PROLOGUE THE BEGINNING

I was holding my phone nang bigla itong mag ring and it was a video call. Kaagad ko naman itong tinanggap.

"Mommy!" My lips broadened when I heard my son's voice. Napailing na lang ako dahil sa lakas ng boses nito.

"Hi, baby! How are you today?" bati ko sa kaniya. Kita ko naman ang pag nguso nito. What a cute little thing!

"I miss you, mommy!" He said with a dejected expression. God knows how much I miss my adorable little prince. Sadiyang napilitan lang talaga ako na malayo sa kaniya dahil may inaasikaso lang talaga na importante but hindi naman ako magtatagal.

"I miss you too, baby. How are you today? Did you already eat?" nakangiting tanong ko.

"Yes mommy! I did not asked for help to Daddy Heinz. I just did it by myself." proud niyang sabi. Napahagikhik naman ako ng bahagya. Now six years old, Luca Noe Vicente has become a little grouchy as he grows. Kagaya na kagaya rin sa— nevermind. I shook my head.

"Oh~ My baby is now a young man huh?" saad ko na nagpangiwi sa kaniya.

"And mommy, stop calling me baby. As you said, I'm a young man now. So, I'm not a baby anymore." nakanguso nitong sabi. Napatango tango nalang ako at ngumiti na para bang sumasang-ayon sa kaniya. He is constantly vibrant, therefore I occasionally lose my tiredness due of him. My biggest source of drive and desire to go more is seeing him smile. No matter what I do, there truly isn't anything that can compare to the material things that come from a parent's love. I now understand my dad when I was in Luca's age.

"Where's your Tito Heinz , baby?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

"I'm here!" rinig kong saad ng boses ng isang lalaki. Agad namang tinutok ni Luca ang camera kay Heinz. Muntik pa akong mabulunan sa kapeng iniinom ko when I caught him preparing food while donning only this apron and no shirt.

"Daddy, mommy, I'm gonna leave now. Mr. Bean is already there!" my son said while in a hurry voice. Napailing na lang ako. It's his favorite cartoons at kapag nagsimula na 'yan, his eyes appear to be locked to the television. Ayaw maalis alis.

"It's okay, baby." tumango lang ito at maya maya'y narinig ko ang yabag ng mga paa nito papalayo.

Napatingin ulit ako kay Nero or Heinz na nakasanayan ko ng itawag na abala sa pagluluto. Napaikot ako ng mata nang makita ang likurang bahagi niya. His muscles at the back is showcasing how masculine he is. Pero mas malaki pa rin naman ang ka—

"Done checking me?" His deep voice startled me out of my reverie. Hindi ko namalayan na nakaharap na pala siya sa 'kin. Suddenly, I look in the opposite direction.

"Huwag ka ng umiwas. I saw it. You know, you can stare at my body anytime. It's all your's, honey." mahanging sabi kung kaya't napatingin ako. I saw how he seductively winked at me when I returned my sight. This guy is so gutsy that it irritates me. I imagine that the compliments of others that he doesn't hear in me cause his head to grow so enormous.

"Tss," singhal ko sa kaniya. Bahagya naman itong tumawa. Maya maya ay bumalik sa pagkaseryoso ang mukha ko. Animo'y may naalalang bagay sa aking isipan.

"Spill the tea," usisa ko. Kita ko namang umayos ito ng tayo. His expression abruptly turned stern.

"Nagkita kami ni Hector kahapon, Brielle." bigla naman akong natigilan nang marinig na sinambit niya ang pangalan ng lalaking 'yon. I became uncomfortable inside all of a sudden. My hand feels cold as well, and I'm waiting anxiously to hear what he'll say next.

"A-and w-what happened?" I nervously said. My voice are trembling. Uh! Bakit ba ako nagkakaganito?

"Brielle, he's starting again. I ran into him yesterday while walking around the mall with Luca. He gave me a very unsettling look, but I'm not sure if I was just imagining things because he quickly grinned when he noticed Luca standing next to me." Natatawang saad niya na may pagkahalong sarkastiko. Lukot ang mukha ko siyang tiningnan at kinakabahan sa mga maaari niya pang sasabihin.

"W-why? What happened next?"

"I gave him your address," napa-awang ang labi ko sa narinig. I had the impression that I had been hit by a barrage of grenades, and everything around me was deafening.

"Brielle, trust me. N-napilitan lang ako." Halos pabulong niya ng sabi. Para siyang nanghina matapos sabihin lahat ng iyon sa akin. Wala akong imik at nanatiling tahimik lamang na nakikinig sa kaniya. Litong lito ako kahapon habang nasa ganoong sitwasyon.

"He threatened me na kukunin niya ang batang kasama ko kapag hindi pa ako nagsalita. You know that guy. Since then, whenever you and Luca had not been here, he has repeatedly threatened me and asked for more information against you." When I suddenly felt guilty within, I bowed down. Heinz is also impacted by my secrecy from that moron, therefore I feel bad for him.

I gave birth to Luca in Russia, and only last week, we took a vacation back in the Philippines. However, I felt I was mistaken about my unhindered vacation. About 4 day's later after we arrived ay tumawag sa akin si Dad at pinapabalik ako. Sobrang nakakapagod but I have no other options. Isa pa, tumatanda na rin si Dad. He shouldn't be living merely to work in the office, in my perspective.

Bigla akong na black out at parang walang kahit anong salita ang may kayang lumabas sa bibig ko. Pilit ng ina absorb lahat ng utak ko ang mga iyon.

Napatigil ako nang may kumatok sa pintuan ng aking opisina. Bigla naman itong bumukas at bumungad sa 'kin si Grace, dad's secretary.

"M·em Brielʹ, mister Tyanʹ uzhe na pervom etazhe (Ma'am Brielle, Mr Tian is already on the ground floor.)" napalunok naman ako bago siya tinanguan.

I return to Russia for that specific purpose. There is a known investor in our venture. He is so reclusive that he simply gave us the name Mr. Tian. The person in charge of all of this would normally be Dad, but the investor insisted on meeting me in person. Well, I did not expect this kind of client dahil first of all ay siya ang kauna unahang demanding na investor na nakilala ko.

"I have to go, Heinz. Tatawag na lang ako mamaya." magsasalita pa sana ito ngunit pinutol ko na ang tawag niya. Heinz is in the Philippines right now and currently taking care of my son. Hindi ko naman siya pwedeng iwanan kay Dad dahil ayokong dagdagan pa ang burdens na kinakaharap niya lalo pa't medyo makulit si Luca.

Aside from that, he is also my 5 year's suitor na hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa masagot sagot. I'm not prepared to be in a relationship once more. I'm working hard to put the first man, who also caused me a great deal of pain, in the past.

But as a result, I've come to the conclusion that no relationship is truly ideal. I regret using my heart instead of just my logic when I should have. I detest the occasion when he betrayed not only his own self but also our souls. I firmly believe nowadays that constant lies are on purpose.

I left him due to this reason. Individuals who are affectionate but cannot be held accountable irritate me tremendously. It's as though you depend entirely on nothing.

So back to the story, about Heinz and I is really a good friend since we're both model. Pareho kami ng company na pinapasukan. I already forgot why he and I are friends. He was also one of those who supported me when I was still carrying Luca. He was the man I could always count on when my character was compromised. Above all, he is the one who led me to where I am today by providing guidance. I'm really happy to have Heinz with me. He has been a huge help to myself.

Nasa ganoon akong sitwasyon nang bigla ulit bumukas ang pintuan ng opisina ko. Bumungad naman sa 'kin si Grace.

"Ma'am Brielle, I just want you to inform that Mr. Tian is already here." bigla naman akong kinabahan na hindi ko alam kung bakit. I know that it's just a simple meeting but this one is making me nervous which I still finding the reason why I am being acting like this.

"Let h-him i-in," tumango lang ito saka lumabas na rin. Napayuko naman ako bigla at napabuga ng hangin. What is happening to me?

I eventually heard her stilletos backing off and being replaced by an approaching pair of sneakers.

I commence by remaining calm. What is wrong with me? Whenever I meet a business person, I am not like this. I'm acclimated to it, so it's also nothing unusual to me. Paulit ulit kong binulong sa sarili kong huminga ng malalim at mag relax. A baritone voice spoke directly in front of my desk as I was about to look up.

The moment I recognized the source of that dreadful voice, I briefly went completely still.

"Nandito ka lang pala," When I finally looked up, the discomfort I was getting made me feel as though I was about to leave my chair. Ilang beses akong napakurap habang nakatingin sa kaniya.

T-this can't be. Could this be a trick of the mind? If so, I demand a wake-up call.

"Did you miss me, hon?" isang nakakapangilabot na ngisi ang pumaskil sa labi niya matapos niyang sabihin iyon. Napalunok naman ako habang gulat pa rin sa nakikita.

Kaagad naman siyang napatawa nang mapansin ang reaksyon ko. "What's with that face, huh? Your not expecting me, do you?"

"W-what are you doing here, H-hector?" nanginginig kong tanong ko. He suddenly walk slowly while his both hands are on his back. My innermost core immediately became irritated and furious. How dare he to barge in my office and show his shameless face.

Itinukod nito ang dalawang kamay sa may desk. I saw how he clenched his jaw before giving me a dangerous look.

"Why did you leave?" He queried using his cold voice. May halong panganib ang mukha niyang nakatingin sa akin. Matapang ko siyang tinitigan sa mata. Halo halong emosyon ang makikita ko rito pero isa lang ang nasisiguro ko. He's hurt— and so I am!

Kumuyom ang mga kamao ko sa tanong niya. Sa totoo lang ang gago niya para tanungin ako ng ganiyan. Mas lalo namang namumuo ang apoy sa kaloob-looban ko.

"Why are you asking me that? And what the hell are you doing here at my office?!" Naiinis na saad ko sa kaniya. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sariling magsalita ng malakas sa kaniya. I know na hindi lang all about business ang ipinunta niya dito.

"Damn it! J-just, let's talk." Tila nanghihina niyang sabi. I glared at him paralyzingly. I'd rather end his contract with the corporate kung ganito lang din naman ang magiging kalalabasan.

"Mister Hector Vicente, if you aren't here for business conversation, feel free to leave." I don't know kung saan pa aabot ang usapang ito. Gusto ko ng makalayo. Umigting ang mga panga nito at mariing napapikit.

"You're. my. business." Mariing saad nito. Please Brielle, huwag kang magpa-apekto sa mga sinasabi niya.

"Leave me alone, Hector." I confronted him directly as we continued to exchange unflattering glances.

"No! If you allow me to fully explain and converse with you, I won't go till then." Magaspang na aniya habang marahas na umiling. And who said he could interact directly with me? For what? To hear his propaganda? I don't need to listen to him because I've played through all of his guessing games already.

"Tumigil ka na, Sebastian! Punong puno na ako sa 'yo alam mo ba!" Upon hearing me say that, my eyes began to break down momentarily. I reflected back to the things he did to change my life. Hindi ko mapirme ang emosyon ko na lumabas kahit na patuloy ko itong pinipigilan. Since I admit he persists in having an impact on my sentiments, I am truly very disappointed in myself right now.

"H-hon, please no. Let me explain first." Naluluha ko siyang tiningnan pagkatapos. Kita ko ang pamumutla nito na para bang hindi inaasahan ang sinabi ko.

"Let me live without you. That's where my life will be quiet." Silence occupied between the two of us. Wala rin naman siyang dapat na sabihin pa dahil lalabas lang din iyon sa kabilang tenga ko.

"Hindi! And then what?! Hahayaan ka lang sa Auguste na 'yon?!" Napapikit ako dahil sa lakas ng sigaw niya. Thankfully, the office is soundproof kaya kampante ako na walang empleyado ang nakakarinig.

"Why do you care? Buhay ko 'to kaya manahimik ka." Kita ko ang paglabasan ng mga ugat sa kamay niya. Mapanganib at tiim bagang siyang tumitig sa akin.

"Hindi kita titigilan hangga't hindi kita makuha ulit," Bigla itong ngumisi ng nakakaloko. He's really the only person I know who feels compelled notwithstanding how frustrated he gets of my taunts.

"No one owns me. I'm not the same person that you blindsided before with your bullshit!" matigas kong sabi. He no longer controls the Aubrielle I had once been. If he assumes that I give up easily, he is profoundly wrong on that point.

"You're literally playing hard, hon. What if I take our son?" mula sa pagkakatayo at mabilis akong napatayo. Mariin akong napapikit at pinigilan ang sariling magwala na naman.

"W-wala akong alam sa sinasabi mo," pabulong kong usal. Halos mawalan na ako ng boses dahil sa sobrang kaba at halo halong emosyong nararamdaman.

Rinig kong hindi ito sumagot kaya napa angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. Bumungad sa akin ang mapaglaro niyang ekspresyon.

"I will get the two of you from that Auguste, hon."

"Our session will not be the last. Prepare for everything." saka ako nito nginisian nang nakakatakot bago lumabas ng opisina.

The sensation of soldering made me feel as though my soul had left. I've been anticipating this day for a while, but I'm scared because I know how easily he can be manipulated. That person won't give up until he obtains his objectives.

Although I don't deny Luca his biological father, it's still difficult for me to accept as a mother that he might choose Sebastian. If the dillemas hadn't come to destroy us, maayos at masaya ba ang pamilyang ninanais ko para kay Luca?

But no, I'm human too. Nasaktan ng sobra. Gusto ko siyang patawarin pero bumabalik ulit ang sakit na nararamdaman ko. Even though I want to forgive him, my anguish keeps returning.

He is the one who deceived me,

led my life to disintegrate,

caused me to sob in the infield, and, most importantly,

breached his commitments to me.

And yes, I will enter the game he really want's because after all, I am 'The Mayor's Brat'.