When the Beat Drops (Chasing Celestine #2)

Prologue

TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains abduction, alcoholism, anal, BDSM, bondage, blood and gore, child prostitution, death or mortality themes, domestic violence, drugs, explicit sexual content, forced orgasm, gang rape, gunplay, manipulation, organized crimes, primal play, sexual assault and harassment, sex trafficking, sex work, suicide ideation, torture, trauma, violence, voyeurism, and other dark matters. If you find any of these topics distressing, please proceed with caution and there is always the option to stop reading and skip this book. Your mental health matters.

This is purely a work of fiction and a product of the author's imagination, intended for open-minded readers. The author does not condone the content and behaviors of the characters in real life. Please read responsibly and differentiate fiction from reality.

This book contains spoilers from When the Heart Sings (Chasing Celestine Series #1).

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PROLOGUE

Pagkatapos ng huling hipak ko sa sigarilyo ko, hinulog ko iyon sa sahig at inapakan. Tumingin ako sa harap—sa paaralan, lugar kung saan ko huling naranasan ang kapayapaan.

Ganoon pa rin simula nang umalis ako rito. Napinturahan lang din yata nang bago yung gates, hindi na pamilyar sa akin ang mga tao, at iba na rin ang pakiramdam ko rito.

Hiyang-hiya akong bumalik, na parang wala na akong mukhang maihaharap. My first love still studies here. Kolehiyo na rin siya, balita ko ay Business Management ang kursong kinuha niya. Just like his plans from before.

"Ready?"

Time changes everything. Lalo na sa mahigit apat na taon. May mga bagay na mananatili, pero kadalasan ay may mga nagbabago. Ang itsura, ang pakikitungo, ang pagtingin, at pagmamahal.

This is a gamble for me. Wala akong kasiguraduhan kung ang mga iniwan ko noon ay ganoon pa rin. Baka ang dating mahal na mahal ako, ngayon ay balewala na lang pala ako sa kanya.

Still, I'll try. I'm hopeful.

I'll try to reclaim what once was mine. Maybe it's not too late.

Again, I'm gambling on that tiny chance for my maybes.

Napatingin ako kay Sabina, ang isa sa tumanggap sa akin sa kabila ng nakaraan ko. Isa sa mga tumulong sa akin para makapagsimula muli.

"Pheebs?" Marahan siyang humawak sa siko ko.

Huminga ako nang malalim at ngumisi. "Of course. May babawiin pa ako, e."

Tumango siya at ngumiti nang maliit sa akin.

Aside from my mom, he was the only one who made me feel safe, wanted, and loved. Sa kanya ko rin naranasan ang pamilya. Kaya babalikan ko siya.

I've fought to survive for years. If I have to fight to have him again, I'll do it with all my might. Even the slightest chance, I'd bet on it with my whole life.

Kung matatalo man ako sa pagsugal kong ito, madali na lang siguro akong makaahon doon. Besides, I've gone through the worst. Wala nang mawawala sa akin. Dahil sa katunayan, ilang taon na rin nang mawala siya sa akin.

You can't lose something you don't have.

I'll try to reclaim what once was mine. If it didn't end the way I planned it, at least, I gave it a try. Tries. Kasi alam kong hindi ko rin siya susukuan. Tulad ng hindi ko pagsuko para mabuhay ako.

Ilang minuto na lang ay magsisimula na ang klase namin ni Sabina. First day of school and both of us are transferees. Irregular pero may subjects naman kaming na-credit so we didn't have to go back to square one.