KABANATA 23Atasha's POVNatapos ang buong araw na trabaho, pagod akong umuwi sa condo. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang nakakapagod sa araw na ito, yung trabaho ba o yung sobra sobrang pag-iisip. As I sat on the sofa, a sudden thought crossed my mind - I felt like having fun tonight. I was tempted to go to the clubhouse and get drunk. Though I hesitated because it's not in my nature to go out at night, especially without Elias, I decided to proceed with my plan.After taking a shower, I quickly got dressed. I put on a sexy night-out dress that fit me perfectly before I finally left the condo. This is the first time I'm going to the clubhouse without Elias. But for now, I'm going to try to party alone since he hasn't been home for several days and I have no idea where he's been staying. Just a few minutes later, I arrived at the clubhouse that we often frequented during college. I entered and was immediately greeted by the loud music. As usual, the place was still bustling with people a
KABANATA 24Atasha's POV"Let go of me!" sigaw ko kay Elias habang inaagaw ang braso ko sa kanya.Hinila niya ako palabas ng pinto bago niya ako binitawan. Ramdam ko ang galit niya dahil sa pag-igting ng kanyang panga, pinipigilan ang sarili."Who told you to come here?" may diin na halos mamamaos na tanong niya sa akin.Nagbuga ako ng hangin at inayos ang nakatabing na buhok sa mukha ko. "Ikaw ang dapat na tanungin ko niyan, Elias. What the hell are you doing here?!""It's none of your business okay?" tugon niya sa akin, dahilan para pandilatan ko, hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi niya."What? It's none of my business?! Nag-alala ako sayo kaya narito ako sa ospital dahil buong akala ko may nangyari sayo na masama! Tapos ito?! Ito ang madadatnan ko?!" sigaw ko sa kanya, wala na talaga ako sa sarili ko sa mga oras na ito. Wala na rin akong pakialam sa paligid ko."Can you please just stop?!""Stop?!" hindi makapaniwalang sigaw ko. "You want me to stop?! Matapos lahat ng ginagawa niyo s
KABANATA 25Atasha's POVIn the morning when I woke up, I packed all my belongings and didn't leave a single one behind. I occupied five suitcases and several boxes with my things because I really had that much. Sa ilang taon ba naman naming magkasama ni Elias dito sa malaking condo unit na ito? Hindi na ako magtataka kung maipon ng ganito karami ang mga gamit ko.Hawak-hawak ko ang bag ko'y lumabas na sa kwarto upang sumunod sa mga limang taong nagbuhat ng mga gamit ko. Pagkalabas ko'y napansin ko si Elias sa malaking sofa, tahimik lamang na nakaupo roon na tila tulala sa kawalan. Nakakapagtaka nga at narito siya ngayon, buong akala ko'y umalis siya kagabi.Napabuntong hininga ako bago dahan-dahang lumapit upang magpaalam na sa kanya."I'm going to leave now, Elias. Take care yourself," paalam ko ngunit nanatili lamang siyang tahimik. Hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng kahit ilang minuto at naglakad na ako papunta sa pinto.Ngunit bago pa ako tuluyang makalabas ay hindi ko inaasahan ang b
KABANATA 26Atasha's POVIt's been a week since I left Elias, and I admit that adjusting has been difficult. With the help of Kaeon, I was able to find a new place to stay, which is also a condominium building where he lives. While it may not be as high-quality as the de Marcel properties, I can say that it still has its own quality.It's a good thing that it's far from where Elias is, so that our paths won't cross. It's also convenient that it's close to my restaurant, and there's a possibility that I won't get stuck in traffic.I didn't go to work today as I planned to take a one-week leave to unwind. I need some space for myself, away from everyone who knows me. So I decided to book a flight to go on vacation in El Nido, Palawan.I've talked to Zylee about my upcoming leave, and I've entrusted her with the management of the restaurant while I'm away. I have great trust in her as my Chef Assistant, as she has proven herself to me several times before.After booking my flight and sec
KABANATA 27Atasha's POVWhen I arrived at the hotel where I had reserved a room, I was immediately welcomed by a hotel staff member who graciously carried my luggage. I also expressed my gratitude to the driver who had fetched me from the airport earlier before following the hotel staff inside.As I entered the hotel lobby, I was struck by its elegant design and warm ambiance. The friendly staff member escorted me to the front desk for check-in, where I was greeted with a refreshing welcome drink. After completing the formalities, the staff member guided me to my room.To my delight, the room had a stunning view of El Nido, Palawan's pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. The sight of the picturesque landscape took my breath away, and I knew I was in for a truly unforgettable stay. Thanking the hotel staff for their excellent service, I settled in and eagerly anticipated the adventures that awaited me in this tropical paradise.I never expected El Nido to be this beautiful. If on
KABANATA 28Atasha's POV"Do you want to see the sky lanterns?" Celsius asked me as we made our way back to the hotel. The late afternoon sun was casting a warm glow over everything after our sightseeing tour."Is there one?""Yes, there's usually one around this time.""Sure," I replied, excitement evident in my voice. "Where is it?""Come, I will show you," replied Celsius as he led me to the beach where a large group of people were holding lit sky lanterns, and preparing to release them into the night sky. The lanterns glowed and danced in the gentle breeze, illuminating the faces of those standing around them.As the lanterns were released, they soared higher and higher, painting the night sky with their soft, warm light. The crowd gasped and cheered as they floated into the darkness, disappearing like stars into the distance.I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and peace as I watched the lanterns drift away, their flickering lights a symbol of hope and happiness. Celsius s
SIMULAWARNING: MATURE CONTENT!Habang abala ako sa pagtatapos ng memorandum sa aking laptop, biglang bumukas ang pinto ng aking opisina dito sa restaurant. Kailangan kong maghanda para sa isang mahalagang business meeting sa susunod na linggo, kaya naman puspusan ang aking pagtatrabaho upang maipadala ito sa pamamagitan ng email."Shang, hindi ka pa ba tapos?" tanong ni Elias, na pumasok na sa loob."May lakad ba tayo?" tanong ko, hindi pa rin tumitigil sa pagtipa sa keyboard. "Hindi ko maalala na inaya mo ako sa isang date," pabiro kong dagdag.Lumapit siya sa akin at niyakap ako mula sa likuran habang nakaupo ako sa swivel chair. Naramdaman ko ang kakaibang kilabot sa aking katawan nang amuyin ni Elias ang aking batok at banayad na hinalikan ito."Tara, magpunta tayo sa isang lugar," sabi niya, ang kanyang labi ay bahagyang dumampi pa sa aking leeg, na nagpahinto sa akin sa aking ginagawa."Saan?" tanong ko, puno ng kuryosidad ang aking boses."Basta, sumama ka na lang sa akin at ma
KABANATA 1Pauwi kami ni Elias ngayon dahil natapos na ang aming reunion. Dalawang oras din kaming nagdiwang doon, at ipinagdiwang namin ang engagement nina Wildrich at Kazimie. Hindi ko maiwasang mainggit kay Kaz habang kinakausap ko siya kanina, dahil kitang-kita ko ang kanyang kasiyahan sa sorpresang proposal ni Wildrich. Hindi niya ito inasahan dahil akala niya ay aasikasuhin muna ni Kaz ang kanyang kontrata sa fashion company bago sila magplano ng kasal.Habang nakikinig ako sa kanyang kwento, hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng inggit, dahil alam kong matutupad na ang kanilang matagal nang pangarap. Bigla akong napaisip at nagtanong sa aking sarili tungkol sa amin ni Elias. Kailan kaya niya planong mag-propose sa akin?Sa totoo lang, mas matagal na ang relasyon namin ni Elias kumpara kina Wildrich at Kazimie. Pitong taon sila, ngunit sila ay engaged na. Marami na rin, kabilang ang ilang lumang kaibigan, ang nagtatanong kung kailan kami ni Elias magtatake ng susunod na hakbang sa ami