I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for not leaving me in my journey of writing this story.

I love reading all the comments in every chapter. I do check/count the Votes and Reads. Your thoughts and witty feedback means a lot to me.

Territorial Men Series Book 7 will be posted anytime soon.

Facebook: Grainne Altaraza
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Happy reading!

Love,
Missgrainne

EPILOGUE

KUNG may isang bagay man na natutunan si Ayesha simula ng makilala si Clane, iyon ay kung paano mas lalo pang pahalagahan ang mga taong nagmamahal sa kanila.

Lumaki siya sa paligid na siya ang palaging priority. Her parents did whatever she wants. They spoil her a lot and support her all the time. Ang klase nang pamumuhay niya ay isa lamang sa pinapangarap ng nakararami.

Inaamin niya na may mga oras noon na nakakalimutan niya na ang totoong dahilan kung bakit masagana ang pamumuhay niya, nila ng pamilya niya. It was because her father's hard work.

Now that she's with Clane who is mature enough to let her realize things around her that she did not take notice before, she started to remember those days with her father.

Ilang beses niya bang napasalamatan ang daddy niya sa lahat nang ginawa nito para sa kanila? Ilang beses niya bang nasabi na mahal niya ito at alam niya ang paghihirap nito para mabigyan siya ng masaganang pamumuhay?

She counted those days when she was with her father, and starting to miss those little talks she had with him. While she was busy living her life, her father was busy working hard for her and her mother.

Then, she remember those times she was so eager to pursue her dreams in America. She was young and careless.

She didn't notice her father's condition because she was too busy making another life away from her parents... just to make them proud of her, to her achievements.

Pero, ang lahat nang paghihirap niya at ang ilang beses na pagsuko sa pag-abot ng pangarap noon ay naging karapat-dapat ba sa huli?

Those struggles, sleepless nights, those sweats and tears, those failures she had while pursuing her dreams, were those worth enough?

Kung pinili niya bang manatili nalang sa Pilipinas para hindi malayo sa daddy at mommy niya, hindi niya ba pagsisihan na hindi niya naabot ang pangarap? May iba pa ba siyang pagpipilian?

"Wag mo nang isipin 'yon." Si Clane.

Nakahilig siya sa dibdib ng asawa, kapwa nakaupo sa gilid ng swimming pool. Clane bought a mansion in Forbes Park, Makati City.

It's a good place to live, not to mention that Villamor mansion is located near them. It's located in Dasmarinas Village, Makati City. She can always visit her mommy. Kaya kahit sobrang mahal ng mansyon na tinitirahan nila, pumayag na rin siya.

"I think, I was selfish."

"You were not."

Napanguso siya. He's really good in cheering her up whenever she felt down.

"I remember people told me that. I was busy enjoying my life in America while my father here was struggling and ill."

"They don't know what really happened. People use to judge by what they heard without knowing the real story behind it."

Hinaplos ng asawa ang braso niya. Ang mga paa nila ay nakalubog sa kalmadong tubig. Ang repleksyon ng mumunting ilaw sa paligid ay ma-dramang lumalapat sa kulay asul na tubig, sinasabayan pa ng malamyos na ihip ng hangin.

"It's okay to look back with those memories from the past, but, don't ever put a blame on yourself because of what happened to your father. Alam natin ang totoo. Wala kang kasalanan."

"I was insensitive."

Hindi siya sigurado kung bakit labis siyang emosyonal sa mga sandaling iyon. Baka namimiss niya lang ang daddy niya lalo at malapit na naman nilang sariwain ang araw ng pagkamatay nito. Siguro nga.

"You were young that time. No, you're not insensitive."

Ayesha get frustrated. She felt down but with Clane's every words, humuhupa ang anomang nararamdaman niya sa dibdib. Gumagaan.

"I was careless."

"Yes, some times."

"Am I?"

"You were. But, that was you before. Forget it."

Napaalis siya sa pagkakahilig sa asawa para makita niya ang mukha nito.

From the dim yellow lights, his dark eyes were twinkling because of the reflection of the water below them. Ang magaan na pagsayaw ng tubig ay perpektong tumugma anggulo nito na bahagyang nakapaling ang ulo sa kanya. He was giving her a full view of his face in the dark.

"Talaga? Insensitive ba talaga ako dati?"

"Well,"

"How? I mean, what did I do to you?"

Now, she gets curious about her being insensitive before without noticing that behavior.

"Are you sure you want me to answer it?"

"Yes."

"So, I flew all the way to New York from Manila, to talk to you, to be with you, to make it up to you. But what I did not expect was... this spoiled Ayesha Villamor to break up with me and left me hanging in that coffee shop. Just.fucking.like.that."

Ikinumpas pa ng asawa ang isang kamay na para bang hindi nito matanggap ang ginawa niyang iyon, ngunit ang boses ay nahahalinhinan ng pagkaaliw. Muli siyang nagbalik tanaw sa pangyayaring 'yong nang buhay niya.

She left him. She couldn't believe she did it!

Kung ngayon ang pag-uusapan, kahit siguro sa ibang bansa ang trabaho ng asawa ay sasama siya! Ibang-iba na talaga ngayon. Alam niyang puro at buong-buo na ang pagmamahal niya kay Clane na hindi niya na ito magagawang ipagpalit pa sa ibang tao at sa ibang bagay.

It's really the person's priority and she admit that reaching her dreams was her priority before. What would you expect to an eighteen year old girl? To think about marriage? To have kids and build her own family at that young age? Though, it was on her mind, but it wasn't her priority that time.

People always misinterpret most things in the world. In life, we are always have to choose between two things. Walang mali sa pagpili ng isa at sa pagbitaw sa isa. At sa tingin niya ay magiging mali lang ang pagpili kung sa huli ay... hindi ka naman naging masaya sa pinili mo. But that's the consequences, right?

You took the risk of choosing what you think is best for you. Eventually, you will know if it's really meant for you, and if it's not, then you have to accept it and learn from it.

Life is always about learning from the things we've done and from the path we choose to take.

Minsan, ayos lang na magsisi sa huli, ang mahalaga ay natuto ka at naging matatag ka.

Kahit na gaano pa kasakit ang iniwan sayo ng mga karanasan at pinagdaanan mo sa nakaraan, kailangan ay may matutunan ka sa bahaging 'yon ng buhay mo.

Dahil ano pa ang magiging silbi ng mga luha, sugat at sakit? Kung sa huli ay wala kang baon na kaalaman na makakatulong sayo sa susunod na kabanata ng buhay mo?

Kailangan natin maging handa palagi dahil ang buhay ay puno ng sorpresa at mga hindi inaasahang pangyayari na bigla nalang dumarating sa atin.

"I know you get mad at me." She pointed out.

"How did you say that?" He asked.

"Hmm, because after that I discovered that you dated Riva!" Her voice raised a bit.

Mabilis na kumulo ang dugo niya nang maisip ang modelong hinahangaan niya noon ngunit hindi na ngayon dahil sa naging involvement kay Clane.

"Now, you're raising your voice." Tumatango-tango ito, magiliw na pinapanood ang reaksyon niya.

"You dated her!" Paratang niya.

"Listen, baby."

Tuluyan na itong pumaharap ng bahagya sa kanya, naiwan ang mga paa sa tubig katulad ng kanya. Kinuha nito ang isang kamay niya, handang-handa nang magpaliwanag sa kanya.

"First, I wasn't mad at you for breaking up with me that time. I admit, it was annoying, but, I have learned to understand you and respect your decision."

Clane was sincere, while deep inside her, she's kind of liking the moment. His maturity always turns her.

"Second, I didn't date Riva. Aksidente lang madalas ang pagkikita namin."

"Nasa Villa Altaraza siya noon, may litrato kayong magkasama. Aksidente rin 'yon?" Para siyang imbestigador.

Her husband's lips pursed a bit. Unti-unti ay napapanguso na ito, nagpipigil mapangiti. Pinanliitan niya ito ng mata at umambang kukunin ang kanayng kamay mula dito, pero amba palang ay hindi na siya nagtagumpay. He manage to grip her hand, sapat para hindi siya masaktan.

"She's a guest, it's normal to assist her."

Hindi siya kuntento sa sagot ng asawa. Pakiramdam niya may dapat pa siyang malaman.

"May napanood akong interview niya. Engage daw siya. Ipinakita niya pa nga ang singsing niya at may haka-haka na ikaw ang fiance niya."

"Hmm."

Hindi siya sigurado kung nang-iinis ang asawa o sadyang naiinis lang siya sa pinag-uusapan nila.

"Ikaw?"

Tinawanan ni Clane ang tanong niyang may halong pang-aakusa.

"Sino ba ang asawa ko ngayon?" He crouched his head on the side, there's a smug smile on his lips.

"Ako." Mahinang sagot niya. Nahahawa na sa pamumungay ng mga mata nito.

"Walang ibang babae sa buhay ko kundi ikaw lang, Ayesha. Mas pipiliin kong maging mag-isa kung hind lang din ikaw ang makakasama ko habang buhay."

Yesha's heart was booming inside her chest. Kung kanina ay naiirita siya, ngayon ay kasiyahan ang bumabalot sa kanya. Her stomach is fluttering, it made her giggle.

"Kung hindi ikaw, ayoko ng mag-asawa."

"That's good to know." Dinala ni Clane ang kamay niya sa labi nito at dinampian ng masuyong halik. "Hindi rin naman ako magpapatali kung hindi sayo."

That boosted her confidence. Walang salitang Mahal Kita na binanggit pero muling ipinaramdam sa kanya ng asawa ang labis na pagmamahal nito sa kanya.

A love like this is more than enough for her to ask for more. She's indeed happy and contented being with her husband and Cole.

She learned a lot of things from Clane. She witnessed how he value those people around them, his family and friends. Their employees and even their trusted men, he take notice to them once in a while no matter how busy his schedule is.

He maybe strict and heartless when it comes in running their businesses, but he's very passionate about it.

Hindi na nga siguro mawawala ang labis na paghanga niya sa lalaking mahal. Habang tumatagal na kasama niya ito at lalo pang nakikilala, mas nag-uumapaw ng husto ang paghanga niya sa asawa.

One look to Clane, she knew from her heart that he's really the only one for her. He will always be.

"I love you very much that I wouldn't know the meaning of love if it's not because of you." Clane's voice was raspy. He lovingly stare at her. "For me, Love is... You. My wife."

Yesha's heart gone wild. Sa sobrang kagalakan sa puso ay inilapit niya ang labi sa asawa at kaagad naman nitong sinagot ang halik niyang may pagmamahal.

IT'S ANOTHER busy day for Clane. But no matter how busy he may become, he always make sure to have time with his wife and son.

"Sir, your wife arrived in the lobby together with baby Cole." Imporma sa kanya ng sekretarya matapos ibigay ang mga dokumentong kailangan ng pirma niya.

Tumango lang siya at magalang na umalis ang ginang. He checked his cellphone but there was no message from his wife.

Ayesha likes to give him a surprise visit, kaya lang ay hindi naman talaga nangyayari dahil kapaparada palang ng sasakyan nila ay nalalaman niya na kaagad. They are surrounded by bodyguards. Ang iba ay naka-front ang iba naman ay hindi.

He's very strict when it comes to the safety of his wife and son. Hindi niya na hahayaan pang maulit ulit ang nangyari sa asawa niya noong sampung taong gulang palang ito, ayaw niyang mangyari ang gano'n ngayon kay Cole.

Walang banta sa buhay nila, pero ang paghigpit ng seguridad sa mag-ina niya ang pinaka matalinong paraan para mailayo sa kapahamakang hindi inaasahan.

"Hi, daddy!" Ayesha greeted him the moment they entered his office.

Channeling a high heeled strappy sandals, a luxury branded knee length dress and a hermes hand bag, his wife walked towards him excitedly, carrying Cole.

Seeing them is enough to stopped him from what he was doing.

Tumayo siya at sinalubong ang dalawa. Hinalikan niya sa noo ang asawa bago kinuha si Cole.

"How are you, little champ?" He lifted Cole a bit so they can see each other face.

Humagikhik ang anak, lumabas ang cute na dalawang ngipin sa ibaba.

"D-daddy! Daddy!" Hearing his son calling him Daddy always melt his heart.

Naglikot si Cole sa kanyang bisig, gusto ng magpababa. Malapit na itong mag-isang taon, nakakapaglakad na rin kaya lang ay madalas pa na natutumba, kaya pareho sila ni Ayesha na mabilis ang kilos kapag hindi na nakakabalanse ang anak.

Cole started walking with the furred floor in his mini sala. Nakahawak sa salamin na lamesa, paikot na binabaybay ang pabilog na lamesang 'yon.

Ayesha sighed beside him. Malambing nitong inihilig ang ulo sa kanyang balikat. Her expensive perfume invaded his senses. She wasn't seducing her, but he gets seduce already. Her hair is in mermaid braid, it looks so sexy on her.

Panay ang siksik sa kanya ni Ayesha, pinagtatakahan niya na iyon.

"You okay?"

Nagbaba siya ng tingin dito, nakahilig na talaga sa kanya. Ang isang kamay niya ay nasa likod nito, humahaplos habang ang isa ay nasa ibabaw ng sandalan ng sofa.

"I like your smell."

"I like yours too. Seducing."

"Talaga? I bought this in Paris last week. This is my brand."

"Yeah." He knows that.

Paano niyang hindi malalaman, kasama siya palagi kapag nagshoshopping ang asawa sa Paris. And that includes her high end dresses, jewelries, bags, shoes and of course, a Clive Christian perfume.

He likes to spoil her. Besides, Ayesha's doing good in taking care of Cole. Hindi niya inaasahan ang pagiging responsable nito. Malayung-malayo sa itsura ng asawa niya na nag-aalaga ito sa anak nila. They have maids to help her, but Ayesha's really hands on in doing her part as Cole's mother. He's proud of his wife.

"Kinda expensive though."

"That's fine, as long as we can afford buying it."

"You like to spoil me, huh."

"Yes, because you're such a good mother to Cole."

"How about as wife to you?"

"You, loving our son and being good to him, makes you a good wife to me."

He heard her groaned, as if she's melting.

"This feels so good. Being in your arms while watching our son. This makes me contented."

"I feel the same. I never felt this feeling before, this feeling of contentment, until you and Cole came into my life."

His eyes is with Cole, who is now slowly walking back to them while smiling. His cute small teeth made him purse his lips to suppress a smile. This little kid always gets him with his innocence.

"Uh, he's coming to us. Come here, my little boy." Ayesha wide her arm.

Cole giggled and his pace went fast. Bumitaw ito sa lamesang kinakapitan at patakbong-lakad ang ginawa papunta sa kanila, excited at tuwang-tuwa na makalapit.

"Oh, fuck." He was quick to grab Cole when he lose his balance. "Got you, buddy." Sabay kinarga niya ito.

"Da-ddy..."

"Yes, daddy got you, baby." Ayesha caressed Cole's hair. "Ang laki niya na kaagad."

"Pwede nang sundan."

"Well," Ayesha's wiggled her eyebrows playfully at him.

"What's with that, huh." Tukoy niya sa nakakaaliw na reaksyon nitong 'yon.

"Guess what?"

Her smile grew wider. Normal at natural ang pagiging magandang babae ng asawa, ngunit sa araw na iyon mas lalo lang gumanda sa kanyang paningin. She's blooming at even more looks younger.

Ayesha's thick and curly eyelashes emphasize the beauty of her eyes. Her lips is a bit pouty and that's perfectly fit with the small round on her chin. Her nose is pointed and her cheeks is soft and pinkish.

Most importantly is, her eyes were twinkle in happiness while staring at him.

"What is it?"

Lumapat ang isang kamay nito sa ibabaw ng tiyan, nagpipigil ng ngiti, pinapanood ang magiging reaksyon niya.

The moment her lips form a sly smile, he already knew what's going on.

He tilted his head back, closing his eyes. Cole is crawling on his body, but damn, his heart is going wild inside his chest.

"I'm pregnant, Clane." Yesha declared merrily. "Another baby Altaraza is coming."

Gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ni Clane. Nang ibalik niya ang tingin sa asawa, para na naman siyang nawawala sa mundong ginagalawan dahil ang totoong mundo niya ay nasa kanyang harap mismo.

"Are you happy?" Tanong nito nang hindi siya nakapagsalita kaagad, ang buong atensyon at nasa kanya.

Her beautiful eyes stunned him.

"V-Very. Very happy, my wife." He gently pulled her closer and kissed her in the lips.

"Sweet."

Natawa siya ng bahagya sa pagitan ng mga labi nila. Sa gitna nila ay si Cole na hinahawakan ang mukha ng asawa niya, napapapikit si Ayesha, nangingiti. Uh, that kind of beauty that captivates him.

"Parang hindi ka nasorpresa." Umusli ng bahagya ang labi nito. "Did you expect this?"

"I did."

"Hmm! Hindi ka sumusunod sa plano natin. Binuntis mo agad ako. Hindi pa nga straight ang paglalakad ni Cole." Umirap ito sa hangin, pero nakangiti naman.

"Don't worry too much about it. Siguradong straight na ang paglalakad ni Cole bago lumabas si baby."

He lowered down his head to his wife's stomach and give his little angel a kiss.

"Besides, this is what we want, right? To have more kids. Hindi na ako bumabata, kaya kailangan nang matinding paspasan."

"Matinding paspasan sa pag-gawa ng bata?"

"Yes." He pinched her nose lightly. "Ilan pa ang gusto mo?"

"Five." He lifted her five fingers. "Kaya mo?"

Clane smirked at his wife.

"Kaya ko. Ikaw ang iniisip ko. Giving birth was never easy to women. Kaya mo pang maglabas ng tatlo pa?"

"Kakayanin."

"Sure?"

"Yes!"

"Okay, five babies, then." Then he kissed her lips again.

"I love you very much, my hubby." Malambing na bulon nito sa kanyang labi.

Tuluyan na siyang napangiti. His heart wont' stop from beating loud. This is insane.

"I couldn't see myself marrying and loving someones else, unless it's you." He whispered lovingly to his wife. "And even in my next life, you are the only one I would always choose to spend my life with."

Then he territorially grab his wife and Cole a little more closer to him, claiming both of them as his.