TAINTED INNOCENCE

Chapter 4

BELLA’S POV

1:12 AM

Ramdam ni Bella ang init sa pisngi niya, hindi lang dahil sa ilaw, kundi dahil na rin sa mga eksenang nasasaksihan niya. This place—Dominic’s world—was too much. Too intense. Too raw.

Napatigil siya sa pag-inom ng wine at luminga. Parang biglang lumiit ang kwarto. Parang… hindi siya makahinga.

Kailangan ko ng hangin.

Bitbit ang clutch, dahan-dahan siyang umikot, umiiwas sa nagkikiskisang katawan at mga mata ng mga lalaking masyadong sanay tumingin. Pinilit niyang hindi mag-panic, kahit parang nilalamon na siya ng ambiance ng lugar.

May nakita siyang side hallway sa gilid ng bar—walang tao, may kaunting ilaw mula sa mga pathway lamps. Sinundan niya ito nang walang tanong.

Hanggang sa…

May bumungad na malawak na private garden patio, may mga upuang mamahalin at mga ornamental plants. At sa dulo nito—isang lap pool, illuminated by underwater lights. Tahimik. Walang tao.

Parang ibang mundo kumpara sa ingay sa loob.

Thank God.

Lumapit siya sa edge ng pool at naupo sa lounge chair. Tinanggal niya ang heels niya at huminga nang malalim. The sound of the water gently rippling was enough to calm her nerves.

For the first time that night… tahimik ang paligid. Maliban sa mabilis na t***k ng puso niya.

She leaned back. Closed her eyes.

And that’s when she heard it.

“You ran away.”

Mabilis siyang napalingon. A familiar voice. Deep. Smooth. Dangerous.

Dahan-dahang lumabas mula sa lilim si Dominic, now holding a glass of dark liquor. Nakasuot pa rin siya ng suit, pero bukas na ang dalawang butones sa itaas ng polo niya. His sleeves were rolled up, his hair messier than earlier… and he looked sinfully good under the moonlight.

“Panghimasmas ba 'yung pool, o para matakasan lang ako?” he asked, amused.

Bella froze, caught like a doe in headlights.

Bakit ba parang lagi niya akong nahuhuli kapag ayaw ko siyang makita… pero gusto ko pa ring makita siya?

“I needed air,” she mumbled, quickly looking away.

“You came to my world, Bella,” he said, walking closer. His shoes echoed softly against the tiles. “But you weren’t ready for what you saw, were you?”

“Your world’s a lot,” she replied honestly. “Hindi ako sanay.”

“No,” he chuckled. “You’re too pure for it.”

Her breath caught. There it was again—that word.

"Pure."

As if it was both an insult and a challenge.

“So what if I am?” she replied, lifting her chin, trying to look unbothered.

Dominic smirked, eyes gleaming.

“Nothing wrong with that. I just wonder... how long you'll stay that way."

Bella looked away. “Hindi ko type.”

“Ang alin? Yung party o yung halik?”

Her eyes snapped back to him, sharp and wounded. “So nakita mo kong nandun?”

“Of course I did.” He smirked. “I always know where you are when you're near. Kanina pa.”

Tangina. Bakit ang lakas ng dating ng lalaking ‘to kahit hindi siya nagsusumiksik?

She turned her face away again, trying to ignore the heat crawling up her neck.

“You're mad,” he said simply, stepping closer.

“Hindi ako galit,” she muttered.

He chuckled. “Fine. You're disappointed. That's worse.”

Napasinghap siya. “Wow. Ang kapal mo.”

Dominic knelt in front of her, elbows resting on his knees, his face now eye-level with hers. “I'm just honest.”

“Honest? E anong tawag mo dun sa ginawa mo sa babaeng yun sa VIP lounge?” she snapped, voice rising with frustration. “Yung show na akala mo hindi ko makikita?”

“Hmm…” He leaned even closer, his breath brushing her cheek. “Jealous ka ba?”

“Hindi!” she snapped too fast, too loud.

He smirked again—this time, darker. “Liar.”

Bella stood up suddenly, brushing imaginary dust off her dress. “I’m going home.”

“Hindi pa tayo tapos, Isabella.”

His voice was like velvet wrapped in steel. Commanding. Seductive.

And somehow… she didn’t take another step.

“Bakit mo ako sinusundan?” she asked, voice cracking with quiet confusion. “Hindi mo naman ako kilala. At lalong hindi ako gaya ng mga babae mo.”

“I know,” he said, standing up too. “That’s why I can’t stop.”

Napakurap siya. “Ano?”

“You’re different.” He tilted his head, gaze traveling down her form. “Too clean. Too… untouched.”

Putangina naman, Bella thought. The way he said it—like it was a compliment and a challenge at the same time.

“Hindi ako laruan,” she whispered, voice trembling.

Dominic stepped close enough that she had to tilt her head up to keep looking at him.

“No, you’re not,” he agreed, eyes locked on hers. “But you’re curious. I can see it in your eyes.”

Bella’s lips parted. Words died in her throat.

“And I like curious girls,” he added, his voice dropping.

Napasinghap siya when his fingers gently, barely, tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

Her skin burned.

“Masarap ang mundo sa labas ng mga rules, Bella,” he whispered. “Kaso, kailangan mo ng guide.”

“A guide?”

He leaned down, just a breath away from her lips. “Someone who can show you what it’s like to… live a little.”

And just like that, she forgot how to breathe.

DOMINIC’S POV

She was flushed. Slightly trembling. But she didn’t move away.

Hindi siya umiiwas sa titig ko.

And for a girl like her—yung tipong pinalaki sa yaman, sa control, sa mga expectation—that was huge.

“You know,” I said, slowly, softly, habang pinaglalaruan ang strand ng buhok niya sa daliri ko, “para kang... hindi nababagay dito.”

Napakunot ang noo niya. “Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

I let out a low laugh, not mocking—just amused.

“Ang ganda mo. Pero ang ayos mo—masyadong... maayos.” I tilted my head, eyes dragging down from her eyes to her collarbone. “Parang... masyado kang malinis para sa mga ganitong gabi.”

She blinked, clearly confused. “Is that… supposed to be a compliment?”

“Of course,” I whispered, eyes sharp. “It’s rare. Girls like you? Hindi na uso.”

Nagtikom ang labi niya. Her cheeks turned pink. Again.

I leaned in just enough para maramdaman niya ang init ng hininga ko. Just enough para marattle siya.

“Too pure,” I murmured. “Too innocent.”

She swallowed hard. “Hindi ako—”

I raised a brow. “Hindi ka ano?”

She looked down, biting her lower lip, flustered.

Cute.

“Hindi ako… clueless,” she defended herself, weakly.

I chuckled. “Clueless? No. Curious? Yes.”

That made her glance up at me. Eyes wide, curious, and a little scared. “Stop saying that.”

“Why? Natatamaan ka ba?”

Tahimik siya.

So I leaned closer again, this time my lips almost grazing her ear. “Tell me something, Bella…”

Her breath hitched.

“Have you ever even been kissed?”

Her eyes widened, caught. Halatang gusto niyang magsinungaling, pero wala sa kanya ang practice ng ganung laro.

So she shook her head. Barely.

Well, well.

“I thought so,” I said with a slow smile, pulling back to look her in the eye again. “First kiss at twenty? That’s impressive. Or tragic. Depends on how you look at it.”

“Bakit mo naman ako pinapahiya?” she mumbled, voice shaking.

I shook my head gently. “Hindi kita pinapahiya. I’m just saying… maybe it’s time you stop playing safe.”

And with that, I tucked another lock of her hair behind her ear. This time, I let my fingers linger near her jawline.

“Kung gusto mong maranasan ang buhay—yung totoong buhay—maybe it’s time to start with the simple things.”

She didn’t say anything. Her lips slightly parted. Her chest rising and falling faster than before.

And right then, I knew...

She wanted more.

She just didn’t know how to ask for it.

BELLA’S POV

Nakatitig siya sa'kin.

Hindi ‘yung titig na bastos.

Hindi rin titig na parang sinisino ka lang.

It was the kind of stare that stripped you bare.

Yung parang kahit wala siyang ginagawa, naaamoy niya kung kailan ka huling umiyak, kung ilang beses ka nagtanong sa sarili mo kung boring ka ba, kung bakit sa dami ng lalaki… wala pang nag-kiss sa’yo.

At ngayon, tanong lang niya, “Have you ever even been kissed?”

At hindi ko alam kung anong sasagot.

Pwedeng magkunwari. Pwedeng ngumiti lang at iwas tingin.

Pero andito ako. Sa isang party na hindi ko dapat pinuntahan. Suot ang dress na hindi ako. Hawak ang inuming hindi ko pa rin iniinom.

At kasama ang lalaking alam kong makakagulo sa mundo ko.

“Bella?” tanong niya muli, this time mas malambing ang tono. “Never?”

I bit my lip. Hard. Pero alam kong nahuli niya na ang totoo sa mga mata ko.

So I nodded. Slowly. Tiny, like a secret.

“…Never,” I whispered.

Napahinga siya nang malalim, then leaned back a little. As if tinikman niya ang sagot ko.

“You really are too pure for this world,” he said, eyes twinkling. “Your lips haven’t even tasted sin yet.”

Napakagat ako ng labi ko. "Don’t say that," bulong ko.

“Why not?” Ngumisi siya. “It’s true, di ba?”

Tumalikod ako sandali, pero nahawakan niya ang wrist ko gently. Not tight. Just enough to make me stay.

“Don’t be shy about it,” sabi niya. “Walang mali sa pagiging... untouched.”

Natahimik ako. Not because he made me feel ashamed, but because he made me feel... seen.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Nakakahiya lang. I mean… sa age ko?"

He chuckled. “Trust me, Bella… may mga babae diyan na ‘experienced’ na kunwari, pero wala pa ring idea sa totoong intimacy. You? You’re not behind.”

Napabuntong-hininga ako. “Ewan ko. Minsan naiisip ko… baka hindi ako enough.”

Tumingin siya diretso sa’kin, no teasing this time.

“You are. You’re more than enough.”

Nagkatinginan kami ng matagal.

And for the first time in a long time…

I felt like maybe, just maybe—

Someone saw me as something more than perfect.

DOMINIC’S POV

So she's never been kissed.

That little confession?

It hit harder than expected.

Sa dami ng babaeng dumaan sa buhay ko—some bold, some broken, some both—none of them ever looked at me like she did.

As if I was dangerous… but she still wanted to try anyway.

Innocence is rare.

And Bella Santiago? She wore it like perfume.

Fragile. Intoxicating. Forbidden.

"You're overthinking again," bulong ko habang tinitigan siya sa ilalim ng malamlam na ilaw ng poolside lounge. "You always do that when you're nervous."

"Ako?" Umiling siya, awkward na tumawa. "Hindi naman..."

"You're doing it now." I grinned.

She looked away, embarrassed. “Ang unfair mo. Ikaw itong sanay sa mga ganito…”

"Ganito?"

"Yung… ganitong usapan. Yung flirting. Yung parang... may alam ka sa lahat ng bagay.”

I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “That’s because I’ve lived. You? You’ve just... existed sa mundo ng mga rules ng magulang mo.”

Napatingin siya sa’kin, defensive. “What’s wrong with that?”

"Nothing," sagot ko, soft pero matalim. “Kung okay ka nang hindi man lang maranasan kung anong feeling ng gusto mo talaga, not what they want for you.”

“Dom…”

“Relax,” I said, my voice dropping lower. “Wala akong sinasabing masama. I just think... you deserve to feel. Even once.”

Napahawak siya sa kwintas niya, like it would protect her from me.

Cute.

"Let me help you," I said finally. Calm. Certain.

"Help me what?"

“To live a little,” I said, eyes locked on hers. “To feel something for once. Kahit isang gabi lang. Walang pressure, walang pilitan.”

She swallowed hard. “P-paano?”

I smirked. “Start small. Like… maybe letting someone teach you what a real kiss feels like.”

Silence.

Her eyes widened.

“No strings,” dagdag ko. “Just a kiss. No tongue. No cameras. No expectations. Just... curiosity.”

Namula ang tenga niya. She looked down at her lap, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

“Don’t answer now,” I added. “I’m not asking for a yes. Gusto ko lang malaman mo, I’m here… if you’re ever ready.”

She looked up at me again. This time, may halong something.

Hunger? Fear? Both?

“Dominic…” she breathed.

I smiled. “Relax, Bella. I’m not the devil. Unless you want me to be.”

BELLA’S POV

Hindi ito tama.

Pero bakit parang ang sarap sa pakiramdam?

I should've walked away.

I should’ve said no.

Pero nandito pa rin ako—nakatayo sa harap ni Dominic Valencia sa ilalim ng mahina at intimate na ilaw sa may poolside, ang tunog ng tubig at malayong bass ng party ang nagsisilbing background music ng isang moment na parang hindi totoo.

“Ano na?” tanong niya, his voice a little lower than usual. “Tahimik ka na.”

Hindi ako makatingin diretso sa kanya. My chest was tight, my hands clammy, and my knees? Baka anytime now, mag-collapse na sa hiya o kilig.

Shit. Bakit ganito?

“Sabi mo... no pressure, diba?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, one brow raised. “Wala talaga. Pero gusto mong malaman kung ano'ng feeling ng isang kiss, diba?”

I bit my lip, uncertain. Yes? No? My body screamed yes, but my brain was still trying to protect me.

“W-wala pa akong alam sa mga ganito…” I admitted, finally meeting his eyes. “As in wala. Baka matawa ka.”

He chuckled. “Bakit kita pagtatawanan, Bella? That’s the whole point.”

“Anong point?”

“That you’ve never done this before.”

And he said it like it was the most fascinating thing about me.

Lumapit siya ng konti. Hindi masyadong obvious, pero enough para maramdaman ko ang warmth ng katawan niya. He smelled like expensive cologne and sin.

Dominic looked at me like I was a puzzle he wanted to solve—slowly, carefully, teasingly.

“Okay lang?” tanong niya, voice like velvet. “Can I touch you?”

My breath hitched. I nodded, barely.

He lifted his hand—slow, deliberate—and brushed a loose strand of hair from my cheek. Just that. Pero parang electric shock ang dumaan sa katawan ko.

“You're shaking,” bulong niya.

“Hindi,” I lied.

“Cute.” He grinned. “Don’t worry. Hindi kita hahalikan... not unless you ask.”

Putang—what kind of man says that with a voice that deep?

He traced his finger down my jaw, then stopped at my chin. I swear, my heart was beating so fast, baka marinig niya na. Or worse, baka makita niya ang goosebumps sa arms ko.

His touch was feather-light—almost like he was testing how far he could go before I completely melted.

“You’re not used to being wanted, are you?” tanong niya, still holding my gaze.

“Hindi ako… Hindi ako sanay na ganito...” I whispered.

“Ganong paano?”

“Na may lalaking… tinitingnan ako ng ganyan.”

His eyes darkened. “Then get used to it.”

He leaned closer. Our faces were just inches apart now. I could feel his breath on my lips—warm, slow, intoxicating.

“Kung hihilingin mo,” he murmured, “babasagin ko ang mundong kinagisnan mo. I’ll kiss you so slow, you’ll forget you ever lived without it.”

My knees buckled a little.

He caught me—hands on my waist now, steadying me. My body, traitor as it was, leaned into him like gravity had decided we belonged close.

“Dominic…”

“Say the word, Bella,” he said, voice like silk laced with fire. “Just one word.”

But I couldn’t say it. Not yet.

I pulled back—just enough para makawala sa init ng katawan niya.

He let me go. No resistance. Just a smirk.

“Knew you weren’t ready yet,” he whispered. “But soon.”

And with that, he walked away, leaving me breathless, burning, and utterly confused.

What the hell just happened?

Pagkatalikod ni Dominic, para akong nauntog sa realidad. Parang dun lang ako muling huminga. My chest rose and fell rapidly, like I had just escaped something… or maybe, someone.

Pero ang totoo? I didn’t want to escape him. I wanted to run to him—pero natakot ako sa sarili kong nararamdaman.

This isn’t me. This isn’t who I’m supposed to be.

I stepped back, mabilis. Then isa pa. Hanggang sa natamaan ko ang isang upuan sa likod ko and I let out a soft gasp.

I clutched my chest. My heart was beating like crazy. Hindi ito normal. Hindi ito safe.

I could still feel his fingers sa balat ko. I could still hear his voice—low, deep, intoxicating.

> “Just say the word.”

Hindi ako handa.

Hindi pa dapat ngayon.

I turned around and walked as fast as I could, heels clicking against the marble floor. Tapos, bigla akong tumakbo. Hindi ko na ininda kung may makakita. I just needed to get out.

Mabilis akong nakabalik sa main entrance ng building. The wild music from the party seemed muffled now. Like I had stepped out of a dream… or a nightmare.

I grabbed my phone and texted Kuya Rey.

"Please sunduin mo na po ako. Dito pa rin ako sa drop-off kanina."

I was shaking. From adrenaline. From guilt. From… craving.

Anong nangyayari sa’kin?

Why did it feel like he touched something deeper than just my skin?

Naupo ako sa steps habang hinihintay ang driver. I curled into myself, hugging my knees like I was still that little girl sa all-girls Catholic school. The one who believed in waiting. The one who thought love was clean, pure, and predictable.

But Dominic?

He was dirty, dangerous, and absolutely irresistible.

And for a second… I wanted to let him ruin me.

“Bakit parang ako pa ‘yung mali? Ako naman ‘tong walang ginawang masama.”

“Pero bakit… ang init pa rin ng pakiramdam ko?”

“Bakit parang gusto kong bumalik?”

Few minutes later, dumating na si Kuya Rey. I slipped into the back seat, tahimik lang. Hindi ko na kinayang magsalita. I just wanted to hide.

As the car drove away from that wild world, I looked out the window… and wondered:

Kung bumalik ba ako… hihintayin niya pa rin ako?