"A third party, seriously? How could you do that, Kiel? Out of all women you could have, pinili mo pa talaga ang kilalang may sabit! And it's not just some couple you messed with! It's Jerome's woman for pete's sake! Now they have used their media power to hit us with whatever mud they can throw at us, especially at you and Ace Logistics!" mataas ang boses na sabi ng kapatid niyang si Aaron.
His brother was anxiously pacing to and fro the receiving room of their family's penthouse at SSL. Naroon din si Joshua, his other brother and of course, his mother, who's calm demeanor is scaring the shit out if him more.
He huffed and went towards the bar. He just spent the last few minutes explaining his side on the scandal. He's parched, pissed and perturbed. Damn right, he needed a drink for that.
"Seriously, you need a drink right now? Nakikinig ka ba, Kiel?" si Aaron ulit, tunog saway. "Joshua, talk to that bother of yours before I'd punch the shit out that dickhead!"
Nag-angat ng tingin si Joshua mula sa cellphone nito bago, "Kiel, take it easy, brother. The bottle on the top left shelf was aged well. Smooth with a slight kick in the end."
"Dammit, Joshua, you're not helping!" saway ni Aaron sa kapatid.
"What? He's already fckin screwed, Aaron! Give the man whatever he wants. Give him one last meal should he needs it.”
He heard Aaron hissed. Joshua responded with another funny yet annoying rhetoric, irking Aaron all the more.
Siya naman ay nagmadaling inabot ang bote ng alak mula sa top shelf. The noise was not helping with his headache. He really needs some booze.
Magsasalin na sana siya ng alak sa cyrstal glass nang magsalita ang Mommy nila.
"If you so ever pour even just a drop of whiskey on that glass, Kiel, I swear to your father's grave, I will strip you off of your inheritance, squeeze every single cent out of Ace Logistics and exile you to Timbuktu!" his mother declared, still calm yet in a threatening voice.
He looked at the bottle of whiskey and silently huffed before putting it down on the counter. Their father, Greg Sandejas died of heart attack almost 3 years ago. Their family faced several business issues since and it required their mother to be stern as they try to keep SSL, the legacy of their father. And one thing he has learned through the years, favorite or not, his mother always meant business when SSL is on the line. And last night, while he spent an enjoyable wild night with Lauren Ortega, he also compromised not just their family's name but also their business connections.
Maingat siyang pumihit paharap sa ina. She was calmly sitting on the couch, disappointment visible on her face.
He and Joshua don't agree on many things but at the moment, his brother is right, he really is fckin screwed.
"Emily Nacionales called me early this morning, asking me how was I able to raise such a disrespectful man like you, no mind having an affair with a woman who is clearly in a relationship.” His mother released a slow breath, as if trying to hold in her temper. “I cannot answer. Even now, I cannot think of an answer. I must admit when I saw the video, I wanted to summon your father and slap you right at the back of your head para matauhan ka. But listening to your explanation now, I want you to know that I believe you, son. Lauren Ortega came to your suite willingly, seduced you that's why you spent the night together doing god-knows what.”
He released a slow breath. He began to relax. “Thank you, Mom—“
“And while I believe you, that doesn’t mean you are excused from the consequences of your actions. People are talking, Kiel. And they will keep on talking for only god knows how long. And like what I keep on saying to the three of you, our name is an asset. Taint it with even just a tiny speck of ink, the blot will spread like wildfire, staining our name and our businesses.” Marahang tumayo ang Mommy niya at naglakad palapit sa kanya. Sandali siya nitong tinitigan bago inabot ang kanyang kamay. “You are my precious youngest son, Kiel. And I know you are hurting. I know you still are. But the drinking has to stop. She is not for you. She’s already married—“
“Just for a while,” nagmamadaling putol niya sa ina, gritting his teeth, trying to soothe his still aching heart.
“You could never know that. A lot of things can happen. What if she doesn’t come back? What if in the end, she decides to stay… with her husband? What would become of you, Kiel? I cannot allow you to waste your life away in waiting for someone who’s already taken,” his mother said in a worried tone.
While he understands where his mother is coming from, still, he can’t help but be angry. “And what do you think should I do. Just forget about her and move on? You make it sound so simple, mother. What if you were me, would you just give up that easy?”
Hindi sumagot ang kanyang ina bagkus ay unti-unti nitong bitiwan ang kanya kamay. “You are my son, Kiel. I would always want what’s best for you. And she is not that,” anang ina bago tumuwid ng tayo. “The drinking has to stop right here and now, Kiel. And I mean it. Tomorrow, you will go back to work and have a meeting with the board of directors of Ace Logistics. I and your brothers will be with you,” his mother continued with finality.
“I can’t, Mom. Paalis kami nina Ana at Tala bukas papuntang Thailand,” Joshua protested.
“You will come with us, Joshua. I won’t accept any of your excuses. Ikaw din, Aaron. We will face this mess like how we had always done it, together,” his mother declared, ibinalik ang tingin sa kanya. “Three weeks is enough, Kiel. Sober up. Babalik ka sa pagtatrabaho bukas, sa ayaw mo at sa gusto.”
Maya-maya pa, may kumatok sa pinto ng penthouse. Sabay-sabay silang napalingon sa direksiyon niyon. Ilang sandali pa, umingit pabukas ang pinto at pumasok si Diego, ang assistant ni Aaron. Kasunod nito si Eric Samaniego, ang dating boss ng hipag niyang si Ana at may-ari ng Samaniego Security Agency o SSA, ang pangunahing provider ng bodyguards sa bansa. They themselves have several members of their security team from SSA. From what he heard within their circle and from Ana herself, some people who are working under Eric doubles as international agents, doing classified work for an international security agency.
He huffed. Kung ano man ang ipinunta roon ni Eric, he’s sure it’s important for making the boss come to them himself.
“Eric, thank you for coming,” si Joshua, nilapitan ang lalaki at kinamayan ito.
“Anytime,” anang lalaki, tipid na ngumiti bago bumaling sa kanila. “Mrs. Sandejas, Ana called me this morning informing of the incident,” anito, sumulyap sa kanya bago ibinaling ang tingin kay Aaron. “Your IT team made an excellent job in tracing the source of the video.”
“Yeah, I asked Silver to work on it immediately,” si Aaron. Silver is a computer whiz working under SSL’s IT Team.
Tumango-tango si Eric bago bumaling sa kanya. “As of the moment, all the videos posted online have already been taken down. We've also traced that the video was uploaded online at an IP address that belongs to NTS. Well that’s already a given because Ms. Ortega is with Mr. Nacionales. It was expected that they will exhaust all their media connections. However, my men found out that, Mr. Nacionales booked the presidential suite located on your floor last night for him and Ms. Ortega. CCTV showed that Ms. Ortega went to the suite past seven in the evening and came out just a few minutes later already staggering on her feet and a little disoriented before going to your room."
“Did you notice that, Kiel?” si Aaron. Agad siyang tumango.
“My men were able to sneak in at the presidential suite and found a half empty bottle of wine on the food trolley. They were lucky to collect a sample on the wine and they found this…” Inabot nito sa kanya ang isang puting sobre. He eased out the paper inside it and read its content. It was a lab report.
“This is…” his voice trailed off.
“Drugs,” maagap na sabi ni Eric. “Ms. Ortega was probably drugged when she came to you room, Kiel.”
Maingat na bumaba ng taxi si Lauren. It was just a few minutes past midnight and she just spent the whole day hiding in some cheap motel in the city. Hindi siya tumuloy sa San Ildefonso. Nang malaman niya ang tungkol sa viral video niya at ni Kiel, she stepped out of the plane immediately. People were angry. She heard them talking inside the plane. They called her names—awful names. She deserved it… for being so careless and weak. Besides, Jerome also has a following for he listed as one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. And no, she cannot endure almost an hour flight inside a plane with people angry at her in it. That's why she unboarded the plane and spent the rest of the day crying and hiding. Kusa rin niyang ini-off ang cellphone niya. But even then, her anxious thoughts just won’t stop inside her head. Alam niya, kahit na nagtatago siya at wala siyang balita sa mga nangyayari, pinagpipiyestahan ng mga tao ang video nila ni Kiel. That and she also had to deal with a
Isang marahas na tapik sa balikat ang nagpagising kay Lauren kinabukasan. Her head was pounding from lack of sleep and her eyes were throbbing from crying too much. “Mabuti naman at gising ka na, Lauren. Bumangon ka na riyan at ipagtimpla mo ko ng kape,” utos agad sa kanya ni Tita Lileth. Nakaayos na ang kanyang tiyahin, bagong ligo rin. Ipinagala niya ang kanyang tingin sa may dingding. It’s just eight in the morning. Last time she checked the time, it was 5:30 A.M. Meaning, she just had two and half hours of sleep. Pero heto na naman ang tiyahin niya at inuutusan siyang magtimpla ng kape nito. “Bilisan mo na riyan. Pupuntahan ko ngayon ang mga kakilala ko. Susubukan kong ayusin ‘yang gulong pinasok mo. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na gumagawa ako ng paraan, hindi mo na gagawin ang pinagapagawa ko sa 'yo. Makikiusap ka pa rin kay Jerome sa ayaw o sa gusto mo,” anito, mabilis na humithit sa sigarilyo at naglakad patungo sa kitchen. She released a slow breath. She really can’t have a bre
Lauren’s breathing hitched. She got easily distracted by his minty breath fanning her face. Not to mention his presence screams authority, as if forcing her to make a full surrender. But she refused to back down. Sa Tita Lileth lang niya siya takot, hindi sa ibang tao. And so she composed herself, lifted her head a fraction and spoke. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking a-about,” she said in a half-shaky voice. “And how did you get inside my house? Don’t you know I can sue you for trespassing?” dugtong pa niya, pag-iiba sa usapan. Kiel grinned, amused, taking a few steps away from her. “You left me no choice. I had to use my connections to get to you.” Agad na nagsalubong ang kilay niya. He must have sensed her confusion, that’s why he continued. “I told you last night, we need to talk. You did not reply. There are things that I need to discuss with you. Urgent.”He spoke the word urgent in a dark tone, making her tremble a little. Kakasuhan din ba siya nito for dragging him into th
Jerome downed the whole glass of brandy in one go. It tasted bitter yet even that doesn't distract him from the anger washing over him since this morning. Lauren, that whore just gave herself away to that Samaniego. Gigil niyang inilapag ang baso ng alak sa counter. Nawala lahat ng pinagpaguran niya sa loob ng isang taon, ang panunuyo, pag-uunawa at pagtitiis niya rito. All of those because his mother wanted Lauren to be his wife. Not that he doesn't want Lauren to be his, she is beautiful, young , and smart. He likes her, any virile man would like the embodiment of a bombshell named Lauren Ortega. But ever since his mother saw Lauren win an international beauty contest 2 years ago, she had become fond of her-- even became persistent that he should marry Lauren for she is just perfect for him. And so he pursued her, patiently. Knowing full well that she'd give in to his needs, sooner or later. But Lauren is one prude woman. She just won't surrender to him fully, given his appetite for
"Mom, why did you that?" dire-diretsong tanong ni Kiel sa ina, as soon as he arrived at his brother Joshua's house. He was informed that his mother went there as soon as she was finished addressing the press about his "marriage" with Lauren.His mother glanced at him before gently taking the cup of tea to her mouth. His mother took a slow and steady sip of tea, ipinikit pa ang mga mata upang namnamin ang lasa ng tsaa. She was relaxed and somewhat content, malayong malayo sa hitsura niyang balisa at hindi mapakali.Why, he should be! Biglang siyang ikinasal sa babaeng hindi niya kilala!He huffed, trying to keep his anger at bay."Mom, I'm asking--""Shh. I will keep my mouth shut if I were you," mabilis na putol sa kanya ni Joshua, na kasalukyang kasama nilang mag-ina sa library ng bahay nito. "Can't you see she's trying to find her center, calming her nerves. Those media people are vicious. I should've punched that persistent one who keeps calling Aaron gay.""Leave me and Kiel, Josh
"This is Kiel's house," anang Mommy ni Kiel as the car was pulling over in front of a house that is twice as big as her townhouse. The house is located inside a posh subdivision within the metro. Doon sila dumiretso pagkalapag na pagkalapag nila sa airport. Hindi sila nagtagal sa HongKong. Matapos siyang iwan ni Kiel at magpunta ito sa kung saan, nag-aya na rin pauwi ng Pilipinas si Madam Liza. The old woman took it to herself to tell her a thing or two about her new husband. Dahil hanggang sa mga oras na iyon, hindi pa rin nagpapakita si Kiel. "He got this about two years ago after he finished his masters in London and decided to build his own company, Ace Logistics," patuloy pa ng matandang babae bago nito tinulak pabukas ang pinto. The house was spacious and clean, adorned with fine things only people with money can afford. Marahan siyang siniko ng tiyahin niya na ipinilit ang pagsama sa kanya hanggang doon."Pwedeng-pwede akong tumira dito, Lauren. This place would be big for t
"I... I w-was just g-going to get my t-things," kandautal na paliwanag ni Lauren. Lalong naningkit ang mga mata ni Kiel."Things? What the hell are your things doing in my room?" mataas ang boses na tanong nito bago siya marahas na hinawi sa daraanan nito. Lihim siyang napaaray nang bumangga siya sa dahon ng pinto. "Sinong nagsabi sa 'yong pwede ka dito sa kuwarto? And who the fck even gave you the permission to even step foot inside my house?!" tuloy-tuloy na tanong nito, hinablot ang maliit na suitcase niya na nasa gilid ng isang pinto bago iyon hinagis sa paanan niya. "Leave! I don't want you here!" he commanded, his voice shaking the four walls of the room. Anger instantly coursed through her veins. Sumosobra na talaga ito! Alam niya kung gaano kahirap ang sitwasyon nilang dalawa-- ang matali sila sa isa't -isa pansamantala, but that doesn't give him any right to mistreat her in any way. Again, sa kanyang Tita Lileth lang siya takot. Every one else would get her anger should they
"I see you came back to work without even saying 'hi' to your boss," ani Jerome nang hindi agad umimik si Lauren. Sandali nitong ipinaikot ang tingin sa tent na nagsisilbing dressing room niya tuwing nasa shooting siya. And while she knew that the tent was enough for five people and more, she finds it impossibly cramped up now that Jerome was in it with her."Are you just going to stare at me, Lauren? Not even a sorry for what you did?" Agad na bumangon ang galit sa dibdib ni Lauren sa sinabi ni Jerome. How dare he show up in front of her and put all the blame on her!"I'm just here to finish my job. Nothing significant which requires me to pay you a visit or even apologize. Besides, why would I say sorry to you? I wasn't the who cheated," matigas ang boses na sagot niya. She wanted to yell at him, to hurl insults on his lying face. Kaya lang maaring may mga tao sa labas ng tent, members of the show's production team who seemed to be walking on eggshells the minute she walked to the