The Dead Lands

"Baby... please don't do this to me! We can fix it! Just please! please don't do this" I beg to him while his packing his things. "I'm sorry Sandra... but I can't.  I can't spend my life to you anymore. Don't make this hard to us, just let me go." He said without any expression to his face. " A-are you leaving me because she's back? Are you  going to throw everything we've been through,  for the fast four years of our marriage? Just b-because.... just because your first love came back? You're throwing me out because of her? " Pagtatanong ko sa mahinahong boses at habang pinapatatag ang sarili ko na 'wag mag- breakdown sa sagot na maririrnig ko mula sakaniya. Tumigil siya sa pag-iimpake at tumingin sa akin ng deretso na halos ikatumba ko. "Yes. Everyone said she's already dead, everyone lied to me. Everyone fool me! I wouldn't marry you if i just known she's still alive. I'm sorry... Sandra I hope you understand." Saad niya. Hindi ko man lang siya nakitaan ng pagsisisi o kahit awa man lang para sa akin para sa nagawa niya. Tang*na! ginawa niya akong rebound. Natawa ako sa mga sinabi niya, puno ng galit at sakit akong tumitig sa kniya at mapait na ngumiti. "So all this time I am just your rebound? all this time pinaniwala mo akong mahal mo ako ! Pinaniwalaan ko lahat ng mga sinabi mo, pinakita at pinaramdam mo, pati mga pangako mong hindi naman pala para talaga sakin! "Wala kang puso Jiro, hindi ka makatao... Pinag-sisisihan kong nakilala kita at nagtiwala ako sa'yo... at lalong pinag-sisisihan kong ikaw pa ang minahal ko."     Saad ko na punong-puno ng galit ngunit sa mahinahong boses at walang emosyong mga matang nakatitig sa kaniya.

May karapatan pa ba ang lalaking itinapon ka noon na bawiin ka ngayon? Sa ika-25 linggong pagbubuntis, nahuli ni Gaile Enriquez ang sarili niyang asawa, hindi sa kama, kundi sa ospital, habang siya’y nagpapa-check up para sa anak nilang ipinagbubuntis niya. Tinawag pa siyang “Aunt” ng bata at magandang babaeng na kabit ng asawa niya. Ang mas masakit, walang makikitang kahit kaunting hiya, ni katiting na awa sa mga mata ni Kaiden Montelvar, isang ruthless trillionaire CEO na sanay mangwasak hindi lang sa negosyo, pati na ng puso. Para sa kaniya, si Gaile ay isang babaeng social climber, isang babaeng handang gawin ang lahat para umangat, kahit gamitin ang kama upang itali siya sa isang kasal. Ang hindi niya alam, walong taon na siyang lihim na minamahal ni Gaile. Kaya sa isang iglap, walang paliwanag. Walang awa. Divorce papers ang inabot niya. Sa araw na iyon, gumuho ang mundo ni Gaile. Walong taon ng pagmamahal, sakripisyo, at pananahimik, lahat binura sa isang pirma. Nanganak siya. Umalis. At tuluyang naglaho. Limang taon ang lumipas. Bumalik si Gaile, malayo sa dating babaeng minamaliit. Isa na siya ngayong makapangyarihang negosyante. Elegante, matalino, at hinahabol ng mga lalaking handang ibigay ang mundo sa kanya. Ngunit... hindi pa pala sila tuluyang na-divorce ni Kaiden. At nang ipinahayag ni Gaile ang kanyang engagement sa ibang lalaki, tuluyang nawala sa kontrol si Kaiden. “Marry another man?” aniya, mapait at puno ng sakit ang boses habang kinukulong sa kaniyang bisig si Gaile nakadantay sa pader. “Over my dead body, Gaile. I’ll take you back, kahit sa anumang paraan. You’re still my wife. Sa akin ka lang.”

Walang matandaan si Mark sa kasunduang nagdala sa kanya sa cruising trip na kasama si Marlyn at Wanda, magkapatid na nakilala lamang niya dahil sa hindi inaasahang pagkakatuklas niya sa kataksilan ng kasintahang si Cleo na dapat sana ay aalukin na niya ng kasal. Sila ang mga berdugong dapat ay magbibigay katuparan sa hangarin niyang mamatay nang gabing iyon--as it turned out, the siblings were tour guides specializing in executing euthanasia to travelers with a death wish. But fate had better plan in store for them. Sinalubong sila ng malakas na bagyo sa gitna ng paglalayag. They were left with nothing but the company of each other and a dead engine that could get them nowhere. Napadpad sila sa isang isla kung saan masusukat ang haba ng pisi ni Mark. Masusukat maging ang kakayahan niyang lumaban sa tukso. Lalo at habang tumatagal sila sa isla, nagkakaroon siya ng hindi maipaliwanag na damdamin para sa dalawa. Umibig siya ng sabay sa dalawang babae na hindi niya puwedeng angkinin pareho. Muli ay natagpuan niya ang sarili sa isang sitwasyon na higit pang kumplikado sa delubyong nagdala sa kanila sa islang iyon. Ano ang naghihintay na kapalaran sa kanilang tatlo sa isla? Sino sa dalawang babae ang higit niyang kailangan at dapat niyang piliin? Kung isip ang piiralin niya, wala siyang pipiliin sa magkapatid para pare-pareho ang laban. Walang masasaktan. Walang magdidiwang. Ngunit dumating siya sa puntong kailangan pa rin naman niyang mamili. Kung sino kina Marlyn at Wanda ang magwawagi sa puso niya, tadhana na ang magtatakda.

Tatlong taon. Three years of hell. Ganoon katagal tiniis ni Maria ang isang loveless marriage sa piling ni Javier Elizalde. Sa mata ng cold-hearted CEO, isa lang siyang desperadang gold digger na humahadlang sa kaligayahan nito. Pero nagbago ang lahat nang ma-aksidente si Javier. Tragedy struck, leaving the powerful billionaire blind and helpless. Sa panahong tinalikuran siya ng mundo, si Maria ang nanatili. She became his eyes, his hands, and his sole comfort. Sa ilalim ng katahimikan at walang pagpapakilala, inalagaan niya ito. She nursed him back to health, umaasang sa wakas ay matutunaw na ang yelong nakabalot sa puso ng asawa niya. And it worked—he fell in love with her gentle care, promising to cherish the woman who saved him once he recovered. Pero ang akala ni Maria na happy ending, naging bangungot. When Javier finally opened his eyes, he didn't look for her. Instead, he embraced another woman—his first love—believing she was the one who stayed by his side. Wasak na wasak at pagod na sa pagiging option, Maria made the ultimate decision. Ibinigay niya ang kalayaang matagal nang hinihingi ni Javier. She handed him the divorce papers with a final, broken whisper: "You are free now, Javi. And so am I." She left without looking back. Kaya bakit ngayon ay parang asong ulol na naghahabol ang makapangyarihang CEO sa kanyang ex-wife? Bakit siya lumuluhod at nagmamakaawa para sa isang second chance? Sorry, Mr. CEO. The wife you took for granted is dead and gone. And this time? Walang bawian.

Brianne Phoebe Henson got her heart broken. She caught his beloved boyfriend and sister on the same bed. They fooled them and she was filled with hatred and pain, the reason that even the strongest alcohol could no longer mend her heart. When she woke up the next day, she decided to forget everything from her past. She buried it deep down to her soul; the pain and the anger. Until this day came when she was kidnapped by her parents, that's the only way for her to come back home, but their reunion ended up so bad. Nalaman niyang gusto ng kaniyang mga magulang na ipakasal siya sa isang lalaki na hindi niya kilala. She was a rebel, she would never let her parents control her. Unintentionally, their arguments caused an accident, her daddy got a heart attack. Ayaw niya mang maipakasal, bumalik siya sa kanilang tahanan at sinubukang isalba ang nalulugi na nilang kompanya at para sa kaniyang ama na biglang na-coma. Ang plano niya'y bayaran ang pagkakautang ng kaniyang pamilya at hindi magpapakasal sa lalaking pinagkakautangan nila. Ngunit nang makilala niya si Pierce Amansa, ang lalaking dapat ay pakakasalan niya, doon niya napagtanto ang lahat. His future husband, the hot CEO, was the same drop dead gorgeous man she kissed years ago in the elevator. Kahit anong subok niyang takasan ang lalaki, para itong patibong na paulit-ulit siyang nahuhulog at hirap na hirap makaahon. He's undeniably handsome, cunning, and rich. Lahat ng gusto ng isang babae ay mahahanap kay Pierce Amansa ngunit ang takot na baka masaktan siyang muli at lokohin ay nagiging dahilan para patuloy niya itong takbuhan. Hanggang saan ang kaya niyang gawin? Hanggang kailan niya ito tatakbuhan? Nakahanda ba siyang buksan ulit ang puso niya para sa lalaking CEO matapos itong madurog?

Things should have been easier for Zane Lardizabal, Bastardos' leader, if only he wasn't too drunk and stupid to fall for a one-night stand. Ang alas niya para i-blackmail ang presidente ng isang prominente na media company ay nawala nang nakawin ng babae na nakasama niya ang jacket niya at ipalit ang sirang underwear nito. And he is dead set in finding her and reclaiming what is his. Ang problema? Dala ng sobra na kalasingan ay wala siyang rekoleksyon sa babae na iyon. Months after her one-night stand, Serenity Enriquez, then vows to fix her life and be serious with a man for once. She tries to forget everything about that night, mabuti na lamang at sa sobrang kalasingan niya ay wala siyang rekoleksyon sa lalaki na nakasama niya. At sa pagbabago na nais niya ay magtatagpo ang landas nila ni Axel Salvacion, ang bagong empleyado sa kumpanya nila. She wants him, and she will make him hers. Ang problema? Ayaw sa kan'ya ni Axel at inis na inis sa kan'ya ang lalaki. But in the twisted turn of events, fate will help Zane find Serenity to take back what is his. And in a flick of a finger, Serenity will get what she wants the most, Axel. But things got more complicated after that. Sa magulong sitwasyon nila, mabubunyag kay Serenity ang tunay na katauhan ng taong hinahabol niya. Zane is Axel on a mafia mission against Serenity's father. And as twisted as it sounds, the hidden mafia's heart has been stolen by Serenity in the process. Pero ang pagmamahal ni Serenity ay napalitan nang galit at takot sa tunay na katauhan ng lalaki na mahal niya. Will Serenity still have a chance to run away and reclaim her serene life after being entangled with the hidden mafia?

Santa Maria Deogracia. Despite being given that name, she is not filled with grace, and she is far from holy.  She is feral, rebellious and arrogant. She felt unfortunate her whole life. Poor and born from an affair between her father and his mistress. A child that no one wanted. A bastard hated by the legal family.  But her life took an unexpected turn when she got entangled with a man called Hellion. Witnessing a gruesome crime and the next thing she knew, she was already under him, moaning, catching her breath while chanting his name—spending a hot night with an enigmatic drop dead gorgeous man with a dangerous allure and piercing stares that weakened her knees. Only to find out the next morning that he is actually that infamous ruthless billionaire, 15 years older than her at that; Lazarus Lombardi.  With her life filled with twists and turns, she never expected to get entangled with him even more when he offered her a job—to be his sex slave. Having a secret relationship, that is wrong yet it felt so right—he became her solace.  Desperate to escape in her toxic home, she married him eventually, thinking that it was the right decision.  Or so she thought. . .  Little does she know, her decision is merely an illusion, shattering her newfound happiness. As she delves deeper into the darkness lurking within him—Unveiling the truth, secrets and betrayals. . .  Leading her to escape from his suffocating grasp.  Santa Maria thought she had finally escaped his clutches, only to find herself entangled in his web once more, years later. And escaping him again is the furthest thing from his mind, not with the obsessive mafia boss; Lazarus Lombardi. Will she ever break free from his grip? or will she remain forever trapped in his twisted embrace?

Sa loob ng apat na taon, wala nang ibang pinangarap si Elize Monteverde kundi ang maikasal sa kanyang nobyo na si Calvin Sarmiento. Subalit sa araw mismo ng kanilang kasal, hindi sumipot si Calvin sa simbahan dahil mas inuna nitong tulungan ang kababata nito na humingi rito ng saklolo. Dahil labis na nasaktan, nagpasya si Elize na makipaghiwalay sa nobyo, magpakalayo-layo at muling makipagkasundo sa kanyang pamilya na nakasamaan niya ng loob mula nang piliin niya ang tawag ng pag-ibig kaysa sa pakiusap ng mga ito. Sa muling pagbangon ni Elize, muli niyang bubuuin ang kanyang buhay at mga pangarap sa tulong ng mga taong tunay na nagmamahal sa kanya. At kung kailan inaakala ng dalaga na maayos na ang takbo ng kanyang buhay, saka niya makikilala si Rafael Dominic Del Fierro o Ralph, ang bilyonaryong kinatatakutan ng lahat dahil sa magaspang na pag-uugali nito. They will share one drunken night together, prompting Ralph to offer her marriage the next day. “K-kasal? Hindi ginagawang biro ang kasal, Mr. Del Fierro,” ani Elize, puno ng pagtutol ang tinig. “And who told you I’m joking? I’m dead serious. Marry me, Ms. Monteverde.” “P-pero bakit? It’s just a one-night-stand!” Umangat ang gilid ng labi ni Ralph. “I only have one reason, your brother is my enemy. Now, you marry me or you will never ever go back to your family.” Napasinghap si Elize, nanginig. Ano na naman ba iyong pagkakamaling nagawa niya?

RISE ABOVE THE ZODIACS SERIES | Dos - PISCES Free Phillian Zodiac is a frustrated painter and a full-time fisherman. Mula gabi hanggang madaling araw ay nasa gitna ito ng karagatan kasama ang mga tauhan para mangisda, at sa umaga naman ay tulog at nagtatago sa araw. In the afternoon, when the sky is red, he would go out of his room and sit on his veranda overlooking the mountains and the sea, and from there, he would start painting. He paints everything his eyes could see, and not a lot of people know this. Isang hapon, habang nasa veranda siya ng kaniyang silid at ipinipinta ang karagatan ay may nakita siyang palutang-lutang na kahoy sa dalampasigan. Using his binoculars, he learns that it isn't just a piece of wood but a raft with a person on it. An unconscious--probably almost dead person who might need some help. Naisip niyang baka isa iyon sa mga mangingisdang nagkaroon ng aksidente sa gitna ng karagatan. At dahil siya ang nakakita ay responsibilidad niyang tulungan ang taong iyon, lalo at nasa bahagi ito ng beach na pag-aari na ng pamilya niya. Nang marating niya ang baybayin ay saka niya napagtantong hindi mangingisda ang naroon, but a woman wearing a bridal gown. Nakadapa ito at nanginginig sa lamig. He saved her and brought her to his place. His female assistant nursed her, and when she woke up the next morning, she claimed to have no memory of the night before. Naisip niya na maaaring nagka-trauma ito kaya nalimot ang nangyari, pero anong gulat niya nang magkaharap sila sa unang pagkakataon ay bigla siya nitong pinagmumumura at binato ng kung anu-anong madampot nito. Odd, but she knows him, and she is furious at him. Bakit daw hindi siya sumipot sa kasal nila? Like, what the f*ck?

Matteo Imperial,a drop dead gorgeous billionaire. One of the most eligible bachelors of the country. But behind those charming looks that could make anyone easily fall for him; is a ruthless business man that everyone is afraid of. He is a womanizing jerk who promised himself not to tie the knot. He sees girls as merely toys that could warm his bed and he could dispose of after using. But looks like karma has its own way to play with him; when a beautiful woman that has a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes and a strange outfit that suddenly caught his attention with just a glance.  He never felt the desire to own someone before, but in just one glance. . . He felt like he suddenly got bewitched.  He fell and drowned just like that, too deep that he couldn’t see the bottom of it. Drunk and Desire then that mind blowing night happened. But the next morning, he woke up, with an empty space beside him. Nang magising siya ay wala na ang misteryosang babaeng iyon na para bang isang panaginip lamang ang lahat. That strange woman who stole his sanity is nowhere to be found. A thing that no one dared to do, not with the infamous Matteo Imperial. But what if fate decided to play with the Matteo again?  After not being able to forget that night, that woman whom he never knew who, yet wouldn’t leave his mind, showed up again, 5 years later. Muli niya itong nakita sa hindi inaasahang lugar at pagkakataon. A woman who has different eyes but the exact same face as hers. And she drives him insane the same way that woman did. And worse is she claims to be a completely different person, her twin sister. Or is she?