Chapter 6: Mr. Hot Guy

"I like your scent. Can you kiss me?" I asked, tilting my head slightly as I looked up at him with a playful smile.

"Why bother asking when you can just—" he started, a mischievous smile forming on his lips.

Hindi na niya natuloy ang sasabihin niya nang bigla niya akong hinila palapit sa kanya at hinalikan nang mariin.

Hindi na rin ako nagulat dahil bahagya ko na iyong inaasahan. Perhaps that was exactly why I had asked him in the first place.

My hands instinctively found their way to his shoulders as I kissed him back. Soon, neither of us seemed interested in pulling away. Our lips moved against each other, hungry and unrestrained, as though we had forgotten that we weren't the only people in the room.

Lahat ng atensiyon ay nakatuon na sa amin. I even caught Melissa filming us from the corner of my eye, giving me two thumbs-up as if she were cheering me on.

People around us seemed to enjoy our reckless little scene. Kaya mas lalo pa kaming ginanahan sa ginagawa namin, completely caught up in the moment.

But suddenly, he pulled away, his eyes lingering on my face.

"Can we book a room?" he asked, his gaze fixed on mine.

Ah, so he wanted something more.

But then again, I wanted to play a little game tonight, one that wouldn't take things too far or make anything serious. I gave him a teasing smile before gently pulling away from his embrace.

"I'm sorry, but I need to go," I said with a playful shrug. "It was fun meeting you—and kissing someone as hot as you."

"What do you mean you're leaving?" he asked, looking at me in disbelief. "You're just going to leave me hanging like this?"

I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction.

"Yes," I replied, taking a step backward. "Let's meet again when fate allows us to, Mr. Hot Guy."

I gave him one last playful smile before turning around and leaving him standing in the middle of the dance floor.

When I reached Melissa, she gave me a look that practically screamed, Bakit mo naman iniwan nang gano'n? Sayang!

"What?" I asked innocently, trying to suppress my laughter as I met her gaze.

But I simply smiled at her before grabbing her hand and running off, like a girl who didn't care about whatever stupid decisions she might make that night.

•••

By the time our shift started, Melissa still hadn't gotten over what happened at the bar a week ago.

We were in the staff lounge of the exclusive hotel spa, taking our break after attending to several clients. I had just settled into my seat with a cup of coffee when Melissa dropped into the chair across from me, wearing that familiar look on her face.

I already knew what was coming.

"Okay, I need an explanation," she declared, pointing her spoon at me.

I raised an eyebrow as I took a sip of my coffee. "About what?" I asked innocently.

"Don't you dare play innocent with me, Athira!" she exclaimed, leaning forward. "I'm talking about that ridiculously hot guy you were making out with! Tapos, hindi mo man lang inalam ang pangalan niya. Sayang!"

I nearly choked on my coffee.

"Melissa!" I protested, setting my cup down. "Keep your voice down! Baka may makarinig sa 'yo."

"No, I cannot!" she insisted, shaking her head dramatically. "You were kissing him like your life depended on it, and then, the moment he asked you to book a room, iniwan mo na lang siya. Ang sama mo!"

I shrugged, trying to look unbothered as I reached for my coffee again. "And what's wrong with that?" I asked casually.

"What's wrong with that?" she repeated incredulously. "Athira, that man was gorgeous! How can you resist such a hottie? Walang panama 'yon kay Edward!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, but my smile faltered slightly at the mention of my ex-boyfriend.

For a brief moment, the bitterness I had been trying so hard to bury resurfaced. It was funny how a single name could still ruin my mood, even after everything that had happened.

I quickly shook off the feeling and took another sip of my coffee.

"I just wanted to play along and enjoy the moment," I explained with a shrug. "Baka magkagusto pa sa akin 'yon, eh. Ayoko na ng commitment."

Melissa rolled her eyes at me before taking another sip of her drink.

"Sinasabi mo lang 'yan dahil kay Edward," she remarked, giving me a knowing look. "Pero magbabago rin ang isip mo."

"I'm afraid not," I replied lazily, leaning back in my chair.

"Talaga?" she challenged, raising an eyebrow. "We'll see, Athira. We'll see."

I was about to respond when someone approached our table.

"Excuse me, Athira."

I immediately straightened in my seat and looked up at our spa supervisor, who stood beside us with a professional smile.

"Yes, ma'am?" I responded.

"Your next client has arrived. He's waiting for you in Room 268," she informed me, glancing at the tablet in her hand. "Please prepare yourself and attend to him as soon as possible."

"All right, ma'am. I'll be there in a minute," I assured her with a nod.