To Love and Avenge

Chapter 5

I gulped down my remaining drink to calm myself. I don’t know why, but thinking about the idea of approaching her sends my heartbeat to go stupidly abnormal. Like, hey, it’s not as if it's my first time and I’m no teenager anymore, but I’m wondering why this feeling makes me insane. Pouring myself again, and drinking it once, I grin at the burning sensation of the bitter-sweet liquid that runs through my throat. Leaving there a little longer, I catch Darius annoyingly smirking at me, saying what now? I shrugged and answered his silent question, understanding it perfectly.

“Well, I need to fuel up a little. It will be a long run” I said before I stood up, which made him laugh.

“You’re blushing. Acting like a teenager in front of a woman will never do good to you. It will surely ruin your reputation.” he paused “how about you stay here, and will I do it?” he continued watching intently at my reaction.

“Screw up, this is my bet. I’m sure to get her.” I protested, assuring them that I could do it perfectly.

Without waiting for their response, as I can see, Tristan here won’t be participating. I walked in her direction a few steps away from us.

Walking slowly as I watched her every move made me more excited and a little bit nervous. Silly it is, but that is what I’m feeling right now and I’m fed up. Without notice, as I was so busy entertaining this growing alien feeling that caught me, I stood motionlessly as I arrived at my destination, right in front of her. I practically became speechless. Engrossed by the beauty in view, alluring, intoxicated, and dangerous as Tristan's sight had described her-- but I was cut by my stupidity as soon as I contemptuously heard her.

“Yes?” she asked, raising her voice so I could hear her.

“Oh, hi-”

“You have been drooling there for a while with your mouth open le hello… I’m no piece of meat. And it is kind of disrespectful to stare at a woman that way.” she cut me off. With a smirk.

Why do I act so strangely now? Maybe because she’s Allen’s acquaintance yet I’m here. Allen will surely be pissed.

“Well? You need anything?” she continued to ask.

“I- uhh” I paused and suddenly rubbed my nape in discomfort.

(Ale’s POV)

I can’t help but be disgusted at how this man in front stares at me. It is so disrespectful. Observing him as he approaches, there is this feeling of familiarity. Have I seen him somewhere? Or known him from before? Arching my brows as I wait for him to answer my question, he casually smiles sheepishly.

“Oh, hi…”

“It’s your second time saying hi.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, my bad. I just came to say hi, and if you don’t mind, may I share a table with you?” he said while constantly gesturing his hands. Signs of tension. I thought to myself. I am torn to laugh at his actions, but I choose to remain emotionless.

“And, by the way, I’m Dauis Suares,” he continued. Oops… so that explains the familiarity. Dauis is my greatest childhood bully. How can I not recognize him immediately? All the time, he has been my greatest nightmare. Of course, that's aside from my constant nightmares. I think he has not recognized me either, so it’s payback time. Remember well what he said to my face before, that I don’t have any resemblance, because neither my parents nor my brothers made me crazy, and ended up me nagging my father about it. And worst was the time he said that I was the main cause of my mother’s death. Which until now I bore. They have been at our house almost every day before. That was before they all migrated to the U.S. and now, they are back, and so do I, after hiding myself from mostly all of them.

He let out a soft cough to attract my attention.

“May I?”

“Sure, but I’m with someone,” I stated.

“Which I don’t think will be back soon, or maybe not anymore,” he said, slowly regaining his self-esteem.

“Yeah? How do you know?” I asked, arching my brows urging him to explain, but he didn’t. He just shrugged, showing off an unwillingness to continue.

“By the way, What’s your name miss-?” he started off, pulling a chair right beside me. And take his seat.

“Sorry, I don’t give names to strangers.” I nonchalantly replied, pouring myself a drink. “Want some?” I continued.

“Sure please,” he said, raising his hand to call the waiter’s attention, signaling him to bring another wine glass.

“Serve yourself then”, turned his head at my side in disbelief. Of course, disbelief, as he never expected a person of his opposite s*x to treat him this way. Men like him, who are arrogant bastards, think women are always submissive. Or would I better say to act eagerly for their attention? I silently clapped at myself for the first job well done. Serves him right!

“Of course.” I can’t believe this woman, she is giving me a hard time. Dauis thought to himself. Watching her as she takes her time on her drink makes me want to throw myself at her and smash down those beautifully carved lips. Those visibly expressive eyes always connote danger. She is an uneasy prey. Very unpredictable as I observed her for a very short period.

Ale, on the other hand, has this urge to remind him of his childhood bullying subject. Later she decided to play along with his games. Sure thing, she heard a lot about these Suares brothers as they are my brother’s best buddies.

“I hope we can get by with each other if you don’t mind.”

“Should we?” I answered, sparing him a glance, then back at my glass.

“Yes! I mean, why not, unless you are already taken.”

Surprised by his boldness, I can’t help but laugh, not in an amusing way, but kind of mocking him at his idea.

“Sorry, I can’t help it.”

“It’s okay. I understand, you are different from the others, I would say.”

“Others?”

“Yeah, indifferent-

“Which you are not used to, I guess. Just a piece of advice, my friend, you have to bear in mind that there is this saying that goes; there is always a first time for everything.”

“Wow, that hit me, how can I forget? Thanks for the reminder. I sure do” as he turned his head towards the entrance. I saw anger crossing his eyes but, it was immediately gone. I don’t know if it was an illusion or something, but I’m sure I’m seeing it. Following his gaze, I saw Allen and Sheila approaching. Now it finds me interesting.

He stood up and bid goodbye. It relieves me as I don’t want to mingle with him anymore.