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57. Doubt.
Huling Na-update:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
Kaugnay na kabanata
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 58. Is it wrong?
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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 59. Possessively.
"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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 60. Seventeen years.
"Oh my gosh! Is Lena alive all this time?!" Carlotta exclaimed, looking like she'd just seen a ghost."Paano, Miguel? Namatay na ang babaeng iyon! Nakita naming lahat nang ilibing siya! Sino ang babae na 'to?" Stefan was equally perplexed. "She's not Lena! Her name is Lara, Stefan! Don't you all remember? May kapatid si Lena!" sagot ni Lola Cordelia, not sounding so patient at her children."Kapatid? Ah, I remember now. That little brat who suddenly went missing! How did she grow up resembling her sister so much?" Sandra added."Did you have her face go through surgery, Miguel? Gano'n ka kadesperado na ibalik ang babaeng 'yon?" Leonard joined the conversation."It's been f*cking seventeen years ago! How could you not get over her death until this time?" said Stefan again."This is so ridiculous! What a shame! Are you so desperate to cling on to your position now?" Leonard remarked."All of you, stop this nonsense!" Lola Cordelia ordered sternly. "You have no respect!""And you gave h
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 61. Weird reaction.
The next thing Lara knew, nasa sahig na ang lalaki at pinapaulanan ni Miguel ng suntok habang pinipigilan naman ang asawa niya ng ibang miyembro ng pamilya. There's another familiar guy who pulled Miguel from the man on the floor at inundayan din ito ng suntok. Lola Cordelia desperately tried to stop the commotion as everyone took the opportunity to lash out at Miguel. Sa isang iglap, lugmok ang asawa niyang pinagtulungan ng sarili nitong pamilya.Lara couldn't stop screaming and crying. Nanginginig na dinaluhan niya si Miguel habang ang naunang galit na naramdaman niya kanina ay napalitan na nang matinding takot. "Are you okay?" Duguan na ang mukha pero nagawa pa rin siyang tanungin ni Miguel. Iniharang naman ni Lola Cordelia ang sarili nito sa kanila para hindi na sila malapitan ng ibang mga lalaki sa pamilya. Gano'n din ang ginawa ni Meredith na umiiyak na rin dahil sa nangyari kay Miguel. The one who hugged her earlier was still shouting Lena's name like his life depended on
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 62. Afraid.
Lara hadn't been the same since that night. Madalas, tulala siya. Hindi niya alam kung napapansin ni Miguel, pero naging busy rin kasi ito kahit nasa bahay lang nang ilang araw. He couldn't come to work looking like he was beaten to death. Kaya double time ito sa kabi-kabilaang call conference. Si Lara naman ay pilit na inaalala ang mukha ni Stefano and if she was right about him. She started searching for him on the internet. Wala siyang nakita na larawan nito from many years ago. Ang mayro'n lang na pinakaluma ay limang taon ang nakararaan. Pero sigurado siya. He was that man. "Okay ka lang ba, Miss Lara?" puna ni Auntie Rosette sa kanya. Nasa garden siya at malalim ang iniisip nang lapitan siya ng matanda."Auntie, oo naman po," sagot niyang ngumiti pa."Halos dalawang dekada na kitang inaalagaan. Sa tingin mo ba, makapagtatago ka pa sa akin?" Naupo ito sa tabi niya. "Ano ang iniisip mo?" "Wala po," kaila pa rin niya. Tapos ay hindi na niya alam ang idudugtong sa sinabi niya.
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 63. Like a wife.
"I can't go home tonight," Miguel said.Kausap niya ang asawa via video call. Nasa opisina nga ito base sa background nito. And he looked stressed out. "Is anything wrong?" worried na tanong ni Lara. Migo wasn't his usual composed self. "No… None at all. I just need to catch up with things I missed," kaila naman nito agad at pinalitan na ang paksa ng usapan. "Don't forget to eat dinner, okay?""Ikaw rin. Do you want me or Auntie Rosette to send you dinner?" She was hoping he'd say yes. Para magkaroon siya ng rason para puntahan ito. Pero umiling si Miguel."I'll just have Jaxen order for us. I don't want you to come here or I'll not be able to do anything anymore. I miss you. You don't have any idea how much, sweetheart," Migo answered. She blushed a little. Lately kasi, talagang wala itong time sa kanya. Idagdag pa na nagpapagaling ito nang mga nakaraang araw. She also missed him a great deal. Pero nahihiya siyang sabihin iyon."So, stay home. Uuwi naman ako as soon as I'm done w
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 64. A promise to be kept.
"I'm sorry," sabi ni Miguel sa kanya. Nasa living room silang dalawa at nakaupo. Si Meredith naman, nagluluto sa kusina. Tinapon ng babae ang niluto niyang beef caldereta dahil hindi raw edible iyon. Lara was hurt. But she tried her best to contain her tears. Pero hindi siya nagsasalita. It was already the next day. Meredith had the nerve to spend the night there and even slept beside Migo. Siya naman na nagmukhang t*nga, sa sofa sa sala natulog. Gulat na gulat pa si Miguel na makita si Meredith doon, pero mas lalo ang gulat nito nang makita siya. Hindi nito malaman ang sasabihin pero hindi naman nito pinaalis si Meredith. Na para kay Lara dapat ay una nitong ginawa. "I was totally drunk last night," he added. "I couldn't even remember anything." "Yeah?" Hindi niya napigilang maging sarkastiko. Idagdag pa sa ikinakasama ng loob niya ang katotohanan na dinala nito roon si Meredith. Ang akala ba niya ay walang ibang nakapupunta roon maliban sa kanya at kay Auntie Rosette?"I mess
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 65. Send him away.
"Lara, ano ang nangyari sa 'yo?" Payakap siyang sinalubong ni Tasya. Luhaan ang kanyang mukha nang makita siya ng kaibigan. Dahil niyakap na siya nito, hindi na rin niya pinigilan ang pag-iyak. Lara cried like a baby in Tasya's arms. They stayed like that for a good several minutes, Tasya rubbing her back and Lara crying rivers. Nang makalma ay saka siya nagkwento. Mataman namang nakinig ang kaibigan niya nang walang panghuhusga. "I can't believe that's just what I am to him, Tasya… To think that I loved him with all I got," hikbi niya. Hindi niya alam eksakto kung paano niya naitawid ang kwento niya nang hindi binabanggit kung ano ang narinig niya. Na hindi pinapaliwanag ang pinanggagalingan niya. At kung paanong hindi na rin nag-usisa pa si Tasya. Maybe, her friend just dwelled on the fact that she heard something that upset her. "Lara, you should have confronted him," sabi naman ni Tasya. "Sana tinanong mo. Kasi kung narinig mo lang at hindi mo naman pinatapos ang usapan, ma
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The Billionaire's Kryptonite FINALE
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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 85. Fated.
“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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 84. A good reason.
“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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 83. Finally.
“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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 82. Taste of hell.
“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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 81. In a flash.
“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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 80. Warning.
“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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 79. Fooled.
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
The Billionaire's Kryptonite 78. Slipped up.
“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
