"Why are you crying, Cecilia?" Felicity asked our friend who had been weeping on the bathroom floor for God knows how long. Napasukan na lang namin siyang ganito dito. Halos mabura na ang face niya sa sobrang pag-iyak. I grimaced seeing her mascara-smudged cheeks. I would never ugly-cry a guy!

"S-si... Si Saint. Hindi niya na ako pinapansin. As in hindi niya na ako kinakausap. I went to all his parties. Even the parties na hindi ko naman kilala who organized ay pinupuntahan ko just to see him pero hindi niya ako pinapansin!" She wailed again like she was so sakit na sakit that this was happening to her. Eh, she should've expected this outcome na.

Saint dumped her four years ago! Four years! Hindi pa rin niya iyon matanggap. Not that Cece didn't have boyfriends after that, pero tuwing wala ay palagi niyang hinahabol si Saint. Tulad na lang ngayon. I wasn't a love guru or an expert on this, but when a guy dumped you ibig sabihin lang ay hindi ka na niya gusto. Being dumped was worse than being ignored. And yes, alam na alam ko iyon!

Felicity and I exchanged glances before she sighed and kneeled beside Cecilia, ako naman ay naka-stand lang, watching them with my arms crossed over my chest. I didn't know what to do with her, but I wouldn't kneel on a public bathroom floor! Eew! I will comfort her na lang if she stands up.

Tiningala ako ni Felicity, she looked like she was waiting for me to do the same. No way! I rolled my eyes and went to the mirrors instead. I checked my reflection and fixed my dress a bit while Cecilia continued going about how she felt so humiliated tonight.

"Sabi ni Armand pangit daw ako kaya ayaw sa akin ni Saint!"

"Masyado mo naman binigyan ng halaga ang sinabi ni Armand. Alam naman natin na bitter lang 'yun kasi hindi mo siya sinagot noon. Liligawan ka ba niya kung pangit ka?"

I rolled my eyes again. Eh, niligawan naman ni Armand ang lahat! Inayos ko ang pagkakakulot ng dulo ng aking buhok habang pinagmamasdan ang sarili sa salamin. I still couldn't believe I was spending my night here instead of partying outside! Mamaya ay naroon na pala ang boyfriend ko tapos hindi ko maabutan. I could text him naman to ask his whereabouts pero hindi siya madalas mag-reply. I wanted to be as understanding as I could, kaya ayos lang sa akin kahit habang-buhay siyang hindi mag-reply. Basta huwag lang siyang magpapalit ng number. Lalo if hindi ko alam.

"Sinabihan niya akong pangit!" Lalong lumakas ang iyak ni Cecilia. It started to get on my nerves!

I sighed and looked at her pitifully. She's kawawa naman kasi talaga. But she only had herself to blame. "Eh, what's your problem ba? You're pangit naman talaga."

Felicity shot me a glare as though warning me to shut my mouth. She always hated it when I spewed truths into people. Sabi niya kasi ay rude daw iyon. Eh, what should I do ba? Should I lie to make them feel better? I don't think that will help them.

"Kali, that's rude," malumanay na saway sa akin ni Felicity. She was stroking Cecilia's hair now, trying to make her feel better. "You're not pangit, okay?"

"But you said her teeth are big! That she couldn't close her mouth even if she wanted to," I mumbled, sneering when she shot me another look that could've killed me if they were knives.

Hm. I was telling the truth naman, eh? Sinabi naman talaga ni Felicity iyon when Cecilia tried to date her crush on fifth grade. Naisip ko noon she only said that because she was mad. But then, her crush didn't make patol on Cece's flirtations. It made me realize that Feli was right. Cece's unattractive. Why can she say that behind her back, pero hindi kapag kaharap na? Eh, she should hear that from us nga. Para hindi na siya ma-hurt if ever she heard it from others like what happened tonight with Armand!

"You said that?" Cece cried even harder. I saw her subtle attempt to close her mouth, kaya naman nito iyong gawin pero need lang talaga mag-effort like what she did now. "I could close my mouth, you bitch!"

"Come one, Cece. It was a long time ago! And I only said that because you tried to flirt with Rick!" Feli argued exasperatedly. Sinubukan niyang hawakan si Cece at alalayan sa akma nitong pagtayo, but Cece swatted her hands away. "We were kids then, Cecilia! We say stuff like that when we're mad!"

"And that should be okay, Cece. She might've exaggerated a bit with your teeth, but hindi naman nag-lie si Feli about the pangit thing. Besides, you've changed! You improved a bit from when we were younger." I twitched my lips, seriously staring at her face so I could make suggestions that might help with the 'pangit' thing. "I think a nose job might help too."

"Shut up, Kali," Feli stood up and shot me daggers. Kalmado pa rin, but I knew I was pushing all her buttons. Muli niyang sinubukan abutin si Cece, but the bitch stepped back. "Alright, I'm sorry if I said that. Mga bata pa tayo noon, Cece. I was really mad at you then. Let's not make it a big deal, please. We've been friends for like what? We've been through so much already—"

"You know, I would've expected this from Kali!" Cece acted as though she felt so betrayed. Humarap ito sa salamin, lalong naiyak nang makita ang sariling repleksyon.

Oh, God. I genuinely pity her. I would cry too if I saw my face looking like that!

"Pangit ako..." Lalo pa siyang umiyak, she was touching her nose now. Matangos naman iyon, but it was big for the shape of her face. "That's why Saint doesn't like me..."

I squared my shoulders. I knew my brother-in-law had other reasons why he dumped Cece, but one truth should be enough for her tonight. Baka hindi na ito matapos mag-cry if sabihin ko pa ang lahat ng na-notice ko about her—like her being clingy was borderline pathetic and psychotic. Isa pa, I didn't think he really liked her simula pa lang. Parang he was only using her, eh? Hindi ko lang alam for what.

I shrugged, reaching for my burgundy lipstick from my bag. As I unscrewed the cap, I noticed Cece glaring at me through her tear-filled eyes, mukhang may gustong sabihin pero hindi masabi-sabi.

"Get over him," I said casually as if I were commenting on the weather, carefully applying another layer of lipstick. Totoo naman, eh? She should get over Saint dahil mukhang wala naman talaga iyong gusto sa kaniya.

Cece's eyes narrowed, and she let out a harsh laugh, rolling her eyes. "Oh, right. Sure, Kali. Because you've totally gotten over LA, right?"

Alam kong ibabato niya iyon sa akin. Alam ko rin na dadalhin niyang sadya sa usapan si LA. Ganoon talaga, because deep inside her, alam niya rin that I was telling the truth. And most often than not, truth hurts.

I smirked, pressing my lips together to blend the lipstick evenly. Hindi ako nagsalita agad, I wanted her to watch and see how pretty I was.

"LA didn't dump me," I replied, returning the lipstick to my bag with a soft click of the cap.

Cece scoffed, wiping away tears with the back of her hand, smudging her mascara even further. Baka akala niya nakakaganda iyon. She really should wash her face before talking to me, because I was a bit bothered by it. "That's because you and LA were never together in the first place. Hindi ka nga pinapansin, 'di ba?"

"That's enough!" Sinubukan ni Feli na gumitna sa aming dalawa pero tuluyan ko nang hinarap ang kawawang si Cecilia. "Kali, don't. She's already been through enough embarrassment tonight."

Hindi ko pinansin si Feli at mas itinuon ang atensyon sa sinabing iyon ni Cecilia. She had a point, and if it were anyone else, I might've let that sting a little, but I wasn't about to let Cece feel like she won some argument when she was practically in shambles over a guy like Saint. So, I kept my smirk in place, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

"Don't worry about me, Cece. Kahit hindi ako pinapansin ni LA, at least he didn't tell me he didn't like me. Parang 'yung ginawa sa'yo ni Saint the last time you cornered him..."

That one landed. Cece's face twisted, her lips quivering as if she wanted to say something back but couldn't find a response quickly enough. Her shoulders sagged, and for a second, I almost felt bad—almost.

"Kali!" Gigil na si Feli sa akin, she was so close to covering my mouth with her hand so I stepped away a little.

Cecilia let out a frustrated groan and turned back to the mirror, staring at her reflection like it was the enemy. "What's wrong with me? Am I really that ugly?"

I really shouldn't answer that, should I? Nasa harapan naman na niya ang sagot kaya hinayaan ko na lang si Feli na mag-comfort sa kaniya. I got the feeling na hindi rin naman nakakagaan ng loob ang mga lumalabas sa bibig ko.

I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms as I watched Feli stroke her back again.

"You're not ugly, Cece. But looks aren't the problem here." Felicity shot me again another warning look so I didn't say anything. "You just... you got too attached. Way too fast."

Her face crumpled again, tears welling up, but she nodded slightly. "I just wanted to make him happy. I thought if I tried hard enough, he'd—"

"Stop," Feli cut her off, shaking her head. "That's where you messed up. You don't need to 'try' that hard. If he wanted you, he would've made it clear."

Tumango ako sa sinabing iyon ni Felicity dahil iyon rin naman ang punto ko kay Cece kanina. Mas nasabi niya nga lang ng maayos at much nicer.

"Saint wasn't confused, Cece. He just wasn't interested." I added. "Hindi ka niya gusto at malinaw niyang sinabi sa'yo iyon."

She winced, but I wasn't about to sugarcoat it. Sometimes, people needed the truth served straight. And besides, she wasn't the only one suffering here. Listening to her go on about Saint for weeks? That had been its own kind of torture. Nakakasawa!

Cece sniffled, biting her lower lip, glancing at us with red, puffy eyes. "I just thought... maybe, just maybe, I could be enough."

Feli sighed and softly said. "You are enough, Cece. Just not for him. But Saint's not the end-all, be-all. You'll see that eventually."

She didn't respond, her eyes going distant as she stared at her reflection.

I uncrossed my arms, straightening up. "Now, come on. Fix your face. We're not going out there with you looking like that."

Cece gave a weak nod, sniffling one last time before reaching for her makeup bag. As she dabbed at her smeared mascara, I leaned back, glancing at my own reflection. LA, Saint—they were all the same. Just guys. At the end of the day, it was we who had to pick up the pieces.

But one thing was for sure—I wasn't about to shed a single tear over any of them. Yes, kahit si LA De Salvo pa 'yan!

Nang makuntento na si Cece sa ayos niya ay inaya niya na kami ni Feli na bumalik sa party sa labas. She said she would try her best to avoid Armand na lang. Before we went outside, I gave her a once-over, making sure she looked presentable.

"Better," I said with a nod, adjusting my own dress. We weren't going back out there with her looking like a train wreck.

Not at Pablo Melendrez's party, of all places. Lahat ng nasa labas ay halos kakilala namin, kung may new faces man siguro less than ten percent of the crowd lang. So, any humiliation that would happen tonight ay siguradong mapapag-usapan sa social media where all of us were acquainted.

I glanced at the door, the muffled thumping of bass coming from the other side. The elite superclub had been rented out for the entire night—just for Pablo's birthday. Typical. He was a young, spoiled restaurateur, inheriting the Melendrez family business, and even though I hated being in the same room as some of these people, I ran in the same circles. You couldn't exactly escape them.

But if I was being honest with myself, wala naman akong care for Pablo. We weren't even that close. I was here for my boyfriend, LA. Dahil alam kong pupunta siya ngayon dito. He had to be here. He was Pablo's lawyer, after all. At kilala ko si Pablo, something ridiculous was bound to happen tonight that would need LA's legal attention.

I glanced at Cece. "Ready?"

Nag-aalangan man ay tumango siya sa amin ni Feli. "I guess."

Hm. She didn't have a choice naman. We couldn't be stuck here all night, noh!

I sighed, pushing open the door and stepping back into the flashing lights and overwhelming noise of the club. The bass hit hard, vibrating through the floor, and the air smelled like sweat, alcohol, and expensive perfume. Hinawakan agad ni Feli si Cece kasi she hurt her ankle with her drama kanina when she ran away from Armand.

Agad kong inilibot ang tingin ko sa paligid, may hinahanap. People were everywhere—drinks in hand, laughing loudly, some grinding on the dance floor. It was the usual scene. Sa dami ng tao, it felt like impossible to see him.

Agad na kumuha si Cece ng champagne nang may waiter na dumaan sa harap namin. Me? Later na, kapag nakita ko na si LA. My lasing-lasingan scene was only for him anyway. Cece clutched her drink tighter as we made our way through the crowd. We passed a few familiar faces—people I'd seen at countless other events like this one—but none of them mattered.

I scanned the room, my eyes darting to every dark corner, looking for him. Alam kong narito siya, maaaring wala pa, but I'm so sure he will show up. Palagi naman ganito si LA, pasimpleng darating, tipong hindi halos mapapansin ng iba. Well, ako. I would always notice, kasi nga inaabangan ko siyang talaga.

"Looking for someone?" Panunukso ni Cecilia na para bang she didn't just have a tearful meltdown in the bathroom. Iyon marahil ang epekto ng Dom Pérignon sa kaniya.

I didn't even bother to look at her. "You know I always am."

She rolled her eyes, sipping her drink. Si Feli naman ay tumabi sa kabilang side ko so they can sandwich me.

"Right. LA. Of course." She gestured toward the far end of the room, where a private VIP section was roped off. "I saw him earlier with Pablo. He's probably over there."

What? Sa dami ng dram niya sa bathroom kanina ay ngayon niya lang naisipan sabihin sa akin na nakita niya na si LA? Wow. I couldn't believe this selfish bitch! Inuna pa niya ang self pity and dramas niya, huh!

I was about to say something when Feli stopped me by touching my arm.

"Do you really want to get into that with Cece? Ngayon pa na naroon na si LA? Baka umalis rin agad 'yan kung sasayangin mo pa ang oras mo sa pakikipag-away, sige ka." Malumanay na saway sa akin ni Feli. I sighed. She had a point. Arguing with Cecilia right now would be as stupid as her nose.

"Iyon siya, oh!" Cece giggled.

I followed her gaze, and sure enough, there he was. LA, leaning back in one of the plush couches, drink in hand, looking as calm and composed as ever. He always did. His dark blonde hair was slicked back, his tailored suit fitting him perfectly. The picture of control.

"He looks like he's doing just fine," Cece muttered, sounding almost annoyed. "I don't get it, Kali. Sa dami ng nagkakagusto at naghahabol sa'yo ay bakit habol ka ng habol sa lalaking 'yan? I mean, okay... Sobrang guwapo niya. De Salvo siya. But he's not—"

"Because," I cut her off, my voice cool, "it's not about him. It's about control."

"Control? More like obsession!" Felicity rolled her eyes. Of all my friends, si Feli ang hindi gaanong suportado ang mga paghahabol ko kay LA. Noong una, noong mga bata pa kami ay ayos lang sa kaniya. But as we grew older, nababahala na siya.

Bakit ko nga ba gustong-gusto si LA?

I stared at LA, my gaze locked on him, the way it always had been. For as long as I could remember, he had been at the center of my universe. It was like gravity itself had shifted when he walked into the room, pulling me toward him. And yet, to him, I was nothing more than a speck of lint—something he casually brushed off, again and again. No matter how many times I tried to catch his eye, no matter how many events we ended up at together, LA never gave me the time of day. Well, not the kind of attention I wanted him to give me. Tuwing papansinin at kakausapin niya ako ay para bang sobrang napipilitan lang siya. And I wanted him to want to talk to me!

Why? Why did I want him so badly when he clearly couldn't care less?

That was exactly why! Because he didn't care about me!

I tore my eyes away from his perfectly composed figure. May dumaan ulit na waiter sa kinaroroonan namin kaya katulad ni Cece ay kumuha rin ako ng champagne, Feli did the same. Abala na silang dalawa sa kani-kaniyang boy hunting. Mabuti na rin, I didn't want their attention on me.

I took a sip of my drink as I leaned against the bar. Felicity's words echoed in my head. Obsession. Was it really that? Maybe she had a point.

It wasn't like I didn't have options. Boys practically lined up for the chance to be with me. From the moment I walked into a room, their eyes would follow, eager and willing to do whatever it took to make me smile. Some would send drinks, others would try cheesy pick-up lines, and a few even went as far as orchestrating grand gestures to win my attention. I had seen it all—and rejected most of them without a second thought.

Pero si LA? He never once chased me. Never played into the games. He was always indifferent, even cold. And I think that's what kept me coming back. There was something about his elusiveness, his complete lack of interest, that made me want him even more. Maybe it was the thrill. The challenge. Or maybe it was the fact that he was the only one I couldn't have, no matter how hard I tried to make papansin.

All those other boys—they bent to my will. They followed me like lovesick puppies, waiting for a scrap of my attention. LA wasn't like them. He never played by my rules. He had his own game, and I wasn't even a player. I was an afterthought. A nobody.

And yet, despite knowing that, I couldn't help but be drawn to him. The chase, the frustration, the endless cycle of trying to get his attention—it was intoxicating. Every time he looked right through me, I felt the sting, but it only made me want him more.

I sighed, my fingers tightening around the glass in my hand. What was it about him? Was it because he didn't care? Or was it because, deep down, I believed there was something underneath that calm, unbothered exterior that he was hiding? Some part of him that he never let anyone see, least of all me. And I wanted to be the one to break through that. To finally get him to see me the way I saw him.

I glanced back at him, he was busy talking to Pablo, relaxed, like he didn't have a care in the world. He was unattainable, untouchable, and maybe that was exactly why I couldn't let go. Because no matter how many times I tried, no matter how often I told myself it wasn't worth it, I always ended up right back here—staring at him from across the room, hoping that maybe this time, he'd finally notice me.

But he never did.

I downed the last of my drink, the ice clinking against the glass as I set it back on the table. Nilingon ko ang mga kaibigan kong busy na, chatting up a group of boys whose names I vaguely recognized but didn't care enough to remember. They were harmless distractions for the night, but I had something else in mind.

I stood up, smoothing the front of my dress, and headed toward the VIP section. Time to make papansin, ito naman talaga ang sadya ko dito. So, let the show begin! Lumapit na ako sa kinaroroonan ng mga ito, ignoring all the boys na nag-attempt humarang for a dance or maybe a chance to talk.

The bouncer at the velvet rope didn't even hesitate. He lifted it for me with a respectful nod, tinignan pa nito ang likuran ko maybe to see if I was with someone. Since VIP section ito, hindi lahat ay allowed. But everyone knew who I was, and in this world, that meant a lot. I had access, and I intended to use it.

As I approached, Pablo's eyes lit up when he saw me. He was seated on one of the couches, surrounded by his usual entourage, and of course, LA was right next to him—cool and composed. Even from a distance, I could tell he hadn't noticed me. He never did. Not even a glance. Or maybe nakita niya naman ako, sadyang hindi lang talaga pinansin.

But that didn't matter. Not yet, anyway.

"Pablo!" I greeted, flashing him a smile as I leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday."

"My darling, Kali!" Pablo grinned, his eyes drinking me in from head to toe. He was already tipsy, that much was obvious, but he was still coherent enough to flirt back. "You look incredible tonight. I was hoping you'd show up."

Kita mo 'yan, LA? Huh, ganyan ako i-treat ng mga nakapaligid sa'yo!

I laughed, deliberately making my voice a little higher, a little more playful. Syempre, cause I'm papansin. And even though I wasn't drunk, medyo lasing-lasingan ako. Not that I expected him to worry, hindi nga ako pinapansin, eh. Wala lang, I just know na working ang tactics na ganito sa movies. No harm naman if I'll try it with him, right?

"You know I wouldn't miss your party for the world. How could I when you always throw the best ones?"

Pablo chuckled, clearly pleased with the compliment. "Well, you know me. I aim to impress."

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see LA sitting there, his posture stiff and rigid, completely disinterested in our conversation. His eyes were glued to his phone, fingers lazily scrolling through something as if the world around him didn't matter. Typical.

Boyfriend ko 'yan!

I wasn't about to let him ignore me entirely.

"So," I said, leaning in closer to Pablo, my hand lightly resting on his arm. "What's the plan for the rest of the night? Are we dancing? Or are you going to keep sitting here while the whole club parties without you?"

Pablo laughed again, louder this time, clearly enjoying the attention. "Oh, trust me, I've got plans. You'll see. But maybe you can convince me to get up and dance, Kali. You've always had a way of making things fun."

I tilted my head, letting out a soft laugh, my eyes glancing deliberately at LA for a split second before returning to Pablo. "Well, I've always had that effect on people."

Pwera sa lawyer mo, Pablo!

I could feel LA's presence beside me, cold and distant, like a shadow. He still hadn't looked at me, hadn't acknowledged my existence, and for some reason, that only made my blood simmer. The more indifferent he acted, the more I wanted to crack through that composure.

I let my hand linger on Pablo's arm just a little longer than necessary, my voice taking on a teasing tone. "Maybe we should make a toast to you, Pablo. It is your birthday, after all. Wouldn't want you to miss out on being the center of attention."

Pablo smirked, nodding toward a nearby bottle of champagne. "You're right. Let's pop one open."

As he reached for the bottle, I glanced at LA again. Still nothing. He was so rigid, so controlled, that it made my skin crawl. I wasn't used to being invisible.

And that's exactly why I couldn't stop. I needed him to notice. I needed to break through that wall he always had up.

Pablo stood up with a grin, his arm snaking around my waist, pulling me closer as he handed me a glass of champagne. Sanay na akong mahawakan ng ganito, hindi na bago dahil mahilig akong pumunta sa mga ganitong party. Though nothing about his touch stirred the same chaos in me that LA's mere presence did. Para bang reserved ang damdamin na iyon only for LA. Still, I let myself lean into it, playing along. This was the game we played.

He raised his glass high, commanding the attention of everyone in the VIP section.

"A toast!" he declared, his voice loud and clear over the pulsating music. "To another year of life, and to all of you—my wonderful friends. Let's make tonight unforgettable!"

There was a collective cheer, glasses clinking as everyone in the VIP section joined in the toast. I lifted my glass, taking a sip, my eyes darting briefly to LA, who remained seated. His glass untouched, his expression as unreadable as ever.

Pablo lowered his glass, turning his attention back to me. With a mischievous smirk, he leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, "LA isn't really your boyfriend, is he?"

I felt a flutter in my stomach, a mix of embarrassment and defiance swirling together. I smiled, that stupid, almost pathetic smile I'd practiced so well. Bigla kong naalala ang mga ginawa ko. I had been telling people for months—maybe longer—that LA was my boyfriend. Some believed it, some didn't, and others didn't know what to think. But I didn't care. I wanted people to know that my romantic attention was reserved solely for him, whether he acknowledged it or not. Kaya hindi na rin bago sa iba ang mga ginagawa kong pagsunod-sunod kay LA sa party at okasyon na gaya nito.

I turned my head slightly toward Pablo, still smiling, but didn't answer right away. I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for a reaction. Muli siyang bumulong at mas inilapit pa akong lalo sa kaniya.

"I mean, I don't want to get into any disagreements with my lawyer. Wouldn't want to make things awkward."

I let out a soft giggle, biting my lower lip as I met his eyes.

"No need to worry about that," I said, my voice playful, almost teasing. "I think LA and I are just... complicated."

Pablo chuckled, his fingers tightening briefly around my waist. "Complicated, huh? You sure about that, Kali? He doesn't exactly look like a man who's concerned about keeping his girlfriend happy."

I forced another laugh, even though his words stung more than I wanted to admit. "Oh, you know how he is. Always working, always serious. But deep down, gustong gusto ako niyan!"

Pablo raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, but he didn't push the subject further. Instead, he tilted his glass toward mine again, the playful glint still in his eyes. "Well, if you say so. Just know, if things between you two ever get less... complicated, you know where to find me."

I gave him a coy smile, tapping my glass against his. "You're always on my mind, Pablo."

I took another sip of champagne, sinulyapan kong muli ang direksyon ni LA, hoping na kahit paano ay papansinin niya na ako or titignan man lang. But nothing! I got nothing! He still hadn't looked at me, hadn't even acknowledged my existence. And yet, here I was—caught up in this ridiculous game of pretending. Pretending to everyone else that he was mine, when in reality, he probably didn't even know or care what I was doing.

Ilang sandali ko pang pinagtiisan ang pasimpleng pakikipaglandian ko kay Pablo, but my patience was wearing thin. Sitting beside him on the couch, I glanced over at LA, who had now turned his attention to some other guests in the VIP section. I couldn't hear if ano ang pinag-uusapan nila, but probably about some of his cases. Naririnig ko kasi ang mga salitang hearings, proceedings, judgments. Tumaas ang kilay ko nang ilang sandali pa ay may lumapit sa kaniya. Kiara Solomon, another one of Cebu's socialites, walked up to him with that overly familiar smile on her face. I knew her. Mas matanda siya ng ilang taon sa akin, and from what I remembered, she and LA were classmates back in high school. Kilala ito ni LA kaya agad na pinansin.

Kilala niya rin naman ako, but he never pansin me!

My stomach tightened as I watched Kiara lean in, whispering something to LA. He smiled—just slightly, but enough for her to take the hint. She asked him to dance. And to my complete annoyance, he agreed.

He freaking agreed!

Nasisiguro ko na kung ako ang nag-ask sa kaniya to dance ay hindi niya ako papansinin! Pero sa Kiara na iyon ay sasama siya, huh?

I clenched my glass, eyes narrowing as they moved to the dance floor together. Kiara, with her perfect dress and annoyingly perfect posture, laughed at something LA said as they started swaying to the music. He was composed, as always, but there was something about the way he was with her—welcoming, maybe even a little relaxed—that made my blood boil.

Puwede siyang maging ganoon sa iba pero sa akin ay napakalamig ng trato niya!

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. And ito namang si Kiara! Flirt rin talaga! She must have heard the rumors. Everyone had. I'd made sure of it. She knew that I'd been telling people LA was mine, yet here she was, acting like none of that mattered. That bitch. I would never flirt with someone else's boyfriend! Disgusting!

Without thinking twice, I stood up abruptly, my legs moving before my mind could catch up. I grabbed Pablo's hand, pulling him off the couch.

"Come on," I said, flashing him a grin that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Let's dance."

Pablo, always eager to play along, let out a laugh and followed me, his arm naturally resting on my waist as we moved toward the dance floor. But my eyes were fixed on one thing: LA and Kiara.

Sinadya kong hilahin si Pablo sa malapit sa dalawa dahil sila naman talaga ang reason kung bakit kami magsasayaw. I couldn't help but feel the heat of irritation rise in my chest. They were still dancing, talking, and LA—still annoyingly composed—was giving her more attention in those few minutes than he had ever given me. It wasn't fair. Not at all.

Sandali lang kaming sumayaw ni Pablo kasi kating-kati na akong abalahin sina Kiara at LA! Gusto ko na silang paghiwalayin!

When we were close enough, I plastered on my best smile and interrupted them, stepping right into their space.

"Kiara," I said sweetly, though my voice dripped with sarcasm, "do you mind if we switch partners?"

Kiara's smile faltered for a second, but she recovered quickly, her eyes flicking between LA and me. She knew exactly what I was doing.

"Switch partners?" she echoed, her voice innocent but I could sense the slight edge. "Oh, but LA and I were just catching up."

I smiled wider, feigning politeness. "Well, I was just thinking maybe I could have my boyfriend back for a bit."

I emphasized the word 'boyfriend' just enough to make my point clear. Ano, Kiara? You're so matindi naman if you're not going to leave pa! I claimed LA na nga!

LA's eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto mine. His jaw tensed, but he didn't say a word. He never did when I pulled stunts like this. And yes, this wasn't the first time I claimed him as my boyfriend. Tuwina'y hahayaan niya lang ako. Kaya rin malakas ang loob ko.

Nagkasalubong ang mga mata namin ni Pablo, he was grinning, clearly entertained by the situation. "Come on, Kiara," he said, his arm slipping around her waist, pulling her away from LA and toward him. "Let's give them a moment. Dance with me, it's my birthday."

Kiara hesitated but finally relented with a tight-lipped smile, allowing Pablo to lead her away. I could tell she wasn't happy about it, but that wasn't my problem.

With them gone, I turned to LA, standing there with the same stiff, composed expression he always wore. I smiled, trying to hide the turmoil brewing inside me. Kay LA lang ako kinakabahan ng ganito!

"So," I said lightly, "care for a dance?"

He didn't respond immediately, his eyes still narrowed as if he were trying to figure out what exactly I was playing at. Finally, he sighed, taking a step toward me, his hand resting lightly on my waist. See? Gusto niya rin ako! I just had to make a little effort to tip him in that direction.

"Do you ever get tired of this?" he asked, his voice low, almost annoyed.

I tilted my head, refusing to let his indifference get to me. "Tired of what?"

LA's grip tightened slightly, his gaze never wavering from mine. "Of pretending."

I raised an eyebrow, kahit alam kong iritado siya sa ginagawa ko ay mas inilapit ko pa rin ang sarili ko sa kaniya. I also slid my arms around his neck. I could feel the tension radiating off him, but I didn't care. He could pretend to be indifferent all he wanted, but I knew I could get under his skin if I pushed hard enough. Tao lang rin si LA, lalaki rin.

"Then why don't we stop pretending, Laurent?" I said softly, my voice a little more seductive, a little more dangerous. "We could make this real... if you wanted to."

His eyes didn't soften. He didn't smirk, didn't laugh like he used to with other people. Palagi siyang iba sa akin. He just stared at me, cold and rigid, as if my words didn't affect him at all. Nanatili ang kaniyang mga kamay sa aking bewang, but they were far from gentle. The pressure of his grip tightened slightly, still, he said nothing.

I leaned in even closer, my lips brushing his ear as I whispered, "And don't forget, you still owe me something... you promised me my first kiss, remember?"

For a brief moment, his breath hitched, and I felt a flicker of something in him, a crack in the ice-cold facade he always wore around me. But just as quickly as it came, it was gone. His grip on my waist tightened even more, and this time, his words were sharp and almost cruel, though his face remained impassive. Kung paano niya nagagawa ang lahat ng iyon ay hindi ko rin alam.

"You should have gotten that somewhere else by now," he said coldly. No emotions at all kaya mas nakakatakot pakinggan.

I blinked, forcing myself not to show the sting his words caused. Instead, I feigned hurt, letting my lips curl into a small, sad smile. I tilted my head to the side, searching his eyes for any sign of warmth. But of course, there was none. Kung tignan ba ako ni LA ay para akong dumi na hindi niya maalis kahit anong pagpag ang gawin niya. Try harder, Laurent Andrei.

"I would never lie to you, Laurent," I said softly. "I've never lied to anyone. Lying isn't in my nature."

That much was true! Sa sobrang totoo ko nga minsan ay marami na ang nagagalit sa akin.

His eyes finally flickered with something—annoyance, maybe disbelief—but he still didn't relax. "Lying or not, Kali, this game you're playing? It's not going to work. I'm not going to play you."

I bit my lip, refusing to let his words sink too deep. "Ilang taon na ba, Laurent? You still think I don't mean it, that this is just another one of my little obsessions, but..." I trailed off, my voice dropping as I kept my arms draped around his neck, refusing to let go. "It's not. Not with you."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The music pounded around us, the lights flashing, people laughing and dancing, but it felt like we were in a bubble—just the two of us. I could feel his pulse beneath my fingertips, the tension between us almost suffocating. But LA remained stoic, unmoved.

"You should let it go," he said quietly, but his grip on my waist remained firm, holding me in place. "You'll save yourself a lot of trouble."

I leaned back slightly, just enough to meet his eyes, my fingers playing lightly at the back of his neck. "What if I don't want to?"

He didn't answer, but the silence between us spoke louder than any words ever could.

My heart pounded in my chest, and for a moment, all I could hear was the rush of blood in my ears. LA's green eyes stayed locked on mine, cold, unreadable. He didn't pull away, but he didn't move either. He was daring me, challenging me to make the next move.

And I wasn't about to back down.

I leaned in slowly, my lips brushing against his for the briefest second. He didn't flinch, didn't respond—he just stayed perfectly still. But I didn't care. I had waited long enough for this. I wasn't about to let the moment pass.

I pressed my lips to his again, this time more firmly, more deliberately. His lips were stiff beneath mine, unyielding, but I didn't stop. I kissed him softly at first, testing the waters, my hands gently sliding up to his jaw, feeling the slight stubble under my fingertips. He remained still, as rigid as ever, but I wasn't deterred.

I kissed him better, my lips working against his, tasting him. It wasn't soft or sweet, the way I had always imagined my first kiss would be. There were no fireworks, no romantic moments where the world melted away. But it was something else—something darker, more thrilling.

His lips, though unresponsive, tasted like the bourbon he'd been drinking, mixed with something uniquely him. I wanted more. I pressed harder, tilting my head slightly, sucking on his lower lip, urging him to respond, to give me something back. My fingers gripped his jaw, pulling him closer. The thrill of it, the forbidden taste of him, was better than I had ever imagined. It was dark and dangerous, a twisted version of the fantasy I had held onto for so long.

But he still didn't move.

I pulled back slightly, just enough to catch my breath, my lips hovering over his. My heart raced, and I could feel the adrenaline rushing through me. His eyes were still locked on mine, his expression unreadable. For a second, I wondered if I had gone too far, if I had pushed him beyond what he could tolerate. But I wasn't sorry. I wasn't going to apologize for taking what I had wanted for so long.

"You didn't kiss me back," I whispered, my voice soft but teasing, barely above the sound of the music thumping around us. "Was it that bad?"

LA's grip tightened on my waist, his jaw tense beneath my fingertips. His eyes darkened, but he didn't answer. He didn't have to.

I leaned in again, this time kissing his ear as I whispered, "You promised, remember? I'm just holding you to your word.

His hand gripped my waist even harder, almost possessively, but he remained stiff, still refusing to give in. His silence, though, was enough. I had claimed what I wanted, what I had been chasing for so long.

And it was better than I could have ever imagined.

Just as I was about to back away, sensing he needed the space, something darker flashed in his eyes. It was quick but unmistakable—a surge of intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. My breath caught, and for the first time in a long while, I felt... scared.

"Laurent?" Namamaos kong bulong dahil iba ang paraan ng pagkakatitig niya sa akin ngayon. The look in his eyes—it was like he was wrestling with something he didn't want to let out.

For a split second, his grip tightened even more, almost as if he was going to pull me closer. Then, just as abruptly, he let go, his hand dropping from my waist as though he had touched something forbidden, something he regretted.

Without a word, he turned his back on me and started walking away, cutting through the crowd like none of this had ever happened. The cold emptiness he left behind made me feel like I'd been dropped from a height.

"Laurent!" I called after him, my voice shaky. But he didn't stop.

I hurried back toward where Cece and Feli were, the two of them deep in conversation with some boys whose names I still didn't care to remember. My heart raced as I grabbed my purse from the table, muttering a quick excuse that they probably didn't even hear. I barely registered their surprised glances before rushing out of the club, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I pushed my way through the door.

I didn't know where he was headed, but I had an idea.

Once outside, the night air hit me, cool and sharp, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. I spotted him in the distance, walking through a dark alley behind the club where a few cars were parked. His broad shoulders were tense, his steps purposeful, and I could tell he didn't want to be followed.

But I wasn't about to let him leave.

Bago para sa akin ang ikinikilos ni LA kaya kailangan kong malaman kung ano ang ibig sabihin noon.

"Laurent!" I called out again, louder this time, my voice echoing through the narrow alley.

He stopped, shoulders stiff, and then I heard him curse under his breath. He turned sharply, his face shadowed in the dim light, but I could feel the tension radiating off him, thicker than before. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, I thought he was going to yell, to finally explode with all the emotions he had been bottling up.

But instead, he did something I didn't expect.

In one swift motion, he closed the distance between us, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me toward him. His other hand cupped the back of my neck as he crashed his lips against mine, hard and demanding, nothing like the soft, tentative kiss I had stolen earlier. This kiss was raw, urgent, filled with everything he had refused to give me before.

I gasped against his mouth, my heart racing as I tried to catch up to the sudden intensity of it. His grip was firm, almost possessive, as if he couldn't hold back anymore. I kissed him back, my hands gripping the fabric of his jacket, feeling the heat between us grow.

This wasn't the kiss I had dreamed of—no, it was darker, hungrier, more chaotic. But it was real. Finally real.

The force of LA's kiss left me breathless, his hands moving with a rough intensity as he pressed me against the hard brick wall of the alley. His body towered over mine, blocking out everything else—the cars, the streetlights, the noise from the club—it was just him, overwhelming and consuming me.

He kissed me like he was starving, like he was devouring every breath I had left, his lips rough and desperate against mine. My back hit the cold wall, but I didn't care. All I could feel was him, the way his body pressed against mine, large and powerful, as if he could crush me with the sheer force of his presence.

My hands fisted the fabric of his jacket, clinging to him as if I'd fallen without his touch. The heat between us was unbearable, every movement stoking a fire inside me that I couldn't control. His kiss was fierce, raw, menacing—dangerous.

I moaned softly against his lips, barely able to breathe, but I didn't want to stop.

"Laurent," I whispered, his name slipping from my mouth like a plea, desperate for more.

And then, just like that, he froze.

He pulled back, his breathing ragged, his chest heaving as if he had just woken from some fever dream. His eyes, wild just moments ago, shifted into something cold, distant. I barely had time to process what was happening before he stepped back from me, cursing under his breath, his hands dropping from my body like I had burned him.

"Laurent?" I said again, confused, trying to understand what had just shifted between us.

His gaze, now emotionless and hard, cut through me.

"Stay the fuck away from me," he said, his voice low, every word sharp and deliberate. "Just... get lost, Kali."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I blinked, trying to catch my breath, trying to make sense of what had just happened. My body was still trembling, adrenaline still coursing through me, but he looked at me like I was nothing. Like none of it had mattered.

I reached out instinctively, but he was already turning his back, walking away with long, determined strides, as if he couldn't get away fast enough.

I stood there, frozen, my mind reeling. What was that? Why had he kissed me like that only to drop me so quickly, like I didn't even exist?

My knees felt weak, trembling beneath me as I tried to hold myself up. But it was no use. Slowly, my body gave in to the weight of everything—the rejection, the confusion, the ache in my chest—and I collapsed to the cold ground, my hands shaking as I pressed them against the rough pavement.

Stay away. Just get lost.

And for the first time, I wondered if maybe... I should.

Maybe all of this—chasing him, wanting something that was never there—was a mistake. Maybe I should let go, just like he said. But before I could gather the strength to stand up and walk away, I heard footsteps approaching.

They were slow, deliberate, and heavy against the damp alley floor. I tensed, my heart skipping a beat. LA...? Had he come back? Maybe he had changed his mind. Maybe he was going to—

A large hand gripped my arm, pulling me up roughly from the ground. I barely had time to react. My breath hitched, and I tried to look up, to see who it was, but before I could, something was pressed firmly against my face.

A handkerchief.

My pulse spiked, panic surging through me as I struggled to breathe, tried to scream, but the cloth muffled everything. The sharp, overpowering scent of chemicals filled my nose and mouth, burning with every inhale. I thrashed, my arms flailing in a weak attempt to fight back, but whoever it was had me pinned, their grip strong, unyielding.

My vision blurred, darkness creeping in from the edges as I tried to focus, tried to stay conscious. My mind screamed for escape, for LA, for anyone to come and help me, but my body was betraying me. The world around me tilted, spinning out of control as the ground seemed to fall away.

My limbs grew heavy, weak, like I was sinking into some invisible abyss. My heart pounded in my chest, desperate to keep me awake, but it was no use.

Everything was slipping.

I tried to hold on, tried to claw my way back to consciousness, but the dark pull was too strong. I felt my body give in, every muscle going limp as the last remnants of light and sound faded from my mind.

And then, there was nothing. Just black.

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