1 Prologue

Nasisiyahang ikinipkip niya ang ilang tig-lilimang daang pisong papel sa masikip na bulsa ng kaniyang skinny jeans matapos niyang i-withdraw sa ATM ang pera na ibinayad sakanya ng publishing company na nag-publish ng isa sa mga kwentong isinulat niya.

She's an online romance writer sa isang website for online stories, it was her hobby that started when she was in high school. And now, ayaw man niyang magkaroon ng money involvement sa isang bagay na nakapag-papasaya sakanya ay wala siyang ibang mapagpipilian.

It's the easiest way she knows that will help her earn money to sustain her daily living since she left her family and decided to live by her own.

The scholarship she got from the university alongside the free stay on it's dormitory helps a lot, maging ang allowance na natatanggap niya. But then, the expenses doesn't stop there. How about her food? Her personal needs? Projects and all the other school related activities? Saan siya kukuha ng panggastos doon kung hindi niya pagkakakitaan ang isang bagay na alam niyang kaya niyang gawin.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag, makakatulog na siya ng mahimbing dahil may panggastos na siya para sa projects nila at iba pang paper works.

It was her second novel that's been published by the same company. And yet, until now her real identity remains hidden behind her pen name onnoene. Simply because, she doesn't aim to be a star or even thirst for fame. Ang gusto lang niya ay mag-sulat, that's all.

Niyuko niya ang relong pambisig, maaga pa at may panahon pa siyang makapag-ikot-ikot sa mall. Alas-nuebe kasi ang curfew nila sa dormitory, kailangan niya iyong sundin kundi ay sa malamig na semento siya magpapalipas ng gabi.

Her eyes wandered around, napahinto ang tingin niya sa National Bookstore. Isang magandang ngiti ang gumuhit sakanyang labi nang makita niya ang magandang pyramid style display ng stocks ng kaniyang bagong labas na libro sa mirror side, kitang kita iyon agad ng sinumang papasok.

Tila ba may sariling buhay ang kaniyang mga paa na humakbang papasok roon. Pinuntahan niyang kaagad ang isang estante kung saan nakahilera doon ang mga libro na inilathala ng kaparehong publishing company niya.

Her hand reached for one copy of her work on the shelf. She smiled contentedly, ganoon pala ang pakiramdam kapag hawak mo ang pinaghirapan at pinagpuyatan mo.

"Second Chances." Sambit niya sa pamagat ng kaniyang akda. Itinalikod niya iyon upang basahin ang synopsis sa likuran.Lalo siyang nasiyahan nang natantong walang binago ang mga ito sakanyang gawa.

"Sometimes, life gives you a second chance because maybe you weren't ready the first time." Tahimik niyang basa sa nakasaad doon.

She flipped it again and see the animated illustration of the book cover, just how she described her hero in the story. Oh, how in love she is with Erwin as she created the story. But then, that's what's important about writing a romance novel. You have to be in love with your own character in order to make the readers love them too.

Natigilan siya nang mula sakaniyang gilid ay may isang kamay na umabot ng libro sa estante sakanyang harapan. How sharp her eyes to notice the set of trimmed and clean fingernails he has, well maybe that's because she's a writer and she needs to be descriptive more like observant.

Hindi nakatakas ang kaniyang ilong sa pananalakay ng mabangong amoy mula sa isang mamahaling pabango. Pasimple niya itong sinulyapan, to her surprise... the guy beside her is holding the same title of the book that she's checking! Mind you, it's her masterpiece! Kaya lalo nitong nakuha ang kaniyang atensyon.

Dahan-dahan niyang inangat ang tingin dito, the guy is pretty tall. His built will surely make him standout anywhere. On his side view, she watched how his jaw flexed a little along with his brows as it furrowed, tila ba may hindi ito nagugustuhan sa binabasa. Napataas naman doon ang kaniyang isang kilay.

"This is stupid." Mahina nitong sabi, bago balewalang ibinalik sa estante ang libro. Agad na naghurumentado ang kaniyang kalooban.

She's not expecting everyone to like her work but hearing it face to face is another thing!

"What's so stupid with second chances?"

Hindi niya napigilang sabad. Doon siya nito binalingan. Halos mapa-atras siya nang mag-tama ang kanilang mga mata.

He has a pair of dark eyes. Mapupungay ang mga mata nito na tila ba akala mo'y laging inaantok. Goodness, this man looks like a hero who just came out of the book she's holding.

Bumaba sa kamay niya ang tingin nito bago patuyang umangat ang isang sulok ng labi.

"So you find it interesting, huh?" He shrugged."Women are lovesick."

Napairap siya bago ibalik ang libro sa estante. "Maybe you're just loveless."

"Oh..." A low chuckle rose his throat, ultimo iyon ay napuna niya! Dammit! What is he? Erwin of the real world?

"Bakit mo ibinalik? Don't you wanna buy it?"

"I believe it's none of your business anymore." She said, deliberately avoiding his gaze.

Hindi niya nagugustuhan ang epekto ng presensya nito, she must go and leave.

Yes, that's what she has to do. Tumalikod na siya at nag-simulang maglakad nang marinig niya ang tinig ng isang babae.

"Kuya! You found a copy na pala! Hindi kasi pinagagalaw yung naka-pyramid doon sa harap eh. My God, I really love this story talaga!" Kilig na kilig ang tinig na iyon.

"The writer is amazing!"

"That's a nonsense story." He responded in a very restrained manner.

"Just maybe, same as the one wrote it." Her eyes squinted in irritation and her fist crumpled, much as she wanted to turn back and haul explicits to him, she managed to just storm out of the bookstore.

How can someone be so judgmental? Why he doesn't even read a chapter of the book yet! Pati ang manunulat ay nahusgahan na niya?!

Oh, great!