CHAPTER FOUR
ENCOUNTER
★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 ni Elisse. Simula nang ma-engaged kami no'ng nakaraang buwan, hindi pa talaga kami nagkita hanggang ngayon. Ang masakit pa, wala akong mahanap na way para kontakin siya dahil binlock niya 'yong number ko. Hindi ko rin matunton ang mga social media niya. Mukhang pati ro'n ay binlock ako.
"Sir Hope." Napalingon ako sa pintuan ng opisina ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Jonas, ang bago kong assistant. Lalaki siya, at mga ilang buwan pa lang siyang nagtatrabaho sa 'kin. Napaisip ako nang saglit, naalala ko tuloy si Serafina, 'yong dati kong assistant.
Si Serafina, magaling siya sa trabaho niya rito sa kompanya—magaling din gumiling at mag-twerk. Pero nagkaroon kami ng seryosong pag-uusap ni Daddy noong nalaman niyang may gusto ito sa 'kin. Na-date ko pa nga siya ng ilang beses noon, pero nang mabalitaan 'yon ni Daddy, napagalitan ako nang husto. Ang bilin sa 'kin, ilipat si Serafina sa production team para maiwasan ang iskandalo. Saktong mga panahon na rin kasi 'yon na binabanggit na sa 'kin ni Mommyla ang engagement ko kay Elisse kaya pinaiiwas nila 'ko sa puwedeng makalikha ng iskandalo.
Pinatong ni Jonas ang bouquet ng bulaklak sa ibabaw ng mesa ko, na siyang pinabili ko sa kaniya. "Okay na ba 'to, Sir?"
Tumango ako, sabay baba ng cell phone ko sa table para tigilan na ang pagbabasa ng iba't-ibang komento sa internet tungkol sa engagement namin ni Elisse at sa papabagsak nilang kompanya. "Puwede na 'yan. Malalanta lang din naman," sabi ko, bahagya pa 'kong natawa.
Nagpabili ako sa kaniya ng bulaklak dahil pupuntahan ko ngayon si Elisse sa Garcinema. Ayaw niyang i-unblock ang number ko, ayaw niya rin akong makita kaya 'yon lang ang paraan na naisip ko para magkaharap kami. Ako kasi ang kinukulit ni Mom at Mommyla sa status naming dalawa. Tuwing uuwi ako sa bahay, lagi akong tinatanong ni Mom at Dad kung kumusta kami ni Elisse, maging si Mommyla ay nagpapadala sa 'kin ng messages kung kinikilala na raw ba namin ang isa't-isa at ano'ng lagay namin. Pero wala akong masabing update sa kanila dahil pakiramdam ko ay sadyang iniiwasan ako ni Elisse.
Pag-alis ni Jonas sa opisina ko, tumayo naman ako sa upuan ko para mag-ready. Sinuklay ko ang buhok ko, inayos ang kuwelyo ng shirt ko at pati ang coat ko. Hindi rin puwedeng mawala ang mouth spray dahil ayokong amoy kape ang hininga ko. I had several cups earlier because I was so sleepy. Gabi na kasi ako natulog kagabi kakanood ng Pornhub.
Just kidding. I actually spent the night revising the presentation I asked Jonas to prepare. I didn't have the heart to send it back for revisions because I reviewed it late and figured he'd probably be asleep by then. If I waited until the morning to have him fix it, it would be too late since the presentation was needed first thing in the morning. Kaya ako na lang ang nagpakapuyat para ayusin 'yon.
⫘⫘⫘
When I arrived at Garcinema, muli kong inayos ang sarili ko at tiningnan ang mukha ko sa salamin. Nasa tabi ko naman ang bulaklak, sa shotgun seat. I was all set to finally face Elisse, but before I could even step out of the car, I spotted her.
She was walking out of the building, phone pressed to her ear, clearly in the middle of a conversation. I couldn't help but follow her with my eyes as she made her way to the car waiting for her out front. Sasakyan niya 'yon, dahil 'yon din ang gamit niya no'ng gabing pumunta siya sa mansyon nila Mommyla para ipakilala kami nang opisyal.
Umupo ako nang mas tuwid at nagmasid habang paalis ang sasakyan niya. Instead of getting out and waiting at Garcinema, I decided to follow her. I kept my distance, tracking her car through every turn. To my surprise, she eventually stopped at the M-Power Hotel, a well-known hotel. I couldn't help but wonder, "What's she doing here?"
Since I knew the hotel's owner—Adam Meadows—I figured I could use that to my advantage. Iniwan ko na lang muna ang bulaklak sa loob ng sasakyan ko at lumabas para sundan si Elisse sa loob.
As I walked into the M-Power Hotel, I was already on edge, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw in the lobby. Elisse was there, and as I stepped through the entrance, I saw a man approach her with a broad smile. He wrapped his arms around her in a warm hug, and my heart sank as I watched the intimate gesture.
'P*ta. Sino 'yon?'
The anger welled up inside me as I saw Elisse smiling back at him. The man handed her a bouquet of flowers, and they exchanged a few words that I couldn't quite hear from where I stood. The sight of them so close, their shared laughter, and the way they held hands as they walked towards the elevator made my blood boil.
Kung anu-ano na ang tumakbo sa isip ko habang pinagmamasdan silang palayo. 'Are they heading to a room together?' The idea of them alone in a hotel room sent a wave of frustration through me. I couldn't just stand by and watch.
Determined to confront this head-on, I made my way swiftly towards them, weaving through the lobby. As they were about to step into the elevator, I called out sharply, "Elisse!" My voice cut through the ambient noise of the hotel, trying to mask the intense concern and anger bubbling inside me.
Napahinto sila pareho, at namilog ang mga mata ni Elisse nang makita ako. Her beautiful mouth slightly parting in shock. Her gaze locked with mine, and I could feel the weight of the situation hanging heavily in the air.
Humakbang ako palapit sa kanila. My eyes first locked onto Elisse. I took in every detail of her—her elegant dress that clung to her beautiful figure, showcasing the care she took in her appearance. My heart raced as I tried to maintain my composure. 'Tsaka ko nilipat ang tingin ko sa lalaking katabi niya. It took a few seconds before I recognized him. I knew for certain that he was the engineer mentioned in the article as Elisse's boyfriend, now an ex. Hindi ako puwedeng magkamali dahil nag-reasearch ako tungkol sa lalaking 'to matapos kumalat ang article na 'yon.
Pero ang tanong ngayon sa isip ko—bakit sila magkasama gayong opisyal na kaming engaged ni Elisse at kinompirma na rin sa article na hiwalay sila? Niloloko ba nila 'ko?
Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Elisse. She looked at me, and her voice trembled as she called out, "H-Hope..." There was a palpable anxiety in her eyes, a silent dance of fear and uncertainty. Ibang-iba siya sa matapang na Elisse na minsan kong nakasayaw sa kasal ni Faith. 'Yong pagiging fiery niya, parang biglang natunaw ngayon.
"Ito ba 'yong ex-boyfriend mo? 'Yong engineer?" Sumenyas ako sa kasama niya.
Kumunot ang noo ng lalaking 'yon, halatang naguguluhan sa sitwasyon. "Elisse, babe. What's happening? Sino siya?"
I let out a bitter chuckle at the way he called Elisse. "Babe?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm. "So, ikaw nga 'yon? Pero 'di ba hiwalay na kayo?"
The man remained silent, and I turned my gaze back to Elisse. With a hint of arrogance, I slipped my hands into my pants pockets, my posture stiff and defiant. "Tinatanong niya kung sino raw ako. Ikaw ba ang sasagot or should I introduce myself to him?"
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
CHAPTER TWELVE★HOPE RYKER LEE★[FLASHBACK]A month ago.I stepped into GDV Club, and immediately, the heavy bass of the music pulsed through my chest like a second heartbeat. The dim lighting was carefully curated to create an air of mystery, with gold accents glinting from the polished surfaces of the club and the plush velvet lounges. The walls were adorned with abstract art that seemed to dance in the low light, adding a touch of sophistication to the already opulent surroundings.I let my eyes roam over the room, searching for Thunder Villasis. He’s the son of Uncle Gino, one of my father’s oldest friends, and his family owns this club—one of the most prestigious in the city, with branches that have sprung up in the most exclusive locations around the world. This wasn’t just a place where anyone could stroll in; this was a playground for the elite. Celebrities, business moguls, and high-profile socialites flocked here, making it their personal sanctuary for indulgence.Kahit mas