Sweet Downfall (42 page)

Debra touched Manolo’s face, her eyes full of empathy and encouragement.

Manolo looked at his daughter with tears streaming down his face. “Angelina, can you ever forgive me?”

“Dad…”

Jaq could feel his love’s torment. When she looked at him, her eyes begging for understanding, he gave it. He let go of her hand.

Angie crossed the short distance and hugged her father. “I love you, Dad. I love you.”

As Angie and her father hugged each other, he met his mother’s eyes. They smiled at each other, their eyes wet with tears. He had never felt more proud of the woman who gave birth to him. She was a superwoman. And he was the luckiest bastard. No pun.

“Whew, now that we have that settled, can we have breakfast now?” Debra said lightly.

Angie and Manolo were both smiling widely now.

Jaq wiped his tears. “Before we eat, Mom, I’d like to settle one more thing.”

“Hurry, I’m starving!”

He looked at Manolo, his eyes serious. “I am marrying your daughter, you know?”

Manolo’s brows arched. “Is that the proper way to ask her father for her hand, boy?”

He gave the old man a smug look. “Uh-huh. And you’d better think of a better way to ask for my Mom’s hand, old man. You owe her big time.”

Manolo blushed. “I will not…. She’s married.”

“Oh, she didn’t tell you, did she?”

“What...?”

“She’s divorced now.”

“What?!”

“Jaq!” Debra exclaimed.

“Okay, breakfast!” He grabbed Angie’s hand and they both ran to the kitchen. They heard an argument erupt in the living room. And then shortly after, silence.

They looked at each other and they both peeped in the living room.

“Ugh, I can’t believe this,” he said, grimacing.

“Neither do I.”

Not in a million years could he ever have conjured the idea of Manolo Yulo kissing his beloved mother. But there they were, oblivious to the rest of the world. Two people who found their way back in each other’s arms.

“I guess I cannot rub anything under your brother’s noses after all. My mother is about to become a Yulo.”

Angie burst out laughing.

He had never heard a more beautiful song.

EPILOGUE

JAQ WAS NERVOUS AS HELL.

Why not? He just got hitched.

As a gift, his home studio gave him a two-week off before resuming post-prod on his movie.

He ascended the stage and went to the microphone. He looked at some three hundred guests composed of his and Angie’s families and friends gathered within the grand ballroom at the flagship Empress Hotel. They were all looking at him with anticipation.

His mother had never looked happier. She was finally back where she belonged. In her first love’s arms. Until now, as he gazed at his beloved mother and Angie’s father who were inseparable now like Siamese twins, he still had difficulty grasping the fact that Manolo Yulo was his father-in-law now and will soon be his stepfather, too.

His own father couldn’t make it to the wedding lest he’d steal the show from him and Angie. Plus it would be too awkward with Manolo around. The old blokes were still not seeing eye to eye, but he was hoping it would change soon when their grandson finally arrived. His father sent his best wishes by gifting him and his new bride an island. A fucking island complete with a fucking villa and its own air and land transportation. He could only shake his head. One day, he hoped he’d get to meet his siblings, too. That would be really cool.

But the best part was when Rad finally learned who his real father was. His brother-in-law was totally speechless and went pale as a ghost. That was a priceless moment.

He caught sight of his best man and his date. Surprisingly and thankfully, Alexis didn’t bring any of his usual ‘babes’ to this important day. He brought along Alyandra Monleon.

Rad and Ram became the persons he had never ever expected them to be. His brothers. They started showing him their acceptance when they threw him a stag party at Lothario. They told him he could have any woman he wanted that last night of his bachelorhood and they would turn a blind eye. He politely declined, of course. He couldn’t even look at another woman now, much less screw her.

He smiled and gazed lovingly at the woman sitting on a special chair some meters away, flanked by her friends who were also her bridesmaids. She was the most beautiful being in the entire universe. No woman was more radiant than his Angie today, his bride.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for making this day more special for me and Angie. I thought this day would never come.”

A round of applause.

“But judging from that scandalous video the maid of honor has shown us earlier, I should have known from the beginning. This is destiny,” he said jokingly in reference to Sherry’s dramatic video presentation entitled How Jaq Met Angie. Sherry surprised all of them by showing selected footages of the video that made him and Angie household names. But this time, it got a sixty-second standing ovation and made all the female guests cry.

“I also never thought a time will come when I have to do something I’ve never done before.” He looked to his left and inclined his head. His Oblivion band mates ascended the stage.

The bridesmaids screamed which elicited hoots and laughter from the male guests.

He picked up an electric guitar, Tommy a bass guitar. Rydon went to the keyboard and Diegs occupied the drum set.

“This is an Oblivion reunion in almost a decade.”

His bride was standing now, along with her bridesmaids, Darry, Dana, Tisha and Lexi, giggling like teenagers.

“This song that I will sing was taboo in any Oblivion repertoire. If Kit were around, he would most likely kick my ass for this,” he said with a sheepish grin.

“Who says we won’t kick your ass later, man?”

Diegs ribbed him.

“Shut up, jealous bitches, it’s my wedding!”

Laughter.

“Anyway, I’m sure Kit won’t mind. Get well soon, buddy. I know you can make it.”

There was a moment of silence as the plight of Kit del Bianco, whom most of the guests knew and loved as a brother hung in the air like a melancholic tune.

He broke the silence by picking a soft chord on his electric guitar. “This song is my baby’s favorite and heck, I would sing anything she wants me to sing. I’m just so glad it’s not a boy band hit. She calls it our make up song. So babe, every time I mess up, you’ll be hearing this tune.”

“You feeling lucky today, Montero?” Angie shouted.

He grinned and winked at her. “Super lucky.”

There was a collective sigh from the female guests.

“Okay, here we go...”

Diegs clicked his drumsticks thrice. They made a killer intro of Always, the biggest-selling, cheesiest Bon Jovi single of all time.

Angie screamed like an Oblivion groupie. “I love you, Jaq Montero!!!”

He chuckled. “I love you too, Mrs. Montero.”

As he sang the corny lyrics, he knew he meant every single word. This was the song he would never get tired of singing for his angel.

Forever and a day.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This is dedicated solely to the kickass

LMD SQUAD

Kat Madrid

Garnet Hart

May Rose Alegre

Jennifer Rillera

Reda Belle Lachica

Shane Angela Chavez

Joy De Vera

Luan Lucas

Guys, I can never thank you enough for all the love and support

and most especially, the friendship.

Love, love love!

Group hug!

OTHER WORKS

COMING SOON!!!

VALENNA JONES
is a pop superstar, a modern day sex symbol, fashion icon, a Grammy Award winner, a bankable actress, a successful businesswoman, a philanthropist, a mega-producer, a composer, a credible product endorser, a virgin.

But she’s tired of her last title. She’s worn her purity ring for ages and it’s time to say goodbye to

her famous, most coveted cherry. But she’s not getting rid of it the usual way.

She’s gonna lose it in only the Valenna Jone’s way.

Spectacular.

She auctions her cherry to the highest bidder.

Bidding starts at ten million dollars. Any takers?

GIANFRANCO ZOLDATTI
is a big loser. In fact, the billionaire speed demon is on a losing streak he’s contemplating retirement from professional car racing. His ego badly needs lifting. Like popping a famous cherry. A crazy, stupid way to celebrate defeat.

But he’s so fucking depressed. He’s going mad with anger, resentment and frustration. Meeting another kind of madness would probably divert him from his thoughts of murdering his archrival.

Like who auctions their cherry anyway? For ten million dollars? The fuck?

And who would close the bidding at 50 million dollars?

Only a crazy sonuvabitch like him.

Ah, what the hell.

He wants that cherry.

Also By Eve Montelibano

ONE CLICK NOW!!!

A MODERN DAY EROTIC FAIRY TALE.

http://amzn.to/1DSVgRb

A MEGASTAR MEETS HIS SELF-PROCLAIMED NO. 1 FAN IN THE WORLD.

Celine Lavega has been crushing on her idol, Hollywood megastar Dare Montgomery (the most famous actor in the world) since grade school. She decides to make her dream come true and embarks on a mission: Become Mrs. Montgomery. Now, the road isn't exactly clear of tough competition as it is filled with starlets, supermodels, A-list actresses, socialites, name the breed, Dare has 'em all tucked nicely in his high-traffic bed. BUT, she has a secret weapon none of these women possess. Dare will be HERS. Carve that in stone!

Burned out, bored and badass, Dare Montgomery takes one look at this maddening smartass with a face and body that could launch a thousand d*cks and he perks up. He hires her as his secretary and finds himself less bored everyday. Man, she could use her typing skills on his body anytime. He won't certainly let this one get away without sampling her charms.

There's just one problem. The girl believes he is Prince Charming to her Sleeping Beauty. Now, he'd rather hear about ribald cocktales than stupid fairy tales.