Chapter 1

Burning Hot

Stella Ferry's body started to burn. Her cheeks blushed red and she slowly felt uncomfortable. It started after she sipped the wine that she got from the waiter.

That night, she was attending a 19th birthday party for her cousin, Tanya Jones, who is one year ahead of her.

The party was held in one of five-star hotels. A hotel that only an elite circle can afford to host a party.

Stella gritted her teeth; for sure, Tanya tampered with her drinks. She wanted to curse herself for being an idiot at that time. Tanya despises her existence even though she is good at her in front of so many people.

She didn't know why, but Tanya had always hated her to the core. Wala naman sana siyang ginawa rito na dapat nitong ikakagalit sa kanya. Besides, she's always good to her. Actually, she is just a plain and aloof younger sister, but her existence is like a big opponent.

Stella clenched her fist as Tanya slowly approached her.

"Hey sis, why are you looking uncomfortable?" Tanya said with a playful smirk.

Stella heaved a deep breath. "Uncomfortable? N-no, I'm fine. Yeah, I'm fine."

Tanya raised her eyebrows. "Really? But why do you look flushing red? Do you have a fever?" inosenteng tanong nito sa kanya.

Stella frowned for a while. "I think so. Um... I think I should go-"

"Oh, nasa kalagitnaan pa lang tayo ng birthday celebration ko, but..." Tanya stepped forward and reached her forehead. "Oh, you have a fever. Are you alright?" Tanya looked worried again, but it was all fake.

Stella gritted her teeth. Patuloy pa rin niyang nararamdaman ang panginginit ng kanyang buong kalamnan.

"I... I will go to auntie and uncle. Magpapaalam akong mauunang umuwi."

Tanya stopped her wrist. "If you're uncomfortable, I will arrange a hotel room for you. Wait, stay here, and I'll get a room for you."

Stella wants to refused but Tanya already goes to help her. Of course, ayaw niyang tanggapin ang anumang tulong nito ngunit hindi na niya kaya ang kanyang pagkahilo at panginginit ng kanyang buong diwa.

'Shit! I shouldn't drink any wine, especially when Tanya is around. It looks like she's just looking for perfect timing to scheme against me!' Stella was cursing Tanya in her mind.

Iniwasan ni Stella ang makihalubilo sa mga ibang bisita sa kaarawan ni Tanya. Umiwas siya lalo na sa mga lalaki.

Huminga siya ng malalim lalo at tumitindi ang panginginit ng kanyang katawan.

Nang may nakitang waiter si Stella ay agad siyang humingi ng malamig na tubig rito. Agad naman siya nitong binigyan at agad rin niya iyong nilagok.

Stella was panting. Her entire body was boiling hot. Pilit siyang umiwas sa mga lalaki, although she wanted to pounce one of them to ease the painful desire of her body.

Tanya was smirking when she saw Stella's uncomfortable state. Agad siyang lumapit muli rito.

"Stella, are you really fine?" Tanya asked.

Stella sneered. "Did you arrange a hotel room for me?"

"Yes."

"Where is the key? Give it to me!"

Tanya frowned. "Are you okay?"

"Tanya! Give me the key. I really have to go." Stella said, almost with an ugly expression.

"Here," inabot nito ang cardkey kay Stella. "Come, ihahatid kita sa room mo upang makapagpahinga kana.

"No need. I can handle myself." Stella refuses.

"No. I'm afraid something wrong will happen to you." Tanya is still showing her fake concern.

"It's your day. It's not appropriate for you to go anywhere. Huwag mo na akong intindihin dahil kaya ko ang sarili ko."

"But..."

"Enough!" Stella roared in a low tone. "Tanya, aminin mo man o hindi alam kong may kagagawan ka sa kung ano man ang nararamdaman ko ngayon."

Tanya froze, but then she managed to be calm. "What? May nangyayari sa'yong kakaiba ngayon at ako ang pinaghihinalaan mo? Sis, where is your conscience? Look, I'm asking you if you are okay, you said 'yes'. See, I arrange a room for you to rest dahil sa tingin ko nilalagnat ka. Hey, is this your way to express your gratitude towards me?"

Stella gritted her teeth. "Alright, thank you!" After she reached the keycard, she left immediately.

Tanya reached her arms again. "Ihahatid na kita—"

"No need," Stella said coldly. She was suppressing the heat and desire of her body.

"Alright, alright... Dahil ayaw mo magpahatid hindi na kita pipilitin. Anyway, your hotel room is on the 10th floor, room number 102. I'll go ahead now." Tanya said and then walked to face her guests.

When Stella moved out, Tanya looked back and smirked.

'Huh... Good luck my little useless cousin. Enjoy your night. Tomorrow will be the end of you!' Tanya thought while staring at the door where Stella stepped out.

Tanya's plan is to ruin Stella. Gustong gusto na niyang mawala sa landas si Stella. First, because she is the biggest threat to her and her family's carefree living. Kaya kailangan na niyang gumalaw upang mawala sa landas nilang maganak si Stella.

If Stella's innocence was ruin, hindi na siya basta bastang makakapag demand dahil sa kahihiyan na kanyang haharapin.

She and her parents approved her plans. Kaya lakas loob niyang gawin ang gusto niya.

Stella immediately get inside the elevator. She pressed the 10th floor, although, wala siyang tiwala sa ginawa ni Tanya ngunit wala siyang choice, she really needs to cool down a bit with a very cold shower. Her other choice is to take a taxi and go to the hospital, but she thinks it's not safe. Kung may nagaabang man sa kanyang panganib sa loob ng hotel room, sisiguraduhin niyang ililigtas niya ang kanyang sarili.

Huminto at bumukas ang elevator sa 7th floor ng hotel. Pumasok ang isang lalaki. The man walks unstable.

Stella hardly swallows her saliva when her eyes slowly get up to the man's face who is leaning against the wall of the elevator. Nakita niyang pinindot nito ang 10th floor.

The man noticed her existence, ramdam niyang nakatitig ito sa kanya. Napatingin naman si Stella sa mukha nito. Pilit inaaninag ni Stella ang hitsura ng lalaki. Malabo man ito sa kanyang paningin ngunit sa tindig nito at pangangatawan ay nakakasiguro siyang magandang lalaki ito.

The man looks in his early twenties.

Stella smile. The man who is staring at her also smiles dangerously with his dark eyes. The man slowly approached Stella who was in the opposite corner.

Stella gulped. Hinayaan niya lumapit at hapitin siya ng lalaki ng walang pasabi.

"Woman, are you free tonight?"