"To what reason do I owe you this visit for, Ms. Schulz?" seryosong tanong ni Charlie sa babaeng kaharap niya. The woman stands statuesque in front of her in the middle of her office, looking at her with controlled fury in her eyes. This is the woman Gael loved, she reminded herself. The woman whom he'd get to spend the rest of his life with. The woman who will take her place in Gael's life. A wave of hurt rose from her chest. After all these years... after everything... in the end, she will still lose Gael. The woman smirked. She remained unfazed though and maintained her eye contact. "I don't have all day," seryosong pukaw niya sa babae na sigurado siyang minamata siya nang palihim kaya kanina pa ito tahimik. The woman forced a smile. " You know my name. I'm sure you know by now who am I in the life of Gael." "Of course, I know that you are his fiancee." The woman smiled. "I'm glad you--" "And I am still his wife," mabilis niyang putol sa sasabihin pa nito. The woman's
Charlie nervously walked over at the makeshift stage where all the new members of the business circle will be inducted... by her.Out of all people, siya pa talaga ang napili nilang tawagin para mag-induct sa mga bagong members ng grupo! There are more well-deserved people in the crowd to do that. Why does it has to be her?!She took in a sharp breath and collected herself.Get this done and over with then you can get the hell of here, she convinced herself.Uncle Nate, the son of Mrs. Cobarrubias, took her hand and helped her climbed up the makeshift stage. Once there, she quickly get done with the task nang hindi siya tumitingin sa mga bagong miyembro ng grupo.Kaya lang nang magsimulang kamayan ng mga officers ang mga new members, she was forced to do it too.That’s when she saw Gael. He was wearing a blue suit that perfectly accentuates his well-built frame. He wore his dirty blonde hair long like how he used to since she met him again. And his aura-- authoritative, proud… dangero
"What do you mean let's talk? What part of I don't want to talk to you can't you understand,Gael? Pwede ba, lumabas ka na lang. Leave me be!" Charlie yelled, anger swiftly running in her veins."I really need to tell you a few things," mabilis na sagot nito, tunog desperado subalit wala siyang pakialam. She scoffed. "I am not interested with anything that you will say, Gael. They mean nothing to me so--""I'm sorry," mabilis nitong putol sa kanya. "I am an asshole for saying those things to you. You were never a lose nor a cheap woman, Charlize. And believe it or not, I respect you."She huffed. "That's rich coming from the person who never fails to threaten and insult me every chance he'd get. Pero sige, pagbibigyan kita para matapos na 'to. I'll accept your sorry. You're forgiven, now go. Baka hanapin ka pa sa 'kin ng fiancee mo," she said rolling her eyes secretly."She' not here anymore. She already went home... to Germany."Her brows furrowed instantly. "B-but you were just dan
"What do you want to eat?" tanong ni Gael kay Charlie. Sa harap nila ay ang hilera ng mga tray ng ulam na isinisilbi ng isang roadside eatery kung saan sila kasalukuyang naroon. It was already lunchtime and they were just a few towns away from San Gabriel. Maaga pa lang nang magsabi siya sa mga katulong nila sa mansyon na lalabas siya at pupunta sa bahay nina Jasmine at Gray. Mahigpit niyang ibinilin sa mga katulong na h'wag ipagsasabi sa kahit kanino kung saan siya magpupunta lalo na kina Axel at Jacob. Subalit imbes na sa bahay ng kaibigan dumiretso, nagpunta siya sa dati nilang tagpuan ni Gael. That's where they've decided to meet up. He was already there when she arrived wearing just his casual clothes-- a sport shirt, jeans and rubber shoes. He was laid-back, relaxed-- like the guy she used to know. A perfect for the memory of him she will get to keep after today. "I think I'll just go with that fried boneless bangus and a little bit of that red egg with tomatoes. I haven't
Halos masilaw si Charlie sa pagtanaw sa saranggola niya na pinagtulungan nila ni Gael na paliparin kanina. The pink kite she chose was flying high in the blue sky-- proudly displaying the wish she wrote on it before she let it fly.Wala sa sarili siyang napatingin kay Gael na noon ay nasa malapit lang, abala rin sa pagpapalipad ng saranggola nito.He was smiling from ear to ear. A bolt of memory flashed through her mind as she remembered the very first time she realized she had a crush on him.She was on the 5th grade and he was already in high school. They don't see each other as often as they did when she was still homeschooled. Saka na lang sila nagkikita tuwing umuuwi siya sa San Gabriel during school breaks. But Gael will always be at their beach house to accompany her. Before Jasmine, she only had Gael as her friend and no one else. She had always seen him as her hero in his long dirty blonde hair, tanned skin and ripped jeans.She remembered the first time her heart fluttered
Alanganing bumaba ng sasakyan si Charlie habang ang mga mata ay nakatutok sa beach house na nasa kanyang harapan. They have arrived in San Gabriel just a few minutes ago at doon sila agad dumiretso ni Gael. "I have never been here before, Gael" pag-amin niya habang pinapagala ang tingin sa kubuuan ng lugar. There's a smaller house just a few meters away from the beach house. Luma na ang pinto ng maliit na bahay, halatang mas matagal iyong naroon kaysa sa beach house. It's probably the house of the caretaker, she thought. "Who lives here, Gael?" tanong niya sa kasama habang magkapanany silang naglalakad patungo sa harap ng beach house. "Me and T'yo Berting. According to reports, we used to live here," anito. Agad siyang bumaling dito. Nakamata pa rin ito sa beach house na parang wala namang tinatanaw. Nang umihip ang panghapong hangin mula sa dagat sa 'di kalayuan, unti-unting pumikit si Gael. She didn't look away. She just watched him. Was he trying to recall something? A mem
Ilang sandali ring tahimik na naglakad sa may baybayin sina Gael at Charlie. Reveling the beauty and wonder of nature. “Do you know how to swim?” tanong ni Gael sa kanya, maya-maya. She smiled, as the memory of the first time she successfully floated on the water resurfaced in her mind. “I do. You taught me, Gael.” Mabilis itong napabaling sa kanya. “Really now. I didn’t know I had a teacher in me,” natatawang sabi nito, kuntodo ang ngisi. “I think I’m your first and last student. So don't be so cocky, Gael. You’re not that great,” she retorted, rolling her eyes in fake annoyance. Lalo itong natawa. “Do you know how cute you looked whenever you do that?” Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. “Do what?” “’Yan, kapag umiirap ka. You looked cute.” She averted her eyes from him when she felt her cheeks heating up. “Tell me about your grandfather,” pag-iiba niya sa usapan. “Well, Opa Aksel is kind to me. He taught me everything I know about running our business. I owe him everything.”
Charlie was reeling as soon as she allowed Gael to taste and nip her lips. Every uncertainty, every fear, every reason that tells her why they cannot be together, limot na niya ang lahat ng mga iyon. All that mattered was that moment with Gael and the scorching fire of passion slowly consuming her. Maya-maya pa, bumaba ang mga labi ni Gael sa kanyang leeg habang marahang ipinaglalakbay ang isang kamay nito sa ilalim ng kanyang button-down blouse. She instantly whimpered when she felt his warm hand on one of breast. He fondled it before giving her now sensitive peak a not so gentle squeeze. The sensation ripped right through her and made her core clenched more with need. Maya-maya pa, muli nitong ibinalik ang mga labi nito sa kanya. She met his lips with equal need and passion, knowing in her heart that after today, she will never have him this way ever again. It’s her last chance to be that intimate with Gael, her husband whom she will give away after today. Gael quickly tore h