PROLOGUE

HONEYMOON was supposed to be a joyous occasion for newlyweds. It was when two people decide to become one—but not to Syl. To her, the honeymoon was a nightmare she desperately wanted to wake up from.

But she knew she was never going to wake up.

Because her nightmare was her reality.

The only silver lining was that her husband, Izaak Davidson, was out of the villa their parents rented here at one of the beautiful beaches in Bali for their honeymoon. He was out at God knows where, fucking other women—which was a godsend to Syl.

Syl didn't care who her husband slept with as long as he kept his hands to himself. But she knew her reality was always worse; she knew that a time would come that her husband might demand her to play her role as his wife.

Kapag mangyari 'yon, anong pinagkaiba n'on sa pakikipagtalik sa isang estranghero? Siguro nga mas pipiliin pa niya ang isang estranghero na makasama keysa sa asawa niya na pinilit lang sa kaniya. At least kung estranghero man, siguradong pinili niya at desisyon niya.

At that moment, sitting on the edge of bed alone, Syl wanted to rebel and run away. She wanted nothing more than to be away from all the heavy responsibilities on her shoulders, but she couldn't. If she ran away, the only sibling she had would be dragged back to this hellish life and she didn't want that.

Ria already got out. She was already free and was doing what she loved.

I have to hold out. I've been doing this since I can remember.

Pero kahit sanay na siya sa buhay na mayroon siya, nasasakal pa rin siya. Hindi alam ni Syl kung saan ba patungo ang buhay niya. Mananatili ba siyang parang aso na sunod-sunuran lang sa mga magulang niya sa kadahilanang 'pamilya' sila o magri-rebelde siya tulad ng ginawa ng kakambal niya?

Their parents had always been controlling—controlling their lives as they saw fit because, as they always say, they are their parents. Like being a parent gave them the right to control every single thing in her life!

Syl wanted to breathe freely. That was why she had been doing her best in her parents' company, to earn their trust, but she was just fooling herself. She didn't earn anything even if she bled and vomited blood!

From a CEO to being a housewife with no means to earn for herself—that would be her life the moment she returned from this hellish honeymoon.

Combing her long hair frustratedly, she got up and entered the bathroom. Syl slightly winced when she saw her appearance in the mirror. She looked so worn out.

Sighing, she stepped into the shower and took a bath.

She may be married, but she still considered this night her last 'free' night. Tomorrow, they were going home, and she knew her hell would start immediately upon arrival.

Though if there were any consolation, her husband disliked her too. Well, he didn't show it, but she could feel that he was against this marriage too. He was just trying to be polite in front of their parents, but now that it was just them, she wouldn't be shocked if she caught him fucking someone somewhere.

With that thought, Syl's mood became dark. If her husband was out goofing around, then she was going out too to have some fun.

Finishing her bath, Syl changed into a simple dress—not revealing, but not too modest either. Just enough to show some skin.

Fixing her hair and putting some light makeup on, she stepped out of the villa to have some fun and grieve her last day of freedom before they went home where hell was waiting for her.

Balak ni Syl na mag-party-party sa isang club sa loob ng resort para aliwin ang sarili, pero pagkapasok pa lang niya, kaagad na sumakit ang ulo niya dahil sa halo-halong amoy at sobrang lakas na tunog ng musika. Sinubukan niyang manatili sa at mag-order ng alak sa bar, pero dahil hindi siya sanay sa ganitong kapaligiran ay hindi siya nagtagal at lumabas din siya ng club kaagad.

What Syl didn't know was that when she stepped out of the club, she already caught someone's attention—the attention of a man who was there in Bali for business and not pleasure.

Blowing a loud breath and holding her clutch bag, Syl groaned unsophisticatedly before she took her shoes off and carried them as she walked without destination.

A few minutes later, Syl found herself on one of the recliners facing the ocean.

It was nighttime. The moon was high, and the stars twinkled in the sky. It was a perfect night to have fun and let loose, but here she was, alone and miserable. Couldn't even have fun like she wanted to because the party scene was not for her.

Mabilis na tinuyo ni Syl ang luha ng maramdamang namalisbis 'yon sa pisngi niya. Pero kahit ilang beses niyang tuyuin 'yon, ayaw maampat ng luha niya at patuloy lang na namalisbis.

Syl wanted to shout in frustration when a handkerchief appeared in front of her.

Startled, she turned to see who it was, her eyes filled with tears and all, and she felt her world stop along with her breathing and tears when her gaze settled on the most handsome man she had ever seen. More handsome than her husband. He also had the softest eyes, face, and lips. The man had a gorgeous face that anyone would find nice and be comfortable with in an instant.

A foreigner? He looked like one.

And then, the man smiled, and Syl felt her breathing hitch. She didn't even care if she looked like a mess because of her tears. She was just staring.

Calm down. Calm down, pakiusap ni Syl sa sarili habang pinipilit ang sarili na magbaba ng tingin.

Then Syl felt the man sit in the recliner beside her. Gustong-gusto niyang magtanong kung bakit ito umupi at sa katabing recliner pa niya mismo, pero hindi naman niya pag-aari ang mga recliner doon kaya itinuon na lang niya ang tingin sa karagatan.

Then from nowhere, a handkerchief appeared in front of her again and a concerned voice filled her ear.

"I don't mind, really, but your tears ruined your makeup."

Sa narinig, agad-agad na kinuha ni Syl sa clutch bag niya ang compact mirror saka tiningnan doon ang sarili.

Syl was embarrassed beyond belief when she realized that the man was telling the truth. She was indeed a mess. But she didn't take the man's handkerchief. She took a small face wipe to clean her face until she had no makeup on.

And while Syl was doing that, the man was just watching her, making her feel awkward because makeup could enhance beauty and at that moment, she had none and she looked bare and raw.

"You look prettier without your makeup on."

Syl couldn't help snorting because she had already heard that before. "Is that a pick-up line?"

"No. It's a fact." The man's voice didn't waver and the confidence she heard made her believe that it was indeed true.

"Thanks, I guess."

Silence fell between the two.

"People come here for two reasons," the man spoke again, breaking the silence. "To have a honeymoon or to have fun, but you're crying...so I can't tell."

Iniwan ni Syl ang wedding ring niya sa villa dahil hindi siya komportable na isuot 'yon at pinagpapasalamat niya 'yon. She was not proud nor happy that she was married. It was the opposite.

Syl sighed. "I'm just someone trying to have fun." Then her eyes unconsciously glanced at the man's fingers to check if there was a ring there. And to her surprise, she actually felt relieved that they were bare. "You? Why are you here?"

The man shrugged. "Business."

That made Syl's eyebrow raise. "Business...?"

The man smiled and everything looked so bright all of the sudden. "Yeah. I delivered something to a friend."

"Oh."

Silence fell between the two again. And then, it was the man who broke it again as he offered his hand for a handshake.

"I'm Ream Oliveros," the man introduced himself with the nicest smile Syl had ever seen. "May I know your name?"

In Syl's mind, she knew it was a bad idea, but at that moment, she didn't really care and just wanted the man to know her name. "Syl Descartin. Nice to meet you."

Ramdam ni Syl ang bahagyang pagpisil ni Ream sa kamay niya nang tanggapin niya ang pakikipagkamay nito, pero maliban doon, wala na itong ibang ginawa.

"Um." Ream had a lopsided smile as he confessed, "Would you find me creepy if I told you I followed you from the club?"

Natigilan si Syl. "You...followed me?"

Ream nodded. "Yeah. I was about to approach you, but you left."

"The club is not my scene, I guess."

Ream playfully narrowed his eyes at Syl. "A beautiful woman who was crying and claimed that she's here to have fun, but confessing that the club is not her scene. Hmm...not mysterious at all."

Syl couldn't help but chuckle hearing Ream's playful tone, and she retaliated as she mimicked him. "A man who suddenly appeared out of nowhere and who was here for business, offering me a handkerchief and confessing that he actually followed me here. Hmm...not creepy at all."

Ream chuckled and laid himself on the recliner. And Syl couldn't help watching how sexy and hot he looked in that position that she had to drag her gaze away.

She had met a lot of handsome men in her life, but Ream was on another level.

"Are you alone or did you come with friends?" Ream asked after a few seconds of silence.

"With friends," Syl instantly lied. "But they're busy hooking up with the guys they met earlier."

Ream turned to look at Syl. "Want to hook up with me?"

Syl's eyes widened hearing such a bold and uninhibited question. "What...?"

"Hook up. With me," Ream repeated, like it was the most common thing to ask to someone they just met.

Maybe because he's a foreigner and they have a different culture when it comes to sex?

"If you're uncertain..." Ream got up and sat on the reclining, facing her. "We can start with a kiss." Ream sounded so convincing that Syl was actually listening to him! "And if you find the kiss revolting, we'll stop, I'll apologize and we'll just talk about anything under the..." Ream looked up at the moon and back to her again. "...Moon."

Syl blinked at Ream, surprised. "You're not going to leave since you didn't get you want or throw a fuss?"

Ream shrugged. "I'm not that rude."

Syl was actually stunned that Ream would back down and accept a 'no'. How many times had she met a man who couldn't accept a 'no' and threw a fuss? Too many to mention—one being her father, who couldn't accept a 'no'.

"And if I said no?"

"Then it's a no," Ream said suavely with a nice smile that was swaying Syl. "There's nothing I can do if you don't want it."

"That's actually a first." Syl looked down at her lap when she remembered what happens when she says no to her father's orders. It was pure hell to be punched and slapped by her father for saying 'no'. Not only her father, but also all the men her parents wanted her to date. When she said 'no' to their advances, it always ended badly for her.

And now, here was a man who would back down if she said no. Who would not force himself on her.

"You'll back down even if you don't get what you wanted?" Syl couldn't help being skeptical. Hindi sa hindi siya naniniwala, masyado lang siyang sanay sa mga kalalakihan na hindi kayang tumanggap ng sagot na 'ayoko' at 'hindi'.

Ream shrugged nonchalantly and smiled. "I get to talk to you. That's plenty."

Syl didn't know how to answer that one. It was sweet in a way.

"Then no, I don't want to hook up with you," Syl answered, testing him. To her surprise, he just laughed merrily and laid himself on the recliner again, looking at the night sky.

Syl found it intriguing and refreshing.

"So, Miss I-don't-want-to-hook-up-with-you..." Ream trailed off in a playful tone as he glanced at her. "What are your plans tomorrow? Will you be busy?"

Umiling si Syl. "No. I'll be going home tomorrow."

"Oh." Ream actually lost his playful smile at her answer before he jumped to another topic.

Syl and Ream talked about everything under the moon like what Ream said. Just sharing their ideas and opinions. Even talking about insignificant things in their life, just passing the time. Syl and Ream were enjoying each other's company so much that they didn't realize it was already midnight.

Namalayan lang ni Syl dahil nagpadala ng mensahe sa kaniya si Izaak, hinahanap siya at nagtatanong kung nasaan siya.

Syl's mood became sour in an instant. All the light emotions and all the happiness she felt while talking to Ream vanished and she was filled with so much anger and bitterness.

"Is something wrong?" Ream asked, seeing how Syl's expression changed after she put her phone back in her bag.

"Nothing."

Ream knew it was not nothing. Maybe he had taken up so much of her time and she now had to go. As much as it pained Ream, he had to let her go and end this 'talking under the moon' thing. It was already past midnight.

"I'm sorry for taking so much of your time." Ream got up and smiled at Syl. "I had fun talking to you. Have a safe trip tomorrow."

Ream said his goodbye, but Syl didn't want to be alone. She didn't want to go back to the villa and face her husband the stranger. She didn't want to see the face of the man her parents forced her to marry because of money and business.

"Hey! Want to hook up with me?"

Ream froze in his tracks and turned to Syl, stunned. "What...?" It was his turn to be shocked.

Syl got up and faced Ream while biting her lip shyly. "Want to, um, you know, sleep together?"

Ream was lost for words and only got back to his senses after a couple of seconds. "Are you sure? Because my answer is yes."

"Yes. I'm sure." Syl nodded with determination.

Ream offered his hand to Syl. "If you take my hand, there's no going back—"

Syl accepted Ream's hand.

"You're really sure?" Ream asked again, remembering her rejection earlier.

Syl nodded. "Yes."

"Okay. Come with me."

Syl was silent as she followed Ream with their hands intertwined. She was secretly amazed when Ream took her to his villa—it was a villa that only wealthy individuals could afford. It was even more expensive than the honeymoon villa she was staying at.

"Come on in." Ream opened the door to the villa.

Syl didn't hesitate. She entered the villa and looked around. Except for the backpack on the sofa, there was nothing personal inside.

Syl bit her lower lip.

"Regretting your decision?" Ream asked as he stood in front of Syl, then he motioned his chin towards the door behind her. "You can leave if you want."

Syl turned to the door. She knew she could leave if she changed her mind and Ream wouldn't stop her. But she didn't want to leave.

She faced Ream again and threw her clutch bag on the sofa. "I'm staying."

Ream nodded slowly before he crossed the small distance between them. He was taller than her by four inches, so Syl had to look up while Ream had to look down for their eyes to meet.

And in a heartbeat, without Syl realizing, their lips met, and a tingling sensation shoots through her body, making her open her mouth and move her tongue and lips. It was a foreign sensation to Syl, but she liked it so much that she found herself wounding her arms around Ream's neck as Ream wrapped his arm around Syl's waist.

Ream groaned at the taste of Syl's lips. The feeling of not wanting to let her go came over him, but he knew he needed to pull away.

With great difficulty, he finally managed to put some distance between their lips.

"How was it?" Ream asked in a whisper as he nibbled her lips. "Still not changing your mind?"

Syl nibbled his lips back. "I'm still staying."

Ream smiled against her mouth. "That's good to hear." Ream licked the corner of Syl's lips and continued kissing her softly while his hands were all over her body. "But I have to ask, and I don't mean to be rude, but do you have experience?"

Syl stopped kissing Ream and pulled back a little, frowning. "Does it matter?"

"Yeah." Ream caressed the side of Syl's face, fixing her slight messy hair that was messed by the wind. "So I know if I have to be gentle or not."

Syl's frown deepened. "Isn't 'I'll be gentle' a scam?"

Ream chuckled, and he became even more charming in Syl's eyes. "Not really, but sort of."

"Then don't say it."

"How about instead of 'I'll be gentle,' I'll say 'I'll be careful not to hurt you so much'?" Ream offered as an alternative.

Syl smiled at that. "Yeah. That's better."

"Okay." Ream smiled and placed a soft kiss on Syl's lips. "I'll be very careful not to hurt you so much."

"Thank you."

Ream pressed his lips on Syl's forehead, stunning her, before he claimed her lips once again. This time, he didn't stop nor pull away. And Syl didn't want him to either.

Their lips mashed, their tongue danced inside each other's mouths, and piece by piece, Syl's clothing started dropping to the floor—from her dress to her underwear, until she was naked and sprawled on the soft mattress.

Syl knew this was wrong, she knew it would end badly for her, but at that moment, she didn't care. Because for the first time in her life, she made a choice for herself and not someone else's.

He was her choice. He was herdecision. And regret it, she will not.

CECELIB | C.C.