Chapter 13 (GAME)

CHLOE

When Elliot asked me for a dance ay hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip pa. I found a rescuer from the flirtation of Trace. If by chance na walang Carly na dapat isipin ay baka pinatulan ko ang kalandian ni Trace. If walang Carly na masasaktan ay oo, why not? Pero may Carly... may Carly na pwede ko masaktan kapag nalaman niya na ang lalaking mahal niya at pinapahanap niya ay nilalandi ako at gusto ko rin.

This stupid emotion I am having for Trace should be stopped. Hindi pwede na palagi na lang na ma-disregard ko ang totoong kailangan ko kay Trace nang dahil lang sa katangahan ko na matukso sa kaniya.

"The song suits you well," Elliot said while we were dancing to Ed Sheeran's song titled Perfect.

I smiled. I don't know. Elliot is equally as handsome as Trace, but he makes me feel relaxed and I don't feel danger with him unlike when Trace is around. Elliot is what my preference is in a man. Neat, clean, professional, and respectable. Elliot made me remember Oliver. Kung may dapat ako magustuhan ay si Elliot and not Trace.

Yes, ang tulad ni Elliot ang dapat binibigyan ko ng atensyon at hindi ang tulad ni Trace na walang ibang matino kung hindi ang mukha niya lang. No! His body is awesome too! Yes! Mukha at katawan lang ang nakakaakit kay Trace at wala na iba pa. Iyong ano pa pala... Iyong ano niya! The best iyon!

Oh no! Stop Chloe! Focus on Elliot at kalimutan mo si Trace. You should make Trace feel sorry for Carly at hindi pinagnanasaan mo pa rin! You and your lewd mind!

"You are the perfect one for someone na hindi perpekto ang utak na tulad ni–" Elliot cut his words afterwards. Hindi itinuloy ang gustong sabihin.

Dinistansya ko naman ang sarili ko sa kaniya. I frowned. Did I understand it correctly?

"Trace?" I asked. "It is Trace you are saying, right?"

Elliot chuckled and how devastatingly handsome he was. Natawa na rin ako.

"And I thought you like me?" I teasingly asked him. Alam ko naman na hindi niya ako gusto. I can see it in his eyes. Mukhang savior ko lang siya mula kay Trace.

"Trace obviously liked you," Elliot said at hindi ko alam bakit ako natawa. I am dancing with a handsome man na hindi naman pala ako gusto at ginagamit lang ako para mang-asar ng kaibigan.

"And that made me your target?" I asked.

"Not totally. I am just annoying that moron friend of mine. Makaganti lang sa kalokohan niya sa akin, and Paige told me to make her kuya jealous," Elliot added. I don't know pero hindi man lang ako nasaktan ng bahagya. I even giggled.

"No worries. I just used you too to escape Trace's flirtation," I said.

"Why? You don't like Trace?" nagtataka na tanong niya.

Shit, Paige! Mukhang inilaglag mo naman ako sa lalaking ito!

"Did you ask me for a dance to interrogate me, attorney?"

"I asked for a dance to help you because I noticed that you are helpless with that friend of mine."

I went still with what he said, I even stopped from moving at mas nakayakap na lang ako sa kaniya kaysa nakikipagsayaw. The 'helpless' word hits me. Carly. The word reminds me of Carly.

I raised my face to search for Elliot's eyes. I wanna see the sincerity of his voice in his eyes. Should I trust him with my reasons why I am here?

Nang mapatingin ako sa pwesto namin kanina ay nakita ko si Trace na may inaapakan pero hindi ko na maklaro dahil marami nakaharang na nagsasayaw rin na magkakapareha.

"What do you think Trace is doing?" tanong ko kay Elliot sabay turo kay Trace at sa iba pa. Nakita ko na mukhang nagtatawanan ang lahat maliban kay Bree, Trace at Lev na pare-pareho nakatayo.

"He's dancing a cockroach dance."

Natawa ako at napailing na lang. Ibinaling ko muli ang atensyon ko kay Elliot. Here is my chance to seek answers.

"How long have you been friends with Trace?"

"Long ago."

"How long is that long ago?" I need to ask because he may have an idea with Carly. Hoping that Trace may love my sister too. Baka naman pwede pa maayos sina Trace at Carly.

"Years ago that I couldn't remember anymore. I don't count, sweetheart."

"How many girlfriends Trace's had?" I asked to investigate. No more, no less. I am not interested in Trace's love life, I just need to know it for Carly.

You liar, Chloe! You are asking because you are interested in your sister's ex!

"He had no girlfriends at all. He had plenty of women but no girlfriend. You are the first one that we could see that he became jealous of. Women for Trace are just playthings, he even gave us some of his flings before but with you, he looks like he wanna kill me for his jealousy," Elliot stated.

Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong kiligin sa sinabi niya pero iyon ang naramdaman ko. Silly me! Mukhang hindi na lang simpleng pagkaka-crush talaga ang nararamdaman ko for Trace.

I was about to ask another question, I wanna ask Elliott if he ever met someone named Carly McIntyre when the music changed. What the F–?! Baby Shark for real?

My eyes are looking at everyone na pareho namin ni Elliot natigil sa pagsasayaw. I laughed to hide the awkwardness then I saw Trace's angry stares daggering me and Elliot.

"Are you seeing what I am seeing, Chloe? The most amazing asshole friend of mine killing me with his stares. You better think carefully before falling in love with him," naiiling na wika ni Elliot hanggang sa yayain niya ako na umalis na sa dance floor.

"He really likes me, you think?" I asked.

"He does," Elliot chuckled after saying that. "Seloso masyado at nang-aasar ang gago! Wanna join me to irritate him more?"

"I like that!" I said with a plan on my mind. The game had just started, Trace!

TRACE

"Fornales?" I asked with a frown. Is she related to General Fornales? One of my father's cronies.

As far as I know, Elliot said that the so-called general didn't like him. Hindi lang pala ang general ang may ayaw rito, pati pa pala itong babae sa harap ko. Eut vs the Fornales. Tatawa ba ako o tatawa ng tatawa?

Tangina! Ang totoo ay kanina pa ako nagpipigil sa sarili ko para upakan itong si Eut. Wala ako pakialam sa babae na narito at panibagong parang demonyo na sumusulsol sa akin. I could manage my business without anyone's help.

"Yes, I am a Fornales. And yes, I hate Elliot Hart," she said with a raise of her one brow.

"And what can I do for you?" I asked nicely. Fuck! Since when did I learn how to act nicely?

"You should get your girl bago pa siya mapahamak d'yan sa walanghiyang abogado na 'yan."

"He's a friend of mine," I told her at baka hindi niya alam. I am annoyed with Elliot but I won't connived with anyone na may hindi magandang plano sa kaibigan ko. We are Foedus! No one could destroy us!

"A friend? A friend who took your girl under your nose," mapang-asar niyang sabi.

I gave her a stern look. This woman is deadly. I smiled. Bagay ito kay Elliot.

"You like Elliot," more on confirmation ang pagkakasabi ko. Hindi naman siya mag-oobserba kung wala siyang interes kay Elliot.

"Nah! I'd rather die than go on a date with him again. He is such a jerk."

I smirked upon hearing her words. Confirmed. Interesado siya kay Elliot. And did I hear it right? She said she would rather die than go on a date with Elliot again... so she and Elliot had been an item.

"Eliot didn't make you cum?" I asked casually. I wanna test how feisty she was.

Agad naningkit ang mga mata niya sa sinabi ko. Mukhang ang taray pero talo-pikon, bagay talaga sila ni Elliot. I laughed at her glaring eyes at me, parang gusto akong patayin.

"You know what?" I smirkingly said. "You remind me of someone with that attitude. She is always in denial. I think I miss her!" I said and gave a look at Jake.

Mukhang may paraan na ako makaganti sa mga kasama ko. I got my phone and texted someone. She needs to be here. She texted me earlier na nandito siya sa Salvacion dahil may karera siya sasalihan.

Hindi ko hinintay ang reply ni Denise, a friend of mine, that I texted para mag-gate crash dito sa party. If Elliot would continue to irritate me ay hindi ako papayag na ako lang ang naiinis dito.

I gave another glance to Elliot and Chloe na mukhang tuwang-tuwa sa isa't isa na nag-uusap. Nang magtama ang mga mata namin ni Elliot ay nakita ko siyang natigilan nang makita niya kung sino ang kausap ko. Tangina! Apektado ang gago!

"Malou, okay lang ba na samahan mo ako inisin ang abogagong kaibigan ko?" I asked the woman in front of me.

"My name is not Malou!" mataray niyang sabi. "It's Malori!"

"Malori nga," sabi ko, "Malou for short. Ayaw mo no'n at close tayo bigla?" Ang arte naman ng babae na ito. Tinawag lang Malou eh galit agad. Untog ko ito kay Eut eh!

"Malori only!" inis na sabi nito at hinampas pa ako sa balikat. Problema ng babaeng ito?

"Now I know why Eut dumped you. Nananakit ka sa kama, maarte iyon eh! Kapag may orgy nga eh akala mo kung sinong santo."

"Orgy?" nanlalaki ang mga mata na sabi niya.

"Orgy, group sex. Haven't you tried?"

"Dios Mio! You are disgusting!"

"Mas disgusting 'yang ka-date mo dati, dami arte!" asar kong sabi at nang malingunan ko sina Elliot at Chloe ay naroroon na ulit sila sa table namin kanina.

Chloe was beside Bree na mukhang kung ano-ano na naman ang kalokohan na sinasabi at may pa-high five pa sila ni Logan. Damn! Mukhang ako na naman ang ginagawang topic ng dalawa at ginagawang katatawanan sa harap ni Chloe.

Tangina mo, Logan! Pasalamat ka lang at untouchable ang madre mo at nasa ibang lugar kung hindi ay pinadukot ko na kay Nite at Isaiah na mukhang kanina pa naiinip na nakaupo lang at nanonood sa pakikipaglandian ni Raj.

"What about we join them?" Malori asked me habang nakatingin kina Elliot at Chloe. Nakikita ko sa mga mata nito ang hinanakit kay Elliot. Napangisi na ako.

"I'd like that! Tara!" Inakbayan ko si Malori at nanlaki man ang mga mata niya ay napilitan na siyang sumama sa akin. "Huwag ka papahalata na may plano tayo d'yan sa ex ka-date mo," bulong ko.

"Wala tayo plano, I am just telling you to get your girl from him!" Palag niya at napahinto kami.

"If you want to seek help from me then better know how to deal with me, Malo–Mali! O ayan! Hindi na Malou kasi ang arte mo!"

"I am not dealing with you at baka isama mo pa ako sa orgy mo! I'm sorry, Mr. Dimagiba. I am not like some women you know."

"Ulol!" inis kong sabi. Ano akala nito sa akin? Nauubusan ng babae? "Hindi kita type! Hindi ko type mga babae na pumapag-ibig sa mga gago kong kaibigan. Pero kung aakitin mo ako ay papatulan talaga kita."

"Ang kapal mo naman!" galit na niyang sabi. "At sinabihan mo pa ako ng ulol!"

"Tangina! Tutulungan mo ba ako makaganti o hindi?!" inis ko na sabi. Sinasayang na nitong si Malou ang oras ko.

"Ano gagawin ko?" tanong niya at natawa na lang ako. Arte-arte pa pero gusto naman pala mabawi si Eut kay Chloe ko.

"Lambingin mo ako kapag doon na tayo. Kapag nagselos na si Eut–"

"Eut! The nerve, Mr. Dimagiba!"

"Elliot! Happy na?! Arte!"

"Why are you calling him E–oh my goodness! I can't say the word! Such an improper word to say!"

"I call him Eut, I call you Malou! Wala naman problema, I nicknamed my friends and that is why," kibit-balikat na sagot ko. "Ano sasama ka ba na lumapit sa kanila o iiwan na kita rito?"

"Siguraduhin mo na maiinis natin si Elliot!"

"Sumunod ka lang sa sinasabi ko na lambingin mo ako kapag nandoon na tayo at maiinis 'yan. Trust me, baby."

"Okay."

"And call me Trace kung gusto mo mapaniwala natin sila. Naintindihan mo?"

She just nodded. Muli ko siyang inakbayan bago kami lumakad palapit sa table.

"Trace, ibang klase ka talaga..." natatawa na sabi ni Bree. "You have someone agad kapalit ni Chloe. Sabi ko sa'yo Chloe ay si Elliot ang pansinin mo kasi wala talaga katinuan itong si Patring."

I dismissed what Bree said at nakita ko naman ang pag-iling ni Lev sa tabi ni Bree.

"Everyone, I want you to meet Malori. Sweetie, this is Lev and Bree, next is Logan, Jake, Jeru, Daxon, Elliot, and Chloe..." pakilala ko sa kanila but I winked at Chloe when she was giving me an eye.

She blushed at muntik na naman ako matawa. Si Elliot naman ay nakita ko na napapatiim-bagang na. Good decision. Sabi ko na nga at balik agad kay Elliot ang inis na binigay niya sa akin kanina.

I guided Malori na maupo kami sa harap nina Chloe at Elliot. Mauupo na sana ako nang marinig ko ang pangalan ko na tinatawag.

"Trace!"

Malakas ang boses na tawag sa akin ni Denise na dumating na at ikinangisi ko. There she is na kausap ni Paige at nang makita ko ay agad kumaway at may sinabi pa kay Paige at kita ko na nagtawanan pa sila. Nilingon ko si Jake at kitang-kita ko ang pagkunot ng noo ng kaibigan ko at pagtaas-baba ng dibdib niya sa buntong-hininga na pinakawalan. Mukhang masaya na mamaya ang lahat. Denise is on the house!

I gave Denise a look, she is in her black get-up again. Her black tattered jeans and her black crop top na kitang-kita ang baywang at pusod niya. Her hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing her black canvas tactical boots na favorite niya.

"Stay here first, Mali. Lapitan ko lang si Denise. Okay lang?" I asked Malori nicely at nang nagsalubong ang mga tingin namin ay mabilis naman niya nakuha ang ibig ko sabihin at ngumiti ng pagkatamis-tamis.

"That would be fine, Trace. Bilisan mo lang," she answered sweetly. Mukhang natutuwa rin sa mukhang badtrip na mukha na ni Elliot.

Tatayo na sana ako at sasalubungin ko na sana si Denise nang biglang tumakbo siya palapit sa akin at biglang tumalon para magpakarga. I heard the awe of everyone. Good one, Denise! Mukhang nasa atin na ang atensyon.

"I miss you, Trace!" Denise said loudly na alam ko sinasadya niya magpapansin kay Jake. She almost choked me sa higpit ng kapit niya sa leeg ko. "You owe me bigtime! Saan diyan papaselosin ko?" she whispered in my ear.

"The one in a white gown," I whispered back while hugging her.

"Oh no! She's perfect! Sigurado ka na may gusto 'yan sa 'yo?"

"Are you my friend or not?" asar kong tanong.

"I'm just joking. Bagay kayo!" Denise said and kissed the tip of my nose bago bumitaw sa akin and when I accidentally met Chloe's eyes ay kitang-kita ko ang galit sa mga mata niya. Selos din pala eh!

"Oh no! I think Trace will have another round of orgy later!" I heard Bree say that.

"Orgy?! No!" sabay na sabi naman nina Elliot at Jake. I grinned ear to ear. Tama ako! Sabi ko na nga eh! Let the game starts with the two of you!