Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The events from earlier couldn't escape my mind. I attempted to sleep, but it was futile, so I decided to go to a bar alone, hoping to forget.

"Whisky, please," I requested from the bartender.

"Ma'am, you're already drunk, and you're alone. I can't serve you anymore," the bartender explained. Despite my swaying vision, I managed to argue.

"What alone? I'm not alone. I have company," I lied. Right now, all I wanted was to forget.

I practically begged the bartender, but he just looked at me with disappointment. I couldn't care less, haunted by memories that I should be erasing now.

"He's with me. Just serve him," I said, glancing at the guy sitting next to me. He nodded at the bartender, who hesitated but eventually complied.

"Who are you?" I bluntly asked the guy who claimed to be with me. Instead of answering, he gestured for the bartender to proceed. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm Carlew, and you are?" he introduced himself, extending his hand. I smiled before shaking his hand and introducing myself.

"I'm Euzette, a runaway bride," I said, my eyes meeting his with a mischievous sparkle.

"Here's your whisky, Ma'am," the bartender interrupted, placing the glass in front of me. I let go of Carlew's hand, but he remained in a daze.

My heart raced, but I dismissed it due to my drunken state.

"What's wrong with my name?" I asked him, but he continued staring blankly. I made a face.

"I'm Carlew, and you are?" he introduced himself, offering his hand. I smiled, shook his hand, and replied, "I'm Euzette, a runaway bride."

"Here's your whisky, Ma'am," the bartender said, placing the glass in front of me. I let go of Carlew's hand, but he remained in a daze.

"What's wrong with my name?" I inquired. He finally snapped out of it, chuckling at my question. There was something about his sense of humor that caught my attention.

"Hey, what's with my lips?" he asked, noticing my gaze on his mouth. I cheekily replied, "I'm just wondering. How do your lips taste? Are they like marshmallows? Soft and sweet?"

I blushed at my own words, unable to control my mouth due to intoxication.

"Oww! Haha. Wanna try? So you'll know?" he mischievously suggested. I grinned at his challenge. Looking into his eyes, I saw sincerity, which intrigued me.

"Pero paano ko gagawin iyon kung hindi ako marunong humalik?" I sadly said while nibbling my lower lip and gazing at his lips. I wasn't aware of what I was saying or doing due to drunkenness.

"Hmm," I bit my lower lip.

"Can you... Teach me... How to... Ki--hmm," I didn't finish my sentence as he leaned in and kissed me. I stiffened in my seat, feeling an electrifying sensation coursing through my body.

He kissed me gently, as if my lips were the most delicate thing he had ever touched.

After a moment, he pulled away, his eyes locking onto mine. My face was on fire.

"Miss Runaway Bride, I think you're already drunk," he remarked, surprising me. I thought he would kiss me again. I felt a twinge of disappointment, but I was also glad he respected me.

"Ahh. Yes, I am," I awkwardly smiled at him. I checked my phone, looking at the time before glancing back at him.

"Ohh! I need to go now," I quickly excused myself. I had a flight to Bohol tomorrow.

"I'll take you," he offered. I was surprised by his gesture, so I didn't respond immediately. Suddenly, he put his arm around me, and we left the bar. I didn't complain; I had no other means of transportation, and it would be challenging for me. I also didn't mind his arm around me.

We stopped in front of a black car. I wasn't into cars, so I didn't know its make. He opened the door for me, and I sat in the front seat while he took the driver's seat.

"So, are you really going home now? If you want, let's grab coffee first. I know a place," he suggested. I pondered for a moment on his offer and agreed to lessen the impact of alcohol on me.

I remained silent, eyes closed, as he drove towards the coffee shop. Thoughts of my recent escape from the church replayed in my mind. Everyone was disappointed, but I didn't care. I deserve my freedom.

"Miss Runaway Bride?" He called me again with that term he'd been using since we met.

I opened my eyes, glancing at him. He drove peacefully, and my heart's pace quickened again, but I dismissed it, just like before.

"What?" I replied curtly, noticing a smirk on his lips. I felt the fluttering in my chest again, but I ignored it.

"Can I ask a question?" he inquired.

"Go ahead, just not anything personal." It wasn't that I was afraid to answer his questions, but I didn't know if I could answer them. The recent events were still fresh, and leaving my parents behind hurt.

"Why did you runaway?" My brow furrowed at his question, a pang of pain shooting through my chest.

"That's too personal." I noticed we were entering a parking lot. We must have arrived.

"I'm sorry. I'm just curious." It surprised me that he was quite nosy. I got out of the car as soon as it came to a stop.

"Hey, Miss Runaway Bride," he quickly followed me. I entered the coffee shop without saying anything. There were only a few people inside, probably because it was late, almost midnight. It seemed like everyone was already in a deep slumber. I chose a corner seat, feeling sleepy and wanting to rest for a bit.

"What do you want?" Carlew was still following me. I sat down and slouched before answering.

"Anything please. Just something that will wake me up a bit. I'm getting sleepy." After saying that, he promptly left me. I sat there for a while, succumbing to drowsiness, feeling its weight on me.

"Hey, here's your coffee." I was awakened by a male voice. I almost panicked, thinking it was a man's voice and not having any male friends to accompany me. Luckily, I remembered Carlew.

I half-opened my eyes, glancing at the coffee in front of me. Cappuccino. I took a sip without saying anything, ignoring its warmth. After a few sips, I looked at Carlew. He was staring at me, intensifying the beating of my heart. I quickly averted my gaze.

I recalled his earlier question. Did I need to answer it? It wasn't important to him.

"Arrange marriage."

"Huh?" I smiled in amusement at the surprise in his voice.

"It's an arranged marriage. That's why I left on my wedding day. I don't even know him, and I don't love him. So what do you expect? Of course, I wouldn't go through with it. I'm only 22, never had a boyfriend, and now I'm supposed to tie the knot with someone I barely know? Tss. Madness." I rambled on, releasing the pent-up frustration. I glanced at him, trying to read his reaction. There seemed to be anger in his eyes, but I couldn't pinpoint its source.

I stood up abruptly. My drowsiness was gone, and it was time to leave. We were done with the coffee. I had answered his question, so it was time for me to go.

"I'm leaving. Thanks for the ride and coffee." I turned away from him.

"Euzette, I'll take you home." I froze when he called me by my name. My heart was in turmoil, but I didn't let it show. I wanted to protest, but I couldn't bring myself to do so. Before I knew it, I was already in his car.

"Where should I take you?" He asked, starting the engine.

"To a hotel in BGC," I replied, looking outside, lost in my thoughts.

"You're staying at a hotel? Does it mean you're not just running away from the wedding but also from your family?" He asked, his surprise evident. I sighed.

"So what?" I retorted, and I heard him exhale sharply.

What's his problem? Why is he prying into my affairs?

"I'm just asking. Is that your plan? To stay at that hotel?" His forehead creased again.

"So? It's my choice. Can you deal with that?"

"Don't you have any other plans?" I looked at him again, eyebrows furrowed.

"Why do you want to know? Are you Daddy's spy? Tss! Then tell Daddy that I'm leaving Manila tomorrow!" Irritation laced my words. I saw the surprise on his face.

What's his deal now? Was I right? Is he Daddy's spy?

"No. You're mistaken. I'm not your dad's spy. I'm just worried about you." I almost laughed at what he said.

"Worried? Why?" I asked, my tone still sharp.

"Because... I like you."