Lost on the Road (COMPLETED)

Prologue

Prologue

"Come on, baby!"

With one final thrust, she let out a loud moan, her body shaking with pleasure. I grinned as I saw her eyes flutter, as if overwhelmed by the sensation.

"Oh, Luke! Fuck!" she cried out, her back arching off the bed as she reached her peak. I watched as she rode out her orgasm.

Itinungkod niya ang kaniyang siko sa kama at matamis na ngumiti. Napawi lamang iyon nang bumangon ako at sinuot ang pantalon.

"Where are you going, Luke? Aalis kana?" nagtatakang tanong niya.

"Yap. We're done." I said, my voice flat. It is the truth. There's no reason to stick around any longer. Not when I had already gotten what I came for.

"W-What?" nagulantang siya. "I... I thought.."

Halos maiyak na siya. I sighed heavily. Kumuha ako ng cheke sa bag. Pagkatapos kong sulatan iyon, inilapag ko sa table kung saan naroon ang mga food na inorder ko.

"Kumain ka ng marami," sabi ko bago lumabas ng hotel room.

This is my life—these moments, these quick bursts of pleasure. The cycle that never changed. It is all just a game to me, something I had mastered over the years. I didn't need more than that. No strings, no complications. Just the thrill of the moment.

The women came and went, their names blurring together over time, their faces no longer distinct in my memory. I didn't need to know their stories or their dreams; I didn't need to know anything about them at all. We shared a few hours, maybe a night, then I was gone.

"Luke needs to know what's best for him," Mom said. "Lillana is the perfect choice. She's from a good family, she's classy and very pretty. Alam kong mahilig sa magaganda ang anak mo kaya sigurado akong mas magugustuhan niya si Lillana ngayon kapag nakita niya. Aba! She's been modeling in Paris for four years."

I sighed and walked into the living room. My mother's eyes lit up when she saw me, but my father didn't even look up from his newspaper. He always had that serious face on, like everything he said was final.

Sa tuwing binubuksan nila ang tungkol sa usapan na ito ay parang bumabaliktad ang sikmura ko. It never crossed my mind to marry or make Lillana my girlfriend. She's my childhood friend, and I grew up seeing her only as a younger sister. Hindi ko talaga lubos maisip kung bakit naisip ng mga magulang ko ang bagay na ito, kinikilabutan nga ako.

"Son," si Mom. "It's time for you to think about the future. You and Lillana. It's a good match."

Tumigil ako sandali. This was the same conversation we'd had over and over again. Every time my parents spoke, they made it sound like I had no choice, like this was something I had to accept.

"I don't feel any romantic attraction toward her, Mom," I said quietly.

My mother's expression changed, a bit surprised, but then she smiled gently.

"Luke, you don't have to be in love right away. Love can grow over time. What's important is that you both come from the same background. You'll learn to appreciate her, I'm sure of it."

"Mom, I see her as a sister. We've known each other our whole lives. It's not right. I don't feel the way you want me to feel."

My father put down his newspaper and looked at me, his face unreadable.

"You don't have to love her right now, Luke. You only have to do what's best for the family. Think about it carefully."

Every time I heard the word marriage, all I could think of was the heavy burden it carried. The lifelong commitment, the compromises and sacrifices that would come with it. I wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility and deep down, I wasn't sure I ever would be.

I couldn't stay in that room any longer. I felt trapped. I turned and walked out of the house, not saying another word. I grabbed my keys, got in my car, and drove off without thinking about where I was going.

Kung hindi nila ako kukulitin tungkol sa pagpapakasal ay sa negosyo naman. Ano ba namang klaseng buhay 'to? Hindi na ata ako pwedeng magdesisyon para sa sarili.

I drove and drove until the world around me started to blur. I didn't care about the road signs, the scenery, or even where I was going. I just wanted to leave it all behind.

Out of nowhere, something caught my eye. A woman, standing on the side of the road. She looked lost, her body language said it all. She was looking around like she didn't know where she was, and for a second, I thought I might've been imagining things. But then, she stepped into the road.

Nagpanic ako. My foot slammed the brakes, the tires screeching on the pavement. I swerved a little, barely avoiding hitting her. My heart was pounding in my chest as I threw the car into park.

Hindi siya gumalaw.

Mabilis akong bumaba ng kotse at tumakbo papunta sa kanya. She was standing, but her knees buckled and she collapsed to the ground. My stomach dropped and my mind racing with confusion and fear.

"What the hell—" I murmured under my breath as I knelt down beside her.

Her eyes were closed. Nahulog ang paningin ko sa katawan niya at muling bumalik sa mukha niya, sigurado akong hindi siya tagarito. Mukhang taga-Maynila ang isang 'to.

My gaze drifted down to her lips. They were full and tinged with a deep, inviting red, soft-looking as if they were made for kissing. It was the kind of lips that made it hard to look away. I couldn't help but imagine how it would feel to press my lips against her.

I looked around, my mind spinning. I couldn't just leave her here alone, and I didn't know what to do. I was sure she had fainted or passed out from something maybe the heat or exhaustion.

I quickly glanced around, and my eyes landed on the car. I could at least get her somewhere safe, somewhere she could rest.

Habang binubuhat ko siya, I couldn't help but notice the way her face looked peaceful despite everything, or the way her hair fell around her face, a little messy but still beautiful. She was wearing a loose, flowy dress that fluttered in the wind, and even in the state she was in, her features stood out. She was striking unlike anyone I had ever met before.

Ngunit ang mas nakapukaw ng atensyon ko ay ang tattoo sa likod ng leeg niya. It was a fine-line rose, almost hidden under her dark hair. The rose was delicate, soft, and feminine.

I couldn't help but gently run my fingers along her neck, barely touching her skin as I pushed her hair aside. I knew I shouldn't be staring at her like this, but the tattoo intrigued me. It wasn't just the design, it felt like it matched her.

Nang bumalik ako sa katinuan ay napailing ako sa aking ginawa. I opened the passenger door and laid her across the seat. My hands lingered on her shoulders.

I started the car and drove to the house I knew. I could at least make sure she was okay before taking her anywhere else.

As I drove, I couldn't stop looking at her. Her face is peaceful, but there's something haunting about it. I had never seen her before, and yet, I felt a connection I couldn't explain.

I glanced at her again, her lips slightly parted as she slept, her features soft, almost angelic. There's something magnetic about her, something I couldn't take my eyes off of. The longer I drove, the more I became aware of how attracted I was to her.

Kapag nagising siya at nalaman niyang ako ang tumulong sa kaniya, makukuha ko agad ang loob niya. I want her, really. Sigurado naman akong hindi niya rin ako matatanggihan. Hindi ako namimilit, dahil wala pang nakakatanggi sa akin.