Masama ang loob ko at walang imik hanggang makabalik kami sa resthouse nila Chester. Maging siya tuloy ay tahimik at hindi ako kinikibo kaya mas lalo lang akong naiinis.Well, I’m not totally mad at him. Naiinis ako sa nalaman ko! And the fact that they’re still friends made me dislike the idea even more. Dumagdag pang parang hindi niya napapansing masama ang loob ko.Eh ‘di do’n siya kay Claire!Wait, no. Ugh!“What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?” tanong niya nang hilahin ako para maupo sa lap niya sa couch dahil tataas na sana ako sa kuwarto.I rolled my eyes. “No,” I simply answered and was about to leave him pero siyempre, hindi niya ako hinayaan. Si Chester ‘yan, eh!“Sinungaling,” mahina at mapanuyang asik niya bago ako ginawaran ng halik sa pisngi. “Tell me, Love. What’s bothering you? Kakaunti lang ang napamili mo dahil kanina ka pang ganiyan.”I rolled my eyes. “Oo nga at kanina ka pa rin walang pake,” asik ko.He groaned as he buried his face on my neck. “I’ve been trying to ca
What…Everything fell silent after he uttered those words. Pakiramdam ko, pinagsakluban ako ng langit at lupa at hindi ko alam kung anong paniniwalaan.I felt numb. I-I couldn’t even think properly or say something properly. Gusto kong tumakbo… gusto kong magwala… gusto kong….Oh God, what is this?“Chancellor pushed her causing her death. M-Magkasama kami noon at naglalaro nang makita niya ang Mommy mo. Back then, we… we really hated your Mom because we know what’s up between her and dad,” pagpapatuloy ni Chester sa mga bagay na hindi niya nasabi sa akin noon.“She approached us, and it was really an accident. My brother didn’t mean it… we were…” parang dinudurog ang puso ko sa bawat salitang binibigkas niya. His voice was hoarse and breaking. Parang paulit-ulit siyang sinasaksak sa bawat salitang binibitawan, and it breaks my heart hearing him that way. “... we were just children…”Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya at halos madurog ako nang makita siyang umiiyak. He was doing his b
I was taken aback by the words he uttered. Like what I said, I understood why he did those back then. Pero ngayong humihingi siya ng tawad sa akin, hindi ko alam ang isasagot.“Dad…”He smiled weakly and tried to look at me. “I know what I did back then was unforgivable, but I was just protecting you, and…”“Dad, Dad…” kaagad ko siyang pinutol. I held his hand and smiled at him. I know that I hated him so much back then. I was stupid. I was reckless and damn stupid. Ngayon, kahit hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung bakit niya pinakasalan si Tita Faureen, I don’t care anymore.He’s all that I have. He’s the only parent I have.And this grudge has been here too long already. Pagod na pagod na akong magalit.“I understand…” pagpapatuloy ko ngunit suno-sunod siyang umiling sa akin.“No, I didn’t give you a proper explanation back then,” aniya. “Your Tita Faureen, she and I have been good friends even before I met your mother. When your mom left, I… I didn’t know what to do. I wanted you to
For how long could you settle into a relationship that has been choking you? Like a shackle, it has been holding you, preventing you to leave, making you stay no matter how toxic it has been. But I guess, there’s no way out of a prison that you voluntarily went in. There's no way out of the person you love no matter how toxic it is.It’s because I loved him. I loved him from the bottom of my heart kaya kahit gaano na kasakit, hindi ko siya kayang bitawan. Hindi ko alam kung paano. At hindi ko kayang gawin.Back then, I could still remember his courage, his kindness, and his humor that made me fall in love. I could still remember the moments we shared. It was the fastest, yet the strongest I fell in love with.But as times went on, he changed. He became possessive. He hid me from the world when he knew I craved freedom. It’s like he pulled me out of the dungeon of my father, yet, he pushed me back into the abyss way deeper. He put me in a cage much worse than where I’ve been. And it h
“We're doomed,” Markus said when I entered the office. Taas-kilay ko siyang tinitigan habang sabay kaming naglalakad papasok. What does he mean by that?“I'm doomed for life, Markus Axle. Sa tingin mo ba may kakatakutan pa ako?” I asked dahil alam niya naman kung gaano kagulo ang buhay ko ngayon.“Dapat! Dahil ako rin ay meron pa!” he said. “Goodness, at bakit ka ba pumasok nang ganyan ang suot? That dress of yours will add fuel to the damn fire!”Wala sa sariling napatawa ako habang tinitingnan ang suot na fitted beige dress. It looks nothing formal. Parang pupunta lang sa bar. Well, that’s what I actually intend to portray. “Do I look like I care?” I asked. “Besides, wala na naman akong sisiraing image. Our engagement alone can save my ass. It saves yours too,” natatawang sabi ko habang naghihintay kaming bumukas ang elevator. However, he groaned like he had other, or bigger problems than that.“That’s our problem! My hunch tells me that it’s the reason why we’re called here. I thi
“I told you, Markus! I'm not damn drunk! It's just a few shots of tequila!” sigaw ko sa kanya nang pinipigilan niya akong umalis sa bar nang mag-isa. “I know!” he exclaimed before he threw me inside his car. “And I trust Chancellor kaya hindi kita pipigilan. Pero ihahatid kita ro'n, hmm?”He pushed my forehead using his index finger before he closed the door. Wala na akong sinabi at nag-seatbelt na lang.Damn it. I badly want to see Chancellor right now. Iniisip ko pa lang na magpapakasal ako sa iba, mababaliw na ako. On top of that, I… I am sure that I will never get to see him again kung magkataon.And I couldn't swallow the bitter truth.Ever since Dad knew about my relationship with Reese, and the other issues we were involved in, he did his best to refrain me from dating other men. Kung kaya nang makilala ko si Chancellor… I became so afraid to fall in love with him even though I clearly know that we're on the same page.True to his words, nang tumigil ang sasakyan, parang mas
“So, Chester, your name is rising pretty fast in the industry since you took over the company. That’s quite impressive,” Daddy praised Chester habang kumakain kami ng lunch.Meanwhile, I couldn’t even raise my gaze dahil sa kaba. My mind is very clouded, at hindi pa magandang… ramdam na ramdam ko ang titig sa akin ng pinakamatanda sa tatlo. Chester Lancelot Del Fuego was staring at me angrily like I did something fucking horrible! Bakit ganoon siya makatitig? Dahil ba sa nangyari kagabi?Ang kapal naman ng mukha niya kung ganoon! Last time I checked, he was the one who introduced himself as Chancellor! Kaya kung may dapat mang magalit sa aming dalawa, ako iyon! He tricked me! He lured me! He kissed me and… it was… I cleared my throat at the thought of it. I wouldn’t say I didn’t enjoy it, pero kahit na! He should’ve known that I was looking for his brother! And I… I can’t believe I haven’t differentiated them.But now, I think I know how it goes.“Thank you, Sir. Well, honestly, I ha
I moaned softly when his kiss went deeper. I couldn’t have a damn time to process anything dahil sa patuloy niyang paghalik sa akin. Chester cupped my cheeks and pulled me closer to deepen the kiss. At kung hindi pa kami parahong hinihingal, hindi niya pa ako lulubayan.Fuck… w-what was that?When I opened my eyes, I met his pitch-black pair of eyes. I can see how the lights reflected on it, and it looked stunning. But unlike others, his eyes were blank. Almost like it does not hold any emotion at all. And it bothered me seeing that way.“Still looking for Chancellor?” he asked in a seductive tone as he smirked. He then licked his lips, which made me roll my eyes.“Umalis ka nga riyan,” I said and pushed him back to his damn personal space. “Halik ka nang halik, hindi naman tayo close,” I whispered as he laughed and continued driving. This bastard.“Where should I drop you off?” he asked.Honestly, I don’t know. Right now, I have nowhere to go. And I’m definitely not going home. Ayaw
I was taken aback by the words he uttered. Like what I said, I understood why he did those back then. Pero ngayong humihingi siya ng tawad sa akin, hindi ko alam ang isasagot.“Dad…”He smiled weakly and tried to look at me. “I know what I did back then was unforgivable, but I was just protecting you, and…”“Dad, Dad…” kaagad ko siyang pinutol. I held his hand and smiled at him. I know that I hated him so much back then. I was stupid. I was reckless and damn stupid. Ngayon, kahit hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung bakit niya pinakasalan si Tita Faureen, I don’t care anymore.He’s all that I have. He’s the only parent I have.And this grudge has been here too long already. Pagod na pagod na akong magalit.“I understand…” pagpapatuloy ko ngunit suno-sunod siyang umiling sa akin.“No, I didn’t give you a proper explanation back then,” aniya. “Your Tita Faureen, she and I have been good friends even before I met your mother. When your mom left, I… I didn’t know what to do. I wanted you to
What…Everything fell silent after he uttered those words. Pakiramdam ko, pinagsakluban ako ng langit at lupa at hindi ko alam kung anong paniniwalaan.I felt numb. I-I couldn’t even think properly or say something properly. Gusto kong tumakbo… gusto kong magwala… gusto kong….Oh God, what is this?“Chancellor pushed her causing her death. M-Magkasama kami noon at naglalaro nang makita niya ang Mommy mo. Back then, we… we really hated your Mom because we know what’s up between her and dad,” pagpapatuloy ni Chester sa mga bagay na hindi niya nasabi sa akin noon.“She approached us, and it was really an accident. My brother didn’t mean it… we were…” parang dinudurog ang puso ko sa bawat salitang binibigkas niya. His voice was hoarse and breaking. Parang paulit-ulit siyang sinasaksak sa bawat salitang binibitawan, and it breaks my heart hearing him that way. “... we were just children…”Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya at halos madurog ako nang makita siyang umiiyak. He was doing his b
Masama ang loob ko at walang imik hanggang makabalik kami sa resthouse nila Chester. Maging siya tuloy ay tahimik at hindi ako kinikibo kaya mas lalo lang akong naiinis.Well, I’m not totally mad at him. Naiinis ako sa nalaman ko! And the fact that they’re still friends made me dislike the idea even more. Dumagdag pang parang hindi niya napapansing masama ang loob ko.Eh ‘di do’n siya kay Claire!Wait, no. Ugh!“What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?” tanong niya nang hilahin ako para maupo sa lap niya sa couch dahil tataas na sana ako sa kuwarto.I rolled my eyes. “No,” I simply answered and was about to leave him pero siyempre, hindi niya ako hinayaan. Si Chester ‘yan, eh!“Sinungaling,” mahina at mapanuyang asik niya bago ako ginawaran ng halik sa pisngi. “Tell me, Love. What’s bothering you? Kakaunti lang ang napamili mo dahil kanina ka pang ganiyan.”I rolled my eyes. “Oo nga at kanina ka pa rin walang pake,” asik ko.He groaned as he buried his face on my neck. “I’ve been trying to ca
I saw my whole world fall apart right before my eyes when he uttered those words. How… how is that possible?“What are you saying? T-That can’t be… my father would’ve killed you–!”“He almost did. Remember?” he asked with a ghost of a smile, cutting me off and making me remember that he was right.Galit na galit sa kanya si Daddy noon, and I could vividly remember the night when he was almost killed by my Dad. Hindi ko magawang maintindihan noon ang aking ama, pero ngayong narinig ko ang mga salitang ‘yon mula kay Chester, parang naninikip ang dibdib ko.“Are you sure you want to talk about it already? Paris you seem unwell. I–!”“No,” I said. “Keep talking. But please… nagmamakaawa ako sa’yo. Do not lie this time.”My words were straight and blank. But his eyes tell me that to him, they were like bullets fired into his chest for a reason that I could not name.But after a few blinks, nawala iyon at matamis siyang ngumiti sa akin. “I promise.”Chester and I have been great the next fe
I couldn’t recall how much I cried for a few days because of that. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari, or what triggered them back, but the memories kept flowing like a river that could not be stopped. And along that, I could feel surges of emotion that I could not name. Halo-halo ang nararamdaman ko, and I don’t know if I could even contain all of them. I don’t even know how many days it has been. I was only brought meals inside my room and was taken care of. Minsan binibisita ako nina Daddy at Tita Faureen sa kwarto, but I don’t have the energy to talk to them. When I look at my father, all I can do is cry. Kaya nang lumabas ako sa kwarto, they were all surprised.“Paris? How are you feeling? I should’ve just brought you some food for–!” Napatigil si Tita Faureen sa pagsalubong sa akin nang mapansin niya kung ano ang nakakuha ng atensyon ko pagbaba ko ng hagdan. My lips parted at the sight of tons of flowers in the living room. Some are withered, and some are being saved by Tita
“Don’t bother. I can manage,” I said and waved my phone to show him that I’d just book myself a cab. Wala rin naman akong planong makituloy sa bahay ng kung sino mang kaibigan o kamag-anak. I’ll just stay at a hotel for the next few days to relax and think.Wala rin naman akong choice kundi tanggapin ang pamilya nina Felix sa amin. I just need to calm the fuck down or else I’d add fuel to the damn fire. Hindi ko alam kung anong naging reaksyon niya. I feel dizzy and tired that I just want to lay on a bed. Isa pa masyado na akong napahiya sa lalaking nakaupo sa harap ko. I have to leave before things gets worse kaya minabuti kong talikuran na siya at lumabas ng club.His response to my offer makes me feel very damn awful. That is so fucking embarrassing!Pero nasabi ko na, eh. And as stupid as it may sound, I’m not regretting it. I do not regret it, because if he’d accept the offer, I’ll gladly be his girlfriend.Damn, I really am drunk.Sinikap kong panatilihing mulat ang mga mata ko
“My goodness, Paris! Where were you?! And why the hell did you do that?” I breathed heavily when Felix was the one who confronted me right when we got back home. I simply smirked at him and continued sipping on the hot coffee that was served by the maids. Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko dahil sa totoo lang, siya lang ang naglakas loob na lumapit sa akin at komprontahin ako – something that I expected from my father, so that I could talk and rant to him.But I guess, they just didn’t care. Maybe they’re fed up with me.“Who cares?” I asked. “And you definitely know why I did what I did. Alam kong naiintindihan mo ‘ko, ‘cousin’.” I said, emphasizing the way I have addressed him.Felix only sighed and sat in front of me. Through the years, he has stood up as my older brother. He was the one who understood me and my whines – or that’s what I thought.He’s always been close to my Dad because he’s been close to me. Iyon naman pala… Dad wanted to marry his mother. Felix didn’t appr
My lips parted when I heard his confession. Never have I imagined him saying those in my face. Para akong paulit-ulit na sinasaksak sa dibdib habang patuloy kong hinihiling na sana mali ako ng pagkakarinig. I was hoping and praying so hard that my ears are only messing around with me dahil kung totoo ang naririnig ko ay hinding hindi ko sya mapapatawad!“You didn’t… what?” I repeated, hoping that I had heard the wrong thing.Pero para siyang tutang nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin. The pain in his eyes made me want to slap him so hard. Siya pa ang nasasaktan ngayon? Bakit?!“You didn’t… what now, Chester?” pag-uulit ko.He breathed heavily and mustered all his strength to face me. “I-I’m sorry–!”“You didn’t want me to remember? Who the fuck are you to decide?!” I shouted at him. Sinubukan niyang hawakan ang pareho kong kamay para pakalmahin ako pero hindi na uubra sa akin ang ginagawa niya! Every time we come across a problem like this, he always tries to tame me using his sweet words and
Chancellor left the room, and I almost fainted because of shortness of breath. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinasabi niya, at ayaw kong maniwala!How come he didn’t know? O baka naman itinatanggi niya lang din? But why the fuck would he deny such thing gayong magkaibigan kami!Or were my memories distorted? “Impossible,” I said. Parang sumasakit ang ulo ko sa frustration. There’s no fucking way I could be wrong, right?O baka naman pati sarili kong memorya ay hindi ko na rin kayang pagkatiwalaan gaya ng ibang tao sa paligid ko?!Tang ina!“Goddamn it! Damn!” I pulled my hair in frustration as my tears rolled down my cheeks. I don’t know what to fucking believe anymore! It has been a long time since I had flashbacks like this, at ganito pa?!“Argh!” I cried out of resentment and grief because I really didn’t know what to do anymore.“P-Paris–!”I sniffed and wiped my tears when I heard a familiar voice. Chester entered the room and attended me immediately, pero isa siya sa napakaraming t