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KABANATA 23
Huling Na-update:
2024-11-27 14:42:53
Kaugnay na kabanata
To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 24
CALVIN'S P. O. VThat smug smirk. The way he’d so easily dismissed me, so confidently declared himself Calista’s boyfriend.It infuriated me. It fueled a fire in my gut, a burning resentment that wouldn’t be extinguished. He might have won this round, but the game was far from over. I wouldn’t let him have her. Not without a fight.I spent the next few days consumed by a relentless pursuit. Aaminin ko, isa sa mga dahilan ko ay selos at kagustuhan na mabawi si Cali. But another part of it is to ensure her safety. I used every resource at my disposal, every connection I’d made during my years on the force. My initial inquiries yielded little. The name “Lewis Rossi” didn’t turn up anything concrete. No criminal record, no outstanding warrants, no significant digital footprint. It was as if he’d simply materialized out of thin air.But I wasn't easily deterred. I had a picture of him, a clear, sharp image captured from a security camera outside Calista’s apartment. It wasn't much, but it w
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 25
CALVIN'S P. O. VI found Calista at her favorite café, a small, unassuming place tucked away on a quiet side street. She looked up as I approached, her eyes widening in surprise. She hadn't expected to see me, not after our last encounter. The tension in the air was obvious, a silent acknowledgment of the unresolved issues between us.I sat down opposite her, placing a thick file on the table. She looked at it, her brow furrowed in question. I didn't waste time with pleasantries. I laid it all out, dropping the bombshell without any warning."Calista," I began, my voice low and serious, "I need to tell you something. Something about Lewis."She looked at me, her eyes searching mine, a mixture of apprehension and curiosity in her gaze."What about him? Kung sisiraan mo lang s'ya sa akin, don't bother. Us, is over for so long. Kaya—”I opened the file, revealing the photographs, the documents, the digital records I showed her the blurry image from the bar, the one that had led me to Lew
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 26
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe anger hit me first, a tidal wave of rage that threatened to consume me.Pinaalis ko si Lewis—o si Niccolo nang hindi nag iisip ng mahinahon. I know, it was the right thing to do. Pero ngayon na unti-unti na akong nahihimasmasan, unti-unti ko na ring nararamdaman 'yung kawalan n'ya. Because yes, he fooled me. Niloko n'ya ako. And I felt like the dumbest creature on earth. The dumbest, most gullible, most pathetically naive woman in the world. But I liked him—no, I loved him.I spent hours pacing my apartment, the anger a burning fire in my gut, a consuming rage that threatened to consume me. I threw things, I screamed, I cursed. I smashed a few plates, much to the chagrin of my poor, unsuspecting neighbors. It was a cathartic release, a necessary purging of the rage that threatened to overwhelm me. Pero sa kabila ng lahat ng 'yon, parang wala pa rin. It didn't change the fact that I was fooled. Sa halip na mabawasan 'yung galit na nararamdaman ko, wala. Lumalala la
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 27
CALISTA'S P. O. VI spent hours of crying before my eyes finally drifted off to sleep. Pero nasira lang ang tulog na 'yon dahul sa malalakas na pagkatok—o pagkalabog sa pinto ng bahay ko. It was insistent, aggressive, shattering the quiet solitude I’d desperately sought. I braced myself, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. I knew, instinctively, who it was. Niccolo.Nakakainis mang isipin, pero ayoko namang hindi aminin na kahit niloko ako n'ya ako, umaasa pa rin ako na babalik s'ya. Magpapaliwanag s'ya.But when I opened the door, I felt nothing but disappointment. Imbis kasi na si Niccolo, si Calvin ang nabungaran ko pagbukas ng pinto. He's standing on my doorstep, flanked by two uniformed policemen. His face was grim, his eyes hard. He didn't bother to greet; he didn't bother with apologies. He barged into my apartment, the officers trailing behind him.“Niccolo Fibonacci,” he said, his voice sharp, his gaze unwavering. “We have a warrant for his arrest.”Nagulat ak
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 28
CALISTA'S P. O. VWala akong kakurap-kurap habang nakatitig sa isang article na nakita ko online. Tungkol 'yon sa mga Fibonacci; at sa pamilyang naging dahilan ng pagkakahuli ng mga ito—ang mga Sy. And yes, that Sy doesn't differ from the Sy I came from. And that Sy consists of my dad, Margaret, and Monica. Base sa mga nabasa at napanood ko, maraming nangyari kanila Daddy na nag-connect sa mga Fibonacci. Gano'n din ang mga nangyari sa mga Fibonacci na may kinalaman naman sa pamilya ko. Or should I say, dati kong pamilya. Tinakwil na nga pala nila ako.I just couldn't believe na hindi ko nabalitaan ang tungkol dito. Mukha namang nag-viral at naging talk of the town ang balita na 'to years ago. Kung nakarating lang sana agad sa akin 'tong balita na 'to, baka naprotektahan ko ang sarili ko kay Niccolo. Not from the harm he might cause me, but from the pain that I am suffering right now.As I was staring at a particular article, an idea sparked on my mind. Niccolo played with me. He foole
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 29
CALISTA'S P. O. VTwo lines. Two red lines. It was positive. I. AM. PREGNANT.Kung kailan handa na akong putulin lahat ng ugnayan na meron ako kay Niccolo at kalimutan s'ya, ngayon pa talaga.It was a cruel irony, a painful twist of fate, that the man who had caused me so much pain had also given me this gift, this miracle of life.I went through my home, systematically removing every trace of Niccolo. His clothes, my books that he used to read, his photographs—everything went into garbage bags, destined for the dumpster. It was a physical manifestation of severing ties, of removing him from my life. It was a painful process, each discarded item a reminder of the love I’d lost, the trust I’d betrayed. Ayokong gawin 'to pero kailangan. It was a crucial step in the healing process.Besides, balak ko na ring isara muna pansamantala ang bahay ko. If I will be going back to my family, I have to stay with them. Hindi dahil gusto ko, kundi para lang maging kapani-paniwala ang gagawin ko.Par
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 30
CALISTA'S P. O. VReturning to my family home felt surreal. It had been years since I’d set foot in this place, years since I’d felt the weight of their unspoken disapproval, the sting of their rejection. Now, I was back, not seeking their forgiveness or their acceptance, but seeking their help, their resources, their power. And what I found was far more complicated than I could have ever imagined.Matagal nang walang buhay sa bahay na 'to. Mula pa no'ng namatay si Mommy. Pero ngayon, parang mas tumamlay ang pakiramdam ko rito.As I entered the door, my father was waiting for me. He's in his wheelchair. Gano'n na raw ang pang araw-araw n'yang buhay mula no'ng nangyari 'yung aksidenteng 'yon.I walked towards him and hugged him for almost just a second. My face is blank."Long time no see, anak. A-Akala ko, hindi mo na ko dadalawin dito. I miss you—”"Dito na ho ako ulit titira. So, we don't have to be dramatic all over this.”My father gave me a strained smile, his eyes holding a hint
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 31
CALISTA'S P. O. V"Bakit mukhang bad mood ka ngayon? What happened?”When I went out, I decided to pay Ayi Hana a visit. Maggagala sana ako to unwind and vent my annoyance away. Pero nang dahil kay Margaret, nasira 'yung plano ko. And that made me want to see Ayi Hana instead.(Kwento ni Cali on paano nya nakilala si Niccolo, sa panloloko nito, hanggang sa plano nyang paghihiganti kaya umuwi sya sa bahay nila.)"That's why… I'm sorry, Ayi. I shouldn't been here. Sa ibang lugar dapat ako pupunta, but I ended up disturbing you. I'm so sorry,” pagtatapos ko. "Si Margaret kasi. Kung anu-anong nonsense 'yung pinagsasasabi. Dinamay ka pa!”"Really? Ano namang sinabi n'ya tungkol sa akin? For sure, hindi na naman maganda 'yan.”"Totoo! And it was the worse!”"Oh? Ano na namang issue ng babaeng bruha na 'yon sa akin?”I didn't speak. I took a sip from my coffee first before continuing."Dad had an extramarital affair daw. At ikaw 'yung other woman!” bulalas ko. "'Di ba? How crazy is she? Para
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27
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To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss EPILOGO
CALI'S P. O. VThe scent of freshly baked bread and cinnamon filled the air, a comforting aroma that mingled with the laughter of my son, Lewis, as he toddled around the kitchen, his chubby hands reaching for the colorful toys scattered on the floor. It was a scene of domestic bliss, a far cry from the sterile white walls of the Hong Kong hospital waiting room five years ago. Five years. Five years since Niccolo had walked back into my life, his eyes filled with regret and a desperate hope for a second chance. Five years since I had taken a leap of faith, a chance on a love that had once been shattered. Five years since we had built a life together, a life filled with laughter, love, and the sweet chaos of family. We were married now, our vows whispered under a canopy of blooming cherry blossoms, a symbol of new beginnings. Our wedding was small, intimate, a testament to the journey we had taken, the scars we had overcome. Hana was our maid of honor, her eyes sparkling with joy as s
To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 112
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe air in the hospital waiting room crackled with tension. Mabilis lang natapos ang operasyon kay Ayi Hana and it was successful. Mabilis lang at walang naging kahit anong aberya kaya hindi ko na kinailangang mamroblema. Kung may pinoproblema man ako ngayon, 'yun ay si Niccolo at si Calvin na bigla ring lumitaw dito sa ospital. I could have understand kung sa ospital sa Pilipinas lang sila biglang sumulpot nang halos sabay. But no! It was Hong Kong, for crying out loud! And since they met each other, I could already sense a silent storm brewing between them. I stood between them, a fragile bridge over a chasm of hurt and unspoken words. Niccolo, his face etched with regret and a desperate hope, looked at me, his eyes pleading for a chance, a second chance. But Calvin, his face a mask of icy resolve, stood firm, his gaze unwavering."Niccolo," Calvin said, his voice low and dangerous, "You think you can just waltz back into her life, after all this time and expect
To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 111
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe sterile white walls of the hospital waiting room seemed to amplify the silence between us, a silence thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Niccolo stood before me, his face a canvas of regret and longing, his eyes pleading for a chance, a second chance. But the chasm between us, carved by years of silence and the bitter sting of betrayal, seemed insurmountable.Ilang beses ko na s'yang pinaalis pero mukhang wala s'yang balak na makinig. Lalabas at papasok na lang ulit ako sa hospital room ni Ayi Hana ay nandoon pa rin s'ya sa labas—naghihintay. Kaya para matigil na s'ya sa ginagawa n'ya, naisip ko nang harapin s'ya for once and for all. "Cali," he began, his voice husky with emotion, "I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. But I've changed. I've spent years regretting my choices, wishing I could turn back time." His words washed over me, a tidal wave of regret and longing. I knew he was sincere, I could see it in his eyes, in the way his shoulders
To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 110
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe whirring of the airplane engine was a constant hum, a lullaby against the backdrop of my anxiety. Beside me, Ayi Hana slept, her hand clutching my own. Her face was peaceful, oblivious to the turmoil swirling within me. It was a journey I’d never imagined taking, a pilgrimage fueled by guilt and a desperate hope. I was taking her to Hong Kong, not for a holiday, but for a miracle. I had arranged everything for Ayi Hana’s surgery, a chance for her to see the world again after years of darkness. Dahil oo, nabulag s'ya. It was an accident—pero aksidente na alam kong sinadya ni Margaret ng anak n'yang demonyita na si Monica.The flight was long, filled with a mix of anticipation and dread. Finally, Hong Kong. The air was thick with humidity, the city a symphony of honking taxis and bustling crowds. I felt a strange sense of displacement, a feeling of being both a stranger and a strong, independent woman who is willing to do everything for the woman who stood as her
To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 109
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe air hung heavy with the scent of jasmine and the soft murmur of prayers. I stood at the threshold of Ayi Hana's room, my heart pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird. It had been months since I last saw her, years since the scandal that had ripped our family apart. Months since I had last called her "Ayi."She sat by the window, her frail hands clasped in her lap, her face etched with a weariness that spoke of years of sorrow. Her eyes, once bright and welcoming, were now clouded with a milky film, the light of life dimmed. "Ayi Hana," I whispered, my voice trembling.She turned, her head moving slowly, her lips curving into a faint, sad smile. "Cali," she said, her voice a raspy whisper. "You've come."I stepped into the room, the worn, familiar scent of sandalwood and incense washing over me. I knelt beside her, my hand reaching out to touch hers. It was cold, frail, a stark contrast to the warmth I remembered."I'm so sorry, Ayi," I said, my voice choke
To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 108
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe reconciliation with my father was a fragile thing, a delicate balance of forgiveness, understanding, and a shared grief. After years of estrangement, of resentment, of unspoken accusations, we finally stood together, embracing, our bodies trembling, our emotions raw. The weight of the past, the burden of the years, the pain of the separation— it all seemed to lift, to dissolve, to fade.“Calista,” my father whispered, his voice thick with emotion, his arms wrapped tightly around me. “My Calista. Anak ko, I’m so sorry.”“I know, Dad,” I replied, my voice barely a whisper, my own tears streaming down my face. “I know.”“I was wrong,” he continued, his voice laced with a genuine remorse. “I was blinded by Margaret, by her lies, by her manipulations. I didn’t see what she was doing. I didn’t protect you. Kayo ng mommy mo. I failed you. I failed our family.”“It’s okay, Dad,” I said, my voice soft, my tone reassuring. “It’s over now. We’re together again. And promis
To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 107
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe courtroom was a pressure cooker, the air thick with tension, the atmosphere charged with anticipation. Margaret’s trial had been swift, the evidence overwhelming, the verdict inevitable. Multiple charges, multiple convictions— she was facing a lifetime behind bars, a fitting punishment for her crimes. Monica, her accomplice, her equally culpable daughter, was also being sought, her complicity in Margaret’s schemes now undeniable.The inquest was a formality, a mere procedural step in the larger process of justice. But the tension in the courtroom was palpable, the atmosphere charged with a volatile energy. And then, chaos erupted. Men, their faces masked, their weapons drawn, stormed the courtroom, gunfire shattering the tense silence, sending the room into pandemonium. Margaret’s new boyfriend’s men, I realized with a chilling certainty. Their objective was clear— to make Margaret be able to escape.The scene unfolded in a blur of motion, a chaotic ballet of
To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 106
CALISTA'S P. O. VTwo days. It had only taken two days. Two days since I’d sent the evidence to Calvin, two days since I’d confronted Margaret, two days since I’d resolved to channel my anger into action. And now, the call came, Calvin’s voice crisp, his tone controlled. Margaret had a warrant. Her arrest had been swift, almost too easy, facilitated by her very presence in my home. The irony was not lost on me.The details of her interrogation were chilling, the confession even more so. It had been Margaret, my stepmother, the woman who had pretended to care for my father, who had orchestrated my mother’s death. And she’d confessed, not out of remorse, not out of guilt, but out of a chilling, almost gleeful sense of triumph.Her voice, cold and devoid of emotion, echoed in my ears, her words a venomous sting that pierced my heart, ignited my fury. “You’re so clever! Hindi ko naisip na magagawa mo 'to. In fact, hindi ko inisip na ikaw pala ang makaka discover ng mga ginawa ko,” she
To Keep a Homeless Mafia Boss KABANATA 105
CALISTA'S P. O. VKinabukasan. Sa office. May mga dumating pang bagong ebidensya galing kay Rexia. The digital copies of the evidence arrived as promised, a weighty collection of documents that confirmed Rexia’s account, solidified my suspicions, and fueled my anger. The photographs, the financial records, the communication logs— they were all damning, all irrefutable. Margaret’s treachery, her greed, her ruthlessness— it was all laid bare, exposed, undeniable.Without hesitation, I made copies of everything, ensuring I had a backup before sending the originals to Calvin. He’d promised to review the evidence and take appropriate action, his assurance a reassuring balm to my simmering anger. The weight of responsibility, the burden of expectation— it was heavy, but I carried it with a newfound resolve, a steeled determination.Returning home, I found Margaret and Monica waiting, their presence a stark reminder of the simmering conflict that lay beneath the surface of our uneasy truce.
