NATALIA'S POV
Nagising ako sa ingay ng phone ko. It was my alarm clock, reminding me that it was already 5:30 AM. Sinadya kong i-set nang maaga today because I planned to go jogging. It's been a while since I last exercised, so I decided to at least start today.
Dumiretso ako sa bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. Pagkatapos, pumunta ako sa aking walk-in closet and changed into a black sports bra paired with a loose white top, black leggings, and black rubber shoes. I tied my hair into a neat bun before heading downstairs.
Pagdating ko sa kitchen, nakita ko si Manang Linda na nagluluto.
"Good morning, Manang." bati ko.
"Oh, gising ka na pala, hija. Good morning." she said with a warm smile.
Only Manang Linda, five helpers, and our driver live with me here in the mansion.
My parents and my two brothers live in New York. Umuuwi lang sila tuwing Christmas, New Year, or kapag may important occasion. Minsan naman, ako ang bumibisita sa kanila.
They also come back kapag kailangan talaga ang presence ni Dad sa company since he's the Chairman of the Board. For regular meetings, virtual na lang.
Maswerte ang mga kapatid ko because they grew up with our parents—unlike me. I was raised by my grandmother, pero masasabi ko pading swerte din ako.
When I was born, parehong busy sina Mommy at Daddy. Mom was still working as a doctor, while Dad was the CEO of the company. Halos wala silang time, so as hard as it was for them, they decided to leave me with my grandmother to make sure I'd be well taken care of. She's my maternal grandma, so they trusted her completely.
I grew up in the province, surrounded by Lola's workers at the hacienda. Kapag may time sila—or tuwing birthday ko—binibisita naman ako ng mga magulang ko.
Eight years old na ako when Mom gave birth to my brother, Axel. That was also when she retired from being a doctor to focus on taking care of him. Four years later, she gave birth again to Charles.
That time, gusto na nila akong dalhin sa city, but I refused. I didn't want to leave Lola. Sanay na ako sa kanya, so they allowed me to stay. I finished high school there and only returned to the city for college—and later, to train under my dad.
Since I'm the firstborn, I eventually took over the CEO position when Dad stepped down to lessen his workload due to age. He still serves as the Chairman of the Board, though.
When Axel finished high school, our parents decided to live in New York with him and Charles. Axel would go to college there, while Charles would return to the Philippines with them after finishing his studies.
"Magja-jogging lang po ako, Manang." paalam ko.
"Okay, ingat ka." sagot niya.
Lumabas ako ng mansion at nagsimulang tumakbo around our village.
Pagbalik ko, dumiretso ako sa aking kwarto at pumasok sa banyo para mag - shower.
After that, I wore a dazzling blue, half-sleeved, off-shoulder bodycon dress with a slit on my leg, paired with JC Shiloh metallic crystal sandals. I applied my makeup and left my hair down, now fully dry after blow-drying it. Kinuha ko ang bag ko before heading downstairs.
Pagdating ko sa kitchen, ready na ang breakfast. Umupo ako at kumain kaunti—I don't eat much to maintain my figure. Mahirap magbawas ng timbang kapag napabayaan.
I used to be very chubby from elementary hanggang college. I only slimmed down after graduating because I was really determined to lose weight.
Maraming restrictions. Sobrang daming exercise. Ilang beses akong gustong sumuko—but it was all worth it. I finally got the body I dreamed of, and my appearance changed drastically.
BINABASA MO ANG
Stupidly In Love Again
RomantikShe loved him once - quietly, completely, and without question. But timing was never on their side. Years later, fate dances them back into the same orbit, where old emotions stir and unspoken memories rise. She told herself she wouldn't fall again...
