Chapter 2 - Captivated

RYKER's POV

"FUCKING SHIT!"

'Thank God and I'm out of that hell!' I don't want to go back there. Every second, every minute there felt suffocating. I slammed my car door shut. Then I quickly started the car engine. Then I quickly left.

'I don't want that hell hole again! I am going to my own paradise!'

I had been running away from my problems for weeks. After a heated argument with my family, they threw me to this hell hole, and I have no goddamn choice but to escape. I needed to clear my head and find some peace in my life. Because honestly speaking, I am getting insane.

I decided to go to my beach resort, a place where I could escape from the chaos of my life.

"Vista Verde... I'm coming..." I mouthed.

Pagkatapos ng ilang oras na biyahe ay naarating ako sa lugar na pagmamay-ari ko, sinalubong ako ng mga crew ng hotel. The shock was written all over their faces. Maybe they heard the news... what my parents did to me. Kaya hindi na nakakapagtaka na magulat sila.

"G-Good day, Sir!" a woman greeted me with an awkward smile plastered on her face. She seemed confused by the expression on her face. "Nakalabas—I mean, nakabalik na po pala kayo rito."

"Hmm? Why? It's my resort after all."

Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko. I saw her bite her lower lip then showed me again a forced smile. "Shall I prepare your suite, Sir?" pag iba niya sa usapan na agad ko naman tinanguan.

I couldn't help but feel the weight of my troubles lingering on my shoulders as I checked into my hotel room, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. My entire body felt worn out, and I was completely spent mentally and emotionally. I was transfixed by the sight of the waves breaking on the coast as I looked out the window. I am aware that I required a diversion, anything that could pull his attention away from all that was going on.

After a few moments, nakarinig ako ng doorbell. Binuksan ko ang pintuan at nakita ang isang crew na dala ang mga pinakisuyo ko na gamit at damit. The man even brought food and a bottle of champagne. Bumaba ang mata ko sa name tag niya na nakalagay ang pangalang 'James.'

"Thanks, James..." I said.

He bowed his head. "You're welcome, Mr. Velasquez."

Then, suddenly, my eyes fixed on the pink envelope beside the stainless steel cloche. I can see the cursive letters of the words 'Pink Paradise' in front of the envelope. This made my left eyebrow raise.

"What's that?" I asked.

Napalingon sa akin si James. "Po? Ano po 'yon?"

"That pink envelope."

"Ahhh... invitation po ng Pink Paradise. The club near the coast. The owner of the club sent you the invitation po, Mr. Velasquez," he explained to me.

"What for?"

"There will be a party later, around 10 p.m."

'A party, huh?' Maybe this is the distraction that I've been waiting for. Maybe this is the breath of fresh air that I needed. Not bad.

"I see... sounds fun,"

For some reason, I feel the urge to go to that party. Maybe to lose myself... just this time.

The throbbing rhythm of the music greeted me as I entered Pink Paradise. The atmosphere was noisy and wild. People doing their own shit. People were drinking and dancing the night away at the club. As I allowed myself to fade into the background, a wave of relief washed over me.

Then, all of a sudden, there was something that drew my attention. I looked over the bar and a lady seated by herself at the bar counter, staring off into space, caught my attention. I couldn't help but be pulled to her, perhaps because I could see the agony engraved onto her face.

I observed her for a few moments. Scenarios on bars like this are not new to me. Maybe... she's broken. Habang nakatingin ako sa mukha niya ay hindi ko maiwasan makita ang lungkot sa mga mata niya. It was as if pain was written all over her face.

I was about to reach out to her when she suddenly stood up and then went to the dance floor.

Her red backless dress clinging to her curves. The disco lights illuminated her fair white skin, making her look like a goddess. She swayed her hips to the beat of the music, flipping her hair in a seductive manner. The way she moved with the rhythm felt so bewitching.

'Damn... I never thought a woman could look this good.'

Fuck! I couldn't take his eyes off her. The way she moved was mesmerizing. I felt like she was trying to bewitch him, and he was completely captivated.

Hindi ko na namalayan ang sarili ko na naglalakad na ako patungo sa kanya. First time lang nangyari sa akin ang ganito. I've never been this captivated and whipped to a woman. Or maybe it's because I was celibate. This celibacy suddenly made me this fucking horny!

Lumapit ako sa kanya at bahagyang sinabayan ko ang galaw niya habang nasa likuran niya ako. Then, I couldn't help myself to hold her tiny waist.

"Hey, do you want to dance?" I asked under my breath while leaning down to her ears. I was hoping she would say yes.

When she turned her head and looked at me, I saw the red flush on her cheeks. Her eyes seemed confused. I can smell her scent and it's fucking sweet. Her eyes were droopy, a sign of her being intoxicated.

The woman turned to me, a smile spreading across her face. "Sure, why not?" she replied, taking his hand and leading him onto the dance floor.

Then she started dancing, care-free and a bit staggering.

For some reason, it made me smile. She looked so cute doing her careless moves. She seemed like she doesn't care about other people around her. She kept on moving on her own rhythm. I tried to dance with her... I really tried. She's so energetic and a bit aggressive.

"You're drunk..." I said to her as I leaned closer to her ears. I was afraid that she might not hear me because of the loud music. "Really... really drunk."

"A-Ano? N-Nakakatyuwa ka nemen! Shhh! Me... I-Is not d-drunk!"

'Yeah, right! You're not really drunk.' She's stuttering and her words are not so clear anymore. She keeps on staggering, to the point na nakailang beses na siya sa pagtapak sa paa ko. Masakit pero hindi na ako nagreklamo.

"S-Shayaw... shayaw shayo!"

"What? What did you—"

I was caught off-guard when she encircled her arms around me. Now, we are facing each other. She is shorter and smaller than me so I have to look down at her. I leaned a bit closer to her, now our faces were inch closer to each other. I couldn't hear any music from the dance floor right now because my heart's beating was much crazier and louder right now.

I looked at her angelic face. From her thick straight dark eyebrows, her almond-shaped eyes that were butterscotch, her thin and high nose bridge, the small mole on her left cheek, and luscious cherry-like red bow-shaped lips that perfectly complement her small heart-shaped face. It was as if every feature of her face had always been intended to be there. She looks very gorgeous. It makes me feel like staring at her for such a long time is some kind of terrible sin.

Damn... I never in my entire life described a woman this detailed. Just this time... Only now that I am damned captivated.

"You're so pretty..."

I can't help but say those words. She laughed and giggled at me in response.

"What's your name?" I asked.

Because there's no way in hell I am letting this night end without knowing her name.

"I'm Ryker by the way."

"K-Khi—"

"Hmm?"

"I-I'm Khiana."

"Even your name is as pretty as you," I said while smiling.

"S-Shus! Bowlerooo!" she said while laughing sarcastically.

"Hey! I am not joking. Hindi kita binobola."

Then, she suddenly flashed a bitter smile. "G-Ganyan nemen kayong mga lalaki... mga shinungaling kayow! Bet niyow leng naman kami shektan!" she said those words trying so hard to straighten her tongue.

Who the heck broke the heart of a woman this gorgeous?

"I don't have plans doing that—"

"Shhh..." She hushed me.

"What?"

"L-Let's danshhhh... come on!" she said to me while hiccuping between each word.

I just shook my head and smiled. She's too pretty to resist.

Hinila niya ang kanang kamay ko. Nagpaubaya naman ako sa paghila niya sa akin. Then, she wrapped her arms around my neck. Weird but we're dancing slowly as if the music is not upbeat. She's swaying while looking at my face.

"You're so gorgeous. It feels illegal to touch you," I whispered.

"Hmm..."

'Maybe she's too drunk to understand me.' Hindi niya ako pinansin at tuloy ang pagsayaw habang nakakapit sa 'kin. Suddenly, the dance floor was becoming crowded. So I was trying so hard to protect her from bumping into other people who were dancing.

"Hey!" She called me.

Bigla akong nagulat sa pagtawag niya sa akin. Nakatingin siya sa akin habang namumungay ang kanyang mga mata. For some reason, she became hotter and sexier in my eyes. Her sultry felt like she's pulling me into her. Her stares made me sweat.

"What..."

"What?" I laughed a bit. "You can't straighten your tongue, huh? Too much alcohol, eh?"

"N-Nevermind!" she said followed by another hiccup. "Men pish me off!"

"So, I piss you off?"

Hindi na siya nagsalita pa. We've been dancing for ten minutes straight. While we were dancing she was swaying her hips while her eyes were closed, and she's humming. She seemed like she's free.

She's feelin' it.

She's killin' it.

She's just so gorgeous.

"Hey? Maganda ba ako?" tanong niya sa akin bigla, at straight ang pagkakasabi niya sa akin. "Uy..." Kinalabit niya ako.

I looked at her from head to foot. Then, I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Yeah... super pretty."

Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang umiyak. Pagkatapos ay bigla niyang pinagsusuntok ang dibdib ko. I was a bit anxious that we're going to cause a scene, so I hugged her tightly. Yet, she was still sobbing and panting harshly.

"What's the matter?" I asked her gently.

"I hate you... I hate you..."

I couldn't imagine that the time would come that a random woman I met who captured my attention suddenly hated me. For no reason.

"B-But... I-I hate myself more..." Her voice cracked as she said those words. She was still hiccuping between each word.

I don't know what the fuck I should do so I just hugged her. 'Is this a side effect of the alcohol she drank?' Hell! Whatever liquor she drank, if this is the effect then I won't drink it. Like ever.

Slowly, she stopped crying. She remained on my chest while holding me so tight as if she's afraid that I'll let her go.

"Everything will be fine," I whispered.

Biglang bumagal ang kanta na pinatutugtog ng DJ. So, iyong mga tao sa dance floor ay tumigil na sa mala-animals na pagsasayaw nila. Nawala na rin ang ingay sa paligid namin.

I was shocked when she encircled her arms around my neck again. Then, she looked at me... seductively. I couldn't help but to gulp hard. Damn.

"What's up with you—"

Fuck.

I didn't finish the words I'm going to say because she suddenly grabbed my neck and...

She kissed me.

'She fucking kissed me!'

Our lips intertwined, tongue dancing tonger, my hands gripped her body closer to mine. She made me feel as if my body was burning and she was the fuel who ignited the fire around me even more. Every second of our kisses made my body hotter. She made me look like an animal in its heat.

I couldn't stop the kiss because I like it so much. I was so into it.

But then...

She stopped and pulled away.

She slowly took a step back and looked at me with confusion and fear. Her face turned red, even in the few lights on the dance floor I could see it.

"Khiana—"

Damn it!

She slapped me.

"Khiana! Wait!" I called her as she turned away.

She turned away and ran as fast as she could. She made it look as if she made a mistake kissing me. Huminga ako sa palad ko para amuyin ang hininga ko. Amoy ng pinaghalong alak at mouthwash. Iniisip ko na baka bad breath ako. It doesn't smell bad at all! So, what's her problem?

"Damn..."

I bit my lower lip and tried to look for her in the midst of the chaotic crowd. However, I failed to find her.

'No, pretty girl! You can't do that! You can't kiss me that good and just left me wanting for more. You can't do that to me!' I massaged my jaw that took the impact of her slap. The next time I see her, I'm not going to let her go.

"We'll see each other again, Khiana. See you soon."

***

KHIANA's POV

MY HEAD HURTS SO BAD. Pakiramdam ko ay binagsakan ng bakal ang ulo ko. Hindi ako makabangon sa sakit din ng katawan ko. Fuck! Ano bang pinaggagawa ko kagabi?

Pinilit ko bumangon at pumunta sa bathroom ng hotel room ko. Halos ilublob ko ang mukha ko sa lababo. Ramdam ko ang malamig na tubig na mula sa gripo at ang sarap n'yon sa pakiramdam. Para bang bigla akong nahimasmasan.

'Oh fuck!'

Biglang kumirot sa sakit ang ulo ko at unti-unting bumalik ang mga alaala ko nang mga pinaggagawa ko kagabi. 'Holy shit! That can't be true!' Parang gusto kong suntukin ang hangin sa inis at kahihiyan na nararamdaman ko.

"What's up with you—" a man's voice asked me.

I didn't let him finish the words he's going to say because I suddenly grabbed his neck and... kissed him.

I kissed him as if my life depends on his lips.

"What the fuck did I just did?" I screamed.

Agad akong lumabas ng banyo at sumubsob sa kama ko. Binaon ko ang mukha ko sa unan. That was so embarrassing! Hindi ko maisip kung paano ko 'yon nagawa. Masyadong nilamon ng alak ang sarili ko. But, what can I do? I am just there to release my pain. It was his fault for reaching out to me!

That's right! It's all his fault!

Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata ko at pilit pa inaalala ang mga detalye ng nangyari kagabi. From the face of the man and to what we did. And guess what? I was so embarrassed! Wala yata akong ginawang matino kagabi.

"Arghhhh!" I screamed again.

I just remembered that when I arrived here in Vista Verde, there was an invitation to the guests. It was an open party. To be honest, I don't know what the celebration is... I just went to the party in the club, Pink Paradise. I just thought that I needed it. It's a good way to chill and loosen up a bit.

But when I arrived at the club, I just felt lonely. Wala eh! Napangunahan ng pagiging sad girl. Masakit pa rin pala ang iniwan na sugat ni Levi sa puso ko. So, I decided to get drunk... to the point that I couldn't control it.

And here comes the disaster I got myself into...

"Fuck! Nakakahiya talaga ako! Nakakaloka!" inis na inis na saad ko.

Pero kaysa magmukmok ako rito sa hotel room, I think it's better to find something relaxing to do. Kinuha ko ang maliit na brochure ng Vista Verde to check the schedule of their recreational activities. Nakita ko na open ang beach and the floating cabana na puwedeng i-rent. Pwede rin na mag-surf.

Right! I'm going to surf!

Sinilip ko sandali ang dagat ng Vista Verde mula sa bintana ng hotel room ko.. The view is so relaxing! And yeah... this is what I badly need.

Naghanda na agad ako para lumabas, halos ilang oras din ang itinagal ko bago tuluyang matapos sa pag aayos, I am finally ready. Agad akong nag-inquire kung saan ako makakakuha ng surfing board.

"Excuse me..." a man's voice said.

Pagkalingon ko ay nakita ko ang isang lalaki. He's handsome as hell! His tall physique made him standout. I think he's around 6'3 to 6'4. He's staring at me right now with his dark eyes below his thick eyebrows. I couldn't resist but look at his face. His pointed nose, pinkish lips, and his sharp jaw suits his square face. The shape of his face reminds me of Henry Cavill, you know the superman guy.

And that man... he's half-naked in front of me now, only wearing plain black shorts. Flaunting his perfectly carved six-packed abs.

"Uhm? Me?" I pointed at myself, a bit confused.

"Yeah, Khiana... right?"

I was confused for a moment. Paano nalaman ng lalaking ito ang pangalan ko. Nagkakilala na ba kami—wait! Fuck!

Don't fucking tell me...

"Aww... you already forgot me? I'm hurt..."

'No freaking way!'

"It's me, Ryker. The one at the club last night. Do you remember me?" he asked in his sweet tone, while flashing a small grin.

I am so fucked up!