Raine Manlapas
ABOUT ME
ABOUT ME
STORY BY Raine Manlapas
THE NOMINAL WIFE
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Ivy had regained consciousness when she was already in one of the private hospital rooms in the psychiatry department of STU Hospital Iryn asked her sister calmly, “Who is the father of the baby you are carrying, Ivy? Is it your Shawn Duque? You have to tell me so I can help you." Ivy responded, “I don’t want this baby, Ate. You should have just let me and the baby die.” Iryn said, “Do not talk nonsense, Ivy. You still have a long life ahead of you. You cannot correct a mistake with another mistake. So please tell me who is the father of the baby you are carrying.” Ivy turned on the TV at her hospital room to evade her sister’s interrogation. But as she turned on the TV, she saw the TV coverage of the wedding on the man she had slept with. Vittorio Lauchengco was marrying the beauty queen turned famous social media, TV and film personality, Alexa Hofmann, and so she decided to tell her sister, “He could be the father of the baby I am carrying. Another possibility is Shawn whom I recently broke up with when I discovered that he was cheating on me a month ago.” Iryn was so shocked with what her sister just said. After sometime she decided to come out of her hospital room first to breathe in some fresh air. But on her way out to the corridor of the hospital floor. She saw a child unknowingly running across an incoming cleaning trolley full of stuffs. She rushed to save the boy. Good thing she was able to make it in time with her and the boy falling down on the floor with minimum pain, with the boy securely on top of her as she enclosed her arms around his body and head. The hospital employees and a man who was running after the boy then approached them. She knew the man, Voltaire Lauchengco. She then heard the familiar voice of one of the child psychiatrists she knew saying, “She is the child psychologist I am talking about, Mr. Lauchengco.”
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THE ILLEGITIMATE DAUGHTER
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This a long-form novel about the life of Aivi Dominique Gomez, an illegitimate daughter of a rich and famous public servant in the country, who grew up not knowing who was her biological father even at the very last end of her mother’s life. Her mother’s reason, knowing the truth would just bring a lot of complications into her life as well as that of her biological father’s. And it was indeed true. As she was navigating with her life reaching for her dream of becoming a lawyer, she had the chance of interacting with the richest people in the upper class society of their home city, in which they returned to just after almost 18 years so she could study on her choice of university for her pre-law degree and eventually a law degree. Most of the upper class socialites looked down on her for being an illegitimate daughter but also envied her as she got the undivided love and attention of Theo Henri Muñoz, the most bachelor in the city as well as the affection and support of the true-blooded Vernals. Aivi fell in love for the very first time when she first met him, but at that time he was still in a very serious relationship so it took time for him to realize that she was the lady who was meant to be his lifetime partner. Aivi didn’t even thought tha he would wall for her since he was the big boss of the corporation she worked for as a rank-and-file employee at the start. Because of her fast-paced promotions, other employees became very envious of her. And even people more envied and hated her as she became Theo’s girlfriend. Challenges ensued one after the other testing their love and commitment to one another. There were scheming ex-girlfriends, bitter suitors and admirers, character assasination, workplace gossips and other issues, attempted abduction, attempted murders, greedy and vindictive relatives, envious co-workers, and even death of loved ones. Both of their live had been in great danger too to the point that they thought that death would separate them forever. Would their love stand all these tests? Would they still both be alive and have the blissful happy married life they both wanted?
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Mr. HOT & Ms. COOL
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Kian Estrada and Reina Joya both lived in the same city but their paths only crossed for the very first time in their flight back home from New York City. They happened to be seatmates on the business class area of the plane. During a turbulence, Reina panicked and suddenly hugged Kian. It was the first time that a lady he barely knew hugged her and such had a profound effect on him. But as an experienced pilot, he told his seatmate calmly, "Focus on your breathing, Miss. Take slow and controlled breaths. Listen to my voice. Inhale...exhale." She followed his instructions and soon, she felt less anxious already and the turbulence had stopped already. Then her cheeks blushed as she realized that she was hugging her seatmate tightly. She immediately released his body and then apologized, "I am really sorry, sir. In my years of travelling, this is just my first time to experience a turbulence."
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LOVE ALWAYS WINS
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Vivienne told him, “I got something to tell you, Tyron.” He replied, “What is it? Have your father already found out that you are dating a poor guy? Does he want you to break up with me?” Vivienne became silent for a while then eventually spoke up again, “I cannot turn back on the luxurious life that I am enjoying just to continue on a life full of uncertainties with you, Tyron. Dad is right. Our so called love won’t be able to keep us alive. If we elope just as we initially planned, I am afraid that I will just suffer.” Tyron’ response was, “I will still give you enough time to think things over, Viv. Anyway, we still have thirteen more days before our graduation. I will wait for you on our meeting place as planned.” …… As Tyron entered the main door, he witnessed the very interesting interaction between Fiona and pretty young lady with naturally light brown curly hair and mestiza features. The young lady’s eyes were also light brown. Her nose ridge was high, her cheeks were slightly freckled, and her complexion was white and pinkish like that of the second wife of Mr. Vega. She was even much prettier than Fiona. Fiona was with another upper class lady when the young lady, who was just dressed in cute dark purple hoody, white skinny jeans, and white sneakers, came near and seemed to be heading to the kitchen. Fiona spoke arrogantly, “Here comes the parasite again.” There was no response or reaction from the young lady. She was just continuing on walking. Fiona continued speaking, “Hey, freeloader! Why are you here again? Just go back to your cuckold father!” The young lady then stopped her track and looked angrily towards Fiona and firmly stated, “Take it back!” Fiona responded, still rude, “What will I take back? Everything I said is true. You are a parasite, a freeloader. And your father was cuckold by your gold digger mother to be with my father.” The young lady just brought down the paper bag she was carrying by the floor. Tyron did not expect the next thing that the young lady did. She threw the remnants liquid from the paper coffee cup right on the face of Fiona, rendering the latter speechless. Tyron could not help but smile expressing silently – That serves you right! Then he heard the young lady blurting out, “Do you honestly think that I like being here in your pathetic palatial cage? But I am obliged to stay here for the weekends to satisfy the visitation rights of my mother set forth by the family court. I would rather stay with my father than be here and be bullied by you regularly. I can handle all of your badmouthing but you have no right to badmouth my father. He has done nothing wrong towards you.” …. It was the grand opening of Kleio’s Café. The opening went very well and she had a surprised guest during the closing when her mother, her stepfather, her bother, and her employees were the only ones left at the café. Ty Rivera arrived as per the invitation of her stepfather. She felt so shy remembering the instance when they first met. Liam had the ice breaker, “Ate is a fan of yours, Ty. She has all the copies of your novels, DVDs and comic books just like me.” Tyron responded, “Well, I am also a huge fan of her dishes. I am glad that you had finally opened up your own food business. Ever since my film collaboration ended with professor, I was not able to sample your dishes anymore.” Kleio managed to reply, “Well, we are already sold out. But we still have ingredients at the refrigerator, I can personally cook up something for you.” Tyron smilingly said, “Never mind. But I would really be happy if you would supply me with your different kinds of kimchi, weekly or as the need arises, just like you do with professor. I will ask my personal assistant, Jack, to pick them up here any day you preferred.” She agreed, “Okay,” and she handed him the back-to-back business card of Kleio’s Café, and her a licensed nutritionist & dietician, even writing her personal number using the pen from the chest pocket of her chef’s uniform. “It’s my personal number. You or your assistant can directly contact me for your concerns. You can even provide us with your own food containers so that they could just be refilled regularly. I regularly make different kinds of kimchi for the family, and now as side dishes here in the café. I don’t usually do all the cooking here, but I personally make all the kimchi. All our menus here at the café are my recipes.”
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SECRET LOVERS
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Noah Espina is a smart no-nonsense guy from a farming family in a remote place in their state. He vowed to himself only to be successful in his career so he could give a much more comfortable life for his family and it included not having a romantic relationship until he reached 30. But destiny had its own plan. Just as he reached 18 and already qualified to the dual degree program in architecture and civil engineering at the country top government-funded university, he encountered Trish Benipayo, a politician’s daughter in their state from a very rich family. He was immediately mesmerized by her beauty and her respectful disposition. But he knew that they were from two different worlds and despite admiring her beauty, he was dead set on achieving his career and business goals. Then another beautiful young lady piqued his interest, Anna Reyes. He even discovered that the city girl had a crush on him. But he continued his quest to realize his career and business goals. But he didn’t expect that he would still encounter these two beautiful ladies when he already landed a high-paying job in one of the biggest realty and development corporation in the capital state as a junior executive. Trixie said, “I only came here because Dad asked me to,” and then expressed, “You’ve got a very nice hangout here.” He sat down on one of the wooden lazy chairs on the porch. It was opposite the swing, “Yeah. I am recharging here after a week of busy work and graduate studies.” Again, Trixie expressed the reason she came, “I only came because of Dad.” He honestly acknowledged, “I know. I am also aware that you are not romantically interested in me, but you have to follow your father’s wish.” Trixie then asked, “Then why did you not say that you didn’t like me during the congratulatory dinner that my parents hosted in honor of you?” He then told her the truth, “Your father is still the state governor, Miss Benipayo. If I bluntly rejected him, he might have taken it against me and my family. I honestly meant every word I said that night. You are beautiful and talented. But I prefer farm living rather than city life. I will settle down here when I reach 30. And the lady I would want to marry is someone who would be willing to share such a kind of life with me. If we get along and you opted for a quiet life here with me, so how can I say no to you? You seem to be a very honest person, just like me. But I cannot force you to like the way I want to live my life. I don’t intend to change you. For now, I am just working at Vienburg to give my family and my future family a much happier and more comfortable life here at the farm. You belong to the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world. Would you be willing to turn your back on that just because you want to be a filial daughter?” He did not expect what he heard next from Trixie, “But can we at least be in a fake relationship just so my father won’t bother me anymore?” He was surprised with her request. Nonetheless he gave Trixie his honest answer, “Then you will use me just to shut up your father.” Trixie then suddenly asked, “Are you gay so you don’t want to agree?” He felt provoked, “Try me and you will know I am not gay.” Trixie challenged him more, “Show me then that you are really not gay.” He held on to her left wrist gently with his right hand and then slowly dragged her inside the log cabin so that her two bodyguards would not see as he kissed her lips torridly. And soon, he felt that Trixie was enjoying it. So he pulled back and said, “Don’t play with fire, Miss Benipayo. You are in my territory. If you want to have a relationship with me, I don’t like a fake one. If you just want to be friends, I am fine with it. If you really don’t want to be involved with me, then tell your father the truth.” Trixie then suddenly proposed, “Then let us be real boyfriend and girlfriend.” He smiled liking her straightforwardness. Moreover, he said, “I won’t change my lifestyle just to fit yours, Miss Benipayo. I know what I want in my life. Do you know what you really want in your life? Why do you want to have a real relationship with me, when you know deep down in your heart that we won’t have a future together?” Trixie argued, “You are a good man and I must say a great kisser too. Even if we both know that we are from two different worlds. We might as well enjoy each other’s company considering that we are still both single,” and proposed another thing, “How about being friends with benefits?” He asked her directly to the point, “What benefit do you want other than having a fake boyfriend? And what benefit do I get to have?” Trixie bluntly said, “You can have a pillow mate in me,” and then touched his face, traced her fingers to his lips and then tiptoed to kiss him.
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SPINSTER'S PLANS GONE WRONG
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Mariam told her best friend, "Thinking of all those annulment cases we handled since we practice law together makes me think of not getting married anymore. I just want to have a child, Kat." Kathleen reaction was "Are you out of your mind, Yam. Just because Carlos cheated on you does not mean that all men cannot be trusted." Mariam's reply was, "You are just saying that because you and Dexter have a happy married life." Kathleen then asked her, "So how will you have a baby then? You still need a man. In -vitro fertilization can be very expensive. An it is just usually practiced here for married couples. Who will be your sperm donor? Intracytoplasmic sperm injection from an anonymous sperm donor is not legalized here yet in the country. In the same way that surrogacy is not yet legally permitted here. You have to go to other countries like USA to realize this." Mariam then casually said, "Then I will just sleep around." Kathleen remarked, "You really have lost your mind already!"
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MEANT FOR EACH OTHER
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When Bryan Lyle Angeles' grandfather died, marriage clause was included on his last will and testament. He had to marry his godsister Airia Elisse Monreal . With a little help of his godfather, Bry had to win Iya's heart the old fashioned way, get engaged and marry within a year so his grandfather's 50 % shares on the largest coconut industry in the country wouldn't be sold to the public. The family legacy was so important to him. Even if he has his own vast fortunes. He firmly believed that having an outsider on the company wouldn't just be good for the business. He had often done pranks on Iya when she they were young He only sees her as a sister. He also hasn't seen her for so many years. She had been busy realizing her dream to become a pediatric surgeon. But his godfather assured him that Iya would be back for good and he had to succeed before his backup plan could be implemented. How will he be able to succeed?
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SERENDIPITOUS LOVE
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Jacob Ivan Tan received an early morning call from his paternal grandmother, Agnes Tan, who was the only person in their family who calls him Jacob instead of Jac. His grandmother who was already in her 80s just recently came home to Filipinas for good after living with his paternal aunt, Aunt Andrea, in Shanghai. Sleepily, he answered, “Yes, Lola.” Lola Agnes spoke up with authority, “Jacob, I’ll be visiting a childhood best friend early this evening for dinner in Beaunne City. I want you to accompany me. Fetch me at 5 PM. Afterwards I will be staying with your Uncle Sergio’s place in Beaunne City for a while.” He couldn’t say no to his grandmother. He was quite pampered by her while growing up, “Okay, Lola.” Later in the afternoon, Jac dropped by at Belle’s Culinary School in Zenith Tower to get the French pastries. He told his sister, “Lola insisted that I pay for them, so how much does everything cost?” Belle responded, “I’ll just send the bill to your office,” then teased her older brother, “I smell something dubious regarding this, Kuya. I have a feeling that Lola will play as a matchmaker.” He reminded his one and only sister, “You very well know that before and after Anna, there has only been one woman that I’m particularly interested to pursue.” Belle was close to both his brothers. “Yeah, I know. But Jacqui Avila is so aloof with men. You might have met her quite a few times already but up to now you still haven’t made a move. More than two years had already passed since you last dated.”
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MY ANGEL
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Hannah’s dignity would be compromised if Seth wouldn’t announce to everyone that she is his girlfriend. Seth Andrew Villacorta is a world-renown visual artist. His parents are already asking him to take over the family business and get married. The problem is, he doesn’t seem to be lucky in finding the right woman who would understand his life as an artist. With an ex-fling stalking him and with her scheme to compromise him into admitting their relationship, Hannah was caught in the middle of everything. Hannah Sandoval is an intellectually-gifted young lady. Her father, who was the former driver/bodyguard of Seth, died on a vehicular accident while trying to lessen the impact of the unforeseen situation on his boss. After the death of her father, Seth had told her that she could come to him anytime. Hannah tried hard as much as possible not to seek Seth for help because he has already done so much for her and her aunt when her father died. But when her aunt was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, she had no other choice but to seek him for help once again. Hannah had been caught in the middle of the scheme that Seth’s ex-fling staged. Seth wanted to protect her at the same time that he wanted to put an end to his ex-fling’s madness. Hannah wanted to pay him back with his help regarding her Aunt. So he agreed. But what payment does Seth want?
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LOVE 2.0
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Love 2.0 is the sequel/second volume of Love 1.0 featuring Zachary Belmonte and Briella Solomon. They became official boyfriend-girlfriend towards the end of Love 1.0 but several trials are looming involving Lolo Delfin, Kelsey, Kiel, Reymund, and Zach's past relationship. Lolo Delfin had confronted Zach on the wedding reception, "I will never ever accept Bri as my granddaughter-in-law, Zach!" Zach had expected it already yet he still felt very hurt, "Then you may also forget me as your grandson, Lolo."
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