Chapter 6 - Back Home
"Corelle," Ander pulled me closer to him. It's already 8 am. We're set to have breakfast in the mansion then we'll immediately fly back to Manila.
He did what he had to do here, and now — like he said, we need to keep making appearances as a couple and as an individuals seeking improvement in our worlds.
I groaned and pushed him away, trying to see him.
His hair is unkempt. His eyes — sleepy and tired, yet the way his eyelashes flutter on top of it made him look more angelic even though his every features scream roughness. His calloused palm tried to catch my wrist, and even though I tried to get away, he tightened his grip on my waist.
"I don't think we're supposed to be this close at mornings
Chapter 7 - Fueled by VengeanceSa sobrang saya ko, halos hindi ako nakatulog sa gabing 'yon. Kausap ko si Selena magdamag para sa pag-oorganisa ng lahat ng bagay na kailangan namin.Every step of the way, we have to plan our revenge. We need to make sure that everything will be followed."I also need to study the La Stessa Cosa's structure and operations." That's what I kept telling myself.If I wanted to get to the bottom of this and inflict pain to the three musketeers, I must in all ways should go inside and in depth of the group that they are working for and protecting.Excited ako. Iyon ang totoo. Ang tagal kong nagtiis sa isang toxic relationship kay Guzman dahil kay Daddy. Sobrang dami kong iningatan at tiniis dahil lang ayaw kong magalit at madisappoint ang ibang tao sa akin. Pero sila ba, ni minsa — inisip nila ako? Sinaalang-alang ba ako?"My mom's better off without my father. However, he is nothing without my mom." I
Chapter 8 - Training "What were you thinking?" Ander growled.Yumuko ako, hindi kayang tignan si Ander. He's just so mad — livid to an extent. He took off his coat and unbuttoned his dress shirt. I remained stiff. Tila ako maamong tupa ngayon eh! Natatakot na baka kapag nagsalita ako, mas magalit siya.Guzman used to be like this. Kaya hindi ko na sinusubukan na magsalita pa."You could have been hurt." I can sense that he's trying to calm his nerves. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang nagsumbong sa kanya. It's either Guzman and Kuya Stan or the Range Master.I understood why he's like this. I could have compromised his other men's safety. I could get hurt. I could...He towered over me while I sit on the edge of our king sized bed. I look like a child — being scolded for whatever reason, but according to his eyes and his anger, he just wouldn't let this thing go.Umigting ang panga niya habang pinagmamasda
Chapter 9 - Jealousy, Jealousy"We'll go ahead," Hinapit ni Ander ang baywang ko. Nakita ko ang panonood sa amin ni Guzman at Kuya Stan. Tipid akong tumango at ngumiti kina Guzman at saka iginaya na si Ander paalis kaya lang, pinigilan niya pa ako.His grip on my waist is gentle, yet he somehow used his force to stop me from completely turning my back against Guzman and Kuya.Then the words that cane out of his mouth shook me to the core."We should have dinner sometimes."I have never expected this. Alam ko naman na tauhan niya ang dalawa at maaaring madalas nga nila itong gawin kaya lang narito na ako ngayon. Hindi ko alam kung magandang ideya ba 'yon."Ander, I don't think it's a-""Sure," Guzman nodded. "But you're busy." Bumaling ako kay Ander. He shrugged and his resting hand on my waist went lower — almost touching my ass.I blushed profusely. Hindi ko alam kung bakit tila ako nilalagnat ngayon. Hindi ko rin nagugustuhan ang mga nararamdaman ko
Chapter 10 - In the Dungeon[Warning: SPG]Together we walked down to his basement. Noong unang linggo rito sa mansyon, at bilang mag-asawa — sinabi niya nga na mayroon siyang malawak na basement. Tila isang mall iyon sa laki.Pero hindi ko alam kung paano niya ako parurusahan. Ikukulong niya ako rito at hindi hahayaang makipag-usap kay Guzman at sa ibang tao? No. That's not it."Nervous?" he asked.Hawak-hawak niya ang baywang ko, ginagabayan ako at tila takot pa na baka tumakbo ako at kumawala."Why would I be?"Yung tapang ko, dahil lang sa kape. Pero ang totoo, iniisip ko pa lang ang mga gagawin niya — nanghihina na ako."Hmm, tryna be strong, huh? I can sense.""Nase-sense mo pala bakit nagtatanong ka pa?""Just wanted to play with you.""Well, I'm not playing.""Nah, you don't make the rules here." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinarap akong maigi sa kanya.
Chapter 11 - Dress"You can walk, right?"Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Ander. Inalalayan niya ako paalis sa mesa kanina at ngayo'y pinauupo sa kama. Nilagyan niya ng roba ang katawan ko at marahang inayos ang aking buhok.His fingers gently combed my hair. He parted it between my shoulders and slowly — he tucked my hair behind my ears.His eyes won't leave me. I can sense that there's a tinge of guilt in his eyes but I couldn't face it. I can't... Because while I was on that table... I felt something. I felt that I am completely surrendering myself to him. To trust him.At alam kong delikado 'yon. At delikado para sa akin, sa kalagayan ko, at sa lahat ng mga plano ko."Are you okay now?""Hmm," I grunted as I forced myself to sit on the edge of the bed.Sobrang lambot nito, ang sarap sa katawan. Naaalala ko ang pakiramdam habang naroon ako sa mesa kanina.Exciting naman... At inaamin kong ginanahan at
Chapter 12 - Unexpected VisitFirst thing in the morning, ang wardrobe ko nga ang pinagdiskitahan ni Ander. We are having breakfast by the balcony when a parade of cars and SUV parked in our garden. Hindi kami nagkikibuang dalawa. Not that I want to talk to him. He's also busy with his paper works as well, and I heard he's planning to have another visit in Naples, Palermo, and Rumini. Something about transfers of firearms and another gang wars. Pinagmasdan ko ang pagbaba ng mga tao mula sa sasakyan at hinawi ang buhok. I'm still dressed with my silver night gown, and a velvet white robe. I looked at Ander and saw him watching his people as well, like a god from Mount Olympus. Only that he's hotter, harsher, and more manipulative."They're here to fix your wardrobe."He glanced at me. Nang makitang matalim ang tingin ko sa kanya ay agad niya ring binawi ang tingin niya."You're really pushing this, huh?""Yeah... Your clothe
Chapter 13 - The Ex-Girlfriend"Mommy,"I am still shocked that my mother's here. Her unexpected visit added tension in my weary emotions. First, because of Ander and all my thoughts about him and this arrangement... My feelings. Then now, she's here.Why is she here?Bakit may nararamdaman akong iba? Don't get me wrong. I love seeing her. I always love being with her, but her visit is slightly off. Considering her state, her supposed vacation...the time.At nasaktuhan pa na nag-aaway kami ni Ander... at nakainom pa ako!Ander gently held my elbow, urging me to greet my mother. I sighed and went to her.Niyakap ko ang ina. Sa likuran niya ay napako ang mga tingin ko. Naroon ang kanyang mga bagahe. Ibig sabihin ba ay hindi siya tumuloy ng Paris?"What are you doing here, Mommy?""Did you drink?""We did, Tita." ani Ander.I glanced at him. Hindi ko kailangan na iligtas niya ako rito. Alam naman n
Chapter 14 - FoundApparently, Serena — Ander's ex-girlfriend and Ander's parents are staying for a longer period in Manila. Ander insisted that they must stay in their own mansion, and never, on his own words: interfere with out married life.Somehow, it appalled me."You could have let them stay here you know..." Ginala ko ang tingin sa aming sala.We were just about to go to Casino Real. Make appearances, and he'll drop me off to Rockwell for my meeting with Selena.We're both dressed of navy blue tops. Naka puting mini skirt at thigh high boots ako at nagdala ng Dior saddle bag."Huwag na." he answered."Why?"Nilingon niya ako. Seryoso at mapagmatiyag ang mga tingin — halos tila nang-uusisa ito at binabalak na basahin ang isipan ko. Sandali pa niya akong tinignan at humalukipkip. Nagtaas ako ng kilay at ngumiti pero agad ring napawi nang magtanong siya."Do you seriously want to live with my ex-gir