CHAPTER 2

Yngrid got startled by the noise made by whoever was calling now on her cellphone. She tried hard to open her eyes and searched the inside of the bag then grabbed ringing phone. When she finally found it, she just opened her left eye since she's still sleepy then answered the call. Yngrid closed her eyes again when she saw who was calling. Without enough strength to put the cellphone to her ear while lying on her side. She wanted to sleep because her body seemed really drained.

She frowned while answering the call. "Hello, Moon. What's up? Why did you call?" she asked with her hoarse voice.

Moon did not immediately respond on the other line. Seems like the latter is still estimating what she has to say. There are only two reasons why this girl is suddenly calling. It's either she's having dysmenorrhea again or she's heard about what happened earlier. Moon's menstruation is too hard. She can hardly walk upright so mostly, she calls them. It's just the beginning of the month so definitely, the first possibility is not the reason why Moon called out of the blue since every end of the week is the beginning of her menstruation.

Yngrid let out a sigh. The thoughts she had felt before disappeared. She didn't know exactly how powerful gossip is because it seems that the news spread very easily. It wasn't even extended overnight.

"Did you call because of what happened earlier?" she calmly asked harvesting for an answer.

She changed positions. Her head was now leaning against the headboard of the bed after placing the large pillow there. She heard the faint gasp from the other line. Yngrid secretly smiled in her mind. She knew her friend very well. Moon is the type of friend who is more affected by other people's problems. She was the one who got hurt the most. So it’s no wonder she's hurt for her stead. This is contrary to Reese' habit. That another friend of her is a happy go lucky one.

"Shall we drink? The drink is on me," Moon invited.

"All right. Don't complain if you pay a lot because I'm warning you, I'm going to drown myself in alcohol today."

She raised the tone of her voice to sound cheerful so that Moon will stop worrying. They also talked for a few minutes about what the naughty man had done to her. She just can't help but laugh at what Moon was saying especially when she swears. It's because Moon is not used to swearing so it's funny to think that she swears. Moon is definitely not aware of that. After finalizing where they were go clubbing, she immediately ended the call to get dressed.

Abandoning the bed, she went to the walk-in closet. She glanced at the space there for a moment. It made her felt alone because the other clothes were no longer there but she erased that thought.

Yngrid picked up the sultry tie-front top then paired it with a high waisted pants and stilletos. When she was about to take off her pants, she momentarily got stunned when she saw her own reflection in the mirror. She even came over to confirm what she saw.

"What's that, Yngrid?" she scolded herself.

Glancing at the watch she's wearing at her wrist, she can't help but feel disappointment. "If I cover it with concealer after I take a bath, I'm sure I'll run out of time. Whatever! Bar is a dark place so maybe they won't notice the swelling of my eyes."

She looked at her puffy eyes for a while before she decided to finally take a bath. It's almost 10 pm time and maybe Moon will arrive there in a few minutes. Moon is the type of person who arrives exactly on time.

Feeling the pressure, Yngrid didn't bother to scrub her body anymore. It doesn't matter since she will still take a bath tomorrow morning. It was also a waste of time. She simply threw the towel wrapped around her body after drying. She applied lotion on her body in a hurry manner as well. Maybe if she only had an audience now, they would think that she completely lost her mind. But she's left with no choice. She just doesn't want Moon to wait too long for her there so she must act faster than usual.

After getting dressed, she went to the mirror to put on makeup. She only does light makeup so it didn't take long and she finished right away. She doesn't want to put a lot on her face since she's already itching with light makeup especially when she imitates what other women do when she puts double or triple the foundation on her face.

The text grabbed her attention. She saw that recipient of the message is Moon. She seems to be on the way. Yngrid shook her head while laughing at her friend's text. Maybe between Moon and EDSA, the latter will be ashamed when the word late is being mentioned. It doesn't seem to exist in her friend's vocabulary.

She got up from her seat before looking at her entire appearance for the last time. Satisfied with her own reflection, she reached for the clutch bag from her lined bag collections. She does prefers to bring clutch bag because it is comfortable to carry especially in crowded places.

Yngrid had already driven to the bar referred to by Moon. Her drive time didn't take more than half an hour and the place Moon mentioned to was close according to the navigation. She immediately turned off the car's engine and parked it as soon as she arrived. While walking towards the bar's entrance, Yngrid let her eyes survey the surroundings to search for Moon. It didn't take that long since she saw Moon waving at her direction.

She immediately went to the table that Moon occupied. The girl had already ordered some wines so she just pulled up the chair next to her and then poured tequila into the glass. It was as if she suddenly craved for alcohol. Surprised that the wine seems extra tasty tonight, she poured another glass of tequila again then swallowed it straight in her throat. She didn't hear any complaints from her friend so it's okay. Her gaze followed Moon when the girl suddenly rose from her seat. She felt happy to see that Reese arrived as well and now is being greeted by Moon.

"What's the issue, girl? Are you even aware that today is Xenon and I's monthsary? Smell me. I'm using my special romance perfume. Ouch! What?" Reese shuddered as she got pinched by Moon on her side.

"Stop it. There is really no filter in your mouth."

Moon snorted. It is her habit that did not escape Yngrid's sight. She was currently playing with the glass of tequila on her hand. She heard Reese groan. She heard it because they were far away from the dancefloor and the table they're in was in a hidden part. Maybe Moon intentionally occupied this space so that they can also chitchat.

"Let me guess. You broke up with your latest boyfriend?" Reese directly said.

The two girls sat on their respective seats almost at the same time. She did not respond and just drank the wine in the glass. Before the liquid could even finally pass through her throat, Reese hit her. It made her got taken aback. She almost got choked up by the wine.

"Why did you hit me? Do you prefer me being killed from choke instead of seeing me experience heartbreak?" she complained to Reese.

"Wait. What do you mean kill? Who knows where that tequila is located anyway. Idiot."

Reese rolled her eyes then poured a wine into her own glass. She did the same thing with Moon's empty glass. She even shoot her friend a sharp look when she was about to complain. What Moon acted earlier when she encouraged them to have a drink, she seem and sound like a pro but in reality, she has a weak tolerance for alcohol so she usually just goes with it but doesn't drink.

"So the two of you broke up?" Reese asked. She's sure as hell that Reese just want to confirm the obvious so she just stared at her and sighed. Leaving any details is useless to this two girls. They will keep on asking her anyway, every single details of it so it's better for her to say it voluntarily.

"Yeah. That son of a bitch! He even flirted with my bestfriend."

"Yuck!" The two chorused as they complained at what she said.

"Who said that she's your bestfriend?"

"She did."

"Crazy! All righ. If she's your bestfriend then we are your fairies for life."

They bursted out laughing. They almost ran out of breath with laughter so she just facepalmed.

How could I become friends with these crazy people?

When their laughs toned down, Reese asked, "What's the reason behind the breakup?"

Yngrid sipped her wine again.

"Ah sex," they said at once.

She really don't know but sometimes, there are times that her mind haunts her to knock down these two. They know too much. That moment you didn't even say anything but they knew right away. Yes, Moon knew what Stephan had done to her but she didn't mention that sex was the reason of that cheater.

"Why? Haven't you let someone destroy Maria Makiling's foundation yet? Ouch, Moon! When I find a perfect timing, I'll let your face greet the floor," Reese complained while caressing her shoulder.

Moon's hit maybe is too strong because Reese' skin turned red immediately.

"I'm sorry. I'll just kiss you to get rid of the pain."

Yngrid almost spit out the wine she's drinking when suddenly Moon licked her small lips then attempted to kiss Reese. It looks even smaller because of its cuteness.

"Yuck! I don't want your lips to stain my special romance perfume. This is just for my Xenon baby."

Her and Moon both acted sick. They giggled when Reese hit them both with her handbag.

"You know what Yngrid? Just give it already."

"Which?" she asked Moon with a frown.

"Maria Makiling's foundation," she replied modestly which finally made her drink burst out. She understands well that Reese said those words but it was different when Moon said it. This girl is very selective with words.

Reese grinned. She can't help but think that Reese knows something she doesn't know. She frowned more as she smelled something fishy. These two was planning something else. She also looked around on the directions they werr e looking at. There are more people today than the usual. It's really different on weekends.

"Let's be realistic. We are too busy with our careers and the three of us seldom met together so," Reese paused with a grin plastered on her face, "we will dare you."

Yngrid groaned and was about to complain but Moon got ahead of her on what she wanted to say.

"We're not getting any younger, Yngrid. It would be good if our age trend backwards in case. We are already 28. Our age is about to vanish from the calendar. After all, we should be settling down and have families of our own. It's scary because while we are so focused on prioritizing our careers, we will suddenly realize that we won't be able to produce. Time flies too fast without warning," Moon said without even hesitating.

Moon has a point though. She doesn't think much about that thing. She cleared her throat before she managed to ask the two girls who is now eagerly anticipating for her response. "Well, okay. What kind of dare is that?"

She can actually tell how their faces lit up by her question.

"Here's how to do it. Bow your head down then walk straight to the bar counter. Don't look up so you won't see who you're going to bump. The first man you bump into, give him the magical Maria Makiling's foundation."

What the actual fuck!

She gave them an unbelievable stare but both of them look so serious.

She as Yngrid, have to stand for it because she clearly agreed for them to dare her.

"Okay. I'll do it."

She swallowed the tequila straight in her throat in one swift move then stood up from her seat. She composed herself before she lowered her head onto the bar counter. The bar that they're in is not a public bar. So maybe it's not bad for anyone to bump into anyone.

She has already started walking. But shit! Because it was her first time to do this dare, she became conscious. She couldn't help but look up at the path she's taking when she saw a pair of feet heading in her direction. How she wished that she will faint right in that moment when he could clearly see the figure of the man who's supposed to be the one she'll give her virginity with because of the lights. She closed her eyes then just waited for him to hit her.

The fuck! Speaking of bad luck, she is actually having it this entire day!

She was about to collapse when suddenly someone grabbed her by the waist and moved her away from her position. Her back is on him. The man was positioned on his back and all she can feel is his broad chest. She didn't even feel the man's heartbeat even though they were so close because the man disappeared immediately before she could open her eyes. Her eyes roamed around the place but the man from earlier quickly disappeared into the ocean of boisterous people dancing on the dance floor.

Who saved me from harm? Honey! I owe him my life!

There was a little hope in her heart that she might find that man but instead of continuing the search, she automatically looked down when she saw that the man she was supposed to be bumped earlier passed by.

Oh My God! Forgive me God for I have sinned. That's almost a hell of experience earlier. The man is almost the same age as my Grandpa! That old!

That thought occupied Yngrid's mind before returning to the table where her friends are sitting. God knows how she tried so hard not to hit these two morons who couln't stop laughing.

"Damn you lunatics."

There was a hint of annoyance in the tone of her voice but the two lunatics just laughed.

"Wait... did you see the face of the man who saved me earlier?" she simply asked them. They might even hear how curious she is about the stranger who saved her.

She wondered when the two looked at her as if she was spitting out nonsense.

"Girl, are you sure you're okay? You dodge too fast so you can avoid bumping on the old man," Reese laughed.

Huh? What do they mean? Didn't they see what really happened?

She shrugged the thought then decided not to ask again.

Who is he?