“WHAT THE HECK?!” I shouted loudly, trying to stand up, but he quickly grabbed my waist.

“How much do you want just to be with me for tonight?” he whispered to me that pierced my ear.

“You’re rude, man!” I said out loud and slapped his face hard. I did not care when the music stopped, and the room fell quiet because of what I did.

I stood up and walked away from him.

“How could you do that, bitch?!” The man raised his hand and tried to hurt me when someone suddenly intervened between the two of us.

My lips parted when I recognized who the man was.

“Take off your dirty finger on her or else, I will gonna punch you to death,” he said in a low rumble voice.

“Rexon?” I said as my lips trembled.

***

“Cherry Mae!!!” The loud voice of Jacky made my heart flinched. “Cherry!” She knocked on the door repeatedly.

“Oh, Jacky?!” I opened the door with furrowed brows.

“Cherry, look at this carefully!” She handed me the phone she was holding.

I covered my mouth with my hand when I saw that what happened at the bar last night was social media.

“Vocalist of Logistic Band defended her girlfriend in front of their fans!” she read the caption aloud.

“Here is another one! Is she the new girlfriend of our very own Rexon Del’Torre?”

I seemed to be enveloped in coldness because of the captions I read and the posted photos.

She read the comments aloud again.

“Is that really his girlfriend? OMG! Not so beautiful.”

“They are not compatible.”

“Is she the rumored girlfriend of Rexon? Please, say no!”

“Waitress? My God! I thought that Rexon’s standard was high?!”

“It’s a waste of time. It’s definitely a hoax! Hahaha!”

“Rexon is mine! Please, say no!”

“They seemed angry as if they know what really happened,” she said bluntly.

“That news is not true, and it’s embarrassing for that person who just helped me,” I answered.

“But you can’t fool the netizens. They thought there was something about you and Rexon.” She sat down on the sofa and scrolled down her cellphone to get more news.

“He just really wanted to help. I can’t even thank him for what he did last night,” I insist.

“E, how about you? Why did you escape when Rexon was attacked by his fans?” She rolled her eyes.

I bit my lip at what she said. And the incident last night came back to me.

I didn’t hear the crowd anymore because of my heartbeat. I was behind him while he was facing the men who tried to insult me.

“That girl is mine!” he urgently response to Rexon.

“Why don’t you just look for another woman, huh?”

“She’s the girl we want. Just give her to us if you don’t want to get in trouble.” He lifted his chin while grinning.

Rexon glanced down at me. It was as if he wanted to confirm what they said. I quickly averted my gaze because his stares seemed to be scorching.

“See? She doesn’t want to,” he said, then he smirked.

“You b*stard!” the man said. He was towering Rexon with his height and build, but Rexon didn’t seem scared. Instead, he grabbed the man’s shirt without warning and spoke.

“Don’t you dare try to touch her,” he grumbled.

The man seemed too frightened up because of his remarks.

“I will not hesitate to knock you down right where you stand,” Rexon said firmly.

“I’m not scared of you, spoiled brat little boy!” he confidently said.

I was shocked when Rexon threw a vital blow at the man. He fell to the floor and was unable to stand due to intoxication.

He looked at the man’s colleagues, who looked scared as well, especially since Jeff had already come down the stage and approached Rexon.

Suddenly there was a commotion among the fans, so I slowly stepped back and bowed when someone held my palm and pulled me away from that place.

I even glanced at the fans, who seemed confused.

I was breathless when we reached his office, and Calix’s concerned eyes darted on me.

“Are you alright?” he asked. I swallowed hard as I simply nodded.

“Yes, I’m okay.” I still can’t believe what happened. And seeing Calix concerned eyes made my heart melted and blushed. It’s kind of heartwarming to know that I’m probably important to him. I’d been waiting for this moment, and it’s finally here, so I will not miss it.

“Ouch!” I blinked my eyes so he could loosen the grip on my shoulder and act hurt.

“Where does it hurt?!” He seemed confused and gently guided me to sit in the chair before sitting down with me.

“I wasn’t so sure, but I think there . . .” I slowly caressed my shoulder up to my neck.

He looked down, his eyes on my neck, so I bit my lower lip to meet his gaze.

He cleared his throat before bowing to me.

I sighed when his palm touched my shoulder again, and the distance between us was now an inch, so I slowly shut my eyes.

I remained still as I was anticipating his next move, but nothing happened!

I suddenly felt a flick on my forehead, so I opened my eyes again.

“Ouch!” I felt my chicks turned red when he started to laugh.

“Silly girl,” he said between laughter.

Damn, why you’re so incredibly sexy, Calixto? My jaw dropped. He was still smiling and showing off his pearly teeth to me.

“Get back to work.”

I nodded and pouted my lips, disappointed with what he said.

“I’ll talk to the band. I’ll see what I can do with what happened,” he said before turning his back on me. I just followed him while looking out of his office.

I sighed heavily. Why did he ignore me? Am I not beautiful? I have curves, sexy lips, and a good look. What else am I missing?

I just stood up and carried the frustration with the failed kiss. Yes, I was fantasizing about his soft and tender lips, but I just frowned because it looks like it will be a long time before I taste that.

I also decided to leave his office. Everything was back to normal when I arrived. I think the men who abused me earlier have been thrown out from the bar.

“OMG!” I almost jump to my feet and my mind back to reality when Jacky suddenly shouted while looking at her cellphone.

“Cherry, look quickly!” She even motioned for me to come closer.

“What is that again?” I sat beside her and stared down at her phone.

“Netizens took a video of the fight last night.” She covered her mouth with one hand and watched the video.

My eyes widened because it was evident in the video that Rexon was holding my hand, and I didn’t even notice it.

I swallowed before speaking. “There is nothing wrong with that. Maybe he just thought of doing that because . . .” I sighed and thought of something to say.

“Because he just wants to? Or he likes you! You’re a beautiful girl!” She tapped her chin and twitched her lips.

I just rolled my eyes at her and tried to stand up, but she stopped me, so I sat down again.

“What about you and Calix?” she asked in a tone of persecution.

“It’s none of your business,” I whispered.

“Ah, so, when you move to the other shift, I might not even know your business?!” she grinned.

“We’ve just talked.” I shrugged.

“Then?” She seemed to want me to tell something else.

“Nothing. It just plain nothing!” I smirk.

“Aww. Turtle move. It kills you, you know.” She hissed.

Although it was painful to accept, I agreed with what she said. Maybe Calix didn’t like me that much.

***

I almost jumped when my alarm clock rang. I immediately hit it and went back to bed.

“Cherry, get up. You will be late for your work,” Tatay Gorio called me.

“I’m coming!” I rolled over to my bed, stood up, and went straight to my closet. I searched one by one for clothes before I went to the bathroom to take a shower.

“DAD, take your medicine after we eat,” I said while chewing the food in my mouth.

“Don’t worry, I always take my medications on time.”

I nodded and then continued eating.

“How is your work?” He started a conversation quietly.

“It’s fine, Dad. We have a lot of customers this weekend. It’s as close as vacation,” I said between bites.

“Well, that’s good. Just be careful because there are a lot of men in the bar,” he warned.

I swallowed in no time at what he said, so I immediately drank water. Fortunately, he did not ask again, so I finished the meal.

“Be careful going home!” I waved as I went down to the resto-bar to enter. He just nodded at me then sailed away.

When I turned around, the fancy flashes of cameras welcomed me. I did not expect their series of questions.

“Miss, is it true that your rumored boyfriend is the vocalist of the Logistic Band?” the reporters asked.

I was shocked by the number of them and their series of questions. I also did not know the answer, so I chose to walk away.

“Miss Cherry, right? How true is it that Rexon Del’Torre defended you when someone insulted you last time?”

“How about the rumor that your connection involves a third person, namely the manager of the resto-bar where you work?”

I was stunned by that question.

“Is it also true that you had a relationship with your manager while you and Rexon were together?” she asked again, and the smile on her face turned wide.

“No, that’s not true!” My eyes flashed with anger.

“In that case, which of the two is your boyfriend?” she asked again with twitched lips.

The cameras’ frequent flashes annoyed me, so I was unable to answer. Why do I need to answer those false questions, anyway?

“Please just answer, Miss,” she insisted.

“You bitch! You’re not Rexon’s girlfriend! Illusionist!” I heard young people shouting in the distance.

“Miss Cherry, please answer!” They are struggling.

It was there that I felt anxious because of the influx of the people around. They shouted at me. But the anger and the eagerness to hurt me was what really bothered me.

Then suddenly, someone caught my attention and, without saying a word, left the people. He looked straight into my eyes. And right now, at this very moment, I felt secure. I’m now out of danger.

The murmur began and left them speechless. We dodged through the crowds as we hurried inside his car.

Again, I was nervous as I sat in the front seat and closed my eyes tightly.

“Wear your seatbelt,” he said in a cold tone.

I slowly obeyed what he said and glanced at the reporters outside his car.

Until his car pulled away. I firmly held the strap and closed my eyes. The nervousness in my chest seemed to have no place in the pace of events.

We traveled a few minutes. I do not know where we were going. When I noticed that the paparazzi were not there, my heart calmed.

He slowed down his car and glanced at me repeatedly. The silence went on so long that it became very uncomfortable. In fact, I have this fear of awkwardness to open a conversation because I do not know him. But in the end, I chose to speak.

“Ah, thank you for helping me.” I held my breath for a while and waited for him to answer.

But he suddenly stopped the car, so I faced him. “You can go down now,” he said.

I quickly looked around. I don’t know where we were. I was not familiar with the place. I also seemed overwhelmed with nervousness at the thought of being left in such a dark place.

“Are you serious?!” I surprisedly said.

“Yes. Get out of my car!” he scolded. I saw his facial expression and the way he clenched his jaw at me.

I immediately bit my tongue at what he said before glancing around again.

“I already saved you twice. If I save you again, I might charge you.” His voice was full of sarcasm.

So he was showing me his salvation, is that so? Blood rushed to my head, and I looked at him badly.

“Thank you, huh?” I said and chose to open the door of his car, but it was locked.

I turned around and glared at him. “Can you please open this door?” I said.

But he just faced me with a big smirk on his face. Admit it, Cherry, he’s goddamn hot.

“Is that how you thank me?” He crossed his arms on his chest and lifted his brows on me. Oh, deym. Why does he look hot? I wanted to pull off from his hypnotism, but I suddenly shook my head and sat up.

I frowned and acted normally. “Then what do you need?” I leaned back to the chair and faced the window.

“Can you say it nicely?” I glanced at him, and he just smiled at me.

I suddenly felt ashamed of what I did earlier. How could I sound unfriendly even though he was the one who saved me when the reporters rushed to me?

“Okay, thank you for saving me,” I said sincerely. I bit my lower lip when he didn’t bother to say anything.

He just raised an eyebrow at me before restarting the engine.

I feel relieved to think I will not walk home alone.

But I immediately raised my back to my seat when I realized he was going in the other direction.

“Where are we going?” I asked, but he didn’t even answer.

Oh hell, Cherry. If you came down earlier, he wouldn’t have a reason to take you anywhere.

I calmed myself down and faced him again, and smiled broadly.

“You can take me down there,” I ordered.

“I have a gig to attend to,” he said and glanced at his wristwatch.

“And?”

“Join me at my gig tonight,” he answered coolly.

My eyes widened at what he said. “What? No way! I still have a job,” I said hysterically.

“I’m afraid that the reporter is still there. If you come back there, they will definitely attack you again. You don’t want that to happen again, right?” he countered.

“But my job will be compromised. And speaking of reporters, why are they asking me those questions? Shouldn’t that be you?!”

He shrugged and didn’t bother to look at me. I heavily sighed and tried to control my temper.

I snatched my cellphone from my bag and called Calix. “Cherry, where are you? Someone saw you with the press earlier.” His voice has full of authority.

I bit my lower lip and gasped heavily. “I’m sorry. I can’t go to work today.” I uttered a sound of frustration.

“Alright. It’s better if you don’t come back here today,” he replied.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” I said in a low tone.

“Okay. Please keep safe,” he said on the other line. I smiled at the last thing he said.

“Yes, Sir, thank you. Be careful, too.” I could not stop myself from answering. I feel like everything was red in me. There seemed to be a stir in my heart because of his concern.

He laughed at what I’d said. Oh deym. I can already see what he looks like while holding his cellphone—a broad smile and arched eyebrows.

“Ehem.” I glanced at the owner of that voice. He continued doing that thing while he was driving.

I immediately bid goodbye to Calix and pressed the cancel button before facing Rexon.

“So the news that the reporters are posting about you is true? Your boss has something for you.” He started the conversation.

“How can you be so sure?” I glared at him.

“That’s why you dare to do phetics at work because your manager is your boyfriend.” He chuckled lightly.

I hope what he said is true. But since Calix and I were not a thing, I frowned at what he said.

I prefer not to answer it. I don’t need to explain myself to him in the first place.

“Silence means yes.” He concluded and turned his face on me. I swallowed when I met his stares.

Jacky will definitely tweak me when she finds out that Rexon was with me right now, and I was free to observe him this close.

I don’t want to deny it, but he better know that I already have a boyfriend so that he can be calm.

He looked at me for a moment before shrugging. He played his new piercing at the left side of his lip. The last time I saw it, he only had it on his eyebrow. I didn’t even pay attention to it anymore because I was already folding at my seat.

He also did not speak because, after a while, we reached a well-known resto-bar in San Gabriel.

THERE were a lot of people when I entered inside the resto-bar, while Rexon went through the backdoor. It was dark inside, with just the light from the disco ball illuminating the space. I chose to sit on the solo chair at the corner of the bar. Because it was dark, I was comfortable no reporter would approach me.

“What’s your order, Ma’am?” The waiter approached me immediately.

“Ah, just lemon juice,” I said. He immediately complied, so I smiled.

I waited a few more minutes to hear some shouting and applause from the audience.

“Good evening.” He spoke in a low tone. The audience was not wild, so there was no reason for me to be nervous.

Again, my focus was on him. The way he stood up and combed his hair. His masculine body, not-so-dark eyes, and prominent jaw. His groovy moves and an alluring smile that attracts many people made my heart skipped a beat. He hasn’t sung yet, but I feel like I’m getting drunk.

But one thing is for sure, he’s goddamn hot.

I leaned my back to my seat, and I looked at the stage. I saw Jeff working on his guitar next to Rexon while Zach was on drums and Skye on the piano. I can say that this group is perfect as if nothing seems to be thrown away. So I wouldn’t wonder why so many people admire them, especially when they are young.

I turned my eyes to the crowd, then slightly shrugged my shoulders and shook weakly. Oh well, they were so popular I have no doubt about it. I looked back at them again. Where did I go to for almost twenty-three years of my life? Why did I only meet them now?

Soon, the juice I ordered arrived. “Thank you.” I smiled at the bartender and looked away before sucking it.

I turned my gaze back to the stage and firmly bit the lemon juice I held as Rexon began to sing.

Again, I was mesmerized by his voice. I feel like I was breathless even though I was just sitting. I don’t know why but there was something about him. He has a strong effect here . . . here in my heart!

I shook my head and shifted my gaze to the other direction, deciding to simply keep sipping the juice. But my thoughts told me to turn around and face him, so I did! And I couldn’t take my gaze away from Rexon anymore.

He sang well. He slowly closed his eyes and felt the lines of the song, even the opening of his red lips seemed to bring heat to my cheeks.

What is the taste of his lips? What does it feel like to be kissed by a Rexon Del’Torre? I was immediately swallowed up by that thought.

I suddenly straightened up when he looked up and stared straight into my eyes.

My heart was fast and wild. Suddenly my chest tightened.

“Damn.” I immediately bent down and sucked the juice.

Without hesitation, I glanced at Rexon again, who just smiled at me as he continued singing.

Suddenly, the redness rose on my cheeks, and I quickly stood up. I quickly laid the glass on the table then motioned to the waiter.

I do not want to stay long in this place. I feel like I was drowning every time he looks at me, and I know this was not normal. I walked into the crowd and shook my head, thinking he had aroused my interest.

I went outside the bar to breathe some fresh air, but I was suddenly surprised when I noticed the paparazzi waiting outside.

“Miss Cherry!” a reporter called me. She was the same reporter earlier. The cameras flashed at me again.

Bouncers and security forces violently restrained them from attempting to enter the bar.

“F*ck!” I emphatically said that I had decided to just go back inside. How long will they chase me? Why don’t they focus on popular and real issues instead of me? I said to myself as I walked in.

I just chose to go below the stage and mingle with the audience, who didn’t seem to care at all. It was better than hiding in the corner so no one would notice me.

I have no choice but to watch them play. As I looked at them, I can’t help but ask myself: why did I end up with this problem? I was still blowing hard air before I could feel the audience jumping on my elbow.

“Ouch! What—” I stopped speaking when I recognized the woman in front of me.

“You?!” Her eyes were narrow. The girl who I encountered last night at Calixto’s Bar and Restaurant confronted me.

“What are you doing here?!” she asked as she suddenly looked up at Rexon, who was still singing on stage.

“Are you stalking my boyfriend?!” She was angry.

“N-no . . .” I shook repeatedly while raising both hands.

But she pinched my wrist, so I almost fell to the ground.

“Aren’t you working at Calixto’s Bar and Restaurant?” she clung to me.

I nodded quickly at her.

“Then why are you here?” She tightened the grip on my arm.

I could not answer because I was so nervous. What can I say? She will definitely shock when I say Rexon brought me here.

“Tss. That’s why you’re playing with my boyfriend! You’re crazy!” Then she pushed me very hard, causing me to hurt some spectators.

“What is your problem, Miss?!” the woman shouted at me and pushed back, so I fell onto Candice.

“B*tch!” she shouted angrily and pulled out my hair with great force.

“Hey, stop!” I painfully cried.

“You’re not satisfied with the embarrassment you did last night, and until today you’re still a kick on my ass!” she grumbled.

I cried out loud. She pushed my head down, but I pushed her bravely, and I had a chance to pull her hair too.

I have no intention of dragging anyone, especially someone like her. I also pulled her hair too much, but she pushed me again, and I did not prepare for a crisp slap.

I backed away because my mind seemed to darken for a moment.

“That’s what you deserve, b*tch!” I’m in pain again. If her friends had not stopped her, she might have slapped me twice.

I, on the other hand, still seem shocked by what she did. Some stopped dancing because of the scene they witnessed.

I quickly looked at Rexon, who was on stage and still continues to sing. I know he saw the incident based on his reaction while looking at us.

“You ruined Rexon’s name! You’re ambitious, slut girl!” She pushed me so hard, and I backed away again.

I heard some whispers, so I looked at Rexon, who was still upstairs. The song was over, so I took the opportunity to leave that place. I wiped away the tears of shame.

I chose to go through the exit door while wiping my dripping tears. Damn it! Why am I experiencing so much bad luck?

“Cherry, wait!” A loud voice stopped me for a moment, but I resumed walking.

“Just a moment,” he said as he clutched my arms to stop me.

“What do you need?! Didn’t you see what your girlfriend did to me?!” I shouted.

“You’re in pain.” He raised his hand to gently caress my reddened cheek.

My eyes widened at what he did. I can’t breathe properly. I was also surprised at the feeling that aroused me, especially with the softness of his hand holding me.

“I’m sorry for what happened, but she’s not my girlfriend,” he explained softly.

My lips twitched at what I heard. That b*tch!

Silence lingered between us. He’s too close, and I still smell his breath and his warm palm on my cheek. But I violently wiped away the tears before speaking again.

“Don’t you ever talk to me, and please, leave me alone!” I sighed at him then turned my back to leave. But he held my hand to not let me go.

“What?!” I said in a high tone when I faced him again.

“I’ll send you to your home. I’m sure the press will follow you again.”

Before I could protest, his hand illegally touched my wrist. This is really the first time we have walked together.

I could do nothing but give in to what he wanted. After all, he was the one to blame for what I was going through right now. And I’ll make sure this is the last time that we cross our path because I have no intention of seeing him again.