EINO X AVI: Freedom or Glory

II. House of Cards

"Deretso na po tayo pauwi Young Master?"

Mang Rudy already started the car, but my mind was still lingering on the unbelievable moment that I actually slept on a total stranger's shoulder. My God, what's wrong with me?

"Young Master?"

"Ah, no, Mang Rudy. Dun tayo sa Spade."

"Sigurado ka po Young Master?"

Mang Rudy has never been "really" involved in anything beyond being my bodyguard/driver, but for some reason, he has this instinct tuwing alam niyang I might be in trouble with my Dad. He's never been a pakialamero, but I could feel his concern.

"Akong bahala Mang Rudy," I said with a smirk.

This is why I admire Mang Rudy. Always no questions asked. His loyalty is where it belongs. My Grandpa specifically assigned him to me, hindi sa Dad, and since he started driving for me, he's accepted every beating he could take on my behalf. I felt bad each time, kasi hindi niya naman kasalanan whenever I break a family rule or I go against my Dad's demands. But he never blamed me for anything. More than my well-paid bodyguard, he's been my loyal friend...

"I'm on my way. Sino na mga andiyan?"

"Well, well, well. So the Young Master Eino has decided to hang with the gang! Anyare? Kala ko may something sa "House of Cards?"

House of Cards – a term Clay came up with when talking about my crazy family. Bakit? Kasi it's all about playing your cards well. Even as the heir to my family's fortune, things could go wrong. My future still hangs in the balance, especially with the revival of my Dad's worst enemy...

"I don't even know why Dad suddenly wants to talk to me. Kelan kami last nag-usap? Like probably 6 months ago. Malamang hindi nanaman importante. If it's about my marriage, I'm not interested."

"Bago ka mag-drama diyan, paki-bilisan na ang pag punta dito because the party has started! Andito na din ang Avi mo!"

"What? She's just a stranger. Don't make things awkward, and please pauwiin niyo na yan, at mukhang sakitin yan."

"See you Eino!"

Why would she even go there? She doesn't look like someone who'd go to bars and the likes. I hope she realizes she doesn't belong to those places.

"Eino! Eino!" Clay waved his hand while calling me over to their full-packed VIP area. Behind the smoke and loud music, I saw Clay handing a drink to Avi. She looked fatigued but took the drink anyway. What a wuss! Mukhang first time niya lang makainom ng alak.

"Dito ka sa tabi ni Avi," Clay ordered as he motioned for the girls beside Avi to scoot over. I turned my attention toward Avi as I refused to sit down and instead towered above her.

"What are you doing here? Akala ko umuwi ka na kanina." She looked at my face amid the blinking lights.

"Why are you still standing there?" she asked with her soft, almost-hushed voice.

"I asked you first."

"Bawal ba ako dito? Clay said I could come. He invited me."

"So what? Just because someone invited you doesn't mean you should just go with strangers like us."

"Just because I sat beside you at Carlton Bridge doesn't mean you can sleep on the shoulder of a stranger like me."

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing. What's wrong with you."

I plopped down beside her with all the frustration I could muster.