Ramdam ni Ivy ang pag-iinit ng buong mukha niya dahil sa labis na galit para kay Berta. Her original plan was to bring Berta with her nang sa ganon ay sa oras na ipagtabuyan siya ni Sebastian ay si Berta ang kanyang gagawing shield para ito ay mapahiya. But what Ivy didn't expect was that all the wind and rain were caused by this mere servant! She had originally thought very well. Kung magiging mabuti sa kanya si Sebastian ngayon ay gagawin niya ang lahat ng paraan na alam niya para maging sila. She believed that Sebastian would fall in love with her less than two times.But all this has a prerequisite, which is that Sebastian must have a good impression of her first. Berta always sabotages at the most critical moment, which makes Ivy hate her to the core!“Anita, samahan mo sila sa silid ni Rosie,” utos bigla ni Sebastian kay Anita.Agad na naalarma si Ivy at hinila ang braso ni Berta.“I’ll go upstairs and wait for me here. May kukunin lang ako sa silid niya. I'm afraid that seeing
"Why would he give you money? How much money is in it?"Bakas na bakas ang iritasyon sa mukha ni Berta nang lingunin niya si Ivy.“Bored ka ba o sadyang pakialamera ka lang? Masyado mong pinapakialaman ang buhay ng iba. Bakit hindi mo pag aksayahan ng oras ang sarili mong buhay?” aniya na kulang na lang ay murahin niya ito para lang maipakita niya ang kanyang iritasyon dahil mukhang hindi marunong makiramdam ito.Hindi na iyon pinansin pa ni Berta at nauna nang maglakad. Ang umiirap na si Ivy ay agad naman siyang sinundan. Diretsong tumungo si Berta sa kanyang silid at inilock ang pintuan. Hindi na iyon pinansin pa ni Ivy at agad ding pumunta sa kanyang silid para lang itext si Elton upang magsumbong at gawan ng kuwento ang pobreng kasambahay.Sigurado siya sa kanyang nakita. Binigyan ni Sebastian si Berta ng cheque na at narinig niya kung magkano ito. Si Sebastian ang tagapagmana ng Villafuerte Corp at bilyonaryo pa ito. Kasambahay lamang ni Elton si Berta at alam ni Ivy kung gaano
Berta put her index finger on her lips to make a silencing gesture, then pointed outside the door, indicating to be careful not to be heard by Ivy. Ni hindi nila akalain na naroon nga sa labas si Ivy at “Bakit ka sumisigaw? I was just about to tell you, but you found out about it. Ni hindi mo rin sinabi sa akin na alam mo na pala.”Marahas na bumuntong-hininga si Elton at tuluyan nang naupo sa tabi ni Berta. Doon kinwento niya ang mga sinabi sa kanya ni Ivy sa text messages nito. Hindi na nagulat pa roon si Berta kaya sinabi na rin niya kay Elton ang nangyari.Inabot niya kay Elton ang cheque na binigay sa kanya ni Sebastian at sinabi kung para saan ito.“Just take out the money and put it in the company's public account. If you don't return the money to him, we have the right to take it. Let me report myself. Nakakatawa ang mga sinabi niya,” ani Berta at napailing na lamang dahil sa katangahang taglay ni Ivy. Maging si Elton ay natawa na rin habang si Ivy ay tuluyan nang umalis at bu
"Spectra is not as cheap as you."Natahimik si Ivy nang marinig niya iyon mula kay Sebastian. She had never been belittled so bluntly by a man. She had always been the object of men's pursuit since she was a child, but she was rejected repeatedly in the past two days, and the men who rejected her were all because of that ugly woman!Patuloy sa pagpupuyos ang kanyang kalooban at bakas na bakas sa mga mata niya ang galit na nararamdaman. Kanina niya pa minumura si Spectra sa kanyang isip, kung gaano ito kapangit, kabaho, kasama ang ugali—lahat na yata ng kapintasan sa mundo ay nasa babaeng iyon na! Paano nila nagagawang magustuhan ang ganong klaseng tao?Ivy was so furious, but she didn't show it on her face. She picked up the wine glass and gently touched it on Sebastian's glass."Mr. Villafuerte, happy birthday to me!" She tried to be lively."Happy birthday." Sebastian picked up the wine glass and took a sip. "Now you can tell me where Spectra is and who she is."Hindi sumagot si Ivy
Imbes na bitawan siya ni Sebastian ay mabilis na hinila siya nito papasok sa silid, tinulak siya sa kama, at agad na lumabas. He slammed the door shut and locked it from the outside.Nakahinga nang maluwag si Rosie, ngunit agad din siyang naalarma nang mapagtanto ang ginawa ng lalaki. Hindi siya makakalabas!Hindi na siya nagdalawang-isip pa at sinimulang kalabugin ang pintuan.“You, bastard! Open the door! Why did you lock me in? Condo ko ‘to at ikaw ang dapat umalis! Open the door!" paulit-ulit na sigaw niya.She was extremely anxious. There was a stack of self-portraits in the bag in the bathroom, and the portraits were of Rosie! Naroon din ang teddy bear niyang si Bam-Bam, at may mga litrato siya roon na hawak-hawak iyon. She was just drawing for fun at the time, and now she just wants to give herself a beating!"Shut up. I have something to ask you later." Sebastian's voice was hoarse as he was trying to suppress the fire in his heart.“Inuutusan mo ba ako? What a joke! Why shoul
"What should I do? I really have something urgent to do. Hindi kita puwedeng isama," namomoblemang sabi ni Elton.Kailangan na niyang magmadali upang hanapin si Spectra at ang Ivy nito ay pinipilit pa rin ang nais niyang mangyari. Naalala niya na nasabi sa kanya ni Spectra ang address ng kanyang condo unit, ngunit hindi siya sigurado roon. Malapit lang iyon sa kung nasaan siya ngayon. He just had to look up the properties that had been launched nearby five years ago and then go over and ask.But Ivy was not in his plan. It’s too far to send her back to the villa, and the round trip will take a lot of time!"Get me a room nearby, so I can have a place to stay. Can you pick me up after you finish your work?" Ivy demanded again.Elton sighed and just gave it up. “Fine. Let’s go.”Tingin naman ni Elton ay mas maganda ang ideya na iyon. Lingid sa kanyang kaalaman na may ibang plano si Ivy nang mga oras na iyon. Walang kahit na anong ID na dala si Ivy kaya naman napilitan si Elton na gamit
"What are you talking about? Kung iniisip mong may nangyari sa atin nang gabing iyon, nagkakamali ka. Nothing happened between us. You were drunk and misunderstood..."Sebastian was relieved to see the woman trying hard to conceal herself. Alam niya sa kanyang sarili na si Ayanna ang mahal niya, at nawawala pa rin hanggang ngayon ang kanyang asawa na si Rosie. Although he did that kind of thing to Spectra, he really cannot take responsibility."I can give you any material thing. You can ask for anything you want. As long as it's not too excessive, I will agree to it." He wanted to erase the matter once and for all.Biglang nakaramdam ng kung ano si Rosie. Hindi niya malaman kung anong klaseng pakiramdam ito. Bigla na lamang siyang nawala sa mood at tila nagpupuyos nang husto ang kanyang kalooban. HIndi niya malaman kung ano ang dahilan—sa mga sinabi ni Sebastian na para sa lalaki ay pera lang ang katapat ng lahat, o sa katotohanang batid niya sa kanyang sarili na hindi sigurado si Seb
Ilang minuto pang nagdalawang-isip si Rosie nang marinig niya iyon. Marami pa siyang gagawin at ayaw niyang masayang ang kanyang oras para lamang sa ganitong bagay, ngunit hindi rin naman niya kakayaning iwanan na lamang ito pagkatapos niyang pagsinungalingan ito at nakakuha pa siya ng magandang deal.Rosie sat down again and sighs.“What is it this time? Sabihin mo na ang lahat nang sa ganon ay makaalis na ako.”"Alpha Enterprises and Nexus Ventures are now partners, but you suddenly intervened to sabotage them. Isn't that unreasonable?" tanong ni Sebastian sa malamig at seryoso nitong boses.She didn't expect him to suddenly bring up this matter. She did that to prove that she was not Ayanna and to prove her ability. Hindi pumasok sa isip niya na gagawin itong dahilan ni Sebastian para pasaringan siya at ngayon ay nadagdagan lamang ang konsensya sa kanyang puso.“What do you want to do then?” matapang niyang tanong sa lalaki kahit may kaba sa kanyang dibdib."This incident reminded
Rosie quickly sent the link to them, and they clicked on it. Nakita nila ang mga litrato na ipinost ng isang milyonaryong celebrity, ipinapakita ang tatlo sa kanilang kumakain nang magkasama. Sebastian at Elton ay nag-uunahan sa pagsilbi ng pagkain kay Spectra, parehong sobrang maasikaso.Kasunod nito, may isang litrato ng tatlo habang papasok sa villa. Kahit hindi masyadong pasabog ang pamagat, malinaw na nagpapa-isip ito ng kung anu-ano."When three people are together, there must be a love rivalry!"Mukhang normal lang ang mga litrato, pero ang mga komento sa ilalim nito ay halatang nagpapaligoy-ligoy, gumagawa ng maling kahulugan. Habang tumatagal, nagiging mas outrageous at sobra na ang mga sinasabi ng mga tao..."Master, your uncle!" sigaw ni Elton sa galit.“Bang—”Hinampas ni Elton ang computer sa sobrang inis.Matapos niyang mabasag ito, napagtanto niya na hindi pala ito ang computer niya. Nakita niyang nakatitig si Spectra sa kanya nang may galit, kaya dali-dali siyang humin
After buying things, Spectra suggested, "Let’s have lunch outside? How about going home after eating?"The food in the restaurant outside was delicious. Every time she went out, she would indulge in a full meal before heading home.Noon pa man sa pamilya Samaniego, hindi pinapayagan ang pagkain sa labas. Ang mga kinakain lang ay ang mga niluluto ng mga katulong. Sina Reniella at Armando ay mas pinipili ang mga pagkaing may magaan na lasa, kaya karamihan sa mga pagkain sa pamilya nila ay nilalaga lamang na may kaunting asin, bihirang may seafood.Rosie always thought food was supposed to taste that way. But when she was sixteen, she tried seafood and spicy dishes for the first time and immediately fell in love with the flavors, never forgetting them.Nang tumira siya sa villa ng pamilya Villafuerte, masarap din ang mga luto ng chef doon. Ngunit nang pinalayas siya ni Cornelia matapos ang maikling panahon, doon lang siya nagsimulang makatikim ng iba’t ibang luto mula sa labas.Doon lang
Hawak ni Elton ang ilang kahon ng seafood sa kaliwang kamay at mga fast food snacks, prutas, atbp. sa kanan. Dinala niya talaga ang mga ito para kay Spectra, pero nang makita niya si Sebastian, agad na nawala ang kanyang ngiti.Sebastian pointed to the other side and said, "It's too noisy over there. I have no choice but to come to your place for peace and quiet."Ibinaba ni Elton ang mga dala niya sa coffee table at hindi na pinansin si Sebastian. Tumalikod siya at sinabi kay Spectra, "Spectra, siya na ang nakatira dito. Bakit hindi ka nalang sumama sa akin? Gustong-gusto ka ng nanay ko. Nitong mga nakaraang araw, reklamo siya nang reklamo kung bakit hindi ka pa bumibisita. Nakakabagot sa bahay, wala man lang makausap... Halika na, sumama ka na sa akin?"Hindi naman siya talaga madaling mairita, pero sa pagkakataong ito, parang hindi siya mapakali. Pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon, hindi na siya naghintay ng sagot mula kay Spectra at agad na hinila siya.Ayaw talagang sumama ni Spectra
Elton was puzzled. He had to ask, "Did you just say that Samuel is the chairman of Alpha? Who told you that? Not many people know about such a confidential matter. How did you find out?"Seymour, thinking he had uncovered an incredible secret about Alpha, wanted to show off.Mataas ang pagtingin ni Seymour sa sarili, kaya itinuro niya ang kanyang baba at nagsalita nang may kayabangan, "I can't tell you that. Of course, I have my ways of knowing these things. Don’t think your internal affairs are that tight. If I want to know something, I’ll find out."Matapos niyang sabihin iyon, umalis siya nang taas-noo, mayabang na naglalakad palayo. Elton, though initially confused, quickly pieced everything together after exchanging glances with the others. Hindi inasahan ni Lucas na ang kanyang simpleng komento ay magiging "inside information" na ipinagmamalaki ni Seymour. Bigla siyang nabilaukan sa tsaa at halos naidura ito kay Elton.Nagtawanan ang grupo, bagaman tila pilit ang ngiti ni Samuel
Spectra deadpanned, "Oh, I was just busy talking and didn’t have time to introduce myself." She ignored the man beside her and turned to the crowd, "Hello everyone, my name is Spectra, and I am the chairman of Nexus Ventures. I’m very happy you could attend this party today. I hope you all have a pleasant and unforgettable evening!"Walang nakakasiguro kung magiging masaya nga ba ang gabi, pero isang bagay ang sigurado—ito’y hindi malilimutan!Sa sandaling iyon, biglang tumahimik ang buong kwarto. Kadarating lang ni Baltazar at bago pa niya mapaalalahanan ang kanyang anak, napansin niya agad ang nangyari. Wala nang kailangang paalala—nangyari na ang kinakatakutan niya!After a brief silence, a voice spoke up."Hello, hello! I’m the general manager of Rising Sun Company. I’ve heard so much about you. Seeing is believing! I didn’t expect you to be so young and beautiful…"Sobra naman ang pambobola niya. Pero ito pa lang ang simula—at siguradong hindi ito ang huli.Bago pa matapos mags
Since so many people could think of it, Elton naturally considered it too. He wasn’t going to show up now and make himself a target. Let them guess all they want. The higher their expectations, the greater their shock will be when they finally see who’s really behind everything!Hayaan silang maliitin ang iba.Many people attending tonight’s event had received favors from Mr. Hugo Villafuerte and Sebastian in the past.But during the old man’s funeral, none of these people showed up, afraid to offend Seymour. Sising-sisi sila mamaya.…The car pulled up in front of the hotel.Sebastian and Spectra stepped out. Their attire was so plain that it seemed almost inappropriate for such a grand event. They handed over their invitation at the entrance and made their way inside the hotel.Before they even reached the gate, someone with sharp eyes noticed Sebastian. The person who saw him first quickly turned away, pretending not to notice.Pero mabilis niya ring binulungan ang mga kasama.“Si
Seymour hesitated.Frances looked at her son and said, “Pumunta ka na sa itaas at magpahinga ka muna. Ako na ang bahala dito.”“Okay, pero huwag mo siyang masyadong pahirapan,” sagot ni Seymour.Seymour could never harden his heart towards women, not just Ivy, but any other woman he had had physical contact with.“Naintindihan ko. Sige na, umakyat ka na,” Frances insisted as she gently pushed her son away.Once her son was gone, Frances went to the gatehouse to meet Ivy.The young woman was curled up on the narrow bed, her face pale and her lips blue and purple from the cold. Her entire body trembled as she tried to warm herself.Mukhang kaawa-awa ang batang ito.Frances thought to herself that it was a good decision not to let her son see Ivy like this. If he did, he would definitely be soft-hearted.Without wasting any time, Frances took out a bank card and handed it to Ivy. “Here’s ten million. Iwanan mo ang anak ko.”Ivy shook her head vigorously, her eyes brimming with tears. “No
Spectra's shoulders started shaking, and tears streamed down her face. She couldn’t control herself anymore and ran out of the room.“I’ll go see her.” Elton chased after her.Siya lang ang nakakaalam ng tunay na pagkatao ni Spectra, at alam din niyang naantig ito sa nakita kanina.Nang lumabas siya para sundan ito, hindi naman lumayo si Spectra. Nagtago lang ito sa isang sulok at humahagulgol nang tahimik. Agad na nilapitan siya ni Elton at inabutan ng tissue. “Here, wipe your tears. Don’t cry. You have to control your emotions—baka mapansin ka.”Tumango si Spectra at sinabi habang humihikbi, “Yeah, I know. I won’t cry.”Sinabi niyang hindi na iiyak, pero bakas pa rin ang labis na kalungkutan.Napabuntong-hininga si Elton at pabirong sinabi, “I’ll lend you my shoulder. Lean on it whenever you want.”Biglang sumubsob si Spectra sa balikat ni Elton at humagulgol nang walang pakundangan. Bago niya makita si Armando, pakiramdam niya ay matapang siya, at malaya kahit papaano sa labas.Bei
Baltazar rolled his eyes and leaned back heavily on his chair with a loud thud!“Honey!” Frances ran over immediately.“Dad, Dad, what’s wrong?” Pumunta rin agad sina Seymour at Samuel para alamin ang nangyari. Agad na naging magulo ang buong conference room.Kumikibot-kibot ang talukap ng mata ni Baltazar, at agad itong naintindihan ni Frances. Mabilis niyang pinaalis ang bunsong anak, saka mabilis na sinabi kay Seymour, “Stop saying nonsense. Kung magkamali ka na naman ng salita, ni mga diyos hindi ka na kayang iligtas.”Mabilis na tumango si Seymour bilang senyales na naintindihan niya.Kahit hindi siya kumbinsido, napagtanto niyang bawat salita ni Sebastian ay puro patibong, at kusa siyang nahulog sa bawat isa. Marami na siyang natutunang leksyon. Hindi na siya magpapadala muli!Habang binibigyan ng oras ang anak para makapag-isip, unti-unting “nagising” si Baltazar mula sa kanyang kunwaring pagkakahimatay. Hindi siya maaaring pumunta sa ospital sa oras na ito. Kapag umalis siya a