Ozanne Ellery is the Laurente's black sheep. She spent years enduring all the vain while her sister received all the grace. One day, she just realized that she is no longer the child that begged for her parents love. She has been living independently as soon as she reached the legal age. Her life is full of solitude but not until a knock on her door turned everything upside down. He doesn’t love her and so does she. Although married, Yves Merrick doesn’t treat her wife as one. At first. They treated each other with complete casualness. Surprisingly, an unexpected event came and he just find himself smitten by Ozanne. If it was lust or love, that’s what he is yet to find out.
View More•Ozanne•
Marahang pinisil ni Ozanne ang tiyan ng bata. “ How about here?”
The child twitched. “It hurts.” Ani ng batang lalaki na nagngangalang Landley at pilit na inilalayo ang kamay ni Ozanne.
Sumandal siya patalikod at inabot ang papel at panulat. Pagkatapos ng iilang sulat na ginawa niya ay inabot niya ito sa babaeng katabi ni Landley.
“ It seems that Landley is constipated. Just show that to the pharmacy below.” Tiningnan ni Ozanne si Landley at inilapat ang palad sa ulo ng bata. “ Drink a lot of water, alright Landley?”
The 7-year old boy met her gaze. “If I get better, can I still come to see you?”
“Of course, but the hospital is not a place to hang out. I will also be occupied because I have to help other children too so I can’t entertain you that much. “ As soon as she said that, Landley looked disheartened.
Hindi niya mapagilan ang sarili na magpakawala ng mahinang tawa. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng bata at itinaas ang baba nito. “ If you want, I will come see you instead. Your school is on my way home, I can drop off and treat you to ice cream, is that okay with you? Hmmh?”
Lumiwanag naman ang mukha ni Landley. “ Really? You will do that?”
“Uh-huh.” Ozanne playfully nodded her head up and down. “ But you also need to be a good boy. You need to chew your foods carefully and drink a lot of water.” Ginalaw niya ang mga braso na animong kumakain at umiinom.
Itinaas ni Landley ang kanyang palad atsaka malapad na ngumiti. “ I will!”
Muli, ginulo ni Ozanne ang kaniyang buhok bago tumayo.
Naglahad ng kamay ang ina ni Landley na siya namang tinanggap ni Ozanne. “Sorry for keeping you late, Doc. Mauuna na kami. Maraming salamat ulit.”
Ozanne shook her head defensively. “No, worries ma’am. It’s my job.”
Kinawayan siya ni Landley hanggang sa makalabas na ito ng pinto.
Napangiti si Ozanne atsaka inabot ang kaniyang bag. Sa wakas ay makakapaghinga na siya at makakatulog na sa higaan niya sa condo. Kahapon pa siya naroon sa ospital at ngayong tapos na ang shift niya ay naramdaman niya na ang pagod.
Papaalis na sana siya kanina ng lumapit sa kaniya ang isang babae na tantiya niya ay mas matanda sa kanya ng iilang taon lamang kasama ang batang lalaki na hawak-hawak ang kaniyang tiyan. At dahil hindi pa dumadating ang kapalit niyang pediatrician ay inasikaso niya na sila. Masiyahing bata si Landley kaya nag-enjoy siyang kausap ito.
Bagamat may iniindang sakit ay nagawa pa rin ni Landley na ikwento ang tungkol sa nangyari sa kanya at sa mga pinsan niya ng masagi nila ang mamahaling vase habang naglalaro ng habulan. Tumatakbong tinakasan daw nila ang kanilang mga ina.
Kahit kinailangan niyang isakripisyo ang ilang oras ng tulog ay masaya si Ozanne sa kaniyang trabaho. Sa tuwing kinakausap siya ng kaniyang mga naging pasyente ay tila may humahaplos sa kanyang puso sa tuwing nakikita niyang tumatawa Ito. Higit sa lahat, may kung anong saya siyang nararamdaman kapag naroon ang mga magulang ng mga bata at inaalagaan ang kanilang mga anak.
As soon as Ozanne entered the passcode, she immediately went inside, after taking her shoes off and washing her hands, she slumped directly to the bed, her face buried on the sheets.
Dama niya ang paghihile sa kaniya ng malambot niyang kama. Ipipikit niya na sana ang mga mata ng biglang tumunog ang kaniyang tiyan.
Dinedma niya ang pagkulo ng sikmura ngunit patuloy siya nitong ginigising sa pagkaantok.
Nangyaring wala na siyang pasiyenteng aasikasuhin kaya saglit siyang napaidlip ngunit ilang sandali pa lang ay agad siyang ginising ng nurse at sinabihang nariyan na iyong nagpa-schedule para sa check-up. Pagkatapos nun ay muli siyang naging abala kaya nakalimutan niya na talaga ang tanghalian.
Sluggishly, Ozanne rolled until she was at the edge and stood up.
Habang hindi pa kumukulo ang tubig ay nagtungo muna siya sa kaniyang kwarto at nagpalit ng damit. Tinanggal niya ang suot na relo at hinaplos ang bakas ng kaniyang kahapon na ngayon. Pinahiran niya ng cream ang mga peklat at bumalik na sa kusina.
The aroma filled the room, although it was just an instant noodles, it appeared like the best selling pork stew at the eatery in front of the hospital where she worked. Her mouth watered immediately and forked the noodles.
Napadighay siya pagkatapos niyang maubos ang pagkain sa loob lamang ng isang minuto, much faster than her usual eating time.
Pinahiran niya ang mga kamay ng paper towel pagkatapos maghugas ng biglang may kumatok. Malakas ang pagkakatok na tila may mahalagang sadya ito sa kaniya.
Nagtaka naman si Ozanne. Ito ang pinakaunang pagkakataon na may nagtungo sa tirahan niya.
Lumapit siya sa pinto at pinihit ang doorknob. “ Who is-“ Hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin dahil sa gulat ng matanaw ang mag-asawang tinatawag niyang magulang.
Ipinalibot ng kaniyang ina ang kaniyang tingin. Marahan niyang pinagpag ang sofa bago umupo. Sa kabilang banada naman ay nakatayo ang kaniyang ama sa may bintana, tinatanaw ang kalsada sa ibaba.
“What brings you here?” Ozanne said while she stood straight in front of her mother. There’s a clear hostility in her face.
Her mother scoffed in disbelief. “ You ungrateful brat! We paid for this place, aren’t we welcome in here? You didn’t even offered any drink, where’s your manner?”
“Oh! Hindi ko alam na gusto mo pala ng maiinom, should I get you some water?” sarkastikong salaysay ni Ozanne.
Hahakbang na sana siya patungong kusina ng iwinasiwas ng Ina niya ang isang kamay. “Water? Is that all you’ve got? Nevermind, Ozanne.”
Ozanne crossed her arms and faced her mother. “Just get to the point. What is it this time? Imposible namang personal kayong nagtungo rito para lang manghingi ng maiinom.”
“Very well.” Her mother fished her phone from her handbag and went through something before handing it to Ozanne.
“Siya ang may-ari ng MH Suites, which is now dominating the industry. Nagpull-out ang ilang investors natin at nagpunta sa kanila. It was just two months since they started operating and yet they’ve become client-grabber. They have their main branch sa Canada…” Mahaba pa ang naging paliwanag ng ina niya pero lumusot lamang ito sa kaniya ng pandinig.
Pabaling-baling niyang pinagmasdan ang litrato ng lalaki. Seryoso ang ekspresyon nito habang ang dalawang kamay ay nasa ibabaw ng armrest. Nakasandal ang kaniyang likuran at malayo ang mga hita sa isa't isa. Unang tingin ay aakalain mong pagmamay-ari ka ng kanyang teritoryo.
'Playboy.’ Ozanne could tell it at a glance. The playful look on his face revealed that this is a type of a man who had banged any woman he would met. By the look of his face, he could be a prototype of Zeus. Right, they have things in common. They are both powerful and has a lot of women.
Ibinalik ni Ozanne ang telepono. “ So? I’m a doctor not a businesswoman, you must have mistaken me for your other daughter.”
“This man will be your husband. You will meet him one of these days. “ Mrs. Laurente turned her heels and now was about to leave when Ozanne held her hand. Narito lamang sila para ipaalam sa kaniya iyon, hindi nila kailangang marinig ang pagpapasiya niya.
“How can I marry that man? I don’t even know him for Pete’s sake! Wala akong naramdamang pagmamahal sa taong yan!” Ozanne can’t help but blurted it out.
Labing-siyam na taon siya when she decided to live independently. Mula ng umalis siya sa puder nila ay hindi niya nakikita sa malapitan ang kaniyang mga magulang. Minsan ay pinapadalo si Ozanne sa ilang mga pagtitipon ngunit iyon ay pawang para sa kadahilanan na maging maganda ang tingin sa kanila ng publiko.
Mrs. Laurente withdrew her hands forcefully. “And so what?! Who cares if you love him or not? Whether you like it or not, you would marry Mr.Herrera!”
“Why are you selling me off? Kinokontak niyo lang naman ako dati kapag may dinadaluhan tayong events, a? And now, you just barged into my place and telling me to be with a stranger? Anong klaseng magulang kayo?!” As soon as she said that, she felt a palm landed on her face.
Tumagilid ang kaniyang namumulang mukha. Malakas ang pagkakasampal sa kaniya ngunit dagli niya lang naramdaman sakit nito at agad ding nawala.
'It won’t hurt me, I’m already used to this.’
Hinawakan ng ina niya ang kaniyang mukha paharap, bumabaon ang mahahabang kuko nito sa kaniyang pisngi.
“Don’t question our decision as it was for our company. And may I remind you na kung hindi dahil sa negosyo natin ay hindi mo mararating ang kung ano ka man ngayon. So don’t defy me, Ozanne, it’s for your own good, you know what I can do.” Her mother looked at her with heated eyes.
Ozanne used to comfort herself with the thought that her parents was busy finding money for her to survive in this world. For a long time she believed that. But not anymore, sometimes she would wish that they’re not her real parents.
Alam niyang dapat niyang ipagpasalamat niyang may nanay at tatay siya dagdag pa roon na may kakayahan sila upang magkaroon ng kumportableng pamumuhay samantalang may mga taong mas naghihirap sa kaniya. Ngunit habang lumalaki ay namulat siyang pantay lang ang lahat, magkakaiba man ang mga pagsubok ay parehong may mga pinagdadaanan ang bawat isa.
Sa tuwing nakikita niya kung paano sinusubuan ng kanilang ina ang mga pasyente niya o di kaya tuwing binubuhat sila ng kanilang ama, nakakaramdam siya ng inggit. Kailan ba ang pagkakataon na ginawa sa kaniya iyon ng magulang niya? Ang tanging pagkikita nila ay tuwing hapunan lamang. At kung kinakausap man siya ay kapag pinapagalitan.
“ It’s not for me, it’s for 'your' own good!” Why don’t you try Gianna? Why does it have to be me?! It has always been-“ then again, her mother slapped her.
The man standing in front of the window inched into their direction. He held both of Ozanne’s shoulders and forced her to look at him.
“You were never been helpful to us unlike Gianna. You became a doctor, may naitulong ka ba sa kompanya? Now, if you don’t want to live on the streets, you’ll do what we asked you to do. At huwag mong isiping kaya mong mabuhay gamit ang sariling pera dahil alam mong kaya kong kunin mula sayo ang trabaho mo.” Nanggigil na saad ng ama niya.
“Ganito ba ang resulta ng pag-alis mo ng bahay? You were docile back then.” Pagsisingit naman ng ina niya atsaka napailing.
“We’ll call you one of these days, make sure to prepare yourself anytime to meet Mr. Herrera.” And just like that, the couple made their way out of the condo.
Meanwhile, Ozanne remained where she stood earlier . She clutched her chest but surprisingly she didn’t felt anything. She should be hurt by now. Devastated. Hopeless. But nothing gushed through her as much as she wanted to. And that only means one thing.
It has been gone for quite some time now. But after their conversation she would not be surprised if some moments later, they’ll come again.
‘You were never been helpful to us. Ha! Why don’t you just get a knife and stab them, it will end your agony.’
‘Or how about sneaking in while they’re soaked in the bathtub, then drop some live wires in the water. Masaya iyon!’
‘No! It was Ozanne’s fault in the first place! Hindi siya naging masunurin, that’s why.’
‘What will her husband be like? Paano na kung nanakit pala iyon?’
‘Then Ozanne have to kill him too!’
‘Yes! Patayin silang lahat!’
Ozanne covered her ears. ‘Stop it!’ But they keep on talking, like there’s a conference in her head. The voices then became chaotic that made her mind haywire.
Nagtungo siya sa tanging lugar na makakapagpahinto sa mga boses na naririnig niya.
Kinuha niya ang blade na tinago niya sa ilalim ng bathroom sink. Pagkatapos nun ay itinaas niya ang kaniyang kaliwang palapulsuhan. At tulad ng palagi niyang ginagawa, sinugatan niya ang sarili.
Agad ding nagsilabasan ang mainit na likido mula sa sugat. Hinayaan niyang umagos ito habang dahan-dahan niyang isinandal ang likod sa dingding. Pinagmasdan niya ang sarili sa salamin, naroon pa rin ang bakas ng mga daliri ng kaniyang ina.
Agad na gumuhit ang sakit sa kaniyang sistema, hindi lamang mula sa kaniyang sugat ngunit sa kaniyang puso rin. Gamit ang kabilang kamay, mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang d****b at tumingala.
Her breath became ragged as her tears came streaming down her face. It has always been this way. Along with the quiet sobs she let out, the voices became fainter and fainter until they were gone.
She let all her tears come out until there were nothing to shed anymore. She reached for the first aid kit underneath the sink and placed it on top of the lavatory. Then, she treated herself like she had always do.
Pagkatapos niyang balutin ng bandage ang bisig ay nagtungo na siya sa kwarto.
It had already been an hour since she slipped under her blanket. She had been sleepy earlier but it was all gone now. Ozanne kept changing her sleeping position hoping that it will help her doze off.
•Yves•“Hey.” Napalingon si Yves ng tawagin siya ni Karson. Agad Naman niyang sinenyas ang cellphone na nasa tainga pa niya.Karson formed an ‘o’ with his lips, signaling that he understood what he meant. Itinaas na lamang niya ang dalawang canned beer na hawak nito. Tumabi si Karson sa kaniya at sinimulan na ang pag inom ng alak.It took a couple of minutes hanggang sa matapos ang ginagawa ni Yves. Pagkababa niya ng tawag ay inabot na ni Karson ang Isa pang alak na dala niya.“You don’t wanna join them?” Gamit ang ulo ay itinuro ni Yves ang iba pa. Masayang nagsasayawan Ang mga ito. Bagama’t may kalayuan ay dinig pa rin ang tunog at tawanan Nila. “I don’t dance.” Karson softly chuckled. “At least I have someone that is on the same boat as me.” Tugon naman ni Yves. Kapwa silang nakatayo sa baybayin. Kapwa may hawak na alak sa Isang kamay. Kapwa nakatanaw sa bilog at mahiwagang buwan.“So, the team building’s will end tonight huh?” pagbubukas ni Karson ng usapan.“ Yeah.”
•Xienna•So the next morning, Yves decided to tag her along. May meeting si Yves sa labas Ng isla kaya isasama na niya si Xienna upang mapatingn Ang kaniyang paa sa Isang clinic doon. Tutal ay wala namang mapagkakaabalahan si Xienna kung mananatili sya sa Isla Lalo pa’t abala ang mga tao roon sa mga team building activities na inihanfa ni Kyson.After the 30 minutes sail on the yacht, narating na nila ang syudad. Alas nuwebe na ng umaga pagkababa nila kaya naman ay abalang abala na ang mga tao roon. Hindi pa rin nakakalakad Ng maayos si Xienna kaya inaakay siya ni Yves pababa. “Are we going to commute?” tanong ni Xienna habang inaayos ang buhok nito na Kumakawala sa pagkaipit sa likod ng kaniyang tenga. Sinundan ng tingin ni Xienna si Yves na naglakad sa kaniyang likod at bahagyang lumapit sa kaniya.“We’ll be in my car. The driver is on his way.”Tumango si Xienna at nagsimula nang maglakad patungo sa isang drugstore na malapit sa kinatatayuan nila. Habang si Yves naman a
•Yves•“You have already told me that for like five times now… I know. Just trust me. I’ll be fine. Alright, I’ll see you soon. Take care. “ Xienna put down her phone and walked towards Yves who is now standing as they are about to enter the airport.Sinabay na ni Yves si Xienna papunta sa airport dahil kinakailangan pang umalis nila ni Karson at Aaliyah dahil sa isang family reunion. Gustuhin man ni Karson na personal na mamaalam ay Hindi pwede dahil kukulangin na sila sa oras.“Let’s get going, Ms. Johnson.” Tutulungan na sana siya ni Yves sa kaniyang maleta pero agad itong nilayo ni Xienna.Nagulat naman si Yves sa ginawa nito. Matamis na ngiti Ang ginawad ni Xienna sa kaniya. “ It’s fine. I’m just not used to people keeping my things for me. I can handle myself.”Nagkibit balikat na lamang si Yves at pinauna na si Xienna.Pagkarating sa loob ng eroplano ay magkatabi si Yves at si Kyson habang nasa likuran naman nila ang limang investors na sumama sa kanila at ang dalawam
•Yves•“For how many days again?” Xienna ask.“Three. Stakeholders are encouraged to join this event to raise the workforce morale, but this is not mandatory, you still have the right to decline.” Explained Yves.“Do you need my answer right now?” “Preferably yes, but I can still wait up until tomorrow so that we can fix the documents.”“How many stakeholders had already raised a thumbs up?”“So far there’s two.”Xienna nodded. “I’ll think about it.”Aalis na sana si Xienna nang tawagin siya ni Yves. “Uhmm-““Yes?”“Are. We. Okay? Like did I do anything wrong?”She smiled. “You’re thinking too much. Of course we’re okay… Wait, I’ll just go grab something.” Xienna softly laughed as if brushing the topic off.Yves let out an awkward smile. “Sure.”At naiwan na nga itong mag-isa. Habang abala sa kaniyang selpon ay siya namang pagbaba ni Aaliyah.“Hey.” Pagkalapit ni Aaliyah ay hinalikan niya si Yves sa pisngi. “Today’s Sunday, do you have somewhere to go to?”“Lemme chec
•Yves•Hawak niya ang kamay ni Xienna habang mahimbing itong natutulog. Nakaupo si Yves sa gilid Ng higaan habang nakadapa Ang kalahati Ng kaniyang katawan.The rain has already stopped. The sun is starting to come out. Bahagyang gumalaw si Xienna dahilan upang magising si Yves. Yves run his hand through his hair as he looked around. “Xienna?”Xienna on the other hand has just started to open her eyes. Inilibot niya rin ang paningin sa paligid . Dumapo Ang kaniyang tingin sa magkahawak nilang kamay kaya agad niyang inilayo ang sa kaniya.Tumikhim si Yves. “I already called Karson, he’s on his way. Are you feeling better?”“I’m thirsty.”Inabot ni Yves ang nakapatong na water bottle sa ibabaw Ng bedside table at pinainom na Kay Xienna ang laman nito. Xienna looked at her hands. “Ummm… I have nyctophobia. I had a panic attack, I don’t mean to trouble you.” Her voice was so low.Lumipat si Yves mula sa upuan niya papunta sa kama. Umupo siya doon. He placed his hands on he
•Yves•“You got a nice office here, dude.” Ani Xienna habang sinusuri Ang bawat sulok ng opisina ni Yves.“Sure.” Tipid na tugon naman ni Yves habang pinagpapatuloy ang pagliligpit sa mga dokumentong na pirmahan na ni Xienna. Nang matapos si Yves sa ginagawa ay inayos niya ang kaniyang suot. Tumayo siya at pinagkrus ang mga braso habang sinusundan ng tingin ang kaniyang bisita na ngayon ay abala na sa mga aklat na nakahilera doon.“By the way, when you told me that I was about to meet someone, did you already know that you’ll be having a deal with me?” Asked Yves.Kumuha si Xienna ng isang aklat roon bago hinarap si Yves. “Well, your name do ring a bell. But mind you, I’m not that sure. I don’t remember names that much but I got a feeling that it’s you. Karson’s the one who recommended MH Suites to me, I’m a freelance model and I’m looking for something where I can grow my money into. Karson once checked in to a branch you have in Japan after his flight. He liked the accomm
•Yves•He’s feeling out of place with all their talks and whatnots. Kaya naman nagpokus na lamang siya sa pagmamaneho. And besides, having a lot of people inside the car with him as the driver is taking a toll. Malayo ang kanilang biyahe, mula airport papunta sa beach house nila sa Batangas. Aaliyah’s brother and his friend is going to stay there for their vacation.“Are you sure it’s okay for you to have an overnight here? You seem to be a busy man.” Tanong ni Larson.“I got an off. It’s fine, I don’t have a lot of work to do anyway.”Liar. Even Aaliyah knows that he’s lying right now. She looked at him with a questioning look and he just nodded. Kahit sarili niya mismo ay hindi alam kung bakit siya pumayag. Yves’ phone beeped announcing that they have already reached their destination.“Is this it?” Yves said, making sure. “Yes, yes.” Karson.They all went out the car. “This place didn’t even change for a bit.” Pagsasalita pa ni Xienna.“Oh? You’ve been here alre
•Aaliyah•“What’s happening? Why are you crying?”Yves said as he cupped her face. He guided him to the seat while delicately holding her shoulders.“How’s your head? Does it hurts? Should we go back to the hospital?”Aaliyah firmly shook her head. “Ayos lang. I just remembered something.”“You sure? You’re not feeling weird? Or anything?”“I hate sunsets.” Pag aamin ni Aaliyah. Sinundan ni Yves ang tingin ni Aaliyah sa album na ngayon ay nahulog na sa sahig. “I got a bitter memory with it.”_She’d been staying at Yves’ residence for two days.'I’m bored'. That crossed Aaliyah’s mind for quite some time now.Bumangon siyang muli sa pagkakahiga Ng halos ilang oras na din. Pagkatapos mag-agahan kanina ay diretso lang siyang kwarto. At dahil Wala naman siyang magawa at hindi siya pinapayagang magkikilos masyado, nanghiram na lamang siya ng libro at iyon ang pinagdiskitahan niya.Magulo at tumatakip sa kaniyang mata An
• Yves•Hindi siya mapakaling naglalakad nang paikot-ikot. Pinagmamasdan niya ang kaniyang mga palad na may bakas pa Ng pulang likido. A certain image continuously flash in his mind.Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na si Kyson. Tinawagan ito ni Yves pagkatapos madala ni Aaliyah sa ospital. “Dude, can you please sit down?”Pero imbes na sundin ito ni Yves ay mas pinili niyang idikit ang likod na lamang sa dingding . Pinagkrus niya ang mga braso, umaasang maitatago nito ang panginginig Ng kaniyang mga kamay.“Drink this. And stay calm, will you?” Inabot ni Kyson ang isang bote ng tubig Ng hindi siya tinitingnan. Agad naman itong tinungga ni Yves. Nang maubos nito ang laman ay siya namang paglabas at paglapit ng doktor.“It’s a mild concussion. She just lost unconsciousness. Other than the external bleeding in the left temporal lobe, fortunately she didn’t acquired other physical injury. She’ll undergo some tests. But for now, we need to let h
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