Ethan’s P.O.V.
Almost a year ago, what Alessandro and Pablo have is what the four of them, including Chase (kahit wala naman talaga siyang ambag), called a very ambitious idea. Nang minsan kasing nag-inuman sila sa bar na pag-aari nang huli, Pablo opened up about his childhood dream of being able to discover a device that could help blind people completely restore their vision.
He said that although there is an available bionic eye implant in the market, limitado lang daw kasi ang nagagawa noon. There are certain parameters that need to be considered before doing the surgery. An example of this is when a person is born blind at damaged o kaya naman ay patay ang cornea o lens nito sa mata. Kung hindi naman iyon ang rason, baka ang retina naman daw ang may problema.
And so, Pablo ambitiously de
Ethan’s P.O.V. “Power ka talaga kahit kailan, Uncle Chris! Niligtas mo kami!” Malapad ang ngising turan ni Ethan sa lalaking nasa kabilang panig nang screen. Katatapos lang nang meeting at tagumpay si Alessandro na makuha ang supporta nang board, kahit pa nga sapilitan iyon. Technically, they had no other choice but to submit since tatlo lang naman sina Mr. Davidson, Mr. Doe, at Mr. Corvey na nasa opposing side. Maliban doon, fifteen percent isn’t that much compared to what Alec, Auntie Miranda, and Uncle Chris hold. Idagdag pang sinermunan nang todo-todo nang huli ang buong board. He reminded them how his nephew turned the tides for their company two years ago. Nagpakawala naman nang isang malutong na tawa si Christopher Alarcon. “Parati talagang nagpapahuli ang bida. Para namang hindi na kayo nas
Ethan’s P.O.V.“Tighten the security inside the building. I want eyes on everyone every second of the day. Make sure that people going in and out of our building are scanned and have a scheduled appointment. No one can get in when they’re not on the list of our expected visitors, are we clear?” Mariing utos ni Ethan sa mga tauhan.“Yes, Sir!” Sabay-sabay pang sagot sa kanya nang mga ito.Sumenyas na siyang magdisperse ang buong security team. Nang tuluyang mapag-isa sa loob nang sariling opisina ay nahahapong napaupo siya sa swivel chair. Isinandal niya ang buong bigat sa upuan at nakatingalang tumitig sa kisame.It had been four days after the incident ngunit paulit-ulit pa ring bumabalik sa kanyang isip ang nangya
Ethan’s P.O.V. Alessandro was absentmindedly sitting at the u-shaped couch by the living room. Kanina pa ito tahimik na nakamasid lang sa labas nang malawak na ceiling to floor glass window nang penthouse. At dahil nakapalibot iyon mula sa salas patungo sa kitchen nang kabahayan, kitang-kita roon ang overlooking at mapakapigil-hiningang night view nang Boston City. The lights from the the nearby buildings and from the passing cars below work its magic and made the entire city sparkle, like precious gems reflecting the glow of the burning sun. The man only moved to pour out whisky on his glass, at upang sumimsim din doon. And then he went back to looking outside. He was without a doubt still brooding over and devastated by what happened earlier that day… Ethan let out a heavy sigh.
Ethan’s P.O.V.“Uubusin ba natin ‘to? O pampatulog lang?” Aniya sa kaibigan nang makaupo na sa tabi nito.Alec glanced his way and smiled, ngunit kita niyang hindi iyon umabot sa mga mata nang kaibigan. “Pampatulog lang. I thought you’ve already gone to bed.”Sumimsim na rin siya sa isinalin nitong inumin sa baso niya. “Nah… couldn’t do it no matter how I will myself to. Katatapos lang din naming mag-usap nang mga personnel na inassign ko para magbantay kay Pablo. He’s now safely back in his apartment. Nasearch na rin nila ang buong gusali maging ang surrounding areas nang tinutuluyan niya… no possible threats in sight.”Napatango ito sa mga sinabi niya. Nakapangalong-babang iti
Ethan’s P.O.V. Alessandro angrily let out a breath. He held his hand up and slammed them forcefully against his thighs. “Of course he is! What did we expect?! The man is a loose string after all! And let me guess, the construction firm we hired denied their connection with that man? Tama ba?” Marahan siyang tumango. “Yes… he is not their employee nor did any of their workers know him. Our men were also able to run a background check after they found his body…” “And? What is it, Ethan?” Aniya pa nito nang ituon na muli ang mga titig sa kanya. Tumikhim muna siya upang alisin ang namumuong bara sa kanyang lalamunan, because he knew everything is about to go downhill from there. “They found out he’s working at
Ethan's P.O.V. Umakyat na si Ethan sa upuan upang maabot ang steel cover nang papasukang lagusan. Gamit ang screwdriver ay isa-isa na niyang nang tinanggal ang mga turnilyo nang grill nang air vent na pagsusuotan niya. Nang tuluyang matanggal ay ipinasa na niya iyon kay Alec. “Here… since you don’t have yours, you can use mine.” Inabot na nang kaibigan ang hawak nitong tactical flashlight sa kanya. Saglit naman siyang natigilan nang tuluyang makuha iyon mula sa binata. He also had one same as this, iyon nga lang, naiwan niya ang kanya sa Sta. Inez. Ang balak pa man din sana niya ay gamitin na lang ang flashlight nang kanyang cellphone, but this works, too. Sinipat pa niya ang sa may bandang hawakan niyon kung saan katulad din nang sa kanya, it also had Alec’s own name initials embossed on it.
Ethan’s P.O.V. “What the hell are you saying?!” Ramdam ni Ethan ang biglang pagbigat nang boses nang kaibigan. There was this edge on it, too, at halatang tensyonado ito. “There are hidden files in here, Alec. And I may have accidentally pressed some keys that led me to be able to open them. A-at may… mga dokumento rito na nagpapatunay that Uncle Red received a hundred million last month. The date and time… they coincide when your Lolo Leandro’s key was stolen and the money from his account was withdrawn.” He tried to be gentle as possible when he said it. “But that’s impossible! Why was I never notified? Da-dapat kapag may wi-withdrawals or deposits na nangyayari sa lahat nang accounts, I receive an email on it… dapat–” “That might be because no
Ethan’s P.O.V.“Uy, boss Ethan! Ba’t hindi ka man lang nagsabing uuwi ka pala! Nakapaghanda sana ako nang mga paborito mo.” Nakangiting salubong sa kanya ni Tata Ambo, ang caretaker nang rest house nina Tiyo Berto niya.Kasalukuyang nagwawalis nang mga nagkalat na tuyong dahon sa harap nang bahay ang matanda. Namataan kaagad nito ang paparating niyang sasakyan kaya tumigil na muna ito sa ginagawa. The old man immediately went straight to the driver’s side upang batiin siya. Kinuha na rin nito sa kanya ang dalang overnight bag na naglalaman nang ilang damit na gagamitin niya sa pananatili roon.“Pasensya na po, Tata Ambo. Biglaan po talaga itong pag-uwi ko, eh.” Nagmano na siya rito.Excited na pumalatak pa ito
Sky’s P.O.V.Sky couldn’t believe her eyes as she stared at the man in front of her. No wonder he looked somewhat familiar! Because the more she stared at him, the more she realized the similarities he had with Alessandro. Both men clearly shared the same proud and pointed nose. At tulad ng binata ay nagtataglay din ito ng mga matang nangungusap at mamula-mulang malahugis-pusong labi. Are all men born from Vontillon lineage this perfect? But didn’t they say he’s over mid-fifties or something? Bakit tila yata nasa kwarenta pa lang ang edad nito? No! In fact, he could even pass for someone who’s in his late thirties! Hindi tuloy niya mapigilang mapatitig dito ng matagal. Ikiniling naman ng lalaki ang ulo nito habang halata sa anyo ang pag-aalala. “Is there something wrong, Ms. Bustamante? Nahihilo ka na naman ba?”Napakurapkurap naman siya habang pilit na ibinabalik sa tamang huwisyo ang isipan. Maagap din niyang tinanggap ang nakalahad pa rin nitong kamay subalit dahil sa pagmamadal
Sky’s P.O.V. Sky could feel her eyes shimmer as she stared at the last piece of the strawberry shortcake. She was already in for her second round of dessert at ngayon ay napupusuan niyang subukan sana ang naturang cake. It was supposed to be her first choice a while ago ngunit naagaw ang kanyang atensyon ng mga macaroons na naroon kaya iyon na muna ang inuna niya. Tutal naman kanina lang ng tingnan niya iyon ay mayroon pang tatlong cake ang nakahain kaya’t naisip niyang balikan na lamang ang mga iyon. Subalit heto nga’t nag-iisang slice na lamang pala ang natitira and she wasn’t sure if there was another refill for it. She was about to reach for the cake spatula ng may isang kamay ang naunang umabot niyon at mab
Sky’s P.O.V. Tigalgal na napatitig si Sky sa kanyang ama. She must’ve misheard him, right? Surely her father has not yet gone senile! Sa laki ba naman ng pagod at paghihirap na pinagdaanan ng kanilang kompanya para lang makuha ang mga naglalakihang kontrata mula mula sa Vontillon Corp, hindi siya makapaniwalang ganoon at ganoon na lang ito papakawalan ng kanyang ama!“W-What do you mean, Dad? W-Why would you want to cut ties with the largest company in the country?” Puno ng pagkalitong tanong niya.Her father had a hard look on his face as he stared at her. Wari ba may kung anong mabigat na alalahanin ang nasa isip nito at tila maigi pa nitong pinag-iisipan kung sasagutin ba siya nito o hindi. Bandang huli ay napabuga na lang ito ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga bago tumuwid muli ng tayo.“I no longer see any reason why we should still continue our partnership with them.” Maikli lamang ang tugon nitong iyon ngunit bakas mula sa bawat katagang binitawan ng kanyang ama ang pinalida
Sky’s P.O.V.“What are you doing? Did I not tell you not to leave my side?” Matigas ngunit mahinang turan kaagad ng kanyang ama ng harapin siya. The volume of his voice was enough for just the two of them to hear. Kasalukuyan na sila nitong nasa kabilang bahagi ng malawak na bulwagan, malayo na mula sa kinaroroonan kanina nila Alessandro. Ilan lang din ang mga bisitang nasa ibayo nila dahil bahagyang nasa sulok na iyon ng venue. Sky let out a soft sigh. “Dad, I did try to find you a while ago but I couldn’t. Ikaw ang bigla-bigla na lang nawawala at ‘di mahagilap. Where have you been all this time?” In truth, she did look for her father after she went to the lady’s room. She even strained her eyes looking around for him pero hindi talaga niya ito makita. Sa pagkakataong iyon naman din saktong nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Alessandro, and although she did not expect it, nilapitan at kinausap siya ng binata. Kahit pa para sa kanya ay nahahati ang kalooban niya sa saya at sakit sa muli
Alessandro’s P.O.V.“Up until this point, nothing suspicious had been detected.” Pabulong na wika sa kanya ni Ethan.Katatapos lang nitong kausapin si Max na noon ay nakapwesto sa ikalawang palapag kung saan overlooking ang venue. Alessandro could also clearly see the man from where they were standing. Nakatayo ito habang nakakapit sa railings at tinatanaw ang mga nangyayari sa kanila sa ibaba.“Do you think Hector backed out last minute seeing there are too many of our men surrounding the venue?” He heard Ethan ask. Balisa pa nitong palihim na iginala ang pangin sa mga panauhin.Siya naman ay marahang napabitaw nang kanina pa kinikimkim na buntong-hininga. He didn’t like any of these at all. Masyadong tahimik. Masyadong kalmado ang lahat. Biglang bumalik sa isip niya ang dalawang babalang nakasulat sa puting tarhetang nakaipit sa palaso. First, it warned him to be wary with the deliveries coming in and out of the hotel. Hence, Ethan made sure to secure the entrance, exits, and all th
Dear Valued Readers, Hello po ulit sa inyong lahat! Kamusta mustasa aking mga readers? Long time no read sa aking monthly Author's Note. Hehehe well ayun, you're all probably wondering bakit pautay-utay na 'yung pag-a-update ko. Sorry na po... huhuhu busy lang po sa aking other side hustles. Struggle is real pero go lang nang go. Rest assured na tatapusin ko po talaga ang novel na ito. Hehehe excited din akong mapiece together na 'yung mga pangyayari. Alam kong marami rin kayong mga katanungan at masasagot lahat nang iyan sa buwan nang jaraaaaaaaan: HULYO! HAHAHAHAHA omg omg siguro hate niyo na ako... 'wag naman hahaha peace mga kapatid! Sabi nga ni Sky diba, "Kapit lang!" So ayun na nga... give me time and space and the Milkyway charot hahaha nakakapressure and at the same time, nakakachallenge palang isulat ang ending. But I still hope you all like it :) See you soon! Love lots! ~Luna King
Alessandro’s P.O.V.Sinubukan pa niyang tumikhim upang muling ibalik sa dating tono ang boses. Damn it! Umayos ka, Alessandro!“I heard from your father his assistant couldn’t make it.” Sabi na lang niya.Marahang napatango naman ang dalaga. “Yes. Something came up last minute kaya hindi siya makapunta rito. May kinailangan kasi siyang asikasuhin sa Batangas and apparently, it’s one thing that can’t be postponed.”Natigilan naman si Alessandro. He suddenly remembered the property Señor Heneroso owned in Batangas. Sa pagkakatanda niya, may malaking farm doon ang mga manugang nang namayapa nitong asawa. He initial
Ethan’s P.O.V. Ethan felt the sound of the blood running through his veins and the loud thumping of his heart drowned the noise around him. His muddled mind tried its best to remember the background investigation he had once conducted on Sky. How come he didn’t notice it before?! Subalit bigla rin niyang naalalang hindi rin naman kasi siya nagtagal sa naturang paaralan. Siguro ay dalawang taon lang din ang iginugol niya roon dahil iyon nga’t nagtransfer na siya sa isang specialized military school. Kaya siguro hindi na rin iyon pinansin pa nang kanyang isipan… because it was just a minor detail in her past anyway. Isa pa’y ang siniguro niya noon ay kung anong pinagkakaabalahan nang dalaga at pati na rin ang tungkol sa kompanya nang pamilya nito. After all, the Poderoso did fail to get the business
Ethan’s P.O.V.Kaagad namang gumuhit ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. Halos sabay din silang kumilos nang kaibigan upang tawirin ang munting espasyo sa pagitan nila upang saglit na magyakapan.“I didn’t know you were home! Ang akala ko nga hindi na kita makikita pa kasi roon sa Canada ka na lang maglalagi.” Aniya rito nang bumitaw na.Mavie laughed at his remark. “Grabe ka naman. Umuwi kaya ako rito three years ago. Sadly, kayo naman ni Alessandro ang hindi ko mahagilap. Nagpunta pa nga ako sa mansyon pero si Nana Leticia lang ang nakausap ko. Sabi pa niya, nasa US daw kayong lahat…”Bigla namang natigilan si Ethan. ‘Di yata’t ang tinutukoy nito ay noong panahong nagpapagaling pa si Alessandro. At natur