One Last Time

Kabanata I: TEMPTRESS.

"You're just an inch away, pero bakit parang ang layo mo pa rin?"

@yoj_lolita

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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Nexus Bar.

“OH MY GOSH, KEI! Don’t tell me, you're really going to do the dare?” Nanlalaki ang mga matang tumingin sa’kin si Irinne after I emptied the remaining rum in my shotglass.

I curled up the side of my heart-shaped lips. “Don't give me that kind of look, Irinne. It's just a dare, okay?”

“But that man is your—”

Umikot ang mata ko. “Yeah, right. He's just Annika's boyfriend. Months from now, maghihiwalay rin sila,” I said nonchalantly.

“Are you really serious? For Pete's sake! That man is Annika's boyfriend!”

My nose scrunched up. “Will you just shut up, Irinne? You're overreacting!”

“I'm just trying to remind you... in case you forgot. You'd be in serious trouble if your father found out what you're doing.”

“Whatever!” I ran my fingers through my wavy hair before turning to the waitress at the counter. “One Mojito, please!”

Kanina pa kami dito sa bar. Nakailang orders na rin kami ng drinks, but these drinks are just like water to us. Hindi kami tinatablan ng kalasingan.

“I really can't believe you, Kei. Aren’t you afraid of karma?”

I scoffed at Irinne. “Hindi.”

I heard Irinne's loud tongue click as a response to what I said hanggang sa wala nang nangahas na magsalita sa’ming dalawa. 

“So...ano na Keira?” It's my other friend's shrill voice, na bumasag sa tensyon sa pagitan namin ni Irinne.

I darted my eyes at Anja. Nakabalik na siya mula sa restroom.

“Are you going to accept my dare, or you'll forever be remembered as a loser?” Namumula ang mukhang ngumisi siya sa’kin.

“Easy, Anj. I'm not even starting yet,” wika ko. Alam ko na ang pulang-pula kong mga labi at ang piercing ko sa ibabang gilid nito ay kumislap kasabay ng pagtama ng disco lights sa’kin mukha habang nakaupo kami sa counter.

“Then go! Kiss him, Kei!” Hinablot ni Anja ang isang shotglass sa counter at umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa gitna namin ni Irinne. “This is your chance! Malay mo...may gusto rin pala siya sa'yo.”

“Stop it, Anj! Hindi nakakatuwa 'yang pinapagawa mo kay Keira!” awat ni Irinne.

“I've made up my mind...” Licking the bottom of my lips sensually, I ran my fingers along the rim of my shotglass. Inabot ko ng dila ko ang piercing ko sa ibaba ng aking labi at bumaba na mula sa high stool chair. “Give me fifteen minutes, Anj, and this dare would be done.”

Inagaw ko mula kay Anja ang hawak niyang shotglass. Sinaid ko ang laman ng baso at pabagsak itong inilapag.

“I lose… my car. I win… you already know what I need,” nanghahamong tingin ko kay Anja.