LOGINThe tenth time one of my paintings appeared under my sister Rose's name, I handed Adrian the divorce papers. He raised an eyebrow and tossed the agreement aside without a second glance. "Don't be dramatic. Your hand is ruined -- where would you even go without me?" I said nothing. He smiled, his tone dripping with casual indifference. "You should be grateful. Rose was the one I was supposed to marry. A few paintings is a small price to pay. A little gratitude wouldn't kill you." He blew a ring of cigarette smoke directly into my face. I choked, and the sting brought tears to my eyes. Through the blur, I was transported back to the moment my tendons were severed for his sake -- a pain that had drilled straight to the bone. He thought I had no choice but to take it. What he didn't know was that I'd already accepted an offer from the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Soon, I would be free of him for good.
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Nasa mini bar kami ng company at ang lahat ay nagtatawanan, hawak ang mga baso. Kaniya-kaniya rin kami ng pwesto at tagay ng alak. The lights were dim and the music is not too loud, lahat sila ay nagdiriwang dahil sa isang successful na project ng company namin. Sila lang ang masaya, ako? Hindi! My boyfriend and I just broke up. At hindi ko maatim ang reason ng pagbe-break namin. Tiningnan ko ang baso na hawak-hawak ko at narindi sa technical error sound ng sound system. Natigil ang lahat nang may tumikhim, natahimik ang lahat at maging ako ay napatingin sa lalaking may hawak ng Mic. “Hello, everyone! Let’s make a toast for the success of our company!” sabi niya. At nagpatuloy ang ingay sa loob ng mini bar ng company. He’s Immanuel Azlan Buenaventura, a CEO and a Billionaire of our company, makisig siya at matipuno, he’s the ideal man of all the girls. He’s so ideal even though he’s wearing a simple outfit— just like tonight— a shirt and a slacks with powerful black shoes. Sana lahat, nagtatanggumpay— kahit man lang sa pag-ibig ay hindi ko naranasang magtagumpay. “Congratulations, Sir Immanuel!” Sigaw ng isang empleyado. I smirked, and took a full glass of beer. Ngumiwi ang mukha ko nang uminit ang lalamunan ko. F*ck what a wonderful heartbreaking night it is, Ayannah! Nagpatuloy ang sayawan, kwentuhan at daldalan hanggang sa hindi ko na napansin na umupo na pala si Mr. Buenaventura sa table kung saan ako nauupo at humarap sa amin. I didn’t mind him and took another bottle from a bucket. Pinuno ko agad ang baso ko at tinungga, nang hindi agad napupuno ang baso ko ay napamura na lang ako at tinungga na lamang ang bote na hawak. He’s chanting something to us— hanggang sa natigilan ako nang narinig kong na-mention ang aking pangalan. “Oh, Ms. Morteza, looks like you’re not happy with the company’s success?” He asked me. Napapikit-pikit pa ako at napasinok, napansin kong nakatingin silang lahat sa akin. I feel dizziness but I am able to laugh out loud and looked at them all, especially him. “Naku sir happy po ako!” Sabay kuha ng bote ko at itinaas ito. “Cheers?” Tanong ko at tiningnan ang mga tao “Cheers!” I took a sip awkwardly since I saw Mr. Buenavente looking at me, napaubo pa ako dahil sa pagkasamid. What now? Sinuri niya muna ako na nagpakaba ng aking dibdib at kalauna’y may kinausap sa telepono. Ipinagpatuloy ko na lang ulit ang pag-iinom. “Uy Aya! Hinay-hinay naman!” Biglang lapit sa akin ni Cherry, katrabaho ko. “Minsan lang uminom ‘yong tao eh! Tara isa pang bote! Ano? Tagay pa sige!” reklamo kosa kaniya. Ilang minuto pa at ilang tagay pa ang nagawa ko nang tuluyan ko nang naramdaman ang pagkahilo. “Huy guys! Hatid natin si Aya!” rinig ko pang sigaw ni Cherry. I laughed with my half open eyes. Sh*t lasing na talaga ako! “Sabi nang hindi pa ako lasing, ‘di ba Sir?!” I preferring to Sir Buenaventura, I looked at him with a smirk— parang nanlalaban din ang tingin niya. “Haha, si Sir talaga!” biro ko pa. Pinilit ako ni Cherry na itayo at nang magtagumpay siya ay nadulas naman ako dahilan upang may sumalo sa akin. Tiningnan ko kung sino ang sumalo sa akin at si Mr. Buenaventura ‘yon, with his raging eyes looking at me— na para bang pinapagalitan niya ako dahil lasing siya. “Ihahatid ko na siya,” sambit niya habang nakasalo pa ako sa kaniya. “Okay lang ba sainyo, Sir? Kami na ho kasi baka nakakaabala na kami sa inyo.” Rinig ko pang sambit ng mga lalaking empleyado. I felt my arms wrapped around his shoulder and his warm hands slipped into my waist. Medyo natauhan ako sa init ng palad niyang dumampi sa aking balat, I’m just wearing a crop top shirt and a jeans kung kaya ramdam ko ang palad niya sa akin. “Ako na, it’s my responsibility since I’m the one who invited you here.” he said. Hindi na rin ako tumanggi pa dahil wala na akong lakas sa mga ganoong bagay at isa pa ay boss namin siya, at may tiwala ako sa kaniya. Inalalayan ako ni Cherry at ni Sir Buenaventura sa paglalakad, naririnig ko pang nagrereklamo si Cherry at nagso-sorry kay Sir hanggang sa namalayan ko na nasa loob na ako ng isang hindi pamilyar na kotse. Umungol ako dahil sa kalasingan at iminulat ang mata— natagpuan ko na lamang ang sarili ko na katabi si Sir habang ito ay nagmamaneho. “Saan ba ang bahay mo, Ms. Morteza?” he asked when he noticed me glancing at him. Napatikhim ako “Washing muna tayo,” saad ko “Huwag na, you’re drunk enough,” he insisted. “Sige na, libre ko!” Sigaw ko sa kotse niya. “Gago kasi ‘y-yong boyfriend ko eh.” Sabay hampas ko sa upuan. “Hiniwalayan ako,” I added. Tiningnan ko ulit siya at ngayon ay busy na siya sa pagmamaneho. I smirked wildly— who the hell are you to be with your boss at aayain pang uminom? Doon ako nasampal ng katotohanan. Iba pala talaga ang nagagawa ng heartbreak at pagiging lasing at the same time! “Don’t mind me, sir. Ibaba n’yo na lang ako—“ “Okay, I’ll buy you a drink.” paghihinto niya. Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya, what the? He said yes?! Ang napi-picture out kong scenario ay si Cherry o di kaya ay ‘yong ibang katrabaho ko ang makakainuman ko at doon ko ibubuhos lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman ko, but it turns out na si Sir pala ang makakasama ko. I didn’t insist since I really need to get wasted and someone to lean on— take advantage na kung take advantage pero susulitin ko na ‘to habang lasing pa ako at malakas ang loob. “Did your boyfriend cheated on you? Kaya naghiwalay kayo?” he asked me. Nasa isang convenient store kami at walang katao-tao sa labas, he already bought a beer and we seated outside that store. Napabuntong hininga ako. “Maybe, he never talk to me, dahil hindi ako magaling sa kama,” pag-aamin ko, natigilan naman ito at kunot noong tumingin sa akin. “And I found out na may kahalikan siya sa bar no’ng isang araw,” dagdag ko pa. Kinuha niya ang in can beer at binuksan ‘yon para sa akin. Tinanggap ko naman ‘yon at uminom. “Gagong lalaking ‘yon. Sinasayang niya lang ang isang kagaya mo.” I never expected him to say those word. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa, my heart pounded so rapidly— iba ang pakiramdam ko ngayon sa lalaking kaharap ko. “I want to learn how to be good in bed, para masampal ko siya sa katotohanan na I can be versatile— be a loyal girlfriend and a fucker!” I shouted, hindi ko naiwasang may tumulong luha sa mata ko, hinawakan ko ang pantalon ko at ikinuyom ang kamao doon habang nakayukong humihikbi. I felt his hand on my cheeks, those cold tears was wiped out by his warm thumb, pero hindi napawi ang sakit at patuloy pa rin ang pagtulo ng luha ko. “Oh, you’re crying again, he’s not worth crying for.” David was my long-time and my very first boyfriend. Mabait siya at gentleman at ‘yon ang asset na hinahanap ko sa isang lalaki. Hindi ko inaasahan na mangyayari ang ganitong pagkakataon sa amin. As a nature of man, syempre may pangangailangan din siya— at hindi ko pa ‘yon maibibigay sa kaniya dahil may pamilya pa akong binubuhay sa probinsya. Ilang beses niya akong inaya hanggabg sa magsawa siya sa akin at hindi na ako kinausap. Hanggang isang araw ay nahuli ko siyang may kahalikang iba. Hindi ko siya inaway nun, dahil pakiramdam ko sa pagkakataong ‘yon ay ako ang nagkulang. Na hindi ko deserve masaktan dahil hindi ko naibigay ang bagay na gusto niya. “S-sorry, pero ang iniiyakan ko k-kasi ay in this kind of age— I’m still a virgin and I don’t know about sex life,” I said while crying. Humiwalay na ang kamay niya sa pagpunas ng aking luha, tiningnan niya ako at ganun din ako. I feel at ease after saying those words to him. Nabawasan kahit papaano ang sakit. “K-kaya niya siguro ako hiniwalayan.” Peke akong ngumiti at tumungga ulit ng alak. “I can teach you how,” he said. Nabigla ako at nailuwa ang aking iniinom. “Alin? ‘Y-yong sa—“ “Yah, if you want to—“ “Huwag mo nga akong niloloko, Sir! Ako seryoso lang ako ha, hindi mo ako madaan-daan sa ganiyan!” pagbibiro ko. Nawala ang kanina ko pang iniisip at napalitan iyon ng imahinasyon na kaming dalawa lang ni Sir— sa kama at, sh*t! Are you out of your mind, Ayannah?! “I'm serious, young lady,” he said in a manly voice. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isip ko ngayon pero napakalakas ng loob ko na tumayo at lumapit sa kaniyang mukha, ilang pulgada na lang ang layo namin sa isa’t-isa. I looked in his eyes— at nanlalaban ito, napalunok ako. “Oh sige,” I said, a little bit nervous. Hindi ko pa alam kung bakit nailabas ko ang mga salitang iyon pero pakiramdam ko kasi ay sasabog ako kapag hindi ko sinabi ‘yon. I feel like I would regret and waste this night if I said no. “You’re not saying yes because you’re drunk?” Ang mabango niyang hininga ay kumalat sa aking mukha. Tumalbog nang husto ang puso ko. “No, walang halong kalasingan, sige nga kung kaya mo?” “Ako pa hinahamon mo?” He smirked. Lumayo na ang mukha ko sa kaniya at tumayo ako nang tuwid sabay lapat ng kamay ko sa hangin. “Then, deal.” He looked at my hand. “Just a one night stand.” “And you’ll never forget it,” he said with a hoarse voice then he made a handshake with me. Tama ba ito, Ayannah?! Once again I gulped hard while my heart was pounding too hard. “Guide me, Mr. Billionaire.”The day we signed the divorce papers, the weather was gorgeous. Elliot had insisted on coming with me, and I'd given up trying to talk him out of it.Walking out of the County Clerk's Office, I felt lighter than I had in years. Every last bit of misery was finally behind me. The sun was blazing overhead, and I squinted against the glare.Adrian reached up and shielded my eyes with his hand -- the same instinctive gesture from those sweltering summers when we were young, when he used to block the sun for me without being asked.Something stirred in my chest. I glanced at him. He'd cleaned himself up, dressed in the white button-down and dark trousers I'd always liked. That face was still handsome, but the life had gone out of it.When he noticed me looking, he fidgeted with his collar, then offered me a small, uncertain smile -- the kind meant to please.And just like that, something inside me unclenched."Adrian, you did help me once.""That summer when Rose first moved in -- you took
The first thing Adrian did when he woke in the hospital was reach for his phone.Nothing. Not a single message. Maybe Lily hadn't seen the livestream yet. He clung to that thought, repeating it like a prayer.But the comments dragged him under anyway."What a sorry excuse for a man. We support you, girl -- get that divorce!"That one sat at number two on the top comments."'Wife'? You don't deserve to call her that. Your real match is rotting in a cell where she belongs!""Trash belongs with trash. At least they'll last.""I've seen plenty of lowlifes, but never one this low. Bookmarking this for the entertainment.""This guy's clearly unstable. Stay away from her. She doesn't need your bad luck."His phone buzzed.One new message from Lily."Since you won't agree to the divorce, I'll see you in court."Adrian crumbled. He wanted to fight it, wanted to hold on -- but he had nothing left. No leverage, no argument, no right. All he could do was watch her walk away while a hole opened up
It didn't take long for Rose's plagiarism to explode across the art world like a bomb.And my name rose with it.Everyone learned the truth: the award-winning work that had launched Rose Thornton's career had been mine all along -- and I would never paint again.At the same time, the photo of me being forced to publicly apologize resurfaced and spread like wildfire online. Rose became a pariah, universally condemned. She was finished.The paintings I'd sold abroad were now fetching astronomical prices, and collectors lined up to make offers on the pieces still in my possession.I turned them all down.I'd never painted for money or fame. I'd picked up a brush because I wanted to capture the beauty of the world and the people in it -- nothing more.Now all I wanted was to keep my remaining work safe, so that someday, when I was old, I could look at them and remember what happiness felt like.Then the bullying came to light.Rose had kept a phone hidden away, and on it were recordings of
Life at the academy was a breath of fresh air. The students adored me, and through teaching them, I began to rediscover my own worth.So what if my hand was ruined? My eye for beauty hadn't gone anywhere. I could guide my students, help them create the kind of art I once made myself.It was on one of those bright mornings that I ran into Adrian.He looked terrible -- unshaven, eyes shot through with red, his voice scraped raw."Lily. I finally found you."I walked right past him without so much as a glance.What a way to ruin a perfectly good morning. Even the air felt dirtier with him in it.He stepped in front of me again. I looked up, cold and unimpressed."What -- did you come all this way to fight Rose's battles for her?"He flinched. Pain flickered through his eyes, and he grabbed my arm."Lily, I do love you. I always have. Come home with me. Please.""No."I tried to pull free. His grip held.I was going to be late for class. Irritation flared hot and fast."Let go of me."That
He set me down on the hospital bed and held me with such care, as if I were something precious he was cradling in the palm of his hand.A knock at the door. I caught a flash of triumph on Rose's face before it vanished.Adrian stood quickly. "Get some rest. You need it."I said nothing, just nodded
"Doctor, is there really a good chance my mother could wake up?""I've successfully treated patients with the same condition before. Once your mother arrives, I'll run a thorough examination.""Thank you, doctor. Thank you so much."Joy flooded through me, electric and overwhelming. I was practicall
The scenery blurred past the car window. I swallowed hard against the bitterness rising in my throat.There had been good times once. I'd stood by Adrian through the years when he was framed and went bankrupt.He'd held my hand and given me a beautiful wedding, and I was the only one he saw.Wheneve
At the gallery awards gala celebrating Rose's latest win, Adrian stood beside her as they received congratulations from the crowd. They looked like the perfect couple.I stood in a corner, squinting at the painting displayed on the massive screen. The woman in the portrait smiled softly, eyes lowere
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