Chapter 1

The crowd was noisy as soon as I entered the club room. I can smell the heavy liquors with the mix of smoke circulating the whole area.

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid habang nakaupo ako sa bar stool na nasa harap ng bartender. Agad naman siyang ngumiti sa akin. Kilala niya ako dahil regular customer na ako dito.

"One margarita for a sweet lady," he said and give me a drink.

"Thank you, Dark." sagot ko at pawang nilalaro ang basong hawak. I sipped on it and immediately taste the liquor against my throat. Ngumiti ako sa kanya bago ko nilibot ang paningin ko sa paligid. People having fun in the crowd with a loud music occupying the room. Some are even making out.

This is my life. A party-goer. I don't like being alone. I am always enjoying the life of a lady on her early twenties. I smirk as I saw guys lingering their eyes on me. I don't have time entertaining them for today. I just want to get wasted. I don't know why but I feel like someone is watching me from the crowd. I feel those intense glares from those guys, but now, it's way more different.

I always get my brother who will bring me home with just one call so I don't mind getting wasted tonight. Hindi naman siya gano'n ka-busy. Gusto ko lang ilabas ang stress ko ngayong gabi. I just took my exam for our last semester and my friend Nicole is nowhere to be found.

"One more, please." I said to Dark, the bartender. He immediated refilled my glass. I look at him. He was busy entertaining the other customers. Though he has a resemblance with someone. Isang lalaking ibinaon ko na sa aking nakaraan.

Umiling ako. Ayoko na siyang maalala. Limang taon na ang nakalipas. Nagdulot lang siya ng sakit sa puso ko na ayaw ko nang maramdaman.

"Birthday mo ngayon diba?" sabi ni Dark sa akin. Feeling ko tipsy na ako kaya tumango nalang ako. "Happy birthday." He even smirk.

Sinong mag-aakala na isang bartender pa ang unang makakaalala ng birthday ko? Kaarawan ko ngayon pero parang nag-iisa akong magdiwang. I am not used to celebrating it with my family or friends. I just want to take it as a normal day.

"Wag mo nang banggitin." Nagkibit balikat ako sa kanya.

Later that night, I busy myself drinking until I felt my head throbbing already. Normal lang naman 'to lalo na ngayon na nanlalabo na ang mata ko. Parang umiikot ako. Mas lumala nang tumayo ako at pumunta sa dance floor. I enjoyed myself with the beat of the music playing, losing my sanity in the midst of the crowd. I feel that I am free. I feel freedom with the thought of enjoying myself at this hour.

Napilitan akong pumunta sa comfort room. Hindi pa malinaw ang paningin ko dahil parang tipsy na ako.

"Excuse me!" I exclaimed at the people on my way. They are even glaring at me as I passed through. I rolled my eyes and went to the comfort room and did my thing.

May naririnig akong mga yabag nang matapos ako at hinuhugasan ko na ang mukha ko ng malamig na tubig na nagmumula sa gripo. Nakatulong ito na maalis ang aking pagkahilo nang ilang sandali. Nasa harap ako ng salamin pero wala akong makitang tao rito. Mag-isa lang talaga ako.

But when I was about to get out, three guys wearing sleeveless hoodies are in front the door frame of the men's room. I gulped as they looked dangerous especially with the way they cover themselves. They also have a tattoo on their arms that I think, hawks?

Aalis na sana ako pero parang nanghina ang tuhod ko nang makita ko sila. They are blocking the entrance. And one wrong move, they might know someone is here. I calmed myself and was about to go out when someone covered my mouth with his palm.

"Hmph..." I struggled in removing it.

"Shhh. They might hear you..." A baritone voice whispered near my ear that made me stoned from my place. He was at my back as we're at the back door of the women's comfort room. I can feel his harsh breathing as he was constantly leaning his back on the wall. "Don't make any noise."

His voice is familiar but I can't determine when did I heard it. I want so focused on why he was here but then a loud bang startled me. Mas hinigpitan nito ang pagkakatakip ng bibig ko para hindi ako makapag-ingay. It was surely gunshot that we heard and it was near us.

"Damn it," pagmumura siya. May naririnig din kaming d***g galing sa hindi pamilyar na boses.

"You should find the heiress of Ferrer's. Siya lang ang makakapagligtas sa amo natin. You already have her information!" An angry voice transcended the place. Is he the one who shot the guy? What are they talking about? It's like they're looking for someone.

"Pero sir, wala pong may pangalan na Riellana Ferrer. Ilang taon na po natin siyang hinahanap."

"Keep looking. She's the only bait for the 'The Falcons' to show up. Dapat alam nila kung sino ang binabangga nila."

"Kailangan siya ni boss sa lalong madaling panahon—" Hindi na niya natapos ang sinabi niya nang hilahin ako ng lalaking nasa likuran ko palabas ng comfort room at pinagbabaril sila gamit ang baril na hawak niya. Saan niya nakuha yun?

Pinaputukan niya ng limang bala ang mga binti nila bago siya tumakbo patungo sa labasan habang hawak pa rin ng mahigpit ang pulso ko. Pinilit kong makasabay sa kaniya. Hindi ako makatakbo ng maayos dahil sa heels ko. Shit!

Nang nasa parking lot na kami, ibinulsa niya ang baril sa loob ng itim niyang jacket. Huminto kami sa harap ng asul na sasakyan at madali niya akong pinapasok. Agad naman siyang sumunod sa driver's seat.

I can hear gunshots from the outside. Napatingin ako sa likod namin at sila ang tatlong estranghero na nakasuot ng hooded sleeveless shirts. Sinusundan na nila kami habang hawak ang mga baril nila. They have gunshots on their body yet they still can move. I hear the guy with me cursed out of his breath as he started maneuvering his car. Nakalabas na kami ng club bar pero pinagbabaril pa rin kami ng mga estrangherong lalaki. Tinakpan ko na ang tenga ko habang nagdadasal na sana mabuhay ako.

"Stay calm." I heard him uttered. I still didn't look at him nor see his face because of the mask covering his face. Geez!

Bakit ba ako nasa ganitong sitwasyon? Nagsimula na namang lumabo ang mga mata ko dahil sa mga namumuong luha ngayon. My body keeps on shivering. I'm afraid. I might die tonight.

"Spare my life..." I keep on whispering as my eyes are shut closed. I just turned 23 and now this will happen to me?

Minutes passed, wala na akong narinig na putok ng baril. Sinimulan kong imulat ang aking mga mata at agad itong iginala sa paligid. Huminto kami sa tapat ng isang condominium building—Madrigal Towers, kung saan ako nakatira.

Napatingin ako sa katabi ko pero binuksan na niya ang pinto sa gilid niya at naglakad sa gilid ko. Itinuon ko ang tingin ko sa kanya hanggang sa buksan niya ang pinto ng sasakyan. Still with my head already throbbing, my eyes getting blurry and my feet being swollen, I took my way out of his car. I stood up in front of him but I almost stumbled when he removed his mask infront of me. I gasped seeing him again.

Those green eyes that I admired before, his chiseled jawline that compliments his V-shaped face, his perfect pointed nose, and his alluring lips that makes him seductive and mysterious. He's still the same but with mature features. That's why his voice seems familiar to me... He was the man I keep on hiding from.

“Elijah...” I mumbled his name but my voice shivers while looking at him. Mariin niya akong tinitigan. He pursed his lips as he roamed his eyes on my face as if he's checking on me.

"You know me, huh? I've been looking for you." I can sense anger with the way he said that. I don't know why, but it should be me who needs to get mad at him because of what he did before.

I wanted to rebutt and defend myself but my mind is already occupied with too much thoughts thinking of what just happened tonight. Gusto ko na lang magpahinga dahil gusto nang mag-shut down ng sistema ko.

I looked straightly at him and he was blabbering something as if he's scolding me. I don't understand anything. I just felt my body collapsed on his broad chest as my vision suddenly covered with darkness.

NAGISING AKO sa isang hindi pamilyar na kwarto. I roamed my eyes around and saw that the room was painted in bluish color with a mix of white. The ambiance is comfortable and cozy as the furnitures are designed minimalistically. Dahan-dahan akong tumayo para hindi makagawa ng ingay. Hindi ko na maalala ang eksaktong nangyari kahapon at gusto ko lang kumain ng almusal. Sumasakit ang ulo ko habang naglalakad palayo sa kwarto.

May nakita akong hagdan pababa sa sala. Obviously, hindi ito ang condo unit ko. The scent lingering the whole house is very manly. Strangely, a man showed up from one the rooms making me stilled on my place. He's topless and only wearing a board shorts. His hair is still wet because he just took a bath.

I heard him cleared his voice nang dumaan siya sa gilid ko. Hindi man lang siya nag-react na nandito ako. Kinalma ko ang sarili ko hanggang sa tumingin ulit siya sa akin, diretso sa mga mata.

"Bakit ako nandito?" Madiin kong tanong para lang maitago ang nauutal kong boses. Ramdam ko pa rin ang epekto niya sa akin kahit ilang taon na ang lumipas.

"You don't even remember what happened last night, I see," sambit niya bago nagsuot ng T-shirt na hinablot niya lang malapit sa telebisyon na nasa harapan niya.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. "Anong nangyari?"

"Kumain muna tayo. Sasabihin ko sayo mamaya," ani nito bago hinila papuntang kusina.

The breakfast was already served. Fried rice, sausages, fried eggs and French toast. There are also two cups of coffee on the table. He guided me to sit in front of him.

Tahimik akong kumain. I didn't mind his presence pero nakakatakot talaga siyang tingnan. Limang taon na rin simula noong huli ko siyang makita. He didn't bothered talking that's why our breakfast was peaceful. I thought I would have rid out off him but fate is really good at playing. Here we are, meeting again in this place.

Pagkatapos kong kumain, tumingin ako sa kanya. Nakatitig na siya sa akin gamit ang berde niyang mga mata. Mga matang naging paborito kong titigan. He wasn't even smiling yet his aura is chilling that made me wants to just go out of this house.

I cleared my voice. “So? What happened?”

"You were in bar. I just saw you going to the comfort room being unable to move because of those guys."

“I drank a lot last night. I didn't remember anything,” I said. “Did something happened? And who are guys you're talking about?”

Humigop muna siya ng kape bago niya ako tinitigan ng buo. Halos mapanganga ako sa sobrang tindi ng tinging ipinupukaw niya sa akin. "They are 'The Hawk'. An underground gang who happens to be our enemy. Mas maganda kung wala kang maalala. Ngayon mo lang narinig ang sikreto nila pero napahamak ka na." Mahinahon niyang sabi.

Isinandal ko ang likod sa kinauupuan habang nakatingin sa kung saan. This can't be happening. It just like I put myself in danger because of what happened. What if they're looking at me? What if they have a plan to eliminate me just because I heard their secret?

“Are they after me already?” I asked. There's already a hint of fear on my voice as it slightly shivered. "Tell me, are they dangerous?"

“They are.” He simply said. I heaved a deep sigh before turning my gaze at him fully. He's not bothered about my situation as if it's just nothing to him. He seems to not care about me. Just like before.

Tumango ako bago tumayo. He just give me a bored glance. I smiled a bit. “Salamat sa pagtulong mo sa akin kagabi. Tama ka na mas mabuti kung wala akong alam, kaya hindi na ako mag-aabala pang tanungin ka.”

Kumunot ang noo niya at hindi na umimik na para bang may hinihintay siyang sasabihin ko. Nakatingin siya sa tasa ng kape sa harapan ko. I bit my lips and my eyes immediately landed there.

“Oh. I don't drink black coffee anymore. I prefer it with milk.” I think I need to say that. He maybe gave effort making that coffee. I felt bad. "I'll just wash the dishes before I go." I said.

“Don't bother. Maghanda ka na lang at iuuwi na kita.” Kaswal niyang sabi at hindi na muling tumingin sa akin.

“Kaya kong umuwi mag-isa. Naistorbo na kita.” Biglang sabi ko. Binigyan niya ako ng masamang tingin na ikinatigil ko.

“Just follow, Rielle. You don't know who are looking for you. The Hawk are already making their way to hunt you down.” He reminded me.

Natahimik pa ako sa pwesto ko nang tawagin niya ako sa pangalan ko na para bang naaalala niya ako. Baka nakita niya ang pangalan ko sa mga ID ko? Siguro, iyon nga. Dahan-dahan akong tumango nang makita ko ang pagkaseryoso ng mukha niya habang sinasabi iyon.

Agad akong pumunta sa kwartong tinutuluyan ko. I took a shower and immediately dressed up with a white dress that was on the bed already. Maybe Elijah prepared this. I just smiled thinking of his efforts before I went downstairs. I saw Elijah already prepared too and finished up washing the dishes.

He was wearing a beige buttondown polo and a white shirt beneath it. He paired it with a black tight long pants. He's really good looking on those attire. I walked towards him and that's when he look at me. His eyes darted longer than expected on my dress, but when our eyes met, he looked away eventually.

“Let's go.” He said and walked out of the house first. I followed him and saw his car parked outside the gate. Iginiya niya akong pumasok sa front seat bago siya pumasok sa driver's seat. Sinuot ko ang seatbelt ko bago niya pinaandar ang sasakyan niya.

I was about to tell him my address pero nakalagay na iyon sa screen. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil doon. Alam niya kung saan ako nakatira, pero paano? I just shrugged that question at nanatiling tahimik. I glanced at him and I saw how his jaw clenched while biting his lips. From what I remember, this is not how defined his jaws before. He really mature after years.

I miss him so much but I know he didn't remember me being his fling before. That's why I didn't bother mentioning his name earlier. I called him Sean while the others call him Elijah. I am afraid that he will remember me. I was just a pass time for this playboy. I shouldn't have stayed longer to be with him. I should have just hide my feelings and didn't confessed before. Maybe he didn't pushed me away.

He's being casual to me right now and that only means na hindi niya talaga ako naalala. I wonder kung playboy pa rin siya hanggang ngayon? He loves playing every girls' feelings, and I am one of them. One of his rules is to not fall in love with him or else, kakalimutan niya lahat ng namamagitan sa amin na parang wala lang kami.

But I still took the risk to confess to him on my 18th birthday, and as expected, tinanggihan niya ako. Iniwan niya ako pagkatapos ng debut party ko. Hindi na siya nagpakita ulit. At iyon na ang huling pagkakataon na nakita ko siya, na iniwan ang puso kong sarado noong gabing iyon. I decided that I'll leave him and our place to mend my heart, but even after years, it's still beating for him. Until now, it's still him. That's why I am eager to avoid him. I am hiding from him.

I got back from my reverie when the car stopped in front of the Madrigal Towers. I removed my seatbelt and smiled at Elijah who's now looking at me.

“I gotta go. Thank you, Sean.” I whispered his name before I went out of his car. I didn't bother glancing back at him and went straight to my condo unit. I don't want to associate myself with him anymore.

It's better this way. It's better to be away from the playboy named Sean Elijah Dela Fuente.