-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-It happened again…He abused me again…I feel so disgusted, and used…I cried silently as he smoked outside, my hands and feet still tied up and I couldn't do anything to get up."I hear you crying, Cory." Wika nito na naging dahilan upang magulat at manahimik ako.Das Arschloch…Hearing his footsteps in the distance, wala akong naramdaman kundi kaba, and by his presence, I was already disgusted."Napano ka?" Tanong nito sa akin nang makaupo na ito sa harapan ko."Nothing." I muttered, ngunit ang binalik na responde sa akin ay isang sipa sa tiyan."Fvcking liar." Sagot nito at saka sinipa muli ang aking tiyan."Stop it! Maawa ka!" Wika ko ngunit sinuntok lamang ako nito sa mukha."Alam mo?" Panimula niya. "Putangina mo, hindi ako maaawa sayo dahil kahit kailan, hindi kayo naawa sa akin."Bago pa ako makasagot ay tinapalan nito ang aking bibig na naging dahilan upang hindi ako makapagsalita."Naririndi na ako sayo, kanina pa. Kaya manahimik ka
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~As the driver stopped the car, and a ripped paper in my hand, I didn't hesitate to get out even though my gut was telling me that someone is following me.(Pull out your gun, Lal…)"I'll do it once I'm done." I whispered and took my luggage out of the trunk, paying the driver afterwards.Nang makaalis na ito, luminga linga ako sa paligid habang nagbabaka-sakaling may sumusunod nga, and even though I still wanted to investigate, mas inuna ko ang hanapin siya.Tiningnan ko lang ang front door, rereading the address on the written paper Kaji gave to me just to make sure it's exactly the same.Heaving a sigh, I walked up the steps with a suitcase in hand, hoping she would be here. And if not, I guess I should find her.(Someone is definitely following you… why don't you look behind?)"I know." I whispered as soon as I reached the front door.But before I could get a chance to knock, someone spoke from behind, causing me to stop from what I was about to
-(DEAN ALVAREZ POV)-~·~Dali-dali kong tinigil ang kotse sa harap ng pulis station nang makatanggap ako ng tawag mula sakanila, anxiety was still within me yet I set those thoughts aside.“Where is she?” Tanong ko nang makapasok na ruon.Tinuro nila kung nasaan ito at walang alinlangan akong nagtungo ruon, seeing her being interrogated by police officers had me relieved, and I can’t help but bite the tip of my thumb as I tremble.Naghintay ako ng ilang minuto sa labas habang kinakausap nila ito, at nang makalabas na ang police officers ay agad na akong nagtanong sa kanila.“Sir, how did you find her?” Tanong ko sa mga ito.“Well, she was the one who came here, and we’re currently interrogating her, but it seems to me she’s still traumatized.” Sagot niya sa akin.“Can I at least talk to her?” Tanong ko muli. “Maybe I can help.”Nagtinginan ang dalawang pulis bago tumango ang isa sa kanila, allowing me to enter the room.“Just ask her some simple questions, don’t pressure her.” Paalala
-(DEAN ALVAREZ POV)-~•~"Babe, are you alright?" Tanong ko nang maabutan ko itong umiiyak.Nagpasya akong bumisita rito dahil ilang linggo ko rin itong hindi nadadalaw, marami akong inasikaso to the point na wala na akong natitirang oras para puntahan siya."Hey, hey…" I consoled. "Why are you crying?"Niyakap ko ito at sinubukan siyang patahanin, ngunit mukhang lumalakas ang pag-iyak nito."Emy, what's wrong?" I asked once again as I cupped her face."I-I miss you…" She answered before hugging me tightly."Aww, I miss you too baby." I answered back as I hugged her.Ilang minuto rin ang nakalipas bago ito tumahan ng tuluyan, and her eyes are puffy by the time she stopped."Okay ka na?" Tanong ko rito habang siya'y kumakain ng veggie salad.Tumango ito bilang tugon at ipinagpatuloy na kainin ang dinala ko para sa kanya, and I felt nothing but relief because finally–finally she's here, safe in my arms.-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~Six months later~"Francisco, you have a visitor."
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~·~As I watched the sun rise from the horizon, and with a coffee mug in hand, I couldn't help but be fascinated by the colours spreading throughout the sky.If only Gelal could see this…"Good morning." Lumingon ako sa may gawing pinto nang marinig ko si Dean."Good morning." Sagot ko na may ngiti sa labi."Nakatulog ka ba ng maayos?" Tanong niya sa akin at saka ako niyakap mula sa aking likuran."Oo." I answered with a nod. "Ikaw ba?""Sakto lang." Sagot niya pabalik."Gutom ka na ba? Magluluto na ako ng almusal." Giit ko rito."Mamaya na, hindi naman ako nagmamadali." Sagot niya na naging dahilan upang humarap ako rito."Wala ka bang trabaho?" Tanong ko at saka humigop sa hawak na tasa.He shook his head slightly. "Wala, tsaka may plano ako para sa atin ngayon.""Is that a date?" I asked curiously."Maybe." He answered with a smirk.Tumawa na lamang ako bilang tugon at saka ito niyakap.But even so, my mind was still in its own abyss, and I
-(DEAN ALVAREZ POV)-~•~"What's wrong?" Tanong ko nang umuwi itong umiiyak.Ngunit hindi niya ako binigyan ng pansin at dire-diretsong nagtungo sa taas, ignoring me and leaving me confused."Hey baby!" I called out as I stood up from the sofa."Not right now, Dean!" She answered before slamming the door shut."Are you on your period!?" I asked ngunit hindi ito sumagot.Hindi na ako nag-dalawang isip at umakyat na lang sa taas upang suyuin ito, at hanggang ngayon ay nagtataka pa rin ako kung bakit siya umiiyak."Hey, you alright?" I asked as I knocked on the door."Leave me alone, Dean." She answered."Napano ka ba kasi? Gusto mo bang pumunta sa mall?" Tanong ko, ngunit wala akong natanggap na sagot.Heaving a sigh, I knocked again before turning the knob, only to find out that it was locked from the inside."Come on, baby. Let me in." I called out once again."Iwanan mo muna ako, please." Sagot niya.Bumuntong hininga ako muli, thinking if she needed some space or what not."Sige, na
-(THIRD PERSON'S POV)-~•~"Are you anxious?" He asked him as they stopped at the airport.He already sensed it in him as soon as the car stopped, and he couldn't help himself but ask his companion."I don't know." He answered like he was unsure of what to feel right now."Don't worry, you'll be safe once you arrive there." He assured him. "I'll have my men guard you during your stay.""Are you sure no one would recognize me?" He asked again."I'm sure." He answered and proceeded to open the car door.As they headed inside the terminal, his friend's lower face covered with a mask, he made sure he had all the documents needed for the flight."Are you really sure that no one is going to recognize me here?" His friend asked, loud enough for him to hear."I'm sure." He assures him once again. "Besides, I have bodyguards roaming around the terminal, no one should harm you." His friend nodded and proceeded to the immigration office where they were questioned multiple times before the migra
-(DEAN ALVAREZ POV)-~•~Kasalukuyan akong nagpapalit ng bedsheet ng higaan nang may mapansin akong kumikinang sa may headboard.Kahit na ako'y nagaalangan, nilapitan ko iyon at tiningnan kung ano man ang bagay na iyon.Naiwan ni Emy ang kwintas niya..(Binigay ni Kuya Lez sa akin.)Akmang bibitawan ko ang kwintas na iyon sa nightstand nang mapansin ko ang carvings ng alahas, sa singsing at sa mismong chain na naging dahilan upang tingnan ko ng mabuti iyon.Emerald's Ehemann 05-13-19 was written on the ring, which caused me to look closely at the carvings on the necklace.Ich bin ihr Gelal.Gelal…Napakunot ako ng noo habang inaalala kung saan ko narinig ang pangalan na iyon, at the same time, nagtataka rin ako kung ano ang meaning ng mga salita na naka-carve sa alahas.Pulling my phone out, ni-translate ko iyon at laking gulat ko nang malaman ko ang kahulugan ng mga iyon.Emerald has a husband?Impossible–but she's single before I met her…Tiningnan ko rin sa internet ang pangalan na
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO POV)- ~2 years later~ “Deanna! Halika na at malelate ka na!” Tawag ko habang nilalagay ang mga kailangan niya sa trunk. “Momma, I can't find my other shoe!” Sigaw nito na nagmumula sa loob. Nagtungo ako muli sa loob at kinuha ang lunchbox niya sa coffee table at tinulungan siyang maghanap, at mabuti na lang ay nakita ko ito. “Oh, ito. Suotin mo na.” Utos ko habang ina-alalay siya. Nang masuot na niya iyon ay kinuha ko na rin ang bag ko at sabay kaming lumabas, locking the door before heading to the car and made her sit at the back seat. “Momma, are we going to school?” Tanong niya habang ina-adjust ko ang seat belt nito. “Yes, darling. You’re going to school and Momma– Momma is going to work.” Sagot ko at saka siya hinalikan sa pisngi. “Isn't daddy ninong going to take me to school?” Tanong niya ulit. “No honey, because daddy ninong has work to do.” Sagot ko at saka nagtungo sa driver's side. Dali-dali ko nang pinaandar iyon at umalis, 30 minutes d
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO POV)- ~•~ As I pulled up to the side of the road, nagtataka ako kung bakit may mga elf truck sa harap ng bahay nina Gelal, at ang daming lalaking naglalabas at nagpapasok ng mga gamit. “What the heck?” I whispered to myself and got out of the car. May namataan akong isang lalaking may hawak na clip board, ngunit bago ko ito tawagin ay may tumawag sa pangalan ko. “Yes?” Tanong ko nang namataan ko ang isang babaeng patungo sa akin. “You’re Emerald, yes?” Tanong nito pabalik na may bahagyang ngiti sa labi. “Ako nga, ba’t mo ako kilala?” Pagtataka ko habang hawak ang isang envelope. “Kuya told me everything about you, darling.” Sagot niya habang hindi umaalis ang ngiti sa labi. “Oh, okay. Kuya mo si Gelal?” I asked. “Never mind, nandito ba siya? Kailangan ko lang siyang-” “He’s not here, Emerald. He left.” Sagot nito sa akin. “Saan siya pumunta?” “He left for France, went to see his– I don't know. Wife?” Giit nito na parang hindi sigurado. “Oh– but, w
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~Nang makapasok ako sa bahay ay inexcuse muna ni Mr. Luxembourg ang sarili dahil may aasikasuhin daw ito, at bago kami makasagot ay nagtungo na ito sa taas.“Eve-” Tawag ko ngunit nagtungo ito sa hallway.Sumunod naman ako rito bitbit ang aking mga bagahe, kahit pagod at puyat ako ay kinaya ko iyon.“This will be your room for now.” She stated.“How are you?” Panimula ko nang maituro niya sa akin ang guest bedroom.Kaming dalawa lang ang naroon, kung kaya’t inipon ko ang makakaya upang makausap siya.But even so, she didn't answer and just opened the door for me with the words “Dinner will be ready in 20.”And before I could say anything, she left. With no choice and due to exhaustion, I entered the guest room to settle my things.Patuloy kong minumura ang aking sarili habang inaayos ko ang mga gamit ko sa closet, at alam kong sinira ko ang kanyang tiwala– Big time.-(JEAN EVOLET LUXEMBOURG POV)-~•~As I was making some food for Gelal to eat, numer
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~Tuesday~“Sir, I have postponed every meeting you have including with your meeting with Mr. Ameer.” Panimula nito nang makapasok siya sa opisina.Tumango na lamang ako bilang tugon at saka ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa, ngunit hindi ko pa rin makalimutan ang sinabi ni Emy sa akin nung nakaraan.(Tatanggapin ko kahit may kahati ako.)“Damn it, Ems.” I mumbled to myself and rubbed my forehead.“Sir, is everything alright?” Sambit ni Silas na naging dahilan upang mag angat ako ng tingin rito.“You're still here.” Sagot ko.“Akala ko po kasi may sasabihin pa kayo.” Sagot niya pabalik.“Wala, you may leave.” Utos ko rito na naging dahilan upang tumango ito at lumabas.Heaving a sigh, sumandal ako sa backrest ng swivel chair ko at tiningnan ang oras, seeing it was 4:40 in the afternoon.Sakto rin na tumunog ang aking cellphone, kaya kinuha ko ito at upang tingnan iyon.Eve: When are you arriving?She texted, yet I wasn't ready to reply. At least not yet.-(EMER
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~2:00~Patuloy akong naghihintay kay Gelal habang nasa harap kami ng bahay nito, at kahit ayokong umalis sa puder ni Callum ay mapipilitan ako.“Momma, why are we here?” Deanna asked as she yawned.“We're just waiting for Daddy Lal, okay? Kaunting tiis na lang.” Sagot ko at saka ito niyakap.“But I want to sleep na, Ma.” She yawned once again.Ngumiti na lamang ako nang bahagya at saka ito binuhat, letting her sleep in my arms as we waited.“Pasensya ka na kung nadamay ka sa gulo namin, nak.” Bulong ko rito at saka hinalikan ang kanyang noo.The cool breeze kept blowing as I waited, and I couldn't help but feel sleepy.A few minutes passed by, but there were still no headlights heading towards this direction, which caused me to sigh and close my eyes for a bit.-♪-“Emy.” Someone murmured my name, and all of which seems to be a blur.“Emy.” It called once again. “Emy, wake up.”As I came to my senses, with my vision getting clear once again, I
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~That night~“Babe, ayos ka lang ba?” Tanong ni Callum habang ako'y nakatingin sa may bintana.Nasa kwarto ako ngayon at pakiramdam ko wala akong ganang kumain, and to be honest, I want to be alone with my thoughts for a while.“Hey, what's wrong?” Tanong ulit nito, at ramdam kong lumubog ang isang parte ng kama.“Nothing.” Sagot ko na lang. “I want to be alone for a while.”“But Deanna is looking for you.” Sambit nito, forcing me to look at him as I felt his thumb and finger on my chin.Even though he said something, I didn't feel the need to answer him, and just looked away once again.“Can you please tell me what's wrong, Emy?” Tanong nito sa huling pagkakataon, ngunit hindi pa rin ako sumagot.Silence enveloped us and there was nothing I could think of an answer for him, all I could do was stare and remember the scene where-“Are you thinking about him?” He asked again.“Who?” I asked and looked at him.“Gelal.” Sagot niya, and there was s
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~Friday~“Nasaan si Gelal?” Panimula ni Lez nang makarating ito sa hospital.“Parating na yun.” Sagot ko at saka nilagay sa bag ang aking cellphone.“Sana sa kanya nga si Deanna, hindi ako papayag kung ang gagong yun ang ama.” Wika nito at saka tiningnan ang bata sa tabi ko.“I thought you hated each other? Bakit parang nag-iiba na ang ihip ng hangin ngayon?” Biro ko sa kanya.Tumawa na lamang ito bilang tugon at nag-usap muna kami ng ilang minuto habang hinihintay si Gelal, hanggang sa dumating na sina Dad ay wala pa rin ito.“Nasaan na ba ang asawa mo, Emerald?” Tanong ni Dad sa akin habang nakakunot ang noo. “May aasikasuhin pa ako sa opisina.”“Baka po na-stuck lang sa traffic.” Sagot ko. “Tawagan ko na lang po ulit.”Kinuha ko muli sa bag ang aking cellphone at akmang pipindutin ang kanyang numero, nang biglang sumigaw si Deanna at saka umalis.“Deanna!” Tawag ko ngunit nakita ko na sinalubong pala nito si Gelal.Pinanood ko itong buhatin
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~“Silas.” Tawag ko mula sa intercomm.“Sir?” Tanong naman niya.“Nakapag-book ka na ba?” Tanong ko rito. “Pumunta ka nga dito sa office.”Nang inalis ko ang aking daliri sa intercomm ay sakto rin itong pumasok sa loob, all while holding a cup of coffee and a croissant.“What is it, Sir?” He asked again and took a bite.“Gusto ko lang malaman kung bukas ako aalis, or next week.” Panimula ko at saka inikot ikot ang ballpen.“Next week Wednesday ang flight niyo, Sir.” Sagot niya. “Bakit po?” “Nothing, I just realized I still have a shitload of work to do.” I intoned. “You may go.” Tumango na lamang ito bilang tugon at saka umalis, leaving me alone with my thoughts.(If you don't arrive within a week, I will blow you to bits.)Heaving a sigh, I rubbed my forehead due to frustration. And there was nothing I could do except finish these before leaving.-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~Verdanio Residences~Kasalukuyan kaming nasa main residence
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~•~Habang ako'y nasa trabaho ay laking gulat ko nang makareceive ako ng mensahe mula kay Gelal, at nagtataka rin ako kung bakit.Theo: I’m dropping Deanna at your place, I need to be somewhere urgent.Tiningnan ko ang oras, seeing it was 10 in the morning. Kaya walang alinlangan akong nagreply rito.Ems: Last week mo lang siya kinuha, why so sudden?Theo: Evolet’s bleeding.Just by seeing his reply, I couldn't help but worry for his wife. And worry for his safety…-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)--♪-“Silas, is everything booked?” Tanong ko habang kami ay papunta sa office.“Yes, Sir.” Sagot nito. “Your flight will be on Wednesday night.”“Sige, cancel my meetings from Thursday to Saturday.” Utos ko rito bago ibaba ang tawag.Hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi kabahan para kay Eve, at pilit kong sinisisi ang aking sarili dahil sa sinapit nito.Kailangan ko na rin ipa-DNA test si Deanna, para bago ako umalis ay panatag ako na akin siya.“Daddy, where