Checkmate, Alas

Chapter 9: Stage 2

"Checkmate."

Janine rolled her eyes at pinag-ekis ang mga braso niya sa tapat ng kaniyang dibdib.

"I accept my defeat." she smirked. "Galingan mo."

"1 point for Yuan of Greenvale Elite University." the host announced. "Janine just wait at the corner for the wildcard later."

Tumayo na si Janine para pumunta sa gilid habang ako naman ay inayos muli ang chess pieces sa board. Kami ang unang natapos at kailangan kong maghintay ng sunod na makakalaban ko.

Dahil limang school kaming magkakalaban at 2 players ang mayroon each school, sa 10 sa stage 1, lima nalang ang matitira. It's a quite unfair though pero after naman nun kukuha ng mananalo sa wildcard para may pang-six na player.

I stayed on my seat and wait kung sino pa ang mga natapos na.

"1 point for Thea of Mystic University." they announced. "Yuan versus Thea on the second stage."

Tumayo yung Thea at lumipat sa upuan sa harapan ko. She's wearing a smug on her face as she sit in front of me. She's about 4'11 and yung hair niya is color brown na maikli. She had a piercing on her eyebrow and I think it's allowed on her university.

"So you're Yuan, huh." sabi niya. Hindi ako nagsalita. I just raised my brow on her.

"We will wait for others before proceeding to the second stage."

Minutes passed and sunod sunod na natapos yung ibang players.

"1 point for Mysti of Elite School of the South."

I just tapped the table because I'm getting bored. Hindi pa kami pwedeng lumabas dahil after pa ng Stage 1 ang break.

"1 point for Korina of Crystal Elite High and also 1 point for Layzelle of Vallen High."

Dahil tapos na ang laban ng school versus school, pwede na kaming mag-proceed sa stage 2 pero need namin i-wait ang mananalo sa wildcard.

"30 minutes break for those who gained one point and the 15 minutes break for the wildcard contestants."

Tumayo ako at nagsimulang lumakad palabas ng room. Kanina pa ako naiihi kaya naman sobrang bilis talaga ng lakad ko. Nadaanan ko ang room nila Nine pero hindi ako sumilip. Tumakbo ako papalapit sa cr at mabilis na pumasok sa isang cubicle.

"Oh gosh."

Huminga ako ng malalim ng matapos.

Naalala ko 'yung mukha ng kalaban ko sa stage two. She looked like a rebel kid but I think I already saw her somewhere.

Naghuhugas ako ng kamay sa sink ng mapatingin ako sa salamin at nakita si Thea. Nakasandal siya sa pintuan habang naka-ekis ang mga kamay.

"Yuan Gabriella Fortunatez," she playfully called me with my whole name.

Isinara ko ang gripo at pumunta sa hand dryer para magpatuyo ng basa kong mga kamay.

"What do you need?" I answered without looking at her and just focusing on my wet hands.

"Nothing." she clicked her tongue, "I'm just amazed na makakalaban ko sa chess 'yung anak ng boss ng daddy ko."

My brows furrowed. Her dad is working on our company?

Napansin niya ang pagtataka ko kaya umayos siya ng tayo at lumapit sa sink. She then open the faucet to wash her hands.

"Oh right you don't remember me." Naghilamos siya bago sinundan ang sinabi, "My father's the head engineer on your company."