Chapter 58Her Shock“What do you mean?!” I asked Ivan with a ragged breath.Habol ko ang aking hininga habang paulit-ulit ang pagdagundong sa dibdib ko. Halos kilabutan ako sa narinig ko sa kaniya.My enemy numero uno... my archnemesis... Uno...Is just within my reach... so close to me... all this fucking time?!His head fell weakly. Kumunot ang noo niya at parang litong-lito. Lumapit ako at padarag siyang hinawakan sa balikat.“Answer me! Sino si Uno!” Niyugyog ko ang nakatali niyang katawan.He lifted his head and our eyes met. May sugat siya sa gilid ng kaniyang mata at may pasa sa pisngi. His lip was bleeding.“I... I can’t say it,” he hissed.My brows quickly pulled together. “Are you insane? Sasabihin mo lang! Sabihin mo sa ‘kin kung sino si Uno!”Puno ng kalituhan ang mukha niya. What I noticed was his eyes. He looked very confused and his eyes were bloodshot.“S-Si... Si...” he attempted to say something, but he would pause each time he tries to speak.Niyugyog ko siyang mul
Chapter 59Her Doubts“It’s not that he forgot completely who Uno is. It’s that he’s under a trance, and he can’t say his name. Guess what? This is how he‘d been for the last thirteen years, Rigella,” mapait na dagdag ni Tres.Halos manigas ako sa aking kinatatayuan. My mouth parted but no voice came out. Umangat ang tingin ko kay Ivan na nanghihina pa rin at tila naluluha. And I just noticed, his eyes looked lost and and dead.What the hell is this?!“Maniniwala ka ba talaga sa gagong ‘to, Andrea?” Danger asked which made my rationality come back.True enough, that’s ridiculous.Tres hypnotized Ivan? What kind of excuse is that? Ano ito? Para lang hindi nila masabi sa ‘kin kung sino talaga si Uno?Of course! They’d avoid answering my one and only question. Kasamahan nila sa organisasyon ang demonyong ‘yon kaya pagtatakpan nila kahit buhay pa nila ang maging kapalit.And now, they’re trying to escape me with that pathetic excuse?“Great question, Cinco. It’s like you really don’t kno
Chapter 60His Past (Part 1)“You ranked first, but this is not enough,” Papa told me, one time in my last year in high school, when I showed him my report card.I came into his office thinking that when I‘d brought him the good news, he‘d finally allow me to have culinary classes again. That was my only hope.But then, as per his very words...It’s still not enough.“What do you mean?“ mahina kong tanong nang tanggapin ko ang binalik niyang report card.My grades were high. I never had any eight or seven. Only nines and even a hundred.Why does he keep on underestimating my hard-earned efforts?“That’s still insufficient for you to be accepted in Harvard,“ he answered as if it was too simple to do.My lips parted. I was rendered speechless.I only... wanted one thing. To take culinary classes. I loved cooking. I loved the feeling of being able to serve people with delicious food. It’s... something that not all men in my league aspires to do, but I do.I can always breathe as long as
Chapter 61His Past (Part 2)“What’s that? Pampalubag loob mo?” Larisse asked sternly and coldly after I handed over her a bouquet of flowers and chocolates.I kept a small smile, still. She can really be difficult at times, but I can understand. We’re each other’s reflection. We are so alike.Two people sharing the same dilemma. Their parents.Maybe that’s what prolly gravitated us towards each other.“Please, accept this?” I said softly, cajoling her, “I made the chocolates by myself.”Mabilis na nagbago ang seryoso niyang ekspresyon. Her face softened. Lumawak ang ngiti ko. She then finally accepted the flowers and chocolates.She straightened out her arms, offering a hug. Ngumiti ako niyakap siya. “It’s your fault, but apology accepted.”Napawi nang kaunti ang ngiti ko. I remembered why we ended up breaking up weeks ago. Nagselos siya sa babaeng lumapit sa ‘kin para kausapin ako saglit.Lara she couldn’t control her jealousy sometimes that it gave me thoughts. If this is really w
The gloomy and raging clouds thundered as the rain poured heavy liquids of both misery and punishment. Ang mga patak na sumusugat sa lupa ay apektado rin ako. I hugged myself not because of the cold, but because I have no one's arms to shelter me against the darkness anymore. "Let me explain my side," his voice croaked. Marahang dumulas ang mainit na luha sa aking pisngi, hanggang sa sunod-sunod na ang mga patak na nakikihalubilo sa malakas na bugso ng ulan. "W-What else is there to discuss? Alam ko na ang totoo..." Laking ginhawa ko nang maitawid ko iyon nang maayos. He took a step forward. Pumikit ako nang mariin. No, Rigella. These are all lies. Even from the very beginning. They are all a fraud. "Please..." Nagmulat ako. "Ang kapal ng mukha mo!" Blood came rushing through my veins. I watched him painfully setting his eyes on me. Only on me. Sa tagal na pinangarap ko 'to, bakit parang ngayon, hindi ko maramdaman ang tuwa? Bakit pang-ilang libong saksak ang hatid niyon sa puso
Chapter 1 Compensation "I knew it. Dito lang talaga kita makikita," irap ni Roxanne sabay tabi sa akin dito sa bleachers. I smiled coyly. Binalik ko ang tingin sa mga players na ngayo'y nagkakatuwaan abala sa kanilang practice game. As far as I know, they're about to compete with their rival team that they recently knocked down last championship. Siguro, naghamon ang kabilang eskuwelahan na iyon para sa isa pang laro kaya pinaghahandaan ulit nila. "Ivan plays so gracefully, right?" I commented dreamily. Sinalo ko ang aking baba gamit ang aking palad. Nakatukod ang aking siko sa aking kandungan. I probably look like some teenager lost in her daydreams but I cannot deny what I feel. Sa kaniya lang ako nakatingin habang siya, nakangiti kapag nakaka-shoot ng bola sa ring. "Hay, Ivan De Leon. Nakuha mo 'tong lukaret na 'to sa mga pagpapa-pogi mo." Si Roxanne. Ngumuso ako at bumaling sa kaniya. "He's genuine kaya. The last time, he volunteered to cook for the university's charity even
Chapter 2 Ruin Daddy is the owner of the most successful clothing company in the country. May iba't iba pang branch ang Crisostomo Clothings Inc. overseas pero ang flagship ng korporasyon ay nandito sa Pilipinas. Our company is also known to be the best tandem alongside with De Leon Textiles, my husband's inherited company. Our marriage strengthened not only our image in the sociedad but also our company's partnership. Malaking benefit ang nakuha ni Ivan kay Daddy at ganoon din si Daddy sa kaniya. They are even usually the talk of the town whenever there's a release of new designs under their partnership line. I'd say their collective successes produce continuous breakthroughs and their tandem takes the fashion industry by storm. "We're about to go home, hija," Mommy informed over the line. I halted on my tracks when it reached my ears. Naiwan ang isa kong kamay sa straps ng stilettos. I decided to just wear the shoes Ivan gave me since it's a perfect match with my royal blue ruff
Chapter 3 Bleed When was the last time that I was unadulteratedly happy? Hindi ko na rin alam. Small and big things make me happy, but they are not enough to fill the emptiness I have inside. Nagtatalo ang tama at mali sa utak ko sa tuwing nakakaramdam ako ng ganito. Malungkot. Nasasaktan. At halos wala nang makitang lagusan para tumakas. Tahimik akong sumimsim ng tubig. After that heated scene, I was able to stand up and fix myself. Hindi lang dahil may paparating kundi dahil alam ko rin na kung doon lang ako nang matagal at magmumukmok, hindi ako makakausad. Besides, I have been experiencing the same thing for almost eight years. Truth be told, I sometimes get tired of our setup. Ang paulit-ulit na pagbabayad sa danyos na oo, ako nga ang gumawa. Pero ang mga bagay na hindi naman ako ang salarin pero ako ang sinisisi niya, I think it's unfair. But what can I do, right? Even if my heart is not this forgiving, I know I'd still bring myself to understand and forgive him. Pasasaan p
Chapter 61His Past (Part 2)“What’s that? Pampalubag loob mo?” Larisse asked sternly and coldly after I handed over her a bouquet of flowers and chocolates.I kept a small smile, still. She can really be difficult at times, but I can understand. We’re each other’s reflection. We are so alike.Two people sharing the same dilemma. Their parents.Maybe that’s what prolly gravitated us towards each other.“Please, accept this?” I said softly, cajoling her, “I made the chocolates by myself.”Mabilis na nagbago ang seryoso niyang ekspresyon. Her face softened. Lumawak ang ngiti ko. She then finally accepted the flowers and chocolates.She straightened out her arms, offering a hug. Ngumiti ako niyakap siya. “It’s your fault, but apology accepted.”Napawi nang kaunti ang ngiti ko. I remembered why we ended up breaking up weeks ago. Nagselos siya sa babaeng lumapit sa ‘kin para kausapin ako saglit.Lara she couldn’t control her jealousy sometimes that it gave me thoughts. If this is really w
Chapter 60His Past (Part 1)“You ranked first, but this is not enough,” Papa told me, one time in my last year in high school, when I showed him my report card.I came into his office thinking that when I‘d brought him the good news, he‘d finally allow me to have culinary classes again. That was my only hope.But then, as per his very words...It’s still not enough.“What do you mean?“ mahina kong tanong nang tanggapin ko ang binalik niyang report card.My grades were high. I never had any eight or seven. Only nines and even a hundred.Why does he keep on underestimating my hard-earned efforts?“That’s still insufficient for you to be accepted in Harvard,“ he answered as if it was too simple to do.My lips parted. I was rendered speechless.I only... wanted one thing. To take culinary classes. I loved cooking. I loved the feeling of being able to serve people with delicious food. It’s... something that not all men in my league aspires to do, but I do.I can always breathe as long as
Chapter 59Her Doubts“It’s not that he forgot completely who Uno is. It’s that he’s under a trance, and he can’t say his name. Guess what? This is how he‘d been for the last thirteen years, Rigella,” mapait na dagdag ni Tres.Halos manigas ako sa aking kinatatayuan. My mouth parted but no voice came out. Umangat ang tingin ko kay Ivan na nanghihina pa rin at tila naluluha. And I just noticed, his eyes looked lost and and dead.What the hell is this?!“Maniniwala ka ba talaga sa gagong ‘to, Andrea?” Danger asked which made my rationality come back.True enough, that’s ridiculous.Tres hypnotized Ivan? What kind of excuse is that? Ano ito? Para lang hindi nila masabi sa ‘kin kung sino talaga si Uno?Of course! They’d avoid answering my one and only question. Kasamahan nila sa organisasyon ang demonyong ‘yon kaya pagtatakpan nila kahit buhay pa nila ang maging kapalit.And now, they’re trying to escape me with that pathetic excuse?“Great question, Cinco. It’s like you really don’t kno
Chapter 58Her Shock“What do you mean?!” I asked Ivan with a ragged breath.Habol ko ang aking hininga habang paulit-ulit ang pagdagundong sa dibdib ko. Halos kilabutan ako sa narinig ko sa kaniya.My enemy numero uno... my archnemesis... Uno...Is just within my reach... so close to me... all this fucking time?!His head fell weakly. Kumunot ang noo niya at parang litong-lito. Lumapit ako at padarag siyang hinawakan sa balikat.“Answer me! Sino si Uno!” Niyugyog ko ang nakatali niyang katawan.He lifted his head and our eyes met. May sugat siya sa gilid ng kaniyang mata at may pasa sa pisngi. His lip was bleeding.“I... I can’t say it,” he hissed.My brows quickly pulled together. “Are you insane? Sasabihin mo lang! Sabihin mo sa ‘kin kung sino si Uno!”Puno ng kalituhan ang mukha niya. What I noticed was his eyes. He looked very confused and his eyes were bloodshot.“S-Si... Si...” he attempted to say something, but he would pause each time he tries to speak.Niyugyog ko siyang mul
Chapter 57Her Danger“I want you to choose which method I should use on you,” nakahalukipkip kong tanong at pinadaan ang talim ng kutsilyo sa gilid ng leeg ni Ivan, “a torturous death... or an easy way out?” Kalmado pa rin ang mukha niya kahit nakababa na kami mula sa van at dinala ko siya sa isa sa mga rest house ko sa isang liblib na lugar sa probinsya.He was seated on the sofa of my living room — with both hands and feet cuffed. Nasa akin ang susi ng posas at naka-double lock din iyon. Unless, he‘d burn his own arms and legs, then he could get out.Nagkalat sa paligid ang mga tauhan ko at nasa taas din sina Sapphire at Emerald. Diamond left the port the moment I instructed her to guard my son and take him to a safe place. Kung saan tumutuloy si Darlyn at ang anak niya.“What do you want to know?” tanong niya at diretso ang tingin sa kawalan.From his back, I grabbed his chin. Inangat ko iyon hanggang sa ma-expose ang leeg niya. I pointed the edge of the knife on his neck.“Who i
Chapter 56His Surrender“Kill me,” I told her in a breathy voice.She wasn’t even fazed. The cold smirk on her lips told me that she didn’t feel anything about me anymore.I’m nothing but a prey for her... that she needs to kill and dispatch.My vision blurred even more. My heart clenched in pain. Umigting ang panga ko at nagbaba ng tingin. Kumuyom ang aking kamao.“Just do it, Rigella.” I have nothing else to say but it.Because I know, I deserve every pain and torture for not being able to protect her before.For letting those evil minds treat me like a guinea pig. For letting them mess up my mind that primarily affected my relationship with my wife and my family. It’s all my fault... and I deserve to die for it.“One question, Ivan,” aniya at mas diniin ang nguso ng baril sa aking noo, “are you Uno?” My eyes widened a bit. She... knows Uno? Then she probably knows that goddamn org, Dark Alpha.It shouldn’t surprise me anymore, but it still did. She’s Andrea Steinfields now. Som
Chapter 55Her Comeback“Momma, she’s crying,” nag-aalalang saad ni Rayven sa telepono.My heart clenched. “Baby, what happened? Did Rayne got hurt? Are you both okay?”“Yes, Momma. We’re okay. She had a nightmare. She told us you disappeared in an instant and never came back again in her dream.”Napahinga ako nang maluwag nang marinig iyon. Lulan ako ng van na patungo sa private port na pagmamay-ari ni Dos. A total of ten vehicles are tailing my van.Today is the D-day. I’ll finally come face-to-face with my pathetic little ex-husband after so many years. “Rayven, can you do something for Momma?” I asked carefully. “What is it?”“Please pass the phone to your sister? Tell her I called.” Tumahimik naman ang kabilang linya. I heard my daughter crying over the phone. Pumikit ako nang mariin. It breaks my heart to hear her cry like that at wala man lang ako sa tabi niya.“Rayne, Momma wants to talk to you,” I heard Rayven’s calm voice.“H-Huh? Momma? Momma is calling, Rayven?!” I hear
Chapter 54His Seat“Dos, can you calm this asshole?” iritadong saad ni Cuatro matapos maupo sa kaniyang upuan. I also settled in my seat, wearing my mask of indifference. Nakaupo na rin si Tres sa gitna namin. He’s massaging the bridge of his nose as if something’s pestering his mind.The oval meeting table was still unoccupied by the other members of Dark Alpha. Nauna kaming dumating at malalamang na namahuhuli si Uno dahil gusto niya na namang magpapansin sa lahat.“What’s wrong?” I asked in a serious voice.Cuatro hissed. “Sagutin mo, gago!” He punched Tres’ arm. Hindi naman natinag si Xyleus. His face was serious and his brows were furrowed tight.“Cuatro,” I called Creed, “what the hell is wrong with him?”Pumalatak siya. “Tangina talaga neto ni Tres. Kinakausap ka, eh!” My jaw clenched. Nang makita niyang dumidilim na ang ekspresyon ko ay napangiwi siya.“Para kayong gago, eh. ‘Wag n’yo na nga akong idamay sa mga katarantaduhan niyo. Namumuro na kayo, ah!”“What... the fuck.
Chapter 53Her Aces“Bakit hindi ka pa kumikilos?”Danger puffed from his cigarette beside me. Niyakap ko ang sarili ko dahil sa lamig na dala ng malakas na hangin.I happened to visit my organization’s hide-out in the Philippines. Binilin ko muna kay Roxanne ang kambal. Pinaalam ko na lang na may kailangan akong gawing trabaho at naintindihan naman nila.Ayoko sanang nahihiwalay ako kina Rayne at Rayven, pero kailangan.“Why are you so excited?” tanong ko at ngumisi.Binalingan ko siya. His face was serious and dark. Napailing ako nang muli siyang humithit sa kaniyang sigarilyo.“You’ll die early with what you’re doing,” iling ko.Matunog siyang ngumisi. “Not until I had avenged my brother against that fucking Dark Alpha.”Napahinga ako nang malalim. I don’t exactly know what Danger wants out of our plan, but I just know that his hatred for the people who killed his brother fuels his desire to destroy and eliminate them.“It’s a pity that Ate Rina died before we even got our hands on