"You already know that Therese is the result of an affair I had but I never told you about her mother. I didn't have a happy marriage with Eleanor. My family demanded I marry her for business alliances. Our marriage is simply just a business transaction, to say the least. I was lonely and I needed company. I had a short-lived affair with one of my employees and got her pregnant.That woman happened to be Almira St. Croix, Wayne's mother. After giving birth to our daughter, she gave Therese to me and I never saw her again."

I took in a sharp breath. "Ibig sabihin magkapatid si Wayne at Therese?"

"Yes..." Tiim na sabi ni George.

"And Therese is also my sister..." I quietly said as it slowly sank into me. Eleanor, George's wife, and the Sullivan's didn't want anything to do with Therese. Galing sa kilala at prominenteng pamilya si George, the Sullivan's were the descendants of a nobel family with George's father, my grandfather, being a Count. Habang nag-aaral ako noon sa Scotland kung saan niya ako dinala, ibinigay muna sa akin ni George si Therese noong sanggol pa lang siya para pansamantalang alagaan hanggang sa nahulog na ang loob ko sa bata. Soon, my whole world revolved around her. She erased the longing and emptiness I felt during that time. I decided to keep her for good and treat her as my daughter because I knew she needed a mother who'd love her and provide stability.

"Yes, but you are not related to him in anyway. Therese is the only blood that links the both of you to each other. You've been nothing but a wonderful mother to Therese, you took her in and treated her like your real daughter. You gave her everything you have, you've set aside your whole life for her. But I want you to have your own family too, Tanya, your own children. Gusto ko pang makilala ang magiging apo ko sa'yo." He smiled. "All I want is for you to find someone who would love and take care of you and Therese. Wayne filled the gaps in both your lives that I couldn't fill. I can see how much he loves the little one and Therese loves him just as much. She longs for a father figure that I never got to give to the two of you."

"That's not true. You've given us everything you could give and that's enough for us."

"Oh but you both deserve better than the life I've given you." Malamlam ang mga matang sabi niya.

"Alam na ba ni Wayne ang tungkol kay Therese?"

"He doesn't know yet. I only found out through investigating that Almira was married to a man named Enrico St. Croix, and she had a son with him and that's Wayne. I knew he was going to that charity party we went to and I wanted to meet him. I wanted to know what kind of person he is. I wanted to give Therese the chance to meet her brother so when I found out that he needed someone to invest on his business, I jumped at the opportunity. I just want someone to look after the two of you while I'm gone because someday I may not come back. I'm just making sure that when I leave, you girls are in good hands."

"George, huwag mo nga sabihin yan."

"You and Therese are the only thing that's worth keeping in my life." His eyes crinkled as he smiled again. "You know, I thank God everyday for paving a way for us to meet. You brought the happiness back in my life. You're like your mother, my lovely Esther. I'm glad you had her beautiful heart and her gentleness. Believe it or not, out of all the woman I've had in my life, Esther is the only one I've ever truly loved."

I could sense the sincerity and love in his voice. Tears began to film his eyes. "If I had known that I had gotten her pregnant I would've stayed with her. It was her who I wanted to marry. I would've given up everything for you and your mother. I would've given up my family, wealth, my whole life. I went back for her but she was already gone when I came back."

My parents' love story was a bittersweet one. Nagbago ang buhay ko ng mabasa ko ang nakasulat sa diary ni Nanay na nadala ko sa Japan. Doon ko nalaman ang sikreto ng pagkatao ko. Na hindi pala ako totoong anak ni Tatay Paeng. It said in her diary that she was already pregnant with me when she met him.

Nakilala niya si George Sullivan noong nagtatrabaho siyang waitress sa maliit na restaurant ng tiyahin niya sa Cebu, naging regular na costumer ito at kahit dayuhan ito ay nakapalagayan niya ng loob. Hindi nagtagal ay nahulog na din ang loob niya at nagka-relasyon sila ni George. Umuuwi si George sa Belgium pero binabalikan din siya nito. Isang araw, nalaman niyang buntis na pala siya sa akin. Nakasulat sa diary ni Nanay na wala siyang kahit katiting na pagsisisi ng malaman niya iyon at minahal niya na ako nasa sinapupunan pa lang ako. She was so excited to tell George. Hinintay niyang bumalik ito pero mag-lilimang buwan na siyang nagdadalang-tao ay wala pa rin siyang naririnig mula rito. Nakatira lang siya sa bahay ng tiya niya at ayaw niyang bigyan ng kahihiyan ang pamilya niya dahil disgrasyad siya kaya napagdesisyunan niyang lumuwas ng Maynila.

Doon niya nakilala si Tatay Paeng. Nakatira ito sa katabing pinto ng inuupahan niyang kwarto. Naging mabuti si Tatay sa kanya. Nagbubuntis pa lang daw siya sa akin ay si Tatay na ang nag-aalaga sa kanya. Alam niyang may gusto na sa kanya si Tatay noon pero hindi niya ito pinapansin dahil nadala na siya sa lalaki. Sa tuwing uuwi siya mula sa pinagtatrabahuhan niyang factory noon ay parating may iniiwan itong pagkain sa labas ng pinto niya. Si Tatay ang nag-aalala sa kanya tuwing nag-oovertime siya sa pinagtatrabahuhan niyang factory dahil ayaw nitong napapagod siya lalo na at buntis pa siya. Si Tatay din ang tumulong sa kanya noong manganganak na siya, ito ang nagtakbo sa kanya sa ospital at ito rin ang nasa tabi niya noong nanganak siya sa akin. Siya din ang unang kumarga sa akin pagkapanganak. Noong hindi pa nakakabalik sa pagtatahi sa factory si Nanay ay si Tatay ang bumili ng lahat ng kailangan namin. Mula sa gatas hanggang sa diaper ko. Kahit man daw nahihiya siya ay hindi na siya makatanggi dahil ako inaalala niya. Nangako siya kay Tatay na babayaran ang lahat ng nagastos sa akin kapag nakabalik siya sa trabaho pero tumanggi ito dahil gusto niya lang daw makatulong sa amin. Nakita niya ang pagmamalasakit ni Tatay hindi lang sa kanya kundi sa akin din. Nang magdadalawang taon gulang na ako doon pa lang daw niya sinagot si Tatay at sinabay nila ang kasal nila sa birthday ko noong magtatlong taon ako. Tinrato ako ni Tatay na parang tunay na anak at kahit kailan hindi ko naramdaman na iba ako sa kanya.

Agad kong hinanap si George ng malaman ko iyon, nagbaka sakali akong may pamilya pa ako. Tinulungan ako ng mga kaibigan ko sa Japan hanggang sa ma-contact namin si George. Agad niya naman akong pinuntahan ng mabanggit ko sa kanya si Nanay. The first time I saw him, there was never a doubt in my heart that he was my father. We looked so alike. I was sure he felt that way too.

He took me with him and introduced me to his family. Majority of them didn't accept me and I received negative attention from the people around us. His family never even allowed me to call him my father. Napagdesisyunan ni George na dalhin ako sa Scotland dahil gusto niya akong magkaron ng normal na buhay at makatapos ng pag-aaral.

"I hope your mother found it in your heart to forgive me before she passed away." George let out a deep exhale.

"Alam ko, kahit hindi niya na sabi noon, na wala siyang sama ng loob sa'yo."

"I hope so, my darling." He smiled a pained smile. "Does Wayne already know about the baby?"

I slowly shook my head. I bit my bottom lip as tears began to burn my eyes again. "There's something you need to know. Wayne and I knew each other long before the charity party. He was my first boyfriend. Siya lang din ang tanging lalaking minahal ko. Iniwan ko siya noon, natakot kasi ako sa nararamdaman ko para sa kanya. I was so afraid that one day I'm going to lose him and I'd be left with nothing so I left him. We were given a second chance and for the second time, I lost him again."

"Oh sweetheart." He took my hand and fondly kissed it. "What happened?"

"I made him leave because you were coming back. Ni ayaw niya na akong makausap ngayon."

"Do you want me to talk to him?" He asked, concerned.

"No... gusto ko ako ang magsabi sa kanya. I want to be the one to tell him about our baby."

"Promise me that you'd give Therese and the baby a complete family. You and the kids deserve it. Promise me you'd never let what happened to me and your mother happen to you and Wayne."

"I promise..."

Wayne's POV

Tonight was the club's grand opening party. I invited a few close friends, investors, and a couple of clients. I also had with me, Karen, my date. She was a politician's daughter and one of my past hook ups. I knew Tanya and George would be there and I didn't want to look like a pitiful fool who couldn't get over her.

"You look so handsome." Karen said in a low husky voice as she played with my tie. She tiptoed to give me a kiss but I turned my head away.

"Wayne?" She looked at me rather confused.

My lips curled into a charming smile. "Save it for later."

I couldn't get myself to want another woman after Tanya. Nothing could come close to being able to compare to the feeling she made me feel. Once you've had the taste of heaven, everything else pales in comparison.

"Wayne!" My head turned and I saw George walking towards to where we were standing. My eyes instantly averted to Tanya, her arms wrapped around George's. I felt a surge of jealousy seeing them together but my anger melted into a puddle of longing when she smiled as it reminded me why I fell in love with her over and over again. The grey evening dress she wore accentured her figure. She was breathtakingly beautiful as ever with a soft smile upon her gentle face.

"George." I said with a nod, acknowledging his presence. I looked at Tanya and noticed that her eyes were fixed on Karen. Her smile disappeared and was replaced by a stern downturn of the mouth. I couldn't help smiling to myself when I caught her reaction. "Tanya. Good to see you."

"Who's this beauty your with?" Asked George.

"Hi, I'm Karen. Wayne's date." She held her hand out for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you Karen." George took it and after shaking her hand, he looked at me unsmiling. "Are you friends or is there something more going on here?

"George..." Tanya softly said as she squeezed his arm.

He suddenly let out a chuckle but with no humor in it. "Forgive me for prying into your personal affairs. Where are my manners?"

"Oh, that's okay! Wayne and I are definitely more than friends." Karen giggled.

"I see..." George nodded his head with a slight smile then he turned his head to Tany. "Darling, do you want to sit down?"

Tanya nodded her head. I guided then to their designated seats, we sat together in one table. The guests started coming in and everyone was having a fine evening.

My attention was fixed entirely on Tanya. Looking at her now, I knew that I would always love her even if I didn't want to. The wind would always carry the dream of the life we should've had together. When the air brushed against me, taunting and haunting me into nostalgic madness , all my progress in forgetting her were replaced with the memories of the times I believed that we were meant to stretch on to eternity rather than just for the sunrise. I had to accept that I couldn't love her anymore, all I could do now was to love the memory of her.

George took Tanya's hand and I quietly watched, may jaw clenching in contained anger, as he lead her to the dance floor. They were slow dancing.

"Wayne, come on. I want to dance." Karen pulled me from my seat. We danced but my eyes and mind were still on George and Tanya who were just a few steps away from us.

"Excuse me, may I have the pleasure to dance with this lovely lady?" George asked and Karen and I broke apart.

"Sure. If she wants..." I shrugged.

"It would be a pleasure to dance with you." Karen answered. Despite his age, George was still a handsome and well-buit. It wouldn't find it surprising to know that young women are still taking a liking to him. My eyes narrowed at Tanya. It made me wonder if she had genuinely fallen for her or was she just after his money?

I was ready to leave the dance floor when George handed me Tanya. I couldn't refuse even when my mind told me to. My arms automatically wrapped around her tiny waist and her arms encircled around my neck. The warmth of her skin agains mine instantly ignited a fire that burned through my soul. But she was a poison to me. She made me taste a small piece of heaven and dropped me back to hell again

"Wayne, kailangan natin mag-usap." She softly spoke.

"I don't think we have anything to talk about." I coldly said.

"Marami tayong kailangan pag-usapan... We need to talk about us..."

"So are you changing your mind again? I thought the last time was goodbye? I'm sick and tired of your games, Tanya. Hindi pa ba sapat sa'yo ang paglaruan ako? Stop making a fool out of me over and over again." I growled. It felt as if she was poking on an already painfully open wound. 

"Makinig ka naman sa akin, Wayne... Just this once listen to me." Her eyes begged me.

"We are getting nowhere." I exhaled. I could feel myself softening again when I shouldn't be. I was afraid I'd take her back again like I did before. Like she hadn't torn me from the inside out. I couldn't let that happen again.

She had claimed a thousand times that she loves me and I believed each time. But now it was different. I knew better now than to believe. If she really did love me then maybe she didn't love me enough because you don't give up on someone you love even if the universe told you so. I knew because I didn't give up on her, not until now...

I gently pried her arms away from me and walked away. I went to the bar and asked for a glass of Cognac. I tried to wash away the pain in my chest with alcohol. 

They say pain is good. It let's you know where it needs healing but what if the very same cause of your pain was then only one who could heal it?

"I'm exhausted. I need to go home. An old man like me can't take staying up this late. Some of the guests are already besides, I'm not needed here." George said.

"Bakit hindi mo naman agad sinabi? Halika na, umuwi na tayo." Said Tanya.

"Oh no, sweetheart, you're staying here with Wayne..." He said. "Wayne will you be kind enough to show her around, introduce her to your clients and investors. You'll be working together so you need to familiarize her with running this business."

I quietly nodded my head.

"Karen, my dear, why don't we just leave them alone? I don't think Wayne will  be able to tend to you. They've got work that needs to be donez Let's not bother them."

"But..." Karen wanted to protest.

"I will have my chaffeur take you home." George urged and then he looked at me. "You don't need to worry about Karen, 'll take care of your date. Be a gentleman and drop my Tanya off after the party."

"Go ahead. I'll call you later." I nodded my head at Karen.

She sighed and slumped her shoulders like a disappointed kid.