CHAPTER 11
Gabi felt she was in a washing machine. The turmoil of her sudden engagement affected the whole pirate crew. True to Theo’s words, she was treated like a queen. They seem to look at her like manna from heaven to the point that when one pirate requested an additional ration of bread she end up, asking Theo about it. When he allowed an additional bread for the whole crew, she become a star overnight. Five days ago when she accepted his proposal, he have become more caring about her needs and she realized the Captain have a heart of gold. He deeply cared for his people and treat them like family. He was the first one to risk his life for them. No wonder, the pirates followed him blindly like he was God himself. The faith and trust they give him were not lost with Gabi. She also started to feel the same as the pirates. Never once, did he take advantage of her. He treated her with much special care, that she missed those kisses he stole from her. Theo was also avoiding
CHAPTER 12 The pirates have become a part of Gabi’s life. She could not imagine her life without these men who worship the sea. They treated her like their own and some professed undying support for her. Even Arik, who seldom smiles, suddenly becomes her bodyguard and he followed her everywhere. She caught him smiling when she tried to joke around. The pirates were too nice and they laugh at her joke and antics even though she felt like it was only to appease her and make her happy. Juan doted on her like a father and Juanito, the young son who kidnapped her treated her like she was family.When dinner time came, she was always treated like a VIP that even her future husband cannot help but comment to Juan.“How did you ever come to have meat, tonight in the middle of the sea?”, Theo said amusedly.Juan blushed, “We slaughtered my chicken.”“Your chicken, the one, I been asking you to disposed have at last meet his demise. Who would have know
Chapter 1 “Date me…that’s the payment I want.” her voice stung his ears. It took him aback. It was his first time to meet a girl like her. In their sleepy hometown, where the conservative outlook was standard, girls like her will be the topic of gossip and derision. Gabi Ariola was a bad egg. The church bell toll from afar. Reminding people that the six o’clock mass in the morning is already approaching. She tried to block the noise but her mother’s shrill voice keeps on nagging her to wake up for their Sunday mass. She hides behind the pillows and stuffs her ears but the bell combined with her mother’s insistent call pushed her to wake up from a very good dream. Dreams that even no saint will blush. Grudgingly, she pulled herself up from the bed thumped down to the “everyone’s bathroom” located on the ground floor. They only have one bathroom despite how big their house is. It was an old house built before the war of 1942. Her p
Chapter 2 When Saturday came, she was very early. Promptly at 7 she arrives at her new job and waited for the owner to come. True enough at exactly 7:45 in the morning, Don Juan Mariano arrived driven by his old driver. He slowly climbed out of the car with his usual lion head cane and signature hat. The driver after dropping him off drove away. He nods at her and she smiled brightly. “Good morning, Sir.” She greeted him. He looked her up and down and said, “Are you going to a party?” She flushed and said, “We have a deal last Sunday. I will be working for you, remember?” “How could I forget?”
CHAPTER 3 Someone was calling her from afar…a gentle yet strong voice that sent electricity to her body. “Gabi! Wake up…please wake up!”. She wanted to sleep on but she can feel the urgency and worry of his voice. She can feel his touch on her hair and she relished the feeling. Whoever this man is, his bedside manner was impeccable. She took a deep breath, feeling her throat constricting from a loss of air. Then, a very pungent smell, so close to her nose made her open her eyes and say alarmingly, “What’s that smell?!” “Ammonia…” the man who was staring at her worriedly was no other than her beloved Rafa. “Are you okay? I hear you scream and saw you on the floor.”&n
CHAPTER 4 Horses!? She watched the approaching animals and their rider coming towards her. It was so close that the dust on its heels envelope her and suffocated her. She could only stare in disbelief. Then someone dragged and rolled with her on the side path and they rolled together into the six feet side ditch. He put his hand on his mouth and his whole body pinning her to the wet grassy ground. She can hear the long procession of horses passing by. She cannot look since the man with her pinned her like a vise. She could only stare at his cold black eyes, and his lower face covered with a black bandana to hide his identity. The longer she stayed pinned by his body, the feel of uncomfortable feeling heating her. She can feel the strength and the leanness of him but she was too terrified to move less he would hurt her. The last contingent of the riders passes them by without a hitched. W
CHAPTER 6 Juliana Mariano stared at her closely, studying her face with much interest. She smiled at her. “Raphael was right, your beautiful.” She blushed. She can’t understand why would a handsome stranger like Raphael Marquez called her beautiful. “I’m sure your betrothed was just being polite.” Both Maya and Juliana laughed. She was surprised by their reaction. “Have I said something funny?” Raphael’s fiancée blushed, “I’m sorry to offend you. We just found it funny that Raphael was being polite. He always believes in saying it straight, whether you like it or not. He can offend people at times and come out as arrogant, but he is a wonderful man.” &
CHAPTER 7 Maya pinned her hair with an excellent comb courtesy of Dona Elena. The comb is exquisitely decorated with pearls and diamonds forming into tiny Sampaguita flowers. She keeps staring at it when Maya shyly shows her the comb. "Are you sure it's for me?" She whispered. Gently, she touched the beautiful comb. "Yes. Dona Elena said this would suit you. " Gabi smiled at Maya. "I feel like a young princess. " "You are beautiful, Senorita. The young hacienderos would love you. Soon you would also be engaged like Senora Juliana." &n
CHAPTER 7 Oscar was dumbfounded at Gabi's story. They were seated under a mango tree away from the noisy merriment of the fiesta. When she told her about her story, he almost walk-out on her. "Do you think I would believe such lies, Senorita?" He gulped the wine. She looked at him calmly. She understands his first reaction when she tells him about his misfortune—especially coming from someone in his future. "I wished it is a lie, Senor. But it is the truth. You're going to give up all your wealth by gambling. After your foolish decision, your family will suffer, not until with my father. He managed to rise above from the total despair of our family." "For your information, senorita, your s