PROLOGUE

FOR SOME people around Angel, she's nothing but a cold-hearted wench, a cunning and ruthless business woman who keeps on wearing a mask. Nobody even knows that she owns an empire, but her friends and family.

Standing from where she is, and looking back from where she was before, it feels like heaven for her. Who would've thought that she will be this successful now?

She's happy, isn't she? Or she's just so used with the sugarcoated contentment, peace of mind, and happiness by her fortune and success.

Truth is, Angel knew that despite everything she has now, there's still something which makes her feel empty, like her existence is void.

It's love.

But this is the kind of love Angel had been dreaming and wishing prior to the time when all she has in mind was, herself, conquering her own definition of world and success— it's the special thing between a mother and child.

She can't help but to smile at the thought. The idea never fails to warm her heart, just like now. Pero isang malaking tanong kung paano niya makukuha ang bagay na iyon. She doesn't have a husband. Not even a boyfriend! Siguro talagang nagiging bato na siya sa mga nakalipas na panahon. Sanay na kumbaga. Well she's a very busy and ambitious woman for so many years, she can remember.

Sa mga nagdaang taon, walang hindi natupad sa mga plano niya. And this time, her plan to get what will fulfill her existence will succeed. She will make sure of that.

Napakaraming paraan para magkaroon ng anak sa panahon ngayon. You can even use the modern technology basta may pera. But she doesn't want that.

Angel has been living her life for 29 years as a virgin. Sa lahat ng bagay na kaniyang iniingatan, ito na ata ang nais niyang isuko, pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon. Hindi niya naman ikinahihiya ang kagustuhang maranasan ang bagay na 'yon, bukod ang pagkakaroon ng anak.

"I won't die as a virgin." Iyan ang lagi niyang bukambibig noon pa man sa harap ng kaniyang mga kaibigan.

Not indulging in a delicate bit of  self-flattery, but she's physically a looker. Marami na rin siyang naging manliligaw sa nakalipas na mga taon. More than her beauty, she's also smart, successful, and talented.

'Saan ka pa?'

Gusto niyang matawa sa sarili.

At nasa Pilipinas silang muli ng kaniyang mga kaibigan para sa kagagahang matagal na ring sentro ng kanilang usapan. They've been talking about this way back in college until today.

This is her chance to have a baby. Angel worked really hard to give her mother and siblings a better life, but this time, she wanted to offer her success to her own flesh. Sana pakinggan ng Diyos ang panalangin niya.

Handa nang maghanap ang dalaga ng lalakeng hinding-hindi maghahabol sa kaniya kung mabuntis man siya. And its not like she'll ever have the idea of doing so. Well, at least that's what she thinks. She can provide everything for her future child. Sigurado din siya na sa dinami-rami ng mga gago ngayon, baka nga magpasalamat pa ito.

Angel took her phone to message her friend, Jasmine. Nasa isang island resort sila ngayon para sa dadaluhan nilang party mamayang gabi. Tiyak na hindi nito maiisipang kumain kaya naman siya na ang um-order para rito. Nakakahiya naman sa parte niya. Note the thick sarcasm.

To Ms. Amazing (Jasmine): Kumain ka na, gaga.

From Ms. Amazing: Ito na nga kakain na. You're welcome.

She laughed inwardly, and shook her head. Tignan mo nga naman ang walang-hiya niyang kaibigan. Ni hindi man lang nagpasalamat!

To Ms. Amazing: Mabilaukan ka sana. Sige na, maghahanap pa 'ko ng bubuntis sa 'kin.

She hit sent and snooted to herself. Angel wanted to laugh at her last statement. Well it's not a lie, though. Maghahanap talaga siya ng bubuntis sa kaniya!

Angel sighed audibly and pouted. The few strands of her wavy hair was blown by the wind to her face. She had to tuck it behind her ear.

Her liquid brown orbs which often seemed so cold and distant wander around the place, further to the vast horizon where the sun's currently setting. The scenery looked magnificent from where she stands, as warm colours brushed upon the seas and skies like it was an artist's canvas.

Her tongue flicked in between her front teeth. She bit her lower lip, subconsciously. Now, it's time to find the perfect subject for her once in a lifetime plan.