My Only Secret

Chapter 20

It was 9 in the morning, and everyone was gathered in the living room, engaging in a friendly game of chess after eating their breakfasts.

Cameron had found a chessboard from a compartment in the house while cleaning earlier, and Kei suggested they play it.

Currently, Dashwin was facing off against Cameron, but it appeared that Cameron had the upper hand.

"Suko ka na, Dash. Nakain na yung queen mo. You're losing." Pang-aasar ni Cameron.

Umiling si Dashwin. "No, naniniwala ako sa biggest comeback."

"Biggest comeback my ass, anong magagawa ng nag-iisang horse mo, Santiago? Unless marunong lumipad 'yan." Sali ni Kei.

"Naging unicorn pa ampota." Natatawag turan ni Dashwin.

"May mga bagay talaga na kailangan mong isuko, bro, kung alam mong wala ng pag-asa." Pag-yayabang ni Kei.

Axel chuckled beside him, "just like last night when you surrendered in a one-on-one drink with me?"

"Gago! Scam ka naman kasi," dinuro ito ni Kei, "sabi mo hindi ka umiinom pero bakit ang taas ng alcohol tolerance mo, ha?"

Axel just smirked and shrugged at him. "You just bite more than you could chew as always, Valdez."

Inikutan ito ni Kei ng mga mata. "Akala mo kung sinong maangas." Bulong-bulong niya sa sarili.

"Ano na, Dashwin? Ang tagal naman. If this was an actual game you'd lose in terms of time." Ani Cameron kasi kanina pa hindi gumagalaw ng piyon si Dashwin.

After a certain amount of consideration, Dashwin raised his hands in defeat. Napabuntong hininga itong tumayo at ipinagkuha sina Kei at Cameron ng juice at ipinag-gawa ng sandwich.

Hunt sighed at their antics. The rule for their chess game was that whoever lost would have to follow whatever order the winner gave them.

At iyon ang ginagawa ni Dashwin ngayon.

"Okay, I'm next." Kei declared and sat in Dashwin's chair. He pointed Hunt. "Play with me, team leader. Diba marunong ka?"

"Are you sure you want to face off with team leader, Kei?" Cameron smiled at him teasingly, "He's good at chess, remember? Baka mapahiya ka lang."

Hindi ito pinansin ni Kei at nginitian lang si Hunt, tila nanghahamon.

Napangisi naman silang lahat nang umupo si Hunt kaharap ni Kei.

Hunt was known to be a strong chess player and Kei, though he was no novice, was not quite on his level. As the game began, Hunt carefully considered his moves, taking into account the possibility of different strategies Kei might employ. Kei, on the other hand, tried his best to make the most of his pieces, but Hunt's skill proved to be too much for him and he ultimately found himself in checkmate.

"Ahhhh damn it." Kei frustratingly scratch his head as Hunt checked him using his queen.

"What now, Valdez? Surrender." Bulong ni Axel sa tenga niya kung saan sinamaan niya ito ng tingin.

"May mga bagay talaga na kailangan mong isuko, bro, kung alam mong wala ng pag-asa." Nakangiting kutya ni Dashwin sa kanya.

"Tangina niyo!"

The others were making a mockery of Kei, and the sounds of their laughter and teasing filled the air. Ganyan sila nang abutan ni Raven sa living room na kakagising lang.

Si Dashwin ang unang nakapansin sa kanya, "Raven, gising ka na pala."

Tinanguan niya lang ito at lumapit sa kanila.