Until Forever

CHAPTER 1

WHERE the hell was she now? Was she already in the tip of the Philippines? She had been driving for eternity yet she could not find the landmark specified in the map she had been following. Binagalan niya ang  pagpapatakbo sa sasakyan at inabot ang nakalukot na mapa sa dashboard. Iyon ang mapang ibinigay sa kanya ni Detective Kalinawan, ang private investigator na inupahan niya ng halos tatlong buwan upang hanapin ang kanyang ina.

She released a very deep sigh at the thought. She felt the bitter pain in her heart which had been there for more than twenty years. Kung siya nga lamang ang masusunod, hindi na niya hahanapin pa ang taong kinamumuhian niya sa loob ng mahabang panahon.

Eventhough against her will she was coerced to unearth her mother’s whereabouts. It was stipulated in Gilda’s Last Will and Testament that she must find her biological mother else she will not get hold of her inheritance. Mapapasalin lamang sa pangalan niya ang pag-aari ng labinlimang ektarya ng Manggahan sa Iloilo na minana pa ni Gilda sa mga ninuno nito kung matutunton niya ang ina at mapapatunayan iyon kay Atty. Joshua Edmundo, ang abogadong itinalaga ni Gilda upang subaybayan ang pagsunod sa Last Will and Testament nito.

So here she was, traveling alone in the far-flung part of Southern Philippines. Detective Kalinawan found her mother in Makilala, North Cotabato; the place was a remote town in the Southern part of Mindanao; living in the company of her current family. She felt her chest tautened that she tussled to breath. Nagpakawala siya ng isa pang malalim na buntong-hininga. Hatred and bitterness started to brim over in her heart. The notion that her mother was blissfully living with her family made her felt ill and despondent. Her stomach started to toss that she wanted to throw up the vile fluid in there.

Her biological mother had her own family. And it was such a twinge in her heart thinking that she was superfluous. Ipinamigay siya ng ina kay Gilda, isang nurse sa ospital sa Iloilo kung saan ito nanganak at hindi na binalikan pa. Her surrogate mother did not conceal the truth with her. But despite of everything, Gilda only showered her kindness and love. She had acknowledged her as her own flesh and blood. Loved her unconditionally and gave her all the things a normal child longed to have. Hindi na ito nagkaasawa at siya na ang nagsilbing katuwang hanggang sa huling hininga nito.

Gilda died of a heart attack. Natagpuan na lamang niya itong nakahandusay sa loob ng silid nito. Kaaagad na tinawag niya ang private nurse na nag-aalaga dito ngunit huli na ang lahat. The woman had no pulse anymore. Ayon sa nurse ay mukhang ilang oras na itong patay.  The tragedy was a total surprise to her. She could not believe that Gilda passed away. It was so abrupt. Suddenly, she felt so alone. Nawalan siya ng kakampi. Wala na ang nag-iisang taong itinuring siyang kapamilya. Hindi lamang pag-aaruga ang ibinigay sa kanya ni Gilda kundi pati na rin ang pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit. She could not accept the incident. It was a total nightmare. She collapsed at that moment at sa ospital na nagising kinabukasan.

She felt her eyes moistened. Melancholic tears threatened to fall anytime. She blinked her eyes for several times to drive the tears away. Pilit na pinapatatag ang sarili. She hated crying. Isa siyang matatag na babae at kailangan niyang patunayan iyon. Kaagad na itinakwil niya sa isipan ang mapait na bahagi ng kanyang kahapon.

She stretched her back and calmed down her emotions. She raised her chin as if showing to the whole world her courage and strength. Wala na ang taong itinuring niyang tunay na ina. Wala na ang taong sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay inalagaan siya. Therefore she needed to be strong. Para kay Gilda… at para na rin sa sarili niya. Wala na siyang ibang makakapitan kundi mismo ang sarili niya.

Three years had passed since Gilda’s tragic death. But she had no plans to follow Gilda’s Last Will and Testament. Why should she look for someone who left her in the care of a stranger? Why would she insist herself on someone who never wanted her in the first place?

She had tons of reasons not to heed Gilda’s Last Will and Testament. She will never track her mother; will never waste a single sweat, even if it meant she will lose the vast Mango Plantation.

Wala siyang interes sa kanyang mana. Kahit hindi iyon maisasalin sa pangalan niya, pangangalagaan at palalaguin niya iyon like her own property. She owed Gilda more than her life. And taking care of the Mango Plantation was not a burden. It was her joy.  Ngunit may isang bagay siyang natuklasan apat na buwan ang nakararaan na nagpabago sa takbo ng kanyang pag-iisip at pagpapasiya.

Sa puntong iyon ay mas malalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan niya. Nadagdagan ang paninikip ng kanyang dibdib dulot ng samot-saring emosyon. She could not help but pity herself. She must be the most unfortunate people in the world. All the while ay naging mabuti naman siyang tao pero palagi na lang ay hindi nagiging madali ang buhay para sa kanya.

Her leg automatedly shoved the brake like it had its own mind. Tumigil ang sasakyan sa gitna ng makipot ngunit sementadong daan. She combed her raven black hair with wobbling fingers. She tried to compose herself. When she thought she had successfully unruffled her raging emotion, she grasped the map and scanned it again with ardent eyes.

Ayon sa mapa, tama naman ang daang tinatahak niya. She had followed the map’s bearing strictly, for crying out loud! Boredom may have consumed her during the whole duration of the travel that she ran out of patience.

Lihim siyang nagpasalamat na ang sariling pickup ang kanyang ginamit, else she would find herself more frustrated driving an unfamiliar car. Nagpasya siyang dalhin ang pickup niya upang magamit oras na dumating siya sa Davao. Isinakay niya sa barko ang sasakyan mula sa port ng Iloilo hanggang sa Davao City. Hapon ng dumaong ang barko sa Davao at doon na siya nagpalipas ng gabi.

Nag check in siya sa isang disenteng Inn at tumulak na siya papuntang Makilala kinaumagahan. Ayon kay Detective Kalinawan, mga apat na oras ang gugugulin niya sa pagbibiyahe mula Davao City papunta sa pakay na lugar sa mabagal na takbo ng sasakyan.

She was already traveling for three hours in a very fast speed. She stretched her patience at muling pinausad ang sasakyan. She hummed a song.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag ng mapansin na mga puno na ng Rubber Tree ang nakatanim sa magkabilang gilid ng daan pagkalipas ng ilang minuto. Ibig sabihin, malapit na niyang marating ang pakay na lugar.

She passed through the endless rows of Rubber Trees at mga ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas at nakita na niya ang pasangang daan at mula sa arkong nakatayo sa bukana ng kalsada, nakasulat in Bold Gothic Letters ang karatulang “Jasmin Mountain Resort.”

Her face suddenly scrunched up and her jaw tightened in consternation. Her eyes narrowed angrily. Kasabay ng pag-alpas ng kinikimkim na galit, ang pag-aalinlangang pumasok sa daan kung saan magdadala sa kanya sa loob ng resort.

Jasmin… Cursed that name! Her teeth gnashed angrily. At kung hindi nga lang buo na ang pasya niyang maipasalin sa pangalan niya ang Manggahan ng sa ganuon ay magawa niya ang gusto, hinding-hindi siya papasok sa teritoryo ng ina. Kailangan niya ng malaking pera at kahit labag man sa kalooban niya ang gagawin, wala siyang ibang mapagpipilian. She needed to see Jasmin.

It was now or never at all!

Her face was hard and twisted as she maneuvered the pickup to enter Jasmin Mountain Resort’s vicinity. Panay ang kanyang buntong-hininga. There was no chance to backout anymore. She had already prepared herself for this moment. Alas, she will come face to face with her heartless mother.

SHE sauntered her censorious eyes around the magnificent resort. She was skeptic in every detail that entices her sight; though she cannot deny that the place was indeed beautiful. It was perfectly planned and constructed.

The resort was situated on top of a hill, bounded by exquisite botanical garden. Ibat-ibang nagagandahang bulaklak at halaman ang nakatanim sa paligid niyon, mga exotic and wild plants ang karamihan. Shrubs, flowers and trees were intricately landscaped and fabricated into very enticing scenery. Natural elements remained untouched but enhanced gracefully using additional plants, trellises and benches.

The resort’s attraction was a gigantic pool with flattering water slides.  There was also a wide golf course and a sport’s club. And the unique cottages of Bamboo stilts Ngunit mga modernong construction materials ang ginamit looked like a wonderful work of art. The resort also had private Villas partially owned by rich families throughout the country.

And the climate was cool and clean. No wonder kahit na malayo ang resort ay maraming mga tao ang nakikita niya sa paligid.

Nakapag check in na siya at nasa loob na ng cottage ang mga gamit. Though she was dead tired from the exhausting travel, she could not afford to stay in her cottage and take some nap.  She was restless. A lot of things were inside her mind. Bagamat maaliwalas ang ekspresyon ng kanyang mukha, magulo naman ang takbo ng kanyang damdamin.

Muli niyang sinuyod ng paningin ang resort. Maganda at maipagmamalaki ang mga amenities nito. Lubos na kahanga-hanga!

So ito ang magandang resort na ipinatayo ni Don Faustino para sa asawa nito? She snorted. Huh, her mother was a very lucky woman! Having such rich husband and enjoying a huge fortune were nothing but pure luck. Mariwasa pala ang buhay nito sa piling ng mayamang napangasawa kaya no wonder at kinalimutan na siya nito ng tuluyan! O siguro ay dahil sa umpisa pa lang, hindi na siya gusto ng ina kaya ipinamigay na lamang sa iba.

Where was justice afterall? Her mother should be rebuked for abandoning her. A karma should struck her life. She should suffer.  She should not have a privileged life. She surely was not worth of all the good things that she was enjoying right now. She was the worst mother ever.

Gusto ng tumulo ng luha niya sa mga oras na iyon. Gustuhin man niyang ikaila Ngunit ilang beses din siyang umasam na hahanapin ng ina. Pero hindi iyon kailanman nangyari. It was but a sheer stupidity of a hoping abandoned child; more of an illusion actually. Itinigil na niya ang ilusyon ng tumuntong siya sa edad na beinte y uno lalo na nang mamatay ang surrogate mother niya.

It was an open knowledge to her that her mother was forced to leave her in Gilda’s care after her birth. She had no resources to nurture an infant. She was alone too. Nabuntis ito sa murang edad, tinakbuhan ng kasintahan at itinakwil ng mga magulang dahil sa kahihiyan.

Her mother was young, confused and helpless. And she understood it. Ngunit ang kaalamang hindi na siya nito binalikan at hinanap sa loob ng dalawampu at anim na taon ay maituturing ng ibang usapan.

Dahil iyon pala, maganda na ang kalagayan nito sa piling ng mayamang napangasawa. Malakas ang kutob niyang itinago ng ina sa pamilya nito ang tungkol sa kanya. She was her dark past. Isa siyang kahihiyan at puwedeng maging dahilan ng pagkasira ng kasalukuyan nitong pamilya. Her blood boiled vilely.

Oh, how she hated her mother for making her looked pathetic!

But she cannot hide her for perpetuity. Her plan right now was actually to convey the revelation to her mother that she was still alive. She will be reminiscent of her well-kept dark past. She did not worry whatever danger she might entangle into her mother’s current family.  Her mother deserved to be punished… in a hard way possible.

Humakbang siya ng paatras mula sa kinatatayuan upang pumihit at bumalik sa cottage. She wanted to dip at the pool awhile ago so she put on her bikini. She knew that her destination was a resort so she brought a bikini with her. But she suddenly amended her mind as depression and anger engulfed her. Nagagalit siya sa ina at mas gugustuhin niyang puntahan ito at komprontahin kesa i-enjoy ang kagandahan ng resort nito.

Ayon kay Detective Kalinawan, nasa itaas pa ng bundok ang mansion ng mga Travilla, mga limang kilometro ang layo mula sa resort. At gustong makita mismo ng mga mata niya ang tahanan nito. Well, at ito na rin mismo! Hindi niya kailanman nasilayan ang pagmumukha nito and she was more than curious to see her mother face to face.

She had kept an only picture of her which was taken when she was seventeen years old.  It was a very old photograph but was well-kept. Her mother might be around forty seven years old this time.

Detective Kalinawan gave her Jasmin’s pictures but she did not bother to check it. She told herself that she will only look at the pictures if they had an impending encounter. And this was the right time. She will go back to her cottage, will check Jasmin’s photo, pagkatapos ay susugod na siya sa mansion ng mga Travilla.

A pale smirk camberd in her lips as her mother’s shocked face pierced her mind. She will give her mother a doze of her own medicine. That was for sure. But her eyes caught a glimpse of a manly tall figure blocking her way, sa pagpihit niya. She tried to avoid him but it was too late. Nakabangga niya ang lalaki and their bodies collided in a strong impact.

He immediately lost his balance and his tall lithe figure swayed in the air. Nasa likuran nito ang malapad na pool na tila naghihintay ng pagbagsak ng katawan nito.

On instinct, naghanap ng makakapitan ang lalaki at naabot ng mga kamay nito ang kanyang baywang. Siya man ay hindi pa gaanong naibalanse ang sarili. Her initial reaction was to reach for him and to prevent his fateful fall. But he was such a big guy that her force was not a match to his weight.

She closed her eyes when she realized that they will fall together to the pool. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ng lalaki sa kanyang baywang kasabay ng pagkahulog nila sa pool. There was a loud splash and a large volume of water showered into the textured floor.

She immediately pushed the man’s body away from her and when his grip loosened, she swum into the edge of the pool in opposite direction. Mabilis na lumanghap siya ng hangin ng sumulpot ang ulo sa ibabaw ng tubig. Naghahabol siya ng hininga at kinukusot ang mga mata ng marinig ang malalim na tinig na kaagad na kumuha sa kanyang atensiyon.

“Sa susunod ay mag-iingat ka ng hindi ka nakakapag-agrabyado ng ibang tao.”

Her eyes suddenly flung open. Kaagad ang pagsikdo ng dibdib ni Mia ng masilayan ang mukha ng lalaking nasa kanyang harapan. Her breathing was stuck in her diaphragm. My, but the man was drop dead gorgeous! She could not almost believe that such handsomeness really existed.

He was tall. Umaabot lamang sa baywang nito ang tubig sa pool na hanggang leeg niya. Dark skinned and very handsome. He was probably the most handsome descendant of Adam that she had ever laid eyes upon with. His thick arrogant eyebrows perfectly matched his dark but gentle eyes. His upturned nose was a sight to behold and an added point to his handsomeness. His thin but sensual lips were slighly parted and seemed to sip the dormant sensuality in her. So she was not able to stop herself fantasizing how it would be if he kissed her.

Damn, but she wanted to deem that he was a first-rate kisser!

A gust of wind passed by and the chill pulled her wandering mind back. Mia could not believe that she had envisaged such thought! It was the very first time. Oh hell, but this guy was certainly a high caliber gigolo who could interweave her righteous mind. He can actually awaken her murky womanly instinct.

He had a very magnetic sex appeal, made even stronger by his strapping square jaw face. Her eyes dropped to his torso and she was even more enthralled. Lihim siyang napalunok habang nagpipiyesta ang mga mata sa magandang katawang nakalahad sa kanyang harapan. His sexy body has no trace of fat and very lean. She can see muscles and a few veins which made him even more mightily sexier.

She was not aware that she was gawking at his handsomeness for awhile. Nang lumipat sa mga mata nito ang kanyang paningin at makitang nakatingin din ito sa kanya, nakaramdam siya ng pagkapahiya.

She felt blood rushed to her cheeks and a burning sensation blocked up her senses. At hindi niya alam kung galit ba o amusement ang nakikita niyang kislap sa mga mata nito.

She retracted her gaze and took a few steps backward. Ang balak niya ay umaHon ng pool. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang gagawin ng mga oras na iyon. She knew that the heavy thudding of her heart was not due to the fall incident. She knew very well that her erratic heartbeat was caused by this gorgeous man standing gloriously half naked in front of her starstruck eyes.

Ngunit sumunod ang lalaki. At bago pa man siya makaabot sa gilid ng pool ay nanduon na ito, blocking her way. “Hindi ka ba hihingi ng paumanhin sa ginawa mong perhuwisyo?” Hindi ito nagtatanong kundi nag-uutos.

She arched her eyebrows. It was not entirely her fault. Kung siguro ay tumitingin din ito sa dinadaanan, siguradong nakita nito ang pag-atras niya. So he should not put the blame on her. And he deliberately dragged her upang sabay silang mahulog sa pool. Therefore how dare he impose such thing on her!

“And why should I say sorry?” She said in a hard voice, her eyes sharpened. “Hindi ka mabubunggo sa akin kung nakatingin ka sa dinadaanan mo. And besides ikaw ang dapat na humingi ng paumanhin. Alam kong sinadya mong abutin ako upang may karamay kang mahulog sa pool. And you succeeded.”

Her face lightened in satisfaction when she delivered her statements smoothly. Salamat at nakipag-cooperate ang kanyang dila at hindi siya nautal o nabulol. She knew she would be further embarrassed kung nagkataong nautal o nabulol siya.

The corner of his mouth warped in hasty amusement. “And so the pretty woman barks, huh.” He shook his head. At tumabing ang basang hibla ng buhok nito sa makinis nitong noo.

And she found herself spellbound. This man really looked scrumptiously appealing. Wet hair and water streaming over his sculptured body. Lihim siyang napalunok. She was on a far-off place. At bulubundukin ang bahaging ito ng Mindanao. Hindi niya inaasahang makakita siya ng ganito kaguwapong nilalang sa liblib na lugar na iyon. Oh well, she was in a resort. At isa marahil itong turista.

“Hindi ako hihingi ng paumanhin Mister.” Dahil nakakaloko ang ngiti nito. At hindi niya iyon nagugustuhan. She will not permit anybody craft fun at her expense!

“What if sasabihin kong hindi ka makakaaHon ng pool hanggat hindi ka humihingi ng paumanhin?” There was a lace of challenge and naughtiness in his baritone voice.

She opened her mouth but closed it before she can utter any word of protest. Matalim ang mga matang nakipaghamunan siya ng titig sa lalaki. But it looked like he was not distracted at all. “If I were you ay umalis ka na diyan sa harapan ko and stop blocking my way.” She presaged in a dangerous tone.

But he only shrugged his wide shoulders, infuriating her further. At hindi man lang ito tuminag sa kinatatayuan. At tila nag-eenjoy ito sa nakikitang kislap ng galit sa kanyang mga mata.

They were in a public place. Getting the attention of the people in the resort was the last thing in her mind. She despised hullabaloo. If possible, she did not want to employ herself in public mortification.

Pinigil niya ang hininga sa kanyang lalamunan at mariing ipinikit ang mga mata upang kontrolin ang sarili. Kasunod niyon, tinungo niya ang mababang parte ng pool dahil doon niya planong umaHon.

Ngunit nasa harapan kaagad niya ang lalaki. And she could not pass by without her shoving his statuesque figure. Now, she was already seething in anger. Malapit ng maubos ang pagpapasensiya niya at matutuon na sa lalaki anumang oras ang galit na para sa kanyang ina.

“I’m not in the mood to play games with you Mister.” Pinilit niyang magpakahinaHon sa kabila ng lahat. “I’ll call the security of this resort kung hindi mo ako titigilan.”

He smiled waywardly. Na lalong nakadagdag sa galit niya. Hell, pinagtitripan ba siya ng lalaking ito?

Sasabog na siya sa galit at inis ng mamataan ang lalaking nakaputing uniform sa di kalayuan. May nakasukbit na baril sa baywang nito. “Guard!” Malakas na tawag niya sa guwardiyang kaagad na lumapit. “Hinaharass ako ng lalaking ito.” Itinuro niya ang lalaking wala man lang pag-aalalang nakapinta sa mukha.

“Sir?” Ang guwardiya na hindi siya pinansin bagkus ay tinapunan ng nag-aalalang sulyap ang lalaki.

She seized advantage of the moment. Hindi man umaalis sa kinatatayuan ang matangkad na lalaki ngunit nagawa naman niyang umaHon sa pool.

“That man is a threat to your customers.” Ngayong nakaaHon na siya sa pool, nakahinga siya ng maluwag. “Arestuhin mo ang lalaking iyan at magpa-file ako ng complaint. Harrassment.”

Ngunit sa halip na sundin ng guwardiya ang utos niya, takot ang bumadya sa mukha nito. For God’s sake, ano bang klaseng security meron ang resort na ito at bahag ang buntot ng mga security guards?!

Wala siyang mahihitang tulong mula dito ayun sa nakikita niyang reaksiyon ng guard. So she had changed her plan. “Nasaan ang manager ninyo? Gusto ko siyang makausap.” She asked stridently.

“Naririto lang ako Miss kung gusto mo akong kausapin.”

“Hindi ikaw ang gusto kong kausapin.” Galit na baling niya sa lalaki na ngayon ay nakaaHon na rin sa pool. And she can’t help but ingested stiffly nang mapagmasdan ang kabuuan ng magandang katawan nito. The man was wearing scanty swimming trunks which paraded all his manly chattels.

Regular bang pumupunta ang lalaking ito sa gym? Why, but he had muscles in all precise places. At makitid ang baywang nito and the abs was great. Muscles bulged beneath his skin in a sexy way.

“Siya ang manager dito sa resort Ma’am.” Ang guard na hindi alam ang gagawin.

She was taken aback by the revelation but she remained cool. The last thing she wanted was for this man to intimidate her.

“Siya si Sir John Micheal Travilla. Anak ng may-ari ng resort at ang tumatayong manager.” Pagpapatuloy ng guwardiya.

Umalingawngaw sa pandinig niya ang sinabi ng guwardiya. Kasabay ng pagdidilim ng kanyang mukha ay ang pagtutok ng mga mata niya sa lalaki. The man must be in his late twenties, kung ang bukas ng mukha nito ang pagbabasehan. At hindi nagkakalayo ang edad nilang dalawa.

Posible kayang kapatid niya ang lalaking ito? Napangiwi siya sa naisip. Surely, hindi niya gugustuhing maging magkapatid sila nito. Hindi dahil sa disgusto kundi sa kadahilanang nahihiya siyang tukuyin.

“Travilla,” she uttered the name like acid. “Nasaan ang tinatawag na good customer service? Dahil mismo ang manager ng resort na ito ay hindi nagpapractice ng ganuon. I wonder how many unsatisfied customers you do have who share my own sentiments?!”

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, nagpakita ng pagkapahiya ang lalaki. At lihim na nagdiwang ang damdamin niya. Now she knew how to wound this arrogant man.

“Bumalik ka na sa puwesto mo Rey. Ako na ang bahala dito.” utos nito sa guard na kaagad sumunod. “Okay,” baling nito sa dalaga ng makalayo ang tauhan. “I’m sorry about the incident. Naughty me. Hindi ko naisip na mauuwi sa ganito ang simpleng kasiyahan.” Ngunit salubong ang makakapal na mga kilay nito at mukhang hindi naman sinsero ang paghingi ng paumanhin.

Mas lalong nadagdagan ang galit sa kanyang dibdib. Pakiramdam niya ay gustong umusok ng kanyang ilong. At talaga nga palang pinagtripan siya ng lalaking ito! And to think that this man was a Travilla! Ume-echo pa rin sa kanyang pandinig ang pangalang binanggit ng guwardiya.

“You made fun at my expense!” Mariing turan niya. Kung puwede nga lang siyang magcheck out sa resort ora mismo ay gagawin niya. Ngunit ito lamang ang nag-iisang resort sa lugar na iyon. “So professional for a manager like you, huh!” Puno ng sarkasmo ang kanyang tinig.

He made a sharp sigh as if he winced awkwardly. “Look, I’m sorry. Hindi ko alam kung paano icompensate ang naging kalokohan kong ito. But if it’s a consolation, I’m not letting you pay. You can stay here for as long as you want and that’s for free.”

“Huh!” She grunted. “Hindi nababayaran ng pera ang lahat Mr. Travilla. Dahil ang perang iyan mismo ang sisira sa pagkatao mo.”

Kumunot ang noo ng lalaki. “You sound so bitter about money.” His eyes tapered.

“May sarili akong pera at kaya kong magbayad. At hindi rin naman ako magtatagal sa resort na ito kaya naman siguro ay hindi malaki ang babayaran ko.” Iniba niya ang usapan sa halip na magkomento tungkol sa sinabi nito.

“Yeah.” Malamig ang naging hagod ng boses nito. “Looking at you, I know you have money. In fact, you’re screaming of money.” Micheal’s gaze voyaged from her face down to her feet at pabalik sa kanyang mukha.

She had a very alluring loveliness. The beautiful oval-shaped face with expressive eyes na nanatiling kaakit-akit sa kabila ng galit na nakabadya doon, can enslaved any man’s heart. Her brown eyes sHone with hate but only fueled his male hormones even more. Her insipid pink lips which were faintly twisted looked delicious under his now ravenous eyes.

And her scorching body which was clad in a sparse swimwear was a sight to behold. His stare plummeted to the gorge between her breasts and moseyed at her rich cleavage.

Katamtaman ang sukat ng dibdib ng babae but was so chock-full and firm. Her narrow waistline was a disparity to her wide and very round bottom. The cute hole of her belly button beleaguered his eyes that for a moment he forgot to bat an eyelid. Her lengthy and well shaped legs seemed to stretch in endless glory.

He articulated a silent curse as he felt her marvelous effect to his manliness. Man, but the woman had lethal yet innocent trinkets! And it looked like she was not aware of it. His admiring eyes did not miss the brand of her two piece bikini. It was Speedo. At libo ang halaga niyon. Gayundin ang Havianas na suot niyang tsinelas.

She had a marvelous loveliness that was simply breathtaking. Just by looking at her, he felt the gush of raw desire. He knew he was wearing a skimpy swimming trunks and he needed to stop his throbbing manhood from pulsating further else he would be trapped in an undescent situation. His big bulge will create such a humiliating scene.

But as much as he wanted to persecute his male hormones, he could not simply impede it. His shaft was growing bigger and longer in every second.

She was a bombshell and a helluva of a hottie. And he was a normal descendant of Adam who appreciated such loveliness. High inclining testosterone level was a pretty normal reaction. Afterall, he was a hot blooded male specie.

Gusto niyang tumakbo pabalik ng cottage at ibalot ang katawang puting two-piece bikini lamang ang suot sa klase ng titig ng lalaki. Ang mga titig nito ay nagtatagal sa kanyang dibdib at bumababa sa kanyang mga binti. And hell, nanayo na ang mga balahibo niya sa katawan!

“Your skin is smooth all over at pantay ang kulay. Halatang kutis mayaman.” He alleged in a brackish but still sexy voice.

Hindi niya alam kung papuri ba iyon o pangungutya. Hindi siya masyadong kaputian Ngunit makinis siya at katulad nga ng sabi nito, pantay ang kulay mula ulo hanggang paa.

And she was genetically endowed with a beautiful stature na hindi na niya kailangang magpakahirap sa pag-eehersisyo at gutumin ang sarili sa pagdidiyeta mapanatili lamang ang magandang kurba ng katawan. Malakas ang metabolism niya at kahit magana siyang kumain, hindi siya madaling tumaba.

Isang irap ang naging tugon niya dito. Alam niyang walang patutunguhan ang pag-uusap nilang iyon kaya ipinasya na lamang niyang tumalikod.

At isa pa, kanina pa siya hindi makahinga ng maayos dahil sa epekto ng mga titig ng lalaki. And she could feel rare tingle at the end of her fine hair under the depth of his penetrating gaze.

Jhon Micheal Travilla… Muli siyang pumihit upang harapin ang lalaki. “Ilang taon ka na ba Mr. Travilla?”

Bagamat nagulat ang lalaki sa tanong niya ay saglit lang iyon. “Twenty-nine.” He said in voice he would qualify as a DJ.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag sa narinig. So hindi sila magkapatid. Mas matanda ito sa kanya ng tatlong taon. Must be his mother’s step son.

“And you?” Friendly na ngayon ang tono ng boses nito. “At ano nga pala ang pangalan mo?”

She smirked icily. “I don’t give personal information Mr. Travilla. And besides hindi mo gugustuhing malaman kung sino ako.” She smirked again, deadly this time. Pagkatapos ay tuluyan na siyang tumalikod at iniwan ito.

Makapal ang report na isinubmit sa kanya ni Detective Kalinawan Ngunit hindi na niya binasa ang lahat ng iyon. Sapat na sa kanya ang kaalamang natunton nito ang kanyang ina at kung saan niya ito matatagpuan.

Hindi na niya inalam ang ibang detalye lalo na ang tungkol sa kasalukuyan nitong pamilya. Dahil nasasaktan lamang siya kapag naiisip na may ibang pamilya ang ina na siyang pinag-aalayan nito ng panahon at pagkalinga. At pinagkaitan siya nito ng mga bagay na iyon.

Habol ng paningin ni Micheal ang babaeng papalayo na sa kanyang paningin. She was walking in spur-of-the-moment steps, siguro ay upang makalayo kaagad sa kanya.

The silky swaying of her hips entertained his ferocious eyes. Her every movement was beguiling sexy. He can see her full behind that he desired to salivate. She had indeed a body worth dying for.

Micheal was bemused by his reaction. No other woman had captured his attention since his breakup three months ago. Even his previous girlfriend, na maituturing ding maganda at sexy, never made him feel this way.

Nang una niyang makita ang babae na palakad-lakad sa paligid ng resort, so beautiful and sexy in her two piece bikini, lihim na sinundan niya ito.

Through the duration of his stalking, he did not take his eyes off her. He even could not afford to blink. He was so intrigued why the woman can extremely rein his elusive eyes. She looked so beautiful yet mystifying.

There was a different shade in her sulty eyes. And she seemed so consumed with something that she did not notice his existence. She was the first woman who neglected his presence. He was a head turner yet for the first time, his amulet tailed off. Lalo pa at nakasuot lamang siya ng makitid na swimming trunks.

Actually, maraming mga pares ng mata ang nakasunod sa kanya, except for that one hot chick. At hindi niya matanggap ang bagay na iyon. He wanted to impress her, to leave a lasting impression to her, to entangle her into his life.

So he made a plan.  At ang pagkahulog nila sa pool ay sinadya niya. But the woman proved to be more than standoffish. Hindi umubra ang style niya bagkus ay nagalit niya ang babae. Though he could not deny that he felt heaven for some split seconds while he held her on his arms. It was worth everything afterall.

Micheal shook his head in incredulity. He had encountered one of the most colossal moment of his life.  He knew he was attracted to the mysterious woman. Her mystery heaped on as she did not give her name. And she was talking in riddles.

But he knew that their paths will cross again. She was in his resort. And he will do everything under his power to know more of her.

He was determined to uncover her mystery.  He was afterall John Micheal Travilla, the most influential man in the town.

He smiled bafflingly.

—–ITUTULOY—–