For a moment, silence filled the room. Nag-iwas ng tingin si Rozein habang nakaigting ang mga panga, his chest rising and falling too fast.“Hindi ka naniniwala sa akin. Because everyone in your life made you think you were incapable of being loved,” patuloy niya.“Thanks for the reminder,” he muttered sarcastically.She took a step closer. Nang hindi umatras si Rozein, hinawakan niya ang braso nito at marahang hinaplos. “You need to be reminded of certain things before you start thinking clearly again. Hindi lahat iiwan ka. Dahil lang sa sumuko sa iyo ang mga tao sa nakaraan mo, hindi ibig sabihin susuko rin ako.” Huminga siya nang malalim, at naglakas-loob sabihin ang nilalaman ng kanyang puso. “I love you, Rozein. At hindi ako titigil sa pagmamahal sa iyo, kahit ano pa ang sabihin o isipin mo. Lalaban ako para sa relasyon na ito, even when you believe there’s nothing left to fight for.”Something in his expression softened, just for a second. Nakikita niyang nakikinig ito. Unti-u
“Thara,” bungad ni Allesandro sa kabilang linya.“Dad,” mahinang sabi niya, pilit pinatatag ang boses. “Kevin contacted me. He’s in London. He knows you’re onto him.”“Don’t worry about anything, Thara. It’s under control. He’ll be gone soon, I promise. How are things with Rozein?” tanong nito. She swallowed hard. “It’s... perfect here. I’ll get his signature on the paper in no time.”“Amazing. That’s my girl. I’ve got to go, call me if something comes up.”“Sure.” Pagkababa niya ng tawag, mahina siyang napamura. “Bastard.”Naupo siya sa stool, pinagsalikop ang mga palad sa mukha. Rozein hates her. Kahit sinabi niya na ang totoo, hindi pa rin nito kayang tingnan siya nang walang galit sa mga mata.Huminga siya nang malalim. Kahit durog ang puso, tumayo siya. This was her last chance. She had to fight for them.Dahan-dahan niyang binuksan ang pinto ng kwarto ni Rozein. Bahagyang nakaawang iyon, kaya marahan niyang itinulak. Pagpasok niya, nadatnan niyang nag-iimpake ito ng mga damit
Nanginginig ang kamay ni Thara at mahigpit na nilikot ang papel hanggang sa maging bilog ito sa kamao niya. She felt the rapid surge of fear and anger rising in her chest up to her head habang pilit kinakalma ang sarili.Sa harap niya, nakatayo si Rozein na malamig ang mga mata, halatang pinipigilan ang galit."I’m waiting for your answer, Thara. Who the hell is Kevin, and why is he sending me death threats? What the hell did you do—"Naputol ito nang bigla siyang magsalita. “We have to leave,” pabulong niyang sabi pero puno ng takot.Kumunot ang noo ni Rozein. “Excuse me?”“Rozein, wala na akong oras para magpaliwanag! Kevin is close! And him being close isn’t a good thing. Alam na niya na magkasama tayo, at hindi iyon maganda. I messed up, big time.” Hindi na mapakali sa takot si Thara.“What the fvck are you talking about?” Gulung-gulo na ito. Pero hindi niya magawang magpaliwanag. Nauubusan na sila ng oras, at kapag hindi pa kumilos si Rozein. Paniguradong manganganib silang da
Okay, fine. Maybe she exaggerated a bit. This was definitely going to be harder than she thought. Pero hindi ito ang oras para sumuko siya.Sinundan niya ang direksyong tinahak ni Rozein, at gaya ng hinala niya, nasa maliit na bar stand ito sa living area. May hawak na wine glass habang abala sa phone.What the hell is he always typing? She thought. Who is he texting? Deilunxie? Napakagat siya ng labi. But why would he be texting her? Ang sabi ni Zaire kasal na ang babae. Then why is he still talking to her?She shook her head. Only one way to find out. Lumapit siya, at umupo sa bar stool sa tabi nito. Ngunit parang walang nakita si Rozein. Hindi man lang siya tinapunan ng tingin. “So, about the rules—”“I’m busy,” agad na putol nito, hindi man lang lumingon.“You look like you’re just texting someone. How does that make you busy?” Nakaramdam siya ng pagkairita. Pwede namang mag-usap kahit may ka-text ito.He didn’t even flinch. “I’m texting a person who’s actually more important t
Rozein walked into the building with effortless confidence, his usual air of power wrapping around him like a tailored suit. Pero bigla siyang natigilan at nanigas sa kinatatayuan.Pakiramdam niya biglang bumagsak ang kanyang puso sa gulat. His eyes widened, locking completely on a certain someone.What the hell? Bakit nasa harapan niya si Thara?Nakatayo ang babae sa lobby habang nakikipagsagutan sa receptionist, her voice carrying the same arrogance and fire that used to drive him insane.Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga bago lumapit dito, each step heavy with disbelief. His heart pounded wildly against his ribs, his strong front slowly crumbling. What the hell is she doing here? Sa lahat ng lugar na pwede nitong puntahan, bakit dito pa?Thara suddenly turned, her eyes widening the second they met his.“Goodness!” gulat na bulalas nito, at bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata. “Don’t tell me this is the guy I’m going to be stuck with for over two weeks?” she demanded, turning to the r
“He is evil, trust me,” bulong ni Franco, halos mabasag ang panga sa higpit ng pagkakakuyom nito. “Pero anong ginagawa natin dito? Are we just here to reminisce about the past and reopen old wounds?”Umiling si Thara. “No. Nandito tayo para maghanap ng paraan para makulong si Allesandro. For good.”“Okay, I’m listening,” sagot ni Freiah, umupo ito ng tuwid.“We’re going to make him kill someone,” Thara’s voice deepened.“Excuse me?” singit agad ni Vincent, halatang hindi makapaniwala.“Yes, you heard me, Vince. We’re going to make Allesandro kill my psychopath of an ex, Kevin dela Vega,” matapang na sagot ni Thara. “Kevin’s back?” gulat na tanong ni Vincent.“Yes. And this time, he means business. Gusto niyang iwan ko si Rozein, or else, papatayin niya ito. And trust me, he’s not bluffing. He never bluffs.”“Wait, is this guy really dangerous?” seryusong tanong ni Franco.“Yes. The last time he escaped from the mental, naparalyze niya ang isang close friend ko sa college, akala raw n