Bring It On, Detective

E

"DO YOU KNOW that just by the flap of a butterfly's wings, air circulation patterns can be changed to influence the weather?" Elisheva leaned on the chair and crossed her arms below her chest, her stare unwavering.

Alexander, on the other hand, remained in his position. "Of course. The butterfly effect. So, what are you trying to say?"

Elisheva's eyelids fluttered. "What I'm trying to say is that small differences in the beginning can lead to large outcomes. A proper grip and a correct angle give you the advantage.

You already know these, kaya naman, you observe the shooters before you. You analyze their grip and the way they toss the dice, and you place your bet based on these factors, kaya hindi ka matalo-talo lalo na kapag naka-establish ng point ang shooter. At kapag ikaw na ang shooter, sisiguraduhin mong aayon sa 'yo ang laro. Controlled shooting, in simpler terms."

Tila sumabog ang kanyang utak sa narinig, and he couldn't help but admire her intelligence even more. Muntik pang umawang ang kanyang mga labi. Fuck.

So, that's his friend's technique?

Damn. 'Di niya 'yon naisip!

He looked at Alexander. There was a smirk on his face while staring at Elisheva, but his eyes glistened with pride.

"Evidence?"

"The way you held the dice before the detective explained the full details. I was observing you, and you always put the dice down and pick them up again. And every time you pick them up, parating parehas ang anggulo ng kamay mo at kung paano mo hawakan ang dice. It was as if you are too used to holding and throwing the dice that way.

You know everything so precisely, at talaga namang aayon sa 'yo ang laro. If you're still not convinced with my explanation, then let's play this on a high-friction table since friction is necessary to control the dice."

He pursed his lips, preventing himself from showering her with praise. Tension hung heavily in the air as Alexander and Elisheva stared at each other. Silence filled the room, and the lady looked like she was making sure Alexander wouldn't escape.

Damn. Elisheva is one hell of an uncanny and mysterious woman.

Wala na. Talagang tanggal ang angas niya rito.

Sighing, Alexander clicked his tongue and nodded his head. "You got me."

"WHAT KIND OF brain do you have? O ganyan ba talaga kapag mga psychologist?" he couldn't help but ask her the moment they got inside the house.

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang marinig itong humalakhak. Parang nabingi pa siya dahil iyon ang unang beses na narinig niya itong humalakhak magmula no'ng dumating ito kanina.

He even had to look at her para lang tingnan kung totoo ba ang narinig niya, and she really is laughing. Naniningkit ang mga mata nito at kumikinang iyon sa aliw.

Holy fuck?

And she looks so angelic when she laughs!

"You should smile more," hindi niya mapigilang banggit. Elisheva stopped as if she didn't expect that, making him regret what he said.

Damn. Baka ayaw nito sa compliment?

Muntik na siyang mapaatras no'ng lumapit ito sa kanya at tiningala siya. And this time, the amusement is still in her eyes, making him suck in some air.

"Ganito ba, Detective?" And she smiled so wide that her eyes smiled, too. Her perfect set of white teeth were showing, at saka lang niya napansin na may biloy ito sa kaliwang pisngi.