Charlie took in a sharp breath before she began to descend on the grandstaircase of their home. Truth be told, she's not fine. She barely slept and the heaviness in her heart didn't go away. Sa ibang pagkakataon, baka nagmukmok na siya sa kanyang kuwarto at hindi na lang lumabas maghapon. But she is a grown woman now. She has responsibilities too. And so she must set aside everything that's bothering her and show up for work today. She sighed. She's exhausted from all the crying and thinking. But she just realized today, that rest would really be a luxury once her real work at SSL begins. Agad siyang napahinto nang marating niya ang dining. Her Mom and Dad are already there silently having breakfast with her younger brother, Caleb. Nakabalik na pala ito mula sa bakasyon nito sa San Gabriel. Kung sabagay, halos isang linggo na lang, magbubukas na ulit ang klase. Her brother will enter the university this year. For a while, she just stood there, at the entrance of the dining room an
Ang malakas na pagtawag ng kanyang pangalan na nagmumula sa kung saan ang tuluyang nagpagising kay Gael. He tried opening his eyes only to shut it once again when he realized that a glaring light from somewhere was hitting his face. “Gael!” muling tawag sa kanya ng pamilyar na tinig. Boses iyon ng T’yo Berting niya. He huffed and slowly opened his eyes one again, realizing it was already morning. Not a minute longer, the memory of yesterday filled his mind. Theo taking Charlie to somewhere and his boss putting him in a forced furlough without any clear reasons—relieving him from all his duties as an elite bodyguard for SSA. Not that he didn’t ask his boss Eric Samaniego. He did, dozens of times until he got all fed up and almost shot him in annoyance. Subalit iisa lang ang sinabi nito, kailangan daw nitong gawin iyon for smooth transition of things. He groaned and sat up on the cold floor he was in. His damn back was aching and his head was pounding. He looked down and saw from
Hindi mapakali si Charlie habang nakasakay siya ng sasakyan niya patungo sa St. Gabriel University. Today is the start of classes. She's now an official part of the graduating class -- a thing she had always looked forward to in the past. She initially dreamed of going to Oxford for her masters after she graduates from college. And after that, she will take the helm of SSL and lead it. It was a perfect plan. Well that was before. Before her life got all messed up when her future was decided for her by people other than herself!Mahigit isang linggo na mula nang makasagutan niya ang Daddy niya. Isang linggo na rin mula nang pumutok ang balita tungkol sa engagement nila ni Theo. Isang linggo na rin siyang grounded. Her father took her phone away. Pinagbawalan na rin siya nitong pumasok sa SSL. She's basically a prisoner in her own home Home. Oh how the words tasted bitter in her mouth. Should she have the opportunity to choose, she would stay out of their house for a while. She felt su
"I heard my princess was crying so I came," nakangiting sabi ni Gael, marahan pang inabot ang pisngi ni Charlie at pinunasan ang natitira pang luha niya roon.She sobbed even harder when she realized that she was not imagining things. Gael is really there with her! Hindi na siya nag-aksaya pa ng oras at niyakap si Gael. His warmth and presence enveloped her in an instant. His arms felt like home. Her home."I-I thought... I won't see you again," aniya sa pagitan ng paghikbi. "I-I thought you already l-left me."Gael's arms around her tightened. "I'm sorry, love. I had no way of contacting you. So I just took my chance to come here and see you. Sinabi sa akin ng janitress na dito ka madalas nagagawi kapag nasa campus ka dahil hindi madalas nagagamit ang CR na 'to." He explained in a hushed voice. He then told her about the talk he and her Dad had after she and Theo left that day. Ikinuwento rin nito kung ano ang nangyari sa trabaho nito. And her heart felt heavier with everything sh
"What did he do to you?" malumanay ang boses na tanong ni Gael sa kanya. They were parked under a tree na sa tingin niya ay parte ng isang natural park sa labas ng Maynila. They drove in silence for more than three hours. Ngayon lang sila huminto.Bumaling siya kay Gael. The storm in his eyes didn't go away, but it was more subtle now. She knew he was fighting his emotions. Siya rin naman. But what Theo did to her today was unforgivable. Hindi niya lubos maisip kung ano man ang maaring nangyari sa kanya kung wala si Gael sa malapit. Muling nangilid ang luha niya."H-he k-kissed me and tried to..." Napahawak siya sa damit niya, sa may bandang dibdib. Theo almost touched her there. Gael cursed under his breath, gripping the steering wheel tight, his knuckles almost turned white. "I will not let this pass, Charlie. He will pay. He will damn pay for what he did to you today!" Humagulgol na siya, tuluyang napayakap dito. Theo's threats ringing inside her head. "P-please, Gael. Just let i
Tahimik si Charlie habang nakaupo siya sa waiting room sa bahay ng judge na kakilala ni Gael. She looked at the simple infinity ring on her finger as it slightly glistened agaist the soft light of the room she was in. She removed it from her finger and looked at the engraving inside the band. Palagi. Iyon ang nakasulat sa singsing. A promise of forever and always.Muling nangilid ang luha niya. Just a few minutes ago she made a decision that will change her life forever. She married Gael.Matapos pumayag si Gael na pakasalan siya, muli nitong tinawagan si Gray at pinahanda ang mga papeles na kailangan nila. She's glad that Gael has connections too kaya nagawa nilang magpakasal nang madalian at walang aberya.She knew marrying the man she had always loved is the best solution for her situation. It was the escape she was always longing for. Subalit bakit gano'n? She still feel troubled.Maybe because this is the first time that she defied her parent's will. This is the first time sh
"What? Tonto! What am I paying you for? Hindi mo na naman inaayos ang trabaho mo!" singhal ng Mommy ni Theo sa kausap nito sa telepono bago tumingin sa kanya. Sigurado siya, kausap na naman nito ang secretary nito. "Well make a way! If you should move the heaven and earth just to get to that client, then do it. No! You do it or else you're fired!"He grinned. He really took after his mother's impatience. Kaya nga siya nagtataka kung paano niya natagalan ang sang gaya ni Charlie. Charlie. That stubborn girl. He automatically balled his fists when he recalled her insults and rejection earlier that day.He will make sure that she'll pay once he found her. He will bang her and taste every inch of that beautiful body of hers. He had waited for so long at hindi na siya makakapagpigil pa. Masyado na rin siyang matagal na nagpapakabait.His mother told him that marrying Charlie would be good for him-- for his image. So that he would gain the favor of her aunt's husband, the baron who doesn
Agad na pinanlamigan ng katawan si Charlie dahil sa sinabi ni Gael. Awtomatiko siyang lumingon upang silipin ang sinasabi nitong mga sumusunod sa kanila. There she saw a black sedan that was gaining its speed to their direction. I will send men to hunt you and Gael, Charlie. And when you both are caught, I will make sure Gael will pay for his crimes. And you young lady, will surely know what it really meant when I tell you not to mess with me.Her father's threats rang in her ears and her heart instantly raced. Tinotoo ng Daddy niya ang banta nito sa kanya kanina. He will chase them. And he won't stop until she surrenders. "Oh my god!" wala sa sarili niyang usal, tarantang muling bumaling kay Gael. Magsasalita pa sana siya but Gael cussed under his breath."Keep your head low, Charlie. Now!" nagmamadaling utos nito. Agad siyang tumalima. Umuklo siya at mabilis na itinakip ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanyang mga tainga. Pagkatapos niyon, naramdaman niyang lalong bumilis ang takbo nila.