Chapter 1

My life was close to perfection. 

I don't have to think about the money or the things I need. I was living comfortably, enjoying a life of a princess with the mindset that all I just need to think is my studies and love life.

Lahat ng gustuhing bagay, nakukuha ko. I never had a financial problem. I was used at being on the top of the food chain, adored and respected by the less fortunate people. Everything was easy and good.

That's what I thought, at first.

"Des!" Hestirikal ang boses ni Lilian sa kabilang linya. Kadadating ko lang sa bahay. Mabuti na lang at wala si Mommy kundi baka napuno na ako ng tanong ngayon. 

"Bakit ka biglang nawala kagabi? We were worried about you! Hinanap ka namin sa buong bar dahil sa pag-aalala!"

"Slow down, Lil. Sasabihin ko rin sa inyo ang nangyari kapag nagkita tayo. But I'm totally fine, don't worry."

Bumuntong-hininga siya.

"Huwag mo sabihing sumama ka sa isang lalaki? Did you went to a hotel?"

"We'll talk about this soon."

Pagkatapos ng tawag ay dumiretso ako sa banyo, took off all my clothes and soaked my body on the bath tub. It was refreshing. Pagkatapos ba naman ng lahat ng nangyari kagabi, sa tingin ko kailangan kong ibabad ang buong katawan sa malamig na tubig para mahimasmasan ang aking sistema.

But it seems not helping, though.

Habang nasa ganoong posisyon, hindi ko kasi mapigilang isipin ang lalaking 'yon. I can still feel his lips on my skin... his warm touch on my body... I can even hear his husky voice echoing in my head!

Damn.

Nasabunutan ko ang sarili dahil sa mga naisip. That heated night was just a mistake. Sinamantala niya ang pagkalasing ko, and I was too weak to protest. Yeah, that's what should I think. Hindi dapat iyon maging big deal. Isa pa, wala naman talagang nangyari sa amin. 

Halos isa't kalahating oras akong nagbabad bago nagbihis. Kinuha ko ang cellphone at nakita ang ilang missed calls ni Bianca, ang secretary ni Mommy. May mga messages din galing sa mga kaibigan kong nag-aalala. Sandali akong umupo sa kama at isa-isa silang nireplyan.

Louie:

Are you okay? Wala bang masamang nangyari kagabi? You're not answering our calls.

Ako:

I'm fine, don't worry. Let's catch up soon.

Marie:

Nalasing ka? Hindi ka ba pinagalitan ni tita?

Ako:

Nope. She wasn't here when I went home. And I bet she doesn't know what happened last night.

Marcos:

Someone saw you last night. He said that you went out with a man. Is that true? Are you fine?

Ako:

Yup. I'm ok. Let's just talk about this when we meet.

Sakto namang natapos na ako sa pagrereply nang muling tumawag si Bianca. For sure, this has something to do with mom. Hindi naman kasi ako nito tatawagan kung hindi inuutusan. We are not friends. Ilang taon rin ang tanda nito sa akin kaya hindi kami magka-vibes. She's way too formal.

"Miss Desire, mabuti naman at naisipan niyo ng sagutin. I've been calling you for already nine times."

Umirap ako kahit alam kong di naman niya iyon makikita.

"I didn't know, Bianca. Naliligo ako and my phone was on my bed. Who do you expect to answer the call? A ghost?"

She sighed. Sa tingin ko'y hinihilot na nito ang sentido ngayon. She's always like that anyway. Acting so mature and calm even though she's already losing patience.

"Nagalit ang mommy mo dahil nagresign yung bago mong tutor. She's asking what did you do to make her resign just like-"

"Why are you even talking to me? Si Mommy ang dapat kong kinakausap."

"She's in an urgent meeting, Miss."

"Ayan naman pala, e. Just call me later when she's not busy. Gusto kong ako mismo ang kumausap sa kanya. I don't like her hired tutor! Masyadong suplada at parang diktador kung maka-utos. I can't get her lessons because she's not effecient enough to be a teacher!"

"Alright. Wala na naman tayong magagawa dahil nangyari na. Anyway, what I really want to tell you is that we already hired a new tutor."

"What? Again?!" Nahampas ko ang unan dahil sa inis. Ilang beses na ba akong nagpalit ng tutor? They're not even a good educator! Anong matutunan ko? Ang kagaspangan ng ugali nila? Damn!

"Yes, Miss."

"Ayoko na! I don't need one. Magsisipag na lang akong mag-aral mag-isa! Malapit na ring matapos ang semestrial break, I'll be back in school soon. Pagbubutihin ko na lang ang studies ko. Just tell mom to kick that tutor out."

"But you almost fail in your Calculus last semester. Kung hindi lang sa impluwensiya ng mommy mo, hindi ka makakapasa. Kaya sigurado akong hindi siya papayag na wala kang tutor."

I groaned in frustration. Niloko na nga ako ni Harris, dumagdag pa itong tutor issue. Nakakainis. Mukhang puro kamalasan na lang yata ang nangyayari sa buhay ko. I deserve a spa and a one day relaxation for these!

"He's coming there."

"Ano? Bakit ngayon agad? Is he-wait, what? Lalaki ang bagong tutor ko?" Mas lalo akong nairita. I can imagine my tutor in his spectacles, loose pants, loose sleeves and ugly old face! 

"Yes, Miss. I need to end the call now. Prepare yourself for your three-hour learning with your tutor. He'll be there at one in the afternoon."

"Bianca, wait-"

Frustrated, I angrily throw my phone in the bed. Bakit ngayong araw agad? I still have lot of things to do! I need to shop for some clothes, go to spa, have my manicure and pedicure, I even need to go to the salon for my hair! Kahapon lang ay stressed ako sa break up namin ni Harris kaya the more na kailangan kong magrelax!

Pero heto ako, kailangang manatili sa bahay dahil ilang oras na lang ay darating na ang tutor kong gurang. How I hate these bullshits.

"Desire, hija..." Rinig ko ang boses ni Manang Chona sa labas. Agad ko naman siyang pinapasok. She looked at me with weary eyes, holding a tray with my breakfast.

"Heto na ang umagahan mo." Nilapag niya iyon sa bedside table. "Pinagluto na rin kita ng sopas para mainitan ang sikmura mo."

Tipid akong ngumiti. "Salamat po." Kung may tao man akong iginagalang maliban kay mommy ay siya iyon. Simula kasi pagkabata ay siya itong parating nag-aaruga sa akin. While mom's busy with work, manang was always there. Patiently taking care of me despite my bratty attitude. 

I don't blame mom for being busy, though. Siya lang ang tanging nagsusuporta sa akin kaya naiintindihan ko ang pagiging abala niya. Despite our often fights, I understand that she's doing all she can to let me feel complete. Ibinigay niya sa akin ang lahat ng mga luho ko, from clothes, jewelries and all that money can buy. Kaya kahit marami kaming hindi pagkakaunawaan, I never questioned her parenting. 

She strived hard to give me a comfortable life, to give my caprices. Gusto niyang iparamdam na sapat na siya bilang pamilya ko. Na kaya niyang ibigay ang lahat sa akin kahit wala akong kinikilalang ama.

"May problema ba, Des?" Umupo si manang sa tabi ko.

"Harris and I broke up. Niloko niya ako. He cheated with another girl." 

She sighed and slowly tapped my back.

"May ganiyan talagang nangyayari, hija. Bata ka pa, at siguradong marami pang lalaki ang dadating sa buhay mo."

Pero hindi lang iyon ang problema ko. I still need to handle that tutor. Hindi ko na lang iyon sinabi kay manang dahil sasabihin niya lang ring hayaan ko na dahil iyon ang mas nakabubuti. I strongly disagree with that, though. Marami ng tutor na dumaan sa akin at ni isa'y hindi man lang tumagal ng dalawang linggo. Ni wala nga akong natutunan.

I just stayed in my room for the whole morning. Spend my hours chatting my friends and browsing my social media accounts. Nang malapit ng mag ala una ay busangot akong tumayo sa kama at inayos ang sarili. Of course kahit gurang man 'yong tutor ko ay gusto ko pa ring magmukhang presentable. 

Isang simpleng puting sleeveless dress lang ang isinuot ko. Manipis ito at hanggang kalahati ng hita ang haba. I didn't put effort on putting make up. Tanging powder at light lipstick lang ang inilagay ko sa mukha. 

Kung tama nga ang hinala kong matandang maestro ang magtuturo sa akin, I wonder kung ilang araw iyong tatagal sa ugali ko. Maybe three days? Four? A week? Baka atakehin pa iyon sa galit.

"Miss Desire, nandiyan na po ang bagong tutor niyo." Boses iyon ng isang katulong. I looked at my wristwatch. It's still 12:59. I smirked. On time, huh? Mukhang excited yatang mapatalsik.

Ilang minuto pa bago ako bumaba. I don't mind if he would be mad to me for making him wait. Problema niya na kung bakit niya tinanggap ang trabahong ito.

"Wamilda," tawag ko sa isang kasambahay pagkababa. "Nasa sala ba ang tutor ko?"

"Opo, Miss."

Hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng oras at agad na dumiretso doon. Maybe I'll just handle him for a few meetings. Mapipigtas rin ang pasensiya nun sigurado. Ilang beses na ba iyong nangyari?

I just smiled at that thought.

Pagdating ko sa living room ay wala naman akong matandang nakita. Ni wala ngang tao roon. I just crossed my arms and faced the garden in front of the wide sala. Transparent glass lang kasi ang pumapagitan dito na nagsisilbing pader kaya kitang-kita ang labas.

Nasaan na ba ang sinasabing tutor? Ako pa talaga itong pinapahintay niya, ha? Kapal ng mukha.

When I heard heavy footsteps towards my direction, hindi ko iyon nilingon agad. I'm sure it's my old male tutor in his spectacles looking like an ancient geek!

"Sabi ng mga kasambahay narito ka na daw? Namasyal ka pa ba sa bahay namin, huh?" Hindi siya sumagot. So, I decided to face him. "Why aren't you answering-"

My jaw dropped in shock.

"Miss Desire Fontana." Pakiramdam ko nawalan ng dugo ang aking mukha dahil sa taong nakikita ngayon.

Wearing a white polo tucked in his jeans, the man I made out last night is standing in front of me with a familiar smirk plastered on his damn face!

"What the hell are you doing in my house?!" Hindi ko napigilang magtaas ng boses. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi magugulat kung bigla na lang siyang susulpot dito pagkatapos ng nangyari kagabi?

"What do you think?" pabalang niyang sagot at umupo sa sofa na para bang kung sinong hari sa kanyang teritoryo.

May hint na ako kung bakit siya narito ngunit ayaw kong tanggapin iyon. Why the hell would he be my tutor?

"No... N-No. You can't be my tutor!"

Ngumisi siya.

"Unfortunately, I already am."

Nanatili akong nakatayo sa harap niya, eyes were blazing in fury.

"The heck! Paanong naging tutor kita? Are you even qualified? Education graduate ka ba, ha? I guess you're not!"

"Hah!" He laughed, looking so confident. Wow. Hindi lang manyak, arogante rin pala! Saan ba ito nakuha ni mommy at mukhang walang modo? Nauubusan na ba siya ng mga tutor na ibinibigay sa akin at mukhang ito ang pinakaworse na kinuha niya?

"Are you sure that I'm not qualified? You're bluffing, young miss. I'm even overqualified! And with that manners of yours, aren't you supposed to respect me? Aside from the fact that I'm your tutor, baka nakakalimutan mong mas matanda ako sa'yo?"

"Come on! Are you using your authority on me, huh? Ano naman ngayon kung mas matanda ka? I don't even give a damn about my past tutors na mas matanda pa sa 'yo. And you are not an exception, Mr. Mongreco."

Tumaas ang isang sulok ng labi niya. Mukhang naubusan na yata ng sasabihin.

"Suplada. Akala mo naman hindi nakipaghalikan sa 'kin." My eyes widened on his words. How dare he say that!

"S-Shut up! Huwag mo ngang banggitin ang tungkol diyan! Baka may makarinig sa 'yo!"

"Ano naman ngayon kung meron nga? I don't care."

"You cradle-snatcher! Tumahimik ka! Hindi ka man lang ba nahiya sa sarili mong pinagsamantalahan mo ang isang minor de edad?"

"Pinagsamantalahan? What the fuck is that word? And about your age, yes I was deceived. I thought you're twenty or so. I never thought you're seventeen!"

"Ngayon alam mo na." Inirapan ko siya at padabog na umupo sa sofa na kaharap niya. 

What will I do to him now? Gusto ko na siyang mapaalis agad. I can't stand seeing him because I'll just remember that freaking night. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na nawala ako sa sarili. And I regretted everything that happened.

"I don't need you. Magresign ka. Tell my mom you can't do it. I can give you a great amount of money, in exchange." 

Nakangiti, umiling-iling siya.

"Hindi ka lang pala bintangera. You're also manipulative. Ganito rin ba ang ginagawa mo sa mga naging tutor mo?"

Of course not! Pinapahirapan ko lang ang mga iyon para kusang umalis. But his case is different. We had a weird encounter that I want to erase from my mind. Kaya gusto ko siyang umalis kaagad.

"It's none of your business. Just get your ass out of her because you're just wasting your time for nothing."

"No," matigas niyang saad. Ngayo'y seryoso ng nakatingin sa akin.

"Hindi ko nga kailangan ng tutor!"

"Really?" He smiled playfully, tila ba nanunuya.

"O-Oo!"

"Tss. Liar. You almost failed in your calculus last semester, tapos hindi mo kailangan?" Nairita ako, nanliliit sa sarili. Ano naman ngayon kung mahina ako sa Mathematics? I can always study if I choose to! I don't need the help of useless tutors!

"Damn you."

Tumawa siya. Mukhang tuwang-tuwa na nakikitang iritado ako sa kanya. 

"Ano ba ang dahilan mo at naisipan mong magtutor?" 

He leaned on the sofa, hindi pinuputol ang titig sa akin. He licked his lips and swallowed once. "Because I'm bored."

"What kind of answer is that?" I scanned his body. From the polo he's wearing, to his watch down to his shoes. Mas lalo lang napataas ang kilay ko.

"Done checking me?" 

Agad kong naibalik sa kanyang mga mata ang tingin. I rolled my eyes on his malicious stare. Akala siguro may pagnanasa ako sa kanya. Hindi lang arogante, assuming pa!

"Green-minded jerk. Huwag mo nga pairalin 'yang kahalayan mo."

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya, bumuga ng hangin at tumawa. "Did I say anything like that? You are the malicious one."

Hindi ko na iyon pinatulan pa at inuna ang kung ano talagang gusto kong itanong sa kanya.

"Why do you need this job, anyway? Looking at your attire, you are not the kind of person who's used in giving service to other people." Muling napadapo ang tingin ko sa relo niya.

"That wristwatch of yours, is a limited edition in its brand in Spain. As far as I know, it cost thousands of dollars. But if peso is the currency, it would cost you a half million."

This time his lips parted. 

"Woah. I didn't know you're an expert about fashion." Bahagya pa siyang ngumisi. "I shouldn't have underestimated you."

My brows furrowed. "So what is really your motive? Kung tutuusin, barya lang ang kinikita mo sa pagtu-tutor. And as I remembered, you even have a luxury car. Normal teachers especially as young as you don't have the capabilities to buy such thing."

He smirked. His lips maybe playful, but his eyes is telling me the opposite. Ni hindi ko man lang mabasa ang totoong emosyon niya. Masyadong mapanlinlang ang mga tawa at ngiti niya kaya hindi mo agad mapapansin ang dilim sa kanyang mga mata.

Playful may it seem, yet I can feel the fire in his eyes. Ruthless... and untamed.

"Now you caught me. That's quiet fast, Desire."

The way he uttered my name made me almost shiver.