Waking Up Next To Him Again

Third Person’s Point of View

Malakas ang tugtog sa loob ng ballroom, kumikislap ang mga ilaw na parang bituin sa kisame. Laughter and champagne spilled through the air like secrets waiting to be caught.

Ayah Solene Cruz adjusted her mask, pakiramdam niya out of place siya sa gitna ng mga gowns, diamonds, at amoy ng mamahaling perfume. “Smile lang. Pretend you belong,” bulong niya sa sarili. Masyado na siyang naghirap para makarating dito—mula sa batang iniwan hanggang sa maging event coordinator ng isa sa pinakamalaking kumpanya sa bansa.

Pero imbes na pride, biglang bumigat ang dibdib niya. Like something dangerous was about to happen.

Dumaan ang waiter, dala ang tray ng sparkling drinks. She grabbed one, took a sip, then frowned. “Hmm, parang juice lang pero sosyal!” napatawa siya ng mahina. Kumalat ang init sa dibdib niya, nagbigay ng tapang na hindi niya inaasahan.

At doon niya naramdaman.

Nakatayo sa kabilang dulo ng hall—tall, devastating in a dark suit and silver mask. Malapad ang balikat, sharp jawline, at ang mga labi ay naka-smirk na parang kasalanan. His eyes found hers—steady, deliberate.

Mabilis niyang iniwas ang tingin, pero may mainit na kamay na biglang humawak sa kanya.

“Dance with me,” he said.

Dahil medyo bold na siya sa inumin, she raised her chin with a playful smile. “Sure. Pero huwag kang mafa-fall ha. I’m expensive.”

His chuckle rumbled low as they moved to the beat. “I can afford you.”

Ayah arched a brow. “Hmm… baka scammer ka lang?”

“Then this will be the best scam of your life.”

Umikot ang mata niya pero tumalon ang pulso. He pulled her closer, their masks brushing, bawat ikot parang dare, bawat hakbang parang tukso na sumisigaw ng say yes.

Isang halik ang ninakaw. Isa pa. Hanggang sa mapadpad sila sa isang madilim na suite sa itaas, halakhak at halik ang tanging tunog.

“Sh*t, wait, tanggalin ko lang heels ko—baka matapilok ako sa kama!” Ayah giggled, unzipping her dress.

“Then let me help,” he murmured, tugging the zipper down, lips trailing against her shoulder.

She gasped. Half-thrilled, half-delighted. “Hoy! Huwag kang magmadali—parang wala nang bukas?”

“Exactly.”

Nahulog ang mga damit na parang confetti. His warmth pressed against her, teasing, then claiming.

“Ohhh… F-Faster!” ungol niya, nails scratching down his back.

“Sh*t, baka hindi ko—”

“Wag kang titigil!” she snapped breathlessly, half-mad, half-laughing.

“Bossy ka pala,” he teased, before moving harder, deeper, making her squeal and moan in between helpless laughter.

Every thrust was hungrier, surer—parang gusto niyang ubusin siya. Ang halakhak niya’y natunaw sa mga ungol, hanggang sa ang buong mundo ay umiikot at nawala sa init ng gabing iyon.

And then later…

Magkayakap sila sa magulong kama, pawis at hininga lang ang natira. Ayah lay flushed, nakangiti na parang siraulo. “Grabe… sa wakas, natubigan na rin ang disyerto,” bulong niya, natatawa sa sarili.

She rolled on her side, eyes tracing his jawline. “Grabe, parang Greek statue lang… Ano ‘to, N*****x one-night-only special?”

Napailing siya, suppressed laughter escaping. Napaka-wild ng gabi, pero ang saya. She told herself, stranger lang siya. Walang pangalan, walang future. “Just heat, laughter, and a story to cringe about years later.”

“At least hindi na disyerto ang buhay ko,” she whispered into the pillow, giggling.

Pero pagkagising niya—wala na siya. No name, no note, nothing. Ang naiwan lang, ang amoy niya sa kumot at init ng alaala sa balat niya.

Napabalikwas si Ayah, clutching the blanket. “Oh my God!” sabay takip ng mukha. “What have you done, girl?”

She forced a laugh. “One night stand lang. Bonus sa life. Walang malisya, walang feelings. Tapos na.”

Pero natigilan siya nang may kuminang sa gilid ng kama.

Isang calling card. Black, with silver letters.

Dave Lorian Del Valle

Nalaglag ang puso niya. Nanigas, sabay takip ng bibig.

“CEO?” bulong niya, voice shaking.

No way. Hindi puwede. Pero hawak niya ang ebidensya.

“Is this a joke?” Half-thrilled. May kilig pa nga—pero may takot din. Jackpot ba ‘to o sumpa?

Ayah flopped back on the bed, sabay takip ng mukha ng unan. “N-natikman ko ang CEO!” halos mapasigaw siya pero nagtago sa gigil na tawa.

The next day…

Pagpasok sa boardroom, halos mahulog ang folder niya. He was there—standing at the head of the table, crisp white shirt, aura like sin.

Ayah’s stomach dropped. Is it him? The same man?

“Parang gusto kong mahimatay,” she whispered, gripping her folder. Her body trembled. Hard f*ck of my life pala ‘to.

His gaze locked on her. That smug grin tugged at his lips.

“IKAW?!”

Like lightning, naalala niya ang kumot, ang mga halakhak at halinghing, at ang init ng nagdaang gabi. Napakagat siya sa labi.

The stranger she thought she’d never see again.

“Everyone,” one of the board announced proudly, “this is Dave Lorian Del Valle, our CEO.”

Her knees wobbled. Lorian. Another name sounds so familiar.

Her pulse hammered. A single name ripped through her.

The flicker in his eyes confirmed it. He’s Ian. The ex-boyfriend who vanished. The man who once broke her heart… and the same man who just claimed her body last night.

“Of course,” he said, smug and certain. “Why wouldn’t I?”