Chapter 2: The Rules

NAOMI's POV

Hindi ako makatulog that night.

Nakahiga lang ako sa kama ko, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything na nangyari sa bar. Ang boses ni Raze. Ang paraan ng pagtingin niya sa akin. Ang ngiti niyang parang predator na nakakita ng prey.

"Let's see kung kaya mo ako."

Shit. Ano ba talagang ginawa ko?

My phone buzzed sa nightstand. Unknown number.

Unknown: Tomorrow. 8 PM. I'll send you the address. Don't be late.

My heart jumped. It was him. Paano niya nakuha ang number ko?

Stupid question, Naomi. He's Raze Vitale. He can get anything he wants.

I stared at the message, ang daliri ko ay nag-hover sa keyboard. Should I reply? Should I back out now while I still can?

Pero then I remembered Marcus. Ang mukha niya when he called me boring. Ang way he looked at me like I was... nothing.

I typed back.

Me: I'll be there.

The next day...

"You're really going through with this?" Kira's voice was full of concern habang nanonood siya sa akin na nag-aayos sa harap ng salamin.

"Yes." I applied another coat of lipstick, trying to steady my shaking hands.

"Naomi, this is insane. You don't even know this guy."

"I know enough."

"You know his reputation. That's different." She crossed her arms. "Raze Vitale doesn't do relationships. He doesn't do feelings. He uses women and throws them away."

"Good." I turned to face her. "Because I don't want feelings either. I just want to learn."

Liar. You're terrified.

"Learn what exactly? How to get your heart broken?"

"How to stop being boring!" The words came out louder than I intended. "I'm tired, Kira. Tired of being safe. Tired of being predictable. Tired of being the girl na hindi enough."

Kira's expression softened. "You are enough, Naomi."

"Then why did he leave?" My voice cracked. "Why wasn't I enough for him?"

She pulled me into a hug. "Because he's an idiot. Not because of you."

But I didn't believe her. Hindi ko kayang maniwala.

8:00 PM

The address led me to a high-rise building sa Makati, one of those expensive condos na hindi ko kailanman kayang bilhin even if I saved for ten years.

Of course. Raze Vitale wouldn't live anywhere less than extravagant.

I texted him when I arrived.

Me: I'm here.

Raze: Penthouse. Code is 1109. Let yourself in.

My hands were shaking as I entered the code. The elevator ride to the top floor felt like an eternity. Every second, my brain was screaming at me to turn back.

You can still leave. You can still change your mind.

But I didn't.

The elevator doors opened directly into his penthouse. And wow. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Minimalist furniture. Everything was black, white, and gray. Cold. Controlled. Just like him.

"You came." His voice came from behind me.

I turned around. Raze was standing there, naka-white shirt na naka-unbutton ang top buttons, showing a hint of his chest. Naka-black slacks. Hair slightly messy. He looked... devastating.

"I said I would," I managed to say.

He walked toward me, slow and deliberate, like a predator circling its prey. "Most women would've backed out by now."

"I'm not most women."

A smirk played on his lips. "We'll see about that." He stopped in front of me, so close I had to tilt my head up to meet his eyes. "Before we start, we need to establish rules."

"Rules?"

"Yes. Rules." He walked past me, heading to the bar area. "Drink?"

"No, thank you."

He poured himself whiskey. "Rule number one: This is purely physical. No feelings. No emotions. No falling in love."

My stomach twisted. "I'm not going to fall in love with you."

"Good. Because I don't do love, Naomi. I do pleasure. There's a difference." He took a sip. "Rule number two: Complete honesty. If something hurts, you tell me. If you don't like something, you tell me. If you want to stop, you say the word and we stop. Understood?"

I nodded. "Understood."

"Use your words."

"Yes. I understand."

"Good girl." The way he said it sent shivers down my spine. "Rule number three: What happens between us stays between us. No one else needs to know. Not your friends. Not your family. No one."

"Okay."

"Rule number four: You follow my lead. I'm the teacher. You're the student. You do what I say, when I say it. But—" he held up a finger, "—you always have the power to say no. Always. This only works if you trust me."

Trust him? I barely knew him.

But something in his eyes made me believe him. Something that told me that despite his reputation, despite the danger, he wouldn't actually hurt me.

Or maybe you're just desperate enough to believe anything.

"I trust you," I said quietly.

He studied me for a long moment. "Why are you really here, Naomi?"

The question caught me off guard. "I told you. I want to learn—"

"Bullshit." He set down his glass. "You want revenge. You want to prove something to someone. Who is it? Ex-boyfriend?"

I looked away. "Does it matter?"

"Yes. Because if you're doing this for the wrong reasons, you're going to get hurt."

"I'm doing this for me," I said, meeting his gaze again. "I'm doing this because I'm tired of being afraid. Tired of playing it safe. I want to know what it feels like to be... free."

Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise? Understanding? I couldn't tell.

"Freedom comes with a price, Naomi."

"I'm willing to pay it."

He walked toward me again, this time stopping inches away. His hand reached up, fingers gently tilting my chin up. "Are you sure? Because once we cross this line, there's no going back. I'm going to ruin you for other men. I'm going to teach you things that will change you. And when this is over—and it will be over—you're going to walk away a different person."

My breath hitched. "Maybe that's exactly what I need."

His thumb brushed across my lower lip, and I swear I stopped breathing.

"Then let's begin," he whispered. "Lesson one starts now."

Oh God. This is really happening.