Addicted Love (VALENTINE SERIES #1)

Chapter 53

F I F T Y - T H R E E

Nasa isang hindi kilalang hotel ako, malayo sa kahit sinong nakakakilala sa akin. The room is small and dimly lit, but it's enough to hide from the world. Pakiramdam ko, ang bigat ng dibdib ko, like I'm being crushed by emotions. My phone keeps ringing, again and again, but I don't care anymore. Gusto ko ng katahimikan, but every ring feels like a hammer pounding in my head.

Ring... Ring... Ring...

"Damn it!" sigaw ko, grabbing my phone and throwing it against the wall. I hear it shatter, but it doesn't matter. My tears start to fall on my cheeks, my body trembling uncontrollably. I collapse on the bed, trying to block out the memories, but they keep coming back.

I can't forget what I saw earlier in Miss Sanchez's office. Nahuli ko sila ni Miss Bautista... kissing. That image keeps playing over and over in my mind, torturing me.

"Why did you do this to me?" I whisper to myself, my voice shaking. I have no idea where I'm supposed to find the strength to get up tomorrow.

My eyes land on my broken phone, shattered like the pieces of my heart. I can't stay here. I need to get out. So, I grab my wallet and head out the door, looking for a place to drown the pain. Paglabas ko, nakita ko ang isang maliit na bar malapit lang sa hotel. It's already open, kahit hapon pa lang.

I push open the door, the dim lights and smell of alcohol wrapping around me like a blanket. Umupo ako sa isang sulok, ordering the strongest drink they have. Maybe, just maybe, this will help me forget-even just for a little while.

Mapait akong na pa ngiti habang hawak-hawak ang alak sa kamay ko bago ito diniretsyong inumin.

"How can you say you love me? Habang may hinahalikan ka pa lang ibang babae." Natatawang saad ko at umiiling-umiiling pa.

As I sip again my drink, I feel a presence beside me. A man, reeking of alcohol, slurs his words as he leans in closer.

"Hey, you look familiar... Ikaw ba si Amira Valentine? One of the heirs of the Valentine clan?" His words are slurred, but the mention of my name and family sends a chill down my spine.

I don't respond, instead staring at my drink, hoping he'll go away. But he doesn't. He inches closer, his breath hot and reeking of booze. "Kilala kita... Amira Valentine nga, di ba? Ang ganda mo, pwede ba kitang samahan?"

Geez? Hindi niya ba nakikita na broken ako dito? I'm hurt and I'm absolutely fucking gay! For the loving God.

My heart races, not with fear, but with anger. This is the last thing I need right now. I look him dead in the eyes, my voice cold as ice. "Back off. Now."

He smirks, clearly not getting the message. "Come on, baby, huwag ka nang suplada. Let's have a drink. You're rich, right? Let me buy you a drink."

I grip my glass tighter, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on me the betrayal, the pain, and now this. "I said, back off," I hiss, my patience wearing thin.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but the weight of everything still clings to me. The alcohol dulls the edges of my pain, but it doesn't erase it. Maybe nothing ever will.

I finish my drink and decide to leave. I stumble out into the cool night air and make my way back to the hotel. The bar is close by, so I'm not too far from where I'm staying.

As I approach the hotel's parking lot, I notice a couple near their car, which has a flat tire. They're talking animatedly, clearly frustrated by their situation. Tumigil muna ako para panuorin sila saglit, watching them for a moment, feeling a strange sense of detachment.