Masayang pinagmamasdan ni Samantha sina Charlie at Gael na naglalaro sa mababaw na parte ng beach habang nakaupo naman siya sa buhangin malapit sa pampang. Tila walang kasawa-sawa sa paglalaro ang mga bata sa tubig kahit na halos maghapon nang iyon lang ang ginagawa nila. Kung sabagay, nakakahalina naman kasi ang tubig sa beach. Maging sila ni Aaron, madalas din maligo doon lalo na sa umaga. The beach has its own magic, easing the worries and fears of this world for a while. She heard Charlie giggle as Gael handed her something. The scene was so poignant at nostalgic Sometimes she misses being a child—innocent to the cares of the world. It has been more than a week since they’ve been there. At aaminin niya, they have been living in bliss despite the threats still surrounding them. Their beach house has become their own paradise—a safe haven for her family. She wonders how long it would last when in just a week, birthday na ni Charlie. After that, tutu

 Lalong isiniksik ni Samatha ang sarili sa dibdib ni Aaron. Humigpit naman ang yakap nito sa kanya. It was barely 6 o’clock in the morning, subalit naroon na sila sa baybayin at hinihintay ang pagdating ng chopper na nirentahan ni Aaron pabalik sa Maynila.The view of the horizon from afar was amazing. The sky was bursting with beautiful colors— welcoming the rise of the morning sun. The sea was also calm. The sounds of the little waves touching the shore was soothing—like a lullaby. Subalit…“I’m s-scared,” she admitted, hugging him tighter.“I will be fine,” anito bago ginawaran ng marahang halik ang buhok niya. She closed her eyes and relished that moment with him for she never knew when will the next time she would be in his comforting arms again.And sabi nito, he will need to stay in Manila for a few days. Subalit susunduin sila nito ni Charlie roon sa Huwebes—ang araw ng birt

  Samantha was holding Charlie on her lap as they sat on the swing. They had been there for almost two hours now—comforting her baby from the two bad news she had woke up from. Kanina, nang magising ito, agad nitong tinanong kung nasaan si Aaron. And when she told her that Aaron went to Manila to fix something and will only be back to pick them up on her birthday, agad na naghurumentado ang anak niya. Charlie cried endlessly asking for her father. At hindi naman niya ito magawang tawagan dahil alam niyang abala ito sa pakay nito sa Maynila. Charlie barely even had breakfast. Her daughter was so upset. Nang magyaya ito sa beach, tinanong naman nito kung anong oras ang dating ni Gael upang makapaglaro na ang mga ito. At that moment, she hated herself to be the bearer of bad news but she needed to tell Charlie the truth that Gael will not come to play with her anymore because he went back to

Tahimik na pinagmamasdan ni Kristine ang libing ng Daddy niya mula sa ‘di kalayuan. She wasn’t able to visit for the three-day wake of her father dahil alam niya, may mga nakaabang na media. At hanggang ngayon, halos ayaw pa niyang makipag-usap sa kahit kanino maliban na lang sa boyfriend niya. Idagdag pa na ayon sa boyfriend niya, hinahanap pa rin daw siya ng mga Sandejas dahil sa eskandalong ginawa niya. Kaya sa sementeryo na lang siya nagpunta upang daluhan ang libing ng ama. Mas mabuti na iyon. Mas tahimik. Mas nakakapag-isip siya gaya na rin ng ginawa niya nang nakalipas na ilang araw. Pinanood niya ang pagbaba ng crane sa puting casket ng Daddy niya sa lupa. Lalong bumigat ang d*bdib niya nang maisip that she’ll never ever see her father again—the only parent who had stayed with her throughout the years. Her only parent who was taken to her unjustly by her powerful enemies—the Sandejas. Nang tuluyang maibaba sa lupa ang casket ng Daddy niya at unti-unti

 Kinarga ni Sam si Charlie habang namimili ng laruan ang anak niya sa isang kilalang toy store sa mall. She was glad that when she explained to her daughter na sandaling male-late ang ama nito sa pagsundo sa kanila, hindi na ito nagreklamo pa. They have been roaming the big toy store for minutes now. Subalit wala pang napipili ang anak niyang laruan. It seems like her daughter is very particular with her gift— the big duck stuff toy.“What about a doll, sweetheart? Don’t you like a doll?” aniya sa anak maya-maya.Umiling ito, tiningala siya. “Just duck, Mommy,” anito bago muling iginala ang mga mata nito sa hilera ng mga lauran na nasa harap nila.“Just let her choose, Sam. We have time,” anang Daddy niya na nakasunod din sa likuran nila. They only have two bodyguards walking with them.“What if she didn’t pick anything? Siguradong gulo ‘yon pagdating ng chopper, D