Novels by FreyxiaGold

BELLA“Ate!” Malapad ang ngiti ko nang salubungin ako ni Mikay. Siya ang kasalukuyang nagbabantay ngayon kay Papang sa ospital.“Si Mamang, nasaan?” Gusto kong ibalita kay Mamang ang napag-usapan namin ni Zack. Alam kong matutuwa siya dahil matatapos na ang problema namin. Ang hindi ko lang sure ay kung matutuwa ba siya sa magiging kapalit nito, kaya hindi ko nalang sasabihin ang tungkol sa pagpapakasal ko kay Zack. Baka kasi tumutol pa.“Pabalik na rin ‘yon dito, Ate. Pinauwi ko lang saglit para makapagpahinga siya ng maayos.” Tumango ako bilang sagot. “Ate, siya nga pala. Hindi na muna ako papasok sa susunod na pasukan. Maghahanap muna ako ng trabaho para matulungan ko kayo ni Mamang.” Kahit na nakangiti siya, alam ko parin na labag sa kanyang kalooban ang huminto sa pag-aaral. Nakikita ko sa mga mata niyang hindi manlang umabot doon ang ngiti.Kilala ko ang kapatid ko. Napaka importante sa kanya ng pag-aaral niya. Kahit nga napakabigat ng pinagdadaanan ng pamilya namin ngayon, nana

BELLAHindi ako makatulog. Kanina pa ako pagulong-gulong dito sa higaan ko. Kanina ko pa iniisip kung tatanggapin ko ba o hindi ang alok na kasal ni Zack. Hindi naman kasi biro ang pagpapakasal, at para sa akin ay napaka sagrado no’n.Napakabilis! Ni hindi manlang ginawang romantic ni Zack ang proposal! Hindi nga muna n’ya ako tinanong kung gusto ko ba’ng magpakasal sa kan’ya. Hindi ‘yon tanong, kundi utos!“Pero kung ang kapalit naman no’n ay para sa operasyon ni Papang, why not?” Sambit ko sa sarili.Magpapakasal lang ako, tapos solve na ang problema ko kay Papang. Tsaka hindi naman na ako talo kay Zack. Itsura palang panalo na! Choosy pa ako? Bonus nalang ang yaman.“Tama, tama! Bukas na bukas ay kakausapin ko s’ya tungkol doon.”°°°°°°ZACK“Sir, Mr. Salazar is requesting your presence to his house. He wants to talk to you about his current case.” Kumunot ang noo ko sa ibinalita sa akin ng secretary kong si Camilla. Nang matapos ko ang isinusulat ko ay tsaka ko lang s’ya hinarap a

BELLAPalagi akong sumusulyap sa direksyon ni Zack. Gusto kong tumingin din sya sa direksyon ko at magtanong kung bakit ako nakatingin sa kanya. Pero mukhang manhid ang lalaking ito dahil hindi manlang yata nakakaramdam na may mga mata nang nakamasid sa kanya!Katatapos lang ng lesson namin ni Zoe at niyaya na nila ako na dito na mag-lunch. Hindi na ako tumanggi dahil bukod sa nagugutom na ako, ay pagkakataon ko na rin 'yon para gawin ang pakay ko."Ahh..." Natapos na kami sa pagkain at magpapalam muna sana ako para mag-CR saglit."What is it?" Biglang tanong ni Liam kaya naputol ang pagsasalita ko."Pupunta lang ako sa banyo." Paalam ko. Masuyo ko ring hinaplos sa buhok si Zoe at nginitian bago ako umalis sa harapan nila.Babalik na sana ako sa kusina para tumulong saglit nang makita ko si Zack na nakasandal sa pader na katapat lang ng CR. Naisip ko pang baka gagamit din s'ya ng banyo kaya hininatay n'ya akong matapos."Ahh.. Gagamit ka rin ba?" Ayaw ko pa sana syang papasukin sa loo

ZACKI’m currently in my office, reviewing my client’s data, when my daughter, Zoe, enters the room carrying a teddy bear. She’s wearing her usual pajamas, which look cute on her."Daddy." Saglit akong lumingon sa kanya para malaman nyang nakuha nya ang atensyon ko."Yes, sweety?" Tanong ko sa mababang boses. I gently pulled Zoe onto my lap and hugged her. She hugged me back."I can't sleep. Could you read me story until I fall asleep?" She sweetly asked. Bilang isang abogado ay kailangan kong tutukan at pag-aralan ang legal documents ng mga clients ko. I'm also managing multiple cases with its own sets of demands and deadlines. Also, I need to meet the clients, attend hearings and dealing with unexpected changes in case schedule.In short, I'm a very busy man. To the point, na nawawalan na ako ng oras sa anak ko. Masyado akong nakatutok sa trabaho at hindi ko manlang magawang bigyan ng kahit kaunting oras si Zoe. Somehow, I felt a pang of guilt in my heart."Alright. I'll read you s

BELLA"Mommy!" Agad akong lumingon sa batang babaeng tumatakbo palapit sa akin. Bakas sa mukha nya ang tuwa nang makita ako.Hindi ko akalain na pagtatagpuin ulit kami ng landas ng batang ito.—FLASHBACK—Napakainit dito sa Maynila! Kararating ko lang dito galing sa probinsya, kaya pumasok muna ako sa mall para magpalamig. Isang bag lang naman ang dala ko at puro damit ko lang ang laman kaya madali nalang sa akin ang makakilos at makagala.Busy ako sa pagwi-window shopping nang may makita akong batang umiiyak. Naka upo sya sa sulok papunta sa CR ng mga babae kaya wala masyadong nakakapansin sa kanya."Bata, nawawala ka ba?" Nilapitan ko sya at umupo rin ako sa harapan nya nang nakatalungko para magpantay lang ang mga mukha namin.Nag-angat sya ng mukha at mabagal na umiling habang sumisinghot. Ang cute naman ng batang ito!"I ran away." Aba! At english speaking pa!"Bakit naman? Baka hinahanap ka na ng mommy't daddy mo." Sabi ko sa malambing na tono."I don't have a mommy. I'm with my

BELLA "Hmmp!... Good morning!" Nasa second floor ang kwarto ko sa boarding house na inuupahan ko, kaya kitang-kita sa bintana ko ang bubong ng mga katabi naming bahay. Ilang segundo pa akong nag-inat bago saglit na inayos ang magulo kong buhok. "Huy, Bella! Bumaba ka na at maki-agaw ka na ng almusal sa kusina! Mauubusan ka nanaman, bahala ka!" Si Ate Beth, may-ari ng boarding house. Tuwing umaga ay ipinagluluto kami ng almusal ni Ate Beth. Nag-aambag lang kami para sa pagkain. Maswerte ako at nakita ko 'tong paupahan nya at nakilala ko sya. Kahit papa'no ay nakakatipid ako sa gastos. "Huy, Kristina! Magtira ka naman. Meron pang mga hindi kumakain!" "H'wag kasi masiba, Tinay!" "Anong masiba? Binabawi ko lang 'yong mga pagkaing inubos n'yo na dapat ay sa'kin, 'no!" "Natural! Hindi ka naman nag-aambag eh!" "Hoy! Tumigil na kayo! Magsikain na nga lang kayo dyan!" Saway ni Ate Beth. Nakasunod naman ako sa kanya na kabababa rin lang ng hagdan. "Huy, Bella kumain ka na dit

—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH—I woke up because of the noise I heard coming from outside the window. It was already 3 pm when I looked. My stomach was also growling because I hadn't eaten yet. I skipped two meals because of locking myself in this room! All I did was sleep.When I peeked through the window, my eyes immediately hurt from what I saw. It was just Lexie clinging to Liam's arm while picking mangoes. There's a mango tree near the gazebo and right across from our room. From up here, I could even hear her annoying cheers for Liam. He's just picking mangoes, does she really need to cheer him on?Lexie's smile was so wide while Liam looked serious and obviously struggled to pick the mangoes. And who wouldn't struggle, with that huge snake wrapped around him!"Almost there! Almost there! You can do it, Li!" Lexie cheered."I think it's enough, Lex. We've already gotten a lot. You can't finish all of this." Liam said with a complaining tone on his face. The basket for the mangoes was a

—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH —Should I believe him? That's the question that's been lingering in my mind since last night. That question still hasn't been answered. I was speechless. How can I believe him, when just recently, he was talking about annulment? So even though I love him, I've prepared myself for the separation that's going to happen.Isn't it too fast for him to like me? I should be happy about that, right? That finally, he's taken a liking to me."What's wrong with you, Maggie? That guy is drunk. Are you going to believe him?" I lectured myself."But isn't it true that people's true feelings only come out when they're drunk?" I thought."Don't be too sure, Maggie. Most people who are drunk don't know what they're saying, and when the alcohol wears off, that's when they'll regret it!" I let out a deep sigh as I thought this again.I'm trying to convince myself to be cautious and not take Liam's drunk words seriously, but I can't help but hold onto hope that his feelings might

—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH—Liam threw himself on the bed when we got to the room. He must have been feeling terrible."I-I'll go get some porridge. It's probably ready by now." I said goodbye. I was still hesitant whether I should go out again or not. I felt like I couldn't face them anymore because of what they witnessed."No need. Just help me take off my shirt. It's hot in here." I swallowed my saliva twice because of his request. Here we go again! Should I comply?"O-okay. I-I'll help you with that." In the end, my obedient nature prevailed. I think it's normal, anyway, since we're married. But, the first time is always the hardest, so my hands were shaking while I slowly unbuttoned his long-sleeved shirt.I thought he was already asleep, but I was startled when he suddenly gripped my hand tightly as I was about to pull off his clothes."Enough. Go to sleep now, Maggie." I noticed the tightening of his jaw and his deep breathing. Is he mad? Why did his mood suddenly change? He could

—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH—"I'm hungry." Liam announced as we entered the house. He still had his arm around me, and he was the one who placed my hand on his waist. The household staff of Grandpa were thrilled to see us in that intimate pose.How am I? Well, I'm still wondering about Liam's behavior. He's never been like this with me before. When he'd come home in the past, I was practically invisible to him. It was as if he didn't even see me."Aren't you eating yet?" I asked. Usually, when he comes home from work, he eats out."Not yet," he replied briefly."Okay. Wait here. I'll cook something for you," I said, pointing to the sofa in the living room for him to sit while he waits for me to finish."I don't want food," he said, causing me to stop in my tracks and furrow my brow as I turned back to him. I was suddenly confused about what he wanted. He said he was hungry, but now he doesn't want food. What does he want, then?I stared at him intently and only now noticed something unusu

—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH—In three days, Liam and I will be heading back to our home in Manila. Everything has gone smoothly between us during our stay here so far. I'm happy here as long as Liam and I are together. I've suddenly felt his presence in my life as my husband.When we were at home, we rarely saw each other, so I guess that's why I didn't feel like I had a husband. I even thought that maybe he was intentionally locking himself in his room to avoid me because he doesn't like me. But now? I don't know.Things are happening too fast if he's going to suddenly like me, right? I love the idea, but I can't read his mind, so I have no idea what's going on.Maybe I'll just take advantage of our time here in the mansion to get to know each other better. Yeah, that's exactly what I'll do!"It's getting cold outside, grandchild. Why haven't you gone inside yet?" I looked back when I heard Lolo Enrico's voice. It's already mid-November and the wind has a chilly bite. Actually, I've been

CHAPTER 5—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH—I felt an intense, heavy sensation. It was as if something massive was weighing me down. I couldn't move either, feeling as if I was tied up.My eyes snapped open to find Liam's face mere inches from mine, his features soft in slumber. I was shocked to discover why I couldn't move: his arms were wrapped tightly around me, holding me close. His leg was even draped over my hips, pinning me in place. And in that moment, I also realized that I was clinging to him just as tightly!I distinctly remembered him putting a pillow between us as a barrier before dozing off last night. But now, it was nowhere to be found! It seemed he'd gotten comfortable enough to think I was the pillow! He looked utterly relaxed, snuggled up against me.But I have to admit, being in Kevin Liam Anderson's arms felt unexpectedly wonderful. I found myself wondering if he'd ever had a girlfriend before. It was hardly unlikely, given his captivating presence and stunning looks. He w

—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH—Matapos malaman ni dad ang tungkol sa pagbubuntis ko, ay tsaka palang niya ako nagawang yakapin. Ang tagal kong hinintay ‘to — ang muli kong mayakap si dad.Tuwang-tuwa siya dahil magkaka-apo na siya. He even congratulated me and Liam habang naluluha pa. He's so emotional!Kung sana ay katulad siya ni mom, naging maayos sana ang relasyon naming mag-ina. Siya sana ang unang taong mas magiging emotional pa kay dad because she knows how it feels to be pregnant. Pero sadya siyang mailap kaya naging distant din ako sa kanya.“Love…” tawag sakin ni Liam habang nasa kotse kami. Papunta kami ngayon sa Anderson's company dahil may ilang trabaho si Liam na naiwan this past few days. Naisip kong sumama dahil maiinip lang ako sa bahay. Hindi na rin kasi ako pwedeng mag-paint muna dahil sa amoy ng pintura, and I don't wanna risk my baby's health for that. It can wait naman.“Yes, love?” Sagot ko.“Are you okay? How's your cheek? Does it still hurt?” Natawa ako sa sunod-sun

—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH—Nagising ako dahil sa masuyong halik na dumampi sa gilid ng labi ko. As I open my eyes, I saw Liam smiling at me, his eyes filled with love and adoration. It's been a week since the villa incident happened. I had to see a doctor dahil na rin sa kakulitan ni Liam at ng dalawang lolo. Masyado silang nag-alala sa amin ng baby ko. But thankfully, we're both okay and my baby is healthy.Lexie? She got questioned by the officers. Pero dahil kilalang tao ang mga Lincolns, pinauwi na rin siya kaagad. That doesn't surprise me. They used the power of money. Inaasahan ko na iyon. That's how it works kapag may perang involved.“Good morning, love. Breakfast na tayo.” He said, but his actions are telling me something. He wants to make love with me this early! Ito kaya ang sinasabi niyang breakfast? Breakfast ang isa't-isa?!“It's too early, love. We can do this at night.” natatawa kong sabi sa kanya.‘Yeah, right. At night.” Dismayadong saad niya. “ I jut can't resist you.

—KEVIN LIAM ANDERSON—“Good evening, Mr. Forbes.” Bawat empleyado na madadaanan namin ay binabati kami, especially Lolo Efraim. Kilalang-kilala pala sya ng mga tao dito at lubos na nirerespeto.Bobby, Shawn and I followed him with grandpa. Nasa likod lang nila kaming tatlo.“Forbes? Does he own this place?” Mabilis akong lumingon sa direksyon ni Shawn nang marinig ko ang ibinukong nya. I don't know kung narinig din ‘yon ni Lolo Efraim. He remained silent.“Wait. Forbes? Efraim Forbes?” Tanong ni Bobby na animo’y biglang may naalala. Himinto sya sa paglalakad kaya mas malaki na ngayon ang agwat namin kina grandpa.“Yes. Why? Does that name ring a bell?” Ikiniling ko ng kaunti ang ulo ko at kunot noo ko syang tinanong.“That's the name of a man I heard na binanggit ng lolo mo. Remember what I told you earlier. It's him.” he confirms. Bahagyang umawang ang bibig ko. He holds the biggest share sa company. Bakit hindi sinabi sa akin ni grandpa ang tungkol dito? We suddenly heard a voice

—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH—"Look, love. Try this one. Bagay sa'yo 'to." Kinuha ko ang isang long sleeves na naka-display at itinapat ito kay Liam. Bagay na bagay sa kanya ang kulay, maroon. Sa bagay, kahit anong kulay at style naman ay bagay sa kanya.Kalahating oras na kaming nag-iikot dito sa mall para mamili ng isusuot namin para sa dadaluhan naming engagement party ng isa sa mga business partner ni Liam. Bukas na kasi gaganapin 'yon sa isang exclusive villa somewhere in Batangas at kailangan na rin naming umalis mamayang hapon. Tiyak na gabi na kami makakarating doon. "I'll get this, since ikaw ang pumili nito." Sabi ni Liam at nakuha pa akong kindatan. Mahina nalang akong natawa dahil sa inakto nya. "Nakapili ka na ba ng isusuot mo?""Not yet. Naghahanap ako ng medyo comfortable isuot. Ayaw ko ng fitted dahil baka maipit si baby." Aaminin kong medyo nadagdagan ang timbang ko nitong mga nakaraang araw. Paano ba naman kasing hindi ako tataba, wala akong ibang ginawa kundi kumain ng

—MAGGIE ELIZABETH SMITH—"Is it a boy or a girl?" Lolo Enrico's very excited to hear the news. Lumuwas kaagad sya ng Manila nang malaman n'yang nagdadalang tao na ako.Nang ma-confirm naming buntis ako, Liam excitedly call Lolo to tell the news. Andrew also knows it because I texted him, and is also happy na magkakaroon na sya ng pamangkin."My wife is just 6 weeks pregnant, grandpa. Wala pang gender ang baby namin." Natatawa namang sabi ni Liam. It's too early para malaman na agad ang gender."Whatever the gender is. May bago na akong ipagmamalaki sa lahat." Lolo exclaimed proudly.Masaya ang lahat, pero higit na mas masaya ako. Hindi ako makapaniwalang magiging mommy na ako! Ganito pala ang feeling. Magmula nang malaman namin ni Liam ang resulta, mas naging mas maingat na sya sa lahat ng bagay. Ultimo sa kakainin ko or kahit na ang simpleng pagkilos ko ay nandyan sya sa tabi ko para umalalay. Somehow, I feel special.Ano kaya ang magiging reaksyon nina mom and dad kapag nalaman nila

—KEVIN LIAM ANDERSON—I took a glance to a person who entered my office. It's Bobby, my Executive Director and a friend. Muli kong itinuong ang atensyon ko sa mga papeles na kailangan kong pirmahan. Kanina pa masakit ang ulo ko dahil sa puyat at mas lalo lang din sumakit dahil sa mga papel na hawak ni Bobby.Kanina ko pa kasi minamadali ang ginagawa ko para matapos na kaagad. Gusto ko muna sanang matulog kahit na dalawang oras o higit pa."Mukhang masama ang timpla mo ngayon, ah. May nangyari ba?" He said with a funny tone. I put down the executive pen I was holding and pondered the bridge of my nose."Nothing. I just want to sleep more dahil wala pa 'kong masyadong tulog." Maggie seems weird this morning, simula pa kaninang madaling araw. Nagpabili ba naman ng sandamakmak na kwek-kwek tapos hindi rin naman pala kakainin!Late na nga ako pumasok dahil nanghintay pa ako ng mga nagtitinda ng street foods! She even keep on texting me na h'wag uuwing walang dalang kwek-kwek! What is happe