1 Prologue

MY EYES shot open the moment I heard a muffled sound on my left ear. Unang bumungad sa paningin ko ang pamilyar na diamond chandelier sa kisame, sumunod ay ang dalawang pagkalaki-laking larawan ko mula sa boudoir photoshoot na ginawa ko sa Milan. The portraits were about 8 feet tall, so they're pretty hard to miss.

I was about to feel a sense of relief, but when I glanced on my left, confusion shot right through me. Brows furrowed, I started questioning myself. Bakit ako may katabing lalaki? I shut my eyes closed and forced my seemingly fuddled brain; pilit kong inalala ang mga nangyari kagabi.

Party. Body shots. Blinding lights. Shaking my head, I grunted inwardly—which I regretted doing because, unfortunately, the tang of tequila was still in my throat.

Tequila. Shots. Blinking lights. I couldn't really recall everything.

Sinilip ko ang ilalim ng kumot para makumpirma ang hinalang nabubuo sa isip ko. We're both naked—I guess that cleared the hazy smoke clouding in my mind. "Oh, crap."

I stared at the guy's face. He's handsome, alright, but he sure looked three to five years younger than me. Oh, fuck me and fuck this libido!

Itinukod ko ang siko ko sa kama at tumagilid sa kaniya. Kumukuha lang ako ng buwelo para gisingin siya.

"Hey..." I stopped when I realized something very ironic—I didn't know his name. O baka naman hindi ko lang talaga matandaan.

I shrugged and went on. I tapped his shoulders as gently as possible. Mahirap na, baka mamaya masuktok ako sa mukha nang wala sa oras kapag binigla ko ang paggising sa kaniya.

Good thing hindi siya mahirap gisingin dahil nakakatatlong tapik pa lang ata ako sa kaniya'y naalimpungatan na siya kaagad.

‎

‎"Sorry to—ah!" Impit akong napatili nang bigla niya ako daganan. I felt something hard poking against my stomach. I fought the urge to laugh. Oh, men and their morning dilemma.

Tinapik ko siya sa pisngi at itinulak. "Game over, baby boy. You need to go home now," pagtatamboy ko sa kaniya.

He groaned as a response. Halata sa mukha niya na gusto pa niyang mag-stay.

It's one of my golden rules; inoorasan ko lahat ng lalaking dinadala ko sa apartment. Hey, don't judge me. We're living in the 21st century, at sa panahon ngayon, hindi na lang lalaki ang puwedeng mag-initiante ng carnal deeds, 'no. Stop being so sexist. Women, too, need to sedate their overflowing libido. Sex is one of our needs, get over it.

Going back the curfew, hanggang 8 a.m. lang puwedeng mag-stay ang lalaki sa paningin ko. Nope, not 8:05, nor 8:01, but exactly 8:00 in the morning. He should be storming his way out of her flat five minutes before 8.

Come on, people! One-night stand is called one NIGHT stand for a reason. `Buti nga at nagpalugit pa ako hanggang alas-otso ng umaga, eh. 7:30 a.m. kasi ang usual kong gising.

"Uhm, aren't you gonna cook me a breakfast or offer a coffee at least?" he asked while rubbing his drooping eyes. He's still a bit disoriented due to the heavy amount of alcohol that we both shoved down our thirsty throats last night.

Sunod-sunod akong umiling. Well, aside from sex, there's nothing more I could offer. Not even water.

Why? Again, I have rules.

I've always been like this. Without these rules, paniguradong magulo ang buhay ko. I used to live without rules and I messed up big time.

Alam niyo kasi, these rules help me guard my self, specially my heart. These rules help me set my limitations to avoid getting hurt. O'diba? Now you know.

I opened my floor-length window so the whole room would light up, why waste electricity when you can use natural light?

I squeaked when I realized that I'm not wearing anything. Naughty Jane! I quickly covered my naked body with my 2-day-old silk robe and lean against the wall which separates my bedroom from my living room.

Matamang pinagmasdan ko ang binata. Ano nga ulit pangalan niya?

Was it Sam? no, that's the other guy last week.

Maybe it's John, err, probably not. John is the hot goodie downstairs.

Ah! It's Luke!

Nope, try again. Luke is the cutie dentist!

I placed my fingers around my jaw as I try recall from my wasted memory the name of this handsome guy.

Baka naman kasi nakalimutan ko talagang itanong?

"Uhm, I'm sorry but I don't really remember your name, you are?..."

Like come on, we just had sex and I don't even know his name!

Pero teka, but do names matter?

In my case? Yes they do. There are millions of men living here in the Philippines. Of course I already categorized these guys in my head multiple times. So my point is, why settle for one? When you can have all these yummy bachelors?

Yes baby, now you're getting it.

Once I remember your name, you're off the list.

His lips formed into a tiny curl, "Oh, I thought you'd never ask," he laughed.

"Sorry, I just thought it didn't matter last night since we're both drunk and too carried away to even care," sagot ko.

"I'm Xev. Flame Xev Grecco."

Ngumiti ako. "Nice meeting you, Flame. You did made me fire up last night." I winked.

Lumingon ako sa orasan, uh-oh, 5 minutes before 8:00 am.

This guy better start wearing his clothes now or I'll throw him out of my place naked. His choice.

I picked up his clothes on the cold floor and handed it to Rick, "Rick I-

"Flame," he breathed.

"Oh yeah, sorry. Flame. I need to go somewhere by 8:15 soo..." sabi ko. Siyempre gawa-gawa ko lang 'yun. I've been using that excuse for ages! Still effective! AHA!

He hurriedly slid into his clothes, and shifted his body to face me, "Are we gonna see each other again? I'd love to do you every night." He winked at me and swirled his arms around my waist.

If there's anyone in this world who hates commitments and the likes? It's me!

I let out a sigh and withdraw from his arms. "Look, I had fun last night but I don't think we'll have to see each other again."

I pushed him straight out of the door and quickly waved goodbye.

Iiling-iling akong bumalik sa kwarto nang mahagip ng tingin ko ang full-body mirror. Tinanggal ko sa pagkakatali ang silk robe na nakatabalot sa aking katawan. I smiled at the wonderful sight. "Boy! they're crazy about these curves, baby!"

"Jane! Open the door, please!"

Huh? May nakalimutan ba siya?

Dali-dali akong pumunta sa pinto. I powered up the tiny CCTV screen that I installed just behind the door.

But I didn't see Ned-I mean, Flame. Instead, I saw a stranger, alright, a handsome stranger.

Oh, who's this guy now?

"Did we hook up before?" I uttered to myself while staring at the tiny screen.

Aminado ako, I'm not good at remembering faces and names of boys I hook up with except when their performance is... you know. Hihi

"If we did hook up? Kailan? Bakit di ko maalala?" mahina ko pa ring tanong sa kawalan.

"Who's was that guy?! Is he your new boyfriend? You can't do this to me, Jane! Babe, please let's talk. You just can't throw our 7 years away."

My body froze, "What the hell is he talking about?" I mumbled.

The moment I opened the door, the guy quickly entered my personal space and hugged me tight without even looking at me.

Oh, I don't do hugging thingy.

"Jane Babe I missed you so much!" sabi niya. Punong-puno ng longing ang boses niya.

"Uh..." I'm honestly speechless right now. I have no idea what's going on. I don't even remember this guy!

I felt his arms wrap me even more "Please don't leave me anymore," mahina niyang bulong sa tenga ko.

Like, hello? A stranger is hugging me and I'm not wearing anything beneath the thin silk robe! Maski simpleng pagtali ng silk robe ko, nakalimutan ko!

"Oh, damn. I missed your soft body."

Uh-oh, I better do something! Think, Jane! Think!

"Did we, uhm, hook up before?"

And in a snap, he pulled me away and looked at me in confusion.

Oh hot mama, standing before me is the most handsome, oh yes he is, drop-dead gorgeous guy I have EVER laid my eyes on.

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa nakaexpose kong katawan. I smirked, "Enjoying the view?"

"You n-need to cover yourself," nauutal na tumalikod siya sa'kin.

Ano? First time lang makakita ng hubad na katawan?

Natatawang binuhol ko ang tali ng silk robe ko at inayos ang pagkakasara niyon. I cleared my throat.

Humarap siya sa'kin.

Ahh, why so handsome?

"Who are you?!" he shrieked

Nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay ko. Nawala sa mukha niya ang attention ko. "Excuse me but I think I should be the one asking you that!" I crossed my arms.

He bit his lower lip, and swear! It made him sexy!

"You're the one who popped outside my place and pleaded like a girl. I can't remember having a 7-year-old relationship with any guy. The last time I checked, I'm single and free as a bird."

His face is bent in all angles. He seemed worried, confused and damn-this-shit all at the same time.

"Do you.. Do you know Jane Alezalde?" tanong niya sabay turo sa akin.

Nag-ayos ako ng tayo. Confirmed. Hindi ko siya naka-ONS. Another golden rule from the list, I'm not allowed to tell them my real surname.

"I'm Jane Alezalde. Why?" takang tanong ko rito.

Saglit siyang napatanga sa'kin.

"I-I thought you're my girlfriend. I mean, ex-girlfriend!" muli niya akong tinalikuran. Napasabunot pa siya sa sariling buhok.

"Shit! Shit!" rinig kong pagmumura niya.

For a moment, I just stood there, stunned and confused, and then, realization dawned, my mind jumped. "So your girlfriend's name is also Jane Alezalde?"

He turned his face on me, and flashed an apologetic smile, "Uhm, yeah."

I smiled a bit and tapped his left shoulder, "Sorry to disappoint you, Mister."

At least you get to see a naked body. Hehe

"Oh, yeah. I-I better be going. I'm sorry for b-barging in." He quickly jumped out of my door and closed it himself.

Should've asked for his number. Napabuga ako ng hangin.

Well, what a way to start my tuesday morning!

I shrugged my shoulder and dialed up my secretary's number, "Hey Sweetheart, what are my appointments for today?"

Because again, why would a very successful business woman settle for less when she can have the best?

I'm Jane Perrie Alezalde, and this is my CRAZY story.

Trust me, it's crazy.