Before The Last Sunset [Before Trilogy #1]

prologue

I had everything under my control, then she came and made the game I played her own.

It was never hard for me to charm people. I never had to face rejection and pain—I always got whoever I wanted. Hindi ko pinagpipilitan ang sarili ko sa ibang tao. Maraming mga babae diyan who would die for my attention. It was easy for me to walk away when things got too serious, but I couldn't do that when it came to her. Pagdating sa kanya, I just never win.

Kahit ilang beses niya pa ako itulak palayo, I find myself keep coming back. Pagdating sa babaeng 'to, all the rules I set for myself had no bearing. Alam kong delikado ang makasama siya, pero bakit nandito pa rin ako? Ano bang meron sa kanya?

"We only have a month before summer ends, Chase," she spoke after a long period of silence. "I'm tired of running away."

Kahit gaano ko siya ka-gusto, pinapanindigan ko sinabi ko. Ayokong mag-commit at magkaroon ng girlfriend. Hindi ako bagay sa ganun...masasaktan ko lang siya.

"Kilala mo ako, Summer. You know I don't do relationships-"

"Oh, I'm well aware," she cut me off, letting out a soft laugh. "Trust me, I don't want that for us too."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Then why are we having this conversation?"

"Gusto kita...gusto mo rin ako," dahan-dahan niyang sinabi. "Ayaw natin parehas maging komplikado 'to, diba? Then let's just have fun with the time we have."

Wait, what?

"E'di ano 'to? No label?"

She shrugged as if it was the most casual thing in the world. "Parang ganun na nga."

Alam kong hindi ko pa masyadong kilala si Summer, pero hindi ko inexpect ito mula sa kanya. She was supposed to hate my guts! Alam niya naman na hindi ko kaya magseryoso, pero hindi niya pa rin ako iniiwasan. She even wanted a no label relationship with me. If I agreed, it would mean playing with fire.

"No commitments, no complications, especially no falling in love." Summer inched closer, leaning her face close to mine. "What's there to lose?"

My mind flashed warning signs, urging me to decline. Kaso binigo ako ng mga mata ko at nahulog ang tingin ko sa kanyang mga labi. Those sinful lips...the same lips that got us into this mess in the first place.

If playing with fire meant being with her, then by all means...let me get burned.

. . .