Chapter 4

I am walking now, heading home. Carrying some of my things for work at the company.

I felt exhausted as I laid down the things I brought on the floor. It's already five in the afternoon when I arrived. We are supposed to go to the bar at 7 o'clock.

It's supposed to be a bonding time for all of us friends, especially since I am transferring to another company.

"Mano po, Mom,"

Mom held her chest, visibly surprised. "Oh my, child. Why are you startling me!" she lightly tapped my arm.

I scratched my head.

"Did I really startle Mom?" I wondered.

"Sorry, Mom," I said while making a peace sign.

"Don't do that again, you're giving me an early heart attack." I nodded.

"It's already evening, Mom, not early now."

"Oh! You cheeky child! Are you being cheeky with me now?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Peace, Mom. Mwah," I kissed her on the cheek.

"Are you finally home?" she asked with curiosity on her face.

I looked up before letting out a heavy sigh.

"I'm being transferred to another company, Mom," I said softly.

"Oh, what's the problem with that? At least you're not getting fired," she reassured.

I let out another sigh.

"The problem is, I'm assigned to Magallanes, Mom. I don't know anyone there," I said with a pout.

Mom flicked my nose. "Stop pouting. It doesn't matter if you know someone there or not."

I looked at Mom. "Are you okay with it? Magallanes is far, and you won't have anyone with you here." I said sadly.

"Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself, I'll be fine. You probably have a place to stay there, right? You know how to cook. You'll be fine on your own there. Just come home if you're out of work," Mom smiled, and I smiled back.

"Okay, Mom. You said that, Mom. I'll pack my clothes now, Mom." I started walking towards my room. "By the way, can I go with Lesley later, Mom?" I stopped in the middle of the stairs to ask Mom. "It's a bonding time with friends because I'm transferring. Can I, Mom?"

"Oh, as long as you come home early later. You're leaving tomorrow, you might be late," I jumped from where I stood as Mom agreed.

"Yes," I said in my mind.

I hurried to my room to finish packing my clothes. I won't be bringing all my clothes, I'll leave some behind.

I finished packing, it was already half past six in the evening. I stretched my body before deciding to take a shower.

I came out of the bathroom and headed to my closet. I chose a dress that I won't be bringing. I immediately put it on.

I looked at the full-length mirror in front of me.

I couldn't help but focus on myself and whispered, "Too sexy, but it suits your skin perfectly, self." I turned around in front of the mirror.

I was wearing a maroon bodycon dress. With just one glance, you could see my curves, but I was wearing cycling shorts to prevent any exposure. The back had a crisscross design.

"My daughter is really growing up," Mom said happily. "Have your meal before you leave." She took a plate, spoon, and glass.

"Oh, sure, Mom. I'm a bit hungry too." I sat down before scooping some rice and viand.

"Your dress is so sexy, dear. Won't you be exposed in that? It fits you so well, highlighting your beautiful curves. That's why I'm not surprised that you have a lot of suitors. From then until now. But you just reject them," Mom teased.

"You're just teasing me, Mom," I laughed.

"I'll wash that for you, dear," Mom took the plate I used.

"I'll go now, Mom," I bid goodbye after finishing brushing my teeth.

"Oh, you better be careful. You'll be in trouble with me if you come home with a guy. I'll pinch your thigh," she threatened.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll just bring home a gay guy," I joked before running off.

I hailed a taxi that was approaching. I felt my phone vibrate. I picked it up, it was just Lesley calling.

"Oh?" I quickly answered the call.

"Where are you? We've been waiting here for a while," she said.

"I'm on my way, and you said seven o'clock, right?" I made up for my lateness.

We agreed on seven o'clock.

"You're always late, aren't you? We're waiting for you at the entrance," she said before ending the call.

I just shook my head. That girl really has nothing better to do in her life. Just going to the bar, work, then back home. Her parents don't scold her, they just let her be. Because sometimes, if she doesn't get what she wants, she won't come home.

It's a good thing they convinced Rex to join. But with one condition, they agreed to split the bill. They said that if Rex pays alone, they might as well not go to the bar.

"Keep the change, sir," I said as the driver didn't have change.

"At last, you made it. For how many years," Lesley greeted me.

"For how many years? Probably just minutes," I complained.

"What will you drink, Elle?" Rex, who seemed to be ordering drinks, asked.

"No, I'll go. I'll just stay at the bar counter," I said as I walked towards the bar counter.

"One San Miguel beer, please, the small one," I said to the bartender before looking at the people dancing on the dance floor.

I immediately drank the beer once it was handed to me. I closed my eyes as I felt the cold liquid with a hint of bitterness going down my throat.

"This beer is better, I don't get too drunk," I said in a soft voice.

"It's not too strong, the beer. It's only for ladies, especially those with low tolerance," I turned to my left where someone had spoken.

It was a man. He was staring at me intently, probably since earlier. I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? No one asked, Mr. Who You Are!" I retorted.

"Oh, you're so quick to call me Mr. Who You Are. It's like you didn't even grunt when I plowed the field," he muttered to himself.

Maybe it was the effect of the three bottles I finished. It irritated me even more.

"Why are you muttering to yourself there, huh? How about we just have a fistfight," I challenged him.

He shook his head, raising both hands as if surrendering.

I looked at him. He looked familiar, especially his hair. I felt like I've seen him before, but I couldn't remember.

"Have we met before, Mister?" I pointed at him.

He just smiled playfully.

"Tsk! I'll leave," I said, carrying the two bottles of beer I had earlier. Five bottles were just right for me.

"Oh, you finally decided to come here. We saw how you glared at that guy," Rex said, holding a glass. He handed it to one of our companions.

I just shook my head before sitting down.

Rex spoke again. But the way he looked at me, it seemed like he was teasing me. "That guy was handsome, and you just glared at him."

"You have a handsome face! But he's not," I acted as if I was disgusted.

I sneakily glanced at the guy from earlier. He was indeed handsome, especially now that he was in a side view while talking to the bartender.

I stood up after finishing the two bottles I brought earlier.

I almost stumbled but was held by one of our companions.

"Thanks. I can do it, I can do it. Okay," I said as he assisted me.

"Hey, guys! I have something to share with you," I closed my eyes due to the lights.

"Do you know-"

"We don't know," Rex interrupted me.

I rolled my eyes. "You're such a party pooper... So last month when we went to the bar. I was with Lesley, and I was on my way home. She insisted on driving me, even though she's so lazy she had to be pushed to stop. So we argued about who should stop. We ended up stopping the argument when someone behind us spoke. The girl said, 'I'll be the one to stop.' It was so embarrassing." I laughed when I saw Lesley giving me a piercing look.

"Beh, I noticed it earlier. The guy you glared at, he's been looking over here or maybe at you. I can't say if he's looking at all of us, but when you stood up, he kept his eyes on you as you walked around. And he kept looking at you," Pinocchio said at length.

We called him Pinocchio because of his sharp nose. That's not his real name, just a nickname we gave him.

I immediately looked in the direction of the guy I glared at earlier. I could hardly move when our gazes met. He swirled the drink in his glass, his gaze on me was cold, as if he saw something he didn't like. With a dark aura surrounding him based on his intense stare at me.

I shifted my gaze away from him.

"Ah, I'll just go to the comfort room, guys," I said, not waiting for their response and quickly left.

"Ugh," I sighed. "I should have just gone with Lesley." I muttered to myself as I washed my hands.

"Hmp-" I was about to protest when someone covered my mouth and nose. I was dragged to a dark part of the bar. I couldn't see the face of the person who pulled me.

"What do you want from me?" I finally managed to speak.

"Who's that boy?" instead of answering, he asked me.

"Which boy? There are many boys-"

"The one who helped you?"

Was he referring to Pinocchio?

"Is it Pinocchio? Do you mind if my friend approaches me?" I gave him a stern look, even though I couldn't see his face clearly.

I was about to push him away when he grabbed both of my hands and pressed them against my head. I started to struggle as I felt the tight grip he had on me.

"Let go of me. Let go of my hand. Damn you!" I couldn't help but curse.

I could hardly breathe. As he brought his face close to mine and bit the lower part of my ear.

"I really regret that. I'm not the first who sees you beautiful tonight," my hair stood on end as he whispered. "And that makes me jealous. And one more thing I know is to punish you. So rough, deep, hard, and faster that will make you scream my name so loud." His voice was husky and full of authority.

I breathed quickly out of nervousness. I looked up as he raised my hands higher. Now, he positioned himself at my neck, freely able to smell it. Even though I was wearing heels, the height of my heels was still not enough to match his. So I took off my heels, as they had no straps unlike Lesley's.

It was fortunate that he immediately held my waist with one hand.

"My hand is getting numb. It hurts how tightly you're holding me," I said softly, almost on the verge of tears.

He lowered my hand and looked at it, seeing my wrist area turning red, he caressed it and kissed it.

His eyes, looking into mine.

"I'm sorry..." he asked for forgiveness, then knelt down. He took off my heels. "Go back to your friends after I'm done with your heels," he said while one of my feet was on his thigh, the same thing he did with my other foot.

"Stay away from boys, young lady. Know your distance from them. I'm watching you from afar," he held my chin to make me look at him, I blinked twice.

I don't know what came over me, it felt like he was controlling me with his gaze. I just nodded while looking back at him.

He held me by the waist. "Let's go," before starting to walk.

He held my waist until we were close to the bar counter.

"I'll escort you to your friends," he said, and I immediately shook my head.

If he's seen, I'll be in trouble. Their thoughts are different.

"No, maybe-"

He cut me off. "They won't see. They're busy dancing and drinking," he said firmly, looking at me.

I just nodded. I couldn't do anything; it was his decision and rule.

I wanted to quicken my pace, but I couldn't; his grip on me was tight.

I didn't know this man. But he was ordering me so forcefully to stay away from boys.

I kicked him earlier, if he hadn't threatened me.

"Oh," my companion exclaimed as he almost stumbled.

Mr. Stranger went straight up the stairs to the second floor.

"Full shot, Elle," Rex handed me a glass, the man who was always generous with drinks.

"The taste is awful," I said bitterly after drinking what he handed me.

I sat down and watched the people dancing.

I shook my head gently as I watched Lesley dancing.

"I don't want to dance," I said, resisting as she tried to pull my hand.

Lesley was forcing me to dance. So now she was pulling me towards the dance floor.

This girl was strong when drunk.

"Wow! Dance, Elle," she insisted, pushing me into the crowd.

After a few minutes, I joined them in dancing.

"Oh!" we exclaimed as the intro of Kill This Love suddenly played.

"Let's kill this love!" we sang along with the song. We just laughed at what we were doing.

I felt someone holding my waist from behind. I turned around to see who it was.

"It's you again," I said firmly.

"Yes, it's me again. Any problem with that?" he replied with a question, burying his face in my neck.

I took a deep breath and slowly shook my head.

"You've been holding onto my waist for a while. I don't even know you, and you're drunk!" I whispered.

"You're not resisting, and I'm not either," he said as he continued to smell my neck.

"And I notice this about you, your movements are wild when you're drunk."

I turned towards Lesley's direction when I heard shouting. They probably didn't understand each other because it was loud.

"Elle, your cellphone." Pinocchio handed it to me. I felt his grip tighten around my waist. He looked at Pinocchio, who didn't take his eyes off me.

It seemed like he wasn't noticed by Pinocchio.

"Damn!" he cursed, and he pulled me closer to him.

I felt his breath on my neck as he spoke. "Hmm, do you know this song? The lyrics suit you perfectly." He kissed my neck.

He started to release lyrics that were unfamiliar to me.

"Baby, I'm preying on you tonight

Hunt you down, eat you alive

Just like animals, animals, like animals"

His voice was cold but pleasant to listen to.

He moved away from my neck but kept his gaze intense on me. He continued singing, with his face close to my ear.

"You're still in my head, forever stuck

But you can do what you wanna do

I love your lies, I'll eat 'em up

But don't deny the animal

That comes alive when I'm inside you

Yeah, you can start over"

I hesitated to blink because of the lyrics he was singing.

"Wait, where are you taking me?" I asked in confusion as he started walking while pulling me along.

"Come with me to the second floor. My friends are there, let's go."

My eyes widened at his words. "There's no need. We're going home soon." I resisted while trying to free myself from his grip, which only tightened.

He shook his head. "No, you'll come with me! And that's final," he decided.

"Okay, okay! I'll come with you. You always make the decisions," I retorted.

I saw him smirk, but it quickly disappeared, and he put on a poker face.

"Here's the king with his grumpy girlfriend," one of his male companions spoke as we entered a VIP room. All men were inside, dressed in all black suits.

I felt my anger rise even more at the mention of a girlfriend. I hate being called a girlfriend; it makes me feel like a commodity with no dignity.

"What did you say?" I turned to the person sitting on the sofa. I gave him a stern look.

"Looks like your girlfriend is getting annoyed, Zach," he said to the person beside me, who was now kissing my head. It was only then that I learned his name was Zach.

Another girl!

"Calm down, young lady," he whispered to me, trying to calm me down.

"It looks like you'll be under his girlfriend," he said with a playful smile.

Two of them!

"She's not my girlfriend, Mister!" I firmly stated.

"Stop. Annoying her, Zaldy!" he said coldly.

"It's true, right? She's your girlfriend," he insisted.

I was about to confront him, but I was quickly stopped by his companion. He took me to a sofa, pulling me to sit on his lap.

"She's not my girlfriend! You keep saying the same thing! Do you want to just fight it out?" I shouted, challenging him.

I struggled in his embrace, as he held me tightly. "Come here! Give me a tight hug around the neck, or maybe a punch to relieve my annoyance with you."

"Stop. Don't move," Zach stopped me from moving.

"Let go of me." He slowly shook his head.

He looked like he was struggling, based on his appearance. It seemed like he was holding back something.

I heard a faint laugh. His companions seemed to be enjoying watching us.

"Is that the person you're referring to? He seems familiar," I didn't know who he was referring to.

"I'm glad you found her," Zach nodded.

I wanted to know his name.

"What's your name?" I whispered softly.

I heard their laughter again. It seemed like they heard my question.

"I'm Zachary, young lady," he said with a smile, leaning back in his seat. I mean, he was seated, and I was on his lap.

"Wow! You're so sweet, buddy. And you don't even know her? That hurts," Zaldy said, laughing loudly.

"Can you please be quiet? Your voice is annoying, and your face is ugly too," I teased sarcastically. Did he even care if I insulted him? I was still hot-headed towards him.

"You're so good at insulting, huh! You're beautiful, very beautiful? But you're ugly too!" he sneered at me.

"Come here, come here, let me return the favor with just one punch. Come on!" I was about to stand up, but he had a tight grip on me, so I couldn't move.

"Let go of me! So I can punch him!" I tried to loosen his grip, but it was really tight.

I looked at him with tears in my eyes, unable to do what I wanted. "I just want to punch him. Come on, let me go, just one punch. I promise." but he just shook his head, and I ended up burying my head in his neck.

I let out a soft sob, feeling his gentle caress on my back and his kiss on my head. His hand was on my left thigh. I couldn't help but cry harder, tears flowing.

I've always been like this, when I'm annoyed and want revenge but can't do it, I cry.

"Please, just one punch. Please," I begged through tears.

I looked straight into his eyes, pleading for him to look back, but he avoided it.

"Pass me the wipes," he ordered one of his companions. They quickly handed it over.

He wiped it on my face.

"Your face is so red from crying. Your nose, eyes, and cheeks look like they've been pinched several times," he said after wiping.

I took his hand that he used to wipe my face and bit it with a hint of irritation, just to release some frustration and anger.

He looked surprised.

"Fvck!" he cursed and closed his eyes.

I stood up from being hunched over him and answered the call when my cellphone rang.

"Where are you, Elle?" I looked at the caller number because the voice sounded familiar, it was just Lesley.

I ended the call and immediately left the room. Let her take care of her own life.

As I was halfway down the stairs, I heard consecutive thuds. I looked back while descending. It was only them, why did they decide to come down?

"Damn! Stop looking back, just look straight ahead. You might fall!" Zach scolded me, and I just rolled my eyes.

"Can you please? You're not the one who's going to fall anyway."

"Don't answer me like that, young lady. And don't you dare roll your eyes at me," he said irritably.

"Your girlfriend is such a b*tch, Zach," someone whispered from behind, which I didn't hear clearly.

"We're going home. Where did you come from?" Lesley greeted me as she reached the outside of the bar. "And hey, you might have forgotten that you have to wake up early tomorrow."

"I was just in the corner, you didn't see me." I replied to her question.

Zach and the others were still following me, but there was some distance between us. I checked the time on my cellphone, it was already half past ten in the evening.

"Let's go home," I hugged Lesley's arm, feeling the chill.

I heard a whistle from behind, so I turned around. I saw that Zaldy guy was waving at me.

"Wait a minute," I walked towards them. "Oh, why?"

"Wear this," Zach put his coat on me. "Take care, and good night," he said as he kissed my forehead.