CHAPTER THREE
WILD IMAGINATION
★HOPE RYKER LEE★
GAYA ng ipinangako ni Mommyla, nag-set siya ng isang family dinner ngayong gabi, dito mismo sa mansyon niya. The entire setting was carefully prepared—from the elegant table set with crystal glasses and porcelain plates to the flowers meticulously arranged in the center. The occasion was supposed to officially introduce Elisse and me to each other, pero hindi ko naiwasang mapaisip kung bakit nag-iisa lang siya na kaharap namin ngayon. None of her family members were present.
Sabagay, nabanggit na sa 'kin ni Mommyla na namayapa na ang Mommy ni Elisse na siyang nakipagkasundo raw noon kay Don Adolfo, pati ang lolo niya, para i-match kaming dalawa. It was strange to think that a deal like that had been made so long ago, especially knowing that her mother was no longer here.
'Yong daddy naman niya na si Vladimir Garcia, ibang usapan na 'yon. Hindi ko siya kilala nang personal, pero kilalang-kilala ang pangalan niya dahil sa mga balitang kumalat noon na hanggang ngayon ay tanda ko pa. Ang sabi, marami itong naging asawa—hindi ko nga lang alam kung pang-ilan na 'yong kinakasama nito ngayon dahil sa dami ng mga naging iskandalo niya. Parang bawat isa sa mga anak niya, iba-iba ang ina, isang bagay na bulung-bulungan kaya kahit hindi ko balakin alamin, kusa ko pa ring naririnig.
Hindi ako tsismoso, pero ang kwento kasing 'yon, kahit saan ka pumunta, maririnig mo. 'Yong usap-usapan na kahit ayaw mo man makinig, hindi mo na maiwasan. Iba ang ina ni Elisse, at iba-iba rin ang mga ina ng tatlo pa niyang kapatid. 'Yon ang pagkakaalam ko. Baka mamaya niyan kasi masabihan na naman akong tsismoso.
Ganunpaman, dapat man lang sana ay sinamahan siya ngayon ng daddy niya o kaya'y ng ilan sa mga kapatid niya.
She sat quietly at the end of the table, looking composed and calm despite being our only guest. She wore a simple yet elegant dress that accentuated her beauty. Mommyla, always the gracious host, greeted us warmly at sinenyasan niya na doon sa tabi ni Elisse ako maupo. Of course, dahil masunurin, mabait at guwapo akong apo, sumunod ako.
I took a seat beside Elisse as the first course was served. The atmosphere was quiet and full of anticipation, with everyone's attention focused on Elisse and me.
"Thank you for joining us tonight, Elisse," Mommyla began, gently patting Elisse's hand in a reassuring gesture. "We're delighted to have you here."
"Thank you, Mrs. Vivar. It's an honor to be here with all of you." Saglit gumala ang tingin ni Elisse sa pamilya ko, hanggang doon sa cute kong sister-in-law na si Poppy, na bine-baby ni Faith sa pagkain. Siya pa ang nagsusubo rito.
Habang nagbabatian sila, nag-focus naman ako kay Elisse. Gusto kong mag-ala-Faithfully, na sa iisang babae lang nakatingin, kaya naman tinuon ko ang atensyon ko sa kaniya. Hanggang sa bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot niyang ivory color dress na medyo umikli dahil nakaupo siya.
As I glanced down, my eyes couldn't help but trace the curve of her smooth, flawless legs. The red heels she wore tonight caught my attention—again. This time, they were adorned with shimmering stones that sparkled with every subtle movement she made. Hindi na naman naiwasang maglakbay ng utak ko sa ibang mundo. My mind filling with images I shouldn't entertain here but couldn't resist.
I imagined her with nothing else on, just those heels, while I f*cked her, the way her body would respond to me, how those stones would glint in the dim light as we moved together in rhythm, my name on her lips, moaning it.
'Hoooope. Aaahh~ Yamete kudasai~'
The thought of her skin against mine—it was almost too much to keep my composure. Naramdaman ko ang paninikip ng pantalon ko and I shook my head slightly, trying to focus, but the image lingered, teasing me. How would she look, how would she feel, with just those heels while her legs spread just for me? Ano'ng pakiramdam kapag bumabaon na sa balat ko ang mga kuko niyang may glittery polish? The idea of her under me, completely vulnerable yet empowered in those red heels, was driving me insane.
F*ck it.
Inabot ko agad ang inumin ko at tinungga 'yon agad hanggang sa masimot ang laman ng baso. Dahil do'n, naagaw ko ang atensyon nilang lahat.
"You okay, son?" may pag-aalalang tanong sa 'kin ni Dad.
Tumango ako at bahagyang ngumiti sa kanila para hindi sila magduda sa mga bagay na tumatakbo sa isip ko. "Yes, Dad. Ayos lang ako. Buhay pa naman." Buhay na buhay pati 'yong nasa baba ko. Sh*t.
Nagpatuloy ang dinner namin sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagkuwentuhan nila kay Elisse. Nagpaliwanag na si Elisse kung bakit hindi niya kasama ang pamilya niya, dahil may kani-kaniya raw itong inaasikaso. Nang matapos ang dinner at naligpit na ng mga maids ang pinagkainan namin, kumilos naman si Mommyla para kuhanin ang ilang dokumento para i-orient kami sa kasunduan noon ni Don Adolfo at ng Mommy ni Elisse, pati na rin ng lolo niya.
I stared at the documents spread out in front of me and Elisse—contracts detailing our arranged marriage and the merging of our companies, Lee Entertainment and Garcinema. Naalala ko tuloy ang kwento ni Mommyla, na tulad ni Poppy, bata pa lang din si Elisse ay ipinagkasundo na siya ng kanyang ina at lolo—ang yumaong si Mr. Bernie Garcia. Magkaibigan daw kasi si Don Adolfo at si Mr. Bernie, kaya hindi na rin nakapagtataka na nakilala ng pamilya ni Elisse ang amin.
But it's not just about the marriage. It's also about the business. On paper, it sounds like a great idea. But behind the smiles and formalities, I know there's a deeper reason for this arrangement. Recent reports have shown that Garcinema is in dire straits. Most of their major investors have pulled out due to the scandals involving Mr. Vladimir Garcia, the head of the company, Elisse's father.
Pero hindi naman na 'to bagong balita. Garcinema has been on a slow decline for a while now. And now, they're on the brink of total collapse. Kaya hindi na rin nakapagtataka na wala man lang pagtutol ang mga Garcia sa arrangement na 'to, maliban kay Elisse. Yes. Hindi man verbal, pero ramdam kong ayaw niya sa 'kin. At ramdam ko rin na wala lang siyang choice kaya siya narito ngayon sa harap namin.
After discussing the terms of our agreement, Mommyla dropped the next bombshell: the date for our engagement.
"Next month na ang engagement party n'yo mga anak," sabi niya sa amin ni Elisse.
Mommyla was the epitome of grace as she laid out the details. The engagement was set for a month from now, and it would be a grand affair, attended by both families and key business associates. It felt surreal to think about being engaged, especially when it was all planned out by others. I couldn't deny the pressure that came with the arrangement—being tied not just to Elisse, but also to the future of both our families' businesses.
Pero siyempre, aaminin kong may excitement din akong nararamdaman dahil once na kasal na kami, hell yeah. Lahat ng ini-imagine ko sa isip ko, puwede ng maging totoo.
CHAPTER FOURENCOUNTER★HOPE RYKER LEE★Engaged. The word still feels surreal, even a month later. Dapat ay nagdiriwang na kami ngayon, or kahit ako man lang sana ng masaya, pero heto ako, kinakailangan harapin ang mga usap-usapan ng mga tao.Our engagement party was supposed to be a grand celebration. Pero dahil sa mga kumakalat na bulong-bulungan, napilitan kaming gawing pribado na lang ang lahat. Hindi lang kasi kami ang pinag-uusapan ni Elisse. People can't seem to wrap their heads around why we chose Garcinema, of all companies, to partner with. They say it's a sinking ship, a once-great name now on the brink of collapse.Well, hindi lang 'yon ang issue. Isang article pa ang kumalat, at no'ng pagkabasa ko, napa-"What the f*ck?" talaga 'ko. Sinasabi ro'n na nakipaghiwalay daw si Elisse sa nobyo niyang kilalang engineer para lang i-grab ang opportunity na maisalba ang kompanya nila sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakasal sa 'kin. Hindi ko nga alam na may nobyo siya!Wala kasi kaming usapan
CHAPTER FIVEENCOUNTER PART II (ELISSE)❥ ELISSE GARCIA ❥The office is cold and impersonal. No matter how much I adjust the thermostat, the cold doesn't seem to reach the chaos inside me. I stare at my desk, my father’s words echoing relentlessly in my mind."Huwag ka nang mag-inarte, Elisse. Magpapakasal ka, sa ayaw at sa gusto mo!"The thought of marrying one of the Lee twins, Hope Ryker Lee, feels like a cruel joke that just won’t end. Kahit papaano, kilala ko na siya sa pangalan. Paanong hindi? Ang Lee Entertainment ang isa sa nangunguna sa industriya, at hindi lang ito—ang Lee Tower Mall, Lee Company, at ang Lee University ay ilan lamang sa mga sangay ng kanilang negosyo. The Lee name stretches into every corner of our world, and their influence is undeniable.Kahit na hindi ko pa siya kilala nang husto, his name is synonymous with prestige and respect. Associating with the Lee family seems like a boost of credibility you can’t ignore. Walang sinumang negosyante ang aayaw kapag
CHAPTER SIXENCOUNTER PART III (ELISSE)❥ ELISSE GARCIA ❥Habang nagmamaneho ako papunta sa M-Power Hotel, halu-halong emosyon ang nararamdaman ko. Masakit na masaya, na may halong kilig habang iniisip kong si Miles ang pagbibigyan ko ng pinakaiingatan ko. I don't know why, but there's something about Miles that makes me feel this way—vulnerable and tender, as if I can let down all my guards around him.Pero pagdating ko naman sa bahay, I become closed off again, retreating into my shell. Even with my siblings, I put on a stiff, distant demeanor.It's not a new habit; it's how I've always been. I've grown accustomed to being known for my quiet, standoffish nature. People know me as someone who's reserved, even cold-hearted at times. I've never been one for socializing unless it's directly related to business.Kapag nasa isang event naman ako, namimili lang ako ng kakausapin, kung sino lang 'yong papansin sa 'kin o sa tingin ko ay makaka-vibes ko. Kakausapin o pakikisamahan ko lamang d
CHAPTER SEVENENCOUNTER PART IV (HOPE)★HOPE RYKER LEE★"Isang tanong, isang sagot. Were you two there to fvck?"She didn't answer. Her eyes locked onto mine, searching for something—maybe for the right words, maybe for a way out—but she remained silent.I let out a small chuckle, the sound dry and bitter, and a smirk tugged at my lips. "So, tama ako?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of mockery.She stayed silent again, her eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite decipher. My smirk faltered for a moment. 'Tsaka ako nagbuga ng hangin, the sound almost like a dismissive "Pah," as if blowing away the frustration that was bubbling up inside me.Hinugot ko ang mga kamay sa harapang bulsa ng pants ko at humakbang nang dalawang beses para magkalapit kami nang husto. Napasinghap siya nang hangin, halatang nailang, pero hindi siya naglakas ng loob na umatras. Instead, tiningala niya ako para salubungin ang tingin ko."Kung ayaw mong magpakasal sa 'kin, sabihin mo lang. Mabuti na 'y
CHAPTER EIGHT: DINNER❥ ELISSE GARCIA ❥PAGDATING ko sa bahay, sinalubong ako ng isa sa maid namin, si Agnes. Tinanong niya agad ako kung gusto ko ng kape dahil nakasanayan ko nang nagpapatimpla kapag umuuwi."Black coffee. No sugar," sabi ko rito habang nakasunod pa rin sa 'kin. "Wala pa ba sila?" Sila, ibig kong sabihin ay 'yong mga kapatid ko pati na rin si Daddy at ang madrasta ko."Wala pa po. Ikaw pa lang ang dumating."Umiba agad ako ng direksyon. Imbes na paakyat sana sa hagdan para tunguhin ang kuwarto ko ay lumiko ako papunta sa kusina. "Kung wala pa sila, ipaghanda mo na 'ko ng hapunan. Mauuna na 'kong kumain para maagang makapagpahinga. Masakit ulo ko.""Sige po, ma'am." Agad siyang sumunod sa 'kin. Ang totoo, ayoko lang talagang sumabay sa kanilang kumain. I preferred eating alone. Whenever we were at the dining table together, there was always some argument, especially once my stepmother started nagging, and my father would join in. Naririndi ako sa gano'n kaya mas prefer
CHAPTER NINE: KITTEN ❥ ELISSE GARCIA ❥ “Mom, Dad, andito na ‘yong mamanugangin n’yo,” nakangising sabi ni Hope pagdating namin sa maluwang nilang dining. Hawak niya pa rin ang kamay ko at ayaw niyang bitawan kahit pasimple kong binabawi. Bumaling sa amin ang buong pamilya niya. Nakapuwesto sa upuan ang dalawa niyang kakambal at ang Daddy nila, nagkukuwentuhan. Sa kabilang banda, ang Mom niya at ang dalawang babae—si Poppy at ang bunsong si Summer—ay abalang tumutulong sa paghahain sa mesa. Even the housemaid in uniform paused, her eyes following our entrance. Hope’s mom flashed a wide smile at me. “Hi, Elisse!” she greeted warmly, placing the bowl she was holding onto the table and quickly walking over to me. ‘Tsaka pa lamang binitawan ni Hope ang kamay ko. Before I could say anything, Hope’s mom kissed me on the cheek, and I felt the warmth of her welcome. “Buti nakarating ka. Ikaw lang ba?” Lumingon pa siya sa gawing likuran ko na tila may hinahanap. “Hindi mo kasama ang family
CHAPTER TEN: UNFORGIVABLE❥ ELISSE GARCIA ❥Isang buwan na ang nakalipas, and in just two weeks, Hope and I are supposed to get married. The closer the date gets, the more stressed I feel. No matter how appealing the benefits of marrying into the Lee family are, my own happiness means far more to me. I can’t ignore the mounting pressure and my own growing resentment toward this marriage. Kaya naman ngayon ay desidido akong kausapin muli si Daddy para umatras sa arranged marriage habang hindi pa huli ang lahat.“Si Daddy?” tanong ko sa bunso naming si Edward—sixteen years old—nang masalubong ko ito sa hallway. Nakasuot pa siya ng school uniform, hawak ang paborito niyang Star Wars mug, nagkakape. Halatang kauuwi niya galing sa school.“Office n’ya,” tipid niyang sagot bago ako lagpasan. Tinungo niya ang living room at binuksan ang TV, habang nakaangat pa ang mga binti sa coffee table.Siya ang bunso sa aming magkakapatid. Siya rin ang kaisa-isa na buhay pa ang Mommy, iyon nga lang ay h
CHAPTER ELEVEN: SUNDO❥ ELISSE GARCIA ❥MAHIGPIT akong kumapit sa railings ng hagdan, nanginginig ang mga kamay ko habang pababa ako, at ramdam ko ang mabilis na paghinga ko dahil sa pagtakbo.Halfway down, I saw Edward waiting at the bottom, his face scrunched with confusion and concern. His eyes widened as he noticed the panic in mine. “Ate Elisse, what happened?” may pag-aalala niyang tanong, but I could barely hear him over the pounding of my heart. Parang ngayon ko lamang siya nakitang ganito, na may emosyon.Maging ang mga maids namin na sina Agnes, Jelay at Moira ay naantala ang mga ginagawang paglilinis, and their expressions shifting from curiosity to alarm. Agnes was the first to rush toward me, her hands reaching out as if to steady me. “Ma’am Elisse, ayos lang po kayo?” Her voice was filled with urgency.Ngunit sa halip na sagutin sila, lalo akong kinabahan nang marinig ko ang mga yabag ni Daddy na tila pababa na rin. Ramdam ko ang panlalamig ng buo kong katawan. Parang bi