"WHO?" He was on the phone with Georgina and she was telling him about a certain Gideon Medved. He heard that name once from his father, but he–"He was the one who took your wife, KK." "That's not possible. He's dead. He died years ago, Georgina. Did you mean his son or perhaps another family member?" "No. I'm talking about the real Gideon Medved. His death was staged. It wasn't easy but I dug it up and he is really alive. He got himself a new name— Gordan Markovic and he has been living in Serbia. I mean, he's part Serbian but that information was deleted from his file which I— wait, you know him?""I don't really know him. I heard his name once from Dad when I was a kid. I accidentally heard him talking to Ninang Valya and Dad said his name."Sumasakit ang ulo niya sa narinig. All this time, it was someone who knew his godmother that killed her? It was someone who knew his father that framed him? "Are you saying this man took my wife to Serbia? You said that's where he's been h
Wala na ang lalaki nang lumingon siya at nakita na lang niya ang front door na pasara na. So now she owes him coffee money and she doesn't even know who he is. Not even his name.Mula nang araw na 'yon ay naging misteryo sa kaniya ang lalaki. Lumipas ang isang linggo. Dalawang linggo. But she didn't see him again until after the third week. It happened at the same coffee shop and this time, she was alone. It was after seven in the evening and she worked late at the centre. Ngayon ay gutom na siya at dahil tinatamad magluto ay nagsettle na lang siya sa kape at pastry para tutulog na lang siya mamaya. Magbabayad pa lang siya ng order niya nang may magsalita sa kaniyang gilid at magbaba ng isang medium size cup of coffee."Add this to her bill, please and thanks." Baritono ang boses ng lalaki at nakilala niya ito nang lingunin. He smiled at her. "You owed me money for two coffees. This order should cover it and a quick conversation." She swallowed once and silently paid for the bill.
She didn't know how to feel about seeing him. What was he even doing at her place? Nakita ba s'ya nitong past time? Someone he could go see anytime or when the mood strikes him? Sa halip na batiin ang lalaki ay hindi niya ito tinapunan ng pansin. Gideon's smile faded and his hand holding the flowers dropped down to his side. Para bang hindi nito alam kung ano ang nangyayari at nagkakaganoon si Valya. He was expecting that she would be excited to see him after being away for awhile."Aren't you going to let me in?" Iniharang ni Gideon ang paa sa pagitan ng pinto at hamba nang tangkain nitong isarado ang pinto matapos susian at buksan. "No." Then she shut the door on his face. He heard her footsteps fading from the inside and all he could do was sigh. He didn't stay long after that. Gideon took slow, small steps toward the exit still holding the bouquet of flowers. The next day, he woke up early because Valya likes to get to work before the others does. "Coffee?" alok niya rito nan
NEW YORKVANESSA GORDANA DE LUNA'S MOTHER IS FUCKING DEAD. He just got off the phone with his half brother, Cam. Ito ang nagsabi sa kaniya na inakusahan ang kanilang ama na pumatay kay Valya— ang ina ni Vanessa. And now he's in jail for murder. Kakaunting panahon pa lang niyang nakakasama ang ama, pero hindi niya inasahan na ganito ang kahihinatnan ng buhay nila. Everything is a fucking mess."My apologies but I have to cut the meeting short," anuns'yo niya nang makabalik sa boardroom mula sa hallway. "I have a family emergency. Lorenzo will continue with the meeting." Tinapik niya sa balikat ang bunsong kapatid ni Lucian at tinungo ang pinto.When he left his position, sinalo ito ni Lorenzo. It's not like they have a choice, being born as a Profaci has responsibilities attached to it. He was waiting for the elevator when his phone rang. It's P from Italy."Kuya Kons, do you know if Lorenzo's busy? He's not picking up his phone." Itinuring niyang mga kapatid si Pietra at Lorenzo. He
Kons didn't want to talk to the woman either at bigo siyang bumalik sa upuan niya. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon-- mas mabuting magkakampi sila and they can go on their separate ways after pero talagang galit ito sa kaniya. Sino nga namang babae ang matutuwa kung hindi sumipot sa altar ang groom niya? Kung natuloy ang kasal nila, may anak na kaya sila ngayon? There's no use thinking about it, pero may mga araw na sumasagi sa isip niya 'yon. Vanessa grew up in Russia at schoolmates sila. Likas na matalino ang babae kaya kahit mas matanda siya ng isang taon ay naging ka-eskwela niya ito. Hiwalay ang mga magulang ni Vanessa at ang ina nitong si Valya ay ninang ni Kons. Valya is friends with Alexander-- ang tiyuhin ni Kons at siyang nagpalaki sa kaniya, and Stan, who he later on found out is his real father. Matalik na magkakaibigan si Valya, Alex at Stan. Nasira lang ang pagkakaibigan ng tatlo nang may makilalang ibang babae si Stan habang engaged kay Katerina na kapatid ni Alex. Sa kabil
Winter is dreadful with those dead trees and some pine trees coated in snow. The bitter cold wind was enough to freeze anyone but people still came to pay their last respects. He could be wrong because their reasons could be something else too. Regardless, they showed up.Kons went to the funeral despite the murder case against his father. He had nothing to do with it. Kaya siya nagpunta ay para magbigay ng respeto para sa ninang niya sa huling sandali, at para na rin makiramdam kung sino ang posibleng may gawa ng krimen. It could be anyone. Ayaw man niyang aminin, nagpunta rin siya para bantayan si Vanessa. He doesn't like what he's seeing right now, pero wala siyang karapatan magcomplain. She can date anyone just like he did. Kons dated Taisiya for a bit but it didn't work out.Tahimik na lumuluha si Vanessa habang hinahagod ni Damien ang likod niya. Damien Quijano is one of the biggest movie producers in the Philippine film industry. He has Russian features too, pero lamang ang pa
Naiwan silang dalawa ni Vanessa sa study at umalis na ang abogado. They have three days to decide. Kung ano'ng gusto ni Vanessa ay 'yon ang gagawin niya. She's angry. Ramdam niya ang galit nito. Kanina lang sa libing ng ina ay umiiyak ito pero ngayon, Vanessa looked like she's about to explode. "Let me know what you want to do and I'll support you." She scoffed. "Funny how you could say that. We won't be in this stupid room having this conversation if you—" Hindi itinuloy ni Vanessa ang sasabihin. But Kons knew what she was going to say. If he showed up to their wedding day, walang magiging ganitong kondis'yon si Valya. "I just don't understand why we need to get married," frustrated nitong wika. Hindi alam ni Kons kung siya ang kinakausap nito o hindi. Maybe he is just voicing out her frustrations."If she's here, I'd ask her," wala sa loob na sambit ni Kons. Sinamaan ni Vanessa ng tingin si Kons. He was out of line and Kons knew it. Gusto lang naman niyang pagaanin ang lahat ng
Hindi kaagad nakapagsalita si Kons sa pagkabigla. He is pretty sure he heard her right. Pero suot pa rin ni Vanessa ang singsing na bigay ni Damien— how ironic is that? Balak ba niyang mamangka sa dalawang ilog? Kons doesn't share. "What did you have in mind?" It was safe to ask then make a comment that would make him look like a fool. At this rate, time is precious and he doesn't have time for games."I was thinking we can get married before the time is up. I am not in a rush to get my inheritance. We are just going to make sure that it doesn't go to charity." Kumunot ang noo ni Kons. "I am still donating— but I am not giving everything. My mother worked hard for it, and she told me it's all for me.""Point taken. Until then, what?" "I was thinking we'll just stay as is until then." Vanessa sipped his wine and looked into his eyes. Hindi niya mabasa ang gusto nitong laro. "So let me get this straight. You're agreeing to marry me but the wedding won't take place until before the ye