CHAPTER 3

Bella woke up to the soft morning light filtering through Raf’s penthouse window

For a moment, she allowed herself to forget everything...the rules, the responsibilities, the voice in her head that kept saying “This is wrong.”

Pero reality hit her like a cold shower

“What did I just do?” she whispered, staring at the ceiling, heart racing. Her body still tingled from last night, but her mind was in chaos. She was supposed to be in control

Supposed to be responsible. Pero… hindi niya maalis sa isip ang ngiti ni Raf at yung init ng mga halik niya

When she turned, Raf was still asleep, shirtless, hair messy, a soft smile on his face. Bella’s chest ached at the sight of him. Something about him… something dangerous, something irresistible

She quietly slipped out of the penthouse, heart heavy and conflicted

By noon, Bella was texting Maya, hoping for some sanity

Bella: “Maya… I think I made a huge mistake.”

Maya: “I knew it. I told you… what did I say? Pero bakit ka pa rin pupunta sa penthouse ng ganyan na lalake?”

Bella: “I don’t know… I didn’t mean it. Pero hindi ko rin maalis sa isip si Raf. Parang… may spark kami.”

Maya: “Spark? Girl… ‘yan e warning. Fireworks ngayon, pero sunog bukas. Watch out.”

Bella sighed. Maya was right. But something in her wouldn’t let go of Raf. There was danger there, yes, pero masarap din. Exciting. Every memory of last night made her cheeks flush and her stomach twist

Later that afternoon, Raf texted her again

Raf: “Thinking about last night… Can’t stop thinking about you.”

Bella’s fingers hovered over the keyboard. She wanted to resist, wanted to put some distance between them. Pero curiosity, desire, at kaunting kilig ang nanalo

Bella: “Stop it. We barely know each other. Last night… it was… a mistake.”

Raf: “A mistake? Bella… sometimes, the best things are mistakes.”

Bella groaned, half irritated, half wanting him. Raf had that effect on her...nagugulo ang utak, pero mas gusto niya pa ring sumuko sa damdamin niya

The next day, their paths crossed unexpectedly at a café near Bella’s university. Raf was there, looking effortlessly handsome, casual yet sharp, with that same dangerous grin

“Bella,” he said, walking towards her

“We meet again.”

She froze

“Raf… this is… risky.”

“Risky?” Raf laughed, sliding into the seat across from her

“Come on… aren’t you curious what else is possible? What else we could… explore?”

Bella’s heart raced. Ang temptation, parang nakikipaglaro sa kanya. She knew she should leave, walk away, pero hindi niya nagawa

“Raf… I—” she stammered

“Shhh…” Raf leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from her face

“Don’t talk. Just feel.”

Before she knew it, Raf pressed his lips against hers. This time, it wasn’t just teasing. It was deliberate, hungry, filled with intent

Bella felt herself melting, conflicted between desire and guilt. Every kiss, every brush of their hands, made her forget the world

Pero as the kiss deepened, Bella’s phone buzzed. A message from someone she didn’t want to see right now

Unknown: “I saw you last night… with Raf.”

Bella’s heart stopped. She pulled back from Raf, eyes wide, panic rising

“What’s wrong?” Raf asked, noticing her sudden tension

“It’s… it’s nothing. Just… someone saw us,” she whispered, feeling a lump form in her throat

Raf frowned, anger and protectiveness flashing in his eyes

“Who?”

Bella shook her head

“I don’t want to drag you into this. Let’s just… not talk about it.”

But Raf wasn’t convinced. He could feel the tension, the jealousy, the potential threat. And deep down, he didn’t like the idea of anyone interfering with what was theirs… even if it was a mistake

That night, Bella lay in bed, mind racing. She knew Raf was dangerous for her, her emotions, her heart. Pero kahit gaano siya mag-resist, bawat text, bawat memory, bawat halik niya...hindi niya maiwasan

“Why does it feel so wrong… and so right at the same time?” she murmured, feeling tears prick her eyes

She hated herself a little for wanting him. Hated herself more for knowing she’d see him again

And somewhere across the city, Raf was doing the same. Thinking about Bella. About that night. About the fire he couldn’t put out

They were both trapped in a dangerous game...desire, temptation, and the thrilling chaos of a mistake that neither of them wanted to stop.