Love Me Like You Hate Me

Chapter 26

"What are you doing?" Kunot-noong tanong ko nang maabutan ko ito na nakasandal sa billiards table at ginawa pa itong patungan ng iniinom niyang Dalmore 12—oh ghad. Did she really opened that bottle?!

"Drinking. You said I can do anything here?" Nangingiting sagot nito saka sinalinan ulit ang baso niya.

Napapikit ako nang madiin para pakalmahin ang sarili. Nandito rin kasi sa pwesto ng billard table ang mini bar at display ng mga liquors.

"Stop drinking. You look drunk already." Saway ko rito at kukuhanin ko na sana ang iniinom niya pero pinigilan naman ako nito.

"I'm not yet drunk, honey. I'll stop drinking if I'm drunk na talaga. Promise." Nakangiti pa ring sabi nito kaya na-massage ko na rin ang kilay ko para pigilan ang namumuo kong inis.

She's telling me that she's not yet drunk but her cheeks are red already. Kahit nga ang mga mata nito ay naniningkit na.

"No. You need to stop drinking now."

Hindi ko inasahan ang mabilis nitong pagkuta sa bottle kaya nauna ako nito bago ko pa makuha.

"I thought we're here to enjoy? Bakit ang KJ mo?" Nakasimangot na sabi niya at itinago pa sa likod niya ang bote.

"You can enjoy without the liquor, Olivia." I said in all seriousness pero bigla naman itong ngumiti sabay kagat sa pang-ibabang labi.

"I love it when you call me by my name alone. My name sounds so good when it's from you. Please call me Olivia on normal days too and not only when you're mad, love."

"You really love to use those cringy endearments, don't you?" Seryoso pa ring tanong ko. I don't want her to see that I'm loosening up 'cause for sure ay hindi ito titigil sa pangungulit.

"I'm purposely using all the possible endearments on you so that no one will use it other than me and you'll always remember the first person who called you those and... that's me." She proudly said followed by a wink.

"You're crazy." Sambit ko at inirapan siya.

"I guess I am. Who won't get crazy over Venice Aiana Madrigal Alcantara?" She answered, smirking, and took a shot of whisky again.

"Tama na 'yan sabi." I warned her.

"Fine but defeat me in an eight ball game first." She went to the counter after speaking and placed the bottle of whisky and her glass there. Sunod naman nitong nilapitan ay 'yong corner kung saan naka-display ang mga cues.

"Wow! Is this The Intimidator Masterpiece Cue?" Turo niya sa isang glass shelf sa taas at nasa loob ang cue na sinasabi niya. I didn't expect that she's also familiar with these things.

"It is." Tanging sagot ko.

That cue was a present from Daddy lo and doon ko lang din nalaman na it's the most expensive cue in the market so simula no'n ay nahilig na akong mag-collect ng mga cues.

Lumapit na rin ako sa kanya at kumuha ng gagamitin kong cue para matigil na ito sa pangungulit. Alam ko rin naman kasing kahit tumanggi ako ay ipipilit niya pa rin lalo na at lasing ito. After kong kumuha ng chalk ay dumiretso naman ako sa billiard table at inayos ang mga bola. Confident naman akong mananalo so there's nothing to worry.

"Take the break shot." Sabi ko pagkatapos i-arrange ang mga bola sa table. Nasa kabilang dulo naman siya ng table at nginitian lang ako while chalking the tip of her cue.

I don't know what's going on in her mind right now pero hindi maganda ang kutob ko sa mga pangiti-ngiti nito.

"Alright. Let's start." She said and positioned herself for the break shot.