Behind that mask

Chapter 1

"Cindy sweetheart, please stay away from him. He's not good for you." my mom pleaded.

Today's my 17th birthday and my mom keeps asking me to break up with my boyfriend, Leo. Great. Just great.

"Mommy don't do this to me. You know I love him." I answered.

I met Leo last year, my friends and I were at the entrance of the Imperial Ice bar. We got faked ID's and the guard won't let us in. He was looking at me intently and said 'NO minors allowed here'. It was my first time going to a bar. It was just a challenge with my friends but we got busted anyway.

A bunch of guys came out and there.. I saw Leo. He was wearing a white shirt, leather jacket and black pants. He looked tipsy but then he smiled and waved at me. 

"Hija you just turned 17 today, how old is he? 25! Oh my God Cindy. If your Dad finds out about this,--"

"Find out what?" I almost dropped the dress I was holding.

My dad walked in the room.

"Daddy--I got a low score in my history exam last week. Yeah. But don't worry, I'll make it up to it. I promise." I gave him a sweet smile.

It works a lot of time.

My mom took a deep breath and shook her head. Sorry, mommy.

"Oh, okay. If you need help, just ask okay? Happy birthday, baby." he smiled and hugged me.

Oh daddy. Sorry.

"Thanks, Dad. I love you."

"I love you more. My gift is waiting for you outside." he pinched my cheeks. 

"Really? Is it the--- oh my God. I'm so excited. Let's go downstairs."

"Sweetheart, we are still fixing your hair and your dress. Let your dad go down first." My mom held my arm to stop me.

"Alright, take your time ladies. The boys and I will just wait downstairs." he winked before exiting my room.

"Mommy please, let's talk about it some other time. It's my birthday." I hugged her.

"Fine, but we are not done Cindy. I just want what's best for you. You're still young." she hugged me back.

I know Mom, but Leo is sweet, charming and kind. He makes me happy. He loves me.

I did not invite him to my birthday party. I wanted him to be here, but my mom said it will be a disaster.

My family members know nothing about him. Except for my Mom, she saw the note and necklace that Leo gave me in my closet. I had no choice but to tell her the truth.

"Thanks Mom. I love you, don't be upset." I walked into my walk-in closet. 

"I love you sweetheart." she replied. 

I wore the baby blue knee-length dress. It was made by Francis Libiran.

I made my own makeup. I want this party to be simple but classy. 

Just like me. 

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I was right. My Dad's gift was my dream car. 2005 Maybach 57. 

I screamed. My baby. Finally. 

"Princess, you still can't drive on the main highway, okay? I hired a personal driver for you." my dad said. 

"But daddy, I can drive. You already thought me, remember?" I pouted. I really wanted to drive this baby.

"Yes, you can drive but still, no highways. You don't have a license yet. You need one more year princess. Just be patient." he kissed my cheek.

As if I have a choice 

"Ohhhkay. Thank you, Dad. You are the best."

Some of my friends arrived. Stefanie, Arriana, Steven and Paul. 

"Happy birthday girl." Arriana hugged me. 

"Thank you guys for coming. Come on let's go at the back." 

"Sweet. Is that a Maybach?" Paul asked. 

"Yes. Dad's gift." I smiled proudly. 

"Lucky girl. That costs a fortune. My dad can't even afford it for himself." that's Steven. 

I received a text from Leo.

'Baby happy birthday, I have a surprise for you. My boys will take care of you. They already know what to do.'

I looked at Paul. He winked at me. 

After eating I asked Paul what's the plan. 

He gave me a note under the table. 

The girls and I excused ourselves. We went to my room. 

"I knew it. Paul keeps asking me to come to your party early. That's whyyyyy." she giggled. 

"Sshh. Keep quiet. Let me read it first." I opened the note. 

'At 8pm, Steven and I will go first. Make an excuse to your family that you need to go with Stef and Arri. We will wait at Leo's pad. Beep me if you trust us. Boys are waiting.' 

"Oh my God, this is exciting. Go for it girl." Stef held my hands. 

I'm a little bit nervous, but I want to celebrate my birthday with Leo. 

I texted Paul. I'll go for it. 

We retouched our make up before going down the stairs again

"Cindy, it's boring here. The bartender won't give us booze." Arri pouted. 

"Sorry, dad said it's for adults only."

"What are we still doing here? Let's go follow the boys." Stef whispered. 

I'm still plotting an excuse. 

"Just wait here. I'll talk to Dad." I found dad with his friends. 

"Dad, can I use my car? I'll drive Arri and Stef home." I gave him my puppy eyes. 

Please Dad.

"Okay, but Simon, your personal driver will drive. Not you young lady." He looked behind my back. 

"But dad, I want to drive. Can he just follow us with a different car?" God! 

"No princess. Simon will drive or else no one's going outside." 

Fine. I'll think about other excuses when we get there. 

I crossed my arms. 

"Simon, take care of the girls. 11 o'clock sharp."

"Copy Sir." my driver opened the door for us. 

This is the first time that I will be riding my baby, and I can't even drive it myself. I rolled my eyes. So frustrating. 

Stef and Arri looked at me. I grabbed my phone and chatted with them. 

'Sorry girls. I need to make a new plan. Arri can we go to your house first?' 

'What? Why?' she replied. 

"Ms. Cindy, where are we going first?" Simon asked.

"Ahmm, to Arriana's house. Here's the address." I typed in the address in the pad and gave it to him. 

I already activated the GPS.

'We will talk when we get there.' I chatted with them again. 

After 15mins we arrived at Arri's house. 

I instructed Simon to wait in the car. 

"Cindy what should we do?" Stef asked after getting in Arriana's room.

"Relax girls. Arri I remember, you have a back door right?" I asked. 

"Yeah. I'm always using that door to meet Paul." she giggled. This bitch. 

"So we are climbing that ladder out there? I'm all dressed up girls. I can't." Stef shook her head. 

"We are all dressed up Stef. If you want you can stay here, I'm gonna climb that stupid ladder to meet my man. I already texted him a while ago. Maybe he's on the other side now." I stood up and looked at the full-sized mirror.

"Are you guys in or not?" I asked one last time while fixing my hair. 

"But what about your driver? I can't let him be there outside waiting for us. My dad will be here soon." Arriana said. 

"Call your Dad now. Just tell him the truth, that my driver will wait for me outside, make an excuse so he won't bother us here in your room. Come on Arri, I know you can do this. I want to be with Leo, at least until midnight." I grabbed my bag and headed to the door.

I received a text from Leo. 

'Baby, we are here outside. What's taking you so long?'

Ohhh. My heart. 

"Double time girls. They are outside." I opened the door and looked at them. 

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We managed to climb the ladder. I saw Leo emerging from his car. 

He's holding a bouquet of red roses. 

I smiled. The sweetest. 

"Finally. Happy birthday baby girl." he kissed me fully on my lips. 

I heard the girls giggled behind my back. He snaked his arms around my waist. Oh, I missed him.

"Guys get a room. We need to go!" Paul shouted. I pushed Leo softly.

"Let's go babe. We don't have a lot of time." He held my hand.

He opened the door of his car for me. 

He's my ideal man. He always makes sure that I can feel his effort. Love. 

I'm maybe 17 years old, but I'm sure as hell. He will be the first and last man in my life. 

"Where are we going babe?" I asked. 

I noticed that Paul's car was not following us. Where are they? 

"It's a surprise baby. You trust me right?" he kissed the back of my left hand. 

With all my life Leo. You are my life. 

"Of course love. I'm just nervous and excited at the same time." I answered him. 

It's true. I'm nervous that dad will know about us. I hope mom will stay quiet. At least just for now. 

We stopped in front of a condominium. I guess somewhere in the Makati area.

I looked at my wristwatch.

9 o'clock. We still have two hours left.

I texted Aari while Leo's parking the car. 

'Where are you guys?' 

"Another thing baby. I need you to wear this." He handed a blindfold. 

Oh my God. Is he serious? 

I chuckled. 

"Please?" he gave me puppy eyes. 

How can I say no?

"Fine. But don't make me fall." I warned him. 

"Ohh you already fell babe. You can't resist my charm." So proud of himself. 

But he's right. He already got me. 

--------------------

I felt his hand on my waist. He's guiding me slowly. 

"Where's our friends? Aren't they joining us? Does my girl know about this?" I can't believe that they know and didn't tell me his plan.

I know Stef can't keep a secret. 

"Okay, I'll answer you. No, they are not joining us. It will be just you and me." He whispered in my ear. 

Goosebumps. 

This will be the first time. Our friends always joined us on our dates. 

Secret dates because my body guards are always in my back. 

So yes, this is the first time that we can have privacy. 

I'm a little surprised when I heard the elevator dings. 

"Careful, love." He gently pushed me to make me walk.

"Who's condo is this babe?" I asked again. 

"Sssh. Patience my love. Patience. We're almost there." 

This is also the first time that he surprised me. 

I counted the steps before we stopped. 

"Just close your eyes." I heard the clinging of keys. 

This is it. I'm sweating. 

He removed my blindfold but he immediately replaced his hands to cover my eyes. 

"Walk slowly." he whispered. 

I followed him and walked slowly. I'm still holding the bouquet of roses that he gave me earlier. 

I smelled something sweet. Scented candles? 

"Okay. Open your eyes, love." 

I slowly opened my eyes. 

First, my visions are blurry. I noticed our pictures hanging at the ceiling with balloons. 

There are petals of red roses on the bed. Also three boxes of Chanel and one paper bag of Tiffany & Co.

I got teary eyes. 

"I hope you like it, babe." He stood in front of me and hugged me.

This guy is perfect. I'm the luckiest girl on earth right now. 

The room was filled with red roses and scented candles. 

There's also a huge 'happy birthday baby' banner glued in the wall. 

Oh this guy. I'm speechless. I don't know what to say.

I hugged him tightly.

"What can you say? Do you like it?" He smiled and pinched my cheeks. 

"My cry baby." he hugged me again when he saw my tears. 

I'm really surprised. I didn't know he's capable of this. Yeah, he's sweet but this setup. This is grand.

"Oh, I love you, babe." I kissed him.

I can feel his chuckling before answering my kiss. 

I know I'm not his first girl. He taught me how to kiss. He knows it well. I wonder how many girls he kissed before me. 

Every flicked of his tongue makes me shiver. I hooked my arms around his neck. He kissed me hard this time. Pressing his body onto mine.

I can feel his hands at my back, going down my buttocks. 

Ohhh. I'm still fully dressed but I can feel the heat of his body. 

This is not right but I don't want him to stop. 

I opened my eyes. He looked so serious while kissing me. He opened his eyes too. 

His lips left my lips and went all the way down my neck. Kissing it gently. Not living every part of it untouched. 

Jesus! I want more. 

He laid me down on the bed. 

I can smell the roses. He unbuttoned his polo while looking at me intently. 

"Tell me to stop now if you don't like it. I may not be able to control myself later. I swear this is not a part of my plan." he said while removing his polo. He threw it at his back. He moved the gifts at the bedside table. 

I can't answer him. I'm looking at his chest. Down to his pants. I can see a bulge there.

I swallowed. 

Am I ready for this? I love him, no doubt but.

"Baby say something. I'm not forcing you if you're not ready yet. I can wait." I can see the heat in his eyes.

How can I say no? A part of me also wants to make him happy. I want him to be my first. 

My last. 

"I'm ready. Love me." I answered. 

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