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
“Tell me the story,” ani Gael kay Charlie, marahang hinahaplos ang daliri niyang may nakasulat na ‘palagi’.They were sitting at the sofa. Kandong siya nito habang ang kumot lang na nahalungkat nila sa isa sa mga boxes na naroon ang nakatapis sa kanya. They had just spent the last few hours making love in all parts of the beach house. She felt like they were back to the honeymooners they were once before—insatiable and couldn’t get enough of each other.She leaned her head on his chest as she turned to the big window. Madilim na subalit patuloy pa rin ang malakas na pagbuhos ng ulan. She made a mental note that she should make an alibi as early as now before Axel and Jacob would go berserk and realize that she’s too far gone from safety.Wala sa sarili niyang kinuha ang kaliwang kamay ni Gael na mayroon matching tattoo ng sa kanya. She gently intertwined their hands together and she thought how perfectly their hands meld with each other. Like two perfect puzzle pieces. A sudden wave
Kanina pa pinagmamasdan ni Charlie ang bintana ng beach house. Mabigat ang dibdib niya habang hinihintay ang pagsikat ng araw.She had been awake for some time now but she cannot move—not when Gael was still fast asleep beside her and one of his arm was circled on her waist.She closed her eyes and tried to memorize the feel of his warmth against her skin, the way he breathed and the way his heart beats against his chest.She will take all of that too… as a memory.Their tomorrow has ended last night. And today, they must part ways.She bit lower lip when a wave of hurt rose from her chest. She had dreamed of spending the rest of her days with Gael when they got married in haste five years ago… but there she is, saying goodbye to Gael for one last time.She felt Gael stirred, his hand tightening around her waist. He gently grazed his lips of her shoulder and said, “Goodmorning.”She smiled through her unshed tears. It was morning now indeed.“It stopped raining,” bulong niya.Muling h
Charlie stood between silent chaos and fire for a while. She just stared at her Dad and Grandpa and feeling Gael’s presence behind her. She didn't know what to do. She willed her mind to think, to do something… anything! But her logic faltered and so she just chose to surrender to the uncomfortable silence.Maya-maya pa, tumunog ang cellphone ni Jacob. “Yes, Sir. She’s with Gael, indeed.”Whom was he talking to? Was it Gray? Or Sir Eric?And indeed? Were they just checking if she’s there or not? For some random chance was someone close to her knew that she’s with Gael?Pero sino naman? She was careful when she left Manila yesterday. Wala siyamg pinagsabihin ni isa. Lalo tuloy siyang naguluhan dahil marami na namang tanong na wala na namang kasagutan. Subalit mabilis din na nawala ang mga iyon sa isip niya nang magsalita ang Daddy niya.“Charlie, let’s go home,” anito, ang mga mata nakatutok sa kanya. Her father’s face was void of any emotion but she can hear the disappointment in h
Her father’s brows furrowed further, the confusion in his eyes grew. Sensing her father will never say another word, nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita. “It's okay, Dad. I could never think of you as a murderer. And even involve T’yo Berting just to get back at Gael. I knew you will not go that far. I know you were just trying to take me back but I was stubborn and… “ Muli siyang humikbi, napuno ng pagsisisi ang dibdib. “You should’ve told me as soon as Gael came back, Charlie. Kahit na hindi sa akin agad. Kahit na sa Mommy mo man lang o sa Uncle Joshua mo,” pukaw ng Daddy niya sa kanya, maya-maya.“I-I got scared, Dad. I’m sorry. You almost died on me and…” She shook her head. The memory still scares her beyond her wits. Nagpapaalala sa mga kasalanan niya na dapat niyang pagbayaran. Muli siyang napahikbi.Walang nang sinayang pa na oras ang Daddy niya. Mabilis siya nitong kinabig payakap at doon siya sa dibdib nito tuluyang humagulgol.“I-I was so afraid of you dying, Dad. I-I woul
“Will you not say anything, Gael?” pukaw ng lolo ni Gael sa kanya nang manatili siyang tahimik pagkalipas ng ilang sandali dahil sa sinabi nitong balita. “Aren’t you happy that I’ve bought you the perfect weapon to exact your revenge against the Sandejas family?”He gritted his teeth, fury slowly overcoming him. Kung noon siguro 'yon ginawa ng lolo niya, noong hindi pa siya bumabalik sa Maynila, he might have consider it. But not right now. Not when he was not the same man who's only after revenge when he left Germany almost two months ago.He is far from elated right now. Truth be told, he is pissed! He wanted to yell and curse at his grandfather. Tell him how he fcked up everything that he planned for him and Charlize. Tell him how wrong he is in doing things he didn’t even ask for him to do. And how close he is from severing ties with him right now for wanting the downfall of the very woman he had learned to loved twice in his damned lifetime!Last night, for the first time in five
Ang malakas na pagtunog ng cellphone ni Charlie ang nagpagising sa kanya bandang alas-dos ng hapon. She opened her eyes and looked at her son who was still sleeping beside her. She gave a faint smile and gently caressed Levi's cherub cheeks. Her son stirred a little, subalit muli ring bumalik sa pagtulog. Patamad niyang inabot ang kanyang cellphone sa bedside drawer. She huffed when Maria's name registered on her phone's screen. "Yes, Maria--" "M-Ma'am, nasaan po kayo? M-may problema po kasi dito sa cruise line. A-ano po kasi..." Her brows furrowed. Hindi niya kasi masyadong maintindihan ang sinasabi ng sekretarya, there were too many noises on the background. Maingat na siyang tumayo mula sa kama at naglakad patungo sa bathroom. "Can you repeat that, Maria? I didn't hear you the first time," sabi niya. Subalit hindi sumagot si Maria. Ilang sandali pa, she heard a crushing sound on the phone, followed by Maria's scream. "Maria, what's happennig? Maria are you still there?" na
"Are you okay?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Gray kay Gael habang nakatutok ang mga mata niya sa mga dokumento na binabasa niya. He was staring at the reports about himself, Alaric and Lena. He had been doing that for almost half an hour now, reading the damn thing over and over na parang magbabago pa ang nakasulat doon kapag ginawa niya 'yon. Reading a report about himself for the first time felt weird. But reading a new report about him made him feel livid. Why wouldn't he, when those reports about himself for five years were extremely incomplete compared to the one he's reading now. Lahat ng mga tanong niya noon tungkol sa sarili niya na hindi nasagot ng naunang report na binigay sa kanya, nakapaloob lahat sa bagong report na kabibigay lang ni Gray sa kanya. All those random flashes of memories he had been seeing for a while now, the sudden jolts of muscle reflex and energy he felt whenever he faced things related to his former hobby or job, and the intense pain he felt whenever Ch
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