Chapter 1

“Cheers!”

“So, what are the plans for this Christmas season?” Rein asked, raising her glass.

Sab’s eyes lit up. “Oo nga! Are we traveling somewhere? Beach?”

I took a sip of my cocktail and shrugged. Kahit saan, game ako. Basta sila ang kasama ko, walang problema.

“Beach? Seriously, Sab? Ang lamig ng panahon!” Aicka chimed in with a teasing grin. “Mas maganda kung may kasama tayong pampainit.”

“Bet ko ‘yon!” mabilis kong sagot. We all locked eyes for a moment, the kind of stare that carried a whole conversation without saying a word. Seconds later, we burst out laughing, as if our silent banter had been loud enough for everyone to hear.

That’s how it was with us. Kilala mo na talaga ang isa’t isa kung kahit tinginan lang, gets nyo na. Lalo na kapag sabay-sabay kayong namimintas sa mga taong hindi niyo feel, lahat nasabi na sa tingin pa lang.

“So, saan nga ba tayo this Christmas, habang wala pa tayong pampainit?” Sab pressed again.

“Let’s try Baguio. What do you think, girls?” Rein suggested casually from where she lounged on the couch, legs crossed like a queen.

“Sure!” Aicka answered first.

“No problem,” Sab followed. Then all eyes turned to me, waiting for my answer.

“Oh, obviously! I always count on you people, no matter where you travel.”

We’d been friends since high school, four women cut from the same cloth. Adventurous, spontaneous, always craving the next thrill. Hiking, swimming, traveling—name it, we’d done it.

Sabrina was practically born into fashion. Her family owned PUP Magazine, a well-known brand not just in the Philippines but also in Paris. She strutted down the runway modeling their own designs, like she was born to own the spotlight.

Rein? CEO material since day one. She built her own jewelry and bag line, and in just a few years, she was running ten branches.

Aicka, on the other hand, managed several malls in Batangas—a true businesswoman with the sharpest instincts.

And me? I owned The Craft Liquor, the very bar we were sitting in right now. One of the high-class bars in Taal, with three branches scattered across Batangas. My pride, my baby, my proof that I’d carved a place for myself too.

“Oh… what a beautiful view,” Aicka suddenly murmured, biting her lip. Her eyes were glued to the entrance.

Sabay-sabay kaming tumingin kung saan siya nakatingin.

Four men walked in, slow and deliberate, like the room had been waiting just for them.

Head-turners. Their presence alone demanded attention. They looked powerful, looked older than us, like the kind of men who ran empires.

“Sugar daddy!” Rein practically purred, her eyes following them hungrily.

“Fuck! Ang hot!” Sab whispered in awe.

I couldn’t blame them. These men weren’t just attractive, they were magnetic. Everything from their posture to their clothes screamed authority, maturity, and money.

They made their way to the counter, laughing softly among themselves. And that’s when one of them caught my eye.

He was wearing a black long-sleeved polo, sleeves rolled up neatly to his elbows. The top three buttons were undone, teasing the firm chest beneath. A silver necklace hung around his neck, its square pendant resting against his skin—casually trapped between his teeth as he bit it. His long hair was tied back, revealing an undercut that added a sharpness to his look. From head to toe, everything about him shouted luxury.

“Ngayon ko lang sila nakita rito. Dayo?” Aicka asked curiously.

“Maybe? Ngayon ko lang din sila nakita e,” I admitted.

We couldn’t stop staring. Thank God they hadn’t noticed us yet.

“Let’s play!” Rein suddenly blurted, making us all jump.

My brows knitted together. “Ano na namang laro ‘yan?”

“Larong alam kong magugustuhan niyo.” Her mischievous grin said it all.

We cleared the glasses from the table, leaving only one empty bottle. Rein grabbed it, holding it up like a trophy.

“Walang truth, ha. Dare lang,” she reminded us.

“Alam na namin ‘yan! Go na! Baka maunahan pa ako sa aking dadeh,” Sab teased, making us all laugh again.

Rein spun the bottle. Seconds ticked by, my nerves humming as I wondered where it would land.

“Woah!” Rein gasped when it stopped—on her.

“Sandali!” Aicka cut in quickly. “Sabihin muna natin kung sino mga natipuhan natin sa apat. Baka mamaya, pareho pala ang target. Hindi ako magpapaubaya, tss.”

“Fine…” Rein sighed. We all nodded in agreement.

“’Yong mukhang bad boy—” she started.

“Gaga! Lahat sila mukhang bad boy!” Sab interrupted, making us snort.

And she was right. They all had that dangerous edge.

“Sorry. Okay, ‘yong naka-white polo, unbuttoned din. Kita ang dibdib,” Rein clarified.

“Sa akin ‘yong naka-fitted red shirt. Ang yummy, bakat ang abs!” Aicka chimed in, biting her lip again, practically swooning.

That left me and Sab. My stomach twisted, please, not the same one.

“Naka-long sleeves…” Sab began. My heart dropped. Two of them were wearing long sleeves. Shit. Sino sa kanila?

“…na white,” she finished.

I exhaled in relief.

“Okay, ikaw, Mifi? May kahati ka ba sa amin?”

I shook my head confidently. “Naka-black long sleeves. Mine agad!”

“Gaga! Aalamin pa lang natin ang pangalan nila ngayong gabi. Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Rein scolded.

“Ah, pangalan pa lang ba? Akala ko iuuwi na agad,” I shot back playfully, earning a round of laughter.

“Game na!” Rein stood up, fixing her hair. She pulled a bottle of perfume from her bag and practically bathed herself in it. “Buti na lang may tama na ng espiritu ng alak! Hooo!”

“Kaya ‘yan! Malay mo, siya na si Mr. Right!” I teased. She rolled her eyes at me before walking away.

We watched her approach the men. She slid onto the seat beside them, flipping her hair and leaning in close to the bartender like she was in a movie. Within moments, she had their attention.

A few minutes later, she returned with a triumphant smile.

“Daniel,” she reported, sinking back into her seat.

She spun the bottle again. This time it landed on Aicka.

Just like Rein, Aicka’s dare was quick. A short chat, a coy smile, then she was back.

“Jinx,” she announced proudly.

Sab’s turn came next, and she returned just as swiftly.

“Prince,” she said with a grin.

Finally, my turn. I sprayed on my perfume, steadying myself as I stood. The alcohol buzz made the floor sway slightly beneath me, but I walked with purpose.

“Go, Mifi!” they cheered in unison.

At the counter, the staff immediately noticed me.

“Ma’am Mifi, cocktail pa po sa table niyo?” Ben asked politely.

“Yeah,” I answered with a smile, aware of the men’s eyes on me now.

I turned to them, smiling warmly. “Hi! I’m the owner of this bar. I hope you’re enjoying your night, gentlemen.”

“Oh, pleasure to meet you, Miss…?” Rein’s crush, Daniel, asked.

“Just call me Mifi. Nice to meet you too, Mister…?” I pretended not to know.

“Daniel,” he said, offering his hand.

“Jinx,” Aicka’s guy introduced.

“Prince,” Sab’s man followed.

Finally, I looked at him—my target. He hadn’t looked away from me since I arrived.

I smiled sweetly. “And you are?”

Even in the dim light, he was stunning. Brown eyes that pulled you in, thick brows, sharp jaw, pink lips I could already imagine tasting—shit. He licked his lower lip, wetting it. That’s when I saw it.

A tongue piercing.

Fuck.

My pulse skipped. He hadn’t even spoken yet and I was already gone. And then, when he did, when I heard his voice—it was game over.

“Aldous Delwyn. Just call me Dos.”

Holy shit. Take me now. Or better yet…let me take him.