Reckless Abandon

Chapter Eight

Eureka's POV

"So, how did you and Arthur become family? That guy was such a whack."

Enrico decided I should get groceries. Tinanong niya kasi ako kung paano ako nakaka-survive na puro instant noodles at cereal lang ang laman ng pantry ko. I mean, I don't really cook that much. Plus, I eat out.

"Mommy ko at Daddy niya magkapatid. Simple as."

Him holding the cart, nilagyan ko iyon ng magkaibang klase ng biscuits. Those look really yummy kasi.

"I still can't believe he tried to burn your hair. Ang ganda ganda ng buhok mo para sunugin."

"Hindi ko rin gets kung bakit ganun si Arthur. His parents are actually nice."

"Man, two positive integers would always equal to negative."

Natawa ako. "Exactly."

"So... narinig ko sa mga guards eh galing ka raw America."

"Ano? Pinagchichismisan niyo ba ako?"

"Hindi ah. Kaninang umaga kasi kinausap ako nung isang guard. Tapos nabanggit niya na bagong lipat ka lang raw dun."

I sighed, "Yeah, they're right. I just got back from LA."

"Really? And are you here for good?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya, habang papaliko kami sa sunod na aisle. "Nah, hindi naman. I don't plan on staying here for a long time. Nandito lang ako para mag manage ng negosyo namin from time to time."

"If you don't mind me asking, ano ba ang negosyo ng pamilya mo?"

"Well, parents ko ang may ari ng chain of luxury hotels. Namely, The Frontier."

"Oh, so you guys are those Magsaysays!"

"Why?"

"Your folks bought off land from us. Kasi diba, maglo-launch kayo ng bagong branch ng hotel?"

I smiled. This guy knows the business world. "Talaga ba? I didn't know that! And yes."

"So you are that Eureka Magsaysay. I always thought your name sounded so familiar."

"Bakit?"

"Kasi parang nabanggit ka na sa akin dati. It was a long time ago."

"I see. Well yeah, I am THAT Eureka Magsaysay," I gave him a side glance. "How about you? Aside from screwing your brains out with random bimbos, anong pinagkaka-abalahan mo?"

"Hmm, I manage my cafe. It's called Bistro."

"Bistro? That's it?"

"Yeah, that's basically how I earn my keep."

What the heck does he mean? This guy came from old money like me. I did my research. This guy is trying to be down to earth.

I watched him scan through the items in the aisle. His eyes lingered for a moment on a pancake box. He pursed his lips and contemplated for a while, but then gave up and turned to look at me. He smiled.

This guy is annoyingly cute for a heart breaker. He had a rakish auburn hair, deep set dark brown eyes that looked almost black, a straight Patrician nose, and a perfectly shaped mouth that my brain decided to call kissable. His teeth were impeccably white too, making his smile impossible to resist. He must be six foot three, and I know this because I am five foot nine. Enrico's body, well... I've seen him half naked and his surf board body has lean and enough muscles that could make any girl salivate in lust.

I gulped and tried to focus on shopping.

"What?" he inquired.

"I just wondered. You literally own a Cadillac. That doesn't seem like a man who only owns a cafe can afford."

He brushes his fingers through his hair, his muscles rippling slightly against his shirt. This guy needs to stop being hot. "Damn it, alright. Binili yun ni Dad sa akin last year. I did buy a car from my own earnings though! Nasa bahay ko. Look, I try to make something for my own. I don't want to depend on my parents' wealth. In fact, I feel uncomfortable talking about it. Plus it scares me. To a point that I feel the pressure of having to keep up. And I wanna start doing something that I like. I have to have something."

"And that's Bistro?"

"Yeah. Bistro is like my wife. I tend to her everyday, check on her every hour of the day, take care of her needs, give her my attention, etcetera. I take good care of her, to keep her happy. She's a lot of work, but I love her."

Napatigil ako sa mga sinabi niya.

"What?" tanong niya.

"That's quite odd for someone who has slept with half of the girls in the city with no concept of commitment."

Tumawa siya nang malakas. "Aah, Miss. You are very witty. You see, a man knows his priorities. If he wants to have a good time, he will have his good time. If he doesn't, he won't call you. Ganun lang yon. Bistro is mine, so she's my priority. Kaya nung narinig kong pinagtangkaang sunugin siya at sirain, I was really devastated. Kaya, nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa tulong mo."

Binalot na naman ako ng matinding usig ng konsyensya. I'm sorry, Enrico.

"Enrico, umm..."

"Yeah?"

"I'm..." ...sorry. Ako mismo ang nagbigay kay Arthur ng ideya na paglaruan ka. "Kasi, ummm..." kinuha ko yung pancake mix na kanina pa niyang tinitingnan. "Parang gusto ko na rin to." I tried to smile.

And he did, too.

All Rights Reserved 2020. 04/05/20