KABANATA 6

SERENE SALUSTIA

"Whoooo! Let's go sa dance floor Serene, you're too sexy para lang umupi dyan at mag-mukmok" Pag-aya ni Maurice sakin, Ay naku, halatang lasing na 'to. "Come on Serene, Maurice's right, let's dance. walang magagalit. Andyan naman si Drius at Killian para maging body guard natin" Sabay hagikgik nito. Napasimangot naman ang kambal nitong si Killian, "Really? Camille? Ang gwapo ko namang bodyguard" Sabay ngisi. Napapailing nalang si Camille at Maurice na hinila ako sa dance floor.

The music throbbed through the club like a living heartbeat—steady, pulsing, loud. Neon lights bathed the crowded dance floor in waves of purple, red, and electric blue, dancing across every body that moved to the rhythm. I could feel the bass in my chest, vibrating with every beat like it wanted to sync with the chaos in my mind. Just for tonight, I let myself melt into the music.

With each sway of my hips, the weight of my heartbreak slipped away. I moved freely, letting the tempo guide me, arms raised above my head as my body followed the seductive rhythm. My hair clung to my skin in damp waves, and the fabric of my black halter dress clung to every curve, making me feel bold—fierce, even. I didn’t care who was watching. I didn’t need anyone’s eyes to feel beautiful tonight.

I could feel their stares—hungry, mesmerized. I didn’t stop. I tilted my head back, let the lights wash over me, my movements slow and fluid like a flame flickering in sync with the beat. My hips rolled, teasing and unapologetic, as if the dance floor were mine and I knew it. My hands slid down my body and back up, tracing the lines of my waist as if I was worshiping my own skin.

For once, I wasn’t the girl worrying if Zach would text back. I wasn’t the quiet, careful version of myself. I was alive. Untamed. And for just this moment, I let the music drown out everything else.

"Wow grabe girl! Ang sexy mo talaga! Kanina pa nakatingin yung mga lalaki sayo. Kung lalaki lang ako kanina pa kita sinakmal, Rawr!" Natatawang bulong ni Maurice sa'kin, Natawa naman ako sa tinuran nito. "Oh girl, Shot pa! Magpaka-lasing tayo at kalimutan ang lahat ngayong gabi, Cheers!" Saad ni Camille.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras kaming nagsayaw bago ako nag-aya na umupo na dahil nakaramdam na ako ng pananakit ng aking mga paa. "Ayaw mo na sumayaw? Nakabantay ako, Ang galing mo ah." Pag puri ni Drius sa'kin, "Ayoko na, ang sakit ng paa ko. "Kung nakakatunaw lang ang pagtitig, malamang kanina ka pa natunaw sa dance floor, halos lahat ng lalaki nakatingin sayo. Iba ka, Ikaw na talaga." Napailing nalang ako sa sinabi ni Killian. Tinapos pa namin ang nag iisang bote ng Vodka.

"Serene, sure ka ba na ayaw mo pa umuwi? It's 2am na." May pag-aalalang tanong ni Killian habang akay si Camille na lasing na lasing na. Ngumiti ako bago sumagot. "Okay lang ako, Hindi naman ako gaanong nalasing. Sige na ingat kayo." Tumingin pa ito sakin bago ako tumango. "Sige girl, Ingat ka ha. Send me a message kapag nakauwi kana." Saad ni Maurice habang naka-kapit sa braso ni Drius. Pagka-alis nila ay tumayo na ako at nagpunta sa counter, nang makarating doon, napatingin ako sa dance floor... Nagpunta ako rito para mag-relax at magsaya pa kahit saglit, pero wala na rin yata ako sa mood.

Natigilan ako nang mapadako ang mata ko sa couch na inuupuan namin kanina, may lalaking prenteng nakaupo rito at nakatitig sa'kin.

Napasinghap ako nang matitigan ko ang mukha nito. The man was tall, lean, and masculine all over. My jaw almost dropped... He's the most attractive man I ever laid my eyes on. I almost got lost in his deep gray eyes. He has thick eyebrows and lashes, pointed nose, sexy lips, sharp jawline, and stubble beard. He has the manliest aura among all the men I've met in my life. He looked like a Hollywood actor or model. I bet he's in his 20s.

My knees weakened when our eyes met again. He has this look in his eyes that I couldn't explain... as if nothing in this world excites him except me. Somehow... that tickles me. Hindi naman sa pagmamayabang, pero palaging nagagandahan sa akin ang mga lalaking nakaksalamuha ko sa unang tingin pa lang. Even Zach always telling me that I'm beautiful... but this man is looking at me as if I was something for him. Only for him..

Lumapit ito sakin, umupo sa tabi ko, "What's your name?" he asked and started ordering his drink..

"I'm Serene... And you are?"

"Alastair," he said in his deep baritone voice.

Even his name was hot.

I just gasped when he grabbed my nape and pulled me closer to him. My heart felt like it would explode when he started sniffing my neck.. May munting ungol na kumawala sa bibig ko. He distance his body and sighed, he stroked his hair. "Do you want to have sex with me or something?"

Natigagal ako sa bulgar na tanong niya, bahagya pa akong napaatras... Wow, that was straightforward.

I just smiled sweetly at him and crossed my arms. "What if I do?" I made sure to show him my innocent but killer smile.. Wala naman na akong boyfriend, Zach's other woman is pregnant now at isa pa, ito rin naman ang rason kung bakit niloko ako ni Zach. Ang hindi ko pagsuko ng pagkababae ko sakanya.

"Are you sure you're not drunk?" he muttered as he comes closer again and started to sniff my neck, again.

His breath on my neck made my knees weaker.

"I-I'm not drunk, Alastair..."

He distanced his face from my neck and stared at me. I gulped when I saw a faint smirk in his sexy lips. He grabbed my hand at hinila ako palabas sa bar.

"How old are you? I don't want to fuck someone who's ten years younger than me..." he said and put his hand on the roof of his car. He stared intently at me. "I'm 35 by the way."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko... 35 years old na siya? My goodness. I didn't expect that. He's sixteen years older than me? Hell. He looks like he's in his 20s.

"Uhm... I-I'm 30..." 28 would be too suspicious... kaya 30 na lang. I really don't want to lie about my age. This is a one time thing anyway. Hindi na rin naman kami magkikita pagkatapos. I just want experience, maybe? I'm sure he's just bored anyway.

"Show me your ID. I have to make sure... you look young," sabi niya at inilahad ang kamay niya.

My goodness. Seryoso ba siya? Ano 'to? Interview?

"Wala akong dala... just believe me, 30 na nga ako."

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at kumapit sa batok niya saka siniil siya ng halik sa labi. I felt his hand on my waist. I gasped when he pulled me closer and pinned me against his car, then he kissed me back. It was a hungry and needy kiss... I moaned against his lips and touched his hard chest.

Oh goodness... I hope I won't regret this.