CHAPTER 1

IT was midday, the worst time to arrive in the Philippines. As Demie came out of the plane, she felt the heat reflecting off the tarmac. Demie was already sweating before she even reached the arrivals lounge. She dragged her two suitcases, she just did what she had to do to get out of there.

Until she got out of the airport and waited aside. According to her Aunt Kareen, someone will come to get her. And just moments later, a black Ferrari 458 Italia pulled up in front of Demie. She was still wondering if that’s the one who’ll pick her up, and she only confirmed it when the side door window of the car went down.

As the window slowly rolls down, Demie then thought that she didn't know who would come to get her. Could it be, Alastair? But when she saw who it is, her mouth fell open. It was Alessandro. The oldest son of her Aunt Kareen.

His striking blue eyes gaze at her black orbs. And Demie couldn't help herself but linger her eyes examining his face. From his coal-black hair that is comb-over, down to the stubbles on his chin. And of course, she wouldn't skip his kissable lips. Oh, how she wishes she-

"Miss Argento?" Demie snapped out of stupor when the man called her. She kept her mouth shut and didn't know if the man noticed the warmth on her cheek.

"A-ah yes, s-sorry," Demie stammered. She scolded herself for acting weird, she didn't know why she acted like that.

"Alright, let me help you with your baggage," Demie couldn't complain when Alessandro got out of his car. And again, Demie was captivated by his physique as soon as Alessandro came into her view. The man was in his corporate attire. So he is also a bit humid in the heat of the weather. But it won't stop Demie from checking him out.

He approached her and took her two suitcases. And she was like a rock as Demie watched the man as he put her two suitcases in the back seat. They're not close just like she is to its younger brother, Alastair.

"Let's go," Alessandro whispered to her. "T-thank you…" Demie sighed as he turned around to get on the car. Demie doesn't know why she's so affected by the man, this is a first. 'Attraction?' Demie thought. Demie shook her head and got into the car.

Until the car started, no one spoke to any of them. Demie's gaze was just ahead of the road. She wants to lay her eyes once again on this strikingly handsome man beside her. But she's worried that she'll find herself, gawking upon this man once again. But the silence is killing Demie.

"A-ah sorry if Aunt Kareen made you come here," Demie said, gulped. She turned her gaze to the man whose eyes were just on the road. The man was so good in his corporate attire. He looks so neat and… 'delicious' Demie thought. And that made her cheeks on fire.

"No, it's okay," Alessandro's deep voice made Demie jump a little. 'Oh god…' Demie thought. The car stopped when the traffic light stopped. Alessandro leaned his left arm on the steering wheel, and Demie couldn't help but gasped as Alessandro's eyes met hers. Suddenly, she felt hot even with the AC on, she turned her eyes back to the front. And she fans herself with her hand.

"Are you hot?" Demie doesn't know what 'hot' Alessandro means. But she just assumed the answer.

"A lil bit, maybe because of my blazer," Demie replied. Then, Alessandro looked down at what she was wearing. A baggy beige blazer with a black tank top underneath and shorts. Her round breasts are pressing out against the thin material, and she starts fidgeting as his stare lingers in there.

"Yes, I think so, you're certainly hot," Demie couldn't help but lick her lips because of a sudden thirst. She saw his jaw tightened, and with a loud beep from a car behind them, that served as a cold water poured at them.

The surroundings became quiet again until they entered a famous private elite subdivision. Astonished, Demie looked around, thinking that maybe her Aunt Kareen had moved house. Until they stopped at a two-story mansion. And speaking of her aunt, she was already looking at them from the gate that was already surrounded by Christmas lights.

An assistant opened the entrance gate for Alessandro's car to enter. And they stopped in front of the mansion and Demie was about to go down when Alessandro came out first and opened the door for her.

"T-thanks," Demie said, feeling her heart speed-racing. Demie came out and was immediately greeted by her Aunt Kareen who immediately followed them.

"Oh, Demie, you're already big! It's been 5 years since you visited here," said her aunt, with a smile that is a mile wide. She also celebrated Christmas with them, a year after her parents died.

"Yes, Aunt, thank you for inviting me again," Demie replied, sincerely. The woman laced her hands on Demie's waist and guided her inside. "Oh, no worries, it’s nothing. You're always welcome to our home, Demie," The woman said, giggled.

They entered the house, and Demie was greeted by a well-decorated living room. There's an L shape sectional sofa and a white Christmas tree stand on its end, and another two-seater couch beside the Christmas tree. Wreaths are hanging on the window, socks on the Christmas tree. And Demie can also see the dining part from her view in the living room.

"Wow," Demie cheered, ecstatic to see the Christmas decors. She heard her Aunt Kareen giggled and walked to the sofa and sat. "Is it beautiful?" the woman smiled. Demie was about to answer when someone called her.

"Demie? Demie!" It was Alastair who just came down the stairs. Demie's smile immediately widened seeing her childhood friend. He greeted her with a tight hug.

"Calm down, Aly. I can't breathe anymore," Demie joked to the young man. Laughing, he left her hug and pulled her to sit on the sofa next to his mother. "Mom, who went to picked up Demie? You should've just told me to fetch her," Alastair exclaimed. "Oh well, it's just that your brother is on the way here, so he's the one I sent for Demie."

"Oh, my brother fetched you. But setting that aside, Demie, look at you! You're as gorgeous as ever, but it seems like you're more alluring than the last time I saw you," Alastair commented while checking out Demie up and down. But a cough made him stop— it was Alessandro.

"Mom, do you have anything for me to do?" Alessandro said while carrying Demie's two luggage, seeing this, Demie immediately stood up. "Oh my, sorry. I forgot to bring it," Demie felt her cheeks burning. He even bothered to pick her up, now she even left her luggage to him.

"Oh, Sandro, just take that to Demie's room. Aly and I will take something from our house," her mother said with excitement. And Sandro feels like his Mama is planning something.

"What? What-" Kareen hushed her son, Alastair, and pulled his hand to go outside. She seemed to be excited while she was still giggling looking at Demie and Sandro who were stunned looking at them.

While Demie was left there, she just thought that she and Alessandro were the only ones left in the house or whose house it was, so instead of being awkward, she just asked him something.

"W-whose house is this?" Sandro started walking towards the L-shaped stairs, so she followed him. She even thought he would not answer her. "It's mine," but then he answered, briefly.

Demie nodded and quietly followed. He didn't seem to want to talk to anyone, so she didn't bother to talk again. As Sandro dragged his two pieces of luggage, Demie couldn't help but glance at the whole man. He was no longer wearing a blazer and his polo sleeves were rolled up. Demie was staring at his bottom as if she was being called to slap it, so Demie swallowed hard and do the sign of the cross because that's what she's been thinking since she met this man closely. But this is a good sign for her, she needs this to make it easier for her to carry out her plan.

Alessandro's parents also used to live in Italy, which made their family close. But not them, they're not close. Alastair and she are the ones who used to be friends.

Demie stopped walking when Alessandro also stopped. He turned to face her and Demie did not manage to immediately stop staring at his bottom, so her gaze went to Sandro's bulging size.

"Jumbo…" Demie immediately stopped speaking and looked at Alessandro who was now darkly staring at her. There's some glint of emotions in his eyes that Demie can't read.

"Jumbo? What do you mean?" Sandro asked with furrowed brows. Demie immediately gasped and fanned herself, “A-ah, that's a song! You don't know it? Jumbo hotdog, can I do this- oh I mean can you do this?" Demie just wants to disappear right in front of Alessandro. She’s saying nonsense things. But thankfully and it looks like Sandro doesn’t get what she means.

"O-okay?" he responded, confusion is on his face. He just opened the door in front of them and went inside. He put her luggage to the side and came out again.

"You can now rest," he told her. She turned her back on him and was about to enter the room when she forgot something.

"Thank you, Alessandro!" Demie said loudly to the man who stopped her. He turned to her and there was something in his expression. It’s like enjoying something.

"Sandro, just call me Sandro. And you're very welcome," for the first time, the tone of his voice was not monotone. There's a hint of playfulness in it that made Demie wonder. But she just shrugged it off. She will just rest first, and so that she can help later with any task.

And later, as the date struck at 25, there will be no turning back about her plans. Her birthday and Christmas day is the day that she will pop her cherry.