Brodie.It's weird that she didn't come out after I finished everything. I did all her orders and requests. I covered the holes, fixed the fences, and planted the plants that she needed. It was my obligation anyway. It was written on the lease contract that anything that my animals damaged along her property is my obligation to cover.The electric fence alongside was set, too. I don't want my animals, whom she called 'polka dots', to wander around again in her yard. I felt terrible that my cows damaged most of her beautiful bush and flowers. And the only remedy I could think of is to replace them with new ones.The animals are good. The Angus beefy ones are pretty calm, except for the two male ones that I mixed together with the female dairy ones. And they're the ones that she named polka dots."This is very professional, Brodie. You will win again. I'm sure about that," Jarrod, my cousin, exclaimed while looking into my sculptor masterpiece.It has become my hobby at the moment. Asi
Carmella . "Shoo! Don't look at me, Polka one. Go away!" "And you, too, Polka two, three, four, five, lahat kayo! Shoo!" I dismissively moved my hand, and the bloody cows just looked at me like nothing! Ang hirap pala makipag-usap sa mga hayop. Hindi nila ako naiintindihan at ganoon din naman ako. Hindi ko rin sila naiintindihan ano! Kumunot ang noo ko habang malayo ang tingin ko sa unahan. Nasa likod ako ng bakuran, at sa pinakadulo na ito. The cows are probably five meters away from me. They can't get close because of the electric fence around. Hindi sila bobo, at alam nilang nakukuryente sila sa tuwing nadidikit ito sa balat nila. Masakit din ano! Konting kuryente rin ito. Mga 12volts siguro. Tanghaling tapat na, pero parang may mali sa mga hayop na ito. I know I'm weird, too. I can't deny that. I'm watering my garden at noon! Mataas ang araw at mainit. Pero may halaman na uhaw at nasa ilalim ng puno naman ang mga ito. I ran the hose around the yard. And when the cows hear
Carmella."I see. . . Hmmm, ang linis ng bahay niya!" I smiled as I looked around. I didn't touch anything, but I was impressed by how everything was tidy inside. It's the complete opposite of Brodie.Kung mukhang kapreng maligno si Brodie dahil sa buhok niya at balbas at pananamit, ay iba naman ang bahay niya. . . Malinis na malinis at ni alikabok ay wala.Binuksan ko ang ref at healthy ang options niya sa lahat. Kompletos recados at higit sa lahat, maraming karne sa malaking freezer niya.Mabuti nalang at hindi siya vegetarian. Halata naman sa hitsura niya na karne ang kinakain.Humakbang ako, at sa sala na ito. The paintings on the wall are livid. Creepy and weird? Who cares about Art! It's not my line ano!Isa-isa kong tinitigan ang bawat dispalys na mga picture frame sa napakalaking book shelves niya. Book reader nga naman siya. Eh, ginawa na niyang library ang dalawang malalaking espasyo sa bahay niya.The smell of books is refreshing. It reminds me of my father."Oh, he have t
Brodie."She did what?"Kausap ko si Rob sa kabilang linya at sinabi niya sa akin ang lahat. Carmella is looking after the farm at the moment. She was doing excellent and easy to deal with everything. According to Rob, she's doing great and is learning fast."That's really cool. I can't wait to meet her. What does she look like? Sexy ba?" tanong ni Nathaniel sa tabi ko.I gritted my teeth, and I had no appetite. I can't wait for us to be home. Nathaniel is temporarily with me. May iilang papelis akong ibibigay sa kanya bago siya babalik sa Queensland."Come on, Brodie, talk, mate. I would like to know about this woman named Carmella. Is she the new girl that made your heart flutters?""Flutter may ass. I'm not into her. She's a neighbor, alright. Siya ang nakabili sa bahay ni Mrs Green.""Really? That's cool anyway. I can't wait."I shook my head and sighed silently. There's no point in talking to Nathaniel because when it comes to women, Nathaniel is crazy, which is his weakness."I
Carmella."This is not good. Huwag ka nga'ng baliw, Carmella! Lumipat ka nga d'yan sa Australia para maayos ang buhay mo! Tapos ngayon balik kabaliwan na naman iyang utak mo!"Gamit ang hightech binocolar ay mas napangisi akong lalo habang pinagmamasdan si Brodie sa malayo.This gadget can get good vision up to one kilometers straight. It can go to two kilometers but it will become blurry. Nakakatuwa ito! Wala nga naman akong baril, pero may mga ganito ako rito.From where I stand, outside my balcony, I can see Brodie. I don't know what's been wrong with me lately. At first, I found him weird, but after working on the farm, I kind of found Brodie's personality and life interesting.Iba ang mundo niya sa mundo. Tahimik ang paligid niya, samantalang magulo ang akin. He was surrounded by nothing except his animals and a few friends. I was surrounded by tough boys who could kill like animals. He can play with money for business. While me? I can play with guns and go crazy."He's very coo
Carmella."Brodie! Good morning!" I smiled, walking towards him. He paused and never smiled back. He was serious.Maaga pa naman, pero mukhang dapit-hapon na ang titig niya sa akin."I cook pandesal. Here have some!" Ibinigay ko ang supot sa kanya at tinitigan niya lang ito sa kamay ko."Is this why you came here? You could have dropped later. Why so early." He avoided my gaze and continued raking the grass.Ako nalang ang naglagay nito sa quad bike niya. Napangiwi ako dahil ang mabait niyang aso na si Almond ay nakaupo lang sa bahaging pwesto nito sa quad bike."What's wrong with Almond? Is he not feeling well?" I patted Almond's head, and the poor dog just ducked."I guess he ingested poison," Bradley answered and didn't even look worried at his dog."Oh, my God! Then let's take him to the vet," I smiled."I will after this. I'm just finishing this then I will take him there.""Good. I will accompany you.""No, need, Carmella.""It's alright. I have nothing to do. I will help you a
Carmella."Axton Crimson Gray?" Halos ayaw kong bigkasin ang pangalan niya, pero nairaos ko ito."Yes," he sighed."What happened to him? Why did he die?"Dapat malulungkot ako 'di ba? Pero hindi ko makuha ang ekspresyon na ito.Axton Crimson Gray is my fucking ex! He is the reason why I stopped kissing boys around. He caught me off guard when I met him. I fell in love with him because of his sweet talk. Mabulaklak magsalita at syempre nahulog ako. I didn't bother knowing his personality because I just felt and thought he was the right person for me.We parted happily when I told him about my identity that night before our wedding. But then, all of a sudden, he didn't show up on the day that we were supposed to get married."I got a call from the police telling me that Axton Crimson committed suicide. He overdosed himself."Pakiramdam ko gatla lang ang ngiti ko ngayon. Knowing Crimson died didn't affect me."He overdosed himself? Of what?""Drugs."I silently chuckled with no express
Carmella."I hate you making noises at this hour, you know!" I sat down beside him and offered him a warm drink.I bought a few coffee in can. Isang kariton ang binili ko nito noong nakaraang araw. Napadpad ako sa Melbourne, dahil sa isang trabaho. Kaya bumili na rin ako ng mga kakailanganin ko at kasama na ang pagkain."Thank you." He opened the can and drank it. "Taste good. I won't be going back to bed with this." He smirked."Oh, yeah? Geez, I never even think of it. I thought coffee helps you go to bed. Hindi ba?" I innocently asked. "Iba kasi ang epekto ng kape sa akin eh. Nakakatulog ako. Baka ito rin ang kailangan mo." Tuwa ko. Napansin ko agad si Almond sa gilid. Naupo ito sa tabi ko."Almond, baby. How are you doing? Is he doing good?" Tanong ko kay Brodie at tumango siya."Yes, he is feeling a lot better. His appetite for food came back normal. I'm happy.""That's good. I'm glad you are okay, Almond. Pinag-alala mo ako sa 'yo." Sabay haplos ko sa ulo niya."Are you okay?"
Diezel.I hold the result in my hand, and my heart races as I read it. The twins are indeed mine, and a copy was also sent to Anastacia via the Captain of the Villa.Wala akong duda. Alam kong akin silang dalawa. Malaki ang hawig namin ni Zev, at si Skye? Namana niya ang mga mata ni Mama. Although she looks like more on Anastacia, but her eyes belong in my bloodline.Skye's smile and her deep dimple clearly reflect my traits. In contrast, Zev resembles a male version of Anastacia, yet his facial structure and lips share my characteristics. He may not have the deep dimple like Skye, but when he smiles, he retains that version of me.I need to go back. I'm done with everything and have made new arrangements with the heads regarding work. They can reach me online, and I can do my work online."Why are you not joining me for the food tasting today, honey? Hindi mo pa rin nasusukat ang damit mo. Kailan ka ba bibisita roon? Ikaw na lang ang kulang."I'm talking to Caterina on the phone. Sh
Anastacia.Talagang hindi niya ako binigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagpahinga ano?Nagtagpo ang kilay ko at seryoso kong tinitigan ang dalawa sa iilang mga tao sa loob ng bahay ko. Maaga pa lang ay ginising na ako ng ingay sa labas.The group of medical team together with Diezel's lawyer and some security, including our barangay captain and police were here early and that shocked me!Hindi kabilang si Diezel sa kanila. Wala siya. Mabuti nga, dahil kung nandito siya ay tiyak sinampal ko na.The lawyer spoke to me first and explained the process, and I could only agree to it. They're calm, okay, and collective, and the barangay captain is a good friend of mine. We had a good talk.Ang kambal lang ang medyo nalilito sa sitwasyon. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganito kabilis gagawin ni Diezel ang lahat. Wala pa akong sinabi sa mga bata. Wala pa silang alam! At ngayon na nasa haparan nilang dalawa ang isang nurse at doctor ay nalillito na ang kambal.Hindi nila alam kung para saan ito, at kung bak
Diezel.I sat stiffly in front of my two beautiful kids while Anastacia was making me coffee. I put on my best smile amidst the chaos inside my heart.I was nervous as hell when I landed in Cagayan de Oro. Reeve was with me, and we came together here.Malapit lang ang bagong hotel na pinapatayo ni Reeve rito at may bahay bakasyonan din siya, at doon ako pansamantala titira.I drove here with high hopes of seeing Anastacia and was shocked by everything. I didn't know we were having twins. I didn't know everything, and that pained me more.It deeply hurts me. I feel sorry, not for myself, but for the kids in front of me. I know I was an asshole, and I can't blame Anastacia for that. But for her not to tell me that she was pregnant was indeed selfish! How could she do this to me? Why is this happening? And the kids? Damn it.Iniwas ko saglit ang tingin sa dalawa at saka nahagip nang mga mata ko ang buong paligid.Simpli ang bahay na ito. Walang espesyal at normal ang lahat. Malaki ang l
Anastacia."What are you doing here?"Iba na ako sa dati. Hindi na kumakalabog ang puso ko dahil excited ako na makita siya. Iba ang noon, at iba ito ngayon. May halong takot na bawat pintig na pinapakawalan ng puso ko sa kanya. Wala na akong tiwala.Taas noo ko ulit siyang tinitigan sa mata."Are you lost? Mukhang nasa maling bahay ka yata?" I chuckled.His jaw ticked, and he looked at me coldly. His piercing eyes were like a dagger that straight cut right into me."So, this is where you are hiding?" He gritted.Kinabahan ako at napahigpit ang hawak ko sa pinto. Hindi ito nakabukas ng maayos dahil hinawakan ko naman. Kabado ako sa kung ano man ang makita niya sa loob. Kaya bago pa mangyari ito ay mas mabuti hindi na niya makita pa.“Excuse me? Did you say I was hiding?” I chuckled softly and pulled the door closer to me.Ako na lang ang nakikita niya ngayon at hindi na ang loob."Hindi ako kailanman nagtago, Diezel. I'm living here comfortably, away from those people who don't want
Anastacia.I looked so terribly ugly as I looked at myself in the mirror. I'm stressed and problematic with money, and here I am... sick.Simula pa lang noong nakaraang linggo ay hindi na maganda ang pakiramdam ko. Hanggang sa heto, bumigay na nga ang katawan ko.The kids are home because it's summer school break—no school for them and no summer activities. I felt sorry for my kids not attending any summer activities, but I'm short on money, and the bills are piling up. Isali mo pa ang butas sa kisame ng kwarto ko. Mabuti na lang at summer ngayon at hindi uulan.Skye and Zev asked me why I did not enroll them in swimming lessons. Sinabi ko na lang na kulang ang pera ko, at agad naman na intindihan ng dalawa ito. Nakakaawa nga, dahil lahat ng mga kaklase nila ay may ginagawa at sila? Heto nasa bahay.Hapon na nang nakaramdam ako ng gutom. Instant noodles ang kinain ko, kasama ang kambal. Nilagyan ko ng gulay at dalawang itlog ito, at masaya na ang dalawa. Para sa kanila ay masarap na
Diezel.I almost stumble as I exit my car, breathing heavily like a furious beast poised to attack.How dare she hide from me? How dare she lie that she's on pills and wasn't? Fucking dammit!"Sir Diezel. . . "Itinaas ko lang ang kamay kay Martino. Isa siya sa mga bodyguard ng bahay ko. Huminto siya at bahagyang yumuko at hindi na ako sunundan.I walk directly to the second floor where my office library is situated. I need to call someone—someone skilled at locating a person who is in hiding.Damn you, Anastacia!Napakuyom-kamao ako at ramdam ko ang panginginig ng laman. I understand that the odds may not be absolute, but I have a strong intuition that I'm the father. I need to discover the truth.Malamig ang aircon sa sekretong silid na ito, pero tagaktag ang pawis ko. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na bumalik ang ganitong pakiramdam sa akin.Once I activate my code, that will be the end of it. I will go against my grandfather and mother for this."Linus..." I clenched my teeth while en
Diezel.It's damn boring and I can't keep up with the boys schedules. They don't leave me, it's just that I was the one who wanted to be left out.I feel so lost and empty. Something is not right, and it’s a bother to wake up like this every morning. I'm tired of it, and tired of everything."Ciao, figlio mio! I miss you!"I spun my chair back to the door and saw my mother together with my fiancée, Caterina. The two of them look like mother and daughter. They have the same taste when it comes to clothing and food.Magaling magluto si Mama at ganun din si Caterina. Magaling sa lutong italian, at masaya ako dahil natitikman ang mga putahe na parang kay Mama na rin."Honey…" Caterina wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.I couldn't kiss back, and my lips just stuck still. She then let go and tangled her arms around my mother."I found the right wedding dress! You will love it!" siglang boses ni Caterina. "Oh, I'm so excited! I can't wait!""And I can't wait too, dear. I like my
Anastacia.Is he engaged? Soon to be married? Huh, good on him!After seven years, I never once checked about him or what's happened lately with the company. I don't want to hear any news from them, especially from him.Naging abala na rin naman ang buhay ko. Mahirap magpalaki ng kambal, at kahit ngayon ay nangangarag pa rin ako.Nawala na sa isip ko si Diezel. Hindi na ako interesado, at wala na akong pakialam kung nag asawa na ba siya o nagkaroon na ng maraming anak. Pero nang marinig ko kanina kay Dianne na engaged na siya ay nababagabag lang ako.Ba't ba ako ganito? Hay, naku, Anastacia!I can’t sleep, and it’s after one o’clock in the morning. I’ve already checked all the items I will deliver tomorrow after dropping the twins at school.Nakatitig na ako sa relo sa dingding habang inom ang chamomile tea. Tulog na ang kambal, pero ako? Heto, hindi man lang dinalaw ng antok.Kinuha ko ang cellphone sa bag at saka nag-search sa app tungkol sa kompanya. Dito tumambad sa akin ang mga
Anastacia.My heart raced when I saw Zev's face. He's got bruises around the right eye like someone had punched him in the face."Anong nangyari sa 'yo? Who did this to you?"Napaluhod ako at ininspeksyon ang mukha niya. Hindi ko sila nasundo ngayon dahil delivery ngayon ng orders ko galing Amerika. Ako mismo ang kumuha ng mga ito sa pantalan. Kaya pansamantala si George ang kumuha sa mga bata."Tinanong ko rin, Ate. Pero ayaw magsalita. Ganyan na ang mukha eh. Gusto ko sanang kausapin ang guro nila, pero wala raw. Kaya umuwi na kami."Bitbit ni George ang bag ng dalawang bata. Inilapag niya ito sa gilid at saka namaywang sa likod ko."Patingin nga. Dios ko…" Tumayo ako at kumuha ng maligamgam na tubig. Pina upo ko si Zev at tahimik siyang nakayuko. Samantalang si Skye ay nasa gilid lang. Nakasandal sa dingding at pinagmamasdan kami."Ano ba ang nangyari, Skye? Who did this to your brother?"Siya na ngayon ang tinanong ko. Alam kong matigas ang ulo ni Zev at madalas ay hindi siya na