Prologue

Prelude

"Feliz cumpleaños, Amor," sabay haplos ni Joaquin sa aking pisngi.

I laughed and watched our other friends went to our lounge. Hinagkan ako ni Nikki at Aileen. Niyakap naman ako ni Landon. Ang mga napapadaan sa lounge namin ay binabati rin ako. I smiled to them sweetly.

"You're extra sexy tonight, Leira. Is it because it's your birthday? O dahil grumaduate na tayo at malapit ka ng ikasal?" si Nikki.

"Come on, let's not talk about my life after college! We're here to celebrate my birthday. Aren't we?"

Tumawa si Aileen. "Yes, yes! Happy twenty two years of existence, lovely Aleira!"

"I thought Travis will come? Got tired of him?" tanong ni Landon sa'kin, nakangisi.

"Oh, don't mention it. I don't need a crazy and jealous boyfriend. Pagbawalan ba naman akong magnight out ngayon! E 'di goodbye!"

One of the traits I hate the most is being too possessive. Ayaw kong nasasakal ako at kinokontrol ng lalaki just because we're in a relationship. I always tell my boys beforehand that I don't want the clingy and controlling type. I don't want the dramas of jealousy. Kaya naman tuwing ramdam ko ng nagsisimula na silang maging ganoon, hinihiwalayan ko agad. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na kung ganoon ang gusto ko, I shouldn't keep a boyfriend.

A few months ago, Mommy told me about my marriage. Noon pa man alam ko ng ganoon ang kahahantungan ko. My parents were a fruit of fixed marriage, and Mommy's family do it like a tradition. Wala akong tutol doon tutal praktikal naman. My husband will surely be as rich, or even richer than us. Makakatulong iyon sa negosyo. So I don't really mind.

I've met my fiance once. As what I've expected, he's from a well-off and decent family. He's good looking and passable, kaya wala akong problema sa kanya. Ayon sa napag-usapan, ikakasal kami pagkatapos ng MBA niya sa ibang bansa. That's more or less three months from now. Kaya gusto kong sulitin ang nalalabing panahon ng pagiging single ko.

So tonight, right here, I decided to start a new page. A different one. This night will my debut for another door. Why would I preserve something I will eventually lose to someone unfamiliar?

"Ano na? Wala ka pa ring napili?" Humalakhak si Nikki habang nakikipagsayaw sa lalaki.

I laughed under the gleaming neon lights. Thirty minutes na ako sa dancefloor pero wala pa rin akong natitipuhan. Many men flocked to me and all of them were good looking. But no one was able to hook me yet.

"Happy birthday, Leira!" a bunch of batchmates greeted.

I smiled and I felt someone held my waist. I was about to dance when he made me turn. Nagulat ako nang makita kung sino iyon at agad napayakap sa kanya.

"Damn it, Evan!"

"Happy birthday, my beautiful cousin," ngisi niya at hinalikan ako sa pisngi.

"Akala ko ba hindi ka uuwi?" Nagbabakasyon kasi ito sa France at hindi niya nasabing uuwi siya. That's why I am surprised that he's here.

"It's your birthday," he said like it's enough reason.

"Uy! Hello, Evan!" Lumapit si Nikki, ngayon wala na ang kasayaw. "Buti naman nakauwi ka!"

Bumalik kami sa lounge. Naroon si Aileen at Joaquin na may kani-kanilang kasama. They both greeted Evan. Evan is my closest cousin in the father's side kaya naman malapit na rin siya sa mga kaibigan ko. Nag-order kami ng karagdagang inumin habang nagca-catch up. Evan shared things about his trip. Habang ang mga mata ko naman ay naglilibot sa dancefloor.

"Diretso na kayo rito sa club? Hindi man lang kayo nagdinner?"

"Kilala mo naman 'yang si Aleira, Evan. She doesn't like those things," ani Aileen.

"Hindi kayo nagdinner ni Tita?" bulong ni Evan sa akin.

"You didn't know? Nasa Switzerland si Mommy. For business."

He hissed and drank on his glass of whiskey. Lumagok din ako sa akin. I don't need to ask. Alam na kung bakit ganoon ang reaksiyon niya. I understand Mommy, though. She's running our business all by herself and I know she's a busy person. Doing all those things alone, it's reasonable if she forgot about this day.

"Wait. Who is that?" tanong ko nang biglang mahagip ng tingin ang isang lalaking nakatayo sa second floor.

Leaning on the glass barricade, the man has a glass of liquor on his hand, alone and looking at the people below with cold eyes. Nakablack suit at black dress shirt siya, just like those bachelors who usually spend their whole day at work. Medyo pamilyar pero hindi ko naman matandaan kung saan nakita.

"Who?" tanong ni Nikki na siyang katabi ko. May iba ng pinag-uusapan ang mga kasama namin ngayon.

"The man in black suit. Second floor."

Her eyes narrowed and stared at the man. Kalaunan, unti-unting nagliwanag ang mga mata niya.

"That's Greco Madrigal!"

"Madrigal?"

"Yup! Hindi mo kilala? Apo 'yan ng Admiral ng Philippine Navy. He's the only successor and is now leading their business."

"How old?"

"Twenty seven or twenty eight, I think." Nanliit ang mata niya. "Don't tell me you're interested?"

I smirked. "Masama ba?"

"Oh, Leira. That man doesn't even date! Alam ko dahil napag-usapan ng Ate ko at mga kaibigan niya. He's really hot, you know. Pero kilala mo 'yong beauty queen na si Daniela Vergara? Deadma lang do'n!"

"What do you mean he doesn't date? As in, not ever? That's impossible! For sure nagkaroon siya ng flings man lang."

"Wala talaga, Leira. Napakaimposible ngang pakinggan, e. But one of Ate's friends stalked and tried him, pero hindi talaga kumagat. Naisip ko ngang baka lalaki ang gusto," sabay halakhak niya.

Tumingin ulit ako sa lalaki. I shook my head.

"No. It's damn impossible that he's a gay. Look at him. A man as manly as him..." umiling ulit ako, sigurado na hindi ito ganoon.

Nilapag ko ang baso at tumayo.

"Where are you going?" tanong ni Evan.

"Just upstairs," I winked at my cousin.

Rinig ko ang halakhak ni Nikki nang maglakad ako palayo. Now I finally saw the perfect man. No woman, my ass. Hindi ko alam gaano katotoo iyon. But I will make sure this night would end the way I want.

May iilang bumati sa akin sa hagdan. Kumuha ako ng cocktail sa nakasalubong na waiter. Malayo pa, nakita ko na agad. He's still on his position. I saw how a girl approached him but ended up going away. Tumaas ang kilay ko. That girl is so pretty!

I stopped beside him, matamis ang ngiti.

"Hi! I'm Aleira."

Sa malapitan ay hindi ko akalaing mas lalo pa siyang guguwapo. Now that I'm this close to him, I noticed that he's tan and taller than I thought. Ang itim na buhok ay medyo mahaba na tamang tama lang sa mukha niya. And more importantly, he smells so good!

"I want to be alone, Miss. If you don't mind," he said huskily.

Wow. Ang suplado!

"Waiting for someone?"

"No," sagot niya. Hindi pa rin ako sinulyapan ng isang beses man lang.

"Then let me accompany you. You're lonely," malambing kong sinabi.

He looked at his glass. "I'm not. You are."

I laughed a bit. "That's why we should talk. You need companion, I can offer you one."

He shifted a bit. Ngayon, tumingin na siya sa akin. Napatuwid ako sa pagtayo at sinalubong siya ng ngiti. The coldness in his eyes remained unyielding though. Para bang may nakatayong matigas na bloke sa pagitan namin.

"Who told you I need one?"

"My instinct?"

His lips formed a line of impatience. He don't like me. Alam ko agad. Kita ko sa dumaang iritasyon sa mata niya. But I am Aleira Venice Estrella. I won't back out just because of that.

"Then you have a bad instinct, Miss–"

"Aleira. Call me Aleira," matamis kong sambit sa sariling pangalan.

His jaw moved. "Are you bored?"

"Will you entertain me?"

Nanunusok ang mga mata niya. I laughed and slowly traced the opening of my cocktail glass with my finger.

"If that's what you want, you're free to find another man. I'm not here to entertain you."

"Then, maybe I could entertain you instead?"

His unforgiving eyes were like firearms ready to shoot. Halatang galit na siya at nagpipigil lang. Ngunit imbes na matakot ay lalo akong naganahan. It's just, he looks hotter when he's close to losing his cool!

I closed our distance more. Hindi siya natinag. Mahigpit na magkalapat ang labi at madilim ang tingin. It even looked like he could do something harsh to the extent of violence. I smirked. Basta ba iyong violence na gusto ko, it will be my pleasure!

"How could a young lady entertain me?" sabay painsultong hagod ng tingin sa aking katawan.

My face heated. Totoong hindi kasingganda ng katawan ng beauty queens and katawan ko, but I never felt insecure. That was a low blow.

Nang makabawi, pinasadahan ko ang buhok at humalakhak.

"Why don't you see it yourself?" Mas lumapit pa ako. Ngayon, halos wala ng distansya sa pagitan namin. "Let's see if I can pass."

He smirked, very annoyed now.

"Get lost," sing lamig ng yelo niyang sinabi bago ako tinalikuran.

Sinundan ko siya. Nilapag niya sa tray ng waiter ang baso. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko at sinundan siya hanggang sa makababa. He walked towards the dancefloor. Nasa kabilang bahagi kasi ang exit kaya siguro tatawid siya para makalabas na rito. I smirked at the thought that I annoyed him that much. Lakad takbo ang ginawa ko para maabutan siya.

"Greco!" I called when we were caught in the middle of the dancing crowd.

May ilang nabangga ako pero wala akong pakialam. I went in front of him to block his way. He stopped and eyed me with dangerous eyes.

"Move."

"Why don't we dance first?"

"As I said, I'm not here to entertain–"

He stiffened under the touch of my lips on his. I've never been so bold to kiss a stranger. But tonight, nakaya ko. I guess it's because I want to prove that I can rule any man I want. Dala na rin siguro ng alak kaya mas lumakas ang loob.

My hands were on his nape, slightly pulling him down so I could kiss him better. Malambot ang labi niya, the only soft part of him I guess. Parang kay sarap noong halikan. I've kissed many boys but I never felt that strong urge to kiss a someone. Ngayon lang.

I felt his warm hands on my waist, firm and ready to push me away. Kaya mas ikinawit ko pa ang braso sa kanyang leeg. I then grazed my tongue softly on his lower lip. He stiffened more, his hold weakening.

Bahagya kong inilayo ang ulo at ngumisi. I started stroking his nape with my fingers. His eyes turned darker and I smiled more when he forgot about pushing me.

"Why don't you part your lips?" I teased.

Umigting ang bagang niya. Another loud music boomed. I danced a bit while my hand was caressing his nape, the other was playing on his hair. Pinanood niya ako, naroon pa rin ang kamay niyang bahagyang nakahawak sa aking baywang na parang hindi pa nakakabawi ng lakas. His intense eyes watching me dance made me feel something very raw.

Bago pa man siya matauhan at itulak ako, I kissed him again. He didn't stop me. I took the opportunity to forcefully part his lips and slid my tongue inside. He groaned.

He tasted like mint and expensive alcohol. Hindi siya humalik pabalik pero hindi niya ako tinulak, hinayaan lang akong halikan siya. I heard him muttered a soft curse between my kisses.

Mabilis ang paghinga ko nang tapusin ang halik. Hindi ko na halos mahagilap ang katinuan.

"You tasted good," I whispered.

His jaw was clenching real hard. Sobrang dilim ng mata niyang nakatuon sa akin. As if it was the first time he went beyond his limits and he's condemning me for it.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Why? Are you expecting that I'll make you my girlfriend because I let you kiss me?"

This man isn't just ruthless looking, but literally ruthless, nasa isip ko iyon. Kung ordinaryong babae ay maaapektuhan doon. But on my case, that only made me like him more. He doesn't want commitment like me, so that won't be a problem. Mas mabuti ng ganoon.

Humalakhak ako. "Do I look like someone who wants to be anyone's girlfriend?"

Pinilig niya ang ulo. "No. You're obviously a playgirl who jumps from one man to another without strings attached. Definitely not the type I want."

"Well..." I brushed my thumb on his lower lip. Kahit sa gitna ng dilim ay nakita ko ang pagliyab ng mata niya. I smirked on how I can affect him.

"At least I can make you feel that way. Right?"

"What a flirt you are," he said as if he's spitting curses. "But sorry to disappoint you. I won't participate in your damn games."

"Really? You already did, actually. Bakit hindi mo na lang lubos-lubusin?"

Inalis niya ang kamay sa baywang ko. He licked his lower lip and pursed it firmly.

"Are you committed to someone that's why you're this righteous? Mukha namang hindi. You won't allow me to kiss you if that's the case. But you allowed me. Bakit hindi mo na lang aminin? You're attracted to me sexually, just like I do."

Hindi siya nakasagot, madalim lang akong tiningnan.

"See? I am right. You're attracted to me in that way. Ayaw mo lang aminin."

"You want a hook up, is that it?"

"Exactly!" Mabuti naman at nakuha niya rin.

"If you do that casually, I don't," he said coldly.

I groaned. "It's a give and take arrangement, Greco. You can give me my fantasies and I'll give yours. Come on!"

"And how did you know my name by the way?"

"Uh, I asked a friend about it?"

Umiling siya at umambang iiwanan na ako roon na para bang walang kuwenta ang pinag-uusapan namin. I immediately held his arm to stop him.

"Why are you being so primitive? Marami na ang gumagawa nito ngayon. We won't be a burden to each other dahil wala naman tayong commitment sa isa't isa."

"I told you. I don't do it just with anyone. I'm not going to be your fuck buddy. So quit with that damn offer."

"Oh, stop being old fashioned! Hindi lang naman ako ang makakabenefit dito!"

I gave him my sweetest smile. His eyes grew darker and more vicious. May halong galit iyon na nagpakaba sa akin.

"How old are you, anyway? Twenty one? Twenty two? You look so young, pero ganito ang inaatupag mo? I can't believe it," puno ng pang-iinsulto niyang sinabi.

Hindi pa man ako nakakapagsalita, umalis na siya sa harap ko at mabilis na naglakad palayo. I watched him fade in the middle of the crowd. Halos matawa ako sa pinaghalong gulat, iritasyon at pagkapahiya.

You can't believe it, really? Fuck you, Greco Madrigal! I swear, I'll fuck you literally!