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All Chapters of Love Amidst Deceit: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5
5 Chapters
Prologue
Love Amidst Deceit/Dara Vergara
It was Sunday, a day meant for rest. I left the mansion early to attend Mass, following my usual Sunday routine. I would visit the church that my family and I used to attend when they were still alive. Now, I go alone, offering prayers to remember and honor them. After Mass, I would have a brief chat with Aling Andeng, a sampaguita vendor outside the church whom I met when I returned to the Philippines. She has become like a mother to me. She once told me that she lives alone and supports herself, so I make it a habit to buy a sampaguita from her whenever I can.“Mauna na ako, Aling Andeng, may lakad pa ho kasi ako. Salamat po pala dito sa libreng almusal,” nakangiting sabi ko sa kaniya. “Nako, wala iyon. Oh siya, mag-iingat ka ha!” sabi niya, na sinagot ko ng tango.Hindi pa ako nakakalayo ng simbahan nang mag-ring ang cellphone ko. It was Mando; agad ko itong sinagot. “Hinahanap ka ni Mayor, may kailangan daw kayong pag-usapan,” he said, sounding a bit hurried.“Okay! Pauwe na ako
Last Updated : 2025-01-16Chapter One
Love Amidst Deceit/Dara Vergara
Selena’s POVI forced a sweet smile as I entered the crystal-studded ballroom. I attended a charity gala with Agustin and Mando; it is one of his million ways to secure the upcoming election. The theme of the party is Mystery Gala, and I am wearing a black sequined, body-hugging floor-length dress and a black mask that just covers my eyes.From a distance, I saw Leonardo, dressed in a black tuxedo and wearing a mask almost identical to mine. He was looking at me, smiling as if nothing was wrong. I would have felt a flutter in my chest, if only I hadn’t discovered the depth of his betrayal. I ignored him and turned my attention elsewhere. I pretended he was nothing to me. I knew he wouldn’t mind, and he’d understand if I told him I was just being careful, in case he decided to confront me. We both knew why we were there. He was there to negotiate with Agustin's opponent, and I was there to accompany Agustin, playing the part of a faithful right-hand person.I was standing next to Agust
Last Updated : 2025-01-16Chapter Two
Love Amidst Deceit/Dara Vergara
Leonardo’s POVI finally woke up from a long sleep when I heard my phone ringing. My eyes were still closed as my hand fumbled around the side table next to the bed, searching for my phone. I picked it up as soon as my fingers made contact with it."Hola!" I answered, still with my eyes shut."It’s Vania, idiot! Amanda told me you’ve been ignoring her calls." Vania’s voice came through the line, irritated. "There’s a Charity Ball tonight that you need to attend. She said Miguel Sandoval will be there.""I was out having fun last night. I’ll call her later. Bye." I hung up.I opened my eyes, the pounding in my head a reminder of how much I drank last night. I’d gone to a drug party with some old friends here in the Philippines. They must’ve missed me because they gave me a Russian hooker as a welcome-back gift. It wasn’t the first time, and I wasn’t the type to turn down a gift—especially when my friends had paid five thousand dollars for her.For me, having sex with another woman othe
Last Updated : 2025-01-16Chapter Three
Love Amidst Deceit/Dara Vergara
Andrew’s POVHindi ko itatangi na noon, ayoko talaga kay Selena nang unang beses ko siya makilala. Kung paano siya magsalita, kung paano siya gumalaw, kung paano niya dalhin ang sarili niya, at kung paano niya ako pagalitan at pagsabihan tuwing binibigyan ko ng sakit ng ulo si Dad. Akala ko noon ay masyado siyang nagpapabida sa trabaho, dahil gusto niyang mapansin siya ni Dad. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ang init ng ulo ko tuwing nandiyan siya, pero ngayon, naiintindihan ko na. Siguro ay dahil gusto ko siya para sa akin, at hindi para kay Dad. Kaya naiinis ako kapag nakikita kong nagtatawanan sila sa tuwing may pinag-uusapan silang dalawa. Parang may inggit ako na hindi ko kayang ipaliwanag noon. Siguro, natatakot akong ilayo niya ang loob sa akin ni Dad, at natatakot ako magustuhan siya ni Dad. Dahil gusto ko siya.I’ve come to understand myself better now. I've realized that Selena isn’t my enemy. She holds meaning in my life—her strength, beauty, and care for me remind me that
Last Updated : 2025-01-16Chapter Four
Love Amidst Deceit/Dara Vergara
Selena’s POVSa tuwing madadatnan ko si Agustin sa kaniyang opisina madalas ko siyang naabutang nag susulat, kagaya na lamang ngayon. Sa isang blue leather notebook, madalas ko siyang makita na hawak iyon. At sa tuwing may mga tao sa paligid niya ay awtomatiko niya itong isinasara. Pakiramdam ko ay may itinatago siya sa notebook na iyon."Nakausap ko na po ang campaign manager niyo, andito na lahat ng mga detalye ng inyong kampanya pati na ang target budget at mga platform idea na maaari niyong magamit." Paliwanag ko sabay abot ng isang folder sa kanya. Agad niya itong kinuha mula sa akin at pinasadahan ng tingin ang nilalaman nito."Salamat, pag-aaralan ko ito lahat mamaya. Mauna ka na nga pala umuwi dahil may aasikasuhin kami ni Mando tungkol sa pera. Paki-bantayan na lang rin si Andrew, bukas na kami makakauwi." Sinagot ko lamang siya ng isang tango habang nakangiti.Tamang tama dahil kung wala si Mando at Agustin ngayong gabi ay malaya akong makakagalaw at maghalughog sa studyroo
Last Updated : 2025-01-16
