PROLOGUE

"When you find real love, you will realize that sex is only a plus and not a priority."

This was just supposed to be a normal day for him. As he watched the peaceful sky and the breath-taking view of buildings across the Italian city, his brows align as the pain strike in his head. He massaged his temple, but he stopped in mid-air as he saw something on the floor.

Questions homed inside his head.

Thoughts were filled with hazy inquiries.

He started to remember what had just happened last night.

He stormed out from the bed without minding his naked body and slowly picked up the vintage hair ornament. Mabini niya itong hinaplos kasabay ng pag- alala niya sa nangyari kagabi. Sariwa pa sa alaala niya ang bawat kurba ng babae, mula sa matangos nitong ilong at mapupulang labi. Hindi niya rin mapapalagpas ang mga kamay niyang saktong yumayakap sa manipis na baywang nito. That scent from her expensive perfume makes him go wild for her. She made him fall into her trap without regrets.

Curiosity fueled him even more. He's aching to know who that virgin maiden he took last night is. He wants to unveil the beauty behind that black mask.

This is the first time he gets involved in a one-night stand with a virgin woman, whom he also saved from her psychotic suitor-slash-stalker.

Curiosity drowning him more to know the innocent bombshell behind that vizard that makes his world turned upside down fiercely and unexpectedly.

Hindi na siya nagdalawang-isip pa at agad na tinawagan ang pinsan para matulungan siya na matukoy kung sino ang babaeng bumabagabag sa isipan niya.

He took a picture of the old thing he's holding and send it to his cousin. Kahit masakit ang ulo dahil sa hang-over ay pinilit niyang maglakad nang maayos para pumunta sa banyo at makapag-shower.

When he woke up, he was surprised to see himself alone in a King size bed with only a red stain leaked on the bedsheet. The proof of a pleasurable night he had with that her.

Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na babae ang nang-iwan sa kanya matapos ang isang gabing kasiyahan sa ritmo ng mapangahas na sayaw ng nagbabagang nilang emosyon. Pero hindi maintindihan ng binata kung bakit tila iba ang epekto ng babaeng nakasiping niya kagabi.

He worshiped the woman with all of his being. For the first time, he asked permission to take her on a daring game of sex. He was quite gentle when claiming her. With her, he lost all of his sanity. He was wild, but she could quickly calm him down through her soft moan and touch.

She was not an ordinary woman. She's not even a whore. She is a divine that he had the opportunity to spend the night with.

For him, she's different. She's innocent and angelic. Kahit pag-ungol lang ay masyadong mabini at masarap pakinggan. Her tight grip on his arms and those deep fingermarks into his back was like fuel in his fire. She's totally a lion behind her lamb aura, and he won't get tired to carefully worship her body and soul if he has been given another chance. Para sa binata, ang babaeng nasa likod ng itim na maskara ang babaeng tunay na dapat sinasamba at inaalagaan kaya naman sisiguraduhin niyang siya ang gagawa no'n.

He will make sure he'll get her, own her.

Lumipas ang isang buwan at tuluyan na nga niyang nalaman kung sino ang babaeng naka-one night stand niya sa Italy. Pero ang ngiti niya ay hindi man lang umabot sa tainga, bagkus ay nakaramdam siya ng pag-aalinlangan. He believes there's something devious behind this.

Ang babaeng nakasiping niya at ang babaeng tanging nagmamay-ari ng puso niya simula pa noon ay iisa. Matagal na panahon rin nang huli niyang makita ang dalaga simula nang magkasiraan sila ng kapatid nito. He and her brother said terrible things to each other and decided to put an end to their friendship. Simula noon ay hindi na rin niya nakita ang dalaga.

Pero sadyang mapaglaro nga talaga ang tadhana dahil sa pagbabalik niya sa Pilipinas para makita siya at simulan na makipaglapit uli rito ay malalaman nito ang sekretong pilit tinatago sa kanya ng dalaga.

He closed his eyes as the unwelcomed memories reanimate in every part of him, giving an inkling through his bewildered heart. Nagtatalo ang isip at puso niya sa kung ano ang dapat niyang paniwalaan at sundin.

That night of one hot slip-up in bed will lead to those tangled lies and darkest secrets he has that he is afraid she might know it.

That horrible past will arise and test the endurance of their heart for the pain that lies within. Is he willing to go on for risk to keep her forever in a happily ever after if, on the other side, the past will keep on haunting him?

Alam niyang walang kasiguraduhan ang mga plano niya pero handa siyang sumugal huwag lang mawala sa kanya ang pinakamamahal niyang babae. Handa siyang magdusa at pagbayaran ang lahat ng kasalanang tinakasan niya basta ay maging maayos lang ang buhay niya.

Handa siyang masira ang kanyang pinangangalagaang reputasyon mabigay lang ang hustisyang matagal nang sinisigaw ng babaeng pinakamamahal niya, basta ang kapalit ay huwag siya nitong iwan kasama ng magiging anak nila.

He's willing to endure the pain to be with her. He's willing to sacrifice all the things he had hardly crawled for its success to have her. He's willing to face death to save her from danger, anyone who got an eye to kill or get her from him.

His love for her will be the healing of a wounded heart.

"I've never been perfect, regardless of the fact  that they labeled me as a famous icon, a wealthy businessman, and a renowned architect... I'm still imperfect, but I'm trying to do my best to work things out between us, to let love give us infinity and beyond to be with each other. And with that, I'm going to try every day, every minute, and every second of my life to be the best and deserving man I can be... for you, my lovely wife, to our children, and to this family that I've always wanted."