PROLOGUE

“Alya, kanina ka pa ba nandito? Marami nang bisita sa bulwagan. Hinahanap ka na rin ni Father.”

I turned and saw Sister Elma behind me. She wore the long habit of a nun, the veil carefully covering her hair, and a rosary resting near her heart.

I smiled.

“Susunod na po ako, Sister. Nagpahangin lang po.”

She nodded and left.

I stood from where I was sitting and looked at the sea. The wind wrapped around me like an embrace, sending chills through my body.

Huminga ako ng malalim, I walked toward the hall beside the church.

Masaya ngayon sa isla. It was the first day of the fiesta, and everyone was celebrating. Ang sabi pa nila ay may mga bisitang darating galing Manila.

Luxury cars were parked in front of the church, vehicles that people here rarely saw.

Lumiko ako at nagtungo sa hall. It was beside the church, half the size of the chapel, built with wood but designed like a Spanish house.

Pumasok ako sa loob. The room was filled with people—local officials, businessmen, and the visitors everyone had been talking about. For a moment, I felt out of place.

“Alya! Mabuti naman at pumasok ka na,” Father said warmly. Kasama niya ang kababata kong si Zar.

“Nasa dalampasigan lang po ako, Father,” I explained.

Father chuckled. “Kakauwi mo lang hija, pero mukhang naakit ka na naman ng dagat.”

“Gusto ko lang pong mapag-isa sandali.”

“Nako, Father,” Zar teased, placing his arm around my shoulder. “Baka may katagpo na si Alya!”

Father laughed loudly but soon looked at me seriously.

“Bawal yan, Alya. Alam mo yan.”

Those words struck me deeply.

Bawal yan.

I knew exactly what he meant. I was not meant to love the way other women did. My life was meant for God. Alam ko at tanggap ko.

“Father Edwardo.”

A deep male voice called from behind him.

My chest tightened instantly.

Nilingon ito ni Father. “Mr. Villareal, mabuti at maaga kayong nakarating.”

My heart began pounding.

“May gusto akong ipakilala.”

My feet suddenly felt heavy.

“This is Mayor Edmond Alcantara’s daughter, Alyra Lucrezia.” Hinawakan ni Father Ed ang aking balikat upang tumabi sa kanya.

I forced myself to smile.

But my smile disappeared the moment I saw him.

Three powerful men stood in front of us.

And among them—

Cameron Villareal.

He wore a black tuxedo, standing tall and intimidating. His dark eyes were fixed on me, cold and dangerous.

Memories rushed back all at once. Pain. Anger. Betrayal. For months I had run away from him.

Yet here he was.

“Bumati ka, Alya—”

Nanlamig ako.

“I-I’m sorry… I need to go.”

Before Father could stop me, I pulled my arm away and rushed out of the hall.

I needed to leave. I needed to breathe. Hindi ako nagkakamali sa aking nakita, it's really him!

I ran toward the beach behind the church, tears blurring my vision.

I thought I was safe.

Until someone suddenly grabbed me and pinned me against a coconut tree.

“You’re not running away again, Alya.”

My breath stopped.

Cameron.

He trapped me between his arms, his face dangerously close to mine.

“Let go,” I whispered. Halos hindi ko na malunok ang aking sariling laway dahil sa kaba at takot.

His eyes burned with anger.

“You left without a word. No call. No message. I thought you were just busy serving… until I found out you ran away!” he angrily stated. His voice was firm and cold indicating how dead serious he was.

Bakit parang siya pa ang galit ngayon? Na para bang siya ang nasaktan? Siya ang sinaktan?

"A month of not seeing you is—"

What is he even talking about?

I laughed bitterly. See me for what?

"For what? For what Cameron?! Let's just get to the point! For what?! Because I am sure that it is not what I am thinking! It is not what I am expecting!" I broke down.

I know exactly what he’s doing right now. Anong akala niya sa akin, tanga? He may be powerful and intelligent, but I’m not blind. Kung akala niya makukuha niya ulit ako sa mga salita niya, no. I will never make the same mistake again.

And now he’s acting like he’s scared of losing me? Like he loved me…

Mas gugustuhin ko pang isipin na ginamit niya lang ako kaysa isipin na mahal niya ako. Because that will never happen, Alya.

His hand suddenly touched my cheek.

“You’re after something,” I said coldly.

“What something?”

Before I could react, his hand slid inside my shirt.

“Cameron!”

He caught my wrist nang umakma akong pigilan siya and pinned it above my head.

My heart pounded wildly as his touch sent shivers through my body. His lips brushed my neck, making me tremble despite the anger inside me.

But when he kissed me, all the emotions I tried to bury began to collapse.

Kasabay sa galaw ng kanyang labi ay ang pag galaw ng malilikot niyang kamay sa aking tiyan. His hand found my chest, he scope my boobs and massage it lustfully. I can't stop myself from moaning loud.

Nine months being away from him.

And I hated that I still remembered how he felt.

His lips climb in my jaw. I even tried to shift my face just to catch his kisses. However, it ascended towards my ears and he stop there.

“Do you miss me?” he whispered near my ear.

I bit my lip to stop myself from answering.

I went insane when his hand on chest, arrogantly slid down on my long skirt. My eyes almost choked. Mabilis ko siyang nilingon kaso hindi ko siya makita kasi naka dikit lamang ang mukha niya sa aking tainga. His hand touch my v-card, I feel how ashamed I am when he did not move his fingers.

"Of course, you do." He chuckled and kissed my ears.

I was about to complain when he moved his face and kissed me torridly.

His kisses meant something, his lips seemed eager to meet mine. It's almost nine months of being away from him and I missed this, I miss his lips— all of him.

Kasabay sa pag galaw ng kanyang labi ay ang dahan-dahang pag haplos ng kanyang kamay sa ibaba.

“Cameron,” I whispered helplessly.

I felt how his finger moved down there. My legs went jelly because of the sudden sensation I am feeling inside. Cameron held my waist steadily. Nakababa na ngayun ang aking dalawang kamay at ngayu'y madiing nakahawak sa kanyang magkabilang balikat.

“You’re not running away again,” he murmured.

I sway my hips para masabayan ang kamay niyang nasa aking ibaba. This is making me crazy and I like it so much! I did not get what he said because I’m still busy grinding on his fingers.

"Ah!" I moaned.

This had to be the last time.

I could never let my life cross his again.

But deep inside, I knew something had already changed.

Because Cameron Villareal had returned.

And my peaceful life on this island— was about to end.