Prologue

"KHIANA, HE'S A DANGEROUS MAN."

As Khiana entered the bar, she could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She had a goal in mind, and she was unwavering in her commitment to accomplish it. She wants to fix their argument.

Matapos niya makausap ang Uncle niya ay puno na ng tanong ang isipan niya. Wala man lang nabanggit si Ryker tungkol sa bagay na iyon. That's why she confronted her. But, this is what happened. They end up arguing... and they're in the brink

Since she had learned that Ryker was going to be in this bar, she had been counting down the time until this moment for what seemed like an eternity. It was necessary for her to inebriate him and then bring him back to his condo. It was the only way for her to communicate with him and find out what was going through his mind at the time.

Ryker was the one who caught her attention as she continued to look around the place. He was taking his time with his drink as he sat at the far end of the bar, seeming uninterested. She moved closer to him.

"Ryker," she said, her tone coy and her voice low and alluring.

He faced her, his eyes going straight to her the moment he turned to face her. He took in her whole appearance by looking her over from head to toe.

His tone was rough as he questioned her, "What are you doing here, Khiana?"

"Talaga? Tinatanong mo pa 'yan sa akin, huh? Ryker naman!"

"Khiana..."

She moved closer to him and she said, "I want to talk to you," as she approached him.

He questioned, "About what? I don't have time to argue this time."

"I am not! I want to talk about... About us," she continued, the need in her voice audible in her words. "Gusto ko lang naman na maayos tayo, Ryker."

Binigyan niya ng isang misteryosong pag-iling ang ulo na naging dahilan kung bakit imposibleng maunawaan ang kanyang mukha. "Can we talk next time?" he stated with a harsh tone in his voice.

Nakita niya ang sakit sa mga mata nito, at nagdulot din ito ng sakit sa dibdib ni Khiana. Ayaw niya na magkakaganito silang dalawa. Alam niya na ang pagtatalo nila ay nagdulot sa kanya ng sakit, ngunit siya ay nalilito kung paano gagawing mas mabuti ang mga bagay para sa kanilang dalawa. She's trying... She's trying so hard.

"Please, Ryker," she pleaded as she took his hand in her own. "I really need to talk to you."

He stared down at her hand before returning his gaze to her face. When he caught a glimpse of the hopelessness in her eyes, he realized there was no way he could say no to her.

"Fine," he murmured as he stood up, pulling her up with him as he did so. "Let's go somewhere. Not here..."

As they walked their way out and tried to exit the bar, Khiana could feel the gazes of the other men on her and Ryker as they passed by. She was well aware of her own attractiveness and made full use of it over the course of her life. If she was going to gain what she wanted from Ryker, she understood that she had to use those circumstances to her own benefit in some way.

As they almost reached the exit, they were all of a sudden confronted by a man who was blocking her way. He took a step closer, grinning lustfully to himself as he did so.

"Hey, gorgeous," he continued, his voice deep and threatening. "What's your name?" the man asked.

Khiana made an effort to retreat, but Ryker blocked her path and his expression darkened as he did so.

"Leave us alone," he hissed, his tone intimidating and his voice low and menacing.

Humalakhak ang lalaki, panandaliang naglakbay ang kanyang tingin kay Ryker habang ginagawa niya iyon. "Oh, I think we're going to have some fun with this one," dagdag pa nito habang inabot ang kamay nito para hawakan siya.

Na-suffocate ang lalamunan ng lalaki nang biglang lumabas ang kamay ni Ryker at napapikit sa leeg ng lalaki. Binuhat niya ito mula sa lupa habang nag-aapoy ang mga mata sa galit.

Nagbigay siya sa isang nagbabantang tono, "Stay away from her! Can't you fucking understand?" at ang kanyang boses ay mababa at maawtoridad.

The guy put up a fight, but Ryker was just too powerful. He applied more pressure, and eventually the man's eyes started to bulge, and he became limp in his hands. Khiana watched everything unfold in disbelief as her pulse raced wildly in her chest. It was the first time she had ever seen Ryker act like this, and it frightened her.

Hindi siya makapaniwala sa nakikita niya. It seemed like a different Ryker Velasquez. Nawala ang pagiging kalmado at sweet nito. Ngayon, parang may itim na awra ang nakapalibot sa kanya.

"R-Ryker, please... Just stop!" she shouted with a quiver in her voice.

He still didn't stop.

"R-Ryker! Please..."

He turned his fiery eyes on her for a moment. "He was going to hurt you" he continued in an ominous and low tone of voice. "I just couldn't allow that to happen. Not in front of me!"

Because she had never seen him in this state before, she wasn't sure what to do about the situation. Unti-unti ay nakita ni Khiana na halos walang buhay na ang lalaki dahil sa pambubugbog ni Ryker.

"Sir, stop that!"

Dumating ang bouncers at pinigilan na si Ryker. After what he did, parang balewala lang na tumalikod siya at humarap kay Khiana.

"Let's go," he said as he turned and began to walk away from the site of the incident.

Khiana continued to follow him as her heart continued to pound in her chest. Even though she had no idea what was going to take place next, she was certain of one thing: she was in love with a guy who has a violent nature.

Habang naglalakad silang dalawa papunta sa kotse ni Ryker ay hindi niya maiwasan mapaluha. Baka nga totoo ang lahat ng sinabi ng uncle niya. Noong una ay ayaw niya ito paniwalaan. Because it's not the Ryker she met. But now, she doesn't know anymore.

Tumutulo ang luha ni Khiana habang patuloy silang naglalakad. Hawak-hawak ni Ryker ang kamay niya na may dugo pa mula sa lalaki kanina.

"R-Ryker..." She whispered his name but not it seemed like his mind was not present with her, because he didn't even flinch nor respond to her.

Patuloy na umaagos ang luha ni Khiana habng inaalala ang sinabi ng uncle niya sa kanya.

"If you want your wrecked heart to be healed, you don't need a wrecked man."