-(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
-(DEAN ALVAREZ POV)-~•~As I was shaving my stubble in the bathroom, dinig na dinig ko ang pag-iyak niya, halata rin na pinipigilan niyang gumawa ng ingay pero hindi niya magawa."Hey, baby." I called out and washed the razor. "Do you want to talk about something?"But even so, wala akong nakuhang tugon rito at patuloy lamang ang pag-iyak niya na naging dahilan upang mag-alala ako para sa kanya.Nang maitabi ko na ang razor, lumabas ako ng banyo at natagpuan itong nakahiga, her face covered with her shirt as she weeped."May gusto ka bang pag-usapan?" Tanong ko at saka nagsuot ng damit.Nag-angat ito ng tingin at pinunasan ang kanyang luha. "Wala, ayos lang ako.""Liar." Sagot ko pabalik. "Come here."Tumayo ito at nagtungo sa akin, my arms were open wide for her to embrace me, and she didn't hesitate to do it."I know it's hard, but I want to remind you that you're not alone." I muttered. "I'm here, okay?"Tumango ito bilang tugon, yet her weeping continued. And I did nothing but co
-(AMEER HYASID FRANCISCO POV)-~•~"Pare!" Giit ko habang kinakatok ang pinto.Kanina pa ako sa labas ng condo ngunit kahit anong katok ko ay walang sumasagot, nandito rin ang mga gwardya ni Jiro na nakapalibot sa buong floor.At hindi na ako nag-aalala dahil paniguradong secured na ito."Theo!" Tawag ko muli habang kumakatok, a little harder this time.Heaving a sigh, kinuha ko ang susi ng condo at walang alinlangan na ni-unlock iyon. As soon as I opened the door, the smell of alcohol and cigarettes were the first thing that hit me, causing me to cough a bit due to the smoke."What the fuck happened here?" I mumbled to myself and closed the door."Hey, Lal!" I called out and began cleaning his mess in the living room."What the fuck do you want?" Napalingon ako sa may gawing banyo, seeing him wasted and sh1t."What happened to you? What happened here?" Tanong ko habang nagsisindi na naman ito ng sigarilyo."That bitch left me for that bastard, again." Sagot niya bago humithit muli s
-(DEAN ALVAREZ POV)-~•~Yes, this is it… this is the day… TODAY IS THE DAY…As I drove her to the place, various thoughts were scrambled in my mind as my heart beat wildly, butterflies roaming in my stomach as I got excited yet nervous at the same time.Nakaayos na ang lahat ultimo decorations, the fairy lights, everything she would possibly love.Ngunit ang ginawa ko muna ay dinala ko ito sa mall upang hindi siya makahalata. Parati kong tinatago ang ngiti na sumisilay sa aking mukha sa tuwing iniisip ko ang gagawin kong surpresa para sa kanya."Huy." Nagulat ako ng pinalo ako nito sa may balikat."Ano?" Tanong ko, glancing at her before looking back on the road."Kanina ka pa ngiti nang ngiti dyan, anong iniisip mo?" Tanong nito."Wala." Sagot ko na lang upang wala na itong masabi pa.Hindi ko na ito narinig na sumagot pa at nagpatuloy na lamang sa pagmamaneho.It was only a 30 minute drive from the mall, and it was getting dark so this is the perfect time to kneel down.Tinigil ko
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~Christmas Eve~“Baby, look at this.” I stated as I picked out a sweater for us both.It was 7 o’clock in the evening, yet there were still tons of people in every street and mall as it was already christmas eve. “It’s lovely.” Sagot niya sa akin.“Bilhin natin, pati yung onesies.” Sagot ko pabalik na may ngiti sa labi at saka tinuro iyon sa kanya.“Sure, if that makes you happy, my love.” Giit niya bago itulak ang cart.Walang alinlangan akong kumuha ng mga damit na sinabi ko rito, kumuha na rin ako ng mga ornaments bago siya sundan.And on the corner of my eye, I was sure I saw someone familiar, I just couldn't tell who it was.“Hey, baby! Tara na!” Dean called out, causing me to approach him with the clothes and box of ornaments in hand.“What's wrong?” Tanong niya bigla nang makalapit na ako.“I thought I saw someone familiar.” Sagot ko na lamang.“Maybe it just looked like a familiar person, don't mind them too much.” Giit na lamang niya
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~♪~“Merry Christmas!” Giit ng kapitbahay namin nang makita niya ako sa labas.“Merry Christmas.” I greeted back as I waved.It was already snowing, and it's the perfect time to build a snowman. As I grabbed a few sticks and stones, tumunog ang cellphone ko na naging dahilan upang lumipat ang aking atensyon.Seeing the caller ID, I didn't hesitate to answer even though I was a bit anxious.“Hello?” I started as soon as I answered the call.“Merry Christmas, Cory.” Dad answered.“Merry Christmas.” Sagot ko pabalik at saka bumalik sa snowman na ginagawa ko.“Uuwi ka ba dito? Para naman sana kumpleto tayo ngayong pasko.” Giit niya sa akin.“I don't know if Dean would allow me.” Sagot ko. “I mean–”“Para naman sumaya ang Momma mo, kung ayaw niyang umuwi, kahit ikaw na lang.” Sagot niya pabalik.“We’ll talk about it, Daddy.” Sagot ko muli. “Let me just end this call real quick and I’ll talk to him.”“Okay, balitaan mo ako nak kung uuwi ka, ha?” Wi
-(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