Chapter 1

"Ma'am, nakikiusap ako," naiiyak kong sabi sa Professor namin. Halos isang oras na ako nagmamakaawa sa harapan niya ay wala pa rin iyon epekto sa kanya, nakatingin lamang siya sa akin. "Natapos ko talaga ito bago ang deadline, nakalimutan ko lang ipasa."

This project makes up fifty percent of my grade for this subject. Hindi ako pwede bumagsak dito.

"Georgette, hindi valid yang rason mo. Kahit natapos mo pa yan bago ang deadline, kung hindi mo naman naipasa agad ay wala rin saysay!" Mrs. Pascual screeched, almost making my eardrums bleed.

Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko at wala nang nagawa pa. I stormed out into the busy campus hallway, successfully knocked into someone, and my papers fell all over the floor.

Great. What could be worse than this?

Inis akong napapikit nang lagpasan lamang ako ng nakabanga ko at hindi man lang tinulungan pulutin ang mga papel na nahulog. Dali-dali kong pinulot isa-isa ang mga papel at gigil na nagmartsa palabas ng campus.

I rushed inside the cafe and threw off

my jacket, immediately get to work. Mabuti na lamang at wala pa roon si Sir Noah dahil tiyak ako na pagagalitan na naman ako sa pagiging late ko.

"Hey, G, table five. Hurry, a bunch of

pompous asses over there," Chalita, my

co-worker, my best friend, and partner

in crime whispered as I grabbed the order.

Sa mahigit tatlong taon kong pagtatrabaho rito sa restaurant ay sisiw na sisiw na lamang sa akin kung paano gumalaw nang mabilis kapag maraming customer.

Naglinis ng mga lamesa, nagdala ng mga order, nag-asikaso ng mga customer. Diyan nagpaikot-ikot ang mga ginawa ko. My shift is finally almost over just five

more minutes, and then l get to go home and have a warm shower, read one book or two.

I live alone in a shitty apartment but

beggars can't be choosers. With my all

my student expenses and other bills, I can't afford anything better even with the job I currently have. My parents were no good junkies and left me at the doorstep of some orphanage. I've had about ten different foster homes and I can't say one good thing about any of them.

Thinking about everything I've gone

through, and everything I still go

through just to survive only motivates

me to do better so that I can make a

better life for myself. Even so, shit just

get so hard sometimes but that's life, what can you do?

"Table 3, 5, 6 and 10 is ready, get

moving, guys!" Chef Fin screamed

from the back and I rushed to get my table

orders.

Mabilis kung dinala ang order ng mag-asawa sa table 5 pagkatapos ay dinaluhan ang table 10 para ilapag ang order ng isang grupo ng mga kolehiyala. I smiled at them after setting down the plate of muffins, but none of them acknowledging it.

I took the coffee and carefully placed it on the table when a snobby bitch one, waved her arm while talking animatedly, knocking the coffee out of my hand.

"Ah!" Sigaw ko nang bumuhos sa kamay ko ang mainit na kape.

"Ang tanga naman," bulong ng isa pa, ngunit narinig ko iyon.

Tila napantig ang tainga ko at umakyat lahat ng dugo ko papunta sa ulo.

"Anong sabi mo?" I turned and glared at the snobby bimbo barbie.

Napakurap ang babae. Kitang-kita ko kung paano siya lumunok ng laway ng sunod-sunod. "A-Ang sabi ko tanga ka," she replied slowly but loud for the near table to hear.

Everyone's attention is on us and it's so quiet you can hear a pin drop. I slowly breathed in and then out, carefully trying to think of the best way to respond to her.

"Totoo naman ang sinabi niya. Kung di ka ba naman tanga—"

Hindi ko na pinatapos pa ang sasabihin ng isa pang babae. Dinampot ko ang isang muffin na nasa plato at sinampal iyon sa bibig niya para matahimik siya. I was about to get the orange juice to pour into their head but I'm stopped midway.

"Georgette!" Inagaw ni Serena, ang Supervisor ng restaurant, ang baso sa akin at pinanlakihan ako ng mga mata. Nang bumaling siya sa grupo ng mga babae ay isang malaking ngiti ang ibinigay niya. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, ladies. We'll get a steamy hot coffee right your way. You just enjoy your meal."

"Serena—" I was about to be interrupted when she dragged me to her office, banging the door closed. "Seryoso ka ba? Narinig mo ba ang sinabi nila sa akin? Nakita mo ba na sinadya nila na matapon sa akin ang kape?"

"Hindi ko narinig, tinawag lang ako ni Chalita." Mahina siyang natawa.

Not finding this situation funny, I

glared at her.

"G, you know better than anyone that the customer is always right no matter what they do. Now, knowing those girls over there, they'll definitely want some sort of

punishment given to you. Yung babae sinampal mo sa mukha ng muffin, for sure she wants you to be fired. Since her father is Sir Noah's business partner, helping him open the new franchise, we can not stress this enough. We can't let the princess run to her daddy."

"Kaya wala tayong gagawin?" I interrupted her before she could blabber any further.

Napahilot sa sentido si Serena. "Look, G. You are one of our best waitresses. You've grown on me and I just can't fire you. So I'm going to have to let you go home with a three day suspension and no pay because I simply do not have the money to pay you and fill in, I hope you understand. I'm sorry."

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa tinuran niya. "You gotta be kidding me." Kunwari ako na tawa at umiling pa. "You know I can't afford not to get paid," I say frustratedly. Paano na ang mga gastusin ko kung wala akong trabaho at pera?

"G, three days is all I'm asking. Pagkatapos no'n, balik na ulit sa dati. Hindi ko naman pwedeng ipakita sa kanila na wala akong ginawa. This is my job, my life, my dream on the line here. I'm extremely sorry," she said, sincerely sounding sorry.

Malakas na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ko. "Naiintindihan ko. I'll see you in three days," I told her dejectedly, emotionally tired of everything.

I should've just kept my big mouth shut.

"Thank you. I owe you one. Could you walk out like you just got fired?"

Napatango na lamang ako. Marami na rin naitulong sa akin si Serena, para ko na rin itong kapatid, sa lahat ng oras na kailangan ko ay parating nadiyan kaya hindi ko mahindian ang pakiusap.

I stormed out banging her office door, grabbing my things hurriedly and walking past everyone looking furious.

"That's right, dummy. That's what happens to incompetent low lifes!" snobby barbie screamed from across the cafe.

l almost threw the restaurant's door off its hinges storming out. Just then, it started pouring rain.

Kapag minamalas ka nga naman. Ang apartment ko ay twenty minutes pa ang layo mula rito sa restaurant. I can't even ask Chalita to take me home because she still has an hour shift, so I guess I'm freakin' walking.

I pulled my jacket closer, trying to soak

any warmth I can get. The streets of Makati City is live and full of life, making me feel safer about walking this time of the

evening. I looked at my reflection in one of the shops window and its safe to say I look

like absolute shit.

My long dark black hair is wet and all

over, my big brown eyes dull, and big

black bags under them. I look almost skeletal. It's not a wonder I'm alone and single, who the hell would want me? I'm no fun, always tired and I don't ever feel

the need to put any effort into the way I

look. But no matter how lonely it gets, I know it's for the best. My future comes first, my education and a man would just deter me from what I really want. Nothing but bad distractions.

Nang makarating ako sa apartment ko ay agad akong naligo at nagbihis. Habang pinapatuyo ko ang buhok ko gamit ang tuwalya ay binuksan ko ang kabinet para tingnan kung anong pagkain ang meron pa ako para sa darating na tatlong araw na wala akong trabaho. Nakita ko roon ang isang balot ng tinapay at dalawang cup noodles.

I grabbed the bread to eat. Sitting at my kitchen counter, I looked around my small and bland apartment. My kitchen, lounge, dining room are all in one space. My apartment only has one bedroom and an ensuite bathroom. Not much but it does the job.

Pabagsak ko na itinapon ang sarili sa maliit na sofa at kinuha ang remote para libangin ang sarili sa panunuod. I don't know when I fell asleep, but I'm suddenly being shaken awake by Chalita.

"G, get up. We're going out!" She

screamed. I simply looked at her like she's

talking in another language.

Muli akong pumikit. "Cha, pagod ako. Gusto ko matulog, umalis ka na hindi ako sasama sa 'yo."

"Magwawalwal tayo! We are going to that new club that just opened tonight, my new friend got us VIP tickets so we are going!"

Kung ako ay bilang lang ang mga kaibigan, si Chalita naman ay kabaliktaran ko. Araw-araw na lang ay may bagong kaibigan.

"Hindi ako sasama." Tinalikuran ko siya at bumaling sa kabila ng sofa.

"I don't want to hear it, Georgette. It's a Friday night! Kailangan ka ba huling lumabas para libangin ang sarili mo, sige nga? Two years ago? Puro ka na lang aral, aral, trabaho, trabaho. Nakalimutan mo na ang sarili mo. Get the fuck up, we are going. I went as far as buying you a brand new sexy ass dress—There's no way you getting out of this."

Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya kaya hinila niya ang damit ko para lamang tumayo ako. Hindi siya tumigil hangga't hindi ako gumagalaw.

"Cha!" singhal ko sa kanya nang mapunit ang laylayan ng suot kong sando. "Ano ba, hindi nga ako sasama!"

"Look, you had a bad day, you are tired, you don't party and have fun. You got your life planned, yes I know all that! But what's

one night with your best friend? You are

not living, you exist. After the day you had, especially after that stuck up bitch today you deserve a night off."

Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya at hindi nakapagsalita. Maybe she's right. . . Maybe I can let loose, for just one night.

"Kung ayaw mo talaga, hindi na kita pipilitin—"

"Sasama na ako."

After changing my mind a thousand

times and a two hundred more

arguments and lectures, Chalita finally

got me to this damn club.

Showing the bouncer by the entrance

our tickets, he lets us in. As soon as

we enter I'm overwhelmed with the

amount of people and the smell of

sweat and alcohol. Bodies are all over dancing and grinding, music plays loudly.

Pinagmasdan ko mga mga nagsasayawan sa dance floor. Lahat sila ay nakangiti at halatang enjoy na enjoy ang mga ginagawa. I envy them, could never be me. I can't go a second without thinking about everything that needs to be done, bills to pay, my job and what assignments

are due next.

"Dito tayo! Pagrating na yung mga kaibigan ko." Hinila ako ni Chalita papunta sa booth. "Try this." She gave me a glass of what I assume is some fruity juice by the taste of it.

Alam niyang hindi ako umiinom kaya kampante ako na hindi niya ako bibigyan ng alak. But after about six of that fruity juices, I started to feel a bit woozy. I feel good, happy, and I can't help but giggle.

"May halo ba 'to?" natatawang tanong ko.

Chalita smiled. A guilty smile. And for some reason that makes me laugh.

"Sayaw tayo!" Ako naman ang humila sa kanya.

"That's my girl! Let's go!"

I pulled her towards the dance

floor. Chalita and I were grinding and moving our bodies, feeling the beat.

God, it just feels so good!

Feeling someone's eyes on me, I turned to look up at the second floor, VIP

section. I see a tall, big, muscled, and handsome guy just standing there, watching me.

Bigla akong nahiya kaya huminto ako sa pagsasayaw.

"Ayos ka lang?" pasigaw na tanong ni Chalita para lamang marinig ko. "What's wrong?"

"Pwede na ba tayo umuwi?" I whined. I'm starting to feel a bit sober, realizing

all my assignments that needs to be

completed and how I'm not cut out for

this life, the alcohol, the men, just this,

no.

"Come on, G, just one more drink

and song then we can leave. Promise, uuwi na talaga tayo, hindi na natin hihintayin ang mga kaibigan ko." She pouted and started giving me the puppy dog eyes.

"One drink and song."

She nodded her head enthusiastically.

We made our way to the bar. It's safe to say we didn't stop after one glass. And we danced to a lot more songs than one. The stranger watching me, long forgotten.

Nang mangalay na ang mga binti ko sa kasasayaw ay bumalik ako sa bar counter at naupo roon. Swaying slightly, I turned to watch Chalita as she danced with some guy. It looks hot and passionate, she's laughing and she looks happy.

Hearing the bartender set my glass

down, I turned around quickly and

somehow trip over my own feet, as

I'm about to hit the ground face first

someone grab my waist, the grip is

strong and send sparks against my skin.

"Careful," his voice was strong, husky, and smooth, sending shivers down my spine.

Ang amoy niya ay nakakapagpatigil sa akin. He smells so good. Then I remembered he was the one

watching me. Tinitigan ko siya. He has

strong features, sharp jawline, and

cheekbones. Deep, dark, green eyes and

there's so much emotion none that I can

decipher.

Hinayaan ko ang mga mata ko na tingnan at pag-aralan ang bawat detalye ng kanyang mukha. His neck is filled with tattoos. He was built like a God.

"You like what you see?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Did you like watching me while dancing?"

I know it was him watching me while I danced.

Mahina siyang natawa. Hinawakan niya ang buhok ko at pinaglaruan iyon. Ilang sandali pa ay bumaba na ang kamay niya sa leeg ko.

I don't know if it's just this man, or if it's

the alcohol, but I'm not stopping him, loving how he feels against my skin. So

warm, so good, sparks every place he

touches.

Dumako ang kamay niya sa batok ko at Hinila ako palapit sa kanya. Without a warning, he smashed his lips into mine.

And I swear, there were explosions and

fireworks.

Siya rin ang pumutol ng h***k na iyon. He held my hand and pulled me upstairs, doon sa kung saan ko siya nakita kanina.

Ang mga nadadaan namin ay napapatingin sa amin at hinahabol kami ng tingin. Pumasok kami sa isang kwarto. Hindi pa niya iyon tuluyang naisasarado ay siniil na niya ako ng h***k.

Nagising ako na napakasakit ng ulo at ang pagitan ng mga hita ko. Trying to get up, but failing as I'm securely wrapped in big muscled arms filled with tattoos.

Umawang ang bibig ko at nanlaki ang mga mata. All the memories from last night come flooding in.

Mabilis, ngunit dahan-dahan at may pag-iingat akong umalis sa bisig ng lalaking katabi ko at hindi ko kilala. I found my clothes as quickly as I could, remembering words from last night.

Oh my God. Anong ginawa ko?!

**