L O W K E Yの小説

Isabelle POV Medyo malamig pa ang simoy ng hangin nang lumabas ako sa balcony ng villa ko. May bakas pa ng ambon sa mga dahon ng niyog sa paligid. Sabado ngayon, at kahit sinabihan ako ni Rajah na magpahinga muna dahil wala namang pasok ang karamihan sa mga trabahador, hindi ko pa rin mapigilang magising nang maaga. Nakasanayan na ng katawan ko ang schedule sa site. Bitbit ang kape ko, naupo ako sa outdoor chair at binuksan ang laptop. Isang notification mula sa Starry app ang lumabas—isang mensahe mula sa isa sa mga readers ko na nagtatanong kung kailan ang update ng sinusulat kong story. Napangiti ako. Minsan, nakakalimutan kong bukod sa pagiging Architect, isa rin pala akong manunulat sa mata ng ibang tao. “Ang aga naman ng trabaho niyan.” Napalingon ako sa gilid. Si Rajah, nakatayo sa pathway sa baba ng balcony ko. Naka-jogging pants siya at hoodie, mukhang kakatapos lang tumakbo. Pawis na pawis siya pero fresh pa rin tignan. “Hindi naman work ‘to. Chini-check ko lang ‘yung u

Isabelle POVAlas-singko na ng hapon. Ang tunog ng backhoe sa Phase 4 ay huminto na, at ang tanging naririnig ko na lang ay ang pagliligpit ng mga gamit nina Leo sa baba. Nakatayo ako sa balcony ng Cabin 1, bitbit ang isang baso ng iced tea. Pinapanood ko ang paglubog ng araw na nagbibigay ng orange na tint sa mga salamin ng cabin. Ngayon ang unang gabi na wala nang ingay ng usapin tungkol kay Justin, at parang sa wakas, humihinga na nang malalim ang buong site.“Architect, tapos na kami sa clearing ng footing area. Pwede na kaming mag-pour ng semento bukas ng umaga,” tawag ni Leo mula sa baba. Nakatingala siya sa akin, punong-puno ng alikabok ang suot na t-shirt pero malapad ang ngiti.“Sige, Leo. Salamat. Siguraduhin niyo lang na naka-cover ng trapal ‘yung mga bagong bukas na semento, mukhang uulan mamayang gabi,” sagot ko habang kumakaway sa kanya.“Noted, Architect! Una na kami!” kaway niya pabalik bago sumakay sa service truck.Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng glass door sa likuran ko.

Isabelle POV Maaga pa lang ay maingay na sa Phase 4. Ngayon ang pormal na pag-uumpisa ng construction para sa Community Center. Hindi gaya ng mga naunang cabins na medyo pribado ang dating, ang event na ito ay dinaluhan ng ilang opisyal mula sa lokal na pamahalaan, ang mga pamilya ng mga trabahador, at siyempre, ang kooperatiba nina Nanay Elena. “Architect, ‘yung pala na gagamitin para sa ceremonial digging, nilagyan na namin ng ribbon. Masyado bang baduy?” tanong ni Leo habang kinakamot ang ulo. Itinuro niya ang dalawang pala na may malaking gold ribbon sa hawakan. Natawa ako nang bahagya. “Ayos na ‘yan, Leo. Ritual lang naman. Ang importante, ready na ‘yung markers para sa actual na paghuhukay mamaya pagkatapos ng program.” “Ready na po lahat, Architect. Naka-abang na rin ‘yung backhoe sa likod ng mga puno para hindi masyadong maingay habang may nagsasalita sa harap,” ulat ni Leo. Maya-maya, natanaw ko si Rajah na kausap ang bise-alkalde at ilang miyembro ng tourism board. Naka

Isabelle POV Maaga pa lang ay nasa site na ako, hindi para sa Cabin 2, kundi para sa clearing ng Phase 4. Dito namin balak itayo ang community center—ang proyektong malapit sa puso ko dahil ito ang magiging permanenteng tahanan para sa mga gawa nina Nanay Elena. Bitbit ang aking measuring tape at laser meter, sinimulan kong markahan ang mga puno na hindi dapat galawin. “Architect, parang mas malawak ‘tong area na ‘to kaysa sa nasa layout natin dati,” puna ni Leo habang tinutulungan akong hatakin ang mahabang tape measure. “I-nadjust ko kasi ang setback, Leo. Gusto ko, ‘yung workshop area nina Nanay Elena ay may sapat na natural light pero hindi mainit. Ayokong gumamit sila ng aircon doon hangga’t maaari,” paliwanag ko habang tinitignan ang taas ng canopy ng mga puno. “Maganda ‘yan, Architect. Para tipid sa kuryente at mas masarap maghabi kapag mahangin,” sagot ni Leo. Maya-maya, natanaw ko ang grupo nina Nanay Elena na paakyat sa burol. Kasama nila si Rajah na mukhang seryosong n

Isabelle POVMabilis ang tibok ng puso ko habang hinihintay kong mag-load ang file na pinadala ni Maya. Ang bagal ng internet dito sa villa kapag gabi, lalo na’t maulan na naman sa labas. Nang sa wakas ay bumukas ang PDF, muntik ko nang mabitawan ang phone ko.Sa screen, kitang-kita ang Cabin 1 sa ilalim ng dapit-hapon. Ang anggulo ay mula sa baba ng slope, kaya mukhang matayog ang structure pero hindi nakakasakal sa paningin. Ang headline sa itaas ay simple lang: “Forest Cabins: Where Modernity Meets the Wild.” Sa baba, nakalagay ang pangalan ko at ni Rajah bilang lead architect at developer.“Architect! Gising ka pa?”Nagulat ako nang marinig ang katok sa pinto ng balcony ko. Binuksan ko ang glass door at nakita si Rajah, basang-basa ang buhok at naka-hoodie.“Rajah? Bakit ka nandito? Akala ko ba matutulog ka na?” tanong ko habang pinapapasok siya.“Hindi ako makatulog. Nakita mo na ba?” tanong niya agad. Iniharap niya ang kanyang phone sa akin. Bukas din ang email ni Maya sa kanya.

Isabelle POV Maaga pa lang ay ramdam na ang tensyon sa Phase 3. Hindi ito ang tensyon ng construction na nakasanayan ko, kundi ang kaba ng pagtanggap ng mga unang tao na susubok sa Cabin 1. Kahit hindi pa ito ang grand launch, nag-decide si Rajah na magkaroon ng "soft opening" para sa ilang piling guests at board members. "Architect, 'yung toiletries sa banyo, naka-set up na po. 'Yung mga bamboo toothbrush at charcoal soap na galing sa local supplier, naka-display na," ulat ni Claire habang hinihingal na umaakyat sa deck. "Salamat, Claire. 'Yung mga towels? Siguraduhin mong malambot at walang himulmol. Ayokong magmukhang hamak 'yung ganda ng slate flooring natin dahil lang sa pangit na tuwalya," bilin ko habang tinitignan ang repleksyon ng mga puno sa bagong linis na glass walls. "Opo, double check na po 'yun ni Housekeeping. Architect, si Sir Rajah pala, nandoon sa baba, kinakausap 'yung mga unang darating. Parang ang aga yata nila?" sabi ni Claire sabay turo sa direksyon ng kals

HERA POV Alas-sais pa lang ng umaga, nasa lobby na kaming lahat. Medyo maga pa ang mga mata ni Monica, at si Kyle naman ay nakasandal sa pader habang nakapikit pa rin, pero kompleto na ang gamit namin. Mas marami kaming dalang flashlights ngayon, plus extra batteries at safety ropes na ipinahiram ng hotel security. "O, gising na lahat? Breakfast muna tayo bago bumiyahe. Mahaba-habang akyatan uli 'to," sabi ni Liam. Naka-cargo pants siya at asul na dry-fit shirt, mukhang ready na ready na talagang pumasok sa kuweba. "Sir, may dala po kaming ziplock bags para sa mga samples ng bato, kung sakaling kailanganin," ulat ni Enzo habang inaayos ang strap ng kanyang backpack. "Good. Tara, kain muna." Pagkatapos ng mabilis na buffet breakfast, sumakay na kami sa van. Mas tahimik ang biyahe ngayon kumpara kahapon. Siguro dahil alam na namin ang hirap ng daan, o baka dahil lahat kami ay iniisip kung ano ang bubungad sa amin sa loob ng kuwebang iyon. Pagdating sa site sa Balamban, mas pr

HERA POV "Tubig muna, Architect. Baka ma-heatstroke tayo rito, mahirap na," sabi ni Enzo habang inaabutan ako ng isang malamig na bote ng mineral water. "Salamat, Enzo," sagot ko pagkatapos kong punasan ang pawis sa noo ko gamit ang likod ng kamay ko. Alas-onse na ng umaga at tirik na tirik ang araw dito sa Balamban. Kahit nasa itaas kami ng bundok at may paminsan-minsang ihip ng hangin, ramdam pa rin ang tindi ng sikat ng araw. Ang puting vest at hard hat na suot namin ay parang nagdadagdag pa sa init. Sa harap namin, ang malawak na damuhan ay tila sumasayaw sa hangin, pero ang isip ko ay nakatutok sa kurbada ng lupa. "Kyle, 'yung drone? Naka-capture ba 'yung creek area?" sigaw ni Liam mula sa kabilang side ng slope. Nakatayo siya malapit sa isang malaking puno ng banyan, hawak ang kanyang laser rangefinder. "Yes, Sir! Naka-tatlong pass na ako. Detailed na 'yung topo data natin para sa riparian zone," ganting sigaw ni Kyle habang nakatitig sa controller niya. "Landing na ako in

HERA POV "Architect, sigurado na po ba tayo sa weight capacity nitong soil samples? Baka masyadong malambot ang lupa sa Cebu site," tanong ni Enzo habang inilalatag ang bagong laboratory report sa desk ko. Alas-diyes ng gabi, at kaming dalawa na lang ni Enzo ang naiwan sa drafting area. Si Liam ay nasa conference room pa, kausap ang mga investors via Zoom, habang sina Kyle at Monica ay pinauwi ko na dahil kailangan nilang mag-impake para sa flight namin bukas ng madaling araw. "Base sa report, Enzo, kailangan nating mag-piling sa bandang creek. Pero the rest of the property, solid naman ang bedrock," sagot ko habang minamarkahan ng red pen ang blueprint. "Huwag kang masyadong mag-alala. Bukas, makikita natin 'yan in person. Mas madaling mag-decide kapag nandoon na tayo sa actual site." Tumango si Enzo at nagsimulang iligpit ang mga compass at scale rule niya. "First time ko pong sasama sa site visit na ganito kalaki ang scope. Medyo nakaka-pressure po pala." "Normal lang 'yan," s

HERA POV Medyo makulimlim ang langit pagbaba namin ni Liam sa Laguna site. Alas-siyete pa lang ng umaga, pero ramdam ko na ang bigat ng hangin. Hindi ito ‘yung preskong hangin na karaniwan naming dinadatnan dito; may halong kaba akong nararamdaman habang papalapit kami sa Unit C. “Mang Jojo!” tawag ni Liam habang mabilis na naglalakad. Nakita namin ang aming foreman na nakatayo sa labas ng unit, garalgal ang boses habang may kausap sa telepono. Pagkakita sa amin, ibinaba niya agad ang phone at lumapit na tila hiyang-hiya. “Architect Liam, Ma’am Hera, pasensya na po talaga. Hindi ko rin po inaasahan na ganito ang mangyayari,” bungad ni Mang Jojo. “Anong nangyari? Iyong batch ng tiles, nasaan?” tanong ko habang sumisilip sa loob ng bahay. “Iyon na nga po, Ma’am. Pagkakabit po ng mga bata kahapon ng hapon, hindi namin masyadong napansin dahil medyo madilim na sa loob. Pero kaninang pagpasok namin para mag-apply ng grout, doon lang lumabas,” paliwanag ni Mang Jojo. Pumasok kami sa

HERA POV Alas-otso y medya pa lang ay nasa office na ako. Gusto kong masigurado na maayos ang lahat bago dumating ang mga bagong hires. Kanya-kanyang bitbit na rin ng mga welcome kits sina Kyle at Monica—mga basic drafting supplies, notebooks, at siyempre, ang mga customized na Vanderberg Manila hoodies na pinagawa ni Chloe. "Architect Hera, sa tingin niyo ba magugustuhan ni Sofia 'tong pwesto niya? Nilagyan ko ng maliit na succulent para hindi masyadong plain," tanong ni Monica habang inaayos ang isang maliit na paso sa tabi ng monitor. "Magugustuhan niya 'yan, Mon. Sino ba namang hindi gaganahan sa window seat?" sagot ko habang tinitingnan ang pantry kung puno na ba ang stock ng kape. Eksaktong alas-nuwebe, bumukas ang pinto ng office. Sabay na pumasok si Sofia at Enzo. Mukhang nagkasabay sila sa elevator dahil nag-uusap na sila pagpasok. Kasunod naman nila si Nikki, ang bagong admin, na may bitbit na sariling tumbler. "Good morning po!" sabay-sabay nilang bati. Lumabas si Lia

HERA POV "Hera, are you ready? Ten minutes na lang, darating na 'yung first batch," sabi ni Liam habang inaayos ang mga folders sa mahabang lamesa ng conference room. Lunes ng umaga at medyo high energy ang paligid. Dahil sa dami ng inquiries pagkatapos ng awards night, nag-decide kaming mag-hire ng karagdagang team members. Si Chloe ang nag-filter ng resume, at ngayon ang schedule ng interviews para sa dalawang Junior Architect positions at isang Admin Assistant. "Ready naman. I just hope makahanap tayo ng kasing-vibes nina Kyle at Monica. Hirap kaya mag-adjust kapag masyadong seryoso 'yung kasama," sagot ko habang tinitingnan ang huling resume sa pile. "Basta ako, titingnan ko 'yung technical skills. Ikaw na bahala sa personality check," biro ni Liam bago lumabas para kumuha ng kape. Eksaktong alas-diyes, pumasok si Chloe kasama ang unang applicant. Isang babaeng mukhang fresh grad, maayos ang suot na blazer, at medyo mahigpit ang hawak sa kanyang portfolio. "Architect Hera, A

MAYA POV The clinic didn't look like a doctor’s office. It looked like a five-star hotel, tucked away on a private floor of a building that didn't have a sign on the door. Marcus had been waiting at the curb at exactly eight o’clock, silent and professional as he drove me through the morning fog. I sat on the edge of the plush exam table, the paper covering crinkling under me. A woman in a sharp white coat, Dr. Aris, was looking at a monitor with a focused expression. The room was quiet, except for the rhythmic, low hum of the ultrasound machine. "Alright, Maya," Dr. Aris said, her voice soft. "Let’s take a look." I stared at the screen. At first, it was just grey static and blurred shapes. Then, she moved the wand, and things began to clear. "There," she pointed. "That’s one." I felt a lump form in my throat. It was real. A tiny, flickering pulse. "And..." The doctor paused, her eyebrows knitting together as she adjusted the settings. She moved the wand slightly to the left. "

MAYA POV The scent of the lilies made me want to throw up again. Derek stood there, looking tired and desperate, holding the bouquet like a shield. I stepped out of the elevator, but I didn't stop walking. "Maya, please," Derek said, following me through the lobby. "I’ve been calling you for two days. I went to the apartment, but the locks were changed." "I told the landlord I didn't feel safe," I said, my voice cold. I headed toward the glass revolving doors. "Which is true. I don't feel safe around people who lie to my face for three years." "It was a mistake, Maya. One night. Chloe and I... we were both drunk and—" I stopped at the curb and turned to face him. "Is that the script? You were drunk? You were in my bed, Derek. In the apartment I pay half the rent for." "I'll make it up to you. Just come home. We can talk about this over dinner. I bought those steaks you like." He reached out to touch my arm, but I flinched away. "There is no home to go back to," I said. "

MAYA POV The fluorescent lights of the office restroom were unforgiving. I leaned over the porcelain sink, splashing cold water onto my face for the third time. My reflection looked back at me with wide, panicked eyes. "Maya? Are you okay in there?" It was my supervisor, Elena. I heard her heels click against the tile as she walked toward my stall. "I’m fine," I called out, my voice sounding thin. "Just... a stomach bug. I think the coffee this morning didn't sit right." "Julian—Mr. Sterling—is not a man who likes to be kept waiting," Elena said through the door. She sounded worried. "He asked if you needed a doctor. It was weirdly specific for a guy who looks like he has ice in his veins." I gripped the edge of the sink until my knuckles turned white. "Tell him I’ll be back in five minutes. I just need a second." "Take ten. I’ll tell him you’re reviewing the data," she sighed. "But Maya, seriously, you look like you’ve seen a ghost." I waited until I heard the heavy restroom

MAYA POV The sunlight was too bright. It cut through the gaps in the heavy charcoal curtains, landing right across my eyes. I groaned, pulling a silk pillow over my head to block it out. My head felt like it was being squeezed by a vice, a dull reminder of the gin from the night before. Slowly, the memories started to click into place. The cupcake box on the floor. Derek and Chloe. The bar. The man. I sat up abruptly, clutching the smooth duvet to my chest. The room was massive, modern, and smelled faintly of cedar and expensive citrus. It was a minimalist’s dream—all glass, steel, and dark wood. I was alone in the bed. My clothes were folded neatly on a chair by the window. I scrambled out of bed, wincing as my head throbbed, and dressed as quickly as I could. I needed to leave before things got weird. I needed to get to the office. I found him in the kitchen. Julian was standing by a marble island, wearing a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He

MAYA POV The red velvet cupcake box was heavy in my hands, a tiny gold "3" candle tucked inside my pocket. I had practiced the speech a dozen times in the elevator. Three years, Derek. We made it. I used my spare key, moving quietly to surprise him. The apartment was dim, but a trail of clothes led toward the bedroom. My heart did a weird, hopeful flutter—maybe he had a surprise for me, too. Then I heard the laugh. It wasn’t Derek’s. It was high-pitched, breathless, and hauntingly familiar. I stood in the doorway, the box slipping from my fingers. It hit the floor with a dull thud, the frosting smearing against the hardwood. Derek bolted upright, his face turning a sickly shade of white. Beside him, Chloe—my roommate, my best friend—scrambled to pull the duvet over her chest. "Maya? You’re supposed to be at the office until eight," Derek stammered. He didn't even have the grace to look ashamed, just caught. I looked at Chloe. She wouldn't meet my eyes. "Is this why you couldn't

Sienna woke up to the sound of a soft, rhythmic tapping. She opened her eyes, momentarily disoriented by the high ceilings and the unfamiliar scent of expensive linen. The fireplace had burned down to gray embers, and the morning light filtering through the heavy curtains was pale and cool. She sat up, pulling the duvet to her chest, as the door opened a crack. A woman in a sharp navy blazer and tailored trousers stepped in, carrying several garment bags. "Good morning," the woman said, her voice brisk but professional. "I’m Elena, Mr. Vance’s assistant. I have your wardrobe for the day. And the rest of the week." Sienna rubbed her eyes. "It’s only seven." "Mr. Vance starts his days early. He’s already in the dining room with his counsel," Elena said, hanging the bags on a standing rack near the closet. She laid a pair of leather flats on the floor. "There’s coffee in the carafe on the vanity. I’ll leave you to get dressed. Mr. Vance expects you downstairs in thirty minutes." "Ri

The entrance hall of Declan’s house was vast and smelled faintly of cedar and rain. The floors were polished grey stone, reflecting the soft, recessed lighting from the ceiling. Sienna stood near the door, clutching the blanket around her shoulders. She felt painfully out of place in her ruined wedding dress, standing in a foyer that looked like it belonged in an architectural magazine. Declan tossed his keys onto a marble console table. "It’s not as cold as it looks in here. The floors are heated." Sienna looked down at her bare feet. "That explains why my toes aren't numb anymore." "Marcus will bring your things—well, what’s left of them—to the west wing," Declan said, gesturing toward a wide staircase. "There’s a guest suite prepared. It has everything you’ll need for tonight. I’ll show you the way." They walked in silence. The house was quiet, the kind of silence that felt expensive. As they reached the second floor, Declan led her down a long hallway lined with large, framed

The second glass of scotch was easier to swallow, but it didn't make the world feel any more stable. Sienna leaned back into the leather booth, watching the condensation drip down her glass. The music in the lounge had shifted to something slower, a low bass line that vibrated through the floor. Declan didn't rush her. He checked a notification on his watch, tapped the screen once, and then returned his attention to her. He looked perfectly comfortable in the silence. "You're serious," Sienna said, finally breaking the quiet. "You want me to marry you for a business reputation." "It’s more than just reputation," Declan said. "It’s a strategic alignment. The board wants a settled CEO. Your family’s name carries weight in social circles I usually ignore. It’s a gap in my armor that you happen to fit perfectly." "And if I say no?" "Then my driver will take you to a hotel or a friend's house. I’ll pay for your room, and you can go back to figuring out how to handle your parents and L

The rain started just as Sienna reached the corner of the block. It wasn’t a gentle drizzle; it was a sudden, heavy downpour that soaked through the thin silk of her wedding dress within seconds. She didn’t have a coat, a purse, or a plan. She just kept walking, her heels clicking unevenly on the wet pavement until she couldn't take the friction anymore. She stopped by a bus stop, leaned against the cold glass, and stepped out of her shoes. She stood there, barefoot on the concrete, holding her heels by the straps. Her hair, which had taken two hours to style, now hung in wet, heavy clumps against her neck. "Great," she muttered, looking at her reflection in the dark glass of the bus shelter. "Just great." A black SUV pulled up to the curb, splashing a wave of gray water onto the sidewalk. Sienna didn't move. She didn't even flinch. She just watched the water recede into the gutter. The back window of the SUV rolled down halfway. A man leaned toward the opening, his face mostly ob

Sienna sat still as the makeup artist brushed a light layer of powder across her cheeks. The bridal suite was quiet. The manic energy of the morning had faded, leaving a heavy, expectant silence in the room. "You look perfect," the artist said, stepping back and lowering her brush. "Just don't cry and ruin the mascara. It's waterproof, but let's not test it." Sienna offered a small smile. "I won't. Thank you, Maya." The door to the suite clicked open. Janet, the wedding planner, peeked her head in. She held a clipboard tight against her chest, her expression tight. "Sienna, we have a small delay," Janet said. She stepped fully into the room, letting the heavy door shut behind her. "Nothing major. But I can't find Liam. The photographer wants to do the first-look photos in the courtyard right now." Sienna picked up her phone from the vanity. No new messages. "Did you check the groomsmen's suite?" "I knocked," Janet said. "No answer. His best man is downstairs at the bar, but he s