Chapter 4

Gianna smiled to herself. She couldn't believe how fast Joaquin is, and she's confident that she'll never have to break Danielle's only rule for her to not fall in love with Joaquin.

"You know, I'm not happy with this." Eric, her boyfriend says as they share a late dinner in her apartment. Gianna has been open to Eric about the job, she explained everything to him and reassured him that at the end of the day, it's just a job.

"Look, I must do this. I can support my family, make our debts be paid, and save up for the future." Gianna is growing tired of having Eric understand the reason why she comes up with her decision. Of course, she doesn't expect Eric to be happy, but he could at least be understanding.

"I know, it's just you know, he's rich, handsome, and I'm just scared." Eric is not the one to shy out when it comes to expressing his insecurities and vulnerability, that's why Gianna liked him.

Gianna sighed and scooched closer to Eric leaving an innocent peck on the lips.

"You have nothing to be scared of. It is you I like, it is you I want to be with at the end of the day." Gianna reassured her boyfriend for two years, sealing it with a kiss which makes Eric's mood a lot better.

The next day went by too fast until Gianna's phone light up with a text from an unknown number.

Care to join me for a ride? I'm waiting in the front.

Gianna looked up and saw Joaquin on his motorcycle. There's something about him that intrigued her, that makes her knees weak, and her stomach turned. It's a new feeling, a feeling she hasn't felt even to Eric. She ignored it and focus on what her goal is - make Joaquin fall for her, then break his heart.

"Where are you taking me?" Gianna asks, her voice a decibel higher as she's now drifting onto the highway riding on the back of Joaquin's motorcycle.

Joaquin smirks, cherishing the moment he has with her. He loves that for Gianna, this doesn't being too fast for someone she just met yesterday. He loves that she seems to trust him, agreeing to come with him to somewhere she doesn't know where. Of course, he doesn't answer her question, pretending he doesn't hear her at all.

"Welcome to my paradise." Gianna opens her eyes and the beautiful night sky welcomes her. The moon and the stars seem close enough for her to touch if she just leans in and grasps them.

"I've brought food, hope you're hungry." Gianna is cut in her trance upon hearing Joaquin's voice. She almost forgot she was with him as she's easily distracted by the celestial bodies dancing before her eyes.

"What do you got there?"

Joaquin couldn't help himself but smile as he stares at the woman in front of her. Normally, this is not the first date he has with someone. This is different, special indeed, and he's glad that it is with Gianna.

They spent the night laughing and sharing things people who just met two days ago don't normally share. But, they don't feel as if they're strangers to one another, they feel as if they're long-lost friends who finally found each other after decades of longing for one another's presence. Gianna felt a little bit of guilt, knowing the reason why she's doing this, but she couldn't care less at the moment. For her, this moment was magical.

Joaquin, on the other hand, felt happy for the first time since his father and Katherine thing happened. He felt that with Gianna, he can trust again. He can let his guards down and be himself, express all insecurities and vulnerability.

Gianna and Joaquin savor the night as they stare at the magical lights in front of them, hoping that the day will never cease. That they will not go home tonight to their reality, at least that's what Gianna's thinking of - her reality, Eric.