Chapter 4: Tito Damien

“Whooo! Let’s dance!” I shouted.

I raised my glass high and jumped to the beat like I didn’t care about anything anymore. Right after my talk with Tita Cecile, I found myself walking straight into a club. This is where I poured everything out—all the pain and bitterness that they gave me.

For the last time before I disappear, I’d let it all out here… before I finally fly to Italy.

There was nothing else I could do. They made me feel so small. They all deceived me.

“Whoa, Miss! You’ve got the moves!”

I froze when I felt someone press against my back. When I turned, I saw a guy grinning widely behind me. I frowned and pushed him away.

“Leave me alone,” I muttered, holding my head for a second as dizziness washed over me.

But once I steadied myself, I kept dancing. I didn’t come here for creeps—I came to drown it all out.

“Come on, Miss! I’ve been watching you for a while now. You look so sad.”

“Hey!”

I gasped when he suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind.

I leaned against him unintentionally, instantly feeling something hard press against me.

“I’ll make you happy tonight,” he whispered in my ear.

I felt my blood boil. I may be drunk, but I was not going to let some guy treat me like trash.

I came here to forget, not to be taken advantage of by some pervert who only planned to hurt me too.

I elbowed him hard in the ribs. Then I spun around and threw my drink right in his face.

“I told you to leave me alone!” I yelled.

“Fuck! How dare you?!” he roared. Even in the dim lights, I could see his face twist in anger.

Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but instead of backing off—I laughed. Right in his face.

“You deserved that, you jerk!”

His glare deepened. “You’re the one acting all flirty, and now you’re playing hard to get?”

“Well, guess what? I don’t need your attention. You’re disgusting. And rude! You’re ugly and classless!”

“You little—!”

He raised his hand to slap me.

I shut my eyes and covered my face, expecting pain.

But nothing came.

Instead, I felt someone step in front of me.

“That’s not how you treat a lady, young man,” said a deep, commanding voice.

I looked up and froze.

The man now standing protectively in front of me towered over both me and the jerk who tried to hit me. His frame was solid, his shirt sleeves stretched tight around his muscular arms. And even beneath the dim club lights, I could clearly see how good he looked.

His body. His presence. His voice.

There was no mistaking it.

“Mind your business, old man!” the guy snapped. “She poured her drink on me. I was just trying to teach her a lesson!”

“What if I teach you a lesson instead, huh?” the older man said, his tone low and dangerous.

He glanced to the side, and I followed his gaze.

Two other men emerged from the shadows—taller, bigger, and clearly ready for trouble. The creep visibly backed away.

“Yeah? Thought so. Better leave now before you get that lesson you’re asking for.”

Without another word, the guy turned and bolted.

My protector slowly turned to face me.

“Are you okay, Mica?”

My brows furrowed.

He knows me?

I tilted my head up, and my breath hitched.

Whether it was the alcohol or reality slapping me sober—I wasn’t sure.

But this man… this man was undeniably handsome.

A bit of gray streaked his hair, but it made him look even more refined.

And most of all—he looked just like Justin.

Only… older. Better.

“T-Tito Damien?” I whispered in shock.

He exhaled, his eyes softening with concern. “What are you doing in a place like this, huh?”

I blinked back tears. And then, without thinking, I threw my arms around him and cried into his chest.

“Tito…”

“It’s okay,” he said, wrapping his strong arms around me. “He won’t come near you again. I’m here.”

I didn’t respond. I just held onto him tightly as I cried, letting myself break down in the safety of his warmth.

It felt like, for the first time today, the world slowed down. His embrace was warm. Secure. Safe.

“I’ll take you to my office.”

I knew Tito Damien was a businessman. Wealthy. Influential. But I didn’t know he owned a club too. Honestly, he was a mystery. Even Justin only knew a few of his businesses.

Next thing I knew, he had lifted me off the ground. I didn’t fight it. I let him carry me.

And soon, we were in a quieter space.

He gently set me down on a sofa. I slowly sat upright and fixed my posture.

“S-Sorry, Tito,” I whispered.

He sighed. “It’s okay. What happened? Why aren’t you with my son?”

I lowered my head. My tears welled up again.

“W-We broke up, Tito.”

“What? Why?”

I bit my lip, hesitating. 

What if, after I told him everything, he would side with Justin?

What if he, too, was only pretending to like me because I was Justin’s girlfriend?

What if he also knew about Sheila?

I stayed silent, tears falling.

“Mikyla,” he said gently.

I flinched slightly as he placed his hand on mine.

And just like that, I felt something spark.

A pulse. A current.

Even before… I had a little crush on Tito Damien.

He was attractive. Strong. Charismatic.

I always knew women swooned over him, even at his age.

But I pushed it all away because I loved Justin more. I chose the son.

But now…

“Tell me. Why?” he asked again.

I looked up and met his eyes. They were full of concern.

“He cheated on me. With my best friend,” I said directly.

His eyes widened for a second, then quickly darkened with concern again.

“He did that? My son?”

“Yes.”

He sat up straighter and shook his head.

“He never learns. I don’t even know what to do with him anymore.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You… didn’t know?”

He met my gaze. “Know what?”

“About his relationship with Sheila? You had no idea?”

“Of course not. And if I did, I would’ve been the first to lose my temper. I don’t approve of it. And I never would’ve allowed it.”

Tears brimmed in my eyes again. For the first time today, I felt like someone was truly on my side.

“T-Thank you, Tito. Thank you,” I said, my voice cracking.

“I suggest you leave him. Don’t worry, I’ll handle my son. I’ll make sure he learns his lesson for hurting you.”

I cried harder.

Why couldn’t Justin have inherited even a fraction of this man’s heart? 

If I had known…

If I had known—maybe I would’ve chosen him instead.

My eyes met Tito Damien’s again.

Why not him?

They all thought I was weak, that I was easy to play with.

But I’m not.

I slowly pulled out my phone and quietly turned on the audio recorder.

And without a second thought…

I grabbed Tito Damien by the collar and kissed him on the lips.