Shattered Lanes [SPORTS SERIES #2]

Kabanata 33: To Lay A Hand On

[Eve's POV]

Pagkababa ni Caleb sa kanyang sasakyan ay agad siyang dinumog ng mga tao at mga journalist.

He just looked at them coldly before walking away to the other direction. Napaawang ang labi ko dahil walang nagtaka na sundan siya.

"Miss Eve, tara na po."

Sumunod ako kay Jack at grabi ang amusement ko dahil merong food court pala na connected sa arena. Punong-puno ng mga tao at sobrang ingay din. Parang magkakilala ang lahat.

Jack gestured me towards a vacant table. Matataas ang mga mesa at walang upuan. I bet these are made purposely in order for people to socialize in different tables.

Maya-maya pa ay nagtumpukan ang mga tao sa may entrance. Girls began squeaking and screaming in excitement as they rush towards the entrance.

They began to step aside when Caleb finally entered the place. His eyes were cold and piercing that everyone just fell into silence. Kita ko ang karamihan na napalunok bago bumalik na sa kani-kanilang lamesa.

Alam naman nilang ganoon ang ugali ni Caleb, ba't panay tili at lapit pa rin sila? Fans are sickening.

Inikot ni Caleb ang paningin niya at nang tumama iyun sa amin ay agad siyang naglakad papunta sa aming direksyon. I saw how his eyes softened the moment it laid on mine.

"Congratulations," I softly said.

"Thanks... did you enjoy the game?"

"It was epic! Were you holding back?"

Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya at napayuko habang hinihimas ang kanyang batok. "Yeah, it would be too boring if I go all out from the start."

"What about the other racers? They're safe, aren't they? Especially the yellow one."

Agad siyang natigilan at sumeryoso ang kanyang mukha. "Why do you care about them? May crush ka ba sa kanila?"

Namilog ang mga mata ko sa kanyang accusation. "No! I was just curious. They're alive, right?"

"Yeah," he boredly answered.

"What the purple racer did... was that even allowed?"

"Yeah," walang ganang tango niya.

Napalunok ako dahil hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang nagpabago sa mood niya. "I was kinda nervous when he got close to you, expecting that he'll do the same. I was praying na... kahit hindi ka manalo basta safe ka lang." Napanguso siya sa sinabi ko bago ako tinalikuran.

"I'm just gonna buy some foods."

"He's freaking blushing."

"Huh?" Bumaling ako kay Jack.

"I've never seen Caleb this flustered."

"Was he?"

"Yeah, I'm glad you manage to tame that ass." Manage to tame him? Me?

Nang makalayo na si Caleb, agad kaming dinumog ng mga journalist at mga babaeng mukhang die-hard fans ni Caleb.

"Miss? What's your relationship with Caleb Bellino?"

"With Caleb's eyes being soft like that, you two must have a special relationship, right?"

"What can you say about Caleb's victory?"

"Do you think he'll manage to enter the Grand Prix?"

I suddenly saw guards popping out of nowhere, pushing the people away from me. The journalists were then kicked out of the place.