"It's the company's anniversary this Friday, are you coming? What am I talking about, of course, you must come." Dinaanan niya lang si Jaxen pero nakadalawang pangungusap agad ito. She had just walked Wendy and Migo to the elevator. Ang babaeng magaling kasi ay inutusan siyang bitbitin ang bag nito habang naka-abrisete ito sa braso ni Miguel. Muntik na nga niyang ihampas iyon kay Wendy kung 'di siya nakapagpigil. Besides, Migo's eyes told her not to do anything stupid. "Hindi ka ba kasama sa "business party" na pupuntahan nila?" she asked him. Alam naman niya kung bakit kinakausap siya ng assistant ni Miguel.He was trying to pull her thoughts away from the couple who just left the office together. "Nah. But I'm following later. Mr. Villareal needs me to bring his gift to the host." "Bakit hindi pa dinala ngayon?""Para mabantayan ko sila?""No," she denied his guess. "I just thought it's fuel efficient." "Fuel efficient?" pumalatak ito. Malakas ang loob nitong buskahin siya d
"You didn't come home last night." Lara read Migo's email message for her. She reviewed the time stamp and figured that he sent it first thing in the morning. Sa personal email niya syempre. He wouldn't dare use her company email. That would be too risky for their little secret.Hindi siya sumagot. Siguradong isa kina Auntie Rosette at Uncle George ang nagparating kay Miguel. She can't blame them. They're obliged to tell him her whereabouts. Lalo kung naghanap ito. Wait, hinanap kaya siya nito?Mabuti pala at hindi na niya binago ang unang paalam niya na kay Tasya matutulog. "Let's talk when I'm back."The way he was sending email messages, akala mo nagcha-chat lang. Hindi pa rin niya ito pinansin at nagconcentrate lang siya sa trabaho niya. Akala ba nito interesado siyang makipag-usap?Ha! Bahala ito sa buhay nito. "Lara, may attire ka na ba para sa anniversary?" tanong ni Ashley sa kanya, trying hard magtunog curious at hindi kumukuha ng maitsitsismis.She shook her head. Bukas
The party had already begun. But according to his assistant, his wife hadn't arrived yet."Didn't she say she would attend the party?" Migo asked his assistant beside him. Hindi pa siya bumababa sa ballroom ng five star hotel kung saan nila dinaraos ang founding anniversary ng kumpanya. But he was joining them in a little while. "Yes, Sir. Do you want me to call her?" Jaxen answered. "Find out where she's at." Tinalikuran niya ito at dinampot ang black-silver venetian half mask niya at isinuot iyon. His upper face was completely hidden save for his eyes. While opting for a full face mask would have done the job to hide his face better, the half mask wasn't a bad choice either. Kung hindi naman siya kilala, hindi na rin siya makikilala. There's no deeper reason to his choice of anonymity. Or rather, to his decision of keeping a low key profile. He just wanted a private life. A life away from people who would do everything to destroy him. Just like what happened seventeen years a
Ilang na ilang si Lara sa mga matang nakatingin sa kanya. Hindi niya intensyong magpapansin. Kaya nga siya nagpahuli eh. She was expecting everyone to be already busy when she arrived. Iyon pala ay mali ang strategy niya. And now, all eyes were on her. Salamat na lang talaga sa suot niyang maskara. Pero everyone who knew her could guess who she was. Konsolasyon na lang niya na hindi lahat alam na siya 'yong may sugar daddy. "Are you lost, your highness?" Napalingon siya sa pamilyar na boses. Si Jaxen, nakangisi sa kanya. Mata lang ang natakpan ng mask nito. "Ah, there you are!" Kumapit siya agad sa braso nito kahit 'di naman nito inaalok iyon sa kanya. She just felt like she needed to hold someone. "Mrs. Villareal, gusto mo ba akong masibak sa trabaho?" Pasimpleng binabawi ni Jaxen ang braso nito. "Nakikita tayo ng Chairman!""I'm scared," aniya. "Itago mo ako."He chuckled tapos pinabayaan na siyang nakahawak. He then guided her sa pwesto nilang mga sekretarya. "Lara, is tha
Akala ni Lara ay matatapos ang gabi nang hindi sila nagkakausap ni Miguel. Akala rin niya, malaya na siyang makakauwi matapos ang sayaw nila ni Reed Villareal. Pero ang hindi niya inasahan, on a surprise dance opportunity with the CEO, Lara would be picked to dance with him. Higit sa hiyawan, mga inggit na bulungan, mga tahasang panghuhusga, ay ang malakas na kabog ng dibdib ni Lara nang marinig ang pagtawag sa pangalan niya. Was that just a coincidence? Ayaw humakbang ng mga paa niya at pakiramdam niya nanlamig siya. Kaya si Migo na lang ang lumapit at naglahad ng palad nito sa kanya. "May I have this dance?" he asked, his eyes fixed on hers like a whirlpool ready to suck her to the depths of the sea. Wala sa loob na tinanggap niya ang kamay nito. Her eyes were wide as saucers as she felt that electric current again at the touch of his skin. "Why are you so surprised? Did you think I would let this night pass without dancing with my wife?" he whispered as they stopped in the c
She tasted blood. But Lara refused to cry. She reminded herself that she wasn't a cry baby. "Ouch," mahinang d***g niya nang dampian ni Miguel ng cold compress ang pisngi niya at sulok ng bibig niyang pumutok. Ang totoo, hindi naman siya nasaktan. Excuse niya lang iyon para bumitaw sa matiim na titig ni Miguel. She couldn't stand his stares. Napapaso siya. "I'm sorry," he said at in-adjust ang pressure sa pagdampi ng cold compress. "Ako na lang," sabi naman niya na kinuha iyon mula rito. Miguel sighed pero pumayag ito. Sakto ring dumating si Jaxen para sabihing nasa kabilang silid na sina Wendy, Leonie at Ashley. Tumayo ang asawa niya, he clenched his jaw while his eyes were murderous. Kinabahan si Lara. She hadn't seen him like that for a long time. Huling nakita niya ang ganoong itsura nito nang mamatay ang ate niya. Those revengeful gaze. "Migo," she called bago ito makalabas ng suite. "What are you going to do?" tanong niya nang tumigil ito para lingunin siya. Napalunok siy
Tanghali na nakauwi si Lara kinabukasan. Dinaig pa niya ang may hang over sa tindi ng sakit ng ulo niya. May dalawang rason kung bakit. Una, dahil maga pa rin ang pisngi niya. Yari yata sa bakal ang palad ni Wendy that almost twelve hours later, mahapdi pa rin ang sampal nito sa kanya. Nagkukulay violet na nga ang pisngi niya. Pangalawa at mas nagpapasakit sa ulo niya kaysa sa una, nagising siya kanina na nakayakap kay Migo. Mabuti sana kung tulog pa ito. Pero bukod sa hindi niya alam na natulog siyang katabi ito, Miguel was already wide awake and already doing business in his phone. Hindi raw ito gumalaw para hindi siya magising. Kaya nagtiyaga ito sa maliit na screen ng phone nito habang nakahiga dahil ang braso niya ay nakayakap sa dibdib nito banda. Dinaig pa niya ang nakainom ng isang pitsel ng purong kape sa kagyat na pagkagising ng diwa niya. Kung may mas i-aw-awkward pa bukod sa violet niyang mukhang nahaluan ng pamumula at buhok niyang mahihiya ang pugad ng ibon sa gulo,
"Leave application denied, Lara. Come to the office. My secretaries couldn't be gone all at the same time." 'Yon ang sagot ni Miguel sa email niya. Lara was hoping she could take a leave. Bahagya pa kasing namumugto ang mga mata niya at sa tingin niya hindi pa siya handang makita ulit si Miguel matapos niyang aminin sa sarili na mayroon siyang "slight" feelings para rito.Kahapon ay hindi na siya ulit lumabas ng silid niya at nagdahilan na lang siyang masama ang pakiramdam niya. Kahit noong puntahan siya ni Miguel sa silid niya ay nagkunwari siyang tulog. Muntik pa nga siyang mabuko sa pagpapanggap niya nang haplusin nito ang pisngi niya. Hindi naman ito nagtagal at nagbilin na lang kay Auntie Rosette na kasama nitong nagpunta sa silid niya na siguraduhing kakain siya sa tamang oras. Umalis na ito ng bahay pagkatapos no'n. Lara sighed. How could he approve Ashley and Leonie's leaves and deny hers? Napipilitang bumangon siya. Late na siya kung tutuusin pero walang gana pa rin ang
Seventeen years ago, Lara did not understand why she survived a massacre and her family didn’t. Even when her mind was etched with the face of their killer, all she ever thought was giving justice to their deaths. She knew she would see him again. And she was not wrong. Almost two decades passed, their paths crossed again. Now that she stood at the witness stand and she could see the horror in Stefano’s eyes, Lara was convinced that God allowed her to live for that very purpose. To make Stefano pay for the crimes he committed. Kanina, nang makita siya ng lalaki, labis ang gulat nito. Siguro nga, talagang inisip nito na patay na siya. Well, hindi niya ito masisisi. Nakita nito ang kalagayan niya noon dahil ito ang may kagagawan kaya siya tinamaan ng bala. Pero sorry na lang ito, hindi pa niya oras. Lara swore an oath to tell only the truth. At iyon din naman ang ginawa niya. But she was surprised by her own composure. She didn’t break down even when she recalled everything that happ
“Stop crying, I’m not dead yet.” Hindi malaman ni Lara kung matatawa siya o madadamay sa pag-iyak ng dalawa niyang emosyonal na mga kaibigan. After a week and a half since she almost died, Miguel finally allowed her friends to know about what happened to her and visit her.“Shut up!” nagkukusot pa ng mga matang ani Tasya. “You always do this to us! I’m scared the next time, we’ll just be mourning over your dead body!”“Lara, how could you not tell us? We get it that we might not be able to protect you like your husband could, but aren’t we your friends? At least let us know about what’s going on with you,” seryoso na dagdag ni Chester. His eyes were red from tears earlier. “I’m sorry,” aniya. “Hindi ko naman sadya na hindi talaga sabihin—”“I asked you!” agaw ni Tasya. “You didn’t tell me! Kung alam ko lang na delikado ang gagawin mo no’n, I should have never agreed to help you! Nagsisisi ako na hinayaan ko na hindi ko alam ang plano mo!”“Tash, sorry na… I didn’t want to tell you
“I think our baby is moving…”Lara laughed softly at what Miguel said. Nasa tiyan niya ang kamay nito at dinadama iyon kahit hindi pa umuumbok. “Is that so?” Alam naman niyang imposible iyon dahil ilang linggo pa lang naman ang sanggol sa sinapupunan niya. But she didn’t have the heart to correct him. Migo was just excited. “Then get ready, Migo. I’m sure paglabas niya ay isa siyang makulit at malikot na bata!”“Maganda rin, mabait, matalino, matapang at mana sa mama…” Miguel smiled gently at her. That warmed her heart. Lara was happy, so happy. “You want a daughter?” “Kahit son o daughter, ayos lang. Ang importante, pareho kayong maging maayos ng anak natin.” Umusod ito para masuyo siyang hawakan sa kanyang pisngi. “I love you, sweetheart…”“I love you too, Miguel…” Miguel bent to kiss her lips softly. Gustong maiyak ni Lara. She could feel her husband’s love for her and she was ashamed that she caused him to worry too much then. Pero sa kabila nang padalos-dalos na pagpayag n
“Sometimes I wonder why I am still alive. Is it for you to spoil me with visits like this?” Meredith rolled her eyes at him. Nakasandal lang ito sa headboard ng hospital bed nito nang abutan niya. “Araw-araw kang narito, Migo.”“It’s for you to realize that there’s someone who is not yet ready to lose you,” Miguel answered, lightly pinching his friend’s cheek. “As if!”Hindi fatal ang mga gunshot wounds nito dahil nakasuot naman ito ng bulletproof vest. Pero tinamaan kasi ito sa braso at balikat. She was just recovering now from her wounds. Pero ang sakit nito, patuloy na lumalala. “Have you made up your mind yet?”Meredith sighed. “Matagal na akong nakapagdesisyon, you know it. So, I don’t understand why you’re still trying to convince me every day.”“Mer, until you’ve tried everything, it’s not yet over. Besides, do you really want to leave me now?” pangongonsensya niya.“Cut it out,” natatawa nitong saway. “Hindi mo ako madadala sa ganyan. Alam ko na masaya ka na. Hindi mo na ako
“You should’ve just killed me,” mapait pero unremorseful na sabi ni Stefano.“We’re not the same, Stefano. I am not a killer,” tugon niya. Kalalabas lang sa ospital ng pinsan niya, pero sa kulungan ito idiniretso. Stefano’s arms were both gone. Gayunpaman, hindi kakikitaan ng pagsisisi ang lalaki sa lahat ng ginawa nito.“You are so full of yourself, Miguel. Darating din ang araw mo!” “Ang mahalaga, dumating na ang sa ‘yo. Show even a little remorse, Stefano. You killed not only the woman you claim to love, but also your own blood!”His cousin laughed bitterly. “You killed them.”“I didn’t. It was your selfishness and love for money that killed them. You killed them, Stefano.”“I’m the bad guy now?” Tila naiimposiblehan pa ito.“You’ve always been,” sagot niya. “Even before we met, you already ruined Lolo’s trust in you. Wala akong kinalaman sa lahat ng sinasabi mo na naging pagbabago. You made all the changes yourself.”Tumawa ulit ito. “Pwede kang tumanggi, Miguel. You didn’t. You
“Lena… It’s you… Lena!”Lara was utterly confused. Mistulang baliw na biglang naging maamong tupa si Stefano na nakaluhod pa habang gagap ang mga kamay niya. He was calling her by her sister’s name repeatedly. “Lena, I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” Kinalagan nito ang posas niya at pinaghahalikan ang mga kamay niya. “Are you hurt?” Diring-diri si Lara, but she was too afraid to do anything that might trigger Stefano to do something dangerous to her. “I knew that you’re alive!” He stood up and hugged her. “They all lied to me, Lena!” Nang yakapin siya nito at bahagyang mahila ang buhok niya, that was when it dawned to Lara. Her hair was down. Hindi niya namalayan ang paghulagpos no’n sa pagkakatali niya kanina. At kapag nakalugay ang buhok niya ay kamukhang-kamukha niya ang ate niya. Stefano was not able to differentiate her from her sister for a reason unknown to Lara. What was going on with him?“Alam ko na babalik ka!” Ikinulong nito sa mga palad nito ang mukha niya. Lara couldn’t say
“Stefano!!! Leave my wife alone!!!!!!!!!!”Tawa lang ang naging sagot sa kanya ni Stefano.“Do not hurt her!” “I’ll say it again, Miguel. From this time on, susundin mo lahat ng sasabihin ko. I’ll call you again.”Tapos ay tinapos nito ang tawag. Napasuntok siya sa manibela. Hawak ni Stefano si Lara. It was his fault! Dapat ay sa kinaroroonan ng asawa niya siya sumama. He could have protected her! “Location, Jaxen?” baling niya sa kasama na nasa backseat. His assistant was monitoring their distance from Lara’s last known location. Pagdating nila sa safehouse, mga tauhan niyang paisa-isa na lang ang hininga ang inabutan nila. The traitor knew where to shoot to kill. But what he was not aware of was that one of his comrades was able to plant a tracking device on him. Iyon ang sinusundan nila ngayon hoping na hindi pa nito iyon napapansin at inalis na para iligaw sila. Stationary ito sa kasalukuyan which meant that they were no longer moving. Kung base sa tawag ni Stefano na kasama
Lara was beginning to feel uncomfortable that she was too comfortable. She was being treated nicely and there was still no sign of Stefano even after arriving for several minutes already. Lima ang bantay niya sa loob ng isang may kaluwagang silid ng isang safe house. Ang dalawa ay nasa may pintuan, nagbabantay. Ang isa na mukhang lider ng mga ito ay nasa may bintana at panaka-nakang tsini-check ang paligid sa pamamagitan ng binocular. Ang dalawa naman ay nasa sulok, naglalaro ng cards. Habang siya ay tahimik lang na nakaupo sa sofa at pinaglilipat-lipat ang tingin sa mga ito na wari ba’y nalilito.Hindi iyon ang address na pinadala ni Stefano sa kanya. Nevertheless, it could just mean that he was trying to confuse her. After all, wala namang may alam ng lakad niya kundi silang dalawa lamang. But then the question was, where the heck was Stefano? Bakit siya nito pinaghihintay?She was calm a while ago, pero nang magsimulang maglabas ng baril ang nasa bintana at sipat-sipatin nito iyon
“Are you sure you are going to do this?” “Ngayon ka pa mag-aalala? Please, Miguel, I’m not a child.” Parang nakita pa niyang nagroll eyes si Meredith kahit na boses lang nito ang naririnig niya. She was not a child indeed. Pero hindi niya maiwasang mag-alala. She was going to do a dangerous mission for him and Lara. “Remember to prioritize your safety, Mer.”“You know that I have nothing to lose anymore. This might just give meaning to my life…” “I want you back safe and sound,” tugon naman niya. Alam niya kung ano ang tinutukoy ni Meredith. A few days ago, she confessed everything to him. And he was saddened a great deal. He was losing a friend to a terminal disease. Not that Meredith didn’t fight it. She did. Alone. She didn’t tell anyone until doctors already gave up on her. “If i’ll be back, I want you for myself, Migo. So, don’t ask for it,” biro nito. He let out a low chuckle. Pero totoong malungkot siya. When she told him about her condition, he was shattered. Meredith