On some rare occasions, I'd find myself wandering around the cold street of my little village. For some, they would perceive deserted streets as a place of misfortune. The locus of evil and death.

Pero para sa akin, ang tahakin ang tahimik at malamig na kalsada ay ang tanging oras sa buong araw na kayang magbigay ng takot at kapayapaan ng sabay. Nakakatakot dahil ang kanina'y maliit at tila masikip na kalsada ay naging malawak at iyong-iyo na.

The world suddenly became too big and overwhelming. It was terrifying how much you can suddenly have and then lose it all again. But the thought of having everything for yourself, even for a few hours, feels exciting. Don't you think so?

Just when I thought I was alone, I heard a loud crash coming from the only place tonight with any lights. Pinakiramdaman ko ang paligid. I was waiting for another noise to break the silence.

But there was none. Maybe it was a stray cat looking for some food.

I was about to dismiss the strange encounter when I heard another rustling sound. My head snapped in the same direction and squinted my eyes.

Was that really a cat?

Hindi ko alam kung saan ko hinugot ang lakas ko ng loob. But I found myself walking towards the old, abandoned park. My thin slippers barely made a noise as I step on the crisped piled-up leaves. The moon could barely illuminate the whole place as it was situated at the center of these numerous tall, big trees that are probably older than me.

"What are you doing?" I questioned the man I found standing a few steps away from me. I could barely see his stature but I sure do know he is way taller than me and a lot bigger, like an enormous beast.

May hawak siyang bote ng sa hula ko ay whiskey at base sa kaniyang tindig mukhang ibabato niya dapat ito sa lupa. He snap his head towards my direction, his eyes glinting perilously under the argent moonlight. Suddenly, the world became ominous and disturbing. His eyes were giving me a warning. Isang maling hakbang at siguradong hindi ko magugustuhan ang kahihinatnan nito.

So I sat.

I sat on the old, rusty swing with my back facing him. I closed my eyes and sigh. Tahimik kong pinakinggan ang pagtama ng bote sa lupang punong-puno ng mga bato at ang sunod-sunod na pagmura ng lalaki. Even with the distance, the intensity of his anger never wavered. Ramdam ko ang galit niya, ang sakit, and pagdadalamhati. Despite his act, the anger never seemed to eased.

I wasn't supposed to sleep in this kind of setting. But strangely I found myself drowsing and nodding my head off trying to keep myself from dreamland.

Siguro ay pagod lang talaga ako. I just finished my book after a year. I did most of its chapters at night and tonight's the first night I don't have something to write. Sabi ng agent ko magpahinga muna ako. The next following months will all be about my latest book so I don't really have to worry about writing too soon.

I felt a huge presence looming over me for a second before I heard the rusty chains clinking beside me. Ibinuka ko ang kaliwang mata at tiningnan ang lalaking naupo sa katabing duyan. Nakasandal ang ulo niya sa kadena at malayo ang tingin.

To say he was handsome is an understatement. He is beautiful. Dangerously beautiful. His thick brows sat nicely above his hunter's eyes. The bridge of his nose was tall and his full lips looked totally inviting. The kind of lips you want to kiss and bite and lick.

Inviting? Kiss? Bite? Lick?

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang magtagpo ang mga mata naming dalawa. I feel like I got caught doing something bad. I absolutely did not think of kissing this god of a man sitting beside me. He's not good news. Just from what was happening a while ago, I knew he's got some issues. Issues I'm not supposed to pry into.

"Are you done checking me out?" He asked lazily, almost breathlessly.

Napalunok ako at napaiwas ng tingin. Well, let's just be honest here. I was checking him out.

I cleared my throat. "What are you doing here?" I asked instead.

He scoffed, "What am I doing here? I don't know, man," his lips were smirking arrogantly as he shook his head. "I was too fed up with everything." He looked away looking resentful and angry again.

"Like?" No. I screamed inside my head. No, please, stop talking Jess.

He met my eyes again. Despite his arrogant and enigmatic presence, he did not fail to keep my gaze on him. He was too attractive. He was like a new being from another dimension and I couldn't help myself but try to figure out what's he like.

"Like something you shouldn't mind," he answered snobbishly before pulling himself up. The swing moved violently at his sudden action. His big body creates massive force.

I watched him walk away from me, my insides feeling emptier at his every step. Maybe I was lonely for company. I barely come out of my house for a year and the only person I communicated with was my agent. But then again, I was always alone. I shouldn't feel this kind of emotion now.

Using the remainder of my energy, I moved the swing and allowed myself to bathe in the cold air. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata at ngumite. What a strange night. Bibili dapat ako ng dinner ko but I suddenly don't feel hungry anymore. I don't have any energy to walk anymore.

My grip on the chain tightened when I felt it again.

That ominous presence. A presence you'd normally cower into.

"Bakit nandito ka pa?" I kept my eyes close as I listened to his deep, raspy voice.

"It's something you shouldn't mind," I answered teasingly. Tuluyan ko ng binuksan ang mga mata at ngumise sa kaniya.

He arrogantly raised his brow as he looked down at me. I glanced at my slipper-less feet and wiggled my toes. "I got tired but I'll be sure to come home before sunrise."

Silence followed after that. Pareho kaming nakatingin na ngayon sa aking paa. The pale and boney feet I rarely use. When I saw his feet stepping back and moving away again, my mouth moved before I could even think.

"Gusto mo bang magkape?" I said out of nowhere. "Magaling akong gumawa ng kape."

His steps halted. I did not realize I was holding back my breath until a sigh escaped my lips.

"Are you sure?"

When I looked up he was eyeing me like a hunter catching his prey. His eyes were shadowed, his mouth was clasped in a thin, restricting line, and I could faintly guess what was coming after this.

I nodded, completely throwing all the reluctance out of the box.

"Then lead the way," he commanded.

Hindi ko alam kung paano namin narating ang bahay ko na walang ano mang salita ang lumalabas sa mga bibig namin. I couldn't start a conversation or ward him off. I was too busy scolding myself from doing something so careless. He could be a murderer or a serial killer for all I know.

I twisted the knob of my door and push it open, standing aside to give my guest a bigger space for his body to move. He stood just a few steps away from me and scanned the whole space. When you come into the house, the sunken living area which is two steps down the hallway would be the first thing to greet you. Noong binili ko ang bahay na ito, this place became the most memorable part of the tour.

The living area is made for people with a large social group, something I lack. But it gave me the feeling that I might need this space one day. Hindi ko lang alam kung kailan.

"Nice house," he commented.

My lips formed a smile from his sudden compliment. "Thank you. Upo ka muna. I'll just make your coffee. Do you want to watch something?" I offered as I lead him to the sofa.

"Anything's fine."

I tried to keep myself from staring when he removed his leather jacket. His bulky arms immediately came into view with both arms covered in a full sleeve tattoo. I'm not into rough-looking men. I have always admired men whose looks are always clean and professional. The ones who would beam at you despite their stressful work hours.

I shouldn't be into these types of men. And I shouldn't be inviting these kinds of men into my home.

I headed to my kitchen before things becomes uncontrollable. I diverted my attention to making coffee and preparing cookies I baked this morning. Maganda bang ipares ang cookies sa coffee?

I'm not too sure but this is the kind of pair I was used to every time I was working on my book. I'm not a good baker but I think I make decent cookies naman.

After placing everything on a clean tray, I made my way back to the living area. There I saw him lying on my sofa lazily, his eyes close and his breathing getting heavier. Nakatakip rin sa mga mata niya ang mabigatt na braso.

Dahan-dahan kong inilapag ang tray sa coffee table at naupo sa carpet sa harapan niya. Tahimik kong pinanood ang TV habang pinapakinggan ang mabibigat niyang paghinga.

This man must have a very rough day that he almost immediately fell asleep at a stranger's house. Dala ng masyado kong pag-iisip hindi ko na namalayang nakapikit na rin pala ako at tuluyan na ngang natulog.

Nagising ako kinabukasan na wala na sa sahig. I woke up on my sofa just below the stranger I brought home. I looked for the clock and checked the time. Malapit na palang magtanghalian.

Nag-inat muna ako bago ako tuluyang tumayo at nagtungo ulit sa kitchen bitbit ang tray na may lamang mga cookies at kape na hindi nabawasan.

Siguradong magugutom ang lalaking iyon paggising niya. Hindi ako masyadong marunong magluto. Alam ko lang magprito-prito ng mga eggs at mga processed foods. May bacon pa naman ako at eggs kaya iyon na lang ang hinanda ko. Gumawa na rin ako ng garlic fried rice at gumawa ulit ng kape.

I was preparing the plates for the table when the stranger on my sofa woke up. I watched him as he looked around as if trying to figure out whose place he was in. His curly hair was everywhere and despite looking a little unkept, he still looked effortlessly breathtaking under the sunlight.

I offered him a smile when he stopped to look at me. "Good morning. Breakfast is ready, kain na tayo."

Tumango siya at kinuha ang cellphone mula sa bulsa ng kaniyang pantalon. Naupo na ako sa harap ng hapag at nilingon ang bintanang gawa sa salamin dito sa kitchen area. The exaggerated number and sizes of windows made me fall in love with this place.

I love looking outside while still in the comfort of my home. It made me enjoy life without the need to interact and socialize with a lot of strangers. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate socializing and certainly do not hate humans but I am not gifted with the power of socialization. I tend to make people feel uncomfortable with my weirdness. 

The arrival of my guest snatched my attention from the garden. He sat opposite mine and met my gaze. "Do you mind?" 

"Nope. Help yourself. I'm sorry kung 'yan lang na-offer ko. Hindi kasi ako marunong magluto." 

"I'm not a picky eater," aniya bago tinikman ang bacon na niluto ko. 

We ate in silence after that. I thought it would be uncomfortable and unpleasant to eat with a stranger like him but it was a peaceful table affair. Masaya akong makita na naubos niya lahat ng inihanda ko sa kaniya. Pati iyong cookies sa tabi ay hindi niya pinalagpas. He's surely a big eater. 

"Let me do the dishes," he announced after we cleaned the table. 

Gusto ko sanang umalma kaso iyong tono niya tila hindi tatanggap ng kahit anong sasabihin ko. Hinayaan ko na lamang siya doon. Nilibang ko na lamang ang sarili sa panonood ng TV. I'd often find myself stealing glances on his way. The way his strong body moves made my stares linger a little longer than I'm supposed to. 

Mabilis kong ibinalik sa TV ang paningin ko nang pumihit paharap sa akin ang katawan niya. Mukhang tapos na siyang maghugas ng plato. Malakas na kumabog ang puso ko nang maupo siya sa tabi ko. 

Hindi lang kung saang tabi, he completely invaded my personal space. His hairy legs sticking to mine, his hard stomach creating friction with my waist, his arms wrapping around my shoulder, his fingers gripping my chin forcing me to look up and meet his dark eyes. 

The same pair of eyes looked down at my lips. 

"Kagabi ka pa," ang magaspang niyang bulong habang pinaglalaruan niya ang ibabang labi ko gamit ang kaniyang hinlalaki. 

Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. What does he mean? 

A menacing chuckle escaped his mouth before he licked his lips. "You're into me, aren't you?" Despite the mocking and belittling gaze, he kept on giving me I can't help myself. I can't stop myself. I'm losing control. 

"Fuck!" Mahina siyang natawa bago inilapit ang mukha at dinilaan ang pisnge ko. "I don't like sloppy kisser, just so you know." 

"I'm not!" Ang depensa ko sa pagitan ng mabibigat na paghinga. 

"Oh yeah?" Ang panghahamon niya. "Prove it then." 

He was clearly playing with me. I can see through his eyes how much he's having fun playing games with me. And I'm not one to lose. I may be meek but I'm not a quitter.

I pushed his chest and rode on top of his lap. "Have you ever kissed a man before?" Ang tanong ko. I don't wanna kiss somebody and then get punched later. 

Isang mapang-asar na ngite ang muling isinagot niya sa akin. "Never. I have high expectations of you so don't disappoint me." There was a hint of danger laced in his voice and I can definitely hear bells ringing in my head, red light blazing inside, warning me to move as far as I can. 

But how far are breaths apart? Is it enough space to keep me from going to hell? 

The sudden gush of current after our lips touched gave me enough idea that I'll suffer from this. But for now, I just want to taste more of his lips. The most addicting lips I have ever tasted. Hell can wait. 

Author's note: The following chapters after this will be posted once the story has been completed in my draft box. Thank you for your interest!