"MGA WALANG HIYA KAYONG LAHAT, PATI MAMA KO DINAMAY NIYO PA!" Galit na sigaw ko at isang malutong na sampal na naman ang nakuha ko sa kalbong lalaki. Tinali niya na ako sa silyang katabi ni Mama na wala pa ring malay. Hindi ko mapigilan na magalit at maiyak habang tinitignan ang mga sugat sa pisngi ni mama. "ANONG GINAWA NIYO SA KANYA! MGA HAYOP KAYO!" "Ernesto? Turukan mo na kaya 'yan ang ingay! ang sakit sa tenga." "Ge pre, pero magsasaya muna ako bago ko gawin 'yan." "Oo na, gawin mo na lang ang gusto mo total walang malay pa naman itong si Jun." Nakangising aso na lumalapit sa akin ang kalbong lalaki. Pero hindi ako nasindak sa kanya, sa galit ko ngayon wala akong ibang maisip kundi ang kagustuhang patayin siya. Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko at marahas na hinaplos ang magulong buhok ko. "Anong gagawin mo!?" Puno ng galit na usal ko at tumawa lang siya. "Tang ina! Ang gusto ko talaga sa babae ay ang ma-attitude at tsaka hard to get." Nag-ngising aso na naman siya at nagulat a
"A-anak? Sobrang nag-aalala ako sa'yo, apat na araw na kitang hinahanap Laura..." Napaiyak ako sa sinabi ni Mama at gustong-gusto ko siyang yakapin pero parehong nakatali ang kamay namin sa likuran. "M-ma... I'm sorry sana nakinig ako sa inyo. Tama nga kayo sana lumayo na lang ako..." "L-laura." Umiling si Mama at tipid na ngumiti "sa maniwala ka man o sa hindi. Hinahanap ka rin niya at..." "Wag na nga kayong mag-dramahan d'yan! Eric, lagyan niyo na ni Jun nang tape ang mga bibig nila..." "T-teka wag! Please po... Pakawalan niyo na kami ni Mama." Pero hindi sila nakinig at linagyan nga nila ng tape ang mga bibig namin. Natatakot ako sa maaring mangyari sa amin. Pagkatapos makalabas nila ni Lea ay agad-agad nag-usap silang Ernesto malayo sa amin. Nakatingin na lang ako kay Mama ngayon habang umiiyak. Lord, kung ano man ang plano nilang masama sa amin sana iligtas niyo kami. Nagulat ako ng nilagyan nila kami ng mga piring sa mata. Kaya tinubuan ako ng sobrang kaba at takot lalo
In the middle of grasping for my final breath, there were sudden hands that grabbed me and lifted me out of the river. And then he patted my cheek harshly so I could wake up. Because of what happened to me, I can't hardly see his face or recognise him. "Laura, don't die on me, please!" He shouted, and I felt his tears falling down his cheeks into mine. "L-lukas?" I said it weakly and forced a smile. I thought he was... I thought Archival was the man who saved me. But now I'm happy to see Lukas. I don't know if I will survive these injuries and the deep wounds, but I'm really putting my trust in him that maybe maligtas niya kami ni Mama sa bingit ng kamatayan. and everything went black. **** The noise of machines around me rang into my ears. Unti-unting dinilat ko ang mga mata ko at biglang may lumapit sa aking babae na may suot ng puting damit. Napatingin ako sa kanya pero nagulat ako ng bigla siyang tumakbo palayo sa akin. Nasaan ako? Linibot ko ang paningin ko sa paligid at
Isang linggo na akong nakakulong sa malaking kwarto na 'to. Hindi naman ako ganun kalungkot, kasi hindi ako pinababayaan ni Lukas. Madalas din dumalaw si Dr. Kaleb at narito si Nurse Anne, na palaging handang tumulong sa akin-tinutulungan akong ayusin ang mga nakakabit na aparato sa katawan ko at nakatuon sa oras ng pagpapainom ng mga gamot ko.Pero kahit isang beses, hindi ko na nakita ulit ang matandang lalaki na pumasok dito nang magising ako. Paulit-ulit ko na ring tinatanong si Lukas tungkol sa kanya, pero tuwing binanggit ko siya, laging iniiba niya ang usapan."You're now improving, Ms. Laura. Pwede ka nang lumabas sa kwartong ito simula bukas. Para naman makasagap ka ng preskong hangin... Makakatulong 'yon sa mental health mo, at sa batang nasa tiyan mo," ani ni Dr. Kaleb habang binabasa ang diagnosis ko sa mga papel na hawak niya. Tumango lang ako nang mariin at muling tumingin sa labas ng bintana, iniisip ang mga tanong na wala pang kasagutan.Hapon na kaya nagkulay kahel na
I spotted Lukas in the crowd, holding a huge bouquet of roses. My heart skipped a beat as I smiled and quickly made my way to him. "Congratulations, you really did great!" he said, kissing me on the cheek before handing me the enormous bouquet. I grinned and wrapped him in a tight hug. "Thank you, Lukas. This is so beautiful! Where's Riley?" Lukas gently led me out of the crowd. It felt surreal—just moments ago, I had walked across the stage to receive my diploma in my Masters degree from one of London’s most prestigious universities. Four years had passed since I left the Philippines with Lukas and my son Riley. The journey hadn’t been easy, but with Lukas’ support and the guidance of Papa Lucio, my grandfather, I had made it through. "He's with his granddad, but they are waiting for you sa mansion. We will have a celebration for this."natawa ako at inabot ang kamay ni Lukas para igiya ako sa sasakyan na naghihintay sa amin sa labas. Everything feels perfect now. I’ve rega
The salty air wraps around me, making my long, wavy brown hair dance along with my summer dress. Dry leaves swirl at my feet as I kneel down, gently brushing away the dirt on her grave. "Kamusta ka na, Ma? I'm sorry ngayon lang ako nakadalaw..." My voice trembles, thick with emotion. I swallow hard, trying to hold back the tears welling in my eyes. "Mommy? Why are we here?" Riley’s small voice breaks the silence as he sits beside me. I pull him closer, and hug him from his back. "This is where my mama rests forever. She's your lola..."Kumunot ang noo ng anak ko, kaya natawa ako dahil sa ekspresyon niya. Riley is a bright and smart child, at parati rin siyang may mga tanong—at iyon ang dahilan kung bakit siya laging mulat sa mga nangyayari sa paligid. "Is she in heaven now, Momma?" tanong niya, ang inosenteng mata’y nakatingin lang sa akin. Tumango ako at hinaplos ang kanyang ulo. "She is now our guardian angel, baby." Hindi na kami nagtagal sa memorial site ni Mama. Ikalawa
With confidence, I walked into the exclusive meeting room—isang pagtitipon na tanging dalawampung piling tao lang ang naimbitahan. Natahimik ang lahat nang pumasok ako, at agad kong naramdaman ang mga matang nakatutok sa akin, na puno ng pagtataka at pagkabigla. "May I have the honor to know your name, Ms.?" magalang na tanong ni Mr. Monsanto. Hindi niya ako nakilala dahil sa suot kong mask. Halos lahat ng narito ay inalis na ang kanilang mga maskara, eager to show off their fancy attire and flaunt how wealthy they were to be part of this prestigious project. But I remained hidden behind mine, unwilling to reveal my identity just yet."Hernandez..." I lazily replied, making him stiffen. Maingat niya akong iginiya sa upuang nakalaan para sa kanya mismo, dahilan para magulat ang mga investor at shareholder—nagtataka kung bakit ako ang nakaupo sa lugar na dapat ay kay Mr. Monsanto.""Please continue with what you were discussing, Mr. Monsanto. Pay me no mind," diretsong sabi ko, dahi
I drove straight to my office at Primo Shipline building because I had important meetings with Mr. Monsato. Yes, the business is under his name, but l'll be real—I’m the brain behind everything, I'm the foundation of this big project. Sa totoo lang, sa akin talaga ‘to, but I had to name it after him para mas madali akong makapasok sa Costa Fuego. Dito, halos lahat ng negosyo ay hawak ng mga pamilyang Del Fuego. I can’t really blame them. Ang mga Del Fuego kasi ang may pinakamalaking monopoly sa bayan na ‘to—once they set their eyes on something, they take full control. Pero hindi naman ako gan’on kadaling magpapatalo. I won’t ruin their business outright—hindi pa. I have a plan, and it’s been in motion since the beginning. Pagpasok ko sa building, sinalubong ako ng mga empleyado. I gave them a small smile, exchanging a few lighthearted greetings. Hindi naman ako suplada sa kanila—after all, they work for me, and I want them to feel comfortable with me as their boss. This kind
The air between us was thick, suffocating, as if the universe itself held its breath. Archival’s eyes burned into mine—wild, dark, consuming. He looked like a man on the edge, like a predator who had finally cornered his prey.His hands cupped my face, his thumb tracing my trembling lips. "Fuck," he murmured, his voice low, husky, dangerous. "You drive me insane. Years, Laura... years of wanting, searching… and ngayon nandito kana sa harapan ko."His lips crashed onto mine—urgent, desperate, like a man claiming what was always his. His kiss wasn’t soft; it was punishing, full of rage and longing all at once. I felt my back hit the wall, his body pressing against mine, solid, unyielding, inescapable."Tell me to stop," he growled against my lips, his breath hot against my skin as his hands roamed, tracing the curves he once memorized. "Tell me you don’t want this."Pero hindi ko kaya. Instead, my fingers tangled into his hair, pulling him closer, pressing myself against him like I nee
I cleaned myself up and put on the clothes he gave me, pero hindi ako mapakali.I knew he had figured it out, lalo na’t carbon copy niya ang anak ko. And knowing him, I was sure alam na niya. I couldn’t keep pretending na hindi ako si Luara.I brushed my hair and looked at my reflection. Without makeup, my face was bare—still holding the same angelic features I despised the most.Lumabas na ako ng comfort room, wearing the oversized T-shirt he lent me. He also gave me a pair of shorts, but they were far too big for my frame. His shirt like a length of dress for me, kaya nagdesisyon akong huwag na lang isuot ang shorts.The sound of heavy rain filled the air. Hindi ko inakalang uulan pa ngayon. My eyes wandered to Riley, who was now awake and playing with Archival.They were playing chess.Napairap ako. My son is smart—I know that all too well. But it still amaz
Papunta kami sa maliit na villa na nadaanan ko kanina.Riley was holding the tip of his shirt while Archival carried me in his arms—just like a bride.His bride.I couldn’t shake off that thought. This could have been my man. My child’s father. My own family. Pero nakakatawa mang aminin, I wished na ganito na lang sana. But I knew it was impossible. He was married—to the very woman who had hurt me the most. I didn’t even know if kasabwat siya sa nangyari 4 years ago. The bitterness was overwhelming, knowing that this man was holding me now as if I were the most fragile woman in his life.Muli kong naalala ang panahon kung kailan kinarga niya rin si Lea ng ganito noong nahimatay siya. A sudden wave of irritation and frustration surged through me."I can walk… you can drop me now," I said, my voice laced with annoyance.He met my eyes, his gaze unwavering. "I told you… I’ll kiss you if you don’t shut your pretty mouth.""May I remind you, Mr. Del Fuego, you’re married, and I am not the
Halos isang oras na kaming naglalakad at palipat-lipat ng lugar, pero hindi pa rin namin makita si Riley. My heart is pounding so hard, and my hands are shaking as I keep shouting his name. "Find him!" Sigaw ko, halos sumisigaw na sa takot. "I paid all of you, bakit hindi niyo napansin ang anak ko?!" My voice cracked, and tears streamed down my face. I was furious, but more than that, I was terrified. I fumbled with my phone, trying to call Lukas and Papa Lucio, but no signal. Wala sila sa Costa Fuego ngayon—nasa Maynila sila para sa isang importanteng pagtitipon para sa mga business partners ng aming Azucarera. I was supposed to be there, pero dahil sa nangyari, sila na lang ang nag-representa. I feel so helpless. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. This is my fault. Sana hindi na lang ako lumabas kasama ang anak ko..."Lord! Please, not Riley… wag niyo siyang kunin sa akin," naiiyak kong bulong haba
Pagkagising ko, agad kong iginala ang aking mga mata, trying to figure out where I was. Ilang segundo akong tulala bago ko napansin ang anak ko na mahimbing na natutulog sa tabi ko. His small chest gently rose and fell with each breath, looking so peaceful. Kahit papaano, gumaan ang pakiramdam ko knowing he was safe beside me. Pero ako? I felt terrible. My whole body was weak, and my head felt so heavy—parang may malaking semento na nakapatong dito. Sobrang bigat sa pakiramdam, para bang ilang araw akong hindi nakakain. Even breathing felt exhausting. Muli kong iginala ang paningin ko, looking for Lukas, at hindi niya ako binigo. Nakita ko siyang nasa sulok, nakasandal sa pader habang nakaupo, his arms crossed, his head slightly tilted to the side. His face looked so exhausted, as if he had stayed awake for too long before finally dozing off. "Anong nangyari?"
Saglit akong natigilan bago ako tuluyang tumayo at sinimulang pulutin ang nagkalat na mga papel sa sahig. Agad namang kumilos ang butler ko upang tumulong sa akin. Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang presensya ni Archival na nakatayo ngayon sa harapan ko. "Ano na naman kaya ang sadya nito? Their products are now successfully shipped sa Italy..." bulong ko sa sarili ko habang patuloy sa pag-aayos. Napahinto ako nang sabay naming damputin ang parehong papel. His hand slightly brushed against mine, and for a moment, everything felt still. Nagtagpo ang aming mga mata. Those damn sleepy, jet-black eyes hypnotized me again, pulling me into a trance, that I didn’t ask for. Napalunok ako, pilit na pinakalma ang sarili, at bahagyang tumikhim upang basagin ang namumuong kaba sa dibdib ko. "Thank you, Mr. Del Fuego..." I muttered, trying to regain my composure bago ako umupo sa aking swivel chair. "Ano an
That night, hindi talaga ako nakatulog. No matter how many times I tossed and turned, one face kept haunting my mind—and that's Archival’s face. The way he looked at me kanina sa office. That lingering gaze— na noon, it used to make my knees weak, pero ngayon? I hate it more than anything else. "And a wife? I don’t have a wife… not yet."His words kept echoing in my head like a broken record. Napatawa ako ng mapakla. "Impossible…" Three years ago, I received a news. Si Papa Lucio mismo ang nagbigay sa akin non, while Riley was in my arms... Malinaw pa sa bagong labas na magazine—sila dalawa ni Lea, happily married, the picture perfect couple, standing side by side as they tied the knot. I can still remember how shattered I was, seeing Lea in her breathtaking designer made wedding gown, standing beside Archival—stoic as always, yet undeniably striking handsome in his suit. Walang duda. He’s a sweet-tounged liar.Nasa may terrace ako ngayon, nakaharap sa magandang dagat ng Cost
I drove straight to my office at Primo Shipline building because I had important meetings with Mr. Monsato. Yes, the business is under his name, but l'll be real—I’m the brain behind everything, I'm the foundation of this big project. Sa totoo lang, sa akin talaga ‘to, but I had to name it after him para mas madali akong makapasok sa Costa Fuego. Dito, halos lahat ng negosyo ay hawak ng mga pamilyang Del Fuego. I can’t really blame them. Ang mga Del Fuego kasi ang may pinakamalaking monopoly sa bayan na ‘to—once they set their eyes on something, they take full control. Pero hindi naman ako gan’on kadaling magpapatalo. I won’t ruin their business outright—hindi pa. I have a plan, and it’s been in motion since the beginning. Pagpasok ko sa building, sinalubong ako ng mga empleyado. I gave them a small smile, exchanging a few lighthearted greetings. Hindi naman ako suplada sa kanila—after all, they work for me, and I want them to feel comfortable with me as their boss. This kind
With confidence, I walked into the exclusive meeting room—isang pagtitipon na tanging dalawampung piling tao lang ang naimbitahan. Natahimik ang lahat nang pumasok ako, at agad kong naramdaman ang mga matang nakatutok sa akin, na puno ng pagtataka at pagkabigla. "May I have the honor to know your name, Ms.?" magalang na tanong ni Mr. Monsanto. Hindi niya ako nakilala dahil sa suot kong mask. Halos lahat ng narito ay inalis na ang kanilang mga maskara, eager to show off their fancy attire and flaunt how wealthy they were to be part of this prestigious project. But I remained hidden behind mine, unwilling to reveal my identity just yet."Hernandez..." I lazily replied, making him stiffen. Maingat niya akong iginiya sa upuang nakalaan para sa kanya mismo, dahilan para magulat ang mga investor at shareholder—nagtataka kung bakit ako ang nakaupo sa lugar na dapat ay kay Mr. Monsanto.""Please continue with what you were discussing, Mr. Monsanto. Pay me no mind," diretsong sabi ko, dahi