Chapter 1

"What now, Etincelle? Are you up for tonight's fun?" Morthena asked me with excitement.

"Where will be at tonight?"

"Let's go to Makati, E. It's gonne be fun! Philip and his friends will be there too!" She clapped as she giggled.

We like to party and get wasted. It's our routine every weekend and if we are up for the fun. While you are still young, just enjoy your days. You can party all you want, get wasted and move on the following day. Lucky you are if you won't get hangover the following morning.

"Sure! Can I invite Thrante?" I asked them.

"Of course! But will she join us?"

I cracked a laugh. How many times have I invited Thrante to a party? I lost count. But she always rejects me because club isn't her thing. She didn't like hanging out with strangers.

"At least she knows we invite her," I countered.

"Okay! And if she will join us, I will introduce her to our boy friends."

I just shrugged. I know Thrante will just reject me. I can't force her if she'll say no. So I won't assume.

I went to Thrante's place. I asked her if she would go with us. Just for fun. Even just this time.

"You know I'm busy with my annulment, right?" She replied after inviting her over the party.

I frowned. She really wanted to get away from Baste. I was against her decision but I knew I couldn't stop her now.

"Okay, Thrante. Promise me we will celebrate if you will win against him, okay?"

"Silly," she cracked a small laugh.

After that, I told my friends that Thrante isn't available. I reasoned out she is busy preparing herself for her new work. I didn't want to tell them the real reason. It isn't their business anymore.

We met outside the building here in Makati. They all looked like they went from a fashion show.

"This will be the last time!" Morthena shouted so we can hear each other. "Azy's getting married!"

"What a lucky girl! She has found her forever!" Haponesa teased Azy.

"Uh-oh. Don't end the line yet," I butted in. "You know what comes after the marriage? Baby!"

"That's what every couple is looking forward to, Etincelle. Especially after the marriage," Azy insisted.

"So? You're just gonna live your whole life inside your house? Is that how you picture out yourself?"

"It's still our choice, E. We can have the baby even after how many years. Marriage is what important."

"Do you think Orli can wait for a year to have a baby?"

"Of course! It's still on me, Etincelle. I am the one carrying the baby, not Orli."

I cringed at the thought of having a baby. Yeah, I love fun but I never planned on getting pregnant. To hell with the babies!

"You just envy her," Morthena teased me. "You only want fun, Etincelle. Have you ever heard the word "commitment"?"

"Wow, look who's talking?" I rolled my eyes.

"Let's go, girls! Stop this argument already. Gosh!" Morayta exclaimed. "I'm so excited!"

"Game!" We all agreed.

So, we got inside the club and proceeded to the penthouse. This was a penthouse club, from the name itself. Morthena led the way, dragging Azy with her. Azy is getting married so we are throwing her a bridal shower for her.

"Game game game!" Morthena hyped. She pulled Azy to her and face her to the crowd. "This is Azy! She's getting married so we should celebrate that! This might be her last party!"

"Woah!" We cheered her up.

"So, who do you think of you is hot and handsome? Try, Azy. She might change her mind later!"

"Hey, Morthena!" Morayta complained.

I cracked a laugh. In our circle of friends, the noisiest was Morthena. We also have Atifa but she is not available tonight. Also, she's already married.

"Okay, guys," Morthena interrupted. She was utterly energetic. She was still holding Azy." "You're not allowed to touch Azy nor harass her if you don't want a punch from me."

"Boo!" They booed her.

"Let's go! Let's drink!"

"Woah!"

The place was filled with the defeaning hiphop music. They were bouncing in pleasure. They all took their shots.

"E!" Someone greeted me. I wandered my eyes and found Philip who was smiling widely at me.

"Hey, dude!" I greeted and have a high-five with him. "Long time no see, eh?"

"Yeah! I was so busy with my studies."

"That's great! Do you have a master's degree already?"

I have to raise my voice so he can hear me. These people are so noisy and wild on the dancefloor.

"Yup! But I'm on vacation now. How's Thrante?"

"She's fine! She's doing great! She's here actually."

"I heard that. She took her master's degree in New York."

"Oh, yeah. You know... to move on from what happened."

"I feel bad for her. She doesn't deserve this pain."

"No one ever did. Julia's just a bitch. Look at her now. She was pleaded guilty of the crime."

Thrante fought her case against Julia Imperial. Julia confessed that she did hurt Thrante which caused miscarriage. Good for her. She was obsessed with Baste.

Philip took his shot and winced.

"What about you? Still no plan on getting married?"

"Nah," I shook my head. "I don't like it. I don't want babies."

He laughed at me and took another shot.

"Morthena got even wilder now," he said as he placed the shot glass on the counter. "Isn't she bisexual?"

"Yup. Pero she said she still wants to marry and have babies."

"Really?" He chuckled.

"Why don't you court her instead? Morthena's a fine woman, isn't she?"

"Yup. She's pretty too. I just don't know what she likes about men."

"She's okay as long as you are faithful and you put a lot of efforts. If you wouldn't ask, Morthena isn't picky."

"It's you who is picky," he teased.

"I'm fine naman with any man. Perhaps I'm looking for a specific type of a man."

"Like what?"

I just shrugged. "I don't like arrogant man like he is the king of Philippines."

"Who could that be? I heard Sebastian is an arrogant man."

"Sebastian's cool. I like him for Thrante."

"How are they anyway?"

"They're civilized. They are not the same way like they were before."

He nodded. I knew Philip liked my cousin. It's so obvious. Even if he will deny it.

"What about you? Why are you on your vacation right now?" I changed the topic.

"I'm out for responsibility. I want to travel to get some inspiration."

"That's nice! That's what I did too before I accepted my first job as an architect."

"Did you enjoy as you were learning too?"

"Yes, of course. My first job was successful."

"That's nice too," he complimented.

We talked few stuff before he bid his goodbye. He excused himself and told me he wanted to go to Morthena. I hope he'll make a move. Morthena was actually nice, so as Philip. They would be a perfect couple.