I replied drily at sabay umiwas ng tingin.I heard his subtle scoff. Ibinaling ko ang pansin sa senaryo sa labas ng