I'm not sure how long it was before I realized I had slept off; I didn't even notice it until a gentle touch on my hair roused me from my nap. I purred and opened my eyes gradually. I was a little taken aback when Zachary's face emerged in front of me."Good morning," he said softly, although his demeanor was still strong due to his rugged features.My forehead furrowed when I caught a whiff of smoke. I ignored him and roamed my eyes, searching for that smell, but I found none. My attention went to him again when he got up from the bed."I have already prepared your grilled chicken intestines," he said.Hindi ako umimik. Natuon lang sa kaniyang pisngi ang paningin ko nang makakita ng kung anong kulay itim doon. Mayamaya pa ay napaawang ang bibig ko nang itinaas niya ang laylayan ng kaniyang damit at ipinunas sa kaniyang mukha—marahil ay napansin niya ang paninitig ko. Tumambad tuloy sa akin ang impis at medyo maskulado niyang tiyan na mayroon pang panaka-nakang pawis. Napaiwas ako ng

I couldn't look at or even smile at other guests, while Zachary could barely wipe the smile off his face while talking to them. His hand remained on my back even though he occasionally moved to take the glass on the table. He was drinking with the people, and I don't know if he was drunk or just high."Do you want something?" he asked.Napaayos ako ng upo dahil halos sumiksik ang ulo niya sa leeg ko nang ibulong niya iyon. Nakita ko ang sinusupil na ngiti ng mga kaharap niyang matatanda kaya naman muli akong napayuko para itago ang pamumula ng pisngi ko. Pasimple akong lumayo pero mabilis pa sa alas-kwatro niya akong nahila pabalik sa tabi niya. Kulang na nga lang ay iupo niya ako sa kaniyang hita kung kinakailangan."Are you drunk?" I hissed, teeth gritting.Katatapos ko lang kumain. Isang oras na rin ang nakalipas mula nang magsayawan ang mga bisita at ang ikakasal. Hindi ako nakisali sa event. Bukod sa hiyang-hiya akong magpakita sa kanila dahil sa eksena namin ni Zachary ay hindi

Zachary seemed like a mystery to me throughout the following weeks. He's more attentive and careful around me. He looked like he was under a curse, and I was the one who cast it. He did all I asked and looked for without complaining. Well, he used to do that, but this time he doesn't seem to care, even if I torture him. One time, I found him secretly ransacking our room; he seemed to be looking for something that I couldn't guess. In short, he's acting quite oddly."We're going to the farm today. Do you like to come?" Zachary asked while carrying a tray of food in his hand.Napaangat naman ako ng tingin sa kaniya dahil nakaupo ako sa sahig habang nilalaro si Angel. Alas-sais pa lamang ng umaga pero nakaligo na siya. Hanggang ngayon ay naninibago pa rin ako kapag nakikita siyang naka-jacket, 'yong tipong hindi branded o mukhang bago. Inilagay niya ang kaniyang dala sa bed side table bago naupo sa gilid ng kama. Sinubukan niyang tawagin si Angel pero mabilis kong nabuhat ang kuting at s

Suddenly, all of my exhilaration subsided—possibly because I thought back on my past. I was quiet for the following few hours. I wasn't even moving from my position; I was just looking at my surroundings and Zia from time to time, who is now assisting Nanay Victoria in setting out the tableware for eating.Napabuntonghininga ako at tumingin sa mapayapang langit. Mapait akong ngumiti. Hindi ko maiwasang magtanong sa Panginoon kung bakit ko naranasan ang lahat ng masasakit na bagay na ibinigay niya. Para palakasin ako? Para mas ihanda ako?Pero kailangan ko ba lahat ng iyon?Maybe I wasn't a perfect child. Even so, I know that I have been an honest and good partner. I couldn't help but feel unfair. Why do I have to suffer all the pain? Why do I have to be the only one to be broken?Revenge. Only the ignorant don't realize that's wrong, but can they hold it against me?Two years ago, I was at my lowest point. I lost a child. I was cheated by people I trusted. The person I was hoping woul

Aireen and I were both speechless when we got to her apartment. My mind was still confused, which is why I didn't drop off at Nanay Victoria's house first. Besides that, I also plan to take the car and some of my things that she brought home after I called her before. I reviewed Zachary's laptop again to uncover further documents that would shed light on the situation, but I've gone through all of them one by one, and even with his lesson plans that were saved, I still didn't find anything in the end.Napahilot na lamang ako sa aking sentido at tuluyan nang sumuko. Pagod kong isinandal ang aking likod sa sofa at wala sa sariling napaangat ng tingin sa kisame, nagbabaka sakali na may ideyang papasok sa utak ko. Halos ilang minuto rin ako sa gano'ng posisyon hanggang sa mapalingon ako kay Aireen nang lumabas siya sa kusina, may bitbit siyang baso na may lamang lemonade juice at saka iyon inilagay sa center table na nasa harapan ko."Ano'ng sunod mong plano?" usisa niya habang umuupo sa