1

I sip on my coffee as I proceed on reading the magazine I got from the counter of this coffee shop. I
looked outside when I heard a loud honking of a car.

The traffic is a little bad. I look down at the wrist watch that I am wearing and saw that it's already nine-
thirty am meaning it's already time for the Parisian rush hour until ten am.

I've been here, in Paris for almost a month now but I'm not staying here in the city. I am currently
staying at a hotel in Provins, the La Demeure des Vieux Bains.

Pumupunta lang ako dito sa city para maupo dito sa loob ng coffee shop at mag-masid ng mga tao at
sasakyan na dumadaan. Sa loob ng halos na isang buwan ko dito ay wala akong nakakausap na ibang
tao. More like. . .I don't like to talk to anyone in here.

I run away from home and my parents must have sent people to look for me. I can't trust anyone here
right now.

I stayed inside the coffee shop for a couple of hours before I decided to leave and started walking
around. I look up into the sky and smiled. It's the peak season in here. This weather here in Paris is
perfect for sight-seeing. Narinig ko din sa usapan ng ibang tao sa loob ng shop kanina na madalas ay
tuwing peak season din nagaganap ang mga festivals dito.

I haven't had the chance to encounter one though.

I was looking around while walking in the busy streets of this city. Habang tumatagal ako dito ay mas lalo
ko lang minamahal ang lugar na 'to. Kahit na wala akong masyadong makausap dito ay pakiramdam ko
malaya ako.
Walang mga matang nakatingin sa akin at mga bibig na handang humusga kung mabibigo at madadapa
man ako. Walang nakakakilala sa akin dito. Wala dito. . .ang mga magulang kong nag-kulong sa akin sa
nakakatakot at nakakapagod nilang mga standard para sa konsepto ng isang perpekto at masunuring
anak.

Simula noon ay laging sila ang nagdi-desisyon para sa akin. Akala ko noong una ay ganoon talaga ang
mga magulang. Akala ko noon. . .lahat-lahat ng sabihin nila ay dapat nating gawin at sunduin kahit pa
ayaw natin itong gawin. Pero habang tumatagal. . .nakakasakal na mabuhay, iyong para kang puppet na
kinokontrol at minamanduhan nila at hindi isang anak na dapat ay iniintindi at pinapakinggan man lang.

Hindi ko lubos na maisip na aabot pa sa pagkakataon na pati ang pagpapakasal ko sa isang lalaki ay sila
pa rin ang pipili at magdi-desisyon.

That's why I left. That's why the reason I chose to break free from their hold. I don't want to marry a
complete stranger. I don't even know his name, kung ano'ng ginagawa niya sa buhay o kung mabango
man lang ba ang hininga niya.

And besides, for me marriage is something. . .special and needed to be treasured. It shouldn't be
force. . .like what they want me to do. This should be shared with someone that you truly love. . .with
someone that you really want to spend your whole life with and not just because your company or
family would have the benefit of money and power because of it.

It's not how I want my marriage to be. . .that's why I chose to leave. Maybe. . .they'll realize na may
karapatan din akong mag-desisyon para sa sarili ko at tumanggi para sa buhay ko.

Natigilan ako sa paglalakad ng makarinig ng tilian sa may kabilang gawi ng kalsada. Sa kabilang bahagi ay
mayroong fountain at iilang bench na nagsisilbi yatang upuan ng mga dadaan doon at kukuha ng litrato.
Nakukuryosong napatingin ako doon at nakitang maraming nagkukumpulan na mga tao, karamihan ay
mga babae.

Mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay sinubukan kong silipin kung ano ang tiningnan nila doon. Maliit akong
napangiti ng makita ang limang lalaki na nakatayo sa harapan. Sigurado akong sila ang dahilan ng tilian
ng mga kababaihan na nandoon.
Because of my curiosity I started walking towards that direction. Imbes na makipagsiksikan ay pinili kong
tumayo sa may gilid kung saan wala masyadong tao at nanonood. Karamihan kasi ay nandoon na sa may
unahan.

Nang makita ang limang lalaking nakatayo sa unahan ay hindi ko napigilan ang bahagyang pag-awang ng
labi bilang pagkamangha sa gagandang lalaki nilang lahat.

Grabe! Nage-exist pala ang ganito ka-hot na mga lalaki.

Kaya naman pala halos maghimatay at mag-lupasay na sa semento ang mga babaeng nandito.

Iyong lalaking nakasuot ng tight long sleeves ay nagse-set ng drums niya. Iyong isa naman ay nasa piano
habang iyong dalawa ay may inaayos at mukhang tinotono ang hawak na gitara. Pero ang talagang
pumukaw sa atensyon ko ay ang lalaking nakatayo sa gitna nilang apat. . .iyong lalaking nasa harap ng
mic.

His body built got my attention. . .he's muscular. Iyong mga muscles niya ay bakat na bakat sa suot
niyang white t-shirt. I bit my lip. Ever since then, I have this quite fascination for muscular man. They
attract me in more ways than one.

His hair is dark brown styled in slick back. He has this almond eyes and thick eyebrows with long lashes.
His face is in oval shape and from here. . .I can see his well-defined jaw. Nose is long, straight and
downward pointed. And his lips. . .gosh, those luscious looking thick lips.

How does it feel to be kiss by those. . .

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at parang tangang umiling para alisin sa isip ko iyong mga bagay na hindi ko
dapat na iniisip.
Grabe ka, Ricca! How can you fantasize about the man you don't even know?

“Hi, we're Priam.”

Natigilan ako ng marinig ang isang malamig ay buong-buo na boses. Kasunod ng boses ay ang malakas
na tilian ng mga babae pagkatapos na magpakilala.

Priam. . .

Iyon yata ang pangalan ng banda nila.

Unti-unti kong binaling muli ang paningin sa mga lalaking nakatayo sa unahan. Agad na tumuon ang
mata ko sa lalaking nagsasalita sa mic.

“We're here again to serenade you, ladies.” He playfully smirked when the crowd cheered.

“Chante nous une chanson!”

“Je t'aime, Christian!”

“Please, let me bare your child, Caesar!”

The one wearing white t-shirt, I believe he's the band vocalist, just chuckled at what the crowd was
shouting.

Mukhang mabentang-mabenta sila dito. Mayroon pang gustong mag-paanak.

Napangiwi ako at saka umiling.

“For this day, we'll be performing a song called, Elle ne t’aime pas. . .” He chuckled again making me
purse my lips. Ba't ba parang napakamasiyahin ng lalaking ito?

“This song is for those who are still caught up with their exes. Please, forget about him and just move on
with me.”

The crowd went wild when he suddenly wink. Bahagya pa akong napangiwi ng mabangga ako noong
isang babae na nagpupumilit pumunta sa may unahan ko. My eyes widen a little when I look back and
saw that the crowd doubled than it was earlier.

Geez, are they some kind of a celebrity or what? This people do loves attention, huh? Wide grins are on
their faces as if they were enjoying the sight of these woman who are almost on their knees just by
looking at them.

Muli nilang nakuha ang atensyon ko ng magsimula na silang tumugtog. Mayamaya ay narinig ko na ang
malamig at malalim na boses noong vocalist nila.

Tu repenses à cette fille lorsqu'elle se demandait si t'étais pour elle

Un verre de vin à la main, elle se maquille devant la glace

Kahit na wala akong maintindihan sa kanta na kinakanta niya ay hindi ko napigilan ang pag-awang ng
aking labi dahil sa ganda at lamyos ng malamig niyang tinig.

Elle se prépare à sortir, mais ce n'est pas pour toi qu'elle s'est faite belle
Et c'est moi le corbeau qui t'annonce cette triste nouvelle

Iyong maingay na paligid kanina ay bigla na lang natahimik. Nang lumingon ako sa ibang mga taong
nandoon ay pare-pareho kami ng reaksiyon.

She don't love you

Elle ne t'aime pas

Ciao, bella

Ciao, bella

Et elle te fait respirer la fumée qui s'échappe de sa bouche

Tu aimerais la savoir chez elle à penser encore à toi

For a split second, the vocalist looked your way making your breathing hitched. His almond eyes lingers
into you for a moment before a smirk played on his lips as he continues singing. . .still staring at you.

Tu espères qu'un jour elle reviendra en rampant dans tes bras

Arrête de perdre ton temps, il y en a tellement qui rêvent de toi

Elle t'a peut-être déjà aimé, mais là elle s'est lassée, voilà

Ciao, bella

Ciao, bella
Elle ne t'aime pas

Ciao, bella

Ciao, bella

The crowd cheered again after he finished singing the song. I heard him chuckled on before he glance
my way again.

Naitikom ko ang labi ng tuluyan na siyang lumingon sa gawi ko. Pakiramdam ko ay napako ako sa kung
saan ako nakatayo ngayon. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ang epekto ng mga titig niya sa akin.

“I see a new face.” He smiled. “Tourist, perhaps? Or you just accidentally pass by?”

Bahagya pa akong lumingon sa gilid ko para masigurado ko kung ako ba talaga ang kinakausap niya.
Iyong mga babae naman na katabi ko ay nasa akin na rin ang paningin dahilan para mailang ako ng
tuluyan.

“Quel est votre nom, madame?” Muli niyang tanong ng hindi ako sumagot.

Akala niya siguro ay hindi ako nakakaintindi ng english kaya naman ay nag-french siya. Hindi niya alam
na mas lalong hindi ko siya naiintindihan.

Imbes na sagutin ang tanong niya na hindi ko naman maintindihan ay tumalikod na lang ako at sinimulan
ng maglakad palayo doon. Hindi ko na rin gusto ang dami ng mga matang nakatingin sa akin habang
nakatayo ako doon at kinakausap ng lalaking 'yon.

“Hey!”
Bahagya akong natigilan ng marinig ang sigaw niya. Nakagat ko ang labi dahil talagang gumamit pa ng
microphone ang lalaking iyon.

“I'm still talking to you. Why are you leaving so soon, ma chérie?”

Mas lalong nangunot ang noo ko at sinimulan na humakbang muli at mabilis na naglakad palayo. Isang
beses ko pa siyang narinig na nagsalita gamit ang mic pero mabilis din akong nakaalis sa lugar na 'yon
kaya naman ay nawala na siya sa pandinig ko.

I don't know how I end up being in this place. Sabi kanina ay babalik na ako sa Provins pero heto ako
ngayon sa isang bar at umiinom ng mag-isa. Hindi ko alam kung gaano na ako katagal na nakaupo dito sa
may counter. Hindi ko na rin mabilang kung ilang baso na ng alak ang naubos ko.

Nakaupo lang ako habang nagmamasid sa maingay at magulong paligid. The place was surrounded with
a lot of people having fun, shouting and living their life. Flashes of bright and sparkling lights lighting up
the whole place as the loud booming sound of music can be heard.

I sighed. Mariin kong ipinikit ang mata ng makaramdam ng pagkahilo. Pakiramdam ko ay umiikot na ang
buong paligid. Mataas ang alcohol tolerance ko pero kanina pa ako umiinom kaya naman sigurado akong
natatalo na ng alak ang sistema at buong katinuan ko.
“Hey. . .are you alone, baby girl?”

The moment I opened my eyes, a familiar built and facial features of a man is standing right in front of
me. A sexy smirk is playing on his lips.

I pursed my lips as I eyed him from head to his toe. He looks familiar. Parang nakita ko na siya. . .saan
nga ba 'yon?

“Hmm?” He started walking closer to me until he stop only a few inches away. “Don't you remember
me, ma chérie?”

Umawang ang labi ko at saka napatitig sa mukha ng lalaking nasa harapan ko. That when it hit me. He's
the guy kaninang umaga. Iyong sa banda. . .the freaking hot vocalist. That must be why he look familiar.

“I do remember you,” I murmured under my breath. “You're that. . .” I trailed off then pointed at his
face.

Naningkit pa ang mga mata ko dahil parang biglang naging dalawa ang mukha niya sa paningin ko.

Jesus, I am so drunk already! How am I gonna get home now?

“I'm the what?” He raise his brows at me.

Bumaba ang paningin niya sa daliri kong nakaturo sa kaniyang mukha. My lips parted in shock when he
suddenly sip and suck on my finger as if it was a freaking lollipop.

A satisfied smirk played on his lips when he saw my reaction.

Shit! The inside of his mouth feels so hot on my skin. . .it feels good.

Nakagat ko ang labi habang pinapanood siyang sipsipin ang daliri kong nasa loob ng kaniyang bibig. Ang
mga mata niya ay puno ng isang emosyon na hindi ko mapangalanan habang nakatingin sa akin at
pinapanood ang bawat reaksiyon ko sa kaniyang ginagawa.

“Y-you're the flirt vocalist of that freaking band.” I said making him chuckle.

Naitikom ko ang labi ng tigilan niya ang daliri ko at sinakop ang kakaunting distansiya sa pagitan naming
dalawa. Ngayon ay nakatayo na siya sa pagitan ng nakabuka kong hita habang ako naman ay nanatiling
nakaupo patalikod sa may counter.

I swallowed hard when I feel the tingling sensation inside me. The heat and attraction between me and
this man. . .is so strong. At kitang-kita ko 'yon lalo na ng mag-angat akong muli ng paningin sa kaniya. His
eyes were darkly staring at me, most specifically at my lips as if he's been wanting to kiss it for a long
time. He was looking down. . . intently staring like a predator found his most favorite prey to hunt.

In our position right now, he's the dangerous predator and I am the. . .willing prey. Nakatukod ang
dalawang braso niya sa counter. . .kinukulong ako sa gitna habang nakatayo siya sa pagitan ng hita ko.
Dikit na dikit ang katawan niya sa akin na para bang ayaw niya na akong bigyan ng kahit na kaunting
espasyo.

“Can I offer you a drink?” Tanong niya pagkatapos ng matagal naming pagtititigan.

Binasa ko ng dila ang aking ibabang labi ng maramdaman na nanunuyo na ito. Hindi nakatakas sa
paningin ko ang pagbaba niya ng tingin doon at ang mas lalong pagdilim ng emosyon sa kaniyang mata.

“S-sex. . .” I trailed off.

“W-what?”
I pursed my lips. “Sex on the beach, my drink, thank you.”

His lips parted slightly before slowly nodding his head, finally understanding what I meant. Amusement
was all over his face as he chuckled and shook his head.

“How about. . .” He trailed off then lean his face closer to mine.

Bahagya akong napaatras ng tumama ang tungki ng kaniyang ilong sa may pisngi ko.

“Sex in the car. . .in my car to be exact,” he whispered right on my ear.

Naitikom ko ang labi. I smirked disregarading the sensation and heat hus words brought inside me. This
guy is trying to get inside my pants.

“I'm drunk.” I stated. “You don't want to take advantage of a drunk woman, right?”

He chuckled sexily. “I didn't say we'll do it now,” he said then held my chin up so I can look closely in his
eyes. “We can dot it when you're sober so that you can moan my name right.”

Napatitig ako sa mata niya. Ngayong tinititigan ko ito ng malapitan ay saka ko lang napagtanto na
napakaganda ng kulay asul niyang mata. . .parang ulap at kalangitan.

“Ang ganda ng mata mo,” wala sa sariling sabi ko.

He smirked. “Well, thank you. . .”

Nangunot ang noo ko at saka nagugulat na napatitig sa kaniya. Did he just answered my tagalog
compliment on him? He can understand tagalog?

His smirk widen. “I am a half Filipino. I'm guessing you are too.”

I pursed my lips. “I'm a pure Filipino.”

“Thought so. . .”

“What do you mean?” Nangunot ang noo ko.

“You're hot.” He smiled making my brows furrowed more.

What?

“So what's your name, ma chérie?” He played with a few stands of my hair as he waits for my answer.

I opened my mouth and was about to answer when I realize something. Shit! I shouldn't have trust and
give my name to someone in here. I can't trust anyone right now.

“You don't need to know.”

“Mine is Caesar. What's yours?”

Caesar. . .
His name sounded like a someone you can't trust with. Heartbreaker. I can't give my name to him. I
won't.

I need to safely hide in thus place and make sure that no one is aware of who I am. In that way. . .I can
stay away from my family. I know that they got connections all over the world since they've been in the
field of business for decades now.

Instead of answering his question, I smiled sweetly at him before leaning closer and pressing my lips on
his. His lips was so soft. So this is how it feels, huh?

My sudden move surprise him and renders him unmoving for a moment.

I took his reaction as an opportunity to push him away from me so I can escape in between his arms. He
stumbled a few steps away from me. I guess I pushed him a little hard.

“Fuck,” he muttered after I pushed him away.

“I don't want to give you my name. . .”

He looked utterly confused at my actions. Can't blame him though. Nang umakma siyang maglalakad ulit
papalapit sa akin ay mabilis akong tumalikod at naglalakad na sana paalis ng biglang umikot ang paningin
ko.

My body swayed as I lost my balance. I almost fall into the floor if it weren't for the arms who saved
me. . .it was Caesar's arms who are encircled around my waist to prevent me from falling.

“What is wrong with you?” Asik niya habang tinutulungan akong tumayo ng maayos.
Nang lingunin ko siya ay nakakunot ang kaniyang noo. Bakas ang inis sa guwapo niyang mukha. Imbes na
matakot ay natawa ako sa reaksiyon ng mukha niya. He look so cute when he's pissed.

“You're drunk,” he stated. His hands remained on my waist still holding me in place.

“Yes, I am.” I giggled like a kid then grab his nose and pinch it. “Y-your nose became two for a few
seconds.” His face was already blurry from my sight.

Marahan niyang inalis ang kamay kong nakahawak sa ilong niya. Unti-unti naman nang pumipikit ang
aking mata dahil sa epekto ng alak sa sistema ko.

“Don't sleep yet,” he warned. “I need to know your address so I can drive you home.”

I shook my head and pouted like a kid. “No. . .” I disagree. “Don't want to go home.” Itinaas ko ang
dalawang braso at iniyakap iyon sa kaniyang leeg bago ako nagsusumiksik sa doon. “I want to stay here.”

I sniff on his neck and sighed in contentment I smelled his manly perfume.

His jaw clenched. “Where do you stay here in Paris?” I can sense the great control of temper in his voice.

“I stay in Provins,” I answered.

“Provins?”

I nod my head then chuckled. “In a hotel called. . .” I trailed off trying to remember the name of the
hotel I am currently staying.
“Oh no!” I look up to him in pure horror.

Nangunot ang noo niya. “Why?”

I pouted my lips. “I forgot the name of the hotel.” Tears started forming my eyes.

Jesus, how am I suppose to go back into that hotel? I forgot it's name. You are so stupid, Ricca Avery!
Stupid!

He signed and shut his eyes tight. He was obviously trying to control his temper.

“What should I do now?” Naiiyak na tanong ko sa kaniya. “I forgot, Cesar.”

“It's Caesar,” mariin na pagtatama niya sa pagbanggit ko ng kaniyang pangalan.

“That's what I said!”

He shook his head. “Let's just get you out of here, ma chérie.”

I smiled sweetly at him. “Oh-kay. . .” I giggled when everything starts spinning again. “I really am so
drunk.”

“Damn it.” I heard him mutter. “So much for wanting to get fucking laid with you tonight.”
© MissKittyCathB