Lara woke up the following morning to an empty space beside her. Kaagad na napakunot noo siya. Maayos pa rin ang dapat sana ay pwesto ni Miguel sa tabi niya.Did that mean he didn't come home? Nanlumo siya sa realization na hindi ito umuwi para tabihan siya sa pagtulog niya. Sinunod pa naman niya ang bilin nito na magpahinga siya nang maaga with an anticipation in her heart that she would wake up to his kisses.But instead, she woke up alone in bed. Napahugot siya nang malalim at disappointed na hininga bago hinagilap ang phone niya. Maybe he sent her a message explaining why. There was none. Nalungkot siya. Pero kinumbinse niya ang sarili na walang obligasyon si Miguel na magpaliwanag sa kanya sa kahit na anong kadahilanan. Babalik sana siya sa pagtulog gawa nang nanamlay ang pakiramdam niya. Pero narinig niya ang pamilyar na kalkuladong katok ni Auntie Rosette. And shortly after, the old woman entered her room. "Good morning, Miss Lara. Mabuti at gising ka na," nakangiti nitong
"Miguel is my youngest son's illegitimate child to his then secretary, Mabel. Wala silang relasyon. Pero sa isang gabing pagkakamali, nabuo siya. It was never Mabel's intention to destroy her boss' marriage. Kaya nagresign siya na hindi pa niya alam na buntis siya.She never told Ralph until Miguel was ten years old. He got very sick and Mabel cannot pay for the hospital bills. If that didn't happen, hindi malalaman ng anak ko ang tungkol kay Migo. Ralph didn't have a child with his wife, Karen. So naturally, he would want custody of his son. Pero ayaw ni Mabel. Sa katunayan, sa kabila ng lahat, hindi niya pinakilala sa isa't isa ang mag-ama until my son's last days. Ralph died of cancer when Miguel was just a teenager." Matamang nakikinig si Lara habang nagkukwento si Cordelia. May pait din sa tinig nito but the fondness was undeniable whenever she would mention Miguel's name. "Miguel got mad at Mabel for denying him a chance to have known his father for a longer time. Kami naman,
"Miguel, I'm sorry. I wasn't able to come at once," lumapit ito sa asawa niya at yumakap. Migo gently patted her back in response. Bumitaw rin naman agad ang babae at ngumiti sa kanya. "Hi, Lara… I hope you don't mind. I'm here for Lola," sabi nito sa kanya sa pinakamalamyos marahil nitong tinig. She approached her at medyo nag-aalinlangan na bineso siya sa pisngi. She shouldn't have done that. Hindi sila close at nang huling beses na nagkrus ang mga landas nila, nag-walk out siya. But Lara didn't utter a word. Pero pinilit niyang mamutawi ang isang tipid na ngiti sa mga labi niya. Kahit malambing ang pagsasalita ng babae, Lara thought she heard otherwise. "Hindi ka na dapat nag-abala," Miguel told her before gently placing an arm around Lara's waist. "How could I not come? Lola is also like a family to me," lumabi ito, mukhang sagot sa sinabi ni Miguel pero nakita rin ni Lara ang pagsunod nito ng tingin sa kamay ng asawa niya sa bewang niya."Migo, look at what Meredith brough
The next morning, sabay silang bumalik ni Miguel sa ospital. They didn't talk about anything. Lara pretended everything was fine and it seemed that he also didn't notice that she had cried a lot the previous day. "I can't leave work for long so we will only be staying in Lola's house for just three days," mayamaya ay sabi ni Miguel habang nasa byahe sila."I didn't pack my things," naisagot niya. Hindi naman kasi siya nito ininform. "Rosette will just send our belongings in the house. Don't worry," he answered, then refocused his attention on the road ahead of them. Pero sa panaka-nakang pagsulyap ni Lara sa asawa, she could tell that something's bothering him. "May problema ba, Migo?" tanong niya bago niya mapigilan ang sarili niya. Miguel sighed. "Honestly, I'm not sure either. If you noticed, no one visited Lola in the hospital aside from us and Meredith. It's because I can control who could visit her and who could not. But in her house, it's different."Alam niyang may iba it
Meredith stayed until dinner. Kung hindi pa ito indirectly na pinalayas ni Cordelia, tila makakalimutan nitong kailangan nitong umuwi. Kaya after dinner na sila ulit nagkasarilinan ni Miguel. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" Miguel asked. Nakaupo sila sa kama at nasa likuran niya ito, pahalik-halik sa batok at balikat niya. "You look unwell. Are you feeling something?"Umiling siya, humarap dito at nagkusa itong halikan sa mga labi nito. Kahit pa pakiramdam niya ayaw niyang gawin iyon. Naaalala niya kasing hinalikan nito si Meredith and who knew what else they did after that kiss?But Lara also wanted to prove a point na mas magaling siyang humalik. At kung posible, mas kaya niya itong paligayahin sa kama. With that in mind, she became aggressive. Hindi na niya inalintana ang pagtataka sa mukha nito na kalaunan din naman ay nawala rin at buong intensidad din siyang sinabayan. Lara didn't know she was capable of what she was doing. In the past, she would just shyly let Miguel be in cont
Dahil nangako sa kanya si Miguel na wala itong kahit na anong nararamdaman para kay Meredith, Lara was naturally happy again.Lalo na dahil harap-harapang magpaka-showy sa affection nito sa kanya ang asawa niya kahit naroon na naman ang kaibigan nito.Lola Cordelia already asked her kung hindi ba ito nakakaabala. But the woman answered na sasamantalahin na lang din nitong naka-break sa trabaho si Miguel para makasama naman daw ito bago ito bumalik sa New York. So, sige na lang. Tiniis na lang ni Lara ang pagiging sweet nito kay Miguel. Kasi hindi naman nilulubayan ng asawa ang tabi niya. He stayed beside her para iparamdam sa kanya na sincere ito sa sinabi nito sa kanya kagabi. Maliban nang kinailangan nitong ihatid ang Lola nito sa silid nito. Lara was forced to stay with Meredith alone. "How old are you again, Lara?" Sweet ang ngiti pati ang boses na tanong ni Meredith. "I just turned twenty-four," she answered truthfully. Kahit hindi pa man, alam na niya ang pakay nito sa pagta
One dinner in the city's finest restaurant and the business community was blown away by the news about Miguel Villareal and a mysterious young woman the next morning. Some claimed that he called off his engagement with Meredith Jones for a much younger beau. Kung anu-anong versions ang lumabas pero ang bottomline ng lahat, wala ng kasalang Meredith at Miguel dahil sa kanya. But Miguel was quick to clear her name. Unlike the first issue when he didn't make a statement about him and Meredith Jones, this time he made an exclusive interview to let everyone know that he was a married man. That he was married to the woman he was with the previous night, but at the same time, he still withheld info about Lara. Especially her name. At pagkalabas na pagkalabas pa lang nga ng klaripikasyon ni Miguel, hindi na tinantanan si Lara nang sunud-sunod na messages at tawag mula kina Chester at Tasya. Pero wala ni isa man siyang sinagot o sineen man. When Lara agreed to dine with Migo, overwhelmed p
"Are you sure you don't need me in the office?" "If you're asking if I won't miss you, I surely would, Lara," Miguel answered, planting little kisses all over her face. "Every d*mn minute that I don't see you."It was still dawn nang magising siya sa mga maiinit at nangangailangang mga haplos ng kanyang asawa. They had just shared a steamy four o'clock AM intimacy. Ni hindi siya sigurado kung nakatulog na ba ito mula sa pag-o-overtime sa iniuwing trabaho."But I'm going to be very busy today. Kailangan kong matapos ang lahat ng engagements ko to free up my schedule tomorrow. Baka wala akong magawa kapag sinama kita sa opisina," patuloy nito bago ikinulong siya sa mga bisig nito. Isiniksik naman niya ang mukha sa dibdib nito. "But can I go over to bring you lunch?" tanong niya pa in the hopes to get a glimpse of him during the day."I'll have a lunch meeting with an investor, sweetheart.""Hmn," disappointed niyang sambit."Come on, don't make me change my mind. Marupok ako pagdatin
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