Chapter 9: The Club
1379 Words
Celestine POV
Kailangan ko lang ng break. Seriously, ang dami nang nangyayari lately. First, the awkward photoshoot with Azrael. Then, dinner with him and my parents talk about intense pressure. Now, I just want to forget everything and breathe for a while.
I decided tonight would be my night. No stress, no Azrael, no family duties just me, myself, and a wild party.
After the dinner , I slipped out of the house and headed straight to one of the hottest club in the city. Hindi ako nagpaalam. Who cares? Gusto ko lang magsaya.
Pagdating ko sa bar, hindi ko na inisip ang sasabihin ng mga tao kung makita man nila ako. Nagsuot na lang ako ng black leather jacket and shorts with white sleeves top and wearing boots, at isang . Nothing fancy. Lowkey lang tayo tonight, Celestine.
Pagpasok ko sa loob, tumama agad sa akin ang malakas na bass ng music. The lights were flashing, and the air smelled of alcohol and freedom. Finally, peace... or chaos, whichever comes first.
I headed straight to the bar and ordered my favorite drink. “Whiskey sour, please.”
“Ma’am, sure ka po ba? Medyo malakas”
I cut him off with a smirk. “Bakit, mukha ba akong hindi kaya?”
The bartender laughed. “Mukha nga pong kaya na kaya niyo, ma’am.”
Taking a sip, I let the strong, tangy taste of the whiskey hit me. Napapikit ako sa sarap ng lasa. This is exactly what I need.
Naglibot muna ako sa paligid habang bitbit ang baso. Ang daming tao, pero wala akong kilala. That’s a good thing. Perfect, no attachments tonight.
Habang sumasabay ako sa beat ng music, napansin ko ang isang grupo sa VIP section. They were laughing and drinking, clearly having a good time. Napakunot ang noo ko nang mapansin kong pamilyar ang isa sa kanila.
Oh, great. Si Azrael.
Jusko naman Lord bat walang Araw Hindi ko siya pwedeng Makita .He is everywhere
Azrael POV
Ang ingay sa bar, pero kahit ganito, it’s better than being stuck in the office. Kailangan ko ring mag-relax minsan. I came here with a few business friends who practically dragged me out of my condo.
“Azrael, chill ka naman!” tawag ng isa sa kanila, si Marcus. “You’re too uptight lately. Puro trabaho na lang inaatupag mo. Look around, man, ang daming magagandang babae dito!”
Tumawa lang ako at uminom ng whiskey. “Hindi ako interesado.”
But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone familiar. A girl standing by the bar, sipping a drink, lost in her own world.
Celestine?
What the hell is she doing here?
I leaned back, observing her quietly. She wasn’t in her usual glamorous self—no heels, no designer dresses, just simple black leather jacket, jeans short ,a sleeveless top and boots. Pero kahit ganun, she still managed to stand out.
“Dude, sino tinitingnan mo?” tanong ni Marcus.
“Wala,” sagot ko agad, pero sinundan pa rin ng mga mata ko ang bawat galaw niya
Celestine POV
Habang umiinom ako, I felt someone watching me. Napalingon ako, and that’s when I saw him. Azrael.
What are the odds? Bakit siya nandito?
Nag-iwas ako ng tingin, pretending not to notice him. This is my night. Hindi ako magpapapigil sa kanya.
“Another drink, please,” sabi ko sa bartender.
After finishing my second drink, I finally felt the buzz. Sumayaw ako sa dancefloor, letting the music take over. I didn’t care who was watching or what they thought. This was my moment to let go.
But just as I was starting to enjoy myself, may humawak sa braso ko.
“Celestine,” a deep voice said.
Napalingon ako, and there he was, Azrael, standing so close that I could smell the faint scent of his cologne.
“Ano’ng ginagawa mo dito?” tanong niya, his brow furrowed.
“Obviously, I’m having fun,” sagot ko, rolling my eyes. “Ikaw, anong ginagawa mo dito? Nagkataon lang ba o sinusundan mo ako?”
“I don’t follow people,” he replied coldly. “But you shouldn’t be here.”
“Why not? Hindi ba pwedeng magsaya ang tao?”
He didn’t answer, but his eyes were sharp, like he was silently judging me.
“Alam mo, Azrael, hindi ko kailangan ng sermon mo,” I said, pulling my arm away. “I’m not here to impress you or anyone else. Kaya kung wala kang magandang sasabihin, leave me alone.”
Tumalikod ako, pero hinawakan niya ulit ang braso ko.
“Celestine,” he said, his voice softer this time. “Hindi kita sinisermonan. I just…”
His voice trailed off, and for a moment, there was silence between us. Then, he leaned closer.
“Be careful,” he whispered.
Before I could respond, lumapit ang isa sa mga kaibigan niya.
“Azrael, bro, sino ’yan? Kilala mo?” tanong nung lalaki, nakatingin sa akin mula ulo hanggang paa.
“None of your business,” Azrael said sharply, his protective tone catching me off guard.
The guy smirked. “Relax, man. Maganda siya, though. You’ve got taste.”
“I said, shut up,” Azrael growled, his grip tightening slightly on my arm.
Nakatingin lang ako sa kanilang dalawa, not sure whether I should feel flattered or annoyed.
“Azrael, let go,” sabi ko, pulling my arm free. “I can take care of myself.”
And with that, I walked away, determined not to let him ruin my night.
Azrael POV
I watched as Celestine disappeared into the crowd, her head held high. Damn, that girl had fire. But something about seeing her here, alone and drinking, didn’t sit well with me.
“Dude, ano’ng nangyayari?” tanong ni Marcus, still curious.
“Nothing,” I replied, downing the rest of my drink. “I’ll be back.”
I followed her into the crowd, my eyes scanning the dancefloor. She was dancing again, her movements carefree and hypnotizing.
Bakit ba hindi ko siya matanggal sa utak ko?
I made my way closer, and before I knew it, we were face to face again.
“Hindi mo talaga ako titigilan, ano?” she said, raising an eyebrow.
“Celestine, come with me,” sabi ko, my tone firm.
She laughed. “Seriously? And why would I do that?”
“Because…” I hesitated, unsure of how to explain myself. “You don’t belong here.”
“Wow,” she said sarcastically. “And you do? Don’t act like you’re better than me, Azrael. Parehas lang tayong nandito.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Look, I’m just trying to make sure you’re okay.”
“Okay naman ako,” she snapped. “Ano ba’ng problema mo?”
Before I could stop myself, I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer.
“You’re driving me crazy, Celestine,” I muttered, my face just inches from hers.
She froze, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, neither of us moved. Then, before I could think twice, I leaned in and kissed her.
It was impulsive, reckless, but it felt right.
For a second, she kissed me back, her hands gripping my shirt. But then she pulled away, her face a mix of shock and anger.
“Azrael, ano’ng ginagawa mo?” she demanded, her voice trembling.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, breathing heavily. “But I can’t stop thinking about you.”
She stared at me, her expression unreadable. Then, without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, frustrated and confused.
Celestine POV
My heart was racing as I walked out of the bar. Ano ba ’to? Bakit niya ako hinalikan? And why did I kiss him back?
I needed to get out of there, away from him and all the confusing feelings he stirred up.
I booked a taxi and as I wait the taxi is her and I went straight home, trying to push the memory of his lips on mine out of my head.
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t forget the way he looked at me, like I was the only person in the room.
- Writer
