Reckless Abandon

Chapter Twenty Two

Eureka's POV

I stood up, detaching myself from their circle and made my way to the shore. I sat behind a big rock, shivering. I rubbed my arms with my hands, thankful for the friction and the little warmth of its effect on my body.

I stared at the ink-black sea, listened to the waves and let myself breathe.

Moments later, lumapit sa akin si Enrico.

"Hi." he says, looking shy. I look up at him and watch his hair dance in the wind, almost covering his eyes.

I licked my lips before answering. "Hi."

"Do you want to be alone? Or would you rather have some company here?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

He purses his lips and sits down beside me. "I'd like to stay here with you," he unfolds a yellow and white plaid blanket in front of me and wrapped it around my shoulders. "Is that okay?"

I did not answer. I just looked at him.

"I can leave if you want." he offers.

With a sigh, I turned to look at the water. "How does it feel having lots of friends?" I ask.

"Umm... with that group back there?" he hugs his knees and scoots closer to me. "Kinda chaotic."

I smirked. I can see that. "Must be so nice, noh?"

"Yeah, it has its perks. I mean... I'm not really a vivacious person---"

"Hindi ba? But you're a party monger."

He chuckes, "Does it count? Anyway, I don't really hang out with a lot of people. It was just Alice and Miles while I was growing up hanggang sa nasali na yung iba." he turns to me. "Lumaki ka naman dito diba? You were Alice's schoolmate... you must have had friends before."

Oh yeah, about that.

"Wait, teka." dagdag niya bago pa ako ulit makapagsalita. "Anong batch ka ba? I think you're her senior. And if you are, baka naging batchmates tayo. Ba't hindi kita nakita nun?"

"No. My parents made sure the school would shut the fuck up about my family background. I personally did not want any special treatment. They donated too much money in there so they can buy my sense of reality during my academic years."

"You know that's the thing my parents did, too. Pagkatapos nung nangyari kay Nathaniel, they made sure I wasn't getting any unnecessary attention, baka kasi ako na naman ulit ang mapagtripan." he pauses. "I don't know... I just wonder sometimes how you were like before."

"Anong ibig mong sabihin? I am the same."

He stares at me intently. "Were you?"

"Yep." the look on his face and the intensity of his stare made me uncomfortable. I quickly looked away. "So... thank you nga pala ah?"

"Para saan?"

"Ewan ko. For bringing me here? Kasi ewan. Masaya."

"I'm glad to hear you're happy, Eureka."

"Also..." I took a deep breath before turning to look at him. "Gusto ko talagang mag-sorry sayo."

"You don't need to."

"No, honestly, Enrico Hale. I'm sorry. I know I have been such a witch to you. And I'm sorry about what happened at the party. A-and the kiss. I shouldn't---"

"Eureka, I am not sorry that kiss happened."

I looked away again. I can feel my face burning, but thank goodness he can't see that.

"Look, Eureka, it's okay." Enrico says soothingly.

"Also, thank you. Thank you for being so kind to me. Hindi pa tayo magkakilala ng matagal, pero alam kong mabuti kang tao. I wish I was like you, Enrico Hale. No wonder you are blessed with such good friends."

"And with such a handsome face, yeah?"

I rolled my eyes. Here's the Enrico Hale I know. "Umm, probably not that."

He grins at me. "I'm joking. So... is Ashton okay with you hanging out with me?"

I frowned. "At bakit mo naman natanong?"

"I don't know. You say you are just friends, pero mukhang may gusto ata siya sayo."

I laughed. Like, really laughed. He looked a little surprised that I did. "Si Ashton? Magkaka gusto sa akin? Ew, no! Magkaibigan lang talaga kami. Ashton is like my elder brother."

"Ganun ba? Okay..."

"Yeah, we met in LA three years ago. Tough times. He was always there, protecting me, helped me get back to my feet, you know? Nung una kasi kaming magkakilala I was just a total wreck."

"Why?"

I bite my tongue to stop myself from talking. Slow down, Eureka. Remember to keep your guard up. How scary is this? I am actually opening up to him.

"It's a story for another day."

"Promise me you're gonna tell me."

"Maybe." I smirked at him and laid out the blanket in the sand so I can fall asleep watching the night sky.

"Okay," he sighs in resignation. He joins me in the warm blanket. "Eureka?"

"Yes, Enrico Hale?"

"Will things be better for us tomorrow?"

"Maybe."

"Eureka?"

"Yes. What is it Enrico Hale?"

"Will you ever kiss me again?"

I let out a soft, sleepy chuckle. "You say you are reckless."

"I am."

"Then maybe you can ruin this perfect night with your unnecessary and awkward kiss."

He plops his shoulders to his side, facing me. "Okay, are you ready to get pissed?"

"Yeah," I mutter a weak reply.

He leans in closer, inches to my face, then pauses. "Good night, Eureka," he whispers and kisses my forehead before drifting off to sleep.