Chapter 1 - That One Night

ALIANA'S POV

         

"Oh! The gorgeous Aliana Reeves is here." 

    

I roll my eyes and smile as Richie and Nadia sit beside me at the bar counter. 

  

"So, how was your shoot? That was one hell of a brand, girl! I was so proud when you told me," says Nadia after sipping from her strawberry daiquiri.

  

"It went fine. We just finished shooting for all the advertisements yesterday," I answered, signaling the bartender to give me another glass of blue margarita.

   

"Aren't you in talks about a new drama, too? I heard that from my senior. I'm surprised you were able to come here. I can imagine how packed your schedule is." Richie dramatically put the back of his hand on his forehead. I laugh. 

    

"Of course, you know I won't miss it. There were paparazzi everywhere I went, so I immediately said yes when Stanley invited me and told me there would be strictly no media."

   

Also, Vicky, my manager, has been stricter with me ever since we started receiving more projects. I was happy about that, but I can't help but seek freedom sometimes. Vicky even wanted to come to the party with me. I just convinced her that I would behave well. I also did my best with the recent shoots, so she won't be able to say 'no' when I ask for something.

     

"Oh! How about Josh? Will you be pairing up again?" The smile on my face vanished upon hearing that name. 

      

Joshua Anderson was my leading man in my recent project. The media and the people liked our chemistry to the point that they even put up a fans club for it. It was a pleasure to work with him, and I'll admit I liked him. We actually started dating, and I thought he was serious about what was between us. However, after a few months, he began ignoring my calls and making excuses for not showing up.

    

"Your last project together has been the talk of the town, especially when you both confirmed your off-cam romance," says Richie. His eyes almost formed hearts.

      

I didn't say a thing and remained focused on my drink. 

    

Richie and Nadia looked at me with concern. I knew right away that they noticed my sudden change of mood. 

     

"Care to tell us something?" Nadia asked.

     

I held out a heavy sigh. 

     

"Can we just enjoy this night?" I know I should be sharing this with them because they are my friends, but I don't want to ruin this night of freedom by talking about that man. 

      

"Fine. Tell us when you're ready then. You know we're always here for you." Richie says after a series of eye signals Nadia and him exchanged. I also heard their heavy sighs. The two held each of my hands, and a small smile formed on my lips.

     

"Okay! Come on. We're here to enjoy ourselves. You know I can't afford to lose my poise. How will I be able to catch hunks with that?" Richie giggled. Nadia and I laughed at how he managed to light up the mood.

     

"Let's drink and dance the night away! Cheers!" Richie shouted as the music played by the DJ got louder. 

     

We talk, gossip, and laugh like there is no tomorrow. We also bumped into some people and friends in the entertainment industry. Stanley saw us and reminded us to enjoy, which we definitely did. 

        

The music got more enticing that people started to gather on the dance floor. Richie pulled us to the dancing crowd and challenged us with his dance moves. I laughed, feeling the alcohol throughout my body.

         

Damn, I drank too much.

     

Guess I'll let myself enjoy it anyway.

       

I danced to the beat and let the music take over. My floral print ruffled mini dress sways as my hips move, and my long brown wavy hair freely dances as my whole body embraces the moment. I don't care how drunk I am. I just missed this feeling. Dancing, I look up, closing my eyes with a little smile plastered on my face. This week has been so tiring. I need this so much. It has been so heavy and suffocating because I am keeping problems to myself lately. I am happy I could, at least, breathe.

       

Minutes passed, and I couldn't see Richie and Nadia anymore. 

Where did those two go?

I even remember Nadia dancing with some familiar faces and Richie dance-battling with some other men. Dizzy, I looked around to find them. 

     

"I want to sleep already," I mumbled as I took the stairs to the bar's second floor. 

    

I tightened my grasp at the polished wooden handrails as I finally managed to get upstairs. Despite feeling unsteady, I still did my best to scan the sea of people on the dancefloor, hoping I would see my friends. 

      

"Are you alone, pretty?" An unfamiliar man grabbed my arm. His face looks red, probably from drinking. He doesn't look bad, but he seems drunk. The ugly smile he's giving makes me want to walk away.

      

"I'm with my friends. Let go of my arm!" I said, trying to get away.

         

"Friends? I don't see one. Come with me. I can keep you company," he said. His grip around my hand tightens as he tries to pull me closer. I look around and see that everyone is focused on their own business.

     

Fuck. I can't find any force to exert now that I am dizzy.

Nonetheless, I still did my best to push him hard when he tried to put his face near my neck. All I felt was disgust. 

       

I was about to slap him when he suddenly fell to the floor because of a strong punch on his face. Things happened too fast, and I found myself facing a man's back. His hand gently holds my left arm as if hiding me from the sight of the bastard.

   

"Take him out," I heard him order the bouncers who just came.

     

I don't know if it's just because I'm drunk, but hearing that cold manly voice made me feel something inside. When he faced me, I almost lost my balance. His dark brown eyes give me shivers. He has a straight, prominent nose and thick, well-shaped eyebrows that complement his alluring red lips. His sharp jaw looks like it was sculpted by the Greeks, and his broad shoulders look rock hard and strong.

Gosh. When did I start praising a man poetically? 

    

"Are you hurt?" he asked. I shook my head.

     

"Thank you," I said. 

       

I tried to step back and walk away, remembering I should be looking for my friends. However, my legs betrayed me. To my surprise, the reflexes of the man in front of me were fast.

     

I almost lose my breath as I realize how close our faces have become. His arms were wrapped around my waist, and my hands were on his shoulders. 

      

Suddenly, I got conscious of how his dark brown orbs looked at me. My heart immediately raced as his stare focused on my lips. His arms around me tighten, and I hate how my body seemed to like that. Little by little, his face went down, our lips almost touching. I held my breath, feeling intoxicated by his smell. However, he tilted his head and pulled away just as I was about to close my eyes.

      

"Fuck," he cursed before helping me stand properly.

      

He clenched his jaw, looking away as if he was composing himself. I bit my lower lip.

     

Why did he stop?

      

Damn. 

     

And why am I feeling disappointed? Never did I feel like this. I am Aliana Reeves. Men fall in line to see me.

     

Annoyed, I took a grip on his white button-down long sleeves and reached for his lips. I felt him stiffen a bit with that sudden action of mine. I closed my eyes, admiring how the touch of his lips made me feel electrified. As I pulled away, I felt his hands on my waist, pulling me closer again. He kissed me passionately this time which gave me a feeling that he was holding himself back a while ago. 

     

I wrapped my arms around his neck as his kisses got deeper. If he isn't holding my waist right now, I bet I'm already on the floor because of how weak my knees feel. He slightly bit my bottom lip, asking for access to my mouth. I gladly gave in. I felt burning with heat the moment his tongue did wonders to my mouth, and his caresses got more tempting. I pulled him closer as I wanted to feel more, not realizing how braver my acts were getting. Blame the alcohol, I guess. 

         

"Let's go somewhere else," he whispered after breaking the kiss. As if acting on its own, I felt my head nod while looking at him with my sleepy eyes. 

        

       

        

We left the bar in a swift. Drunk and dizzy, I go with the flow of what my body desires.

        

All I remember is, suddenly, we're in a hotel room making out. His hands wandered to different parts of my body. One hand of mine clings to his neck while the other one brushes his hair. I pressed myself hard against him as we walked toward the bed, our mouths not breaking contact. We both started peeling each other's clothes off, and I let out a soft moan as his kisses traveled to the crook of my neck.

        

He glided over me as my back hit the mattress. Left with only underwear, I started to get conscious. However, it was replaced by confidence, seeing him look ravenous.

     

"Fuck this thing," he cursed into my collarbone as he struggled with unclasping my bra.

      

He claimed my mounds like a hungry child getting his reward as soon as he succeeded. I arched my back, feeling overwhelmed by the sensation given by his aggressive mouth feasting on my bosom and his other hand that expertly moved its way to my most precious part. 

Things happened in a blur, and my body seized every part of it. 

"Ahhh!" I cried, feeling a deep stab of pain as he entered. I saw him stop halfway when he realized it was my first time. 

     

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked, worried. I immediately shook my head.

        

I endured the pain as he gently slid in, and he kissed me softly along the process. Voltages of pleasure streaked when I started to get used to it. I grip his shoulders, asking for strength, as he starts to thrust harder and faster. I wiggled my hips and tried to meet his thrusts, but he held my waist to keep me still. I cling onto his nape, his hair, and even on the bedsheets just to contain the forming sensation between my legs. 

     

Never have I thought that this pleasure is possible. I buried my nails on his back as something in me exploded. Waves of electricity seemed to travel through my veins. He held out a deep groan as he finished and let his body fall onto mine, planting kisses on my face as I tried to catch my breath.