His Virgin Stripper

08

VV

"CELESTINE CUERVA! WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN WITH ELIJAH VEGA?!?" sigaw ng nanay nanayan ko. I still couldn't walk properly. Pinaliguan lang ako kanina ni Elijah at tsaka hinatid  dito.

"I was just- I just-.... I bumped into him after my duty and we talked business. I fell asleep so he brought me to his place instead" I explained fearing that she'd hurt me if I said something wrong.

"Are you a fucking whore? You're seducing a renowned man? The nerve" she massaged her temple.

"Go to your room now. We have guests in a few"

"Mom, please!" I begged, my voice trembling. I was still trying to regain some composure from the night before. My body was sore, and my mind was still processing everything that had happened. "It wasn't like that."

"Oh really?!" She scoffed, her voice rising even more. "Then explain to me why you're with him—a man known for his reputation—and you're telling me it was just business?"

I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears. "I swear, it was just business. I didn't plan for things to go the way they did."

"Don't lie to me, Celestine," she spat. "You know exactly what you're doing, and I won't stand for it. You're better than this."

I wanted to say something back, but I couldn't. The guilt, the shame, it was overwhelming. I just stayed quiet, my hands shaking at my sides.

She turned away, her back to me. "You've embarrassed me enough, but I'll let it go this time. Just stay out of trouble."

I nodded, unable to say anything more. I wanted to scream, to defend myself, but what was the point?

I stared blankly at my phone as I processed Elijah's messages. My head throbbed, and my thoughts were a tangled mess. He respected me? After everything that happened last night? How could he possibly still think that?

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. I couldn't deal with him right now. But my phone buzzed again, breaking my train of thought.

Elijah: Just meet me. I need to explain everything to you. Please.

What the hell is he talking about?

Elijah: I'm sorry for what happened. You deserve better than what I did.

I sighed deeply, my fingers brushing the screen. I knew I couldn't avoid him forever. But what if this just made everything worse? I wanted to trust him.

Before I could reply, there was a sharp knock on my door.

"Celestine, dress up. Another party tonight."

My mom's voice came through the door, cold and business-like, but it made my stomach churn. The glam team was already setting up, preparing me for yet another evening where I had to be perfect, pretending like nothing was wrong. I barely had time to think before they rushed in, dolling me up in silks and sparkles, their hands working quickly, almost too quickly.

I barely recognized myself as they finished. The makeup was heavy, the hair impeccable, and the dress... well, it was a statement. I barely managed a glance in the mirror before turning away. What was I doing? Hiding my true self behind layers of makeup and smiles, pretending to be someone I wasn't.

"Act pretty, a lot of businessmen are here." My mom's voice cut through my thoughts, her command sharp.

I forced a smile, my mind distant. Act pretty? Was that all I was now? Just a pretty face to show off for her business associates?

I took a deep breath, trying to push the rising frustration away, and made my way to the door, each step heavier than the last. As I entered the living room, my mom was already talking with some men, all in suits and ties, nodding and exchanging polite words. They didn't care who I was, just what I could offer. Just like everyone else in her world.

The moment I stepped into the room, my mom's eyes found me, her gaze sweeping over me with approval. "Perfect," she muttered under her breath, barely looking up as she continued her conversation.

I wanted to tell her I wasn't perfect. I wasn't even close. But I just stood there, forcing a smile as I walked toward the group of men. Every moment felt like I was suffocating under the weight of their expectations, and under the pressure of my own lies.

As I stood there, my mind swirling with everything that had just happened, I saw him. Elijah. He walked in, smiling, looking confident in his sharp suit. The room seemed to pause for a moment as his presence filled the space. My heart skipped, and I tried to force my emotions into submission.

He caught sight of me, his smile widening as he walked over, clearly unaware of what happened.

"Celestine," he said, his voice warm and genuine, but I couldn't shake the unease that was settling in my chest.

Before I could even respond, my mom straightened up from the conversation she was having with the businessmen. Her expression shifted, and she put on her best mask, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Ah, Elijah!" She greeted him like a long-lost friend, her voice sweet and overly polite. "So nice to see you again."

What the hell? I froze, my breath caught in my throat. She hadn't said anything to me about him being here. Was she pretending like nothing happened? Like everything was normal?

Elijah greeted her back with a handshake, all charm and politeness. He had no idea what was really going on, and my mom—of course—was playing her game, acting like everything was fine.

I stood there, confused and angry, watching as she talked to him with fake warmth. So this is how it's going to be? I thought bitterly. My mom was pretending like she hadn't just screamed at me for being with him. She was pretending to be innocent, acting like there was nothing between us.

Meanwhile, Elijah still looked at me with that same smile, not understanding that everything was falling apart around us.

"Celestine lets talk?" He asked. Tumingin ako sa nanay ko. She was faking it. She nodded. Wow.

"Okay" I let him drag me somewhere private.

"I'm sorry" he started.

"Its fine" I stared into his lips. Hell was he hot and I was wet.

I kissed him harsh only to not know where I am going with this.