THIRD PERSON“Sir Brent, the board is waiting at the conference room.”Brent barely looked up from the stack of documents he was reviewing. His pen paused mid-signature, jaw tightening at the reminder. He gave a curt nod without breaking his focus. “I’ll be there in five.”His executive assistant exhaled—almost imperceptibly relieved—before quietly backing out of the office, closing the door with a soft click.The moment the door shut, Brent leaned back into his leather chair. His eyes slid shut, the weight behind his lids heavier than any document he had reviewed since morning. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ease the dull throb in his temples.The past twenty-four hours had been a relentless blur—an exhausting flight back from Paris, no time to rest, and now this. A full-blown board meeting that felt more like a courtroom trial than a leadership update.They weren’t just sitting around a polished mahogany table to listen to his strategy. No. The board was dissecting his
“May lakad ka pa ba after this?” tanong nitong lalaking kasama ko na nakapamulsa habang sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa direction ng maliit na park sa tapat.Gumawa na lang ako ng alibi kanina para makalabas kami ng bookstore. Mahirap na, baka magduda talaga siya sakin, knowing na hindi naman talaga hilig ni Kiersten ang mapadpad sa lugar na ‘yon.“Wala naman. I just needed to get out of the house,” sagot ko, totoo naman. “Ikaw?”“Same. Cabin fever’s getting to me.”He looked up at the sky saglit, squinting at the fading light. “You’re lucky,” dagdag niya. “Getting to live in a penthouse, married to one of the country’s most powerful heir... looks like everything worked out for you in the end.”Natigilan ako. May laman ang mga salitang ‘yon—parang may ibig siyang iparating pero hindi niya diretsong sinasabi.“Congratulations, by the way. Hindi man ako nakadalo sa kasal mo, but I’m happy for you,” dagdag pa niya. “Hindi mo man lang kasi ako ininvite,” pakunwaring biro pa nito pero hal
The faint aroma of something savory woke me from my sleep.Nagkunot ang noo ko habang nakahiga pa rin. May naririnig akong mahihinang tunog mula sa kusina—parang tunog ng spatula na kumakaskas sa kawali. Napabangon ako sa kama, nag-inat ng kaunti, at tumingin sa orasan. Past 8 a.m. na.Hindi ako agad bumaba. Instead, I just sat there at the edge of the bed while listening and trying to confirm kung totoo nga bang may nagluluto sa kusina.Who could it be? Wala naman kaming katulong dito at isa lang naman ang kasama ko sa penthouse na ‘to.With hesitant steps, I padded across the floor, wearing only my soft cotton shorts and oversized shirt. Napahawak ako sa hamba ng pinto habang sumisilip mula sa hallway.And there he was.Nakatayo si Brent doon. Nakatalikod siya sa akin habang pinaplastar sa isang plato ang mga egg slices, toast, at ilang strips ng bacon. He was wearing a simple white shirt at gray joggers, medyo messy ang buhok—yung tipong bagong gising lang pero hot pa rin. He looke
MALUMANAY ANG IHIP NG HANGIN habang naglalakad ako papasok ng Onirique. I wasn’t even trying to hide my smile. My heels clicked softly on the polished tiles, and for the first time in days, I felt light. May kung anong kilig sa dibdib ko habang inaalala ko pa rin yung nangyari kaninang umaga. Parang imposible pa ring paniwalaan, pero totoo 'yon.“Look who decided to grace us with her presence,” ani Cecile pagkapasok ko pa lang sa office area namin. Nakaabang siya sa tabi ng desk ko, ang usual composed aura nandoon pa rin—arms crossed, one brow arched, pero hindi judgmental. “Mind telling me why you didn’t come home last night? Madam kept calling on you,” dagdag niya, calm but slightly concerned.Agad akong napatigil sa paglalakad. I placed my bag down, then gave her a small, composed smile. “May emergency kahapon at napilitan kaming bumalik ng Pinas ng maaga.”“She knew that part,” ani Cecile, eyes narrowing slightly. “Ang hindi malinaw sa kanya ay kung bakit hindi ka umuwi ng mansion
THIRD PERSON POVPagkarating nila sa restaurant, agad silang sinalubong ng manager na para bang inaabangan nito ang pagdating nila. Diniretso sila sa isang table, malapit sa floor-to-ceiling glass windows na may view ng lungsod sa ibaba. The space was elegant, with warm golden lighting and subtle piano music in the background. Classy, pero hindi intimidating. Sakto lang—cozy, almost intimate. Parang pinili talaga para sa kanila.Kristine moved quietly, following the manager with graceful steps. Pag-upo niya sa plush velvet seat, she picked up the leather-bound menu, pero hindi naman talaga siya nagbabasa. Her eyes skimmed the words, pero wala roon ang focus niya.She was still reeling from earlier—yung ngiting biglang pinakawalan ni Brent habang naghihintay sa kanya kanina. The way it shifted something in the air between them. Ngayon, kabado siya. Kinikilig. Pero may halong gulo at tanong sa puso.What was this lunch supposed to mean?Brent sat across from her, calm and composed. He d
Marahas na tinabig ni mama ang tasang may laman na tsaa dahilan para mabasag ito at kumalat ang mga bubog sa makintab na marmol na sahig dito sa living area ng mansion. “What kind of dress are you wearing? Who told you na pwede kang kumain ng mga ganyang klaseng pagkain?” napatingin siya sa dalawang karton ng donuts na nakapatong sa center table. “Hindi ganyan ang kilos ng isang Kiersten Corlett Arcilla. We’re running out of time, Kristine. Ilang pagsasanay pa ba ang dapat mong gawin para matuto ka?” kitang-kita ko sa mga mata ni Mama ang pagkadismaya bago niya ako tinalikuran at nagpipigil sa inis na umalis. Alam kong pagod na siya sa kakasuway sa’kin. Anong magagawa ko? Likas na talaga ang pagiging pasaway ko. Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi saka naiiling na tinitigan ang hawak kong donut. “Kakain lang naman sana eh. Kasalanan ko ba na hindi mahilig sa ganito si ate?” tila batang pagmamaktol ko.&n
“Let’s talk about us,” Awtomatikong napakunot ang noo ko nang marinig ang sinabi niya. “What about us?” I stared at him firmly, raising my eyebrow in the process. Cecile once told me na ganito palagi ang expresyon ni Kiersten sa tuwing may kumakausap sa kanya. Sino ba kasi ang lalaking ‘to? Iba ang dating sakin ng pagsabi niyang ‘Let’s talk about us’. Jowa ba ‘to ni Kiersten? Parang hindi naman, kasi kung jowa niya talaga ‘to, paano yung wedding niya with Brent Alava? “Hindi mo sinasagot ang mga tawag ko,” walang kagatol-gatol niyang sabi. Tuluyan na nga akong kinain ng kuryosidad at kaagad na lumabas para kausapin siya ng pormal. I smell something fishy at palagay ko may isang malalim na ugnayan meron silang dalawa ni Kiersten. “Look, I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention na gawin ‘yon, pero…” saglit siyang napahinto saka yumuko. “P
Pasado alas onse na ng umaga at kasalukuyan kaming naghihintay sa opisina ng future father-in-law ng kakambal ko na CEO ng Classe Mondiale Corporation. “Sabi na nga ba’t hindi dapat kita iniwan do’n. Don’t you know that you’re actually digging your own grave dahil sa ginawa mo?” tila gigil na gigil na suway sa’kin ni Cecile at kanina pa pabalik balik ng lakad sa harapan mismo ng inuupuan kong long sofa. Ewan ko ba sa babaeng 'yan. Ako yung nahihilo dahil sa ginagawa niya. Daig niya pa yung nanay ko kung sermonan ako ngayon. “Sorry. Wala naman sana sa plano ko ang gano’n,” nakanguso kong sambit saka umiwas ng tingin dahil baka tuluyan pa akong mahilo dahil sa ginagawa niya. Kung alam ko lang sana na may sariling parking lot ang Brent Alava na ‘yon, edi sana hindi ako nagkamali sa sinagot ko no’ng tinanong niya ako. Saka kasalanan niya din ‘yon kasi bigla bigla na lang s
THIRD PERSON POVPagkarating nila sa restaurant, agad silang sinalubong ng manager na para bang inaabangan nito ang pagdating nila. Diniretso sila sa isang table, malapit sa floor-to-ceiling glass windows na may view ng lungsod sa ibaba. The space was elegant, with warm golden lighting and subtle piano music in the background. Classy, pero hindi intimidating. Sakto lang—cozy, almost intimate. Parang pinili talaga para sa kanila.Kristine moved quietly, following the manager with graceful steps. Pag-upo niya sa plush velvet seat, she picked up the leather-bound menu, pero hindi naman talaga siya nagbabasa. Her eyes skimmed the words, pero wala roon ang focus niya.She was still reeling from earlier—yung ngiting biglang pinakawalan ni Brent habang naghihintay sa kanya kanina. The way it shifted something in the air between them. Ngayon, kabado siya. Kinikilig. Pero may halong gulo at tanong sa puso.What was this lunch supposed to mean?Brent sat across from her, calm and composed. He d
MALUMANAY ANG IHIP NG HANGIN habang naglalakad ako papasok ng Onirique. I wasn’t even trying to hide my smile. My heels clicked softly on the polished tiles, and for the first time in days, I felt light. May kung anong kilig sa dibdib ko habang inaalala ko pa rin yung nangyari kaninang umaga. Parang imposible pa ring paniwalaan, pero totoo 'yon.“Look who decided to grace us with her presence,” ani Cecile pagkapasok ko pa lang sa office area namin. Nakaabang siya sa tabi ng desk ko, ang usual composed aura nandoon pa rin—arms crossed, one brow arched, pero hindi judgmental. “Mind telling me why you didn’t come home last night? Madam kept calling on you,” dagdag niya, calm but slightly concerned.Agad akong napatigil sa paglalakad. I placed my bag down, then gave her a small, composed smile. “May emergency kahapon at napilitan kaming bumalik ng Pinas ng maaga.”“She knew that part,” ani Cecile, eyes narrowing slightly. “Ang hindi malinaw sa kanya ay kung bakit hindi ka umuwi ng mansion
The faint aroma of something savory woke me from my sleep.Nagkunot ang noo ko habang nakahiga pa rin. May naririnig akong mahihinang tunog mula sa kusina—parang tunog ng spatula na kumakaskas sa kawali. Napabangon ako sa kama, nag-inat ng kaunti, at tumingin sa orasan. Past 8 a.m. na.Hindi ako agad bumaba. Instead, I just sat there at the edge of the bed while listening and trying to confirm kung totoo nga bang may nagluluto sa kusina.Who could it be? Wala naman kaming katulong dito at isa lang naman ang kasama ko sa penthouse na ‘to.With hesitant steps, I padded across the floor, wearing only my soft cotton shorts and oversized shirt. Napahawak ako sa hamba ng pinto habang sumisilip mula sa hallway.And there he was.Nakatayo si Brent doon. Nakatalikod siya sa akin habang pinaplastar sa isang plato ang mga egg slices, toast, at ilang strips ng bacon. He was wearing a simple white shirt at gray joggers, medyo messy ang buhok—yung tipong bagong gising lang pero hot pa rin. He looke
“May lakad ka pa ba after this?” tanong nitong lalaking kasama ko na nakapamulsa habang sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa direction ng maliit na park sa tapat.Gumawa na lang ako ng alibi kanina para makalabas kami ng bookstore. Mahirap na, baka magduda talaga siya sakin, knowing na hindi naman talaga hilig ni Kiersten ang mapadpad sa lugar na ‘yon.“Wala naman. I just needed to get out of the house,” sagot ko, totoo naman. “Ikaw?”“Same. Cabin fever’s getting to me.”He looked up at the sky saglit, squinting at the fading light. “You’re lucky,” dagdag niya. “Getting to live in a penthouse, married to one of the country’s most powerful heir... looks like everything worked out for you in the end.”Natigilan ako. May laman ang mga salitang ‘yon—parang may ibig siyang iparating pero hindi niya diretsong sinasabi.“Congratulations, by the way. Hindi man ako nakadalo sa kasal mo, but I’m happy for you,” dagdag pa niya. “Hindi mo man lang kasi ako ininvite,” pakunwaring biro pa nito pero hal
THIRD PERSON“Sir Brent, the board is waiting at the conference room.”Brent barely looked up from the stack of documents he was reviewing. His pen paused mid-signature, jaw tightening at the reminder. He gave a curt nod without breaking his focus. “I’ll be there in five.”His executive assistant exhaled—almost imperceptibly relieved—before quietly backing out of the office, closing the door with a soft click.The moment the door shut, Brent leaned back into his leather chair. His eyes slid shut, the weight behind his lids heavier than any document he had reviewed since morning. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ease the dull throb in his temples.The past twenty-four hours had been a relentless blur—an exhausting flight back from Paris, no time to rest, and now this. A full-blown board meeting that felt more like a courtroom trial than a leadership update.They weren’t just sitting around a polished mahogany table to listen to his strategy. No. The board was dissecting his
Nagising ako sa magkasunod na katok sa pinto ng kwarto ko.Bumaling ako sa orasan sa nightstand. Alas-siyete pa lang? Napakunot ang noo ko. Sobrang aga pa para guluhin ako. Lalo na’t kagabi lang… well, medyo naging eventful ang gabi ko. Pakiramdam ko parang kakapikit ko lang, tapos eto na naman, tinatawag na ako ng realidad.Bumangon ako nang may konting antok pa sa katawan, sabay kamot sa batok. Nakasuot pa ako ng silk robe—malambot, mainit, at amoy bagong laba. Hinila ko ‘yung sintas para mas higpitan bago tinungo ang pinto.Pagbukas ko, bumungad sa akin si Brent.Wala man lang "Good morning." at mukhang badmood kaagad ang umaga niya kung pagbabasehan lang ngayon ang expresyon sa mukha niya. Hindi rin siya ‘yung Brent na nagpakita ng kahit konting warmth kagabi. Parang ibang tao siya ngayon—parang bumalik siya sa default setting.“We’re flying back to the Philippines today,” aniya. Walang pasakalye. Walang pasintabi. Diretso sa punto, parang robotic voice na may auto-alert.Napakura
The wind had grown colder by the time we returned to the penthouse. The whole day had been a whirlwind of scenic spots and staged affection—an illusion wrapped in designer coats and perfect lighting. But as the camera flashes died down and the Parisian night settled in, everything felt… quieter.I slipped out to the balcony alone, wrapped in a thick knit cardigan, seeking some air. Some peace. The soft hum of the city rose from below, blending with the distant sound of a violin playing somewhere across the street. Paris, in all its late-night glory, shimmered before me—warm streetlights glowing like constellations, the Eiffel Tower standing tall in the distance, its golden lights sparkling like it was winking at me from afar.The Seine flowed like a ribbon of silver beneath the bridges, and couples strolled arm-in-arm along its banks, unaware of the girl watching them from above—me, the not-so-happily married wife in a pretend marriage.I hugged the cardigan tighter around my frame an
Natapos ang buong araw namin na parang isang scripted na pelikula—carefully curated scenes meant for the public eye, choreographed smiles, and strategically timed touches. Sa isang banda, maganda ang script. Picture perfect, even. Pero sa kabilang banda, alam kong walang kahit katiting na totoo sa lahat ng ‘yon.We visited the Eiffel Tower first, of course. Doon pa lang, may ilang photographers nang “nagkataong” nandoon at kumuha ng candid photos naming dalawa—me, smiling like the happiest newlywed alive, and as for Brent? He's playing his role with that unreadable expression na parang laging may board meeting na hinahabol. His posture was impeccable, his hand resting lightly on my waist like it was second nature—pero ramdam ko, may layo pa rin. Kahit dikit kami sa mga kuha ng camera, may pagitan pa rin sa pagitan naming dalawa.“Gusto mo bang umakyat pa sa summit?” I asked habang naka-line up kami sa elevator.“No,” sagot niya. “There’s enough coverage from this angle.”Sigh. Romance
Nagising ako sa sikat ng araw na malambing na humahaplos sa pisngi ko. Dahan-dahan akong dumilat at ilang segundo pa bago ko na-realize kung nasaan ako. Hindi ito ang kama ko. Hindi rin ito ang usual scent ng lotion ko sa bedsheet. Mas... mahalimuyak. Mas mamahalin.Then it hit me.Paris.Nasa Paris nga pala kami.Para sa Honeymoon “kuno.”Napapikit ulit ako at napailing. Honeymoon. What a joke. Wala namang romance sa pagitan namin ni Brent. Well, unless you count the accidental towel scene kagabi na ayaw ko pa ring balikan pero paulit-ulit na sumasagi sa isip ko na parang may sariling playlist ang utak ko at 'yun lang ang track na alam nitong ulit-ulitin.Ugh. Bakit ba ganon?Bumangon na rin ako sa wakas. I stretched slowly, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. The bed beneath me was too soft—parang cloud na nilagyan ng cashmere. Everything smelled expensive, even the faint linen scent clinging to the sheets.Pagtingin ko sa paligid, halos wala pang kalat. The guest room was mi