Reckless Abandon

Chapter Eighteen

Eureka's POV

Alice went back inside the van and we followed suit. Kaming dalawa lang ni Enrico Hale ang naka-upo sa likod.

When everyone was all seated, Sandro started driving at ang ingay-ingay nilang lahat. They are all arguing about what music to play in the car. Alice wanted Paramore, Miles and the guys wanted to listen to rap music, while Janine joined in, agreeing with Alice before trying to put on a lipstick, Jake kissing her in her cute cheeks.

Kami lang ni Enrico Hale ang tahimik at sobrang awkward sa likod.

"Thank you, Eureka." he said softly.

"Para saan?"

"Kasi pumayag kang sumama sa amin. I know na-miss mo 'ko."

I made a face. "Enrico Hale, please. Hindi kita na-miss. Kapal mo."

"You can deny it all you want." he muttered under his breath and rested his head on the seat.

"I'm here because I can't say no to a sister." I declared.

Oh, Eureka. You big, fat liar.

"Uh-huh..." he hummed. "But really... thank you. I swear, you're not gonna regret this."

Finally, they settled to play some rock music. So the boys won. I smiled discreetly when I saw Alice whacked Miles so hard in the back before slumping in her seat.

"How long have you been friends?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"A lifetime, I guess? The twins are the two people I grew up with even when I'm a year older than them. Sa aming bahay sila tumitira tuwing summer nung mga bata pa kami. Jake and Janine joined us when we were high school seniors while Sandro is my college best friend. So eventually, we all hung out together and this is the result," he shrugged and I looked at them, still chaotic and noisy.

"Ganun ba, that's nice." I remarked. One people couldn't be this lucky. Ang dami daming nagmamahal sa kanya, like, random bimbos and having this huge group of friends. Meanwhile there's me... lonely and boring as ever.

Well, I never needed a huge truck of people loving me, I only need a few or rather... had a few. One was a best friend that somehow betrayed me and a boy who left me behind.

I sighed and looked at the windows. "Saan nga pala tayo pupunta?"

Why am I here in this van together with these new people? Just hours ago, I was contemplating on going back to LA, running away again because I'm too scared to see more ghosts, feeling restless, doubting myself if I could ever be as great as my Dad and wondering if I could ever have a great legacy just like him. And most especially, I'm thinking on how I could make it up to this guy sitting inches beside me.

How is it that all of a sudden I'm inside a van full of laughing, happy people?

He tilted his head, smirked at me and gave me a flirty wink. I felt a knot in my stomach. It should be illegal to be this attractive. "You're gonna find out soon, love."

"Wala bang kahit isang clue? Baka bigla nalang kayong tumigil diyan sa tabi at i-salvage ako."

He chuckled. "Kung gusto kitang i-salvage, matagal ko na sanang ginawa yun no. Basta, secret na kung saan tayo pupunta. But one thing's for sure though, it will all be fun." he leaned in closer to me. "Masaya talaga ako na makakasama ka namin ngayon. Fun fact, tradisyon namin 'tong magbarkada na once a year, magkikita-kita kami at gawin 'to. Nagsimula 'to nung higschool kami. After prom, we spontaneously took this road trip together... at simula nun we promised ourselves na hangga't maari gagawin namin 'to. I'm glad you're with us tonight..." after a pregnant pause, he quietly says, "I just wanna see you happy, Eureka."

"But I am happy."

He sighs, resting his head again on his seat. "I mean, you should be. You have the world under your feet, Eureka. You're an heiress, you're talented, you can have anything and anyone you want. And on top of all that, you're very beautiful."

I quickly turned to him and realized that he'd been looking at me the whole time. His eyes are studying my face, but I don't want to give away.

"You should be happy, knowing that you have all of those. But there is something about you that is... broken. Anyone who pays attention to you can see it, feel it."

I pretended to look on my shoes. Nakakatakot isipin kung paano ako basahin ng lalakeng 'to. Out of all people, this very guy? Walking naked in public, drowning in liquor in every party, and a notorious womanizer can see through me this clear?

Napalingon ako at nakita ko siyang nakapikit. I must have underestimated his depth as a person.He dozed off, his head slowly sliding down my shoulder. I scoot closer beside him and took hishead so he can peacefully rest on the curve of my neck.

I guess he's not too bad after all.