-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~The next morning~“Good morning, my love.” Panimula ni Evolet nang makababa na ako ng hagdan.“Hello, good morning.” Sagot ko naman at saka nagtungo kung nasaan ito.“Did you enjoy the party last night?” Tanong nito nang mahalikan ko ang kanyang noo.“I did, but I was only thinking of you.” Sagot ko naman at saka umupo sa tabi nito.“Aw, you missed me huh?” Biro nito.“Yeah, I did.” Sagot ko at saka siya hinalikan. “So much.”Niyakap ako nito at hindi ako nag-dalawang isip na gumanti rito, ngunit ang lahat ng nangyari kahapon ay sariwa pa sa ulo ko. At hindi ko malimutan kung paano ako tingnan ni Deanna at ni Emy kagabi.(Are you leaving, Daddy?)(Yes, I am darling. But, I'll be back..)(Tomorrow?)(Tomorrow…)“My love.” Tawag ni Evolet sa akin nang humiwalay ito sa yakap, na naging dahilan rin upang bumalik ako sa reyalidad.“What is it, my love?” Tanong ko at saka hinawi ang iilang pirasong buhok na nakaharang sa kanyang pisngi.“Are you going to wor
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~•~“I’m sorry, boyfriend?” Gelal asked as he furrowed his brows.I watched Callum nod at him as I held his arm, and it was clear to me that he's shocked, he just hides it.“Gelal.” He introduced myself.“A pleasure to meet you.” Sagot ni Callum at saka tumingin sa akin. “I'm just gonna take a shower upstairs, okay?”“Alright.” Bulong ko bago siya hayaang magtungo sa kwarto namin.Nang makaalis si Callum, pinanood ko itong kunin ang kanyang susi at saka nagtungo kay Deanna at saka hinalikan ang noo nito.“Daddy's going to leave now, be a good little girl okay?” He reminded and caressed her hair.“When will you be back?” She asked as she looked at him.“Soon, and don’t worry, I’ll bring you some toys and buy you your favourite fudge.” He answered and smiled.Oh that smile…“Can I come with you?” She asked again.“I'll let your Momma decide, my love.” He answered and looked at me solemnly.And just by his stare, hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi mata
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~Nakarating na ako sa bahay ngunit walang ibang pumalibot sa isipan ko kundi pagtataka, bukod sa hindi nakasindi ang ilaw ay mukhang walang tao rin dito.Dali-dali akong nagtungo sa may pinto at walang alinlangan na binuksan iyon, only to find myself alone.“Nasaan kaya to?” Bulong ko sa sarili at saka nagtungo sa taas.There wasn't a sight of her as I searched the house, and I couldn't help but feel anxious and wonder about her reason.She–she left me…Just like what Emy did to me a few years ago…Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I quickly texted her number, and only to find my message unseen by her.Theo: Mein Liebling, where are you?-(KHALEED MAXIMUS FRANCISCO POV)-~♪~(If Theo came and asked you, don't tell him where I went.)“Khaleed.” Tawag ni Gelal habang ako'y naglalaro ng basketball.“Ano?” Tanong ko naman at saka tumingin rito. “Kanina ka pa tawag nang tawag.”“Nasaan si Eve?” Tanong nito pabalik habang siya'y nakasandal sa pader.“Aba,
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~•~“So, care to tell me why you punched your brother?” Tanong ko habang nilalagyan ng gamot ang mga galos nito sa kamay.“Does it have to be your cup of tea?” He asked back, which caused me to laugh softly.“Alright, titigil na lang ako.” Sagot ko. “I understand if you don't want to open up.”Silence engulfed our surroundings as I bandaged his abrasions, and as I was about to reach for his other hand, I heard him speak, causing me to stay silent.“Khal told me she visited him before leaving.” Panimula nito.“And why is that?” I asked while my eyes were glued to what I was doing.“She found out about us.” He answered, causing me to stop from what I was doing.“What do you mean ‘us’?” I asked back. “We already separated six years ago.”“Nalaman niya na ikaw ang ‘Emy’ na nirerefer ko sa kwento ko.” Sagot nito. “And I asked her when she answered my call.”“What did she say?” Tanong ko naman ulit.“She resents you.” Sagot niya. “Us.”“Well, I don'
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~“Okay, we’re here.” Panimula ko nang maitigil ko ang kotse sa harap ng bahay.“Daddy, is Mommy going to stay here with us?” Tanong nito habang yakap ang plushy.“No, baby. But she'll visit you from time to time while you stay here.” Sagot ko at saka lumabas ng kotse.Nagtungo ako sa passenger side at binuksan ang pinto saka siya inalalayang bumaba, ngunit bakas sa mukha nito ang lungkot habang yakap niya ang plushy.“What's wrong?” Tanong ko at saka umupo upang pantay ang aming tingin.“I want Mommy to be here–with us.” She muttered as she looked at me.“Baby I-” Naputol ang aking sasabihin nang sumagot ito.“She’ll be sad, Daddy.” Sagot niya. “And she'll be all alone in the house.”“Your Tito Callum will be there to accompany Mommy, and he’ll take care of her.” Wika ko na lamang at saka binuhat ito.“But Tito won't be home until morning.” Sagot niya muli habang patungo kami sa front porch.“So, you want her to stay with us?” Tanong ko naman nang bu
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~A week later~“Oh, kaninong anak yan?” Salubong ni Khaleed nang makarating kami sa main residence.“Sa akin.” Sagot ko. “Hindi naman kami magtatagal dito, may kukunin lang akong mga gamit.”Nilagpasan namin ito at pinaunang umakyat si Deanna sa hagdan nang marinig ko muli itong sumagot.“Sigurado ka bang anak mo yan?” Tanong nito. “Kasi, wala naman siyang nakuha sayo.”“Can you please shut your mouth for just 50 minutes? Naririnig ka ni Deanna.” Sagot ko at saka pinantayan ito ng tingin.“So what if that child hears me?” Sagot niya pabalik.“Don't fvcking tempt me to punch you, Maximus.” Giit ko nang hablutin ko ang kanyang kwelyo.“Or what? You're gonna kill me just like what you did to our brothers?” Tanong nito muli sa akin.“Maybe, so don't give me the fvcking idea.” Sagot ko.Pwersahan niyang tinanggal ang aking mga kamay sa kwelyo ng kanyang suot, at base sa galaw nito, siya’y napipikon na.“Fvcking asshole.” Giit nito sa akin. “You really are te
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~•~Habang ako'y nasa trabaho ay laking gulat ko nang makareceive ako ng mensahe mula kay Gelal, at nagtataka rin ako kung bakit.Theo: I’m dropping Deanna at your place, I need to be somewhere urgent.Tiningnan ko ang oras, seeing it was 10 in the morning. Kaya walang alinlangan akong nagreply rito.Ems: Last week mo lang siya kinuha, why so sudden?Theo: Evolet’s bleeding.Just by seeing his reply, I couldn't help but worry for his wife. And worry for his safety…-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)--♪-“Silas, is everything booked?” Tanong ko habang kami ay papunta sa office.“Yes, Sir.” Sagot nito. “Your flight will be on Wednesday night.”“Sige, cancel my meetings from Thursday to Saturday.” Utos ko rito bago ibaba ang tawag.Hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi kabahan para kay Eve, at pilit kong sinisisi ang aking sarili dahil sa sinapit nito.Kailangan ko na rin ipa-DNA test si Deanna, para bago ako umalis ay panatag ako na akin siya.“Daddy, where
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-~•~“Silas.” Tawag ko mula sa intercomm.“Sir?” Tanong naman niya.“Nakapag-book ka na ba?” Tanong ko rito. “Pumunta ka nga dito sa office.”Nang inalis ko ang aking daliri sa intercomm ay sakto rin itong pumasok sa loob, all while holding a cup of coffee and a croissant.“What is it, Sir?” He asked again and took a bite.“Gusto ko lang malaman kung bukas ako aalis, or next week.” Panimula ko at saka inikot ikot ang ballpen.“Next week Wednesday ang flight niyo, Sir.” Sagot niya. “Bakit po?” “Nothing, I just realized I still have a shitload of work to do.” I intoned. “You may go.” Tumango na lamang ito bilang tugon at saka umalis, leaving me alone with my thoughts.(If you don't arrive within a week, I will blow you to bits.)Heaving a sigh, I rubbed my forehead due to frustration. And there was nothing I could do except finish these before leaving.-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-~Verdanio Residences~Kasalukuyan kaming nasa main residence