Aaron was standing in front of the glass wall panel of the conference room in SSL. He was looking at the skyline of the city as if by looking at it, he’d find the answers to his questions.
“Aaron, we should tell, Mom,” pukaw ni Joshua sa kanya maya-maya.
He heaved a sigh. Hind pa man, he can almost hear their mother’s protest.
Nasabi na niya sa mga kapatid niya ang tungkol sa plano niyang pagkalas sa compromise agreement nila ni Arturo—ang pakasalan ang inaanak nitong si Kristine.
His brothers understood him. And he got his brothers support with his decision. Ang mommy na lang nila ang kulang. Kristine had charmed their mother way too much for the past years. Alam niya, mahihirapan siyang ipaintindi sa Mommy nila ang sitwasyon.
Also, he has yet to talk to Arturo. He and his brothers had decided, should Arturo wants to be compensated with him backing out with their compromise, they are all willing to
“But why are you there? Kung may nagbabanta sa buhay mo, the safest place you can be at is here, in our home?” nag-aalalang sabi ng Daddy ni Samantha sa kanya sa cellhphone.They arrived in San Gabriel almost an hour ago. Subalit imbes na sa bahay nila or rest house siya nito ihatid, Carlo took her and Charlie at Trevor’s mango farm. Tago kasi ang mango farm, mas malayo sa bayan kung saan naroon ang bahay nila. The place was conducive for hiding.“Carlo said this is better Dad hanggang wala pa ang imbestigasyon tungkol sa nagpapadala ng death threats sa akin,” kalmadong sagot niya sa ama.“How is this better, Sam? Malayo ka sa amin, ikaw at si Charlie. How can we protect you?”Nagbuga siya ng hininga. Pilit niyang pinakalma ang sarili. The hurt and worry in her father’s voice is wounding her heart. She must admit, the first time Carlo brought up the idea of her hiding, she was at od
Aaron was staring at the glass of brandy he poured for himself. Iniisip niya ang mga nangyari nang nagdaang mga araw— ang pagtatago ni Sam, ang pakikipagkalas niya kay Kristine, at ang pagkamatay ni Arturo.Arturo De Gracia’s inurnment was held this morning—just three days after his burned body along with his car was found in an abandoned lot. Arturo’s widow, Melinda, came home from Spain alone. She barely talked to anybody and grieved in private. Ang huling balita niya, bumalik na ito sa Spain pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng libing.Ni hindi man lang niya ito nakausap. He was hoping Melinda would stay for a while , that he’d still have time to talk to her about his compromise agreement with Arturo. Subalit tila nagmamadali itong makabalik sa mga anak nito sa Spain.And now with just days before the engagement party, he had ran out of any possible solution to fix the dilemma he’s in. All he can think of is to t
Masayang pinagmamasdan ni Samantha si Charlie habang naglalaro ito sa lawn ng farmhouse. Her daughter was playing in the playhouse Lucas had sent over para daw hindi mainip ang anak niya habang nagtatago sila.And she must admit, after a full week of hiding there at Trevor’s mango farm, Charlie had adapted well to the new environment. Subalit paminsan-minsan, nagtatanong pa rin ito tungkol sa swimming pool o kaya sa beach. Panay na rin ang tanong nito kung kailan daw sila uuwi sa San Gabriel. Not knowing that they are already in San Gabriel, just on the other side of it.She looked up the sky, hapon na. Malapit nang lumubog ang araw. Ilang oras na lang, engagement party na nina Aaron at Kristine.With Aaron not coming to see her there, she was sure, Carlo had kept his promise. Wasn’t that what she wants, ang tuluyan siyang layuan ni Aaron, ang gawin din nito ang tama at pakasalan nito si Kristine gaya nang nararapat. She should be happy
Agad na kumabog ang dibdib ni Samantha sa nakita. Nanginig na rin siya.“H-how…” bulong niya, halos hindi maituloy ang gusto niyang sabihin. Her mind cannot process any coherent thought.Gasps filled the air. Kasunod niyon ang mga bulong-bulongan habang nakatuon ang mga mata sa kanya. Her mind reeled in an instant panic.She wanted to run and hide but her feet seemed to be cemented on the spot she’s standing on. Taranta siyang nagpalinga-linga. She was looking for her brother. However in her confusion, she cannot seem to find Lucas in that sea of strangers.Maya-maya pa, lumapit sa kanya mula sa kung saan ang pamilyar na bulto ni Kristine. She didn’t see her in the guests who came in earlier. She was wearing a red seductive dress that accentuated all the curves of her body. Her beauty was shining—like a dazzling goddess that has fallen from the sky.She gave her a stern look and the blood on
Mangiyak-ngiyak si Samantha habang pinagmamasdan si Mandy na nasa hospital bed. The doctors said her friend was heavily drugged thus, unconscious. They assured her that once the effects of the drug wears off, Mandy will wake up on his own. Kaya lang hindi pa rin siya makampante. Patuloy siyang mag-aalala para sa kaibigan hanggang hindi ito gumising.Gumalaw si Bettina sa tabi niya. Magkatabi silang nakaupo sa sofa. Tulog ito habang siya ay gising na gising. Gaya niya, hindi na rin umuwi si Bettina kagabi at mas piniling bantayan si Mandy matapos nilang mabalitaan ang kalagayan nito. Hindi pa kasi nila nasasabihan ang pamilya ni Mandy sa sinapit nito. Ang gusto niya, kapag ibinalita niya ang nangyari sa pamilya nito, gising na ito at nakakausap.Lalo pa at doble-doble ang dagok sa kunsensiya niya ang isiping baka siya ang dahilan kung bakit nagkagano’n si Mandy.She released a slow breath, leaned on the couch and stared blankly at the ce
Dinig ni Aaron ang mahihinang pagsinghot ni Viviane sa gilid niya habang pinagmamasdan siya nitong alisin sa desk niya ang mga personal niyang gamit. As of this morning, he’s no longer the CEO of Sandejas Shipping Lines.When the video of him and Sam went viral, sinabihan na siya ni Diego na nagkaroon ng private meeting ang majority ng board of directors. He knew then that he had to use his back-up plan should the board will try to vote him out because he didn’t marry Kristine.He sold all of his shares to Joshua.When they turned 21, lahat silang magkakapatid ay nabigyan ng equal shares sa kumpanya. But when he took over SSL, ang shares ng Daddy nila ay napunta sa kanya, making him the biggest shareholder of the company and the default CEO. But when he backed out from marrying Kristine, he knew it wouldn’t be long that the board will come after his neck. That’s why he met with his brothers. He needs to make sure that
“Mommy, can I take Mama Duck and her babies with us? They are squishy. They can fit in my baby bag,” ani Charlie kay Samantha. Her daughter was holding her toys on her hands, looking at her with doe eyes, waiting for her response.She smiled softly and reached for her baby’s face. “Of course we will bring Mama Duck and her babies,” aniya.Charlie beamed at her. She gave her a hug before rushing towards her own bag and stuffed her swimming buddies inside of it. “Mommy said you all can come with. We are going to swim on our big big tub!” sabi pa nito sa mga laruan nito.Muli siyang napangiti. Charlie’s innocence warms and hurts her heart at the same time. Her daughter deserves everything that’s beautiful in this life. But sadly, she cannot even give her a complete family.She shook her head slowly, dismissing the sad thoughts slowly filling her head. She has things to do today. Kagabi, kaba
They say that once you tell the truth you will be free from something. But Samantha felt nothing but free right after she told her family and Aaron her secret.The loud silence inside the room was choking her, filling her heart with overwhelming uncertainties—with guilt so heavy for only one to bear.“What? This a*shole is the father of Charlie?” gigil na tanong ni Lucas nang makahuma sa pagkabigla sa sinabi niya. “This is the man who abandoned you and my niece?” Lucas continued in gritted teeth. She sobbed, unsure of what to say.“Lucas, I didn’t know. I was drunk that night when—““You were drunk? You took advantage of my sister?” gigil na putol ni Lucas kay Aaron. In one swift move, Lucas was already a few feet away from Aaron, ready to charge. Humakbang na rin palapit ang mga bodyguards ng kapatid, closing in on Aaron. Agad siyang nagpanic.“No, Lu