Prelude

2012

Aaliyah Jacqueline Montevista

The night I lost my virginity, it was pouring hard. I thought hindi na kami matutuloy papunta sa bar. I was pissed out of my mind.

Hindi pwedeng hindi kami umalis today. Kahit hindi na sa The Pool Club. Any cafe would do. Or hotel. As long as I could bail.

I wanted to get the fuck out so bad. I hated this house. Every second that I was here, I felt like throwing up.

I could get a condo pero fuck. My good-for-nothing, cheating and lying dad wouldn't let me. He's the law, figuratively and literally. I can't defy him. After all, he's Leonard fucking Montevista. A senator slash construction magnate and unfortunately, my only guardian.

So fucking lucky, huh? Tangina.

At the first ring, I jumped to fetch my phone.

The familiar sound of deep laughter greeted me. "Yo."

"Jani! Where are you?" I cried out in frustration. "You're thirty minutes late."

"I know, I know. I'm almost there. Give me five. Prepared ka na?"

"Yeah. Kanina pa."

"Okay. Kasama ko si Joy. Papasok na kami ng subdivision n'yo."

"Yeah, bilis. Dad might see you pa pag minalas."

"Bakit, uuwi ba? I thought he's abroad?"

"Changed plans. Just hurry up," then I hung up.

I grabbed my purse and checked myself in the mirror. I was wearing my favorite. Black sleeveless velvet cropped top and bandage skirt. Just to be sure, nagdala na rin ako ng cardigan if it becomes too cold mamaya.

Highly doubtful, though.

I had different plans tonight. If everything goes according to plan, not even this storm could stop me from going all out.

The doorbell rang. That's my cue.

I combed my ash blonde locks first and reapplied my pink lippie before running down the stairs to meet the pair.

My best friends, Jani and Joy, were together. I'd known them my entire highschool kaya hindi na awkward na kasama ko sila kahit sila pa. They could kiss and make out there and I wouldn't care. Sanay na 'ko. Besides, I was often too busy with my own thing to pay any attention.

"Coast clear?" Joy asked me with a laugh, looking around the house.

"He's not here," I informed them.

"Nagpaalam ka ba?" Jani piped in.

I frowned. "No. When did I ever?"

"You should. Mag-aalala 'yon."

"Then all of this will be for nothing."

"Oo nga, Jani. Kaya nga prison break, e," Joy added, making me laugh with her.

Jani sighed in defeat. "Sige, bahala kayo."

We ambled to the door. My impatience thinned when the maids and guards immediately blocked our way.

"Ma'am, bawal ka pong lumabas, sabi ng daddy niyo po."

"Nag-usap na kami ni Dad. Let us through," I lied.

Kuya Noel, one of our many guards, scratched his head. "Pero ma'am, sabi talaga ni sir bawal po. Mag-aalala po sa 'yo 'yon."

Like hell he would. He was probably too busy fucking different women right now.

"Let me go, Kuya. He won't know I left kung 'di n'yo sasabihin."

"Mawawalan kami ng trabaho n'yan, ma'am."

"Dad won't know. I swear he won't even call tonight. Kung tumawag man, just say I'm sleeping. Sige na, Kuya."

That was another lie. I wasn't sure if he'd come home or not.

It took some more convincing before they finally let me leave. Why was I on such a lockdown? Nag-away kami ni Dad. I crashed his car while on my way home so he grounded me. It wasn't even a total wreck but the taho vendor brought me to the barangay kasi. Dad got mad at me for acting recklessly (and staining his reputation) and I got mad at him for acting like a father when he didn't for so many years. If I know, he's only ever concerned about his name.

We had a row all night and he cut all my cards. Hindi niya alam, I had a spare. My lolo gave it to me.

Siyempre, hindi niya 'yon alam just like all the other things he didn't know about me.

So ironic. Kung hindi ko pa naaksidente ang kotse niya, he probably wouldn't even find out I partied all night. He's too busy with his women. He's that absent in my life. Like my mom who left me with him after he cheated repeatedly.

But I was not rebelling to get his attention. Hell, I didn't want it. What I wanted was to get out of this hellhole and break away from his network. He should've just sent me out. Kaysa nag-e-effort pa siyang puntahan ang iba niyang mga babae sa ibang lugar.

The Pool Club was far from our home, which was in Quezon City. That's why we barely frequent it but since they got a special party for tonight, we decided to ditch Tides and go there instead. Thanks to our connections, we got in easily.

As expected, the place was full of skimpily-dressed girls and older boys. They were dancing to the music blasting through the speakers. I smirked at the strobe lights bouncing around. This was my scene. I reveled in this.

The three of us made our way through the gyrating bodies to one of the tables and ordered our drinks. Jose Cuervo, our usual, and Johnnie Walker for Jani.

"Daming tao," Joy complained.

I laughed at her. "Of course. What do you expect from a high-end club?"

Jani informed, "Open ang pool. Gusto n'yo?"

I shook my head. "Not in the mood. Maybe later."

We did several shots. When we were warmed up, I left the lovebirds alone and joined the center floor. Crazy and wild, I danced and showed all my moves, immediately attracting attention. Nang magsawa na ako, I joined a group of people doing body shots. Several boys tried to hit it off with me. But they're not the one I was looking for so I just shrugged their advances off. Not so subtly, if I could add.

"Wanna get out of here?" they would say. "I have a place."

"So? I have a place too. 'Di ka special," I would answer.

Bumalik lang ako sa table when I had my fill of fun. Mamaya naman ulit.

Joy was already drunk. She was giggling at some text she received. Si Jani, he's still okay. Since he's driving, kontrolado ang intake nya.

"Gusto ko sanang mag-pool, pero ang dami nila do'n," Joy told us, a cute pout on her face.

"'Di ka din naman hahayaan ni Jani. Not in that state," I said, to which Jani nodded.

"You're both drunk. Uwi na tayo?"

"Ha? Kakarating lang natin, a?" Joy whined.

"Kakarating? Two hours na tayo dito."

"'Yun nga. Maya na tayo."

We danced and danced and danced. At Joy's behest, sumali ako sa drinking competition. First one to finish all the drinks. Jani was videographing as I downed shots after shots without stop. Boys were hooting and hollering. Naririnig ko ang mga cat calls habang tinatalo ko ang iba.

Unfortunately for the others, I won. I flashed my fan boys a one big smug smile.

"Ibang klase. San mo dinala lahat ng beer na 'yon?" Jani said with a laugh when I came back to them.

"Beer pa. Lasing ka na n'yan," Joy added.

"Bitch, I'm fine." Tumatawa akong bumalik sa table.
I was very drunk. Huminto na ako sa pag-inom to let myself recover. We mostly just talked then. Some time later, Jani excused himself to answer a call.

As soon as he was out, Joy immediately turned to me, the gap between her brows creasing.

"Jacq, sure ka ba dito?"

She was talking about my plan, the reason why I suddenly asked them out tonight.

"Yes, I want to lose it tonight," I said firmly.

"'Di papayag si Jani na iwan ka namin."

"Then don't. I don't need all night naman." I smirked teasingly. "Mag-check-in na lang din kayo. I can get you a room in Shangri-La, you want that?"

"Gaga. Pero sige nga. Kanino mo naman balak ibigay 'yan?"

I went into deep thought and wandered my gaze around the area. That's a question I wanted to know the answer to as well. I'd been eyeing some guys. They were checking me out kanina pero ayoko. They're the type to break the rules and that wouldn't work. It would ruin my plans.

If I would lose my virginity to someone, I needed to make sure no one would know. Kahit pa yung guy.
I needed to make sure this one night stand would stay exactly that—a one night stand.

"Wait," Joy suddenly exclaimed, eyes widening. "I have an idea."

She disappeared into the crowd before I could even ask. I shrugged and downed another shot. Lasing na talaga ako.

When Joy came back, she was grinning wide. Tumatawa-tawa siya at medyo kinikilig. Lasing na rin si gaga.

"Got you a date kaso may condition din. Like you."

"Sino?" I asked agad.

"That's the thing. Bawal mo rin malaman kung sino siya."

I raised my brows in question.

"Same reason as you are. Ayaw ng complication." She waggled her brows, smiling wide, as if she knew an inside joke. "I'm telling you, girl. Winner 'to. Kaya bawal talaga sabihin kung sino pero putchaaa. Yummy 'to. Mamaya ihahatid kita sa room."

She was so mad excited but I was skeptical.

"Ayoko."

Her eyes widened. "Ha? Bakit?"

"Nakita ka na niyang pumunta dito. Kilala na niya 'ko."

"E 'di naman siya kausap ko. 'Yung mga kasama niya. Wala rin siyang alam." She laughed. "Kwentuhan mo 'ko mamaya, a?"

I looked at her weirdly. "Anong sasabihin ko? Na masakit ang una ko?"

"Hindi. Kung magaling ba siya. Kung malaki ba. Alam mo na." She gestured with her hands. "Curious ako."

"Marinig ka ni Jani, bitch."

"E pano naman. Iba talaga 'to," she squealed. "Ang usapan, ihahatid kita sa hotel mamayang two. Ako na bahala kay Jani. Basta mag-text ka kung hihintayin ka ba namin or what."

"I can book my own ride. You can go. Have fun with your boyfie."

"Gaga. May plano ka bang do'n na matulog?"

"Syempre wala. Aalis ako kagad." I grinned. "Parang Cinderella lang."

"Ang x-rated naman ng Cinderella mo. Basta. Two, hahatid kita do'n."

And that was what she did exactly three hours after. Wala na akong masyadong matandaan by then. I'd had too much to drink and my thoughts were hazy.

"9th floor. Dito na tayo," Joy announced.

I heard myself giggling.

"Dito ka muna. Tingnan ko kung may tao na sa room."

I nodded and waited by the elevator, checking out the interior of the hotel. Not bad. By the looks of it, we were at a five star hotel.

I didn't know how many minutes it took her but Joy came back some time later with a massive smile on her face. May hawak siyang red blindfold.

I raised a brow and laughed. "Kinky ha."

"No whips. No worries," and she tied it over my eyes.

Next thing I knew, she was sitting me down on the bed.

"Sure na sure ka na ba dito? We can still back out."

"I'm sure."

"Mega sure?"

"It's just sex, Yoj."

"Yeah. Pero first mo 'to, e. Ayaw mo bang maging special 'yon?"

"I don't need it to be special. Ayoko ng attachment. Besides, this night is my act of liberation."

"Oo na. Anyway, papatayin ko ang ilaw para sure na sure na stick to the plans tayo."

I nodded. Just a little, I started to get nervous. I felt her leaving so I tried to grab her. I ended up pulling at her dress.

"How can I make sure na hindi niya ako makikita?"

"He's blindfolded, too."

"What if he removes it?"

"He won't, for sure 'yon."

"How are you so sure?"

"E kasi—" she stopped. "Shit. Muntik ko na masabi. Basta, trust me. 'Di nya gagawin 'yon. Tsaka, parehas lang kayong 'di sigurado sa isa't isa. Fair game lang."

Convinced, I let her go. Narinig ko na lang ang pagsarado ng hotel room. For many minutes, I stayed sitting on the bed, thoughts running in my head.

Siguro naman hindi ako pinabayaan ni Joy? There couldn't be any video cam hidden anywhere.

Also, who could this asshole be at ayaw din niya na habulin siya ng babae? Was he a fucking Adonis?

Well, I was about to find out. I couldn't see him but if he couldn't make me scream tonight, then his pride's bigger than his dick. He's just yet another lame asshole who thinks girls would chase after him.

I laughed at my own thoughts. What a weird arrangement this turned out to be. Arranged sex.

Yeah, I could get this crazy. And even crazier if I needed to.

I was this willing to go this far just to show my father he could never control me. He broke this family. Now I was breaking his plans.

He wanted me to save myself for a guy he'll choose for me? Yeah, fuck off.

I'd rather give my first to a random stranger. I refused to be that pathetic, obedient daughter. I won't let him dictate me, my future and my dreams. No father would ever use his child for politics and business.

Virginity is special to girls. Kapag nakuha ng lalaki 'yon, they think they have power over you. I was losing mine this way to show myself and the world as a big massive fuck you that no one would ever have that power.

Because it was my fucking choice to lose it.

And this stranger wouldn't get to flaunt it dahil hindi naman niya ako nakikita. It would save me from the potential attachment first sex could give too.

Soon enough, the doors opened. Footsteps echoed as the stranger moved around the room.

"Fuck," I heard him curse when he probably hit onto something.

His voice was deep, but not too much.

"This is the shittiest thing I will ever do. Blindfolds, amputa."

I furrowed my brows and pursed my lips. This one's got a temper.

"I thought you know the arrangement. You don't want me to know you, 'di ba?"

"Yeah," he answered. "Lights off, pwede naman."

"Whatever. Just get on with it."

This was probably the lamest preamble to foreplay ever. I was getting bored.

"Don't be too impatient, babe. Before this night ends, I'll fuck your lights out."

I was drunk. It didn't need a genius to figure out he was, too. The moment he found his way to the bed, I caught a whiff of his boyish scent.

Despite myself, my body started to react.

"Are you sure you want this?" he asked as I felt him moving closer to me. He's a breadth's away now. I could feel his hand trail up my arm and neck. It stopped to my lips. "I can't promise I can stop later. I'm drunk. If you don't want this, sabihin mo na ngayon pa lang."

His breath was fanning my face. I could smell the scent of alcohol from him.

I took a deep breath and said, "Shut up and kiss me."

"Feisty. No wonder."

With his hands, he found my lips. I felt trails of butterfly kisses on my neck before he pulled me in for a deep kiss.

He tasted good.

He was good.

His lips slanted and melded perfectly with mine, his tongue expertly moving around my mouth. He left blazing hot trails wherever his lips kissed and sucked. My skin was flaming to life with his every touch. Damn, I was getting intoxicated. Whoever this was, he was no beginner.

I felt myself loosening up, enjoying this building feeling of ache for him.

He pulled away and began working to remove my articles of clothing.

"Why did you agree to this?" he rasped in between heavy breaths, his mouth still planting kisses on my collarbones, his hand running over my exposed mound.

"We're here for different reasons," I said, panting, my spine arching.

I wanted more.

"Yeah but the first night is always special to girls. Why lose it like this?"

I pursed my lips.

"If you want this night to continue, then follow the rules," I said firmly. "Rule number one. Stop asking questions."

His boyish chuckle was my reply. I shivered at how sexy it sounded.

"Charming," I heard him say. "Too bad it's the first and last, huh?"