LIAM’s smile broadened as he continued playing his violin while gazing at the woman near him. He only stopped when his piece was done. Dexa had her dreamy, deep-set eyes as she watched him in fascination. Saka niya ibinaba niya ang violin sa kanyang gilid. “How was it?” tanong niya sa babae. “What to expect with a superstar? You are showing off your music skills.” Dexa grinned. “Then why does it seem you’re not impressed?” He made a face. “Of course, I’m impressed. I thought you had a lot of talents. You must be heaven’s favorite for bestowing you with so many gifts.” Natawa si Liam. “Really?” Tinawag niya ang isang lalaking staff at inutusan itong ibalik ang violin sa loob ng kubo. Ang kanyang paboritong gitara naman ang pinakuha niya. “Why are you doing this?” seryosong tanong ni Dexa nang sila na lang ang naroon. “Isn’t it obvious that I want to display my skills to impress you? I hope I can reach your standard.” Hindi rin siya nagsinungaling sa kanyang sagot. Liam k
NAGULANTANG si Eshvi sa nabasang article online. Nakahilata siya sa kama. She was scrolling her tablet reading a piece of entertainment news. Naroon ang malaking larawan nina Liam at Dexa. It shocked her more to recognize the place they were in—a public place without their bodyguards! “Damn!” Hindi niya maiwasan ang mapamura. She never thought this would happen. Unang tingin pa lang niya sa picture ay kitang-kita na nagkakamabutihan ang dalawa. Kaya pala wala nang paramdam sa kanya si Liam. And it was a relief for her since he finally chose to set her free. Wala nang magiging sagabal sa mga plano niya. Pero hindi niya maintindihan ang sarili dahil biglang bumigat ang kanyang pakiramdam. She used to see Liam like a crazy puppy begging for her attention. Pero sa dinamirami ng babaeng pwede nitong ipalit sa kanya, bakit si Dexa? “Shit! Shit!” Eshvi cursed repeatedly. Kilala niya si Dexa, paano kung magustuhan nito si Liam? Ni minsan hindi niya inakala na mai-involve silang dalawa sa
DUMATING ang unang kaarawan ni Devna. Muli ay sa kanilang bahay sa Tagaytay sila nag-celebrate. Triana had decided to have an intimate birthday celebration. Tanging malapit na pamilya at kaibigan lang ang naroon. Dexa had managed to go home despite her busy schedule. At s’yempre, naroon din si Liam na talagang hindi na tinantanan ang babae. Everyone could see they were in love. Pero hindi pa umaamin si Dexa. Pero hindi kaila na kahit sa Milan ay nagkikita ang dalawa. Lara and Austin came with their kids. Hindi magkandaugaga ang mag-asawa sa pag-asikaso sa tatlong anak. The infamous Wright triplets were Ackerley, Adler, and Laurie. They were adorable, and their faces were mixed, coming from their parents. Caleb attended the birthday party as well. Pero kagaya ng dati ay mag-isa ito at hindi kasama si Anya. Hindi naman sila nag-usisa pa nang sabihin nitong abala si Anya sa Canada. Clariz and her husband were there, along with their daughter Cambria. Akhil and Gracia didn’t miss it.
DEVANCE hardly shook his head as Eshvi’s voice kept on reverberating in his mind. He tried to distract himself by reading a business article. But he could not properly concentrate. Devna is Caleb’s child… “No!” he murmured. Kanina pa sila nakabalik sa bahay sa kanilang townhouse. They had a family dinner with their parents earlier at one luxury hotel in the city. Liam was also there. The man was acting like he was already part of their family, and he admired his guts. Ngayon pa lang nakikita na niyang gusto ito ng magulang para kay Dexa. And she prayed for her sister’s happiness as well. “Kanchha, are you all right?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Triana. Napansin nito marahil na balisa siya. They were inside their room sitting on the bed. “Of course, I’m okay, sweetheart. It’s just that Eshvi is inviting us for a family picnic in Benguet. Just us and the kids, a post-birthday celebration of Devna and Eashta. I told her I need to consult you first.” Nagbuga siya ng hangin. He didn’t want
THE Chaudharys drove North for the family picnic organized by Eshvi. Dalawang sasakyan ang gamit nila Triana dahil naroon ang dalawang bodyguard pati ang mga babysitter ng mga anak. Kasama ni Triana sa itim na SUV ang kambal pati ang babysitters nito. While Devance and Devna were in the red pickup truck along with the others. They arrived in Benguet at lunch. The place was extra cold compared in Manila. Kitang-kita mula sa kinaroronan nila ang luntiang mountain ranges ng Cordillera. Sa hindi kalayuan ay mayroong dalawang palapag na gusali na gawa sa kahoy. Agad silang sinalubong ng nakangiting mukha ni Eshvi. Karga nito ang anak at magiliw naman ang naging pakikitungo nito sa kanila. But still, Triana was wary of her. Ayaw niyang basta magtiwala dahil lang nanahimik ito sa nakalipas na taon. “It’s nice to see you here, Triana! I’ve rented this place exclusively for us.” Nakipagbeso sa kanya si Eshvi. Samantalang pilit naman ang ngiting gumuhit sa labi niya. “I see,” tipid na s
ESHVI was relaxing in her bathtub with a glass of red wine in her hand. Eashta was already asleep, and it was the perfect time to pamper herself. Because why not? The first part of her plan was set into motion. She enjoyed the sweet scent of lavender coming from the candles inside the bathroom. Nag-uumapaw ang kasiyahan niya ngayong gabi dahil bukas sigurado siyang sulit ang kanyang paghihintay sa nakalipas na taon at tiyak na siya ang magwawagi. Bye, Triana… Eshvi laughed hysterically. Patience was indeed a virtue. Akala niya wala siya noon, pero wala palang imposible kapag focus sa goal. Ngayon pa lang iniisip na niya ang kanyang magiging papel sa buhay ni Devance kapag tuluyan nang nawala sa kanyang landas ang babae. She would be the new Mrs. Chaudhary. The rightful wife to the only son of the infamous conglomerate. Soon the world would sweep off her feet again. Hindi na siya makapaghintay sa magandang balitang bubungad sa kanya sa mga susunod na araw. “Cheers to a job well d
TULALANG nakatitig si Eshvi sa museleo ng pamilya Allende sa hindi kalayuan. Naroon halos ang buong mag-anak pati ang mga Chaudhary dahil sa libing ni Devna. Nasa loob siya ng kanyang sasakyan habang nakamasid sa malayo. Biglang tumigas ang kanyang ekspresyon at pinunas ang kanyang luha. She wore her dark sunglasses and let out a sigh. That is not Eashta…aniya sa sarili. Kaya hindi dapat siya makaramdam ng lungkot. That was Devna. She tried to convince herself. Walang anumang nagmaneho siya palayo. Parang bigla siyang nahimasmasan kung anong ginagawa niya sa lugar na ito. She immediately flew to Bicol upon learning about the child’s burial. Nalaman din niya na inilipat na rin sina Triana at Devance sa kilalang private hospital sa Manila dahil hanggang ngayon comatose pa ang dalawa. Inuwi niya rin si Eashta kasama ang babysitter nito. For a moment, she thought of visiting her family and introduced Eashta. But she changed her mind. Matagal na niyang kinalimutan ang kanyang pinagmu
CALEB could not believe what he was seeing. Kalunos-lunos ang sinapit ng mag-asawa. Nakakaawang tingnan habang maraming aparatong nakakabit sa katawan ng dalawa. Just as he knew, they were comatose. “Kuya Caleb…” Naramdaman niya ang paghawak ni Tristan sa kanyang balikat. Maraming taon na nga talaga ang dumaan. The Allende twins were almost the same height as him. They grew up fine teenagers and slowly made their names in the business world as young millionaires. Malungkot na umiling si Caleb sa harap ng kambal. “I was on a hike the other day with Anya. I have proposed to her along our trek to the Saint Elias Mountains. I was about to tell your sister about the good news… and this greeted me.” “Ate Ria will be fine. She’s a fighter.” Tristan was optimistic. “They had to fight for Ravi and Rini. Poor kids, they are unaware of what is going on.” Bakas ang lungkot sa boses ni Travis. “And our little angel went ahead of them. I can’t believe Devna would be gone too soon.” Itinuon niy