Almost Enough (Could Trilogy #2)

Almost #6

ALMOST ENOUGH #6

Sharyn’s POV

I squinted as I peered over the elevated second floor-railing of the bar, spotting Hunter chilling on the couch with his frat buddies downstairs.

I didn’t expect to see him here at INFERNO, the bar owned by my friend Aero, because he is also managing his own bar FIERY.

Was it because of me? Hindi ko naman plano na pumunta rito but I had a bad recit tonight that I need to clear my mind. Sakto nagyaya ang grupo na magpunta sa bar ni Aero to have few drinks.

Badtrip din kasi si River lalo na’t pinaginitan na naman siya ni Atty. Mandejas. Mataas kasi ang nakuha ni River sa exam. Akala nito ay may nagbigay ng answer sheet sa kanya mula sa higher year. Kahit naman gago si River ay hindi naman niya magagawa na mag-cheat kaya inis na inis talaga siya. Matagal na rin na ganyan ang tingin sa kanya ng iba dahil nga sa anak siya ng presidente. They thought River used his family name to get the upper hand when he doesn’t even like to be associated with the first family.

“Did you tell Hunter that we’re going here?” I asked with obvious curiosity.

“Oo,” sagot ni River. Naka-focus ang tingin niya sa chess board habang naglalaro sila ni Jhules.

The whole second floor is an arcade and we have it for ourselves tonight. INFERNO has a lot of branches inside hotels and all has different interior. Itong branch na ito ay exclusive sa amin at sa iba pang VVIP members ng bar—if not a member then you need to be invited.

“Why did you tell him?”

“Kasi chismoso ako,” sandali siyang natawa. “Saka feeling ko ay ihahatid ka niya mamaya kasi susunduin ka sana niya kanina kaso papunta naman na kayo rito,” paliwanag niya. “Unplanned daw pero miss ka na raw niya. Yiee, dalaga na ang bebe.”

I rolled my eyes at River before glancing at Hunter. I wasn’t surprised when he was looking in our direction. Bigla akong nahiya na mahuling nakatingin sa kanya but it also means he is staring at me—quits lang kami!

I smiled at him then he smiled back kaso bigla siyang kinausap ni Sync kaya natuon ang atensyon niya ro’n tapos sumigaw naman si River.

“Oh. Shit! Ang duga, Jhules! Dinadaya mo yata ako!” sigaw ni River. “Bakit checkmate na agad? Ulit, ulit!” Ginulo niya ang chessboard.

Si Jhules ay dedma lang. Tumingin siya saglit sa akin ngunit walang sinabi. A bit awkward, ayoko na lang ipahalata.

“River, ang ingay mo na naman!” Binatukan siya ni Avey nang dumating ito kasama si Ellia. Nahuli sila dahil kinausap pa ni Avey iyong kakilala niya sa baba.

“Ah, aray! Avey, parang tanga naman ‘to. Inaano ka ba?” Naiiritang sabi ni River nang umupo si Avey sa tabi nito.

“Wala. Gusto lang kitang batukan.” Humalakhak si Avey. “Anyway, bakit walang hard drinks? Gusto kong magwalwal.”

“No.” River glared at Avey. “Hindi ka iinom. Akala mo naman ay kaya mo. Sinasabi ko sayo kapag nagsuka-suka ka dyan, itatapon talaga kita.”

Avey stuck her tongue out. “Bakit sinabi ko ba na alagaan mo ako?”

Hay. They started again. Nagkatinginan uli kami ni Jhules. Umiling na lang siya tapos ngumiti ako.

“I think we should leave them,” Ellia whispered, so I stood up and went to the billiard station. Binalingan ko si Jhules na pinitik na sa noo si River dahil sa sobrang ingay tapos iniwan na rin ang dalawa at nagtungo kay Skater na abala sa plates niya ro’n sa kabilang table.