CHAPTER 1: 11 Years Ago

AS SOON as I woke up from a deep slumber. I took a bath and did my every day morning routine. Bumaba na rin ako papunta sa dining area after magbihis at mag-ayos ng sarili. I flashed a smile when our housemaids greeted me a  good morning. As usual, foods were already prepared on the top of the dining table, but no one was eating there except my little sister, Khrizanta.

I guess my parents already went to work. Lumapit ako sa pwesto ng kapatid ko and kissed her on the cheeks. Natigilan siya sa akmang pagkain ng hotdog when she saw me.

I smiled. "Good morning, Khrizanta. How was your sleep?" I asked her and sit on the chair next to her.

"Morning ate. My sleep was fine. I didn't have any nightmares last night," she innocently answered.

"That's good. Eat an apple, Khriz. It is rich in fiber and antioxidants that will help your skin, heart, and brain," I said calmly.

"I don't like apples... Did you forget the quotation An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Mommy is a doctor. Tita Sofia is a Doctor, and you're a future doctor. I don't wanna keep you'll away," nakangusong ani niya.

Napangiti ako at ginulo ang mahaba niyang buhok. Nagreklamo naman siya kaagad at tinawag ang nanny niya para ayusin ulit ang buhok niya. Khrizanta is only nine years old, and I am turning 21 a month from now.

"Stop it, Ate!" She pouted.

I chuckled lightly. "Okay po,"

I finished my breakfast at exactly 7:50. After eating, I brushed my teeth and went out. Our driver stood straight when he saw me walking towards him. He immediately pressed the car key remote and before he come inside, pinagbuksan niya na muna ako ng pinto sa backseat.

"Good morning po, Ma'am Kelsea!" He greeted me with high energy making me smile.

"Good morning, Kuya Bong. Have you eaten breakfast na po ba?" Tanong ko at ngumiti.

"Kumain na po ako, Ma'am. Salamat po! Kayo po ba?" He asked back while driving, eyes fixated on the road. We were heading to DLSU, my school since I was in high school. I'm in my last year in college, taking up BS in Biology because I planned to continue in medschool and be a Pediatric Surgeon.

"Yep, I already did. Kasabay ko po kumain si Khrizanta." I answered politely.

AS SOON as we arrived in front of my university, bumaba na kaagad si kuya Bong at pinagbuksan ako ng car door. I smiled and thanked him for driving me safe. I didn't wait for him to disappear in my sight, at nagdire-diretso na ako papasok.

As soon as I entered our classroom, my classmates immediately greeted me.

"Oh, here comes Miss Perfect!" I heard one of my classmates exclaim when she spotted me. I gave her a subtle smile and passed her.

"Kelsea!" Harper immediately clung her arms to my arms. She's been my best friend since Elementary.

"Altamirano, are you excited about our graduation ceremony tomorrow?! You are the Summa Cum laude, nice!" I flashed a smile at Rejie.

"I'm more excited about the after-party!" I said humorously. 

 "DARLING, I'm so proud of you, anak. You made us so much proud," Mom embraced me again after nila ako samahan sa taas ng stage. Dad took his turn to hug me.

"Congratulations, My future surgeon. Daddy is so proud of you, princess," Dad stated and kissed my forehead.

"Thank you so much, Dad! Thank you so much, mom! I love you both!" I said, kissing them on the cheeks.

After ng graduation ceremony ko, we went to the intimate party they planned for me. When the night came, hinayaan nila akong sumama kay Harper sa BGC.

I chose to wear a rose gold satin dress that reaches under my knees but doesn't reach my ankle. I have my Chanel cardigan in case I get cold. Then, I paired my outfit with my white one-inch sandals heels. I applied soft makeup on my face since I am not a fan of heavy makeup looks.

AS soon as we arrived in front of the place in BGC, bumaba na kaagad si kuya Bong at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. I smiled and thanked him for driving me safe again. Binigyan ko ng one thousand si kuya Bong para pambili niya ng snacks bago ako nagpaalam na papasok na sa loob at magtetext na lang mamaya kapag uuwi na ako.

"Kelsea Maurice!" I quickly smiled when I saw my friends Ashleigh, Harper, and Rejie at the table they rented. I waved back at them as I walked towards them.

"Finally, you're here! Ikaw na lang ang hinihintay namin, girl!" Rejie stated. He gave me a space and a glass shot. "Shot ka muna, Miss Perfect," he pushes a small transparent glass in front of me.

"Kuya Bong drove you here?" Harper asked. She knew my driver's name since we had known each other since I was seven.

"Yup, he did," I lick my lips and slowly drink the liquor. My face twisted when my tongue tasted it. "This is so bitter!" I grimaced.

They laughed at my reaction.

"Of course, duh?! Shot ka pa, Sea. You'll miss this kapag umalis kana dito sa Pilipinas at pumunta sa Maryland," Ashleigh took a shot before she refilled my glass.

"For sure, I will miss this kind of life! Pero mas mamimiss ko kayong tatlo," We filled each other's glasses before we clung to each other's arms, drinking the liquor altogether.

Habang dumadaan ang mga oras ay mas rumarami na ang naiinom namin. The whole table was full of laughter. We're reminiscing about our freshmen days up to now that we were already graduated. It's almost midnight and almost everyone is already drunk. Glady, my friends are still sober, and I have my driver naman kaya anytime I can text him to fetch me here.

"Let's dance, Buttercup!" Harper pulled me to the dance floor. I laughed when she danced sexily in front of me.

Masyadong maraming tao ang nagsasayawan. Hindi naiiwasan na may mga taong naitutulak ako at nagigitgit ako. Pero sumasayaw lang kami ni Harper hanggang sa sumali na rin sina Ashleigh at Rejie sa amin. Halos magyakap na kami ni Harper kung hindi lang napalitan ang kanta, making the people get wild.

Ashleigh motioned me to part my lips, so I did. Then, she pours an unknown liquor into my mouth. Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ang matinding pait na nagmula sa alak.

"Whoaa! This is the life that I want!" I heard Rejie scream.

"We will miss you, Kelsea!" Sabay sabay na sigaw nila habang sumasayaw kami. I let my inner shakira invades my body for tonight since this will be the last time I will do this before I go to medschool.

"It's your turn, hapon!" I heard Ashleigh spoke before she poured liquor into Rejie's mouth. Then she did the same with Harper before she poured it into my mouth.

I immediately felt a sudden change in my body when I had another taste of the liquor. It taste different from the other alcohol we drink earlier. I feel lightheaded. My pulse became wild. My internal heat rose. My vision became blurry, and my down there is throbbing and tinggling like it was seeking for something.

AS I moved my body seductively and enjoyed myself with the loud beat of the music, a massive hands suddenly snaked around my waist with force, pulling me closer. I felt him dancing on my back, sinasabayan ang galaw ko. I can feel my core reacting to the sudden contact of our skin.

Nilingon ko kaagad ang lalaking humawak sa baywang ko at napakurap dahil bahagyang malabo ang mukha niya. The only part of his face I could see clearly was his mystifying hooded eyes and lips. The rest of his features suddenly became blurry.

"Bonsoir Belle," A chill ran down my spine as his lips touched my ear. I bit my lip without realizing it. His voice was husky, smoky, and penetrating.

A mixture of mint, alcohol and citrus scent filled my nostrils. May kung anong kiliti akong naramdaman sa aking tiyan nang malanghap ko ang amoy nito.

His voice was turning me on, and I felt like I was burning inside. What is happening to me?

I swallowed. "I-I'm not Belle." suddenly, my voice became low as I roamed my eyes on the sea of people.

I can't see my friends anymore! Nasaan sila? Did they left me here?!

This mysterious gorgeous man's eyes darted from my eyes to my lips. "I know, Ma chérie." A moan came out from my mouth when I felt his breath on my neck. "Fuck." I heard him cursed under his breath.

Namumungay ang mga mata kong nang makaramdam ng kakaiba sa katawan. The hard thing that was poking my abdomen was enough to set my body into another wildfire. I don't what is happening to me but I want to feel him... All of him.

It's getting hotter, and I want to get rid of everything because I feel like my clothes were suffocating me.

I subconsciously touch his lips. His lips were soft, and it's red like blood. I want to taste them...

"Do you want to kiss me, Ma chérie?" he uttered throatily as his head bent to the side of my neck, trailing it using his nose, whiffing my scent.

"Can I?" I don't know where I got my guts to answer back. But as I stared at his lips, I can feel my body burning so bad. May kung ano sa mga hawak niya ang nagbibigay apoy sa aking katawan.

I was startled when his hands went down from my waist to my hips, closing our invisible gaps. Napapikit ako nang maramdaman kong ang init na nagmumula sa mga kamay niya nang dumampi iyon sa may panga ko.

"Of course," My eyes widened in shock when from my neck, his lips claimed mine. I instantly close my eyes when I felt the tissue between my thighs pulsing.

I tiptoed and snaked my arms into his nape, pulling him closer. I don't know why I did respond to his kisses, but I feel like I should. The unfamiliar strong taste of alcohol lingered on my tastebud. He groaned when I accidentally bit his lower lip. I moaned inside his mouth when our tongues met. He savored every part and inch of my mouth, making me breathless, and that's when he pulled away.

"I-I want more... I want you," I mumbled throatily. My mind is already blurred because of the lust and desire I am feeling right now.

He kissed the side of my head before he leaned on my ears. "Let's get out of here, Ma chérie." He held my waist and brought me outside the sea of wild people, not minding where he would take me.

Little did I know that coming with him that night would give ruckus to my life.