Chasing Peril Zone

Kabanata 1

Danger Zone

"Who is he?"

I asked my friend with a playful smirk formed at my lips as I sipped at the glass of Martini I am holding.

Eyeing the guy in a denim jacket who just entered the place where we love to party at. Every guy in this room didn't even get my attention except from his chinky eyes and just overflowing monstrous aura.

Simpleng denim jacket at puting t-shirt sa loob at isang black rugged jeans lamang ang suot nito ngunit nagagawa niya nang agawin ang tingin at atensyon ng mga naroon.

He stood with bearing elegance and he rocked his simple outfit into something. He looks gentle to look at, but when you stare at the depths of his eyes, you can see the danger zone written on it.

Naglakad ito patungo sa isang pabilog na mesa na may nakapalibot na sofa sa gilid kung nasaan ang tingin ko ay mga kaibigan nito. Hanggang sa makaupo siya ay nasa kaniya lamang ang tingin ko na naninimbang.

I sipped at my Martini before turning my gaze at my friend, a smirked formed at my lips and I winked at her.

"He's boiling hot." I turn my gaze at the guy. "He looks gentle yet dangerous."

I rolled my tongue in my lips as I finger comb my hair.

"Damn! I want him." I looked at her then smirked. "I want to know his name."

Tinawanan lang ako nito saka sumimsim sa hawak na kopita.

"You can get anyone in this room except from that guy, Gabby."

I turn my gaze at her as I frown.

"And why is that?"

She smirked at me.

"You're not his type."

"No one can resist my charm, Arie." Ngumiti ako dito. "Tell me, what kind of woman does he like?"

Then I looked at the guy who's drinking a beer from the bottle while just silently listening to his friends with his blank face while boredom is visible on it.

"And I can be that woman, just to make him mine."

She chuckled as she drank her mojito.

"He's not like the other guys who will fall for your charm, Gab. Don't push it."

She raised her brows at me with a smirk at her lips.

"He's that kind of guy who's more willing be in front of his books than to find someone to play with."

She raised her brows at me while a playful smirk formed in her lip.

"And the fact that he can even elaborate the human anatomy and speak five languages excluding the international language and our language here in the country."

He's that smart? Damn! I hate geeks!

"He's that kind of guy who'll choose to be with his books than to be caged by someone, like you." She added.

But what she just said added more to my interest towards that guy. I don't really like geeks, those guys who's life is revolving only with studies. I always find smart guys boring.

Everything has an exception and I think he's mine.

He feels like a danger zone to me. A danger zone that I can't step in. Everything about him shouts danger and I can tell that at just one look.

But damn! Why can't I take my eyes off of him?

Ininom ko ang lahat ng Martini na laman ng kopita na aking hawak. I admit it. His presence are shouting danger and he intimidates me. Ngunit hindi sa paraan na natatakot ako sa kaniya dahil nakakatakot siya, kundi ay natatakot ako sa kaniya dahil sa nilalabas niyang awra at ihinahatid na kung ano sa akin.

Inagaw ko ang hawak niyang baso saka ito ininom.

"Don't underestimate me, Arie."

I winked at her and grab her hand to drag her to the dance floor.

"Isang araw magigising ka nalang sa balita na pagmamay-ari ko na ang lalaking iyan."

Tinawan lang ako nito na ikinaikot ng mata ko. Dinala ko siya sa gitnan ng dancefloor.

"Let's get wasted!" Sigaw ko.

"What's this?"

Natatawang tanong niya habang pareho kaming sumasayaw sa masayang tugtog.

"Nagpapainit ka ba dahil hindi mo kayang lumapit sa kaniya? Pampalakas ba ng loob 'to, Gab?"

I can't answer her questions because that question really got me. Hindi ko nga kayang lumapit dahil mayroong tumutulak sa akin palayo upang hindi makalapit sa kaniya.

"He's just a smart." I smirked at her. "I don't like geeks, they are boring."

"Then why keep wanting him?"

I shrugged. "I just can't help but wanting him."

She chuckled. "Stop denying it, Gab. I know you like him."

Hindi ko nalang siya pinasin at nagtungo sa bar. Rinig ko ang tawa niya habang nakasunod sa akin. Umupo ako sa stool saka hinarap siya.

"I don't like him, Arie. I don't do likes."

My eyes roamed and stopped at the danger zone.

"It's more like, I wanna play a game."

"Whatever you say, Gabby-baby." She said with a playful tone.

Hindi ko nalang ito pinansin at umorder pa ng isang Martini. I feel like drinking tonight. I want to take this freedom for granted while my jail is still away.

"Kompassianeska Marie."

Napatingin ako sa boses na tumawag sa buong pangalan ng kaibigan ko at nag-angat ng tingin dito.

Hindi nakatakas sa aking paningin ang pagkalukot ng mukha ni Arie na hindi makatingin sa taong nasa likuran nito. I just sighed before drinking my Martini from the glass.

"Huwag mo munang sunduin iyang alaga mo." Nababagot kong sabi. "I'll take her home, I promise."

Bumaling ang walang emosyong mata nito sa akin.

"I'm taking you two home."

"You're no fun, Red." Pumangalumbaba ako saka tumingin sa kanilang dalawa na nagtatalo na.

Kapagkuwan ay bumaling sila sa akin.

"I'm taking you home too, Gab." he said in a strict tone.

Umiling ako rito.

"Take her home safely and don't mind me, I can kick asses."

Napailing lang si Red sa akin at hindi na ako nito pinilit dahil alam niyang hindi niya ako mapipilit, masama ang mukha ni Arie na nagpagiya dito palabas ng bar. Arie's very lucky to have someone like Red in her life who's wasting his time on someone who's as stubborn and bratty as herself.

Ipinalibot ko ang tingin at napako nanaman ito sa lalaking tahimik lamang na umiinom sa sulok kasama ang mga kaibigan na mukhang nagkakasiyahan. He looks like a kind of person who don't usually go to places like this.

Mabilis kong inalis ang aking paningin dito at itinuon ang pansin sa martini na nasa aking harapan.

"Miss, are you alone—"

"I'm with myself." I answer with a cold and sharp voice.

And then another voice asked.

"Miss, can I join—"

"No."

"Hey beautiful, can I join—"

"Not interested."

"Miss, can I sit with you—"

"Go away."

"Hey pretty lady, let's dance—"

"Get lost."

"Can I accompany—"

"Go to hell."

"Miss, can I take you with me—"

"Go f**k yourself."

They're irritating!

Tumayo ako sa mesa na dala ang isang baso na may lamang alak saka naglakad patungo sa dance floor upang mawala ang iritasyon na aking nararamdaman. I hate those kind of person, it's irritating. But I love going to places like this.

Inubos ko ang laman ng baso saka iyon inilapag sa kung saan at sumayaw sa saliw ng masaya at malanding musika na pumupuno sa buong lugar.

This is what I love about places like this except from the liquors, the dance floor. In this floor you can get wasted and do anything you want, walang makikialam at walang magbabawal sayo.

I grind my hips and raise my hands while dancing at the rhythm of the music. I don't care who I am dancing with and what am I doing. Ang nasa isip ko lamang ay ang kasiyahan na nararamdaman ko habang malayang sumasayaw sa gitna ng bulwagan. Gumagalaw na ang aking paningin ngunit hindi ko ito pinapansin.

Then someone bumped at me. Ang akala ko ay mabubuwal na ako dahil sa lakas nito ngunit parang napaso ang aking balat ng lumapat ang isang kamay sa aking beywang kung saan ay walang tumatakip na damit dahil sa crop top kong suot.

"What's up with you, Miss?"

A baritone voice filled my ears.

Napakapit ako sa leeg nito saka tumawa. Nanuot sa ilong ko ang nakakaakit nitong amoy na siyang lalong nagpainit akin. Iniyakap ko ang mga braso ko sa kaniyang leeg habang ang aking paningin ay malabo na at sumasayaw.

Nararamdaman ko parin ang kaniyang mga kamay sa aking beywang at lalo pa iyong humigpit, ang init niyang hatid sa akin ay hindi parin mawala sa aking sistema.

"You're drunk, Miss."

His sexy baritone voice with a touch coldness filled my ears.

I hugged him closer to me and I smelled the scent coating his neck.

"Ang bango mo."

Natatawang sabi ko.

"Gusto tuloy kitang kainin."

Kinagat ko ang kaniyang leeg at naramdaman ko ang mabigat at marahas nitong paghinga.

"Masarap ka ba?"

Hindi ito nagsalita kaya ay tumawa lang ako. Ibinaon ko ang aking mukha sa leeg nito habang sumasayaw parin sa saliw ng musika. It's just it felt safe even though he's a stranger.

"I'll take you home, Miss." Bulong niya sa aking tenga. "Saan ka ba nakatira?"

Umiling ako. "Ayaw ko pang umuwi." muli kong ginagat ang leeg niya. "Dito lang ako, dito ka lang, dito lang tayo."

Tumigil ako sa pagsayaw at sininghot lang ang nakakaadik niyang amoy.

"Yakapin mo lang ako."

"I'm taking you home."

He whispered with a low tone.

Umingos ako saka umiling at lalong humigpit ang yakap ko sa kaniya. Nag-angat ako ng tingin dito at malinaw sa aking paningin ang singkit nitong mga mata, matangos na ilong at manipis na labi. It's the boiling hot geek.

I can't take my eyes off of his lips. His lips are wet and alluring to eat. The temptation I'm feeling right now is torturing me and if I let another second passed without tasting those sinful lips, I think I might go insane in hunger.

So, I tip toed and pressed my lips on his as I slowly close my eyes. I felt him stilled for a long second and didn't move. I bit his lower lip and when it got parted I entered his mouth with my tongue while aggressively kissing him.

Then just seconds later, I felt his tongue moving with mine and giving back my kisses with the same ferocity. Lip locked, tongue sucking and lip lapping.

His kisses are awakening something in me, it's fueling something that's burning inside me. It was rough at first until it tured soft, it feels like a butterfly fluttering over my lips.

The kisses with full of aggressiveness slowly became soft and passionate at he cupped my face and placed his other hand at my temple. I am drowning by the feeling.

The feeling of his lips moving with mine. His sweet and soft kisses are getting me drunk. I felt a tingling sensation in between my thighs and I can't helped the moan escaped my mouth.

There's something in me that's wanting for more, more from his kisses. There's something in me that's wanting and needing for attention. His kisses are fueling the burning desire inside me and I don't know if I can still hold it from exploding.

Nagising ako dahil sa tumamang sinag ng araw sa aking mukha. Masakit ang aking ulo at inaantok pa ako ngunit nang maimulat ko ang aking mga mata at mapagtantong wala ako sa aking silid ay kaagad akong napabalikwas ng bangon sa kama.

Nanlalaki ang aking mata habang pinapalibot ang tingin sa kabuuan ng silid hanggang sa mapako iyon sa hubad na likod ng isang lalaki sa aking tabi. Nakapadapa ito sa kama at nakatalikod sa akin.

Wala akong maalala sa kahit na anong nangyari kagabi maliban sa pagsundo ni Red kay Arie. Wala akong matandaan na kung ano at iyon ang ikinababahala ko.

I'm afraid I did something horrible last night. I don't want to disappoint my mother.

Bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko dahil sa ideyang pumasok sa aking isip. Kaagad kong sinilip ang aking katawan sa loob ng kumot at napasinghap nang makitang ang dalawang pares lamang ng aking panloob ang nakasuot sa akin.

Pinakiramdaman ko ang aking p********e at nang mapagtantong wala naman kahit na anong kakaibang pakiramdam doon ay nakahinga din ako ng maluwag. Ipinalibot ko ang aking tingin sa kabuuan ng silid upang hanapin ang aking mga damit at napako iyon sa isang picture frame.

"Ohmygod!"

Mahina akong napasinghap nang mapagtanto kung sino iyon.

"Mierda!" s**t!

Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa lalaking katabi ko at napalunok sa makisig nitong likod. Muscles at right places and he looks hot.

Damn! I can feel something burning inside me, burning in heat.

Mabilis kong inalis sa aking isipan ang pagnanasa sa lalaking mahimbing na natutulog sa aking tabi. Maingat akong umalis sa kama upang hindi ito magising at hindi ako makita. Damn! Why am I afraid he might see me? Ano naman ngayon?

Nakita ko ang aking mga damit na maayos na nakatupi sa ibabaw ng mahabang sofa.

Did he do this?

Kinuha ko iyon saka maingat at walang ingay na isinuot. Hinanap ko ang sapatos ko at nadatnan ko iyon sa baba ng sofa kung saan naroon ang mga damit ko. Maingat at walang ingay ko rin iyong isinuot saka inayos ang sarili, kinuha ko ang bag at dali daling lumabas ng silid.

Ngunit bago pa man ako malabas ay may baritonong boses ang nagpatigil sa akin.

"Close the door when you leave."

Kagat labi akong lumingon doon at nakita itong nasa ganong posisyon parin. Am I hallucinating?

Kagat labi kong dahan dahang binuksan ang pintuan saka walang ingay na lumabas at maingat itong isinara. Tumambad sa akin ang maayos na salas at mamahaling gamit. Mayroon ding ilang libro na nakapatong sa center table. Gusto ko pa sanang magtagal doon ngunit sa takot na baka madatnan niya ako doon ay dali dali akong nagtungo sa pintuan at lumabas ng unit.

Hinihingal akong sumakay sa elevator at pinindot ang ground floor saka nagtipa ng mensahe para sa aking pinsan.

Nang bumukas ang elevator ay kaagad akong lumabas at nagtungo sa labas ng building upang hintayin ang susundo sa akin. Hindi naman ako naghintay ng matagal dahil dumating din ito.

Kaagad akong pumasok sa Audi na pumarada sa aking harapan saka pagod na ibinagsak ang katawan sa passenger's seat at ipinikit ang mga mata.

"What is the stubborn lady of house Cortez doing here in this Condominium Building?"

He asked in a playful voice and I bet he's smirking right now.

I just take a breathe.

"Shut up, Cole."

He just chuckled but didn't say anything that made me feel relieved. This is the first time that I got drunk and ended up in a stranger's room.

But on the second thought, the room that I ended up was not bad at all. At least I saw someone who's more hot than a boiling water early in the morning.

I just want to get drunk every night and wake up beside him every morning.

Lihim nalang ako natawa sa naisip. Really? What's happening to me?

I know this is crazy but damn! he's boiling hot and just so downright gorgeous. His monstrous aura is making him more hot in my eyes.

"Where am I taking you?"

Tanong nito na nagpamulat sa aking mata.

"Not in our house."

Hinilot ko ang sintido nang sumakit ang aking ulo.

"Just take me at your house. I know Tita Calez won't mind."

"To our house then."

Ipinikit ko lang ang aking mga mata dahil sa pagsirit ng sakit sa aking ulo. Damn! I hate hangovers, but I love drinking!

Yes, I'm f****d up.

Nagising ako sa isang pamilyar na silid at pamilyar na kama. May nararamdaman parin akong sakit sa aking ulo ngunit hindi na gaya ng kanina. Bumangon ako sa kama at napunta ang tingin sa bedside table kung saan ay may nakatakip na tubig doon at dalawang pain reliever at may nakaipit pang sulat na napakapangit ng penmanship.

'Take your meds, you stubborn girl . Don't let Mom see you walking like zombie.'

- Zachariah C.

Itinapon ko lang ang sulat sa mesa saka sabay na ininom ang gamot na nasa gilid. Tumayo ako sa kama at nag-iinat ng braso na nagtungo sa banyo saka naghilamos at nagtootbrush saka naligo.

Thankfully I have a lot of clothes here in this house. Nang makapagbihis at makapag-ayos ng gamit na dadalhin sa gym ay dinampot ko ang cellphone sa ibabaw ng kama. It's already 4:00PM, but I need to clear my mind and blow up some stream.

"Gabby?"

Napangiti ako nang marinig ang malambing niyang boses mula sa kabilang linya. This friend of mine is really a baby, her softness is something.

"Hey, Aless."

Masayang bati ko rito.

"Do you have plans for today?"

I sweetly asked her.

"Let's go to the gym."

Sandali itong natahimik at rinig ko mula sa kabilang linya ang pagtipa.

"It's Prime's comeback release at 5:00PM and I planned to stream 'til midnight." Her voice is still the sweetest.

"I'm sorry, but I can't go out with you, Gabby."

Napanguso ako at napailling. Ngayon nga pala ang labas ng music video ng artist iyon. Masyado ba naman kasing kinakarir nitong si Aless ang pagfafangirl.

"It's alright, Aless."

Ilang sandali pa kaming nag-usap bago ito nagpaalam. Kaagad ko namang idinayal ang number ng bruha na si Arie.

"Hey, bitch."

Bati ko rito nang sagutin niya ang telepono. Rinig ko ang malakas na tugtog sa kabilang linya, she's at it again.

"What do you want?" walang buhay nitong tanong.

"Let's go to the gym."

Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa nito.

"I'll be there."

Napangiti nalang ako nang ibaba nito ang tawag. I know what she's planning again. That b***h.

"Are you even serious, Gabriella?"

Hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito ay bahagya pang napahinto sa treadmill nang ikwento ko sa kaniya ang nangyari kaninang umaga.

And she's like this, shocked to the core.

"You know me, Arie."

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagtakbo sa treadmill.

"I don't joke around."

Muli nitong pinaandar ang treadmill saka bumaling sa akin.

"This is just too much. I mean, have you two really did it?"

Napakunot ako ng noo.

"Did what?"

"You know, that nasty stuff."

Napangiwi pa ito sa sinabi.

Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay saka ngumisi.

"It's for me to keep and for you to find out."

Huminga lang ito ng malalim saka natawa. "I already know the answer, Gabby."

"I just can't really believe that you spend a night with that Montefalcon."

Sabi nito na ikinabaling ko sa kaniya.

"Montefalcon?"

She turn her gaze at me.

"The guy you're eyeing for is the smart ass and wicked Montefalcon, Gabby." She smirked at me.

"Reid Flynn Montefalcon."

Reid Flynn Montefalcon. Napakagat ako sa labi at napangiti.

"His name suits him, I like it."

"Don't be stubborn, Gab. Don't push it."

"He's a danger zone." she added.

"How?" natatawang tanong ko, "If my stubborn mind can't stop thinking about owning him and making him mine."