Kabanata 1
MONEY. KUNG MAY pinakaimportanteng bagay sa mundong ito, 'yon ay ang pera.
They say money can't buy happiness, but for me, it can—in its own way. It's what keeps me moving forward, what fuels my motivation. Sa panahon kasi ngayon, ang mga tao, hindi na bumabase sa kung ano ka, bumabase na sila kung anong mayro'n ka. If you have the money and the status, you can have whatever you want—anywhere, anytime.
The man's dark brown eyes locked onto mine, and his calloused, rough hand felt firm yet warm against my own. I noticed the mix of playfulness and seriousness in his expression— furrowed brows, thinned lips, and a stubborn jaw.
There was something in his gaze that caught my attention, and only then did I realize, too late, that we were still holding hands long after the handshake should have ended.
"Miss?" he called, snapping me out of my reverie. Napapasong nabitawan ko ang kamay niya.
"Uh, I still haven't introduced myself to you," I said, clearing my throat. "I'm Serafine Veronica, but you can just call me Sera."
He didn't answer, just nodded, still watching me like a hawk.
Awkward kaya nagsalita ako uli. "What should I call you?"
He stared again briefly and cocked his head.
"Ephraim Miranda," he said, his voice husky.
Oh, that's a hot name. It suits his hot face.
Tumango ako, kinakagat ang labi. It suddenly dawned on me what I looked like right now and I began panicking. 'Di pa ako naliligo! Pagkagising ko'y nagtatatakbo na ako agad para makitsismis! Naka-shirt lang ako at shorts!
"Kung gusto mo, pumasok ka muna." Inilahad ko ang bahay namin.
Mayaman 'to, sigurado ako. Kaya nagulat ako nang tumango siya.
Sumunod siya sa akin patungo sa bahay. Wala ang magulang ko sa bahay, and it's scary letting a stranger inside, but he looked decent. Bahala na!
Nanunood na si Miggy ng TV pagkapasok namin kaya tinawag ko ang atensyon niya. Ang maamo niya mga mata niya'y tumulis nang makitang may kasama akong lalaki.
"Migs, si Engineer Ephraim Miranda. Engineer, si Migs—kapatid ko."
Tumayo si Miggy mula sa sofa at lumapit 'kin. Naghalo ang pagtataka at hiya sa mga mata niya habang nakatuon ang tingin sa misteryosong lalaki sa tabi ko.
"Hello po, Engineer." My brother offered his hand and smiled. "Ako po si Migs."
I smiled in amusement. Ephraim accepted his hand, a small smile now etched on his lips.
"Hi, Migs. Just call me Kuya."
Tuluyang lumaki ang ngiti ni Miggy.
"Sige po, K-Kuya. Upo po muna kayo!" masayang sabi ng kapatid ko at hinawakan niya sa pupulsuhan ni Ephraim. That made me feel lighter.
I watched them head to the sofa to watch TV.
"Excuse me, mag-aayos lang ako ng sarili sandali," paalam ko.
Bumalik ang tingin sa 'kin at napangisi ang kapatid ko.
"Kuya, sandali lang si Ate. Kailangan niya munang maligo at nahihiya kasi mabantot na siya." Miggy smirked.
My lips parted. Nagpigil ng ngiti si Ephraim kaya nag-init ang mukha ko.
"Aba't..." Kokontra pa sana ako, pero nang natawa si Ephraim ay natulala ako.
BINABASA MO ANG
Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)
Ficción General[REVISED EDITION, 2026] Lost Island Series #4: Dancing With Fire "A love that risked everything, knowing it might leave ashes behind, yet choosing to burn anyway." Money. For Serafine Veronica Mendez, money is everything. A self-proclaimed rich ki...
