Lena was in the bathtub for hours now. She was watching the tiny drops of water coming out of the faucet as they join the already cold water she was soaking her body in. On the background, she can hear the news from the old TV— the dreadful news she had been hearing for her entire week now. Gael is getting married again… to his wife Charlize. When Gael broke up with her more than a month ago after he had learned about her deceit, she had always been on the run since. Her father and the authorities were after her. She cannot afford to get caught. Especially not by her father. She just knew that when her father would find her, he’ll punishher for ruining his plans. And with her state right now, she knew she'd die with just one blow. Tears fell from her eyes as her heart wracked with pain. She remembered the days when her life was better, when she had so much hope, and when she was still loved. Oh how she wished she could go back. For now, she had lost all of those and slowly losing
Kanina pa nasa harap ng salamin si Gael subalit panay pa rin ang pag-aayos niya sa kurbata ng kanyang suit. The damn thing just won’t align!Frustrated, he took it off altogether and huffed.He’s anxious for some unknown reason. Gray, who arrived last night, said at it must be the wedding jitters but he refuses to believe so. He’s just on edge because he didn’t get to see his wife and son for hours now. Sneaking in at Charlie and Levi’s hotel room crossed his mind a few times last night. With his skills as a former elite boduyguard, he could do that with no sweat involved. But his grandfather gave him a talk about keeping his word and just wait until it’s time for them to meet at the altar again. Subalit naging sobrang napakahirap niyon sa kanya dahil sa iisang hotel lang silang naka-check –in na mag-anak—just different floors. Idagdag pa na talagang makulit si Tala at panay-panay ang pagbabantay sa mag-ina niya, h’wag lang niyang makita ang mga ito.Gray told him to have a little dr
Sandaling namanhid si Gael sa kanyang nasaksihan. Panandalian niyang kinumbinsi ang sarili na imahinasyon niya lang ang lahat. Na nasa maayos na lagay si Charlie at walang kaguluhan na nangyayari sa mismong araw ng kanilang kasal. He even tried to blink a few times—willing the dreadful scenario away from his head. But when he opened his eyes, his bride, his wife still laid there on the cold ground, bleeding.With his chest constricting, he tried to stand up, wanting to go to Charlie as soon as he can. But his bodyguard nearby kept him from doing so. Anger burned his skin in an instant. He had to go Charlie and no one, not even the damn death god himself could prevent him from doing so.He turned himself onto the ground, lying on his back, and gave the bodyguard hovering over at him a straight jab to the jaw. Napaupo ito, bago siya mahilo-hilong binitiwan. He took that chance to crawl his way to Charlie, who fell near the entrance of the church. ‘I like the water, Kuya Gael. Can you t
It was a manic day for Charlie. No. It was chaos spelled in all caps. She was supposed to wake up an hour ago for her scheduled appointment. But because she and Gael stayed up late yet again last night, there she was rushing to fix herself so she could run to where she’s heading to for the day. “Hey, slow down, beautiful. You’ll hurt yourself,” nakangiting sabi ni Gael sa kanya, sumandal pa sa hamba ng pinto ng walk-in closet niya—looking so handsome with just his lounge pants on and nothing else. “Go away, Gael. You know I cannot be late today,” sabi niya habang naglalagay ng sunscreen sa mukha. She’ll need lots of those sa pupuntahan niya. Gael chuckled. “Bakit, hindi ka naman late a. You still have at least an hour and a half to spare.” She scoffed and picked up her blush powder. She won’t wear her full make-up today. “An hour and a half spare that I’ll spend for travel. You know how’s Manila traffic in the morning, Gael. It’s one of the worse and I can’t afford to be late toda
“Are you ready?” tanong ng Mommy ni Charlie sa kanya. She filled her lungs with air and gave her mother a slow nod. “Yes,” she replied smiling. Gumanti ng ngiti ang Mommy niya, nangingilid ang luha. Masuyo pa nitong inabot anag kanyang pisngi. “I wish you all the happiness in the world, sweetheart.” “Thanks, Mom,” sabi niya bago niyakap ang ina. They stayed like that for a while bago sila nakarinig ng katok sa pinto. “Hey, the music’s starting and all the guests are waiting. Don’t tell me may balak ka pang itakbo ‘yang anak mo, Sam,” said her father’s familiar voice outside the door. Natatawa nilang binitiwan ng Mommy niya ang isa’t-isa. Sandaling nitong pinunasan ng panyo ang gilid ng mga mata nito bago siya muling nginitian. “Let’s go. Your Dad cannot wait to give you away… officially,” pabirong sabi ng Mommy niya bago inabot sa kanya ang kanyang bouquet. When her mother opened the door to her room, she was met by her father’s loving gaze. “Finally,” anito, nakangiti. He gave
“Again? Pero puno pa ang fridge niyan, love. Nakita ko kagabi nang bumaba ako sa kitchen,” reklamo ni Gael kay Charlie nang muli siyang maglagay ng dragon fruit sa cart. They were out grocery shopping in a local grocery store in Cancun. They have been staying there for a week now in celebration of their second wedding anniversary. It was a trip she didn’t really want to take at first because she easily gets tired lately. But when Gael told her that she will call the shots every time, she was in in no time. She rolled her eyes and faced him. “Can’t you get it? I’m not buying them for me to eat. I’m buying it because they looked cute,” pagrarason niya, muling naglagay ng dalawang piraso pa ng nasabing prutas sa cart. Gael huffed. “Should I buy you a dragon fruit farm?” “Of course not!” sabi niya, muling naglakad sa aisle ng prutas na kinaroroonan nila. “What about a grocery store then? You want me to purchase this grocery store for you?” Namawaywang na siya at hinarap ang asawa.
"Charlie, hindi pa ba tayo uuwi?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Jasmine kay Charlie.Awtomatikong nabitin sa ere ang sana'y pag-inom niya ng tequila na nasa shot glass na hawak niya. She smiled at her bestfriend who has this familiar worried look on her face. "With that look on your face, we'll be here in an hour more or two," pabirong sagot niya bago tuluyang ininom ang alak.Not a second more, the bitter taste of the drink burned her throat but it was not enough to keep the worries of the day away.Sumimangot si Jasmine. "Ang paalam natin kay Daddy madi-dinner lang tayo, hindi tayo maglalasing," reklamo pa nito bago ininom ang laman na alak ng sarili nitong shotglass.Lihim siyang napangiti. Jasmine has always been reserved even when they were in high school. Madalas kasi itong ma-bully dahil common knowledge na inampon lamang ito ng mayamang pamilyang kinalakihan nito—ang mga Benitez. But she's glad that Jasmine is slowly gaining her confidence to move within their circle. She's even down
Nagmamadaling lumapit si Gael sa kani Jasmine at Charlie at marahan silang iginiya palabas ng club. Pagdating sa entrance, nakita niyang pumarada ang pamilyar na big bike ni Gray Samaniego, Jasmine's family friend, sa harap ng club. She hasn't seen Gray in a long-time. Three years to be exact. Gray took off his helmet, got off his bike and walked over at them in few long strides. "Thanks for the heads up," anito kay Gael bago bumaling kay Jasmine. "C'mon, Jasmine. I'll take you home," pormal na pahayag nito bago iniabot ang hawak nitong helmet sa kaibigan niya. She felt Jasmine's hand tightened on hers. Kung bakit, hindi niya alam. It took a few more seconds before Jasmine let her hand go and hesitantly took the helmet from Gray. "M-mauna na 'ko, Charlie. I-I'll text you when I'm home," anito bago tuluyang naglakad patungo sa big bike ni Gray. She would've wanted to send Jasmine off but Gael quickly took her hand and led her back to her car. On the way, nakasalubong nila si Theo