PROLOGUE

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GABRIELLA MONICA JIMENEZ POV

It was a rainy evening around 6:00 PM, and I was elated because I had finally graduated from high school. Now, I could pursue my dream of attending Meds School to become a doctor like my father and brother.

Since childhood, this had been my aspiration, despite Mommy and Grandfather's desires for me to pursue political science. They envisioned a future in politics for me, but really, what a waste of beauty, right? Being a politician must be incredibly stressful. As a doctor, one maintains respectability and radiance even when fatigue sets in after a long day.

"Humming to myself, I admired my reflection in the mirror, adorned in the doctor's uniform.

"Yay! So beautiful! Good evening, Dr. Monica Jimenez, good evening, Doctor," I greeted myself with a smile.

Placing a beautiful Dahlia flower behind my ear, I thought, "Oh my god, maybe even those with hiccups would come for a check-up just to see me."

Suddenly, my best friend, Elena, spotted me and exclaimed, "Hey! Are you going crazy, Monica?" furrowing her brow in surprise.

Elena is my best friend and roommate in the condo. She's the goddaughter of Mommy's friend, and since we attend the same school, we decided to share a room. Initially, we were a bit awkward around each other, but eventually, we grew close.

We confide in each other and share our secrets, despite our differing personalities. Elena is demure and conservative, with a hint of introversion, while I'm outgoing and adventurous because, you know, YOLO!

Despite our differences, Elena and I still get along well. Sometimes, I manage to persuade her to go out, despite her inclination to stay in. Even at a bar, she'll find time to read a book, as if she were still in school. I'm always like, "Come on, girl, look at the boys in front of you. Let's enjoy the night and have some fun!"

But that's only initially. Once she's had a few drinks, her wild side emerges. She'll abandon the book and dance with me. So, a little patience with Elena always pays off. That's why I love Elena so much; she's reliable and not a killjoy.

After trying on the uniform, I promptly returned it to my closet before heading to our fridge to grab a beer for us. Even though I was happy about our graduation, a tinge of sadness lingered. It was the last day my best friend and I would be together, as Elena was leaving tomorrow to study abroad. Her father insisted she pursue Engineering, aligning with his wishes.

So, here we were, having our final drink together.

"Gulp. Ugh! Oh my god, the taste is awful!" Elena grimaced.

I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction; it was evident she wasn't accustomed to drinking.

"You know, Elena, let's make the most of tonight. It might be a long time before we see each other again. Maybe we'll have children by then? What do you think?" I teased, smiling.

She shot me a dirty look in response.

"Eww, no way, Monica. I'm not having kids until I'm successful. My parents would kill me if I prioritized my flirtiness. That's why all I do is read books and study," she grumbled.

Mid-conversation, my phone rang. It was Caleb, my boyfriend of two and a half years, calling me. Excitedly, I answered.

"Yes, babe?"

Caleb and I had been in a secret relationship, my first serious one. We shared dreams, and plans for the future, and cherished the sanctity of marriage.

"Hello, babe. I heard you guys are drinking?" Caleb's voice sounded concerned.

"What? You heard? But I didn't post anything, babe. Wait, maybe I accidentally posted it on my story. Hold on, I might get in trouble with Mom," I panicked.

My parents would be furious if they found out I was drinking, as they knew I had no vices.

Quickly checking my phone while still on the call with Caleb, he chuckled, "Ah, no. I mean, oh my god, why did I say 'heard?' Hahaha, it's maybe because I was watching the news on TV. Sorry, babe, I didn't realize what I said."

I believed him; absent-mindedness could happen to anyone.

"The real reason I called, babe, is because I miss you. Can I come over to your apartment? When you get home, you'll probably be grounded again. We won't see each other for months, and that would be really sad," Caleb sighed.

Each return home felt like imprisonment, with strict security and limited freedom due to my family's political ties.

I agreed to Caleb's visit, knowing it was my last day in the apartment.

An hour passed before Caleb arrived. Everything was ready, including the table set with chilled beers.

Elena and I were already a bit tipsy when Caleb arrived. We cuddled while watching Netflix, and Elena, getting tipsy herself, became playful and talkative, sharing stories.

We laughed, teased, and had a great time. The three of us were close; Caleb often went out of his way to ensure our well-being, despite attending a different school. He was, indeed, the perfect boyfriend.

As the night deepened, only my boyfriend and I remained awake; Elena had already fallen asleep on the sofa.

As I leaned against my boyfriend, he peppered my cheeks with kisses that gradually trailed down to my lips and neck. A slight electric shock coursed through me, especially when his touch grazed my thigh.

Feeling the heat rise, my hair stood on end as he nuzzled my ear, whispering, "Babe, can we make lo...?" Before he could finish, I gently distanced myself.

"Ah, babe. Can we go to sleep now? I'm feeling sleepy," I said, swiftly removing his hand from my thigh.

Disappointment clouded his expression. "Sigh. Oh well, what else?" he replied with a sigh, rising to tidy up our mess.

Watching him, I felt a pang of guilt. In our two and a half years together, nothing intimate had happened between us. I held conservative views on such matters, instilled by my grandfather, who emphasized the importance of preserving oneself until marriage. While Caleb understood, I couldn't shake off the guilt, knowing his desires. Yet, I believed if he truly loved me, he would respect my stance and wait for the right time.

To my surprise, after tidying up, Caleb approached me with a smile, his demeanor transformed.

"Yes, babe? Why are you just standing there? I thought you were sleepy?" he said, cupping my cheeks with a smile.

I sighed inwardly, relieved by his understanding. It was the first time he had reacted this way after being denied something he desired. I felt a sense of connection and hugged him.

"What's wrong, babe? It's okay. Let's go to bed. Let's sleep," he said, still smiling as he carried me to our bed. As we lay down, facing each other, his eyes closed, I smiled, proud of him. I trusted Caleb completely as I gradually succumbed to sleep.

zzzZZZZ....

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After a few hours had passed, I was stirred from my sleep by the sound of shattering glass. Still groggy, I called out to my boyfriend, asking him to check what had broken.

"Babe, can you please check what broke? Someone might get hurt," I murmured sleepily, reaching out to find him beside me.

With no response and a growing sense of unease, I opened my eyes, scanning the room.

"Babe?" I called out, sitting up and scanning the surroundings.

Noticing the door ajar, I slowly peered outside.

"Babe?" I called again, my voice trembling.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I witnessed my boyfriend and Elena on the sofa, entwined and unclothed, their lips locked in a kiss.

Speechless, I sobbed silently. Caleb rushed to me, pleading for forgiveness and explaining himself.

"Babe, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you. I love you so much. I won't do it again," he implored, tears streaming down his face as he embraced me, begging for absolution.

But fury consumed me. "What the hell, Caleb?! Do you really love me? After I caught you with my friend?! You shameless people! And you have the audacity to say you love me? Are you kidding me, Caleb?! I am so disappointed! You made me believe you could wait for me, but your lust prevailed! You're just like other men. I was wrong about you, Caleb; you're a cheater too!" I screamed, my anger and pain exploding.

I made to leave, but Elena approached, begging for forgiveness, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded with me from her knees.

"Stay away from me, Elena! I am disgusted by all of you. Be together, deceivers!" I screamed, trying to break free from her embrace. When I managed to, Caleb enveloped me, attempting to explain.

He claimed it was the alcohol's influence and begged for another chance, but I refused to entertain their excuses. I swiftly packed my belongings, locking the door behind me.

Caleb tried to stop me, pleading for forgiveness, but I was resolute. "No, Caleb. What I saw is enough for me to leave you. You're both free now, as you deserve each other, you leeches!"

And with that, I left the condo, instructing the security to prevent Caleb from following me.

"Monicaaa!" Caleb's desperate cry echoed behind me, but I didn't look back.

---

After Monica left the condo, she drove aimlessly until she stumbled upon a bar called La Maison Bar and Grill. Despite nursing a hangover, she continued to drink, seeking solace in the numbing effects of alcohol to drown out her overwhelming heartbreak.

She settled at the bartender's table and began to indulge herself...

Meanwhile, a group of handsome, well-built, affluent men, accustomed to being the center of attention, entered the bar to unwind and, naturally, to flirt. Among them was Lorenzo Miguel and his friends, taking advantage of Miguel's day off to join in the leisurely activity.

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LORENZO MIGUEL SAMANIEGO POV

I arrived at the bustling bar where my friends were already immersed in the lively atmosphere. The band was playing, and people were dancing, creating a vibrant energy in the air.

I scanned the crowd, searching for Vonn Austin and the others. They had mentioned they were downstairs, drawn by the allure of beautiful and alluring women. As I navigated through the crowd, I accidentally bumped into a woman.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed, but her frown quickly turned into a smile as our eyes met.

"I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't see you," I apologized, but my surprise grew when a man abruptly pulled her away.

"Damn it, stay away from Miggy, babe. Stay with me!" the man asserted, and I was about to react when I recognized him.

"You crazy Steven! Is that you?!" I exclaimed, bursting into laughter.

The guy was none other than Steven Lee, one of my buddies and former classmates from high school. He was studying Education at a prestigious school now, and with his charm, I'm sure his future students are in for quite the experience.

As we bantered, Vonn approached, grinning from ear to ear while embracing his girl.

"Why are you so late, bro? You missed out on a lot. There were so many hotties earlier, they were so smooth and fierce!" he remarked.

Vonn Austin Miller, my closest buddy, was incredibly reliable and always there when needed. He had a knack for hard work and intelligence, though his frequent changes in college courses to match his crush's preferences were becoming legendary among us. If anyone could replace Einstein and Tesla as geniuses, it would be Vonn, with his motto being "if a rabbit can do it, why can't I?"

"Seriously, do you think Miggy will ever run out? He's got that charm that can sweep anyone off their feet. Hahaha! Even those who are already in a relationship are willing to swap partners just for Miggy's attention," Dale chimed in.

Dale, the youngest among us, was like a little brother to me. He shared my love for books, though he was also known for his generosity towards women, perhaps influenced by his affluent background. His father's ownership of an airline ensured Dale's financial stability as he pursued his dream of becoming a pilot.

My friends handed me a drink as they were getting increasingly intoxicated, their flushed faces accompanied by their respective companions. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. I continued scanning the dimly lit room, hoping to find someone to connect with. The darkness made it challenging, especially with couples unabashedly kissing around me. Even my friends were fully engaged in their romantic pursuits, almost as if they were in a kissing contest.

Unable to resist any longer, I rose from my seat, determined to find a match of my own.

As I scanned the crowded bar, my attention was abruptly captivated by a woman with a dahlia tucked behind her ear. Instantly, I dubbed her "Dahlia" in my mind. Her waist-length straight black hair cascaded down, accentuating her allure. Clad in a red dress that hugged her curves, she exuded an undeniable sensuality, blessed with ample assets and a toned physique. Her attire, barely reaching mid-thigh, left her creamy thighs exposed, accentuated by high red sandals that added to her height.

Dahlia stood out from the usual women I encountered for flings or casual encounters. Despite her not actively doing anything, her mere presence ignited a fiery desire within me. I couldn't help but feel a surge of heat coursing through me as she danced gracefully, her body moving in perfect harmony with the music.

Observing the mesmerized gazes of those around her, I felt an urgency to approach her, to engage in conversation. Ignoring the obstacles in my path, I pushed through the crowd, my sole focus fixed on reaching her.

Even amidst Vonn's calls for attention, I brushed them aside, determined to close the distance between us. When I noticed a drunken man stumbling toward her, a surge of protectiveness surged within me, propelling me forward with increased speed.

There was no way I would allow anyone to encroach upon what could potentially be mine. With a single thought dominating my mind, I propelled myself forward, a silent declaration echoing within me: "Wait for me, Dahlia... I'm coming!!!"

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