Reckless Abandon

Chapter Twenty One

Enrico's POV

"Jake and I are getting married this year..."

"Oh come on!" Miles wailed. "Is that even news?"

"I'm not even surprised anymore." Alice rolled her eyes. "I saw you two having sex in Janine's room one time!"

"WHAT!!" Janine gasped, her face burning crimson.

"Yeah, I mean lahat naman kami alam na pinagtagpo talaga kayo para sa isa't-isa. Hindi na kami mabibigla kung isang araw maisip niyong magpakasal. Like duh, for how many years, I witnessed you guys all lovey-dovey in front of me. In fact I already feel sick watching you." explained Alice. Which is true, anyway. Tagal na kaya nila Jake at Janine... I guess it's about time they get married para wala na silang kawala sa isa't isa?

"I'm sorry hindi ko alam na you saw us having... you know!"

"Ugh, whatever Janine. You're both stupid you kept the door open."

"Congratulations guys," sabi ko at niyakap si Janine na nakaupo sa aking tabi. "Basta ba ako ang best man ha!"

"Loko-loko! May kapatid ako, paanong ikaw ang magiging best man?!"

"Edi ring bearer nalang!" I joked.

"Congratulations anyway," Sandro said and they all took turns hugging the couple.

"Wow, can you guys believe it? We are so... mature." Alice declared.

I let out a little snort. "That's a bit rich for someone who literally almost threw a tantrum kanina kasi hindi nakakuha ng bumper car."

She made a face. "As usual, you're a hater, Chico!" she turned to the others. " You guys know what I mean!!!"

"Yeah, I get you. Dati pino-problema ko lang kung ano na namang palusot ang sasabihin ko kay Dad kasi isang araw ubos na agad ang aking allowance. Ngayon, kailangan ko ng mag budget. Hayop, ang hirap pala kumita ng pera." sabi ni Miles.

"True, when our parents said life is not gonna be easy when we grow up, they sure wasn't kidding." agreed his twin.

"Not me, though. I live through my trust fund." Sandro smirked to all of us.

Spoiled fucker. I laughed at him. "Anong mangyayari sayo kapag maubos mo na ang pera ng magulang mo?"

"Not my fucking problem." he shrugs. Napa-iling ako. This guy is a man-child. He turns to me. "Also, what about you? Promise me to NOT stop going to parties with me, Enrico."

Alice grunted. "Honestly, Enrico, huwag kang makinig sa Sandro na yan. You should stop. Hello, twenty-six ka na. Ano pa bang meron sa pagpa-party na hindi natin na experience four years ago?!"

I sighed. "I... don't know. If I don't party where would I go? And hey! Don't be so hard on me. Unlike Sandro, I earn to pay for my shit since I was sixteen. Even with my privileges! So get off my dick."

I did not mean to sound pissed... but I kinda hate that I am being roasted like I am such a useless person, like Sandro. I mean, I get their point. Partying, clubbing, women... how pointless, right? But aside from Bistro? What the fuck do I do with my life?

"Why don't you just settle down?" biglang tanong ni Jake.

"Whoa," I breathed, "Slow down, lover boy. M-marriage is not my thing..."

"Yeah!" chimed Alice. "Imagine! Enrico! Getting married!"

I saw Eureka smiled incredulously, mocking me in her silence.

"What?!" I ask.

She raised her eyebrows and tried to wipe her grin off her face. "Nothing."

"What do you think, Eureka? Do you think it's about time para maghanap ng matinong babae si Enrico?" tanong ni Alice sa kanya.

"Alice---"

"Shut up. I want to know what she thinks!" she shakes Eureka's arm. "So, Eureka? What do you think?"

Eureka met my stare with a smug look on her face. "Umm, that's gonna be a challenge. Since he probably can't stay with one woman."

I gasped. What does she think of me? "Oh, Eureka... you wound me." I clutched a hand to my chest, pretending to be hurt. "You really think I am not capable of being loyal?"

She snorted, "Totally."

"Wow, haven't you guys thought that maybe... just maybe, I just have not found the right girl yet?!"

Eureka and I both stared at each other.

"Umm, maybe, just maybe, you should have thought about looking at the right places first?!" Alice retorted back. "Ugh, you guys are hopeless. Especially you, Sandro."

"On the contrary. I'm a rich dude."

"Cheers to that! And most especially to Jake and Janine's engagement!" Miles said loudly. And we all clinked beer bottles.

Eureka's POV

The night carried on with Enrico's friends filling the chilly air with bursts of laughter, joke fests that's passed on to one for the other every now and then, more bottles of beer that now lay empty in the warm sand, reminiscing and sharing stories about the years they all spent together... and a lot more.

Being around this vibe makes me feel sick at the pit of my stomach in a way--- the insecurity gnawing from my insides is attempting to emerge out of my mouth.

Looking at Enrico Hale, seeing him genuinely happy, having a good time around the people who loves him very much, makes me want to punch him in the face. I don't know why I thought that, but I hate it.

I hate that someone is THIS lucky.

Buong buhay ko I was taught to be self-reliant and independent. Choose your tribe, Eureka. Choose your friends. You don't need a lot of them. And if you do make some, don't let them get to you. Don't trust anybody.

You're Eureka Magsaysay, after all.

The granddaughter of The Frontier's founder. I am practically Paris Hilton.

No one was ever enough to be friends with me in my stupidly sheltered life. It was always up to the approval of my family. Even though I managed to have a few rare ones, I could not even hang out freely and have them over to our mansion all the time. It was so confining... and lonely.

After everything that's happened in the last three years, I wonder where they are now.

I wonder where she is now... especially after that coffee shop experience.