Reckless Abandon

Chapter Nineteen

Eureka's POV

A soft, warm hand lightly tapped my cheek. I stirred, opened my eyes and realized that I fell asleep too, my head resting on Enrico Hale's shoulder. I quickly wondered kung paano nangyari yun? Huli kong alala eh siya ang nakasandal sa akin.

His caring eyes was the first thing I see.

"Eureka, nandito na tayo."

Nakita kong isa-isa nang nagsibabaan ang mga kaibigan ni Enrico Hale ng sasakyan. It was dark, and I can only see their silhouettes in the dim yellow light from the lamp post outside. I can hear their hushed voices and soft chuckles.

"Nasaan na tayo?" I asked, still feeling groggy.

"Just come." his voice soft as velvet. Reluctantly, I got out of the vehicle, the chilly wind greeting my face as soon as I stepped out. Sumunod sa akin si Enrico.

"Eureka, dito ka lang muna ah? Tutulungan ko lang sila." he gave me a comforting smile. "Are you okay?"

Tumango lang ako. Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawi ang buhok na nililipad ng hangin sa mukha ko. "Don't worry. You have me."

Pinanood ko siyang nilapitan ang trunk ng van at tinulungan ang kanyang mga kaibigan na sina Sandro at Jake sa paga-unpack ng kung ano mang gamit ang naroon.

Janine and Alice slowly walked up to approach me. Pinilit ko ang sarili kong ngumiti.

"Hey..." sambit ni Alice at pinulupot ang braso niya sa akin. "Are you having fun yet? Pasensya ka na ah."

"Para saan?"

"Kasi magulo kami," bahagya siyang natawa. "Tska, baka napilitan ka lang na sumama."

Napailing ako. "No, it's totally okay! Wala din naman akong masyadong ginagawa sa buhay."

"Nagbibiro ka ba? Chico says you're running an empire!"

"Chico? And uh, not really. Hindi naman ako may-ari nun kundi mga magulang ko."

Bumitaw siya sa pagkakahawak sa aking braso at humarap sa akin, habang naglalakad ng pabaligtad. "I gave that nickname to him. Also, no one has called him Enrico Hale before... that's really cute. Anddd, he looks like he's crazy over you." she points using her lips to my shoulder. Janine and her started walking away, giggling.

"Ano na namang pinagsasasabi nung babaeng yun sayo? Just tell me kung tinatakot ka nila ah." Enrico joined beside me, now holding a box of ice cooler.

"No, hindi naman. Bakit? Lahat ba ng mga babaeng sinasama mo dito sa trip niyong magbabarkada umuuwing takot sa kanila?"

"Hindi." he paused. "Kasi wala naman akong ibang babaeng dinala dito na kasama sila."

I shot a glance at him in the dark. Hindi ko masyadong maaninag ang kanyang mukha, kaya hindi ako sigurado kung nagbibiro ba siya.

"Pfft. As if."

"Talaga!"

"San nga ba talaga tayo pupunta?" I demanded. I am starting to feel a little creeped out. Ang dilim dilim kasi. I see nothing but shadows of what seemed like banana trees and a sandy narrow road under the gleam of the moonlight. Suddenly feeling cold, I hug myself tighter. I am only wearing a yellow tank top and a denim skirt, for goodness' sake.

Tumigil si Enrico sa paglalakad at hinubad ang kanyang gray hoodie at isinabit ito sa aking balikat. "Secret nga eh, diba? Alam mo minsan Eureka napaka kulit mo."

"Aba? Bawal na bang magtanong? Paano nga kung ako na ang next salvage victim na itatapon niyo dito? I don't know this place at all!"

"Fine," I heard him sigh. "We're on our way to Janine's rest house. Look," turo niya sa di kalayuan. "That's where we're going."

I tiptoed to see what he meant, and there it was, on top of a cliff, is a house. In the darkness, I started paying attention. The road is a little bit rocky and sandy, and when the wind blew, the breeze smelled fresh and salty.

OK, we're definitely at a beach house.

"Happy now?" he says sarcastically. I rolled my eyes even though he cannot see me. "I know you don't trust me enough, Eureka. But maybe just for tonight, you can let loose. Kalimutan mo muna kung anong bumabagabag sayo. Leave it all behind, OK? Tonight, you're going to be living up to your name."