Chapter 1.1

[KURT MORGAN]

"Are you not done yet? I'm gonna be late for work. Ang kupad mo talaga kumilos!" Bulyaw ko sa kanya, nagmamadali na siyang magsapatos.

I know she's just trying to spend time with me. Without waiting for her, I headed first to the car—Dito ko na lang siya aantayin baka ano pang mas malalang masabi ko sa kanya.

Simula ng makabalik kami ng London nagsimula ang pagbabago. Halos hindi kami nagkikita. Hindi ko rin siya sinasamahan matulog sa master bedroom.

Mostly sa office ko sa bahay ako natutulog hindi dahil nakatulog ako sa dami ng kailangan kong tapusin kundi para iwasan siya.

Bago pa siya magising sa umaga nakaalis na ako ng bahay. Pag uwi ko naman, I will ensure na tulog na siya o hindi kami magpapang abot.

Sa tuwing sisilipin niya ako sa home office palagi akong nagpapanggap na abala o mag gagalit galitan.

Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan kami sa ganoong sitwasyun. Wala akong ibang nakikita o naiisip kung hindi si Natalie sa tuwing kaharap ko si Lia, ang aking asawa.

"Pwede ka ng bumaba dito.." Sambit ko sa monotonous voice ng nasa harap na kami ng mall.

I didn't kiss her or even throw her a glance, not like when we were still in the Philippines. I made such an effort back then just to make her believe she's really my wife and that I'm indeed her husband without question at all.

She's so naive, easy to manipulate, or even to make her fall in love with me, which made it easy for me to bring her here in London.

Bumaba siyang tahimik ng kotse, pinagmasdan ang pag-alis ko. I saw that sad look in her eyes in my side mirror—Hanggang sa makalayo ako at hindi na siya matanaw ay pinanindigan ko ang pagiging matigas.

Huminga na lang ako ng malalim, pinapakawalan ang mapait na pakiramdam.

I know she's starting to feel different about how I'm treating her after we came back from the Philippines. That's the plan, and it's working. Again, Kurt Morgan won.

Hindi talaga siya nadadala. Gustong gusto niyang nasasaktan.

Hindi ba siya makaramdam na ayokong kasama siya o nakikita siya. Wala akong oras para maging asawa sa kanya.

Mabuting tao si Lia pero hindi ako santo para pilitin ang sarili kong pakitunguhan siya ng maayos sa kabila ng sinapit ng kapatid ko dahil sa manloloko niyang kuya.

Isa pa dinala ko rito sa London si Lia hindi para umastang asawa ko kundi para pahirapan siya, iparamdam sa kanya ang sakit na hindi kinaya ng kapatid ko kaya siya nagpakamatay.

Four months ago, a horrible dream made me fly repulsively to the Philippines, finding out that my sister was already dead.

"Who's that fucking guy, Mom?!" angrily I asked as she mentioned the reason behind it. My furious eyes have stayed on Natalie's tombstone.

Abot langit ang galit ko dahil wala akong nagawa para sa nag iisang kapatid ko. Hindi ko siya naprotektahan. I will make that bastard pay for what he did.

"I'm so sorry, son, if I didn't tell you about Natalie's going through. I thought she could handle it alone. I didn't expect she would cut off her life just because of that man!" Mom bowed her head as she sniffed.

"Umuwi na muna tayo Kurt. Kagagaling mo lang ng flight, malamang at wala ka pang maayos na tulog. " She convinced me until I agreed, and we both went through our car.

I'm Kurt Morgan, the CEO of Morgan Empire. My business in the Philippines and, especially in London, is reversed.

I have been the head of the family since Dad died, serving as a pillar and older brother to Natalie.

A week passed after my sister's funeral. I put aside returning to London to accompany and mourn with Mom until the universe seemed to cooperate with me.

One day, when I did my daily routine, which was jogging, I found Lia in the forest unconscious. Her car crashed into a tree and was severely damaged.

It was a miracle that Lia lived through those times, bringing her home immediately to mom to give her first aid. Mom was a doctor, and she had all the needed equipment in our house.

One thing I don't know is whether God from above gave me the opportunity or punishment because of the hatred that has remained in my chest since my sister died.

Mang Caloy, one of our family drivers, saw Lia while Mom treated her wound.

"Ano hong nangyari kay Ms. Lia, sir?"

"Lia?! Kilala nyo ho siya?!"

"Kapatid po siya ng dating nobyo ni mam Natalie."

That's how my anger with Lia started.

WHEN I ARRIVED at my office, I immediately dropped my bag on the couch. I hate to remember how Lia looked before. She makes me suffer even more than she does. But she does nothing. I'm the one with the problem.

I try to hide my feelings and keep them to myself before they ruin my plans for my sister. I need to get revenge for Natalie Morgan.

Sometimes, I wondered if I was right to bring Lia to London for my vengeance. I feel bad every time I see her.