DOMINICI woke up in the middle of the night because my phone suddenly rang. I muttered curses to the caller for disturbing my precious sleep. Who the hell will call at this ungodly hour? It’s just two o’clock in the morning, for Pete’s sake!I got up, took a deep breath, and stood tall. With my left hand on my hip, I held my phone to my ear.“What do you want, Callum?” bungad ko pagkasagot ko ng tawag.“Alam mo na ba na pinapatawag tayo ni Lion?” walang paligoy-ligoy na tanong niya.My brow furrowed. “He’s here?” I thought he’s in Belgium to go away to my sister?“Yes. He told us to gather at the main headquarters. Didn’t you see his message?”“I didn’t. Wait, I’ll see it myself,” sabi ko at saka nagsimulang magtipa sa cellphone ko.I opened our organization’s secured website. Doon sinasabi ni Lion kung may mga gatherings ba na mangyayari.Hindi ito basta-basta nabubuksan ng kahit na sino man. Marami itong verification actions bago makapasok ang mga kagaya kong miyembro. Si Lion mism
SLOAN“I have something to tell you,” Dominic said while we were in the middle of having our breakfast.I looked at him. “A-Ano ‘yon?” utal na tanong ko.Binaba niya ang hawak na kubyertos at saka ituon ang atensiyon sa akin. “I’ll be gone for a week.”Kumurap ako. Aalis siya? “S-Saan ka pupunta?” I couldn’t help but ask.“I have an important business trip abroad. I’m leaving tomorrow. I was thinking, maybe you could take care of my company while I’m away?”My eyes widened. “W-What?!” gulat na bulalas ko.“Hey, chill. You just need to attend my important conference meetings and sign some documents. Besides, Ronna will take care of you.”Naguguluhan akong tumingin sa kaniya. I did graduate with a business-related degree, but I’ve never actually tried managing a business, and VMC is a huge company! I haven’t even managed our own company yet; how much more, VMC!At saka ‘yong secretary niya ay ayaw sa ‘kin!“I c-can’t do it,” pagsasabi ko ng totoo.“You’re afraid.” It’s not a question, it
SLOAN“Good morning, Mrs. Velasco. I am Henry, your personal butler that Mr. Velasco assigned,” sabi ng lalaking nasa labas ng unit namin nang tanungin ko kung sino siya.He was wearing formal attire that consisted of a black tailcoat with matching trousers, a white dress shirt, a black bowtie, black dress shoes, and wayfarer sunglasses.Oo nga pala. I almost forgot. Nagbilin pala sa ‘kin kanina si Dominic bago siya umalis na magkakaroon ako ng mga bodyguards at personal butler habang wala siya. This wasn’t new to me anymore because, when I was in college, I had many bodyguards following me everywhere to watch over my every move.Kinuha ni Henry ang iba kong dalang gamit. Pagkababa namin sa lobby gamit ang elevator ay kaagad kaming lumabas at sumakay sa sasakyan na nakaabang sa labas. Siya rin ang magda-drive. Pupunta na kasi ako ngayon sa Velasco Metal Corporation para sa first day ko bilang acting CEO.I knew that Dominic would leave early, so I woke up early too. He was surprised t
SLOAN“S-Simon?”I didn’t know what to feel as I looked at the man, whom I hadn’t seen in almost four years. He had matured. He had grown taller and become more handsome. Malayong-malayo siya sa Simon no’ng college kami.“Sloan? What are you doing here?” he asked, confused.I blinked. “I should be the one asking you that. What are you doing here?”Tumayo siya ng tuwid at saka binaling sa akin ang buong atensiyon niya.“Well, as you can see, I’m here for a business meeting,” he said. Inayos niya pa ang suot na white long sleeve na parang inabot ng ilang oras para plantsahin dahil wala roong makikitang gusot.“So you’re the representative from SteelTech Solution?”Kumunot ang noo niya at saka tumango. “Ah, yes. Pa’no mo nalaman?”I cleared my throat. “I am the acting CEO of Velasco Metal Corporation. Ako ang makaka-meeting mo.”“Ano?!” bulalas niya. “Pa’no nangyari ‘yon? Akala ko si Mr. Dominic Velasco ang makaka-meeting ko ngayon.”“He had an important appointment abroad. Anyway, can w
SLOANI slowly opened my eyes when I felt a little cold that I thought was coming from the air conditioner. I sat down on the bed. With one eye closed, I looked around at the place where I was now.Bumungad sa akin ang modern room na white and sky blue ang pintura. There are indoor plants and aesthetic furniture that are properly placed in the room. There are also minimalist paintings hanging on the wall.Where am I?Malinaw kong naalala kung ano’ng nangyari kagabi. I was kidnapped!Suot ko pa rin ang damit ko kahapon. I tried to look for my handbag, but it’s nowhere to be found! I need to call Dominic and tell him what happened!I combed my hair with my fingers out of frustration and then got off the bed. Tumingin ako sa digital clock na nakapatong sa putting bedside table. It’s already 8:04 AM.Maglalakad na sana ako papunta sa pinto para lumabas ngunit hindi ko na natuloy nang bumukas iyon. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ko kung sino ang niluwa no’n.“D-Dominic?” I muttered in dis
SLOANI couldn’t take my eyes off him while my heart was beating so fast, as if I were running in a marathon. But the truth is, I was just sitting there, gazing at him.I made him happy? How?Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ang galak na umusmong sa dibdib ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Tila gustong tumalon ng puso ko sa saya dahil sa nalaman ko.“P-Pa’no kita napasaya?” I asked curiously.I know such things shouldn’t be asked, but I can’t help it! I want to know.Dominic took a bottle of beer from the cooler and opened it using the can opener. Tumungga muna siya no’n at tumingin sa bonfire na malakas pa ang apoy.“Your presence itself made me happy, sweetheart,” panimula niya at tumingin sa ‘kin.Ang kaninang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko ay mas lumala pa. It became more wild and unstoppable.I gulped. “W-What do you mean?”“You know, ever since you came into my life, it feels like I’ve found a purpose to live. You’re the reason why I wake up in the morning to continue my life. You’re
SLOANNaging abala ang lahat kinahapunan dahil sa kasal namin bukas ni Dominic sa pangalawang pagkakataon. Almost everyone was helping with the food preparations and setting up the venue, which will be held at the beach.We are currently at Aling Julma’s house to sew the white dress that I will wear tomorrow and to fix the fresh white flower that they are arranging to become a flower crown.Dominic is outside, helping with cooking the food along with the other men. They said we will be sleeping here on the island so that we won’t get tired going back and forth from Isla Cala Azulada to here.“Naku, excited na talaga ‘ko sa kasal ninyo bukas, Ma’am Sloan,” nakangiting sabi ni Aling Julma habang naggugunting ng putting tela. Siya raw ang kilalang mananahi sa Isla San El Paso.“Halos lahat naman yata ay excited sa magaganap bukas, mare. Ang huling malaking selebrasyon pa yata rito sa isla natin ay noon pang grumaduate si Puni ng Cum Laude sa kolehiyo sa Maynila,” sabi naman ni Aling Hele
SLOANI’ve experienced a beach wedding before with Frederick, and I didn’t feel anything that day but sadness and disappointment. But today, as I walked on the white sand, wearing only my flip-flops, a simple white dress, and a fresh crown flower, it felt like I was walking on clouds.Ang buhangin na nilalakaran ko ay may nagkalat na petals ng mga iba’t ibang bulaklak at sa dulo nito ay naroon ang arkong altar kung saan naghihintay si Dominic at si Mayor na siyang magkakasal sa amin sa pangalawang pagkakataon. Nakatayo lang ang mga residente ng Isla San El Paso habang nakangiting nakatingin sa amin. Lahat sila ay nakasuot ng puting damit. Mapababae man o lalaki.I gulped when Dominic and I locked eyes. He was looking at me intently, like I was the only one he was seeing, and not minding the people around us. Ang gwapo niya sa suot niyang puting button down long sleeve at saka itim na slacks. Nakasuot lang rin siya ng flip-flop kagaya ko.Ang itsura niya ngayon ay malayong-malayo sa it