Fame, Power, Money ayan ang meron ang mga Alarcón Del Río upang mapaikot nila ang mamamayan sa kanilang bayan. Madali lang ang pera kung susunod ka sa kanila, madali lang makakuha ng connection kung hahayaan mong hawakan ka nila. Mahirap kalabanin, mahirap manalo sa digmaang pera ang armas ng kalaban.
Money is everything, isang dekada ng namumuno ang pamilyang Alarcón Del Río, isa sa bayan ng Zamboanga. Takot banggain, takot kalabanin.
Si señor Damian ang pinaka matandang namumuhay dito, lapit sa taong mahihirap, at may butihing puso kaya lahat ng kanilang trabahador sa hacienda ay iniidolo ito at tapat sa kanya. Si don Daniel naman ang mayor at panganay na anak ni señor damian. May lihim na matagal na niyang tinatago sa kanyang pamilya, Maamo at panay ngiti sa harap ng taong bayan ngunit may disgusto pag ito ay nakatalikod, pera ang laging nasa isip. “Kapag may pera, kaya mong gawin lahat kahit ito pa ay illegal.” ayan ang kanyang paniniwala sa sarili. Para sa kanya isa lang ang kanya anak, at iyon ay si Diego ang susunod sa kaniyang yapak. Ngunit Si diego, ay hindi sang ayon sa gusto ng kanyang ama. He is a master manipulator and a ruthless strategist, always staying one step ahead of his adversaries. Driven by an insatiable ambition and desire for power and control, he uses any means necessary to achieve his goals, whether through charm, intimidation, or outright deceit. Playing Illegal race, is one of his hobby, Despite his manipulative ways, Deigo always plays the victim in his story. He uses this tactic para palagi itong paniwalaan ng kanyang ama na paborito naman siya nito.
"Look at them, Diego," Don Daniel said, gesturing towards the residents waving outside their car, seemingly welcoming them. Diego glanced at them with a bored expression, uninterested in entertaining what he perceived as mere onlookers.
"Smile, son. Soon you'll be mayor of this town, the one who rules," Don Daniel advised, continuing to wave and smile at the people. "Show them you're always on their side."
As the car rolled slowly through the town's main street, Diego reluctantly lifted his hand in a half-hearted wave. His expression masked the disdain he felt for the spectacle. Deep down, he knew his father was right. In this game of power and perception, every smile, every wave, was a strategic move towards solidifying his future dominance.
Diego's eyes swept over the crowd, unexpectedly drawn to a woman assisting an elderly person. She exuded radiant charm, her red dress accentuating her graceful movements and warm demeanor. Her smile seemed to light up the street, sharply contrasting with Diego's usual indifference.
"Who's that girl?" Diego asked abruptly, pointing towards her.
Don Daniel glanced momentarily in her direction before returning his attention to his tablet, checking his schedule for the day. "Don't you know her, son? That's Abigail, Anita's daughter, our personal cook. She works at the hacienda," Don Daniel explained, still absorbed in his agenda.
"I want her... I like her," Diego thought to himself, his gaze lingering on Abigail with newfound interest.
In that moment, a spark of intrigue ignited in Diego's mind. He wondered how he could capture the attention of this captivating girl who had effortlessly stolen his focus from the monotonous duties of his father's agenda.
Meet Abigail, a young woman who catches your eye with her natural beauty and friendly personality. Her smile is infectious and can brighten up anyone's day. She's the kind of person you feel comfortable around because of her warm and caring nature.
Abigail has bright eyes that sparkle with kindness and soft, flowing hair that adds to her gentle demeanor. She moves gracefully and always seems to be there to lend a hand, whether it's helping the elderly or pitching in around the hacienda where her mom works as a cook.
Known for her strong work ethic, Abigail takes her responsibilities seriously. Despite being busy, she finds joy in making a positive impact on those around her and in her community.
A blend of beauty, kindness, and inner strength. Her presence draws people in, including Diego, who finds himself intrigued by her warmth and sincerity amidst his own ambitions and obligations.
“Nay, tulungan ko na po kayo” she said, at kinuha niya ang mga pinamili ng matandang babae.
“Aba’y! ikaw pala iyan, Abi. Salamat at nandirito ka, napakabigat nga ang aking dala” sabi ng matanda, habang pinapahid naman nito ang maliit na pawis sa kanyang nuo gamit ang tela na ginamit niyang sumbrero panangga sa init na dala ng haring araw.
“ asaan po pala ang apo niyo, at kayo lang mag isa lang ngayon.” tanong naman ni Abigail sa matanda habang papunta sila sa sakayan
“Alam mo naman iyon si buknoy, mahilig umalis tuwing umaga.” Tumango lang ang dalaga.
Pagkarating nila sa sakayan ay agad naman nagpasalamat ang matanda sa kabutihan ni Abigail, ngumiti lang ito at sinabihan mag ingat ang matanda at magpatulong na lamang siya sa driver ng tricycle na sasakyan nito. Agad naman sumabat ang driver at sinabing siya na ang bahala kay manang luz.
Lahat ng nakatira sa bayan dito ay halos magkakakilala na, isang dekada ba naman ang kanilang samahan, isa si Abigail na kilala sa bayan nila, bukod kasi sa maganda at nakakabighani ito ay isa rin siyang matulunging babae kaya lahat ay hinahangaan ito.
Si Catalina ay mag isang namumuhay sa lungsod ng England, away from her family. It had been 11 years since her own father disowned her.
"You need to go back, Cat. Your grandfather needs you," a middle-aged man in an office suit said, pouring wine into his glass before sitting down.
"What do I have to go back for? Grandpa can come here if he wants to see me," she replied coldly. The man sighed.
"He wants you to come back. He's expecting to see you on his birthday next Saturday," he said, adjusting his suit. Catalina couldn't answer, unsure if she should go or just send a gift like she always did for his birthdays.
Before leaving, the man added, "I guess it's time to go back and face them. You can't move on if you keep running away from the past." Then he closed the office door. Catalina thought, 'Is eleven years enough time to face them?'
Three lives will meet in an event that will change their futures. What can you do for love, for family, and for the acceptance you want? Are you ready to take a risk when your opponent is the sibling you hate? Are you ready to fight fairly if your opponent plays dirty? Or will you, like before, just accept your fate?
This story is about the two siblings and the woman they both love. How will they fight for love? Is it worth it, or will it just make things worse?
Catalina’s return to the Philippines would not be a simple visit. It would mean facing the ghosts of her past—the painful memories of being abandoned, her father's coldness, and the tension with a sibling who helped push her away. Her heart ached with unresolved feelings. Would she find the courage to face her father and demand the acceptance she was denied for so long? Could she handle the tricky family dynamics, where every smile could hide betrayal?
Catalina had always thought she was straight, but meeting this woman changed everything. She had just met her, but already found herself falling in love, a love she never expected.
Facing love, family expectations, and her need for acceptance, Catalina must find all her strength and courage. The journey ahead will test her and change who she is. Will love win over anger? Will she find the strength to stand up to the wrongs of her past? Or will her history drag her back into sadness?
This story will show how far someone will go for love, how deep family ties can hurt, and whether true acceptance can happen in a world full of betrayal and heartbreak. As Catalina's story unfolds, every choice she makes will carry the weight of the past and the hope for the future. It’s a story about fighting for love, family, and the acceptance she has always wanted. Will she win, or will her past pull her back into darkness?
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This story may contain typographical and grammatical errors.
BINABASA MO ANG
Crossed Paths
Romancebasahin niyo lang basta cringe 'to, matagal ko na sinulat 'tong story ko so medyo jeje ang pagkakasulat huh