The Price Of A Sinner

Chapter 1

“Cheers!”

“So, what are the plans for this Christmas season?” Rein asked, raising her glass.

Sab’s eyes lit up. “Oo nga! Are we traveling somewhere? Beach?”

I took a sip of my cocktail and shrugged. Kahit saan, game ako. Basta sila ang kasama ko, walang problema.

“Beach? Seriously, Sab? Ang lamig ng panahon!” Aicka chimed in with a teasing grin. “Mas maganda kung may kasama tayong pampainit.”

“Bet ko ‘yon!” mabilis kong sagot. We all locked eyes for a moment, the kind of stare that carried a whole conversation without saying a word. Seconds later, we burst out laughing, as if our silent banter had been loud enough for everyone to hear.

That’s how it was with us. Kilala mo na talaga ang isa’t isa kung kahit tinginan lang, gets nyo na. Lalo na kapag sabay-sabay kayong namimintas sa mga taong hindi niyo feel, lahat nasabi na sa tingin pa lang.

“So, saan nga ba tayo this Christmas, habang wala pa tayong pampainit?” Sab pressed again.

“Let’s try Baguio. What do you think, girls?” Rein suggested casually from where she lounged on the couch, legs crossed like a queen.

“Sure!” Aicka answered first.

“No problem,” Sab followed. Then all eyes turned to me, waiting for my answer.

“Oh, obviously! I always count on you people, no matter where you travel.”

We’d been friends since high school, four women cut from the same cloth. Adventurous, spontaneous, always craving the next thrill. Hiking, swimming, traveling—name it, we’d done it.

Sabrina was practically born into fashion. Her family owned PUP Magazine, a well-known brand not just in the Philippines but also in Paris. She strutted down the runway modeling their own designs, like she was born to own the spotlight.

Rein? CEO material since day one. She built her own jewelry and bag line, and in just a few years, she was running ten branches.

Aicka, on the other hand, managed several malls in Batangas—a true businesswoman with the sharpest instincts.

And me? I owned The Craft Liquor, the very bar we were sitting in right now. One of the high-class bars in Taal, with three branches scattered across Batangas. My pride, my baby, my proof that I’d carved a place for myself too.

“Oh… what a beautiful view,” Aicka suddenly murmured, biting her lip. Her eyes were glued to the entrance.

Sabay-sabay kaming tumingin kung saan siya nakatingin.

Four men walked in, slow and deliberate, like the room had been waiting just for them.

Head-turners. Their presence alone demanded attention. They looked powerful, looked older than us, like the kind of men who ran empires.

“Sugar daddy!” Rein practically purred, her eyes following them hungrily.

“Fuck! Ang hot!” Sab whispered in awe.

I couldn’t blame them. These men weren’t just attractive, they were magnetic. Everything from their posture to their clothes screamed authority, maturity, and money.

They made their way to the counter, laughing softly among themselves. And that’s when one of them caught my eye.

He was wearing a black long-sleeved polo, sleeves rolled up neatly to his elbows. The top three buttons were undone, teasing the firm chest beneath. A silver necklace hung around his neck, its square pendant resting against his skin—casually trapped between his teeth as he bit it. His long hair was tied back, revealing an undercut that added a sharpness to his look. From head to toe, everything about him shouted luxury.