The Heartbreak Heir (Taglish On-Going)

Chapter 1: The Punch

The bass vibrated under Zara Ledesma's heels the moment she stepped inside Club Haze, isa sa pinakasikat na high-end nightclub sa BGC—puro glass walls, gold accents, at chandelier na parang kinopya mula sa isang art museum. The kind of place where drinks cost more than her weekly groceries, and the kind of place she absolutely had no business being in.

Pero narito siya. Dahil hinila siya ni Lyka.

"Z, babe, come on! One drink lang 'to. You need a break," Lyka practically yelled over the music habang hinahatak siya papasok. "You look like you haven't smiled in, what, three years?"

"I smile," sagot ni Zara, deadpan.

"Yeah, pero sa aso mo lang."

Zara rolled her eyes. "Dogs deserve more kindness than humans."

Lyka grinned. "See? Exactly! That's why we're here. Para ma-socialize ka with humans again. Alive and breathing ones."

"Regrettably," she muttered.

But she let Lyka pull her anyway, weaving through bodies dressed in luxe black fits, suits, and glittering dresses. May amoy ng mamahaling perfume sa hangin, halong halong alak at something dangerously intoxicating.

It reminded Zara of a world she didn't belong in. Or more accurately—one she refused to belong to.

The DJ dropped a deeper bass, the lights paced faster, and Lyka's eyes sparkled like she had finally found paradise.

"Okay!" Lyka yelled. "I'll get us drinks. Stay here. Don't get lost."

"Seryoso?" Zara raised a brow. "Bakit parang ikaw pa 'yung mawawala?"

"Trust me," Lyka winked. "I'm disciplined."

Five seconds later, she vanished into the crowd.

Zara sighed. "Of course."

She stood awkwardly near the velvet ropes, hugging her small shoulder bag like a shield. Hindi siya sanay sa ganitong klaseng lugar, yung lahat parang may sariling spotlight, yung mga babae naka-stilettos na parang hindi napapagod, at yung mga lalaki naka-watch na mas mahal pa sa tuition ng buong barangay.

She checked her phone.

No text from Lyka.

"Great," she muttered. "This is how people die."

Someone bumped her shoulder—malakas. "Watch it," the girl hissed.

Zara blinked. "Excuse me? Ikaw kaya 'yung bumangga—"

Pero wala na. The girl had already floated away like a drunk, glittering fairy.

Zara exhaled sharply. "Never again. Hindi ako papayag maulit 'to."

She scanned the room for Lyka—pero ang daming tao. Lights flashing. Smoke machine blowing fog. And somewhere behind the dancing crowd, may nag-aaway na couple.

Of course.

Chaos.

"Never trusting Lyka again," she grumbled.

Then—someone touched her waist.

Zara instantly slapped the hand away. "Don't."

The man, a guy in a tight shirt and a sleazy smile, raised a brow. "Relax, babe. I was just—"

"Try me." she said, glare sharp enough to cut steel.

He held up both hands in mock surrender. "Damn. You're feisty."

She stepped back, jaw clenched. "Get lost."

He chuckled and backed away, pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang tingin. Like he was waiting for the right moment to come closer again.

Zara's pulse spiked.

Why did she agree to come here?

And why was Lyka taking so long?

She pushed deeper into the crowd, hoping to avoid the creep, and hopefully find her best friend before she got murdered by nightclub stupidity.

Pero habang naglalakad siya, nakaramdam siya ng slight panic. Hindi niya kabisado ang lugar. Puro tao. Sumisikip ang dibdib niya. The lights, the noise, the scent of perfume—it was too much.

"Where the hell is—"

Another body slammed into her, harder this time. Zara stumbled forward and caught herself.

"Watch it!" she snapped.

The guy didn't even bother looking back, laughing loudly with his friends.

Zara clenched her fists. Okay. Enough. She needed air, space, anything but this.

But just as she turned to move away...

Someone grabbed her wrist.

"Miss?"

Zara yanked her arm back, ready to attack—pero hindi pala yung creep kanina. It was a waiter holding a tray of drinks, eyes wide.

"Sorry po! Nadikit lang. Baka po mahulog."

"Oh." Zara inhaled. "Sorry. My bad."

"It's okay po—"

But before he could finish, a hand brushed Zara's lower back again.

The creep was back.

"Miss feisty," he drawled, grin wider now. "One dance. Come on."

"No." Zara stepped back.

He stepped forward.

Zara lifted her hand, warning him. "Huwag kang lalapit."

But he did anyway.

And Zara reacted.

Mabilis.

Automatic.

Out of pure instinct.

She swung.

A full-force punch meant for the creep's jaw.

But the crowd shifted.

The lights flashed.

Someone stepped in.

And her fist landed—

Right on the jaw of a completely different man.

A man who wasn't the creep.

Who wasn't even touching her.

A man who looked like he just walked out of a luxury magazine.

The world seemed to freeze.

The man's head jerked slightly from the impact, but he didn't stumble. His drink, incredibly, didn't even spill.

Zara's heart plummeted.

"Oh my god—" she gasped. "I—s**t—I didn't mean—"

The man slowly turned to her.

Sharp jawline.

Expensive suit.

Cold, unreadable eyes.

And a presence that made people automatically move out of his way.

He looked like power molded into human form.

The music thumped behind them, pero parang lumiit ang mundo nila.

Zara swallowed hard. "I—I was aiming for someone else—"

But the man didn't look angry.

He didn't yell.

He didn't even glare.

He smirked.

Slow. Infuriating. Dangerous.

"You hit hard," he said, voice low, smooth, and annoyingly amused. "I like that."

Zara's brain blanked.

"What—what do you mean you like that? Sinuntok kita!"

"Yes," he nodded. "And you did it well."

She stared, completely thrown off. "Are you insane?"

"Probably," he shrugged casually. "But you caught my attention."

She glared. "I don't want your attention."

"Too late."

Her jaw dropped at the audacity. "What is wrong with you?"

Before she could continue, his friend approached. "Alec, man, you good?"

Alec.

The name echoed in her head.

Alec Varela.

The Varela.

The heir.

The one whose family owned half of Manila's luxury nightlife scene.

Oh god.

Oh god.

Oh god.

She just punched a literal billionaire.

Alec gave his friend a slight nod. "I'm perfect."

His eyes stayed on Zara.

"Are you?" he asked, tone teasing.

She stepped back immediately. "I have to find my friend. And get out of here. Far from you."

"Is that so?"

"Yes," she snapped.

Alec's smirk returned, deeper this time. "Good. Chase me next time."

"What? No! Bakit kita hahabulin? Hindi nga kita kilala!"

"You will."

She almost screamed in frustration. "Hindi nga!"

But he just chuckled.

And somehow—his laugh irritated her more than anything else tonight.

Before she could lash out again, may biglang kumislap na flashlight from security rushing toward them.

Perfect. Now she'd get kicked out, too.

Great first night out in years.

"Ma'am, sir—lahat po ng involved, sumama na po muna sa amin," the bouncer said, his voice loud over the music as he motioned toward the VIP hallway.

Zara's stomach dropped.

Perfect.

Puro kahihiyan.

Alec stood beside her—effortlessly calm, one hand in his pocket, parang hindi kakatanggap lang ng suntok sa panga.

Zara lifted her hands defensively. "Wait! Hindi ako parte ng—"

"You're definitely part of this," Alec cut in, tone maddeningly amused.

She shot him a death glare. "Don't start."

The bouncer gestured again. "Ma'am, saglit lang naman po. Routine check lang."

Zara exhaled sharply, trying not to panic. "Look, kuya, nagsimula 'to because some creep tried to—"

"Creep?" Alec repeated, brows lifting. "Point him out."

"Why? Sisingilin mo rin ba siya ng apology package worth fifty million?"

Alec's lips twitched. "If necessary."

Zara rolled her eyes. "Unbelievable."

But the bouncer was waiting, and people were starting to stare. She had no choice but to walk with them toward the velvet-roped VIP corridor—carpeted, gold-lit, overly fancy, and full of people who obviously belonged here... unlike her.

Alec walked beside her, his long strides relaxed as if he owned the entire establishment.

Oh right.

He practically did.

Pagdating nila sa corner lounge, the head of security approached.

"Sir Alec, we apologize. Meron po kasing report na may gulo sa dance floor."

"It's handled," Alec said simply. "No issue."

Zara's head snapped toward him. "Excuse me? Issue 'tong puno ng—"

Alec lightly touched her elbow.

She froze.

Not because it felt nice.

But because the audacity.

"Let me," he murmured.

She slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me."

He smirked. "Noted."

The head of security looked utterly confused. "Sir, do we need to review the CCTV? Baka po—"

"No need," Alec answered. "False alarm."

"Sir, are you sure? The girl—"

"She's with me."

Zara choked. WHAT.

"H—hindi ako—"

"NO."

"Definitely NOT."

"I am not with you!"

Alec raised a brow as if amused by her outrage. "You punched me. We're connected now."

Zara wanted to scream. "Connected? Kailangan mo na ata magpa-check up."

Security hesitated. "Sir Alec, final confirmation?"

"Yes," Alec said. "Let her go."

Zara immediately stepped forward. "Salamat, kuya. Promise, hindi na mauulit—"

But Alec spoke again.

"She stays in VIP for now." agad na tumango naman ang bouncer matapos marinig ang sambit ni Alec at sabay alis.

WHAT PART OF LET HER GO WAS THAT?!

Zara whipped her head toward him. "No. I'm leaving."

"That's cute," Alec said smoothly. "But this area is safer."

"I don't need safe. I need OUT."

"You're welcome to try," he said, leaning slightly, eyes gleaming with challenge.

Her jaw dropped. "Are you—are you blocking my exit?!"

He shrugged one shoulder. "If you walk out, that creep follows. Your choice."

Zara froze.

Damn it.

He was right.

She clenched her jaw. "Fine. Five minutes. Then I'm gone."

Alec's lips curved. "Good girl."

Her entire soul combusted. "Don't—call me that."

"Noted again."

He took a seat on one of the velvet couches, cross-legged like a king waiting for entertainment. Zara remained standing, arms crossed, refusing to sit and refusing to be comfortable.

"So," Alec began, "do you always greet strangers with a punch?"

"Do you always flirt after getting hit?"

"Yes," he said without shame.

Zara blinked. "You're impossible."

"And you're intriguing."

She scoffed. "Hindi ako nag-a-apply maging 'intriguing.' Leave me alone."

Alec tilted his head slightly. "Why are you here, Zara?"

She stiffened. "How—how did you know my name?"

He pointed lazily at her wrist. "Your bracelet. Engraved."

Zara looked down.

Oh.

Right.

She cursed under her breath. "Whatever. None of your business."

"Everything about you became my business the moment your fist touched my face."

"It was an accident!"

"I liked it."

"STOP SAYING THAT."

He chuckled. A soft, low, stupidly attractive sound that made her pulse betray her.

Zara glared harder.

"Why did you swing?" Alec asked, tone dropping serious for the first time.

Zara hesitated. "Someone harassed me."

Alec's jaw flexed. "Describe him."

"Why? Para i-kidnap mo? I-torture mo sa basement?"

"If necessary."

Zara blinked. "You're... joking."

"Partially."

She narrowed her eyes. "Okay, psycho."

Alec leaned back, unfazed. "You're shaking."

"I—no, I'm not."

"You are." His gaze dropped to her hands.

Zara clenched them into fists immediately. "It's just cold."

"It's thirty degrees inside."

Zara wanted to throw her shoe at him. "Okay fine! I'm just—this night is a mess, okay? My friend disappeared, may nanggugulo, nasuntok kita, tapos hindi ka pa galit—ano bang klaseng tao ka?!"

"A Varela," he answered with a smirk.

Zara groaned. "That does not help."

Alec's gaze softened slightly. "Sit."

"No."

"Sit, Zara."

"No."

"Please."

She blinked.

Did Alec Varela just say please?

Reluctantly, she sat on the far end of the couch, making sure there were at least three pillows between them.

Alec didn't move closer. Didn't talk for a moment. Just watched her.

Like he was studying her.

Like she was something rare.

Which made her even more uncomfortable.

"You don't belong in places like this," he finally said.

Zara's head snapped up. "Wow. Judge-y much?"

"I meant," he clarified, "this place doesn't deserve you."

Zara froze.

He said it casually.

No flirting tone.

Just matter-of-fact.

"And you think that line works on girls?" she muttered.

"It's not a line."

"Well, it sounds like one."

Alec shrugged. "Then interpret it however you want."

Before Zara could fire back, her phone buzzed.

She snatched it instantly.

Lyka: Z!!! Where u?? Sorry nag blackout ako dimi—long story. Asan ka?

Zara exhaled in relief.

Finally.

She shot up from the couch.

"I have to go."

Alec slowly stood, blocking her path again—but not touching her.

"Give me your number."

Zara barked a laugh. "No."

"I wasn't asking."

"Well, I'm not giving."

Alec slipped his hands into his pockets. "I'll get it eventually."

"No, you won't."

"Yes," he stepped slightly closer, voice dropping lower, "I will."

Her heartbeat jumped—but she pretended it didn't.

"Move," she said firmly.

Alec held her stare... then stepped aside.

She walked past him—quick, determined, refusing to look back.

But before she reached the corridor exit, Alec called out—

"Zara."

She paused.

"Next time," he said softly, dangerously, "aim for my lips instead."

She nearly tripped.

Almost cursed.

Definitely blushed.

"Shut up!" she snapped, not turning around.

Alec chuckled. "Goodnight."

"Whatever!"

She stormed out of the VIP section, her heart pounding, her face burning, her mind a mess.

The moment she reached the hallway, Lyka tackled her in a hug.

"ZARA I'M SO SORRY I GOT DRAGGED TO ANOTHER TABLE—wait, bakit parang namutla ka? WHAT HAPPENED?!"

Zara inhaled deeply.

She was NOT telling her.

Because how did she even explain?

"Oh, hey Lyka, funny story—nasuntok ko 'yung Varela heir tapos gusto niya 'ko ngayon."

No. Nope.

"Nothing," Zara forced a smile. "Let's just—go home."

Lyka pouted. "Aww... okay. Pero 'pag nasa taxi na tayo, ikukuwento mo. Hindi ako papayag!"

Zara grabbed her arm. "Lyka, if I start talking, you might faint."

"OH MY GOD WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

"Nothing! Let's go!"

And as they hurried out of Club Haze, Zara didn't notice—

A pair of dark eyes watching her leave.

Jaw tense.

Amused smirk still lingering.

Alec Varela watched her disappear into the night.

And for the first time in a long time...

He found something—

or rather, someone—

he actually wanted.