But At What Cost Meaning

“Unang beses pa lang tayong nagkatagpo, mahal na agad kita, Terrence Anderson.” - Gillian Gomez. Matapos niyang makipag hiwalay sa kaniyang kasintahan. Pumunta si Gillian sa bar para kalimutan ang lahat. Pero ng paalis na siya sa bar ay hinaras siya ng grupo ng kalalakihan. Nang biglang sumulpot ang isang maskuladong lalaki para tulungan siya sa mga lalaking humaharas sa kaniya. Nakaramdam kaagad si Gillian ng kakaibang pakiramdam at nasabi niya sa sarili na “I like this man” . Dahil sa kalasingan at pagkahumaling sa estranghero ay ibinigay niya ang kanyang pagkabirhen sa lalaking iyon.Isangg umuusok na gabi na nangyayari. Pinagsaluhan nila ang isang romantikong gabi sa pagitan ni Gillian at ng estranghero. Ano ang mangyayari kay Gillian, kapag napagtanto niyang isang malaking pagkakamali ang ginawa niya? Pagmamahal nga ba ang nararamdaman niya sa lalaking unang beses niya pa lamang nakilala? O isang temptation lamang dahil sa matinding kalasingan?

He calls it madness, but she calls it love. When intense attraction struck them both in the dark after being trapped in a small cave during a raging tropical storm, he pursued her without inhibitions, turning their whirlwind romance into a tragic mistake in the end. He is the educated businessman and the hunk, while Maria, the illiterate, fat-ugly maiden, is his total opposite. A terrible choice that resulted in a forced marriage was made between them when everyone thought she was his victim. Makakawala pa ba siya sa isang kasalang pwersahan kung sa pagsapit ng liwanag, kapangitan, at katabaan ng babae ang lumantad sa kanyang mga mata? Nagkamali siya ng desisyong maging katipan ito nang ura-urada nang masilayan ang tunay nitong anyo. Hindi ito ang ideal wife niya. "Woman, if it means saving my life, I'll wholeheartedly marry you!" He snorted when he realized he couldn't blame her for it. "You have no idea how much I hated this forced marriage kahit walang namagitan sa'tin kagabi." "Pero Benjamin—" Naiiyak man, abot hanggang langit naman ang pasasalamat ng dalaga sa pagpayag niyang maikasal sila. "Papakasalan kita dahil ikaw ang katuparan ng pangarap ko. Hulog ka ng langit kagabi. Hindi ka na makakawala kahit ano pang sabihin mo dahil ikaw—ikaw ang itinadhana para sa'kin."

The eighth time I proposed to Jason, he shut me down cold and indifferent, just like all the times before. He said he needed more time, and I was ready to keep waiting. However, out of nowhere, I saw a post on social media. He and my sister went and got their marriage certificate. When I confronted him, Jason was perfectly calm. "Tessa is pregnant and needs to avoid stress. Stop causing trouble for no reason!” Both were wearing wedding rings in the photo. Her baby bump was already starting to show. Something inside me just went quiet. I gave the post a like and left a comment. [Wishing you a lifetime of happiness and love!] A year later, Jason came to see me. He looked tired and defeated, asking to get back together. By then, I was already visibly pregnant. Before I could say a word, his best friend stepped forward with a smile and pushed him back. “Come on, man. The baby’s almost here. My wife already has a husband. She does not need a backup.”

"Fine!" I acquiescently cave in. "He better keeps his eyes off of you, or I'll poke his eyeballs out of its socket!" I grumbled exasperatedly. She just shook her head again in disbelief. It seems like it's becoming her habit soon. After a few minutes, he came back, and he barely glances to her side which made me happy. That guy is not stupid after all. I know, I am very possessive, but I'm just protecting what's mine. Whatever is mine, is mine alone, and sharing is not on my vocabulary. Deceitful Lies, Betrayal, Revenge, all in the name of Love. Will they both find their happy-ever-after?

Again, Clarissa was annoyed at her mother who wanted to set her up with her friend's son who was a successful businessman. Clarissa didn't want to pay attention because she saw that her mother and father's marriage did not last and made Clarissa a broken home girl. She grew up to be an arrogant, self-righteous girl, and always wanted to be the center of attention. Love came into Clarissa's life. She fell in love with her handsome and kind lecturer, Mr. Diaz Wardhana. Missing affection, Clarissa pursued her idol lecturer. Her love unrequited, making Clarissa live out of control. Adimasta, Clarissa's friend, loved her sincerely. His patience finally made Clarissa melt, slowly turning her messy life into fun and knowing directions.

Amara Lorraine Hermosa, the epitome of a loving daughter, benevolence and pulchritude, was the type of girl who you can easily be with. Just by her fascinating physical appearance, every guy can't help not to simp over her. However, she's not interested in those guys because she was already smitten with Calvin Villanueva, an Electronics and Communication Engineering student. But Calvin didn't know her existence. Kaya naman nang mag-college si Amara, hindi siya nagdalawang-isip na mag-enroll sa unibersidad na pinapasukan ni Calvin. And after years of liking him, she finally caught his attention. That's how their unexpected romantic relationship started. And just when they thought they're going stronger after years of being together, another girl entered the picture.

Jen Salas has always kept her head down, working hard to support her struggling family in the bustling town of Cebu. When she meets Jacques Almerino, a young billionaire who catches her eye, she's swept off her feet. Jacques is drawn to Jen's down-to-earth charm, but as he returns to Cebu for a vacation, he knows he can't let himself fall in love - he's too busy managing his family's vast business empire. Despite their differences, Jen and Jacques can't stay away from each other, and their romance seems perfect. But when Jacques' esoteric secret is revealed, it threatens to tear them apart. As Jen and Jacques struggle to find a way to be together, they must confront their deepest fears and desires. Will their love be lost forever, or can they find a way to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way? Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish

Mari, who just turned twenty-six years old, keep on fooling herself from having a super rich, handsome and nice boyfriend for all she know. She keeps on saving her every penny because she wanted to give her boyfriend a valuable gift. But putting a lot of effort to something can sometimes give you the same amount of disappointment and frustration. She did not expect to caught her patron saint of a boyfriend cheating on her at the very day of her buying gifts for him and preparing for their second anniversary. Dos, a twenty-seven years old bachelor, found himself suspecting that his girlfriend may be cheating on her. Well, he lost his girlfriend for months already because of constantly refusing her and being busy with his work. However, when he got the chance to investigate, he found a woman who is also a victim of a cheating boyfriend. Coincidentally, the woman’s boyfriend is his girlfriend’s other man! With the two of them finding comfort to each other, what will be their ending story if they are still into their cheating partners? Can the two of them learn to appreciate the others presence and learn to love each other? What will they do if their exes come back begging for them to make it up again one day?

Anne works at a mall. She is the supervisor of one of the most famous men’s summer wear. She also failed once in love. When her ex boyfriend/ex fiancée cheated her. It hurts her so much. And because her age is about to pass the calendar, some of her close friends or work colleagues are looking for her a blind date or to be a boyfriend. But not one of those who were reprimanded and introduced by friends was not her type. And no captured her. Michael, a close friend and supervisor of the visual team, urges her to install a dating app so that she can have a boyfriend. Out of curiosity, she installed the app. More love, one of those who chatted with her and he immediately took an interest for them to meet. But she was disappointed because More love’s skin tone is black. She discriminated him secretly. But Anne’s view of More love changed when she met him. That they feel love and first meet to each other. She gave everything to him. The thing that she never gave to her long time past boyfriend. On the other hand, even though the two had not yet fully knew each other, destiny tested them immediately. Suddenly, her ex fiancee came back which gave her so much emotional pain. When his ex fiancee returns, she can’t tell to herself who she loves. Her ex fiancee or More love(the guy she just met) . Anne suddenly walked away from More love and not to communicate on him. Assuming she will be happy with her boyfriend’s return. But she never forgot More love. But when she decides to choose More love, she already find out that the guy has already a girlfriend.

My mother-in-law spreads lies about me having contracted an STD during my sister-in-law's wedding. When I hear this, I want to demand an explanation. However, my sister-in-law stops me and begs me to prioritize her happiness since it's her wedding. I hold myself back and wait until the reception is over. Later, my mother-in-law merely sweeps the matter under the rug and say she doesn't remember anything because she was drunk. However, the lies spread like wildfire. My neighbors scorn me, and my colleagues isolate me, treating me like a walking bacteria. I become dispirited from the constant mental distress and end up getting knocked by a car when I leave the house one day. I die from the accident. When I open my eyes again, I'm taken back to the day my mother-in-law lies about me having contracted an STD.