In Bed With The Billionaire Boss
Athena Moretti was the brilliant mind behind NexusTech, but to the world, she was just a nobody. When her fiancé, Marcus Vance, publicly humiliates her, steals her revolutionary cybersecurity code, and hands her empire to another woman, Athena is left with nothing but a burning thirst for revenge.
Enter Lucien Laurent.
Ruthless, brilliant, and the most feared venture capitalist in the country, Lucien is old money incarnate. He offers Athena an untouchable legal team, unlimited resources, and a state-of-the-art lab to rebuild her software and crush Marcus.
But his help comes with a dangerous price.
To destroy Marcus from the inside out, Athena must sign a one-year contract to play a part she never prepared for: Lucien’s fiancée. The catch? Lucien is Marcus’s estranged, older step-brother.
Living under Lucien’s roof, the lines between corporate warfare and bared desires begin to blur. Every stolen glance is a sin; every touch is an electric violation of their professional rules. Athena convinces herself that she is just using his power to get her life back.
Until a dark secret from the past unravels, revealing that the man protecting her from the devil might actually be the one who ruined her family first.
Can Athena successfully play a game where the heart is the ultimate liability, or will she realize too late that her silent partner is the most dangerous enemy of all?
Baca
Chapter: Chapter 20: The Poisoned CoreATHENA POVChloe didn't hesitate. She grabbed the silver tablet right off the desk, her manicured nails tapping sharply against the glass casing. Her eyes scanned the screen, tracking the flashing green confirmation log that showed the broadcast was active."You think a temporary block is going to save you, Athena?" Chloe asked, her voice dropping the polite facade entirely. She looked up, her gaze cutting through me like ice. "My development team is already sitting in the server room downstairs. The moment this broadcast registers on our network, they override your local encryption. You just saved us the trouble of digging through Lucien’s mainframe."She didn't wait for a response. She turned around, waving her hand toward the three compliance officers waiting at the door. "Secure the local terminal. Ensure no secondary data packets leave this office. I want the extraction line kept completely clean."One of the men stepped forward, a heavy leather briefcase in his hand. He didn't l
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-22
Chapter: Chapter 19: The Asset TransferATHENA POVChloe’s voice through the thick wood was way too calm. It was the same smooth, polished tone she used during her press conferences, completely stripped of any emotion. Hearing it now, right after surviving a simulated car crash and finding out her name was on the liquidation files of my father’s company, made my skin crawl.I looked at the mahogany door, then down at my hands. They were still damp from the rain outside, my fingers hovering over the glass screen of my tablet. Everything in my head was screaming at me to run, but there was nowhere to go. Fifty floors up, amber emergency lights pulsing against the walls, and the daughter of the man who ruined my family was standing right outside.Marcus was practically hyperventilating next to the bookshelf. He had his back pressed against the wood, his eyes wide as he stared at the door handle. He looked like a kid waiting to get caught."Lucien," Chloe called out again, followed by the faint click of her heels shifting on t
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-19
Chapter: Chapter 18: The Rattle of the LockATHENA POVThe heavy mahogany handle rattled a second time, a sharp, violent metallic snap that echoed like a gunshot in the quiet office.My body went completely rigid in the executive chair. My fingers stayed hovered over the tablet screen, frozen above the data lines pointing directly to Arthur Vance’s terminal. I looked up at Lucien.He didn't make a sound. His eyes narrowed, turning into cold, dark slits as his gaze locked onto the moving handle. With a fluid, silent efficiency, he reached into his jacket and pulled out the matte-black firearm. He didn't raise it yet. He kept it flush against his thigh, his large frame stepping smoothly between the desk and the door, completely shielding me from the line of fire.Silence descended on the room again, thick and heavy.Then, a frantic voice bled through the thick wood of the door. "Lucien! Open the door! It’s me."Marcus.I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my shoulders dropping slightly. But the tension in the room
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-19
Chapter: Chapter 17: The High FloorATHENA POVThe rain didn't stop, but I barely felt the cold water soaking through my clothes. My eyes were fixed on the map coordinates on Lucien’s screen. The red pulsing dot sat squarely over the glass silhouette of Laurent Holdings Headquarters—the exact building where I had spent the last three days mapping out my revenge."Your board," I said, my voice cutting through the steady patter of the rain. "You told me you didn't have any leaks, Lucien."Lucien didn't answer immediately. He tucked the phone back into his coat pocket and turned back toward the dead SUV. His movements were calculated, completely devoid of the hesitation that was currently twisting my stomach into knots. He looked at his driver, who was standing by the damaged front fender, checking the scrape along the concrete barrier."Thomas," Lucien called out, his voice sharp and authoritative. "Leave the vehicle. Call the secondary team to tow it directly to the private warehouse. No police reports, no insurance logs
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-17
Chapter: Chapter 16: The Kill SwitchATHENA POVThe engine screamed. The sudden, violent jerk of the SUV threw me forward, the seatbelt cutting hard into my shoulder. I slammed back against the leather as the vehicle accelerated on its own, the digital dashboard flashing a single, terrifying message: System Override Initiated."The steering is dead!" the driver shouted, his arms straining against the wheel. It wouldn't budge. It was locked completely rigid, forcing the heavy SUV straight toward the concrete barrier of the river bridge. "The brakes aren't responding!"Panic flared in my chest, hot and sharp, but my brain instantly kicked into developer mode. This wasn't a mechanical failure. It was a remote exploit through the vehicle's smart-grid firmware. Chloe. She wasn't just wiping servers; she was clearing the board.Beside me, Lucien didn't panic. His face was a mask of cold, concentrated fury. With one fluid motion, he reached across the console, his large hand gripping my wrist."Athena, the tablet," he said, his
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-17
Chapter: Chapter 15: The Unsaved LinkLUCIEN POV Marcus’s name blinked against the black plastic of the console. The green answer icon pulsed, illuminating the interior of the moving vehicle with a rhythmic, sickly glow. Beside me, Athena’s eyes stayed fixed on the screen. She didn't say a word, but her fingers dug into the leather of her seat, her knuckles turning a bloodless white. I didn't like the fear in her eyes, but underneath it, there was a stubborn resilience that kept her from breaking. She was holding on. I reached down and swiped the screen, switching the call to the vehicle’s integrated Bluetooth system. The audio didn't start with Marcus’s voice. It started with the sound of a heavy, ragged breath, followed by a sharp, metallic rattle—like a set of keys hitting a hard surface. "Lucien," Marcus choked out. He sounded completely unhinged, the thin veneer of his high-society confidence entirely stripped away. "Tell me you haven't processed the paperwork. Tell me you still have the forensic drive in your p
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-02
Chapter: CHAPTER 7: THE FIRST REHEARSALAMBER HART POVThe dress Kalix’s team selected for the dinner meeting was a simple, midnight-blue silk slip dress that fell just below my knees. It didn’t have any sequins, lace, or loud patterns, but the way the fabric draped made it look effortlessly expensive.I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the front of the skirt. My reflection still felt like a stranger. A week ago, I was wearing a stained apron, rushing between tables at a crowded diner, smelling like grease and old coffee. Now, I smelled like jasmine and wealth.The transition was dizzying. One part of me was terrified that someone would see right through the expensive clothes and look at my worn-out sneakers resting in the closet. But another part of me, the part that survived Mark’s betrayal and a zero-dollar bank account, reminded me that this was just another shift. I just had to play a role, keep my head down, and finish the job.A knock on the door broke my focus."Come in," I said, turning around.Kalix wa
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 6: THE SWITCHKALIX JACE POVMy private office on the top floor of the headquarters was completely silent, but my mind was moving at a thousand miles an hour.Marcus was pacing in front of my desk, holding a tablet that showed the real-time stock updates. "The immediate backlash from the Vance family is dying down. The romantic angle neutralized the narrative that you were being backed into a corner, Kalix. But the board is still frantic. They want proof that this isn't just a sudden stunt to dodge the merger.""Let them watch," I said, leaning back in my chair and checking my watch. It was barely noon. "The press conference bought us the time we needed. Victoria’s father can’t initiate a hostile takeover while the public believes I am expanding the company through private family assets.""And the girl?" Marcus asked, stopping his pacing to look at me directly. "Amber. She handled herself well on stage, but she's a variable, Kalix. She was dusting your shelves forty-eight hours ago. Are you sure sh
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 5: THE CONTRACTAMBER HART POV My signature on that paper looked incredibly small, but it felt heavier than my two massive suitcases combined. Kalix picked up the document, blew lightly on the ink to let it dry, and then locked it inside his desk drawer. The transition from my boss to my fake fiancé took him exactly three seconds. "Pack your bags from the staff quarters tonight," he said, adjusting his watch as if we hadn't just flipped my entire universe upside down. "Martha will move you into the East Wing guest suite tomorrow morning at six. The press conference is at nine. Be ready." "Wait, just like that?" I asked, my hands still gripping the edge of his mahogany desk. "Are you going to tell me what the ground rules are? Or do I just wing it in front of dozens of journalists?" Kalix looked up, his expression deadpan. "Rule number one: you don't wing anything when it comes to Smith Industries. Rule number two: when we are in public, you look at me like you actually tolerate my existence. Rul
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 4: THE TWISTAMBER HART POV Fiancée? Nobody mentioned anything about a fiancée. Martha definitely left that part out of the orientation. I stood frozen in the kitchen doorway, holding a dish towel, as the woman stormed deeper into the foyer. She looked like she skipped straight off a fashion runway—perfectly styled blonde hair, diamond earrings that probably cost more than my entire life savings, and a scowl that rivaled Kalix's. "Where is everyone?" she shouted, snapping her fingers at the security guard. "Bring my bags up to the master suite. Now." "Uh, Ms. Vance," the guard stammered, sweating through his uniform. "Mr. Smith didn't inform us you were returning from Paris tonight. He's currently in his study working on a major merger—" "I don't care if he's conquering Mars," she interrupted, rolling her eyes. "He's my fiancé. He can take a break." Her sharp eyes suddenly darted over to the kitchen entrance, locking directly onto me. She looked at my grey uniform, her expression ins
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 3: THE PRIVATE ASSISTANTAMBER HART POV By the third day, my body was entirely fueled by pure adrenaline and cheap instant coffee. Kalix Jace Smith was not a human being; he was a machine that ran on efficiency and expected everyone else to do the same. My routine was brutal. Wake up at four-thirty, prep his exact breakfast, hand over his tablet, and then spend the rest of the day running around the estate or handling his personal errands. I spent hours organizing his private library by color and author, scheduling his dry cleaning, and making sure his favorite sparkling water was always stocked in his study. The hardest part wasn't the physical labor. It was the absolute silence. Kalix barely spoke to me. When he did, it was usually a sharp command or a cold critique. "Amber, these files need to be shredded by noon." "Amber, this shirt has a microscopic crease. Fix it." "Amber, the coffee is twenty seconds late." Every time he barked an order, I just swallowed my pride, nodded, and said, "Right
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 2: THE ULTIMATUMAMBER HART POV The silence in the room was suffocating. Kalix didn't blink. He just stood there by his desk, looking at me like I was a bug he wanted to crush under his expensive shoes. My hands started shaking, so I locked them behind my back. "I’m Amber, sir. The new housekeeper. Mrs. Gable recommended me to Martha." Kalix looked at the broken lamp on the floor, then back at me. A harsh, humorless laugh escaped his lips. "The new housekeeper. And you’ve been here for what, ten minutes? You already managed to destroy property." "It was an accident. I tripped on the rug," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. I sounded a lot braver than I actually felt. Inside, I was screaming. If he fired me right now, I’d be sleeping on a park bench with two massive suitcases in the freezing cold. I couldn't let that happen. "I don't care if you tripped or if you flew," Kalix said, his tone icy and completely indifferent. He stepped out from behind his desk, walking slowly toward me. He
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 63AVERY POV Mabilis kong isinara ang zipper ng canvas bag habang nanginginig ang mga kamay ko. Ramdam ko ang bawat laktaw ng pintig ng puso ko sa tindi ng kaba. Sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na kailangan kong magpakatatag, para sa baby, pero ang hirap kapag alam mong ang asawa mo ay kasalukuyang nasa ospital dahil sa tama ng bala at ang taong pumatay sa kuya niya ay pabalik na rito para ubusin kami. Sandro, sana ayos ka lang dyan, pakiusap ko sa hangin habang pinapahiran ang luhang kanina pa gustong pumatak sa mga pisngi ko. Ayaw kong mag-panic sa harap ni Salve dahil kitang-kita ko na takot na takot na rin siya habang bitbit ang maliit niyang backpack. Kung noon ay pera lang ang pinag-aawayan ng mga Tallano at Jimenez, ngayon ay buhay na ang nakataya. Ang tanga ko na umasa na magiging tahimik ang buhay namin dito sa Tagaytay kahit isang gabi lang. Walang ligtas na lugar para sa amin hangga't malaya ang mga hayop na 'yun. "Ma'am Avery, tara na po. Handa na an
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 62AVERY POV Nagising ako dahil sa singaw ng bagong saing na kanin at amoy ng pinipiritong tuyo na umaakyat sa kwarto mula sa kusina sa ibaba. Medyo madilim pa sa labas, pero nung kapain ko ang tabi ng kama, malamig na ang unan ni Sandro. Wala na siya roon. Mabilis akong bumangon kahit medyo mabigat pa ang pakiramdam ko dahil sa kulang na tulog. Binalot ko ang sarili ko ng isang manipis na cardigan at dahan-dahang bumaba sa hagdan. Nadatnan ko si Salve sa kusina, nag-aayos ng mga plato sa lamesa. Si Gabriel naman ay nakatayo sa may bintana ng sala, may hawak na tasa ng kape habang nakatingin sa labas ng resthouse. Ramdam na naman ang kakaibang tensyon sa hangin, 'yung tipong alam mong may bagyong paparating pero hindi mo alam kung anong oras tatama. "Ma'am Avery, gising na po pala kayo," bati ni Salve nung mapansin niya ako. "Kumain na po kayo rito. Mainit pa 'tong sinangag." "Si Sandro?" tanong ko agad, hindi ko na pinans
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-28
Chapter: CHAPTER 61SANDRO POV Umakyat ako sa rooftop ng resthouse matapos kong masigurong nakatulog na si Avery sa kwarto namin. Malamig ang hangin dito sa Tagaytay, ramdam na ramdam ko sa balat ko ang lamig na parang sumasabay sa panginginig ng buong katawan ko. Hawak ko ang laptop sa kaliwang kamay ko, habang sa kanang bulsa naman ng jacket ko ay nandoon pa rin ang itim na flash drive na ibinigay sa akin ni Avery kanina. Inilapag ko ang laptop sa ibabaw ng isang lumang mesang kahoy at umupo sa silya. Agad kong tinawagan si Ramos sa pamamagitan ng video call, at kasabay nito ang pag-akyat din ni Gabriel sa rooftop bitbit ang dalawang tasa ng mainit na kape. Umupo si Gabriel sa tabi ko, tahimik ngunit alerto ang mga mata habang hinihintay na mag-connect ang linya namin kay Ramos na nasa opisina pa rin sa Makati. "Sir Sandro," salubong ni Ramos nung bumukas ang camera niya. Mukha siyang pagod na pagod pero seryoso ang ekspresyon. "Nakahanda na po ako. Nak
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-28
Chapter: CHAPTER 60AVERY POV Niyakap ko nang mas mahigpit ang makapal na kumot na nakabalot sa balikat ko habang nakaupo ako sa tapat ng fireplace. Ang lakas ng ihip ng hangin sa labas, humahampas sa mga luma at malalaking bintanang kahoy nitong resthouse. Sanay naman ako sa lamig, pero iba 'yung lamig dito sa Tagaytay ngayon. May kasamang kilabot. Pakiramdam ko, kahit anong layo ang takbuhin namin, dala-dala pa rin namin 'yung bigat ng mga sikretong iniwan namin sa Maynila. Nilingon ko si Sandro na kasalukuyang kausap si Gabriel sa may madilim na sulok ng sala. Seryoso ang mukha niya, paminsan-minsan ay humahawak sa kaniyang batok na tila ba doon nag-iipon ang lahat ng stress niya sa buhay. Simula nung sumakay kami sa van paalis ng BGC, hindi ko na siya nakitang ngumiti nang totoo. Paano nga naman siya ngingiti? Kung ang mismong nanay mo ang nagkanulo sa sarili mong kapatid para lang sa pera at kapangyarihan, parang guguho talaga ang mundo mo. Galit na galit ka siguro s
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-27
Chapter: CHAPTER 59AVERY POV Ramdam ko ang bawat segundo na lumilipas habang nakatingin ako sa orasan sa pader ng condo. Dalawang oras na ang nakalipas simula nang makatanggap ako ng text kay Ramos, pero wala pa ring update. Ano na kayang nangyayari roon? Tanong ko sa sarili ko habang pabalik-balik sa paglalakad sa sala. Ang bawat yabag ng paa ko ay tila sumasabay sa pintig ng puso ko. Paano kung maging marahas si Tita Letty? O paano kung hindi makayanan ni Sandro ang emosyon niya? "Ma'am, uminom po muna kayo ng tubig. Masyado na kayong balisa," malambing na sabi ni Salve habang inilalapag ang baso sa maliit na lamesa. "Hindi ko mapigilan, Salve. Paano kung may mangyaring masama sa kaniya?" sagot ko, pilit kong pinapakalma ang sarili ko pero hindi talaga kaya. Ang flash drive na ibinigay ko kay Sandro... sana magamit niya 'yun nang tama. Sana hindi 'yun maging mitsa ng mas malaking gulo. Habang naghihintay, napaupo ako sa sofa at hinaplos ang aking tiyan. *Baby,
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-27
Chapter: CHAPTER 58AVERY POV Inilapag ko ang huling lalagyan ng tupperware sa ibabaw ng counter ng kusina habang si Salve naman ay abala sa pagpupunas ng lababo. Medyo gumaan ang pakiramdam ko dahil nandito siya. Sa tindi ng mga nangyayari, ang hirap mag-isa, lalo na kapag ang kasama mo ay isang Sandro Tallano na parang may pasan na daigdig sa mga balikat niya. Tumingin ako sa direksyon ng balkonahe. Nakatayo pa rin doon si Sandro, nakatalikod sa amin, nakatitig sa kawalan habang humahampas ang hangin sa kaniyang t-shirt. Kitang-kita ko ang tensyon sa likod niya. Sino ba naman ang hindi mababaliw sa nalaman niya? Ang sarili mong ina na inakala mong biktima ng blackmail, siya palang may-akda ng nakaw na naging dahilan ng pagkawasak ng pamilya niyo. Kung ako ang nasa posisyon niya, baka gumuho na ang mundo ko. Paano mo 'to haharapin, Sandro? Sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na kailangan kong mag-ingat, na baka madamay kami ng baby sa gulo ng pamilya niya. Pero nun
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-26
Chapter: CHAPTER 10YSABELLE POVTinitigan ko ang glass bowl na iniwan ni Lucian sa tabi ng computer. Pula ang mga ubas, makintab, at walang buto—'yung klase ng prutas na madalas kong makita sa mga malalaking supermarket pero nilalagpasan ko lang noon kasi mas kailangan kong bumili ng bigas at itlog para sa amin ni Neo."Mommy, can I eat the grapes?" tanong ni Neo habang nakaturo ang isang maliit na daliri sa bowl. Hindi pa rin siya umaalis sa harap ng monitor, pero halatang nawala na ang atensyon niya sa mga code nang makakita ng pagkain."Oo naman, anak. Hugas naman na siguro 'yan. Kainin mo lang habang ginagawa mo 'yan," sagot ko habang ipinagpapatuloy ang pag-aayos ng mga lumang damit namin sa walk-in closet.Habang itinutupi ko ang isa sa mga paboritong kupasing t-shirt ni Neo na may tatak na kupas na Lightning McQueen, parang biglang sumikip ang dibdib ko. Napakaluwag ng closet na 'to. Kung ilalagay ko lahat ng pag-aari naming mag-ina, baka hindi man lang mapuno ang isang estante. Pakiramdam ko tul
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 9YSABELLE POV Napalingon kaming dalawa ni Lucian kay Neo. Nakatayo siya sa pinto, seryoso ang mukha habang nakahawak sa tablet niya. Parang wala lang sa kaniya na pinasok niya ang business files ng isang bilyonaryo. Narinig kong huminga nang malalim si Lucian sa tabi ko. Nilagpasan niya ako at naglakad papalapit kay Neo. Sumunod ako agad, baka kung ano pa ang sabihin o gawin niya sa anak ko. "Anong email ang binuksan mo?" tanong ni Lucian. Lumuhod siya para mapantayan ang tingin ng bata. Hindi naman galit ang boses niya, mas mukha siyang... naguguluhan na ewan. "It’s from an unrecognized server labeled 'Apex Holdings,'" sagot ni Neo, sabay pakita ng screen ng tablet niya kung saan may mga code na mabilis na tumatakbo. "Ginamit nila ang tracking pixel para makuha ang location ng registry mo. It’s a standard corporate spy worm. Poorly written, actually." Napatitig si Lucian sa screen, tapos tumingin sa akin, tapos ibinalik ang tingin sa bata. "Saan mo natutunan 'yan?" "YouTube. At
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-19
Chapter: CHAPTER 8YSABELLE POV Nakaakyat na kami sa ikalawang palapag bago ko pa man namalayan ang bigat ng sarili kong mga hakbang. Hawak ko ang kanang kamay ni Neo, habang si Mang Nestor naman ang nagbubuhat ng luma at medyo kupas naming backpack na nakuha pa namin mula sa Sampaloc. Huminto kami sa tapat ng isang pinto. Malaki ito, kulay puti, at may makintab na brass na hawakan. Pagkabukas ni Mang Nestor, sumalubong sa amin ang amoy ng bagong lino at mamahaling kahoy. May malaking kama sa gitna na may makapal na duvet, isang study desk na may high-end na computer setup—na malamang ay ipinahanda agad ni Lucian matapos marinig ang tungkol sa "algorithm" ng anak ko—at isang malaking bintana na nakaharap sa swimming pool sa ibaba. "Dito muna kayo, Ysa," mahubang sabi ni Mang Nestor habang ibinababa ang bag namin sa tabi ng closet. Tumingin siya kay Neo at ngumiti nang banayad. "Kung may kailangan ang bata, pindutin mo lang 'yung intercom sa tabi ng kama. O kaya tawagin mo ako sa baba." "Salamat po,
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-19
Chapter: CHAPTER 7YSABELLE POVBinalot ng katahimikan ang kwarto ko sa tabi ng kusina pagkababa namin. Nakaupo si Neo sa gilid ng single bed, mahigpit pa rin ang hawak sa ginawa niyang robot. Ako naman, pabalik-balik ang lakad mula sa pinto hanggang sa maliit na aparador. Nanginginig pa rin ang mga daliri ko sa natira kong galit at takot sa study room kanina.Nang harangan ako ni Lucian gamit ang braso niya, akala ko talaga ay kukunin niya na si Neo sa akin doon pa lang. Mas mayaman siya, mas makapangyarihan. Noong sabihin niyang hindi kami pwedeng umalis, pakiramdam ko bawat sulok ng mansyong ito ay naging rehas na naman, katulad ng penthouse niya limang taon na ang nakararaan."Mommy," basag ni Neo sa katahimikan.Huminto ako sa paglalakad at lumuhod sa harap niya. Inayos ko ang nagulong kuwelyo ng t-shirt niya. "Bakit, anak? May masakit ba sa 'yo? Gutom ka ba?"Umiling siya. "Bakit ganoon ang mukha ni Mister Lucian? Galit ba siya dahil pinalitan ko ang algorithm ng gate niya?"Bumuntong-hine rito ak
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-17
Chapter: KABANATA 6LUCIAN POV Naka-on pa rin ang mic ko. Rinig ko ang bulungan ng mga board members mula sa speaker ng laptop, pero parang naging background noise na lang ang lahat. Nakatitig ako sa bata. Maliit siya, nakatayo sa harap ko hawak ang isang laruang robot na mukhang ginawa mula sa kung ano-anong basura. Pero hindi 'yun ang pumukaw sa pansin ko. Ang panga niya. Ang hugis ng mga mata niya kapag sumeseryoso. At ang paraan ng pagtayo niya na medyo nakakiling ang balikat—iyon ang eksaktong nakikita ko sa salamin tuwing umaga. "Mr. De Castro? Are you still there?" boses 'yun ni Mr. Henderson mula sa London. "Who is the child?" Hindi ko sila sinagot. Dahan-dahan kong inabot ang mouse at pinindot ang 'End Meeting for All.' Namatay ang screen. Nagdilim ang silid maliban sa sikat ng araw mula sa bintana. Tumingin ako sa pinto. Nakatayo roon si Ysabelle. Hawak niya pa rin ang tray ng tsaa, pero nanginginig ang mga kamay niya at putlang-putla ang kaniyang mukha. Doon ko lang napagtanto. Ang l
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-06-02
Chapter: CHAPTER 5YSABELLE POV Mabango ang kusina dahil sa pinakukuluan kong sabaw ng baka. Pangatlong araw ko na ito sa mansion, at unti-unti ko nang nakukuha ang saktong timpla na hindi magpapasumpong ng acid reflux ni Lucian. Ayon kay Mang Nestor, nasa study room si Lucian ngayon dahil may mahalagang online conference kasama ang mga foreign partners mula sa London at New York. Strict ang utos: bawal ang anumang ingay sa ikalawang palapag. Pinunasan ko ang noo ko gamit ang likod ng aking kamay at kinuha ang sandok. Ibababa ko na sana ang apoy ng kalan nang makarinig ako ng mahinang kalasgas sa likod ng pinto ng kusina. "Mommy." Nabitawan ko ang sandok at muntik nang mapasigaw. Paglingon ko, nakatayo roon si Neo. Suot niya ang paborito niyang kupasing denim shorts at hawak ang kaniyang laruang robot na gawa sa mga lumang turnilyo at plastic. Ang tita ko, wala sa likod niya. "Neo?!" Lumuhod ako sa harap niya at hinawakan ang magkabila niyang balikat. Mabilis kong tiningnan ang pinto baka may m
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-05-26
Masuk
