"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 was very nervous, thinking he’s going to ask about Ayanna again. Although they talked about the company's development all night, Sebastian always suddenly asked a question or two about Ayanna.Mapipilitan na naman siyang magsinungaling muli dahil lang sa pagiging makulit ni Sebastian. Tell one lie and cover it up with a hundred lies! Kung anu-ano nang kasinungalingan ang agad niyang inisip bago pa man niya marinig ang tanong ni Sebastian tungkol kay Ayanna. In order to avoid being exposed, she could only give half-answers, which was extremely painful."Please don't tell anyone about our cooperation,” ani Sebastian.Umawang ang bibig ni Rosie at nakahinga siya nang maluwag. Lahat ng nasa isip niya ay naglaho na parang bula."Alright. No problem,” she replied.Rosie was just about to go out when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside, followed by a quarrel outside.Lingid sa kaalaman ng dalawa ay nakarating na si Elton sa unit ni Rosie matapos nitong hanapin ang address ng co
Nagpupuyos pa rin ang galit sa puso ni Elton habang inaalala ang mga napagdaanan niya para lang mahanap si Spectra, at ngayon ay tila mas pinipikon pa siya ni Sebastian. Kanina pa niya ito gustong suntukin muli pero hindi niya magawa!“Come here, you idiot,” Spectra ordered him and dragged Elton into the room.Doon niya pinakita ang malinis at maayos na silid. Hindi lukot ang bed sheet, tanging ang dulo lang nito dahil doon siya nakaupo nang matagal kanina. Sa tapat nito ay ang isang upuan, at sa katabi naman nito ay ang maliit na mesa kung saan makikita ang mga nagkalat na papel sa ibabaw nito.The computer on the table was still on, with a Word table listing the quotation on the screen. Tila biglang nahiya si Elton nang makita iyon. Spectra was right. They were indeed discussing work plans all night!Sumungaw ang pilyong ngiti at nagkakamot ng ulo na humarap si Elton kay Spectra. Hindi niya alam kung paano magpapaliwanag at babawiin ang kanyang naging reaksyon kanina.“Thank you for
“Basti will live at that unit from now on, so you don't have to dress up as a clown in the villa, right? Huwag mo na ring suotin ang mask na ‘yan. Wala naman nang ibang makakakita sayo roon. Ikaw lang ang nahihirapan."“No,” mabilis na kontra ni Spectra sa sinabi ni Elton. “The people in the villa opposite know me."Saglit na natigilan si Elton at sa huli ay napatango na lamang. She was right. Saglit na nawala iyon sa kanyang isip. He remembered that when he was about to return from Spain, he asked to meet Spectra online. She readily agreed and sent him her location, which was Sebastian's villa.Naisip pa niya nang araw na iyon na maaaring ang matagal na niyang nakakausap sa loob ng limang taon tungkol sa kanilang kompanya ay si Sebastian. Later, after thinking about it carefully, he realized that the logic did not make sense, so he reconnected with Spectra."Were you using your real face when you lived in Basti’s villa?" Elton asked.“Yeah,” tipid na sagot sa kanya ni Spectra.“You!”
A bulky purple and red floral cotton coat, baggy black pants that are not only old-fashioned in style but also ill-fitting, and the lambskin high heels on her feet have been replaced with grandma-style floral cloth shoes.Kung hindi titingnan sa mukha ay madaling masasabi na 50 years old na matanda ang nasa harapan ni Elton ngayon, ngunit maging ang mukha nito ay hindi totoo at isa lang matandang mask! Such a beautiful woman was made to look ugly by her, and Elton was speechless."How is it? Very dignified, isn't it?" tanong pa ni Rosie sa kanya na tila ba proud na proud pa sa kanyang itsura. Umikot pa ito sa kanyang harapan bago tuluyang sumakay sa sasakyan.“Alright. Let’s go.”Hindi kaagad nakareact si Elton, ni ang istart ang kanyang sasakyan. Hindi niya maipaliwanag kung ano ang kanyang nararamdaman kay Rosie.“Damn. You always play games like this. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko sayo,” pasaring ni Elton sa kanya.She saw herself in the rearview mirror. It seemed a bit inapprop
Sending Ivy away won't work, and keeping her will be even worse. Dahil sa pagiging matulungin niya ay napunta pa tuloy siya sa ganitong sitwasyon. Hindi na malaman ni Elton kung ano ang kanyang dapat gawin nang mga oras na iyon. Lumapit sa kanya si Spectra at tinapik ang kanyang balikat.“I’ll try to talk to her and see what she wants. Stop worrying about her,” pang-aalo nito sa kanya.“Can you do it?” Elton’s face lit up.Spectra just shrugged her shoulders. “Hindi natin malalaman kung hindi natin susubukan.”Tuluyan nang pumanhik si Rosie patungo sa taas kung nasaan si Ivy. Ayaw man niyang kausapin ito o kahit lapitan dahil sa takot na baka makilala siya nito, ngunit wala na siyang ibang pagpipilian ngayon. Kailangan niyang malaman kung ano ang nais ni Ivy.Rosie knows how to handle Ivy. Mula pa man noong maliit sila ay palagi na silang nag-aaway, at sa tuwing inaakala ni Ivy na siya na ang panalo, sa huli ay siya rin ang nahihirapan.Rosie pushed the door open and asked the servant
Ivy was so anxious. Nang mapanood niya ang video na mabilis kumalat online ay tila gumuho na ang kanyang mundo. Batid ni Ivy na si Sebastian ang may kagagawan nito. Sinubukan niyang tawagan ang lalaki para magmakaawa na tanggalin ang video online, ngunit pinatayan lamang siya nito ng cellphone. Sa sobrang desperada ay pinuntahan niya rin ito sa villa, ngunit hindi pa nga siya nakakatapak sa entrance ng gate ay agad siyang tinaboy ng mga bodyguard.She also went to find Seymour. That hateful man was extremely interested in the video and even asked her to go to the best presidential suite in the Marriott Hotel. He was unreliable and just wanted to take advantage of her. Ivy was not stupid enough to waste her time and feelings at this time. Kaya naman ito na lang ang naisip niyang tanging paraan—ang pumunta sa mansion ng mga Trinidad."Why should he take the blame for you?" Rosie asked the arrogant Ivy. Sa lahat ng nanghihingi ng tulong ay ito pa ang may ganang magmayabang sa harapan niy
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