"You okay?" nag - aalalang tanong ni Matthew sa kanya habang naglalakad sila patungo sa Fine Dining Resto ng malapit na Hotel sa simbahan kung saan sila nagsimba kanina. Hawak hawak nito ang kamay ng kanyang anak na si Allaire.
Bahagya pa siyang lumingon sa pag aakalang makikita niyang muli si Gunner.
"Mom, when are we going home? I missed Daddylo and Mommyla already." Tanong ng anak na nagpabalik ng kanyang kamalayan sa mga kasama.
"Come again, Laire?" tanong niya sa anak dahil hindi niya masyadong naunawaan ang tanong nito sa kanya kanina.
Allaire rolled her eyes as if annoyed with her unattentiveness. "Mom.. I said, when are we going home. Miss ko na sina Daddylo at Mommyla."
"Tomorrow morning. Uuwi na tayo ng Batangas."
"
Gustavo Montenegro together with his son, Guillermo and daughter - in - law Alicia are coming home. Lahat ng mga tao sa hacienda ay abala sa pagdating ng patriarch ng mga Montenegro. Lahat sila ay nanabik na makita itong muli. Matapos mag stay nang matagal sa Amerika ay naisip at napagpaiyahan nitong umuwi na sa Pilipinas for good. Anito'y nais nitong kung babawian ng buhay ay sinilangang bayan abutin nang kanyang pagpanaw. Naroroon ang pananabik kay Gunner na makita ang abuelo at mga magulang.
"Arggh! Naisigaw na lamang ni Gunner ang matinding frustration. Kahit nakabalik na sa kanyang posisyon bilang CEO ng Royal Crown Film and Entertainment Industry ay hindi lubos ang kasiyahan ni Gunner dahil ramdam pa rin niyang may kulang. Alam niyang tanging si Kris at ang anak na si Dawn Allaire lang ang makakapagpuno niyon. Last night, sumakit nang matindi ang kanyang ulo hanggang sa panawan siya ng ulirat. Nang mahimasmasan at magising, memories seemed to happen just yesterday. Sariwa pa lahat ng sakit at hapdi nang bumalik lahat ang alaala. Mabilis niyang tinawagan si Clifford. Makalipas ang dalawang ring ay narinig niyang sumagot sa kabilang linya ang kaibigan. "Gunner, I was about to call you. Yes, mamayang 1 pm ay may voice lesson session ang anak mo dito sa Notes Musical School near their municipal hall. According to my sourc
"I love you Kris. I'm madly deeply inlove with you." mahina ngunit dinig na dinig ni Kris ang mga binitawang salita ni Gunner. Kristel froze in her sit. "Y-you're in love with me?" Hindi makapaniwalang ulit niya sa sinabi ng binata. Hindi yata't pareho lang sila ng nararamdaman ng binata sa isa't isa. Can this be true? Nag - aalangang ngumiti si Gunner. "Yes. You heard it right. I'm in love with you." "Since when?" Kristel asked still in a state of confusion and disbelief. "Way back in Paris Kris." Gunner answered looking at her intently. Umiling - iling siya. "You love Nina Ellize that's why you left me without a single word when you heard she had an accident." "I left a note saying I'll be back. I'll just check on Ellize after al
"Mommy, what does Daddy looked like? Is he handsome like Tito Matt?" sunod - sunod na tanong ni Allaire sa kanya. Kanina makatapos ang session nito ay kinausap muna niya ito telling her that she will meet her Dad soon. Kristel smiled at Allaire. "Yes sweetie. Your Dad is handsome." She didn't lie telling her na guwapo si Ghunner. Ghunners' everyone's dream to have. He's undeniably handsome, hot, and lean. He's also intelligent and holds a company as CEO. One of the Montenegros' heir. A bachelor a woman would die to have. "Yes! You heard that Yaya Ness? Finally, I will tell my classmates I really have a Daddy. Makikita nila Mommy." may pait sa boses ng anak nang sambitin ang mga katagang iyon. It pained her knowing how hard it is for Allaire without a father around. She thought it was just fine.
Dericks' glowered at him while they are entering the mansion. He's not afraid though. He scanned the place. Everything in the house implicates wealth. Of course, they are Almabis, what could you expect? But this is not new to him since he is a Montenegro himself. He looked back at Derick. He is ready to face anyone and explain his side. Blue was just looking at him. While Gibson nodded his head to greet him. Of all the Almabis Brothers, it was Gibson who was the least na maiisip niyang babati sa kanya. He even patted his back at iminuwestra sa kanyang maupo na siya sa single couch doon. "I'm just going to call Mom and Dad to inform you're here Kris.. with Gunner." ani Blue before leaving them for a while to call their parents. "Tito Daddy Dee, where's the toy you told me?" Allaire asked her Uncle Derick about the toy they were talking about over the phone last night. Excited na nga
"Kris.. halika sandali." tawag sa kanya ng kanyang Kuya Derick. Kasalukuyang nag - uusap sina Kuya Blue at Kuya Gibson sa coffee table sa isang sulok ng salas. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa kapatid. Matiim itong nakatingin sa infinity ring sa kanyang daliri. "Are you sure about this?" narinig niyang tanong nito. He scanned her face as if makukuha doon ang kasagutan. She nodded her head as a response. "Yes Kuya. I've never been this sure in my life." "Kris, may anak kayo, naroroon na ako. Pero ibang usapan ang pag-aasawa. Have you thought about this?" nag - aalalang wika ng Kuya niya na napasuklay pa ng kamay sa buhok nito.
Because it rained so hard last night, her parents suggested that Gunner stay just for the night in their mansion. Since Gunner missed his little Allaire so bad, he asked if he could stay in her room. They all agreed on it. They spent the whole night in Allaire's room. Her heart was filled with overflowing love when she felt Gunner hug her tight. Bahagya siyang lumayo to tucked Allaire in the bed. But Gunner grabbed and held her tight again. 'Oh no! Not again.' They couldn't help but make love last night because they missed each other that much. After all, they getting married soon. He cuddled her in his strong lean arms and this time, it seemed hindi siya nito gustong pakawalan pa. He touched her lips with his fingers and then kissed her. Mabilis lang iyon pero may spark pa rin. She felt dazed
Kahit nasasaktan habang nakamasid sa papalayong si Matthew at Allaire, Kristel had no choice but to tell him once and for all. Masasaktan at masasaktan si Matthew sa kanyang desisyon ngunit wala siyang magawa upang pagaanin ang sitwasyon para kay Matthew. He's been part of their lives for the past years. It's so unfair kung hahayaan niya itong mag - ilusyon na may maasahan sa kanya gayung hanggang kaibigan lang talaga si Matthew para sa kanya. Mahal niya si Matthew bilang isang kaibigan. Nothing more, nothing less. Kung natuturuan lang sana ang puso. Sana'y noon pa man ay sinuklian niya lahat ng kabutihan na ginawa nito para sa kanya. She'll pray for him. "Hey.. penny for your thoughts?" It was Gunner. He kissed her cheeks and held her tight. Ngumiti siya sa binata ngunit batid niyang hindi iyon umabot sa kanyang mga mata. Napabuntunghininga siya