"Charlie, are you even listening?" anang Grandma Liza ni Charlie sa kanya. Mabilis siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa kanyang lola na noon ay kasama niyang nag-aagahan sa family house nila sa Tagaytay. That's where she spent her weekend. She wanted to be away from the city for a while. Away from all her cares. Away from Gael. It was a beautiful Sunday morning. But she doesn't feel beautiful at all. She looks like shit and still feels conflicted. Why wouldn't she? She just learned that her stupid heart still loves Gael. How could she do that? How could her stupid heart do that? Hindi man lang ba siya nadala? Gael is her family's enemy now. Were his threats not enough to make her unlove him? How can she fall for him again-- the man who abandoned her for money? The cause of all her heartaches?She released a slow breath and collected her thoughts. "Sorry, Grandma. I was thinking about... What's your question again?" aniya.Her Grandma studied her face for a while and reached for her han
Puno ng kaba ang dibdib ni Charlie habang pinagmamasdan niya ang floor counter ng elevator. She was on her way to Gael's penthouse. Doon nila napagkasunduang magkita ngayong gabi para sa pag-uusapan nila. She wouldn't want to risk seeing him again outside, not with what she's about to do. Hindi rin naman ito pwedeng pumunta sa bahay nila or kaya sa penthouse nila sa SSL. There wil be prying eyes all over them-- eyes of people who are loyal to her family. She also drove there alone. She wants tonight's business be as private as possible.Bumaba ang tingin niya sa envelope na hawak niya. Humigpit ng hawak niya roon. She doesn't know how Gael will react on it but she knew now what must be done.And that is her doing the right thing for her and her son. Nang bumukas ang pinto ng lift, she was met by a small hallway that would lead her to the penthouse 's door. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the lift.It's now or never, she thought. Tahimik niyang binagtas ang hallway hang
Gael was staring blankly at the document in front of him. He had been staring at it for the last hour and yet he doesn’t seem to comprehend any single word written on it. The past three days had been the same. Pumapasok siya sa Crown Bank subalit lumilipad ang isip niya. He cannot think straight nor function well when his mind was preoccupied by Charlize. His thoughts are always for her, most from the night he insulted her. He knew he shouldn’t have said what he said. But he was angry when he served him their divorce papers. Kung bakit, hindi niya alam. Sa totoo lang, marami na siyang hindi alam at hindi maintidihan pagdating sa sitwasyon nila ni Charlize. For the past five years of his life he lived and breathed with only one thing in his mind, ang pabagsakin ang mga Sandejas dahil sa kasalanan ng mga ito sa kanya. He still wanted that. His mind was still set on bringing justice to what happened to his T’yo Berting—to him. But his heart, his damn heart doesn’t seem to agree wit
"Are the documents I've asked you to prepare now ready?" tanong ni Gael kay Hugo. Magkapanabay silang naglalakad ng assistant patungo sa opisina niya sa Crown Bank. "Yes, Sir. It's already in your office," mabilis na sagot nito. "Good. What about that thing that I've asked you to do?" aniya alanganin. Alanganing umiling si Hugo. "She said she won't see you anymore, Sir. And that's final," anito sa mababang tinig. A slight shot of disappointment rose from his chest. He'd been meaning to talk to Charlize for days now, subalit ayaw na talaga siya nitong kausapin. Kaya naman si Hugo na ang inutusan niyang gumawa ng paran para sa kanya. But even that, failed.He knew she has every right to be angry at him-- he's a damn confused jerk who cannot control his emotions when it comes to her. But... he really needs to talk to her, even for one final time. Nagpasya na siya, sa itinakbo ng mga pangyayari sa nakalipas na ilang araw matapos niya itong insultuhin nang huli silang magkita, alam na
"To what reason do I owe you this visit for, Ms. Schulz?" seryosong tanong ni Charlie sa babaeng kaharap niya.The woman was wearing a black tailored dress that perfectly hugs every curve of her body. Her blonde hair was shorter than from the picture Gray had sent her when she had Gael investigated earlier. The woman stands statuesque in front of her in the middle of her office, looking at her with controlled fury in her eyes.This is the woman Gael loved, she reminded herself. The woman whom he'd get to spend the rest of his life with. The woman who will take her place in Gael's life.A wave of hurt rose from her chest. After all these years... after everything... in the end, she will still lose Gael. The woman smirked. She remained unfazed though and maintained her eye contact. "I don't have all day," seryosong pukaw niya sa babae na sigurado siyang minamata siya nang palihim kaya kanina pa ito tahimik.The woman forced a smile. " You know my name. I'm sure you know by now who a
Charlie nervously walked over at the makeshift stage where all the new members of the business circle will be inducted... by her. Out of all people, siya pa talaga ang napili nilang tawagin para mag-induct sa mga bagong members ng grupo! When will fate stop making her a joke? There are more well-deserved people in the crowd to do that. Why does it has to be her?! She took in a sharp breath and collected herself. Tapos na, natawag na siya. She has to do what she needs to do. Get this done and over with then you can get the hell of here, she convinced herself. Uncle Nate, the son of Mrs. Cobarrubias, took her hand and helped her climbed up the makeshift stage. Once there, she quickly get done with the task nang hindi siya tumitingin sa mga bagong miyembro ng grupo. Kaya lang nang magsimulang kamayan ng mga officers ang mga new members, she was forced to do it too. That’s when she saw Gael. He was wearing a blue suit that perfectly accentuates his well-built frame. He wore his d
"What do you mean let's talk? What part of I don't want to talk to you can't you understand,Gael? Pwede ba, lumabas ka na lang. Leave me be!" Charlie yelled, anger swiftly running in her veins."I really need to tell you a few things," mabilis na sagot nito, tunog desperado subalit wala siyang pakialam. She scoffed. "I am not interested with anything that you will say, Gael. They mean nothing to me so--""I'm sorry," mabilis nitong putol sa kanya. "I am an asshole for saying those things to you. You were never a lose nor a cheap woman, Charlize. And believe it or not, I respect you."Sandali siyang natigilan. Alam niyang hindi siya dapat nagpapaniwala sa mga sinsabi ni Gael. He is her enemy after all. But she can hear the sincerity in his voice as his eyes bore on her. His stormy gray eyes wore a blanket of gloom in them, and some other emotions she cannot name.She huffed. "That's rich coming from the person who never fails to threaten and insult me every chance he'd get. Pero sige,
"What do you want to eat?" tanong ni Gael kay Charlie. Sa harap nila ay ang hilera ng mga tray ng ulam na isinisilbi ng isang roadside eatery kung saan sila kasalukuyang naroon. It was already lunchtime and they were just a few towns away from San Gabriel. Maaga pa lang nang magsabi siya sa mga katulong nila sa mansyon na lalabas siya at pupunta sa bahay nina Jasmine at Gray. Mahigpit niyang ibinilin sa mga katulong na h'wag ipagsasabi sa kahit kanino kung saan siya magpupunta lalo na kina Axel at Jacob. Subalit imbes na sa bahay ng kaibigan dumiretso, nagpunta siya sa dati nilang tagpuan ni Gael. That's where they've decided to meet up. He was already there when she arrived wearing just his casual clothes-- a sport shirt, jeans and rubber shoes. He was laid-back, relaxed-- like the guy she used to know. A perfect for the memory of him she will get to keep after today. "I think I'll just go with that fried boneless bangus and a little bit of that red egg with tomatoes. I haven't