INICIAR SESIÓNCharm.I turn away from him snobbishly. I'm tired, but happy that at least he's here. Ang buong akala ko ay hindi niya ako gustong makasama. Ilang araw rin na ayaw niya akong makasama sa mga lakad nila ni Cianna."Kumain na ba si Cianna?" I asked, gathering my stuff, getting ready to go home."Oo. Are you hungry? We can stop somewhere to eat."At nakasunod na siya sa akin ngayon. Hindi ako sumagot. Abala pa ako at tinulungan na niya ako."Kumain ka na ba?" I asked."No. Not yet. I'm waiting for you."Tumaas nang bahagya ang isang kilay ko at nilingon ko na siya."Okay…" I continue."I'll have someone tomorrow as your financial analyst. Mildred is very good, one of the top around the country. She will do better than that-""No. Ayaw ko! Wala akong problema sa financial analyst ko. Ba't ko siya papalitan?"Akala ko tapos na kami sa usaping ito. Hindi pa pala?"Charm…" his jaw clenches.I chuckled. "You leave me with my business, okay? And I leave yours.""No, I won't."Ang bilis ng sag
BryceShe has probably been feeling upset for the past few days. I've been avoiding her and not taking her with me whenever I go to my parents' place. I only take Cianna with me, and I know that's not fair to her. However, I feel I have no choice. I need to do this on purpose.This situation is challenging, and I’m feeling down about ignoring her. It's difficult, yet I’m determined to stay committed to my plan."She's becoming mentally depressed, Bryce. Melissa told me," Reeve said as he placed his hand on my shoulder.I exhale briefly. "I know that it's killing me too, Reeve. Trust me, I don't think I can survive after tomorrow. I can't wait for the big day."My cousins, their wives, my family, Holly, Tanya, and Manang Belen were all aware of the plan. They just needed to keep playing along until the right day arrived. We had been planning this all along. Cianna sensed that I was avoiding her mother, so I decided to share my plan with her."Damn, I hate this. Uuwi na ako."Humakbang
Charm."She wants to talk to me?"Nalilito kong tinitigan si Tanya. Katabi niya si Holly.Tanya and Holly are collaborating on a new project that Bryce has proposed for my team. I agreed because this aligns with our business goals and will enhance our connections."Yes, Miss Charm. She's in the lobby waiting for you."Tumango ako at huminga nang malalim. Holly and Tanya exited my office.Wala si Cianna ngayon, kasama ni Bryce sa isang kids party. Birthday raw ng anak ng pinsan niya. Gusto ko sanang sumama, kaso ayaw naman niya. Kaya heto naiwan na naman ako.I feel like something has been off these past few days. He often goes out with his cousins and always takes Cianna with him. I'm not included, which makes me feel like an outcast.I do feel jealous, but I also want to understand that Bryce wants to have some moments alone with Cianna.Matagal silang hindi nagkita mag-ama. They're catching up with many things, and I'm happy with that, but I wish I could be more involved in the jo
Charm.Nakahelera ang mga kasambahay kasama na ang iilang tauhan ng Papa ni Bryce. I know most of them, as most of the guards used to work at my father's. Etiquette like this is no longer new to me."Bryce, son…"His mother embraced him tightly. Behind her stood his father. I maintain my posture, holding Cianna's hand tightly. I don't want to let go of her."Mama, Papa…"Bryce's jaw clenched when his eyes landed on his father. His father cleared his throat as his gaze moved around to Cianna and to me. I tightened my grip on my child's hand this time.Pumwesto si Bryce sa tabi ni Cianna at saka hinawakan ang kabilang kamay nito. He's dead serious as he meets his father's eyes."This is my family. My child and Charmie," he introduced.A warm arrow shot inside my heart. It warms me. My heart races fast."Oh my…"His mother covers her mouth, looks shocked at me, and then at Cianna. Her eyes swell as she looks again at Cianna.Napayuko ako at saka tinitigan na ang anak ko.Cianna looks at
Charm.Good days have ended, and we are back.Masaya ako na nandito na si Manang Belen. Cianna is laughing, giggling, hugging her father. Nasa kamay siya ni Bryce at naglalaro ang dalawa."Masaya ako, Charm. Kung buhay pa ang ama mo, tiyak kong ikasasaya niya ang lahat ng ito."That tugs at my heartstrings. My dear Papa... yes, he will be happy."Mommy!"Patakbo na sa akin si Cianna. Niyakap ako sa hita."Mom, Dad told me that we will go somewhere tomorrow. I can't wait!" Nagtatalon na siya sa saya.I glance at Bryce, who is smiling lovingly as he approaches my side.Umalis na si Manang para kumuha ng meryenda. Nasa tabi ko na agad si Bryce. Pumalupot ang kamay niya sa tagiliran ko at saka bumaon saglit ang mukha niya sa leeg ko.He kissed me there. It tickles, sending an electrifying warmth inside my stomach."Stop that," I whispered."Stop what?" he chuckles.Niyakap na akong mahigpit. Hinayaan ko na lang."Are we going somewhere tomorrow?"Nakarating kami kahapon ng hapon at diret
Bryce."Yes, that's all I want for now, King. I will see you when I get back. Bye."I called King. I'm glad to have him on the other side of the globe. I redialed the Achilles number, and he answered this time."What's up, Brycer? How are you?"He sounds different in the line. It's noisy at his end. I can hear a lot of people talking."I'm back on the island. Where are you?"Matagal na akong walang balita tungkol sa kanya. Ilang buwan ko rin siyang tinawagan, pero hindi ko mahagilap ang Archangel na ito."I'm in my paradise, Bryce. In the Maldives," he chuckles in the line. "So, you're in the Philippines. Nakuha mo na ba ang gusto mo?" He laughs in line."Yes, and she's here with me," I inhaled softly, looking at the shut sliding door.Maliit lang ang sliding door. Sapat lang sa sukat ng treehouse. Inayos ko itong mabuti nang mabili ko ang isla. Pinalaki ko nang konti ang treehouse at mas pinatibay ang pundasyon nito."That's good, bro. So, when is the wedding?"Bumaba ang tingin ko
Brielle.The air crackles between us. It's intense, hot, and demanding.Sa totoo lang, simula nang maibigay ko ang sarili ko kay Morris ay nakalimutan ko na ang lahat ng pait at masasamang ala-ala na pinagdaanan ko.I'm not a virgin to this, and I'm not a prostitute either. However, I am close to that
Brielle.Mahihiya pa ba ako? Hindi na. Sanay na ako sa tuksuan at galawan dahil sa trabaho ko noon. Pero hindi ko kailanman naramdaman ang ganito.This is the first time I've felt so weird inside. I know myself. I like Morris, but I don't know how much I like him now.Alam kong magagalit lang si tiya,
Brielle.Hindi ba siya magpaparamdam sa akin ngayong araw na 'to?Humalukipkip ako habang nakatingin ang mga mata sa malayo.Ano ba ang meron sa araw na ito at mukhang wala akong gana sa lahat. Ang tamad ko, at magtatanghali na lang ay wala pa akong natatapos na trabaho."Hoy, Brielle! Kumilos ka na! An
Brielle."Papaalahanan kita ulit, Brielle. Iba si Morris, anak. Mukhang iba ang tingin ko sa kanya at parang hindi siya ordinaryong tao.""Hindi po siya masamang tao, Tiya. Huwag n'yo po sanang husgahan ang hitsura niya." Ngumiti ako kay Tiya at nilapag ko sa mesa ang ulam na ginawa ko. Sabay kaming n







