"Just pull the car over right there," utos ni Charlie kay Gael. Itinuro niya ang palikong daan na ilang metro na lang ang layo sa kanila. She wanted to get off near the park they used to frequent to when they were still together. Mas malapit kasi iyon sa mansiyon. Axel and Jacob knows that place. It's still one of her safe places. Sometimes, when she wants to be alone that's her go to place. "To whom are you running from to anyway?" tanong ni Gael, amusement in his voice. "Was that your crazy ex-boyfriend?" dugtong pa nito Muntik na siyang mapabungisngis. Crazy ex-boyfriend. Why, the description suited him so well! She suppressed a laugh. "No. It's my secretary." He chuckled. "You know what, I totally get you. I ran away from Hugo from time to time too. The guy is giving me nightmares sometimes with the endless documents he lets me sign and the boring meetings he'd always put me into," natatawang kuwento nito habang pinapabagal ang takbo ng sasakyan nito. "Hey, I'm good he
Agad na natigilan si Charlie sa sinabi ni Gael. She bit her lower lip to prevent herself from sobbing. She can almost feel the sadness in his voice and her heart went to him in an instant. There she was thinking how Gael's life was easier than she was because he was not burdened by anything from his past, their past. But looking at Gael now, she never thought how miserable was the life he'd been living for the past half a decade because he doesn't know anything about the life he had lived. "I'm sorry," umpisa niya. "I'm not sorry for what you think my father did that made you live your life this way. I still believe that he's innocent. But I am sorry because I thought your life was easier than mine when it's not." Her lips quivered, willing her tears not to fall. Gael just looked at her, the deep sadness in his eyes lingered. That made her reach for his hand. "The day will come when you'll remember everything, Gael. You'll remember me, you'll remember us, and every single thing th
"It's been a little over a week now. How was the initial roll out of SSL Cruise's recovery plan?" tanong ng Uncle Joshua niya kay Charlie. They were talking via video call dahil wala ang tiyuhin niya. Sinundan nito ang pinsan niya na anak nito sa Paris. "I will send the reports to you, Uncle Josh. I don't want to sound bragging but it's looking good," nagmamalaking balita niya. Her uncle chuckled. "It should be. That's the last chance for SSL Cruise. Anyway, I will not keep you anymore. Send me a copy of the report. I'll read it before I sleep." "Alright. Take care, Uncle Josh," aniya bago pinutol ang tawag. Agad niyang hinarap ang laptop niya at mabilis na in-email sa tiyuhin ang hinihingi nitong report. Matapos niyon, hinayon niya ng tingin ang malaking bintana sa opisina niya. It was overlooking the sea for she's at her port office of SSL Cruise. None of the five cruise ships they own are at port. And it has only been a little over two weeks since the recovery pland has
Charlie kept shifting on her seat. Bakit hindi? Aside from the fact that she's tensing because of Gael's presence smothering her still despite him eating silently beside her, it was the first time in weeks that another person, aside from her bodyguards and Gray and Jasmine, learned about Gael's return. Well, they're not romantically involved anymore but still... Gael wronged her. Her family will go after him now that he's back. Lalo na kapag nalaman ng mga ito na ito ang nasa likod sa tangkang pagpapabagsak sa SSL. Her family will retaliate, she's sure of that. That's why she's been keeping the truth about Gael's return. Gusto na niya sanang umiwas sa gulo. But Eric Samaniego is a family friend. He has worked closely with her family before and is still close with her parents even now that he has retired from intelligence work. She's sure one of these days he will talk to them and then... there will be more chaos again. She will be forced to answer the endless questions inside h
"Thank you for the dinner, Gray and Jasmsine. It was nice talking with you too, Sir Eric," ani Gael bago bumaling kay Charlie. His eyes bore instantly on her and she cannot look away. Aside from the natural pull his gray eyes had on her, her mind was preoccupied. Iniisip niya ang sinabi ni Jasmine sa kanya that Sir Eric is theorizing that someone might have deliberately fed Gael false information to make him hate her and put her family in a bad light. Kung totoo man 'yon, sino naman? Did their enemies try to use Gael against them? Her father has gained several business rivals in the past. But they were just healthy competitors, trying to do their business. Hindi rin niya maisip na pakana na naman iyon ng mga Mondragon. They don't play that way. They attack head-on. So, who? "Hindi ka pa sasabay? I can drive you home if you'd like," pukaw ni Gael sa kanya maya-maya. Kumurap siya mabilis na hinamig ang sarili. "Thanks for the offer but I-I'm good. I have my bodyguards with m
"What happened?" tanong ni Gael nakadirekta kay Jacob na nasa tabi ni Charlie. "Mukhang nag-overheat. Ipapa-check na sana kasi 'to dapat e kaso ginamit pa rin ni Axel ngayon," naiiling na sagot ni Jacob bago bumaling sa kanya. Charlie can almost figure out what he wanted to say next that's why she shook her head. "Do you want me to take you home, Charlize?" ani Gael, verbalizing what Jacob had in mind. She shot glance at Gael before returning her gaze Jacob. "You go. It's better be him than some stranger driver out there," ani Jacob, pabulong. She wanted to protest because clearly, Jacob doesn't really have any idea what he is saying. How can she be safe with Gael? Her emotions are all on edge whenever he is around. She's tensing up like some old robot needed to be drenched in oil just to function. Not to mention, Gael has threatened her many times before she had already lost count! "For Levi," sabi ulit ni Jacob. She released a slow breath. Right. She needs to go home as
"Charlie, are you even listening?" anang Grandma Liza ni Charlie sa kanya. Mabilis siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa kanyang lola na noon ay kasama niyang nag-aagahan sa family house nila sa Tagaytay. That's where she spent her weekend. She wanted to be away from the city for a while. Away from all her cares. Away from Gael. It was a beautiful Sunday morning. But she doesn't feel beautiful at all. She looks like shit and still feels conflicted. Why wouldn't she? She just learned that her stupid heart still loves Gael. How could she do that? How could her stupid heart do that? Hindi man lang ba siya nadala? Gael is her family's enemy now. Were his threats not enough to make her unlove him? How can she fall for him again-- the man who abandoned her for money? The cause of all her heartaches? She released a slow breath and collected her thoughts. "Sorry, Grandma. I was thinking about... What's your question again?" aniya. Her Grandma studied her face for a while and reached fo
Puno ng kaba ang dibdib ni Charlie habang pinagmamasdan niya ang floor counter ng elevator. She was on her way to Gael's penthouse. Doon nila napagkasunduang magkita ngayong gabi para sa pag-uusapan nila. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa envelope na hawak niya. Humigpit ng hawak niya roon. She doesn't know how Gael will react on it but she knew now what must be done.And that is her doing the right thing for her and her son. Nang bumukas ang pinto ng lift, tahimik niyang binagtas ang hallway hanggang sa marating niya ang mismong pinto ng penthouse. She was hesitant for a while. Until she mustered the strength to press the doorbell.Ilang sandali pa, bumukas ang pinto at bumungad sa kanya ang bulto ni Gael. He was wearing his casual jeans and shirt. His gray eyes are dancing as he looked at her, like she was his favorite person in the world. On his face, his familiar smirk. 'Dammit! Why does he has to look so good?' lihim niyang reklamo, lalong lumakas ang pagkabog ng dibdib.Niluwangan