Steal His Innocence - Completed

Chapter 1 - A Game Worth Playing

VIANA POV

"I hate him, Viana! Akala ko seryoso na siya sa akin!"

Humahalo na 'yung mascara ni Sasha sa luha niya habang hawak-hawak ang martini glass na parang life support. Her fingers were shaking. Or maybe it was just the alcohol.

"But what the hell? Nakita ko siyang may kahalikang babae. In public! Ang cheap! What was he thinking?!"

Pinanood ko lang siya.

No reaction. Just a slow sip of tequila.

Honestly? Hindi ko na nga maalala kung pang-ilang boyfriend na niya 'to this semester. The names blur. The drama stays the same.

Girl meets playboy.
Girl thinks she can fix him.
Playboy proves why he's a playboy.

Rinse. Repeat.

I don't get heartbreak hype. The crying. The dramatics. The "I'll never love again" phase. It looks exhausting.

"Girl," sabi ko, ramdam ko 'yung burn ng tequila sa lalamunan ko, steady lang ang tingin ko sa kanya, "kung hindi ka ba naman tatanga-tanga."

She sniffed. "Excuse me?"

"Ginawa mong forever 'yung one week niyo? Asa ka namang magseseryoso 'yun."

Her lips trembled. "But—"

Lumapit ako, enough for her to see her reflection in my eyes.

"Hep."

Tumahimik siya.

"Ang mga lalaking ganyan," I continued, lowering my voice, "hindi makuntento sa isa. 'Yung pa-charming effect nila? That's just strategy. Once they see something new, something fresher?" I tilted my head slightly. "Takbo agad."

Ginaya ko pa ang boses ng mga tropa niyang jejemon. "'Nakuha ko na siya, pre. Easy.'"

Napanganga siya. Half shocked. Half processing. Pero may mga luha pa rin sa gilid ng mata niya.

Hindi naman talaga ako madaldal. I just don't like stupidity, especially sa self-inflicted stupidity.

"Listen," sabi ko, wiping the tear rolling down her cheek with my thumb. "We women should only cry for two things, sa sarap at sa saya. Gets?"

She stared at me for a second longer.

Then suddenly, she hugged me.

"Thank you, V."

I awkwardly patted her back. "Oo na. Libre consultation today."

Meet Sasha. Brat. Dramatic. Soft-hearted. Tourism student. My legally-designated best friend since first year college.

And unfortunately, hopeless romantic.

"Ma'am, drinks po. Pinabibigay ni Sir."

Sabay kaming napalingon.

Sa dulo ng bar, may lalaking nakaupo mag-isa. Mid-40s siguro. Clean haircut. Crisp polo. The kind of presence that doesn't need to be loud to be noticed.

CEO aura.

He lifted his glass slightly and gave a small smile.

My stomach did a weird little flip.

Shut up, Viana.

"I'm gonna go dance," bulong ni Sasha, biglang nabuhay. "May asim pa 'yan, girl!" sabay takbo palayo.

Iniwan ako.

Gaga.

The man stood up. And walked toward me.