AFTER 4 YEARS...
“HAPPY?”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Astrid replied softy without looking at the man beside her. They were sitting at the wooden bench at the balcony of the 10th floor of the hospital.
He shrugged. “I’m sure you’re missing your old life back in Manila since we moved. Your students, your friends. Even your coffee shop, I’m sure you’re missing it a lot.”
Astrid didn’t have to answer the question because they both know that it is the truth. It has been four years since they moved to Boston and not a single day that she didn’t miss her old life, her old self. It wasn’t easy for her to stay in their marriage because it meant for her to leave everything behind, including her heart. But she didn’t have a choice. Being married to a Leopold was definitely not a walk in the park and defying the rules has its consequences. 
SO, why did she come to Boston with Carl?Because he didn’t give her a choice, really. He told her that if she really didn’t want to go, she must talk to his mother, explain the whole situation. That means telling the poor old woman that she wanted an annulment, and that she’s having an affair - something her conscience couldn’t take.Oh well, he actually gave her a choice - to stay married or run away with Bullet and forget everything, including the deteriorating condition of Carl’s mother, who has been nothing but a darling.Astrid didn’t know what to expect when she came back to Manila from Baguio. Bullet wanted to come with her and talk to Carl. He’s even willing to beg him to set her free but she didn’t permit him. The situation was already complicated as it is and she’s certain that it will just make matters worse. She should know. Carl may be the most respected and compassionate
OLD house, new life. The mansion that’s used to be quiet has come into life. It’s always filled with Luna’s laughter especially whenever they invite her classmates every Saturday. They usually have barbecue parties in the pool area, which always filled their home with tons of children’s laughter.After the funeral of Dona Margareth, she returned to teaching preschoolers. Luna Serene has just turned five and will soon start kindergarten. She can now read short sentences and spell simple words and she’s certain that her daughter won’t have a difficult time adjusting.She also went back to managing the coffee shop. Carl insisted that she keeps it despite her refusal. It was his way to make up for everything that he’s done, and didn’t do. She was thankful, of course but somehow, she felt as if she didn’t deserve everything.He let her do anything and go wherever she wanted. He let her live her ol
BULLET stood in the kitchen doorway, just staring at her as she’s preparing their breakfast. She was wearing silk shorts, too short that it covers too little. Her top was loose and thin with really tiny straps, which shows her shapely bosoms. He immediately felt his manhood react, just looking at her.He has known her for just over a month but it felt a lot longer than that. He met Audrey at an office function in L.A. and since then, they’ve been inseparable especially when they found out that they were actually working for the same corporation. She’s just supposed to be a ‘fling’ but as he has gotten to know her more, he realized that she’s more than just a pretty face.He came closer to her and hugged her gently from behind.“Hi, there, handsome,” she greeted as a respond to his kisses on her neck. “It’s still early, why are you up?”He didn’t say anything but
IT was almost eight in the morning, the first Friday of the month and his first week at their Manila office. It’s also his first week as one of the new account executives of ECA Publishing Group, a new publisher and distributor of children’s books based in Los Angeles. So far, so good. It was actually better than he had anticipated.He didn’t want to accept the position at first because taking the job means having to go back to Manila, which was the last thing he wanted. He has managed to live in L.A. for many years and he actually loved it. But aside from the fact that it was indeed a good opportunity, there’s this part of him that’s telling him that seven years were probably long enough to forget.Forget? Well, not really. For Bullet, there are certain things that’s just impossible to forget.Coming to L.A. was never part of his plans. He’s satisfied with his job as a business consultant in Manila, des
YES and no. She’s not yet ready to see Bullet again but she has to.It has been seven years and Astrid should already have built the courage to see him again. But truth is, she hasn’t. Facing Bullet and asking for his apology for leaving without a trace is something that she has been delaying for a long time now. After coming back to Manila, she told herself that she’d do everything to find him for Luna’s sake. But yeah, many years had passed and she’s still not up to it.She’s got too many what ifs that she just wants to tell Luna that her father no longer exists. A part of her prays that Carl would be able to locate Bullet as soon as possible but another part of her wishes otherwise.But unfortunately, Luna found Bullet’s pictures, called her Dada Carl and asked for his help. Ah, sometimes, she wants to regret her decision of letting Luna call Carl whenever she wanted, even without her perm
“WHY are you looking at me like that?”Astrid heard Theo chuckled. He shook his head and focused on the book he’s reading. They were sitting at the bench inside the amusement center where Luna was having the time of her life. She’s been bugging her to visit the mall and let her play at the amusement center as a reward for being the top of her class. So she had no choice but to find time to grant her wish. Good thing that Theo was free to drive them since she had to take her car to the shop for maintenance.“Hey, what’s the matter?” she asked once more when he fell silent. His eyes were on the book but she can see that he’s smiling. “Come on, what is it?” He’s been glancing at her every now and then and it somehow makes her uncomfortable. “Do I have something on my face?”Theo glanced up and shook his head. “I’m sorry, it’s just that...&rdq
"OMG!”Astrid laughed out loud at Martha’s overreaction when she told her about 'the' news. She was about to sip her coffee when Martha excitedly yelled.“It’s about time, girl!”“Martha, don’t get too excited. we’ve just started dating okay?”“Still!” Martha held her hand and smiled brightly. “I’m so happy for you, Astrid. At long last, you’re ready to fall in love again!”They were inside the coffee shop just across Luna’s school where she always waits for her. After her teacher’s assistant job finishes at ten, then she visits her shop for an hour and picks Luna up afterwards. Martha was supposed to be on a date but when she told her about the news, she immediately called off her date and came to see her instead. It was expected of Martha to be happy for her but she didn’t expect her to be this thrilled.&ldquo
“IS that all, sir?”Bullet has been staring at his monitor for the entire three minutes. He didn’t even hear their office secretary, asking him about his meetings for the day. The secretary had to ask multiple times before he could answer.“By the way, Miss Audrey just called. She said she won’t be able to join you to dinner tonight because she’ll be going to her grandparents.”“Noted. Thank you, Miss Mendoza,” he replied without looking at her. He just heard the door opened and then closed.When Audrey’s grandparents learned that she’s now working in their Manila-based company, they invited her to visit them in the province. She wanted him to come but he refused because he still has a lot of things to do so now, she’s been avoiding his call the entire day. He’s used to her temperament though and he knows that she’ll talk to him again when she’