Chapter 1 I ACCIDENTALLY KISSING THE STRANGER

Warning⚠️: This chapter contains scenes involving alcohol consumption and suggestive themes. Reader discretion is advised for minor readers.

"Sugar, honey, sexy baby

When we touch, it turns to gold

Sensitive and delicate, kinda like a..."

Habang pinapatugtog iyon ng DJ, dahan-dahang napuno ng usok at makukulay na neon lights ang buong dance floor. The bass was thumping against my chest, a rhythm that usually makes people want to move, but tonight, it just felt like noise.We were here at the club to celebrate a friend's birthday. Noong tinugtog na ang "One of the Girls" ni The Weeknd. My friends immediately stood up, dragging each other toward the center of the crowd. While they were losing themselves in the music, I stayed behind. I just sat there sa sofa, playing a glass I barely touched. Wala talaga ako sa mood at hindi ko naman hilig ang ganitong gawain sumama lang ako dahil birthday ni Savi.

My friend, William, noticed me sulking. He waved his hand, signaling me to join them, but I just shook my head. Lumapit siya sa akin, ignoring the sea of bodies dancing around us.

"Why don't you want to join us?" he asked, leaning in so I could hear him over the music.

"Alam mo naman na hindi ako mahilig sa mga ganyang bagay, 'di ba?" sagot ko habang pilit na ngumingiti sa kanya. "Sige na, pumunta ka na doon. Okay lang ako rito. I’ll just watch you guys."

"Huwag na, samahan na lang kita rito," he said, surprisingly taking a seat beside me. He looked at me with those observant eyes, the kind that made me feel like he was reading my thoughts.

"Okay, kung 'yan ang gusto mo. Drinks? My treat," alok ko sa kanya, trying to break the sudden tension.

"Ahm, sure. Why not?"

Tinawag ko ang waiter at umorder. Pagka abot ng baso, I handed it to him "Here’s your cocktail, Mr. Sweet, pang aasar ko sa kanya. I gave him a playful smirk, watching how the dim lights of the club reflected in his eyes.

"Oh, thank you, Ms. Spicy," he replied, his voice dropping into a low, sexy tone that could make anyone heart skip a beat. He leaned in a bit closer, his gaze turning serious. "So, let's talk business. How’s your mission in Golden University?"

I was about to respond, ready to give him the update, nang biglang sumulpot ang birthday girl nasi Savi

"Aba, aba! Naglalandian na naman kayo rito?" kantsaw ni Savi habang todo hataw sa pagsayaw. "Ali na kayo sa dance floor! Let’s party!"

I took a slow sip of my drink, feeling the sting of the alcohol down my throat. "Sorry, birthday girl. You know naman na hindi ako mahilig sa mga ganyang bagay. Si William na lang ang hatakin mo."

"KJ mo talaga kahit kailan!" pilit pa rin niya.

"Teka lang, CR muna ako," pagdadahilan ko.

Tumayo na ako bago pa ako tuluyang makaladkad ni Savi sa gitna ng crowd. Hindi naman sa hindi ako marunong sumayaw o sobrang hiyain ko, sadyang hindi ko lang talaga trip ang ganitong mga activities. Siguro side effect na rin 'to ng pagpapalaki sa akin ni Papa sa simbahan. Hehe. Dyosnon yarn? biro lang.

Pumunta ako sa hallway papuntang restroom para makahinga nang maluwag. Malayo sa nakabibinging music at amoy ng sigarilyo. Pero pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko sa loob, I feel dizzy.

Everything started to spin. My knees felt weak, and the cold tiles of the bathroom wall were the only thing keeping me upright. Wait, hindi ako madaling malasing... Nung pumasok na ako sa cubicle, bigla akong hahilo nang husto lumabas ako at pumunta sa sink para maghilamos nung matutumba na sana ako pero bago pa tumama ang katawan ko sa sahig, may braso nang sumalo sa akin.

"Miss? Are you okay?" tanong ng isang malalim na boses.

Ang init. Sobrang init na ng pakiramdam ko at parang nawawala na ako sa sarili. Tiningala ko siya, pero blurred ang mukha niya ang tanging malinaw lang sa paningin ko ay ang mga labi niya. Ewan ko kung anong pumasok sa utak ko, siguro dala na rin ng hilo at ng kakaibang apoy na nananalaytay sa dugo ko.

In an instant, I did something I never thought I’d do. Sa gitna ng pagkahilo ko, hinila ko ang batok niya at mabilis na nilapat ang labi ko sa kanya.

Ramdam ko ang paninigas niya sa gulat. It was a desperate, messy kiss. And it was my first. Hindi ko akalain na sa ganitong paraan at sa isang stranger ko pa ibibigay ang unang halik ko. Saglit na huminto ang mundo ko, at sa ilang segundong iyon, tila nawala ang ingay ng party sa labas. Pero kasing bilis ng paghalik ko sa kanya ang pagdilim ng paningin ko.

Hindi ko na nalaman kung anong naging reaksyon niya. Tuluyan nang bumigay ang mga tuhod ko at nawalan na ako ng malay sa mismong mga bisig ni Drake, nang hindi man lang nalalaman ang pangalan niya.

🔞

unknown pov: I was heading for the washroom when I noticed a girl nearby swaying on her feet. Before I could even think, my instincts kicked in. I moved just in time to catch her before she hit the floor. She was completely out cold in my arms. Looking down, I was caught off guard by her face there was a certain beauty and innocence to her, she is kinda familiar like parang may kamukha siya. Then suddenly she kiss me It was unexpected isang mabilis at desperadong dampi ng mga labi niya sa akin. I froze. I’ve dealt with all sorts of people in my line of work, but this girl? She was different. Her lips were soft, yet she tasted like a mix of expensive tequila and a reckless kind of courage.

Bago pa man ako makabawi sa gulat, her body went completely limp. Tuluyan na siyang nawalan ng malay.

"Hey," I muttered, my voice tight. "Miss, gumising ka."

I caught her just in time, my arms instinctively tightening around her waist to keep her from hitting the cold floor. She was breathing shallowly, her forehead resting against my chest. Sa gitna ng ingay ng party at sa lakas ng bass ng music na yumayanig sa buong paligid, ang tanging naririnig ko lang ay ang mabilis na tibok ng sarili kong puso.

What the hell just happened?

I looked around. Walang nakapansin sa amin sa madilim na hallway na 'to. Everyone was too busy getting wasted or dancing their problems away. I should probably leave her here or call the bouncers, but the way she held onto my shirt earlier... it felt like she was drowning and I was the only thing keeping her afloat.

"You've been drugged," I whispered, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face.

Dahan-dahan ko siyang binuhat bridal style. She felt light, almost fragile. I knew I should stay away from complications, especially tonight, but I couldn't just leave a girl like her alone in a place like this.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero may kung anong nagsasabi sa akin na ang gabing ito ay simula pa lang ng isang equation na hindi ko basta-basta mabubura.

"Let’s get you out of here," I said.

Naglakad ako palabas patungo sa back exit, making sure no eyes were on us. She had no idea who I was, and honestly? Maybe it was better that way.