TAINTED INNOCENCE

Chapter 2

“Dominic… Valencia.”

Bella whispered his name like a sin.

Gabing-gabi na, pero gising pa rin siya. Nakahiga sa king-sized bed niya, still wearing her satin nightgown, laptop open on her lap. The room was dimly lit by her bedside lamp—soft, warm, secretive. Just like the thoughts circling in her head.

She had tried to sleep.

Pero kahit ipikit niya ang mga mata niya, he was there.

Dominic Valencia.

Misteryosong lalaki na saglit lang niyang nakasalubong sa gala.

Isang tingin lang—pero ramdam niya hanggang buto.

At ngayon?

She was obsessing.

Sighing, she typed his name into the search bar.

“Dominic Valencia, Philippines.”

And just like that, the internet opened its vault.

Article #1: “Heir to the Valencia Empire: Dominic Spotted in Paris with Russian Model”

Article #2: “The Wild Son: Dominic Valencia Kicked Out of Ateneo for Scandalous Behavior?”

Article #3: “Party Prince Turned Investor? Can Dominic Valencia Really Be Taken Seriously?”

Article #4: “Who’s the New Girl? Dominic Valencia Seen Leaving a Club with Someone New AGAIN”

Bella blinked. Her lips parted slightly as she scrolled through photo after photo of him—shirtless at a yacht party, half-drunk at a music festival, smirking beside different women in dangerously short dresses.

Oh. My. God.

Was this really the same man na tiningnan siya sa gala like she was a puzzle he wanted to solve?

He looked so… different.

Untamed. Wild.

Like the embodiment of everything she had been warned to stay away from.

A scandal magnet.

A heartbreaker.

A man dripping in s*x, sin, and secrets.

But still… she couldn’t look away.

One article caught her attention.

“Dominic Valencia allegedly paid off a scandal involving a high-profile senator’s daughter.”

She clicked it.

Her eyes scanned the page—club incident, caught on CCTV, a physical altercation, rumors of drugs, hush money, no charges filed.

What the hell?

She leaned back on her pillows, heart racing.

Her mind screamed, “Stay away.”

But her body?

It was intrigued.

The more dangerous he seemed, the more curious she became.

She found his old i********:. It was private now, but screenshots flooded the net.

Him in a leather jacket, cigarette between his lips.

Him gripping a girl’s thigh in a blurry nightclub shot.

Him smirking, shirtless, water droplets running down his chest while holding a surfboard.

Bella let out a shaky breath.

“What the f**k am I doing?” she whispered, closing the laptop halfway—but not all the way.

She stared into space, images burned into her mind.

She knew she was being reckless.

She knew this wasn’t her.

Pero bakit parang mas lalo siyang hinahatak?

Was it the thrill?

The mystery?

Or the feeling of being noticed by someone like him—even for just a second?

He was the kind of man who lived in the dark.

And she had always lived in the light.

But suddenly… the darkness didn’t seem so terrifying.

It felt warm. Seductive. Like an invitation.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Trisha.

TRISHA: “Babe, don’t even THINK about it. That guy is hot yes, but he's also hella toxic. Stay away.”

Bella stared at the screen, lips pressed together.

Too late.

She was already thinking about him.

And the worst part?

She didn’t want to stop.

“Okay, girl. Spill.”

Trisha plopped down beside Bella at the café lounge of their mom’s fashion office the next morning, oversized sunglasses on, grande iced Americano in hand, and full sass mode activated.

Bella froze mid-sip of her caramel macchiato.

“Spill what?” inosente niyang tanong, eyes refusing to meet Trisha’s.

“Don’t ‘what’ me, Isabella.” Trisha slid her phone across the table—Dominic’s name glowing on screen with a headline Bella just read last night.

“Dominic Valencia involved in another nightclub incident.”

Trisha raised a brow. “Don’t tell me nag-Google ka din kagabi. I know that look. That ‘I stayed up fantasizing about a man I barely know’ look.”

Bella bit her lip, guiltily. “I mean… konti lang.”

“Konti lang daw,” Trisha rolled her eyes. “Girl, you went full FBI mode, didn’t you?”

Silence.

Trisha leaned in, voice dropping. “Let me save you the heartbreak early. Dominic Valencia is not the guy you want. Trust me. Kilala ko ang breed na ‘yan. Hot, dangerous, rich, and allergic sa commitment.”

“Hindi ko naman siya gusto,” Bella lied.

Trisha’s laugh was sharp. “Then bakit ganyan ang eyebags mo? You’re practically glowing with lust and bad decisions.”

Bella looked away, cheeks pink.

“Okay fine,” she mumbled. “Maybe I just got… curious. He looked at me, Trish. As in, looked. Like he saw me.”

Trisha leaned back, deadpan. “Girl. That’s literally his special move. That’s what he does. He makes girls feel like they’re the only one—until they find out they’re number five on a rotating schedule.”

Bella’s lips parted. “You’re exaggerating.”

Trisha crossed her arms. “Oh really? My cousin worked at a club in BGC. She saw him bring two girls to his private table. At the same time. And both of them left with him.”

Bella blinked. Twice. “Sabay?”

Trisha nodded. “Sabay, babe. And he ghosted both the next day.”

Bella let out a shaky laugh, but the pit in her stomach tightened. She shouldn’t feel disappointed—she barely knew him—but still, something stung.

“You’re too soft for that kind of man, Bella,” Trisha said gently now. “I mean, no offense ha… you’re still a virgin.”

Bella flinched. “Thanks for the reminder.”

“I’m not shaming you! I’m protecting you.” Trisha softened her tone. “That guy will chew you up and spit you out with that crooked smile of his, and you’ll be left wondering what the hell happened to your dignity.”

Bella stared down at her drink.

“I’m not stupid, Trish…”

“I never said you were. But you’re curious. And curiosity with someone like him? Dangerous ‘yan.”

Bella sighed. “I just… I’ve never felt like that before.”

Trisha reached out and squeezed her hand.

“I get it, babe. Trust me, I’ve had my share of toxic cravings. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from heartbreaks and hungover walks of shame—it’s this: Not all sparks are meant to be chased. Some are meant to warn you.”

Bella nodded slowly, even if a part of her still wasn’t convinced.

But in the back of her mind, his eyes haunted her. That silent challenge. That heat.

And even as Trisha spoke the truth…

Bella knew she wasn’t done with Dominic Valencia.

Not yet.

DOMINIC’S POV

Another night.

Another overpriced event filled with liars in tuxedos.

Dominic stood near the bar of the Valencia-sponsored charity gala—one of those boring-ass events his father forced him to attend "for image rehab." His dark gray suit was perfectly tailored, tie loose around his neck, hair messy in that way girls called effortless.

He hated these things.

The small talk. The fake laughter.

The eyes of fathers trying to sell him their daughters like he was an auction item.

He raised his glass of whiskey to his lips, eyes scanning the ballroom—already plotting his exit.

Then he saw her.

Soft, glowing, untouched by the corruption of the room.

Isabella Santiago.

The Santiago daughter.

His eyes narrowed.

She wasn’t doing anything special—just standing near a display of paintings, sipping wine slowly, nervously shifting her weight from heel to heel. But she stood out like a f*****g candle in a dark room. Her white off-shoulder gown hugged her like a prayer, hair up in soft curls, a few strands framing her innocent face.

Untouched.

Inexperienced.

Forbidden.

He smirked, leaning against a column, watching her like a predator who had all the time in the world.

So this was the girl who had the room whispering last week.

The one who looked at him like he wasn’t a monster.

She hadn’t seen him yet.

Good. He liked watching before he made a move.

Bella bit her lower lip, looking around nervously. Her hands fidgeted with the stem of her wine glass. She was clearly uncomfortable in this world—out of place, like a princess forced to play queen.

He liked that.

Most women who attended these parties wore their confidence like perfume—strong, loud, desperate to be noticed. But her?

She looked like she wanted to disappear.

Which only made him want to notice her more.

Jules appeared beside him, drink in hand. “Dude. Please don’t tell me you’re eyeing the Santiago girl.”

Dominic didn’t reply. He just kept staring.

Jules followed his gaze and cursed under his breath. “f**k. You are.”

“She’s interesting,” Dominic murmured.

“She’s off-limits.”

“I like limits.” He downed the rest of his whiskey, eyes never leaving Bella.

“Bro, her dad’s a lunatic. I heard he threatened to shoot some guy just for texting her.”

“Then he better not find out,” Dominic said, his smirk darkening.

Jules shook his head. “You don’t want a virgin, man. That’s a whole mess. Tears. Attachments. Expectations.”

“I didn’t say I wanted to keep her,” Dominic said lowly, coldly. “I just want to taste the purity.”

His gaze dropped to her neck. So delicate. He imagined tracing his fingers over it, hearing her gasp.

And as if feeling his stare, she finally turned.

Their eyes met.

For just one second.

One heartbeat.

Dominic tilted his head, subtle, dangerous.

Bella's lips parted.

And then she quickly looked away.

But that moment? That was all he needed.

She felt it too.

The pull.

The danger.

The desire.

He smiled to himself.

This was going to be fun.

BELLA’S POV

Bakit parang ang bigat ng hangin bigla?

Bella held her glass tighter as she tried to focus on the conversation happening beside her—pero kahit anong pilit niyang makinig sa tita niyang nagku-kwento about her recent trip to Milan, her mind was somewhere else.

No—scratch that.

Her mind was on someone else.

She made the mistake of glancing again.

And there he was.

Dominic.

Still leaning casually against a marble pillar, half in shadow, eyes sharp and unreadable.

Nakatingin pa rin siya sa kanya.

Her heart raced. Tangina, bakit siya nakatingin sa’kin?!

She turned away immediately, cheeks flushing, silently screaming at herself for being obvious. Ang tanga mo, Bella. Baka iniisip niya weird ka.

She tried to walk away.

Anywhere. Somewhere.

Bathroom? Garden? Exit?

But just as she turned down the hallway near the cocktail bar—

“Leaving so soon, Miss Santiago?”

Shit.

She froze.

That voice. Low. Controlled.

Puno ng confidence at danger.

Para siyang baritone na may lason.

She turned slowly, heart slamming against her chest.

And there he was.

Dominic Valencia.

Up close, mas gwapo pa kaysa sa mga pictures sa Google.

Black suit. Open collar. No tie. Just pure arrogance wrapped in silk and sin.

“Hindi naman,” she answered, trying to keep her voice steady. “Nahanap ko lang ‘yung… CR.”

He smiled. Putangina. That smile wasn’t safe.

“Right. CR.” His eyes sparkled with amusement. “You looked like you were trying to escape.”

Bella tried to laugh. “Hindi naman po…”

“‘Po’?” he echoed, brows raised, obviously entertained. “That’s adorable.”

Now she wanted the floor to swallow her whole. Bakit pa ako nag-po?!

“I’m Dominic,” he said, stepping closer, offering his hand.

Bella blinked. “I know.”

Wrong answer. s**t.

He chuckled. “Of course you do.”

She hesitated before shaking his hand—only for a few seconds, but it felt like the world stilled. His grip was warm. Firm. Confident. The kind of touch that made promises. Or threats.

“Bella,” she mumbled.

“I know,” he said, eyes locked on hers.

Silence.

She tried to pull her hand back, but he didn’t let go immediately.

“You’re not like the rest of them,” he said, voice softer now.

She frowned. “Them?”

“The women here. The ones who stare too hard and laugh too loud. You look like you’d rather be anywhere else.”

Bella swallowed hard. “Maybe I would.”

He let her hand go—finally—but didn’t step back.

“Good,” he said, leaning in slightly, just enough to make her breath hitch. “Because I don’t like being here either.”

And then he gestured to the bar. “Come. Let me buy you a drink.”

Bella panicked. “I’m not really a drinker—”

“One sip,” he offered, lips curving. “I promise I won’t bite… unless you ask me to.”

Her eyes widened. WHAT THE HELL?

But before she could respond—

"Bella!” her aunt’s voice echoed from behind, sharp and cold.

Bella snapped her head back, stepping away instantly.

Dominic’s smirk only widened.

“I’ll see you around, Bella,” he said, backing off slowly like he owned the moment, like he knew she’d be thinking about this later.

And damn it…

She would.

Bella wanted to scream.

As in literal, internal AAAAAAAAHHHHH habang mabilis siyang naglakad palayo pabalik sa ballroom, heels clicking too loudly on the marble floor, heart pounding like she just survived a car crash.

Putangina. Did that just happen?

Did Dominic Valencia—the most dangerous, most scandalous, most off-limits man she’d ever Googled—just talk to her?

Correction: flirt with her?

She paused sa may gilid ng grand staircase, trying to calm herself down.

“Okay. Calm down. It was just a conversation. Wala namang nangyari. Hindi ka niya hinila. Hindi ka niya hinalikan. Hindi ka—” she whispered to herself in a panic spiral.

Pero habang paulit-ulit sa utak niya ‘yung boses niya, “I won’t bite... unless you ask me to,”—napakapit siya sa railings. PUTANGINA NAMAN OH.

Her face was burning. As in, literal na parang sinabuyan siya ng boiling water.

"Bakit ka ba ganyan, Bella?" she scolded herself. “One conversation lang, nanginginig ka na.”

She tried to shake it off.

Pero habang pinipilit niyang bumalik sa composed version of herself, nandiyan na naman siya.

Dominic.

He was standing near the bar again, relaxed, drink in hand—pero this time, nakatingin ulit sa kanya.

Not just a casual glance. Not passive.

His eyes were locked on her.

Like she was a puzzle.

A prize.

Or worse… prey.

She immediately looked away, pretending to look at the floral centerpiece in front of her. Wow. Ganda ng mga orchids. Di awkward. Di obvious.

“Why is he still looking at me?!” she muttered under her breath.

“Who?” came a familiar voice.

Bella turned. Trisha. Wearing a black velvet backless gown, lips smirking as always.

“Wala,” Bella lied. “Wala. Wala akong tinitingnan.”

Trisha squinted at her. “Girl. ‘Wala’? You look like you saw a d**k pic for the first time.”

Bella gasped. “Trish!”

Trisha laughed. “Oh my god. It’s him, isn’t it? Valencia. Don’t even try to deny it—nakita kita kanina pa na parang nagka-hang sa hallway.”

“I wasn’t—He just… introduced himself,” Bella whispered, feeling the heat return to her cheeks.

Trisha dramatically widened her eyes. “OMG. He talked to you?”

Bella nodded, clutching her clutch bag like it could save her from collapsing.

“Girl,” Trisha whispered, leaning in. “You are so screwed.”

“I didn’t even say yes to anything,” Bella defended. “He just… offered a drink. That’s all. And I said no.”

Trisha snorted. “Sa Dominic Valencia, ‘no’ means ‘try harder.’”

Bella froze. “Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

Trisha raised a perfectly waxed brow. “Ibig kong sabihin, he’s the type who doesn’t chase girls unless he smells innocence. Alam niyang hindi ka sanay sa larong ‘yan—kaya mas magiging game siya. Your discomfort? Turn on niya ‘yan.”

Bella swallowed. “Stop. Nakaka-anxious ka.”

“I'm serious,” Trisha said, her voice dropping. “That guy eats girls like you for breakfast. And he doesn’t even call after.”

Bella looked back toward the bar.

Dominic raised his glass ever so slightly, like a silent toast in her direction.

She blinked.

Trisha gasped. “Did he just—?!”

“Yes.”

“Oh my god, girl,” Trisha whispered. “You’re not just screwed. You’re already on the menu.”

Bella turned away, face flaming.

And deep down, somewhere beneath all the fear and doubt and scandal warnings…

She wondered—

What would it feel like… to let him take a bite?