CROSSING THE WILD WAVES (Familiá Altamirano #2)

PROLOGUE

Masaya akong nagmaneho pauwi sa condo 'ko— Silvermoon tower. As usual dumaan na naman ako sa dati naming apartment ni Ariella. I always do this every time I pass through España. I miss those times when we lived together in the same house. 'Yong tipong, hindi kalakihan ang tinitirhan namin pero basta magkasama kami ay walang problema. Now, we have different lives.

I miss that girl so much! Namimiss 'ko na rin ang kambal niyang anak. Sobrang tagal na nang huli kaming nagkita dahil palagi akong nasa ibang bansa. Ang huli 'kong balita ay bumalik na ulit siya sa pag-aaral habang pinagsasabay ang pagtatrabaho, just like before.

Noong kinagabihan, nag-shower lang ako at nagbihis na para sa party. I chose to wear a one-shoulder maroon mini dress that has a nadafair cut. I paired my outfit with my red stiletto sandals.

Since my outfit is already vibrant, I only wear simple jewellery for my neck and ears. Naglagay na rin ako ng make-up nang matapos akong magbihis. Sa buhok naman ay hinayaan 'kong nakalugay ang mahaba 'kong buhok na umaabot hanggang sa ibaba ng dibdib 'ko.

I miss having my shoulder length hair. I am planning to dye my hair, actually. I want to try a red or auburn color for a change. One of these days, I'll go to the nearest salon for my hair's makeover.

Nang makarating sa BGC, upbeat music, blinking neon lights, and fog welcomed me. Adrenaline immediately rushed through my veins the moment I entered Xylo. Oh, God! I miss this place! I miss my night life! Mabilis na nangati ang katawan 'ko para sumayaw.

I squinted my eyes to search for my friends among the sea of people. Noong makita 'ko sila ay kaagad nila akong sinalubong sa pangunguna ni Lucy. Hinila niya kaagad ako papunta sa table na pinareserve niya. Kumislap ang mga mata 'ko nang makitang marami ang mga inorder nila. There are bottles of Cuervo, Bacardi, Jack Daniels, and San Mig above the table. Lahat ay hard drinks!

"Khrizanta, take a shot first!"

"Hindi pa nga ako nakakaupo!" I admonished before I took the shot glass and bottoms up the tequila. Then, I suck the lemon to subside the bitter taste. "Let's party!"

Hinila 'ko kaagad sina Jen at Lucy papunta sa dance floor. Nandoon na rin pala ang iba naming kasama. Since I miss my nightlife, I started swaying my hips following the sensual beat of the music.

I love dancing because it makes me feel free. . . Dancing is one of my ways to express myself.

My eyebrows arched when I felt someone behind my back. I smirked when I felt him seductively dancing behind me. Tumigil ako sa pagsasayaw at nilingon ang lalaki. He's a good-looking man, but he's not my type. Hindi naman ako mapili sa lalaki, although iwas ako sa mga lalaking manloloko at hindi makuntento sa iisang babae.

Kotang-kota na kasi ako sa dalawang ex-boyfriend 'ko. Those trash dared to cheat behind my back. After I gave everything, they still chose to cheat because one vagina isn't enough for them to be faithful and loyal.

Hindi lang pinagbigyan, naghanap na kaagad ng ibang butas na papasukan.

"Hey, sweetcake. I'm John, what's your name?" The man I danced with whispered to me.

John. . . Pangalan pa lang, mukhang hindi na mapagkakatiwalaan.

Hilaw ako ngumiti. "Louisse," I fibbed.

I don't really give my full name to a strangers. Depende na lang kung magaan ang loob 'ko sa kaniya but this one. . . I doubt.

"Your name is beautiful, like you." He winked at me. "Are you free tonight? Wanna go to my place?" he asked and tried to trace his hand on the small part of my back.

Ngumisi ako at hinila ang kwelyo ng suot niyang polo. "Well, guess what? I'm not free and will never be," I whispered, winking at him as my goodbye.

"Wait, maybe I can change your mind!" hinabol niya ako at pinigilan sa braso.