Reckless Abandon

Chapter Thirty

Eureka's POV

"Why don't we go outside?" he asks, his dark eyes gleaming at me. I glance at his hand before looking up at him again.

At this point, I don't know which is intoxicating— his tantalizing scent? Or the glasses of liquor I have been drowning on since I got here? My subconscious laughs at me. I know myself too well; I am just scared to admit that it's his scent that's driving me crazy. I just want to bury my face in his chest and inhale him until his perfume runs out of his skin.

Bago pa ako makatayo para hawakan ang kanyang kamay, lumapit sa amin ni Enrico Hale ang walang iba kundi ang kanyang ex na si Aika na parang naglalakad na walis tingting. She is tall, skinny and statuesque, looking down at me through her heavy eye make up and fake eyelashes. Kasama niya ay tatlong mga lalake na hindi ko naman kilala.

"En, I looked everywhere for you!" she gushed and threw herself at him. "Nandito ka lang pala!"

"Aika—" kung ano man ang nais na sabihin ni Enrico Hale ay naudlot ito dahil hindi na siya binigyan ng pagkakataon ni Aika makapagsalita.

"Kanina ka pa namin hinahanap. Our friends were wondering kung sasama ka sa amin to play poker sa penthouse ni Robbie! You know... after party things."

Hinay hinay namang binawi ni Enrico ang kanyang braso sa pagkakapulupot ng kamay ng dalaga sa kanya. "No. I'm sorry, guys. Sa susunod na lang. I am not in the mood to play. Plus I did not bring cash with me."

Aika snorts, looking at him with an expression like he was a total loon. "Who says we're paying anybody cash?"

Enrico Hale shakes his head. "Sorry. Got other plans."

"Very well! The night is still young pa naman. There is still a possibility that you might change your mind. Also hey, come with us now. I'll introduce you to someone. Dali!"akmang kakaladkarin na sana siya ni Aika pero hindi nagpapatinag si Enrico.

"Please, Aika. Can't you see I have company here?" banas na sabi nito sa babae. He's starting to look pissed.

"But I am your date..." Aika's voice quivers in dismay, desperation and hurt evident in her face. "You promised your family you are going to be with me tonight, En."

"I don't care, Aika. Kahit magsumbong ka pa kay Mommy." he steps back and proceeds to look at me. "Let's go, Eureka."

Matalim na tumitig sa akin ang babae. Tingin niya naman masisindak na ako sa ganyan? She can try harder.

"Miss Magsaysay?" a voice behind called my name. I spun my neck to see who it was. "Maam, I am sorry to interrupt, but we need your signature and other personal details for the paintings you purchased tonight. Please let me usher you to the private booth."

I smirked. Thank goodness. A perfect scapegoat! I finished the last gulp of champagne in my glass and smiled at the concierge. "Gladly so." Binalik ko ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa. "Please excuse me. I have other things to do rather than watch you both bicker like a hundred old sexless couple."

After having a short chitchat with the artists and other guests inside the booth, I excused myself to the comfort room to find a little peace and to get ready to leave the party, only to find Aika who just ejected herself from one of the cubicles, looking like a crying mess.