DENVER

Pagkalabas ko sa kotse ko ay agad akong tinungo ang pagkalaki-laking hotel kung saan gaganapin ang birthday ng kaibigan ko.

Damn. Money talking...

I walked alone, when the guard ask for my invitation. Ibinigay ko iyon saka pumasok.

Pagpasok ko sa venue, una kong napansin ang taas ng ceiling. The space felt open and grand, almost double-height, with light bouncing off the smooth marble floor. Sa gitna, may tatlong chandeliers na punong-puno ng crystal drops, catching every bit of light and scattering it like small stars. It's feels magical...

The walls were lined with soft cream panels and gold trim. Between them were tall glass windows na may view ng dagat sa labas.

The place was built for elegance — clear lines, balanced proportions, and details na hindi tinipid. Kahit ang placement ng mga mesa ay maayos, giving space for people to walk without feeling crowded.

My architecture mind cannot stop doing it's own things. Sinusukat bawat lapad, laki at sukat ng mga nakikita ko.

I was about to go upstairs when someone bumped into me.

“Sorry,” baritonong boses ang humingi ng tawad sa akin. Nang lingunin ko iyon ay gwapong lalake na naman ang bumungad. I think he's between Caelan's age.

“Oh...” naikanta ko.

His dark hair had a soft blue shine under the lights, his eyes were a clear, bright blue. His skin was warm and sun-touched. He looks... stunning.

He wore a dark blue suit that fit him perfectly, the fabric smooth and rich. His shirt was dark grey, open at the collar, showing just enough to make you curious. Small, deep-blue stones gleamed on his cufflinks when he moved. Wow.

Napa-wow talaga ang itsura ko.

May dala siyang maliit na glass ng champagne, pero halatang hindi pa niya iniinom.

“Hey. First time here?” tanong niya.

“Yeah,” sagot ko. “Denver.”

“Marius,” pakilala niya, offering a quick handshake.

Nang magkamay kami ay mainit na palad ang natanggap ko.

He smirked. “Ano'ng sadya mo dito?”

Tumikhim ako. Inginuso ko ang itaas na floor. “My friend's debut birthday,”

Lalo siyang gumwapo nang ngumiti sya nang mas malawak. “Kate's” he asked and I nod. “Nice. Galing ako doon, bumaba lang para magpahangin. Ihatid na kita?”

I dunno what to say. But since he's being gentleman, tumango na ako. “Sige, pre.”

“Pre...” bulong niya sa hangin, parang ayaw pa yatang ganun ang tawag ko sa kanya.

He could be a millionaire, and I wouldn't budge. Ang relatives ng circle of friends ko before ay mga conglomerate kaya nasanay na rin ako makisalamuha.

“This way...” sinamahan nya ako sa elevator. Tapos nang makapasok kami ay pinindot nya iyon saka nagsimulang umakyat.

When the elevator opened, bunch of people greeted the view. Marami yatang i-invite si Kate sa kanyang kaarawan.

“Dev!” Pagkalabas ko palang ay sinalubong na agad ako ni Kate. She's wearing a pink dress, magarbo iyon kaya nahirapan syang tumakbo. But that didn't stop her. “Ang gwapo mo omg! Oh, hi kuya Marius! Bakit magkasama kayo?”

“We meet on the first floor,” sagot nya. He seems friendly to anyone. “He's nice.”

“Kailan magi-start ang event?” tanong ko kay Kate, bumeso siya sa akin na ginantihan ko.

“Hinihintay nalang namin si kuya, wala pa kase siya...”

I smiled, but deep down I was judging his brother. Pa-importante.

“Okay.”

“Maiwan ko muna kayo, Kate... Dev... nakita ko na kase 'yung hinahanap ko.” paalam ni Marius.

Nang makaalis sya ay nag-usap kami ni Kate saka tumungo sa isang table. Ilang sandali lang nang umalis siya dahil mukhang magi-start na ang event. Dumiretso sya doon sa isang room.

Printi akong nakaupo at nagi-scroll sa Instagram nang may tumabi sa bakanteng upuan sa tabi ko.

I looked at a tall, handsome guy, wearing a black tux with a shiny lapel.

“Hi,” I greeted him when he looked at me. But he looks... serious.

Pero tumabi sya sa akin eh. Sa dami nang upuan, sa tabi ko talaga. Ibig sabihin may pakay 'to. Socializing? O kaya naman ay naawa sa akin kase wala akong kausap? Lol.

Hindi naman kami close ng parents ni Kate dahil palaging nasa business trip ang mga iyon and we didn't get to have a chance to be that close. So parang ano lang ako dito... unwelcome? I can't point it out. Basta I felt isolated.

My status might be the reason why nobody is speaking with me.

Nabalik ako sa reyalidad nang magsalita ang estranghero.

“Zevran,” pagpapakilala niya. Hindi siya naglahad ng kamay.

“Dev,” aniko. Tumango lang siya saka ibinalik ang tingin sa harap namin, sa stage. Nagsisimula na ang pagpapakilala ng emcee. Kate is now on the middle of the stage. Lahat ay nagpalakpakan nang magsalita sya.

“Good evening, everyone. First of all, thank you for coming tonight. I know we all have busy schedules, so it really means a lot to see you here on my special day. To my friends, my parents, and those who are close to me... thank you,” She spoke up full of happiness confidence, and a joyful smile. “And of course, thank you to my kuya, Caelan… for making this night possible. Actually, for making it this extravagant. Kuya, you really didn’t have to, but I guess you always do things big.”

That's when I saw Caelan.

Nakasuot siya ng dark navy tuxedo na hapit sa kanyang matipunong katawan. Broad shoulders, makinis ang bagsak ng tela. Ang undershirt niya ay crisp white, pero bahagyang bukas ang unang dalawang butones, sapat lang para magpakita ang matipunong dibdib.

May manipis na silver chain na kumikislap sa ilalim ng ilaw... sa bulsa ng tux, may nakaipit na silk pocket square na kulay asul. He styled his hair too.

“Hello, everyone. Thank you for attending my sister's birthday celebration. I am thankful in behalf for the efforts and time you spend just to witness her special day...” When he speak up, everybody listened. He has this confidence and authority that he carries around the room. Nagpatuloy siya, “That's all. I hope you all enjoy your time in here. Hallelujah!”

He kissed his sister on the check, then went down... straight to me.

Nang nasa harap ko na sya, huminto sya para lang magpantay ang mukha ko at ang bulge nya. Inis akong nag-angat ng tingin.

Nakangisi siyang nakayuko sa akin nang magtama ang tingin namin. And then he looked at Zevran.

“You knew each other, Zev?” he asked.

Umiling si Zevran. “We just met.”

Tama nga ako. Magkakilala sila, and they seem very close at that.

“Sure,” Tumango ito saka umalis sa harap ko, ngunit nayamot ako nang umupo ito sa kabila ko.

Bakit ba dito sila sumisiksik sa akin?

Hindi ko na nagawang mag-reklamo nang magsimula nang lumipat ang tugtog, hudyat na gaganapin na ang eighteenth roses and such.

When music shifted, Kate went to the center. She was wearing her gown that caught the light every time she moved. The fabric looked soft and flowing, with small beads that shimmered. On her head was a small tiara.

At that moment, the whole venue seemed to frame her like the main subject of a picture.

After bumaba ni Kate sa hagdan, tuloy-tuloy ang palakpakan. The host started the program — eighteen roses, eighteen candles, heartfelt speeches.

Isa ako sa mga nag-abot ng rosas sa kanya. Konting mensahe lang ang ibinato ko dahil wala na akong maisip e. Kasunod ko ang iba pang invitee. Parents nya, ilang guests na special sa kanya, saka mga gwapong nilalang. I mean... those who speaks money, power, and fame. Hindi lang sina Zevran at Marius ang dumalo, maging ang ilang bachelors din.

I saw how women gasped for air nang isa-isang nagbigay ng roses ang mga ito. Mga gwapo ba naman at wala pang asawa, syempre sinong hindi kikiligin?

Syempre ako.

Lalo na nang panghuling nag-abot ng rosas ay si Caelan. I admit that he's fucking hot, siguro ay kung hindi ako galing sa break up ay baka nahumaling na rin ako.

Pero hindi pa naghihilom ang sugat ko e. Isama mo pa na naiirita ako da presensya nya.

When the night flaws little by little, unti-unti na ring nagsi-uwian ang mga bisita.

Marius at Zevran eventually drifted away para makihalubilo sa ibang guests, so naiwan akong mag-isa sa gilid, hawak ang isang baso ng tubig.

Kate is now dancing with someone I don't know. Must be her suitor.

The smell of the food was heavy in the air. Truffle pasta, roast beef, fresh seafood on ice. The lighting above reflected on the polished marble floor, halos nakaka-distract sa mata.

Everyone was busy.

Then I noticed Caelan moving through the crowd. Tall, commanding, every step he takes are breathtaking. I don't know why I hold my breath.

Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin. Before I could look away, he was already standing in front of me.

“You looked lost,” tinabingi nya ang ulo saka tinaasan ako ng kilay.

“You looked like someone who would ruin my night,” I said sarcastically.

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi nya. Saka sya dumungaw at inilagay ang bibig sa aking taenga. His hot breath gives goosebumps to my body. Lalo na nang nagsalit sya.

“The only thing I would ruin if I got the chance... is your ass.”

I shuddered. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko, ngunit nang mapansin na may ilang mata ang sinusuri kami, bumuntong hininga ako, saka naglakad patungo sa isang madilim na parte. “Follow me.”

I don't know if he followed, and I don't care. Basta kapag hindi sya sumunod, magi-stay ako sa madilim na parte so that nobody could disturb me.

Nang makarating ako ay napangisi ako nang mapansing parang aso syang sumusunod sa akin.

“What do you want, Mr. Valez? You keep flirting with me. Do you want something from me? Information? Connection? Kase kung oo, parehong wala ako noon.” Nilabas ko lahat ng gusto kong sabihin. “At isa pa, as far as I know, you're a womanizer... you don't look... gay?”

He licked his lips, saka nya pinasadahan ng kamay ang buhok, bago nya ako kinorner ng magkabilaang braso nya sa pader. Damn. This position feels dangerous. I feel vulnerable.

Sinubukan kong alisin iyon, ngunit masyado syang malakas. His strength is fucking out of my command.

Napahigop ako nang malalim na hininga nang dumungaw sya sa aking baba saka halikan ako roon. Pakiramdam ko malalagutan ako ng hininga.

“You know... The only thing that gives me boner are women and their pussy...” he said in his husky voice. Nanginig ako nang ituon nya ang labi sa aking taenga at kagatin iyon.

“C-Caelan...” Nanghihina ang boses ko.

“But ever since I laid my eyes on you. I keep thinking bad things, Denver Ong... bad things...” ipinasada nya ang kamay sa aking bewang hanggang makarating iyon sa pang-upo ko. “I am not gay... before. But I think I am now... or bi.. or anything... but all I know is — I want you. I want your lips, I want your body... I want your ass...”

Lahat ng lumalabas sa bibig nya ay parang mga piston na tumatama sa dibdib ko. It feels surreal, but it makes my insides go wild.. I'm starting to have a boner.

Nagpatuloy siya, “I wanna fuck you right now. Look what you have done,” he grind his bulge on my own. And damn, I can feel how fucking thick it is inside his pants. “But no, I think I need to get to your heart first, before I went to your pants...”

Every word he said could make every person lose their minds. But I fought.

I can't... I can't be with him. Hindi pa ako gaanong nakaka-move on kay Alaric. I need to fix my emotions first.

I pushed him away. But when he didn't budge, sumubo nalang ako. Bumuntong hininga ako saka nagsalita. “Fine. Do what you want. Win my heart. But in one condition.”

He pushed back. His eyes narrowed slightly, not angry, more… curious. Then he stepped back, hands in his pockets, a short laugh escaping.

“And what is that?” sinakyan nya ang sinabe ko.

I scowled. “Court me. In public, and in private.”

If one thing I learned about my past relationship with my ex. Is that billionaires are fucking cowards. They won't tell the world they are queer. They would hide their sexuality in the shadows. They would pretend to be someone they're not.

I almost believe Caelan would reject my offer. But then I got shocked when he agreed.

“That's it? So easy...” he stepped back and crossed his arms. Sinuri nya ang kabuohan ko, saka napukol iyon sa aking likuran. “Ready your ass. I would destroy it once you're mine.”