Started: 04/27/2021 Ended: 08/24/2021 Ang hirap palang tumanda. Ang hirap magbayad ng bills. Ang hirap suportahan ng pamilyang akala ay isang milyon ang suweldo mo. Ang hirap ngumiti sa nanay na mataas ang tingin sa'yo pero hindi ka kayang ipagtanggol. Ang hirap tabihan sa hapagkainan ng tatay na pinag-uubusan mo ng pera pero hindi ka maalala. Ang hirap mag-abot ng tulong sa kapatid na baon sa utang. Ang hirap intindihin ng hipag na nakakapagpa-rebond pa kahit kapos na kapos na. Ang hirap pakisamahan ng bunsong halos ilahad ang mga palad tuwing makikita ka. Ang hirap ngitian ng mga taong tanong nang tanong kung bakit hindi ka pa nakakapag-asawa. Ang hirap humarap sa mundong isasampal sa'yo na mag-isa ka. Tulong, bigay, utang. Isang iling mo lang, madamot ka na. Kasama mo sila kapag may maibibigay ka, pero hindi mo sila mahahanap kapag wala na. Ikaw ang kakayod, sila ang tutuka. Ikaw ang iiyak sa pagod, sila ang magtatamasa. Iyon ang summary ng buhay ko. Sobra-sobra ang naririnig na paghingi, kulang na kulang ang naririnig na pasasalamat. Sobra-sobra ang pagpapasensya, kulang na kulang ang natatanggap na pagpapahalaga. Sobra-sobra ang binabayaran, kulang na kulang sa kasiyahan. Kaya nang dumating sa buhay ko ang nag-iisang lalaking hindi ako nakita bilang naglalakad na alkansya, ang nag-iisang lalaking nakinig sa mahabang listahan ko ng problema, ang nag-iisang lalaking nagbigay sa akin ng kakaibang saya, ipinangako ko sa sarili na sa gitna ng hirap ng pagtanda, magtitiis ako basta't siya ang kasama. Kahit pa ang kapalit noon ay pagtalikod sa minahal na pamilya. Kahit pa ang kapalit noon ay paglaban sa mundong pinatatakbo ng kapangyarihan at pera. Kahit pa ang kapalit noon ay ang pagdurusa't pag-iisa. Siya ang ginhawa, pahinga, at kasiyahan ko. Dumating man ang araw na tanaw ko na ang dulo. Dumating man ang araw na wala na kaming sagot sa lahat ng bakit at paano. Dumating man ang araw na pareho na kaming talo.

Sandejas Legacy #1: August Lies "Sandejas Legacy continues..." Scira Valderama is one of the most sought-after architects of her generation, but not only is she a perfectionist at work, she's the same with her past relationships, causing them to fail. When she meets Warren Augustine Miranda, she thought he was her The One--but what if she finds out he's gay? *** Architect Scira Rosalie Valderama has done her best to make her family proud, and she almost kept up her reputation as Miss Perfect. Almost. Despite her efforts, she always fails in a certain aspect--her love life. Her exes said that she's a bitch and a control freak. She is set on believing that love isn't for her until meeting Engineer Warren Miranda, the potential boyfriend... who turns out to be gay. But will she choose to take a chance, or to close her heart even if it screams that he's 'The One'? Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish. Cover Design by: Rayne Mariano

Raindrop's Tears (Companion Book): The Storm's Shadow The Storm's Shadows is a Sandejas Legacy #4: Companion Book. READ RAINDROP'S TEARS FIRST for better understanding! Storm Raina Romana had no choice but to be the mother of her twin's children, Varsha, while she was working overseas. She shared her fault too, so she accepted the responsibility. Growing up, she lived in her shadows anyway, so this wasn't new. It will only be temporary. Or so she thought. She promised she'd come back, but she never did! She left her with the responsibilities! Out of spite, she introduced her sister's children to their father. It went well. She just has to maintain her abrasive demeanor, ensure the children's well taken care of, and instill hatred in Marcus Sandejas. So that upon Varsha's return to reclaim her children and life, he will harbor animosity towards her. Storm didn't care what became of her; she just wanted her revenge until the man she didn't expect came back, her first love, Leo Sanchez. He found out about her children and pushed her away. This time, could she still hide behind her twin's shadow? Or would she come out in the light with the truth?

In the midst of solving mysteries and exploring their undeniable chemistry, Fifteen Salustiana is determined to help Xildius Vouganville confront his dark past and embrace the light once more. As they uncover the truth behind every crime, she must also seek the truth behind Xildius's fears. *** Desperate for money, Fifteen Salustiana takes a job as the personal assistant to the enigmatic Xildius Vouganville, or XV, a genius professor living in the eerie mansion of Villa Vouganville. XV, a master of anatomy and psychology, solves crimes from the shadows, haunted by a dark past that keeps him from stepping into the sunlight. Fifteen becomes XV's eyes and ears in the outside world, venturing out to gather clues and solve crimes. As they work together, she finds herself drawn to XV's brilliance and vulnerability. The more time they spend together, the more she realizes her feelings for him are growing stronger. Will Fifteen be able to help XV step out of the shadows and into the light, or will their love be consumed by the darkness? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish.

Side story of Athaleigh and Artemis "I'll never like you, Levinson. I don't like bitch, spoiled and bossy women. You should put that in your mind." After seven years of not feeling pain and not having these stupid tears on my cheeks, she managed to do it for only a minute.

She's my secret. My beautiful little secret. -Chance McLenan

PUBLISHED UNDER FLUTTER FIC Wag ka ng Umasa Wag mo ng saktan ang sarili mo Kahit Lumuha ka pa ng Dugo... Hinding Hindi mapupunta sayo itong Puso ko. Mga katagang Sinabi niya sa akin, Mga katagang Unti unting pumapatay sa Akin... Mga Katagang bukam-Bibig ng Asawa ko. Ako si Samantha Elaine Gazier-Jimenez, At si Luke Evanz Jimenez naman ang Asawa kong kahit kailan Walang ibang ginawa kundi pangdirihan ako... Warning: Read at your own risk.

TEACH SERIES #3: 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 Lisa Lyndel Montero's life is full of pretending. She has two faces-not literally. She's sweet, polite, and gentle inside their house and around her family. And it sucks, not until she met Yeomra Kevin Rowan. She started to let him see her true colors; she doesn't need to pretend and hide. An unexpected friendship with a random person. As their friendship deepens, Lisa begins to realize something. She found herself wanting him, as they try to defy the odds and be just friends, they fail miserably. After all, when you fight fire with fire, you're bound to get burnt. Funny how fate played tricks on them. ______________________ Genre: Adult Romance Started: February 05, 2021 Finished: April 02, 2021 NOTE: • This is first draft/rough story. • I don't own the photo used for the cover.

Born in a strict and ambitious family, Syerana cannot handle the pressure that her family gives. As her family tries to control every decision she makes, including her dream to be a flight attendant. Instead of following what her heart wants her to become, she then took the path of being an investigator. With her walking to the path, she does not want in the first place, little did she know that it will also be the path that will draw her to Seig. Being with her first love made her feel different emotions, and experience a lot of things. But as she continues communicating with Seig will make her deal with consequences. The consequences she doesn't even want to face. But then she found out that what scares her most is the only way for her to live with the truth. Start: December 18, 2020 End: July 23, 2021

Sydney James Wantirano is a woman of contrasts. With a fiery, untamable spirit and unyielding principles, she commands respect and admiration. Yet, behind this formidable exterior lies a tender heart that remains devoted to her parents, despite their harsh treatment and the absence of familial love. Her efforts to honor and make them proud are both a testament to her resilience and a source of hidden pain. Everything changes one fateful night when Sydney meets Xarius-a charming, effervescent man who shatters her rigid world. His presence awakens something in her that she never knew she was missing. For the first time, Sydney feels truly at home, valued, and loved-experiences she thought were forever beyond her reach. The irony of finding solace in someone so different from herself only deepens the impact of their connection. But such profound change comes at a cost. Sydney is faced with an impossible choice: between embracing the happiness Xarius offers and fulfilling her obligations to those who have always been her burden. Torn between two conflicting paths, she must decide whether to pay the price for her newfound joy or abandon it to maintain her old responsibilities. Will Sydney find a way to navigate these treacherous waters, or will she escape into the safety of the familiar, leaving behind the twisted wildlands of her heart? Started: July 18, 2020 End: December 17, 2020