002

The bass was vibrating through the floor ng VIP lounge, ramdam na ramdam ko ang bawat kabog sa dibdib ko. The Paradigm was Manila's premier high-end club—exclusive, expensive, at ito talaga ang tamang lugar kung gusto mong magtago sa karamihan.

"I still can't believe your dad is doing this," sabi ni Trisha bago uminom sa pangatlong glass niya ng cosmopolitan.

Kumpas-kumpas pa ang kamay niya dahil kailangan niyang lakasan ang boses niya laban sa malakas na music ng DJ. "I mean, it's the Altamirano Group. Kilala naman ng lahat na para silang royalty sa corporate world, but forcing you into a marriage? Sobrang archaic naman niyan."

"Sinabi mo pa" sagot ko habang pinaiikot ang amber liquid sa baso ko. High-end scotch. No ice. I needed it straight para naman mabawasan ang galit na kanina pa sumasakal sa lalamunan ko.

"It's infuriating. Nag-finalize na ako ng portfolio para sa jewelry design launch ko, tapos ngayon, biglang mapo-pause ang career ko dahil gagawin akong collateral para sa utang namin. Seryoso ba?"

"So, anong plano mo? Are you really going to that dinner tomorrow?"

"I don't have a choice, Trish. Kung hindi ako sisipot, it will be a massive public relations nightmare for Dad, at tuluyang babagsak ang kumpanya. I just need to play along for a bit, look for a loophole sa pre-nuptial agreement, and—"

Hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko nang biglang umilaw ang phone ni Trisha sa ibabaw ng marble table. Pagkakita niya sa screen, her expression dropped into pure panic.

"Oh my god, Ces. I am so, so sorry," gulat na sabi ni Trisha habang mabilis na kinukuha ang designer bag niya. "It's the boutique. Pumutok ang sprinkler system sa main showroom at nababasa na ang mga bagong collection. I have to go right now dahil nasa akin ang master keys."

I forced a reassuring smile kahit medyo nadismaya ako. "Go. It's fine, Trish. Professional emergencies come first. Kaya ko na ang sarili ko."

"Are you sure? Call a driver later, okay? Huwag kang magda-drive!" She gave me a quick hug bago nagmadaling lumabas ng VIP area, leaving me completely isolated sa gitna ng neon lights at maingay na crowd.

I sighed, tsaka ko ininom ang natitirang scotch sa isang lagukan.

The alcohol was definitely kicking in my sytem, medyo lumalabo na ang paligid ko pero lalong tumitindi ang urge ko na magrebelde. I gathered my things, isinabit ko ang bag ko sa balikat, and decided it was time to leave.

Pero habang naglalakad ako palabas ng VIP booth, may biglang humarang sa dinadaanan ko.

"Leaving so soon? The night is still young, sweetheart."

Napatigil ako sa paglakad at dahan-dahang tumingala. The man standing in front of me was, without a doubt, a visual masterpiece. Sharp, aristocratic features, a perfectly styled messy undercut, at ang mga mata niya ay may halong amusement at matinding self-confidence. He was wearing a crisp black button-down shirt na nakabukas ang unang dalawang butones, revealing just enough skin para mang akit?

Yeah, mang akit, dahil ngayon... naaakit ako!

He had playboy written all over him. Mula sa effortless na ngisi sa labi niya hanggang sa mamahaling cologne na maaamoy sa kanya.

Normally, I would have rolled my eyes at iiwanan ang mga ganitong klaseng lalaki. I deal with elite, arrogant men all the time in my social circle. Pero ngayong gabi? I need to have a fun before ako maging Mrs. Altamirano at makulong sa mansyon nila.

I tilted my head, looking him up and down at doon, isang mapaglaro at palaban na ngiti ang lumabas sa sarili kong mga labi.

"And you are?" tanong ko. My voice was dripping with confidence kahit medyo umiikot na ang paningin ko.

He leaned in a bit closer, his eyes locking onto mine na nagpabilis ng tibok ng puso ko. "Someone who hates to see a beautiful woman drinking alone. What's your name?"

"You don't need to know my name," matapang kong sagot sabay hakbang palapit sa kanya. The alcohol was making me so bold na nawala lahat ng inhibitions ko. "But if you have nothing better to do tonight... I might have a proposition for you."

He let out a low, deeply attractive chuckle, halatang naaliw sa pagiging straight forward ko.

"Is that so? I'm all ears."