Chapter 1

01: DRUNKEN MISTAKE

I slowly opened my eyes. The sun rays coming from the window welcomed me. I smiled when I felt an arm tightly hugging my waist. The arm of the man I have loved ever since I was in college.

I tried shifting my position when he spoke. "It's still early, love. Let's sleep a little more."

My forehead suddenly creased. Then my eyes widened the moment I realized that it was not Red's voice that I heard. Slowly, I turned to the person beside me until my eyes widened in shock. "Ahhhhh!" I pushed him away from me hastily.

"What the fuck?!" I heard him shout as he fell to the floor. But I continued screaming in horror. I was getting hysterical, realizing that the man next to me wasn't Red. What the hell is happening?

"What's wrong with you, Charitee--" he was cut off when he finally realized that I am not the woman he called Charitee. "W-What the hell?!"

I stopped screaming when he stood up and approached me. I hugged the comforter tightly when I saw his eyes full of rage. I suddenly felt fear creeping inside me. I flinched when he yelled right in front of my face. "What the fuck are you doing here?!"

"W-Where's Red?" I asked with a trembling voice. "Why are you the one with me?" I felt extreme nervousness at this moment. My mind couldn't process this whole thing. I really didn't know what was happening.

"Why are you asking me that?! I'm with Charitee! But why are you here?!" We're both freaking out. I held tight to the comforter and covered my naked body. I didn't know what to do. "This is... this is fucking insane!"

He stood up again, and I quickly averted my gaze when I saw that he didn't have a single piece of clothing on. He's completely naked for Pete's sake! "Oh, shit!"

He quickly ran to the bathroom, and I glanced at the door. I stared blankly at it until I felt my tears slowly welling up. "You're so stupid, Symphony!" I slapped myself upon seeing that there was no 'out of order' sign on the bathroom door. "You're so dumb!"

With my trembling body, I hopelessly got off the bed and picked up my clothes. When I looked at the bed, my tears started flowing uncontrollably as I noticed the red stain there. I looked away, disgusted by what I saw.

Slowly, I put on my clothes while trying to hold back my tears. When the bathroom door opened again, I immediately jumped. Wesley came out with a towel wrapped around the lower part of his body. I avoided eye contact as he glanced at me. Luckily, I was almost done putting on my clothes.

"I really can't recall what happened last night, but I'm pretty sure that I was with Charitee." He sounded really confused... and mad. I looked back at him but quickly averted my gaze. He was looking at me intently, making me scared. I remained silent despite feeling that he was blaming it all on me. "I really can’t recall how you ended up with me. Did you... drug me?"

I looked at him again and immediately shook my head. "N-No... I can't do that..." I answered, almost whispering.

No one spoke again. The silence made me shiver even more. He was furious. And I was afraid he might hurt me.

"This was just a freakin' mistake, Symphony. I don't want anyone to know what happened between us, especially Charitee. Let's just forget about this shit." His statement sounded more like a command. I instantly nodded in response. I heard him sigh harshly. He walked towards the door. "You wouldn't want my cousin to find out about this either, right?"

I nodded again. "Y-Yes..." Thinking about Red is breaking my heart. This feels like a betrayal.

"Alright. We'll keep this a secret. Let's act like this is just nothing. I'll go now." He left, leaving me alone. I weakly sat on the bed as tears kept streaming down my face.

"What the hell have you done, Symphony?" I muttered, trying to recall how this shit happened.

***

"Drowning yourself in work will just make you look ugly, Symphony! Come on! There's so much in life to enjoy! What's wrong with you!"

For the nth time, I rolled my eyes. I wasn't done reviewing the proposals, and here comes Jovy, disturbing me.

"What's so special about that party? It's just a waste of time! Look at these papers here," I pointed to the pile of papers on the side of my table. "I have to review and sign all of this before the weekend. I don't have time for that!" I tried to end our conversation, but he was too eager to convince me to attend our batch reunion party this coming Thursday night.

"Soffi will be upset if you don't go," he guilt-tripped me.

I sighed. "I already told her I can't. Stop guilt-tripping me, Giovanni."

I heard him frown, which earned a smirk from me. "Oh my god! You're such a killjoy, miss know-it-all! And it's Jovy! J-o-v-y! Stop calling me that name! Ew!"

I grinned while shaking my head and continued signing the document in my hand. I was grateful that he didn't say anything more. He just sat on the nearby sofa, lost in thought. I know he's still thinking of ways to convince me. But my decision is final. I won't attend that party, and I'll finish all my office work early. I need to free up my schedule this weekend so I can have some rest.

"A source told me that your ex is going to attend the party."

I was focused on reading another business proposal when Jovy's words caught my attention. I raised an eyebrow. "Come again?"

He rolled his eyes. "Tss! When it comes to that guy..." he whispered.

"Giovanni," I called him, irritation evident in my voice.

"Okay, fine! Listen carefully, Miss Del Martin. Your ex-boyfriend, Red, is attending the party. So? Are you going to attend?" He stressed each word making sure I will understand everything he said.

I pause for a moment and think. I haven't talked to him ever since that day... and I badly want to tell him something. And… I miss him.

Letting out a deep sigh, I made my final decision. "Fine. Count me in." I immediately heard Jovy clapping his hands, accompanied by a soft squeal. He didn't stay long and left. He said he had other plans. He even blamed me for making him late for a meeting.

***

Thursday night arrived, and I'm now heading to the party’s venue. I know I'm late. It’s because I changed my outfit several times. I just can't choose a dress that fits the party, which frustrates me!

I'm nervous, but at the same time excited to see him again. I don't know if Red will talk to me. I don't know if he's still mad with me. But it's been almost two years since we broke up. I hope he'll give me a chance to explain myself.

When I finally arrived at the venue, I was in awe. I must say the organizers really prepared for this event. They even rented the whole club for us. I smiled when I saw some familiar faces. Some were my former classmates, while others were people I used to see on campus.

I looked around the entire venue. Indeed, this club is huge. It can probably accommodate more than a hundred people. There's a long bar counter on one side, and in front of it are tall, round tables. On the other side, there are couches with center tables. In the middle is the dance floor, and in front is a mini stage. I also noticed there are rooms upstairs. I wonder what those are for. Are they private rooms? Is that where wasted people sleep? With strippers?

"Symphony!" A voice called my attention. I scanned the place and saw Soffi smiling as she walked towards me. "You're a scam! You told me you're busy!" she said after giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Blame it all on Jovy! That bitch wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed!" I rolled my eyes as she burst out laughing.

"I knew it! Oh, by the way, he's on stage. Upright is going to perform." She winked at me, and I furrowed my brow. I shifted my gaze to the mini stage and immediately saw Red holding his guitar. Something touched my heart when I recognized that guitar. It was the anniversary gift I gave him. I thought he had already gotten rid of it...

"Stop staring. He might melt." Soffi giggled, which earned a frown from me.

"Tss!"

"Come on, let's find Jovy." I pulled Soffi along as we looked for our friend.

While we were busy looking for Jovy, I suddenly heard Red’s voice. I quickly looked towards the stage and saw him sitting there, holding his guitar, with a mic stand in front of him.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It's nice to see you all again. After two years, I finally see my classmates again." He smiled a little, showing his dimples on both lower sides of his lips. "This first song is for our classmates who copied our answers back then." Everyone laughed. He started strumming his guitar, followed by the serene voice of their lead vocalist.

I froze in my spot. I couldn't take my eyes off the stage—off him. God! I miss him so much!

"Hey, Symp! There's Jovy!" Soffi dragged me towards Jovy. As Red's band continued playing, Jovy started handing me tequila shots.

"Go for it! Don't be a killjoy! We're here to enjoy, right? Forget about work!" Jovy said as he handed me another shot. I've lost count of how many shots I've had. There's just something about Jovy that I can't say no to.

I smiled and took the glass from Jovy, downing it in one gulp.

"Enjoy the rest of the night! Thank you!" I glanced at the stage when I heard Red again. I guess they're done performing.

"Give me another shot," I said to Jovy. I saw him grin. I quickly downed the shot he gave me and asked for another one. I requested four shots in a row before Soffi stopped me.

"That's enough. We're here to enjoy, not to get wasted."

"But I need more courage!" I countered. I snatched the shot glass from Jovy's hand and finished its contents. I stood up when I saw Red descending from the stage. I walked towards him and called his name when I was a few steps away. His eyes widened when he saw me.

"Symphony,"

"Hi! Can we talk?"

He looked at me intently for a few seconds, then I saw him sigh. "There's a room intended for the band upstairs. Would you mind if we talk there? It's too noisy here."

I didn't hesitate to nod. He started walking upstairs.

"Damn!" I uttered when I felt my head spinning. I paused for a moment, then continued climbing the stairs.

We entered the second door near the stairs. When he closed the door, I suddenly felt the tension. He stared at me for a moment. "Have you been drinking?" My hopes rose when I noticed his worried face.

"Just a little. I'm with Jovy and Soffi, don't worry—"

"What do you want to talk about?" He leaned against the wall, crossed his arms over his chest, then raised an eyebrow.

"I-I... want to talk about us." I also leaned against the wall for support. My vision was getting blurry, and my head felt heavier.

"In this condition, Symphony? Do you want us to discuss what happened in the past when you can barely stand properly?"

"I'm not drunk! I just had a few drinks! And I did that just to get some courage to talk to you!" I peeled myself off the wall, trying to prove him wrong. But I immediately held onto my senses when my vision suddenly spun. Shit!

"This conversation is going nowhere, Symp. I'll take you downstairs—"

"No! We have to talk! I need to tell you everything! I want to give you explanations—"

"For what? We've been over for two years, right? What's the point of your explanations?"

I looked down and gulped. My eyes started to well up. Why does he seem so cold? I'm not used to it.

"But I need you to know that I did everything to save our relationship, Red. You were just too stubborn to see through it! During my birthday party, I had no idea that my dad would do that. I know he's against our relationship, but I never thought he'd go that far. Believe me, when you left, I defended you to my dad."

That night was one of the worst nights I had. My dad humiliated Red in front of my guests. And on that same night, he broke up with me.

"What happened before doesn't concern me now, Symphony. It's all over. We're now taking separate paths. Move on."

I was about to speak when suddenly my stomach turned upside down. I quickly covered my mouth, desperately trying to hold back the urge to vomit in front of him. I scanned the area, but I immediately cursed when I saw the 'Out of Order' sign attached to the restroom door.

"I-I'll be right back. Just stay there. I need to throw up!" I could barely open my mouth due to the effort of holding back.

I continued cursing inside my head and ran out of the room. I cursed silently several more times when I couldn't find the restroom right away. After throwing up, I washed my face and composed myself. When I felt a bit better, I returned to the room where I left Red. My vision was still spinning, but I tried to focus on the path ahead. I let out a deep breath when I reached the front of the room.

As I opened the door, I immediately saw him lying on the bed. The only source of light in the room was the lampshade on the side table. It was dim, making me feel even more dizzy. With my blurry vision, I stared at him.

Is he already asleep?

"Red?"

I approached him and gently tapped his arm several times.

"Red, we still need to talk—" I gasped when he suddenly pulled me onto the bed. Because of his sudden movement, I closed my eyes tightly as my vision spun. "If you're tired, m-maybe we can just talk tomorrow..."

"I love you..." he whispered almost inaudibly. His words sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Hope suddenly surged within me.

I was about to speak when he suddenly kissed me. I was taken aback, but soon enough, I found myself responding to his warm kisses. My head throbbed in pain, while my heart pounded uncontrollably. I couldn't think straight, and all that occupied my mind were his kisses. His kisses gave me hope that he still felt the same way about me. That after all these years, we hadn't fallen out of love. I couldn't believe that after everything we had been through, here I was, surrendering to his kisses and moaning in response to his electrifying touches.

Goodness! The feeling was so intense that I didn't want it to end. I wanted to give myself completely to him. I wanted him to possess me.

"I love you..." I whispered.

"I love you so much. I can't imagine my life without you, Charitee." That was the last thing I heard before I gave him full access to my body.