Sam’s world was spinning in a fast pace-- with her eyes on her staff moving around the big hall and her ears attentive to all their concerns for the final touch-ups of the place as they prepare it for their big event for the night. She must admit, she’s stressed. It was a happy stress though. She felt like she’s back in California again.
Sa totoo lang, ilang araw na siyang ganoon mula nang pormal niyang buksan ang opisina ng Charlize Elizabeth Events. Bookings came like a tidal wave after that first event she had with Mrs. Cobbarubias. Talking about making a good first impression. And most of their clients are from people within their circle—high end events that suits the taste of the upper class. And luckily, moving in that same crowd had taught her many thing in the past four years.
As soon as the hustle and bustle of the hall settled down, she took a deep breath and started to instruct her staff assigned on dif
Maya-maya, nagsalita si Mandy sa earpiece niya. Dumating na raw ang VIP guests—foreign investors. Agad niyang sinabihan ang kaibigan na igiya ang mga ito sa VIP table na malapit sa stage. Nilapitan naman niya ang host para sa event na mag-uumpisa na ang inihandang short program ng mga Lobregat para sa investors ng mga ito.When the host started to speak his welcome spiel, she heaved a deep sigh as if letting go of the nerves. Though she had had events more than she could ever count, hindi pa rin maalis sa kanya ang mag-alala just in case something won't go well as planned. Subalit tiwala siya sa mga tauhan at suppliers niya. Maitatawid nila nang maayos ang event na ito.Ilang minuto pa, tinawag ng host si Don Gerardo para sa toast. Nagkanya-kanyang kuha naman ng alak ang mga guests at nagsimula na ring i-serve ang mga alak para sa espesyal na mga bisita.“For many more years of business with all of you. To Pillar!” ani Don G
Hindi mapakali si Aaron habang nasa backseat siya ng kotse niya. He was staring at the calling card given by that d*mn feisty woman at the investors party of Pillar.The woman said she’ll buy him manners if she can.He scoffed, lalong nainis. Pinitik niya ang calling card na agad pumailalim sa upuan ng kotse. He had never been pissed off the way he was at that moment for some time now. Nasanay siya sa SSL at sa iba pang kumpanya na pag-aari niya na ang lahat ng sabihin niya, batas na dapat paniwalaan at gawin. At SSL, nobody dared to mess with his instructions. Nobody has ever dared to talk back to him. Everyone knew their place.Ngayon lang siya nakatagpo ng babaeng kayang harapin nang kalmado ang init ng ulo niya. At babayaran pa raw nito ang special sake na siya mismo ang bumili para kay Mr. Sato. It has cost him at least a million bucks just for that sake. Hindi pa kasama roon ang bayad ng mga taong inutusan niyang hanapin ang espesyal na sake na iyon
“We are really sorry, Sam,” sabi ni Nicole kay Samantha. The party just ended and it was somewhat successful despite the commotion at the bar with Aaron and Mr. Sato. “Mr. Sato is one of our biggest investor that’s why Mr. Sandejas really wanted to please him. Kung alam ko lang—“ “Hey, it’s okay,” putol niya sa kaibigan, pilit pang ngumiti. Ngayon lang nito nalaman ang tungkol sa nangyari. Kung may nagkuwento mula sa mga guests na nakasaksi o sa iba pang paraan kaya nito nalaman, hindi niya alam. Basta ang alam niya ngayon, she will pay that damn sake whatever it’s worth and slap it to that conceited oaf’s face named Aaron Sandejas. “Pero—“ “It’s okay, Nicole. Besides, wala naman talagang nasaktan. Napahiya? Well, as the boss, I am owning up to the mistake of my staff. Normal lang na mapahiya ako. Aside from that, there was no harm done, really.” Which is really true. The bar was located at the farback end of the hall-- may sapat na dis
Napabuga ng pagod na hininga si Aaron nang sumalubong sa kanya sa opisina ang sandamakmak na emails na kailangan niyang sagutin. Idagdag pa ang patong-patong na papeles na kailangan niyang pag-aralan at pirmahan. He was just gone for a day and yet the amount of work he has for the day is almost drowning him.“Another long day it is,” he muttered before settling himself on his executive chair.He quickly sent a to-do list for the day for Viviane and Diego before he took a sip on the cup of black coffee before him. He kept Viviane, his father secretary. Not only because he treats her like a family but also because she’s efficient. In a year or two though he needs to find a replacement for Viviane because she’s getting older. At hindi lang miminsan siyang pinakiusapan ng anak nitong si Everly na kausapin ang ina nito na tumigil na sa pagtatrabaho. And he knows, though he wanted Viviane to linger at SSL, he knows, the time
“Hurry up, Aaron. Your niece is hungry and sleepy! And should I need to remind you it’s almost 5 in the afternoon? You wouldn’t want Josh to know about today wouldn’t you? Kahit kuya ka no’n, uupakan ka no’n,” pasigaw na sabi sa kanya ni Ana habang inaalo nito si Tala na panay ang iyak sa baby carrier nito. She was hurriedly fixing his niece a bottle of milk but the little airline heiress kept wailing like it was no tomorrow. Tumakas si Ana sa bahay nito at ng kapatid niya, bitbit ang pamangkin niya without the knowledge of his brother. Pinakiusapan niya kasi ito na hanapin ang tungkol sa kung sino man si red rose or si Sam Bautista. Unfortunately, his sister-in-law’s connection wouldn’t work kung hindi ito mismo ang magpupunta sa SSA at maghahanap sa impormasyong pinapanahanap niya. Truth be told, ang akala niya, hindi na talaga niya kakailanganin ang tulong ng hipag niya. He was confident that his legal team can get Silver off th
“Ang saya natin ngayon a! Inspired?” ani Bettina kay Samantha habang tumitipa siya sa laptop niya.She was composing a response to an email for a wedding client scheduled for the next year. Yes, they are fully booked for the rest of the year. And another yes, despite what happened last night, it was business as usual for Charlize Elizabeth Events today.“I’m always inspired,” sagot niya pinipigil ang ngiti, ang mga mata nasa laptop pa rin.Rumolyo ang mga mata ni Bettina, mukhang hindi convinced sa sagot niya. Humawak ito sa gilid ng table niya, tinitigan siya nang malapitan bago tinantiya ang expression niya.“Na-inspire ka dahil nagkita kayo ng dati mong boss?”Nalukot ang mukha niya bago siya natawa. “Hindi ‘no! Why would I be inspired seeing him? Sa totoo lang, I got pissed seeing him.”Hindi lang ang Daddy niya at si Lucas ang nakakita ng mga mal
Samantha's heart automatically stopped and her jaw dropped.She had waited for him to call her the whole day. She knew he’d call after he delivered the goods she anonymously instructed him to buy for Natalie’s family. Natalie was a clue that would eventually lead to her—the one behind the elaborate game plan of the day. And now that he’s calling her, she’s glad that her plans had worked. She can’t wait to talk to Natalie later.But what if he plans to retaliate that’s why he’s calling her?Then the game is not yet over, she said to herself.She took a deep breath and composed herself. “Hello, Mr. Sandejas. This is Sam Bautista. Are you calling for the payment of the sake? Please tell me your bank account number so I can transfer—““Fine, you won,” putol nito sa kanya, mababa ang tinig ngunit may bahid ng inis.She grinned, satisfied. “I won? What do
“Excuse me?” naniningkit ang matang tanong ni Samantha kay Aaron.She knew what she heard. It’s just that it’s too preposterous that she wanted to hear it again for confirmation.Aaron smiled even wider, his eyes dancing in an emotion she’s not sure of. “Go out on a date with me, Ms. Bautista. Just one date at bayad ka na sa utang mo,” he declared suavely.Date.Tama nga ang dinig niya. Inaaya siya ng mayabang na si Aaron Miguel Sandejas sa isang date!She scoffed. Anong nakain nito at naisip niyong papayag siya sa gusto nitong mangyari?Well, you agreed to meet him here today. What difference does it make? tuya ng isang parte ng isip niya.Napaismid siya. Naisip na naman niya ang katangahan niya kanina. She was just caught off guard and was not thinking clearly. But now, she does.Tumuwid siya ng tayo, nakataas ang noo. “I’m sorry but I have to say no
Dahil na rin sa pagod sakakaiisip at kakaiyak, tuluyang nakatuog si Charlie. Nang magising siya, madaling-araw na. She can’t believe she slept that long and missed dinner!Dinner. Shes' not supposed to miss any meals!She secretly groaned, realizing what she did.That has sent her to the edge of panic and relief all at the same time. Sandali siyang nakiramdam. Gael wasn’t cuddling her like he used to. She turned to her side carefully and she saw her husband sleeping on his side too facing away from her. Napalabi siya. Mukhang nagtampo na talaga sa kanya ang asawa.Hindi bale, today is officially their anniversary. She can tell him her secret now.Mabilis niya itong niyugyog. “Gael, wake up,” she whispered.He groaned, shifted slowly and lied on his back. Singkit ang mga matang tumingin ito sa kanya. “W-What? What is it?”Umusog siya kaunti palayo rito. “You have to get up. I’ll tell you something.”He huffed and clicked his tongue. Subalit bumangon din. Sandali itong bumaling sa orasa
“Again? Pero puno pa ang fridge niyan, love. Nakita ko kagabi nang bumaba ako sa kitchen,” reklamo ni Gael kay Charlie nang muli siyang maglagay ng dragon fruit sa cart. They were out grocery shopping in a local grocery store in Cancun. They have been staying there for a week now in celebration of their second wedding anniversary. It was a trip she didn’t really want to take at first because she easily gets tired lately. But when Gael told her that she will call the shots every time, she was in in no time.She rolled her eyes and faced him. “Can’t you get it? I’m not buying them for me to eat. I’m buying it because they looked cute,” pagrarason niya, muling naglagay ng dalawang piraso pa ng nasabing prutas sa cart.Gael huffed. “Should I buy you a dragon fruit farm?”“Of course not!” sabi niya, muling naglakad sa aisle ng prutas na kinaroroonan nila.“What about a grocery store then? You want me to purchase this grocery store for you?”Namawaywang na siya at hinarap ang asawa. “You
“Are you ready?” tanong ng Mommy ni Charlie sa kanya.She filled her lungs with air and gave her mother a slow nod. “Yes,” she replied smiling.Gumanti ng ngiti ang Mommy niya, nangingilid ang luha. Masuyo pa nitong inabot anag kanyang pisngi. “I wish you all the happiness in the world, sweetheart.”“Thanks, Mom,” sabi niya bago niyakap ang ina.They stayed like that for a while bago sila nakarinig ng katok sa pinto. “Hey, the music’s starting and all the guests are waiting. Don’t tell me may balak ka pang itakbo ‘yang anak mo, Sam,” said her father’s familiar voice outside the door.Natatawa nilang binitiwan ng Mommy niya ang isa’t-isa. Sandaling nitong pinunasan ng panyo ang gilid ng mga mata nito bago siya muling nginitian. “Let’s go. Your Dad cannot wait to give you away… officially,” pabirong sabi ng Mommy niya bago inabot sa kanya ang kanyang bouquet.When her mother opened the door to her room, she was met by her father’s loving gaze. “Finally,” anito, nakangiti. He gave her
“Ate, sa ‘yo na po ito,” anang sampung taong gulang na batang babae sa kanya. The girl was handing her a big white gumamela flower she probably picked near the gate of the orphanage. Napangiti siya, bahagyang yumuko bago tinanggap ang bulaklak na inaabot ng bata. “Talaga, akin na lang ‘to… ano nga ulit ang pangalan mo?” “Chamy po, ate.” “Salamat, Chamy.” The child gave her a soft smile in return. Akma na sana itong tatakbo pabalik sa mga kalaro nito sa ‘di kalayuan nang pigilan niya ito. “Ano nga palang gusto mong maging paglaki mo, Chamy?” The child beamed at her.“Gusto ko pong maging nurse, Ate!” Sandaling nangunot ang noo niya. “Bakit naman nurse, Chamy?” “Gusto ko po kasing alagaan si Lolo Gael d’yan sa kabilang building.” Lalong nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. “Lolo Gael?” Mabillis na tumango si Chamy. “Gael lang po kasi ang alam niyang banggitin. Kaya Lolo Gael.” Tumuwid siya ng tayo, hinayon ng tingin ang building ng carehome sa mga matatanda na naroon din sa compoun
It was a manic day for Charlie. No. It was chaos spelled in all caps.She’s running late from her appointment “Hey, slow down, beautiful. You’ll hurt yourself,” nakangiting sabi ni Gael sa kanya, sumandal pa sa hamba ng pinto ng walk-in closet niya.“Go away, Gael. You know I cannot be late today,” sabi niya habang naglalagay ng sunscreen sa mukha. Gael chuckled. “Bakit, hindi ka naman late a. You still have at least an hour and a half to spare.”She scoffed and picked up her blush powder. She won’t wear her full make-up today. “An hour and a half spare that I’ll spend for travel. You know how’s Manila traffic in the morning, Gael. It’s one of the worse and I can’t afford to be late today. Nakakahiya sa orphanage at carehome! At lalong nakakahiya kay Ate Sophie.”It’s true, kasama niya sa pagpunta sa bahay-ampunan at carehome ang kapatid ni Jasmine ngayon. Siguro, kung hindi lang kapapanganak ni Jasmine, baka kasama rin niya ito ngayon.Visiting orphanages was a thing she had been d
Gael jumped out as soon as the car pulled over infront of the police station. Doon sila dumiretso nina Gray at Jacob mula sa simbahan. Aside from Lena, wala nang sino pa mang nasaktan sa masamang insidente na plinano ni Alaric. And it was more than a relief for him. Now he can focus on one thing, ang puntahan si Charlie sa mismong police station.Pahapyaw nang sinabi ni Jacob sa kanya kung ano ang nangyari, subalit hindi pa iyon buo. And not only does he need to talk to Charlie for the full details but he also needs to see his wife to calm the lingering worry in his chest. The picture of Lena dying in his arms was still vivid iin his memory. And he cannot stop thinking that, it could've Charlie dying in his arms and...He shook his head, willing the unwanted thoughst away. Charlie is fine, he convinced himself before picking up his pace. He was at the director’s office in no time. Agad naman siyang hinarap ng pinuno ng kapulisan. Sandali niya itong kinausap at sinabi nito mismo sa ka
Sandaling namanhid si Gael sa kanyang nasaksihan. Panandalian niyang kinumbinsi ang sarili na imahinasyon niya lang ang lahat. Na nasa maayos na lagay si Charlie at walang kaguluhan na nangyayari sa mismong araw ng kanilang kasal. He even tried to blink a few times—willing the dreadful scenario away from his head. But when he opened his eyes, his bride, his wife still laid there on the cold ground, bleeding.With his chest constricting, he tried to stand up, wanting to go to Charlie as soon as he can. But his bodyguard nearby kept him from doing so. Anger burned his skin in an instant. He had to go Charlie and no one, not even the damn death god himself could prevent him from doing so.He turned himself onto the ground, lying on his back, and gave the bodyguard hovering over at him a straight jab to the jaw. Napaupo ito, bago siya mahilo-hilong binitiwan. He took that chance to crawl his way to Charlie, who fell near the entrance of the church. ‘I like the water, Kuya Gael. Can you t
Hindi matapos-tapos ang pagsipat ni Charlie sa sarili niya sa lifesize mirror na nasa kanyang hotel suite. Hindi pa rin siya halos makapaniwala na naroon nga siya at ikakasal ulit kay Gael. This time in a church and in the presence of their family. Well, some of their family. But nevertheless their families are present and that’s the most important thing.She looked down at her ring finger. The emerald engagement ring and the ink she had five years ago are there, a testament of everything she had gone through loving Gael. But she’s glad she finally made it right there at that very moment, when she can declare to the whole world that Gael is hers as much as she is his. That in the world of broken promises and dreams, of heartaches and of tears, Gael is her always—the one she will keep on choosing to love as long as she breathes.Her phone rang, immediately stopping her train of thoughts. Agad na nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya nang mag-register sa screen ang pangalan ni Gael. She picked
Kanina pa nasa harap ng salamin si Gael subalit panay pa rin ang pag-aayos niya sa kurbata ng kanyang suit. The damn thing just won’t align! Frustrated, he took it off altogether and huffed. He’s anxious for some unknown reason. Gray, who arrived last night, said at it must be the wedding jitters but he refuses to believe so. He’s just on edge because he didn’t get to see his wife and son for hours now. Sneaking in at Charlie and Levi’s hotel room crossed his mind a few times last night. With his skills as a former elite boduyguard, he could do that with no sweat involved. But his grandfather gave him a talk about keeping his word and just wait until it’s time for them to meet at the altar again. Subalit naging sobrang napakahirap niyon sa kanya dahil sa iisang hotel lang silang naka-check –in na mag-anak—just different floors. Idagdag pa na talagang makulit si Tala at panay-panay ang pagbabantay sa mag-ina niya, h’wag lang niyang makita ang mga ito. Gray told him to have a little