LOGINCAROLINE CERVANTES POV The Madrigal's mansion stood like something pulled straight out of a magazine. From gall iron gates, warm lights glowing from massive windows, and marble steps that made me suddenly aware of how small I felt. Kung Ako ang tatanungin, hindi na ito mansyon kundi isang malaking kaharian. Dahil sa kaba ko ay humigpit ang kapit ko sa balikat ni Niccolo, habang naglalakad kami papasok sa loob ng kanilang mansyon. I didn’t even realize I was clinging to him until I felt his hand settle over mine... firm and steady. “Just elax,” he murmured under his breath. “Just smile.” Kung sabihin niya iyon ay parang naglolokohan lang kami dito. Sinong hindi kakabahan gayong haharapin ko ang pamilya niya. At unang beses ko pa naman itong maranasan. The doors opened, and the moment we stepped inside, a wave of elegance hit me... The crystal chandeliers, polished floors, walls lined with paintings that probably cost more than my entire life savings. “Niccolo.” Lumap
*Warning: Mature Content 🔞⚠️ CAROLINE CERVANTES POV (Continuation) I froze the moment I saw him lift himself from the sofa. The towel clung low around his waist, leaving glimpses of strong, toned legs and the faint shadow of his abs under soft light. Sa bawat hakbang niya ay pabilis nang pabilis ang tibok ng puso ko. At kahit isang beses man lang ay hindi siya kumurap at tajagang nakatitig lang sa akin. Na para bang gusto niya akong lamunin ng buhay. Step by step, he closed the distance between us, and with each movement, the air seemed to thicken. My stomach tightened, my knees weak, and I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. Not when those eyes were fixed on me, holding me captive with a magnetic force that both terrified and thrilled me. He stopped just a breath away, the space between us suddenly became too small. I could feel the warmth radiating off his skin, smell the faint trace of his cologne mixed with the subtle scent of wine and soap. Parang tinambol a
*Warning: Mature Content ⚠️* CAROLINE CERVANTES POV When the car finally stopped in front of the hotel, I couldn’t help but stare. The building had massive walls of dark glass reflecting the city lights, marble steps leading up to a grand entrance, and gold accents glinting under the evening lamps. It wasn’t just a hotel... it looks like a fortress of power. Habang naglalakad ako papasok sa loob ay hindi nakalagpas sa aking paningin ang lobby ng hotel, kahit iyon ay sumisigaw nang karangyaan. The chandeliers hung like liquid crystal, the floors polished to a mirror shine, and the furniture... rich leather couches and marble tables, radiated wealth and control. Lalo tuloy akong nanliit sa sarili ko at gusto ko na lamang umalis dahil nakakahiya sa ayos ko. The receptionists barely looked up as I approached. She just handed me a key card with a polite nod, her posture straight as a soldier. “Suite 2203. Mr Niccolo Madrigal will be expecting you,” aniya sa kalmado ngunit pormal na
CAROLINE CERVANTES POV "Ma'am... Baka naman po puwedeng magawan ng paraa--" "Caroline..." putol nito sa sasabihin ko at dama ko ang matinding prustrasyon sa kanyang boses sa kabiling linya. Maging ako ay mariing napapikit at hindi alam kung saan inabaling ang atensyon. "Think about it, iha. Baka naguguluhan ka lang, frustrated or stress. You can take a break and come back when you're fine..." pag-aalo nito sa akin. Hindi ko na kasi alam kung ano ang gagawin ko. Wala pa akong tulog magmula kagabi dahil sa sinabi sa akin ng lalaking 'yun. At kahit ayaw ko mang burahin ang mga naisulat ko ay kailangan kong gawin dahil ayaw kong pumayag sa offer niya. Alam ko naman na may tinatago akong kakaibang behavior.. pero hindi naman iyon sapat para basta-basta na lang akong pumayag na gamitin niya lang nang ganun-ganun dahil gusto niya. Hindi ako gano'n ka desperada para lang mailabas itong tinatago kong kal*bugan sa katawan. Pero ngayon... tingin ko ay wala akong magagawa dahil ayaw pu
NICCOLO MADRIGAL POV She was shaking. But not violently. Just the subtle kind. The kind you only notice when you’re watching closely enough. Her fingers curl against the fabric of her dress, knuckles whitening for half a second before she forces them to relax. Then her throat... Her throat bobs as she swallows so many times—like she’s trying to steady something that refuses to be tamed. "Cute," sa isip ko at kinagat ang sariling labi upang pigilan ang pagguhit ng ngiti sa aking labi. Kanina pa ako nakatitig sa kanya. At hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na siya ang manunulat na matagal ko nang hinahanap. Kung titingnan mo kasi siya ay parang hindi siya iyong tipo ng babae na magagawang magsulat ng mga gano'ng kwento... She look innocent. Like someone who pretends to be brave because fear would give her away too easily. Her eyes keep darting everywhere except where I want them... down, to the side, anywhere but not my face. And yet… every few seconds, she looks
CAROLINE CERVANTES POV "MANANG! PAKIDAGDAG NALANG PO ITO SA LISTAHAN NG UTANG KO!" sigaw ko.Kailangan ko kasing taasan ang boses ko dahil may problema sa pandinig itong si Manong Julie. "Libre ko na 'yan, Anak," nakangiting aniya. Agad na tumaas ang kilay ko at hinabol ito dahil papasok na ulit siya sa loob ng tindahan. "Manang naman.. Malulugi po ang negosyo niyo kung laging gano'n," asik ko. Tuloy ay kinuha ko ang aking pitaka at kumuha ng isang libo para bayarin na rin 'yung ibang inutang ko noong nakaraang araw. "Tanggapin niyo na po..." pagpupumilit ko dahil tatanggihan niya pa ang ibinibigay ko. Kinuha ko ang palad niya at inilagay doon ang pera habang nakangiting nakatingin sa kanya. "Maraming salamat po," sambit ko, bahagyang nakadukwang upang masilip ang kanyang mukha. At nang makita ko ang matamis na ngiti nito sa labi ay saka ako tumalikod at nagsimulang maglakad pabalik sa bahay. "Magandang gabi, Caroline!" bati sa akin ni Tonyo. Kumaway ako sa kanya. "Magandan







