Stuck At The 9th Step

CHAPTER 49 : SUCKER

#SAT9S

DEDICATED TO : ANDI DIM

CHAPTER 49 : SUCKER

The color of fire stains the sky as the sun goes below the horizon. The event lasted for 8 hours. I've been burned out but all good. It has been a while since my last drill and Shinn's idea was indeed a solid come back. I must thanked him for the invitation.

However, I couldn't tell if he's still in the mood to tease me after his loss. I don't know where he get his undeniable confidence about beating the shit out of me - that's exactly what he said hours ago. There I was, taking our bet seriously like a death experience because I was expecting him to have a great staying power and stamina. Man, I was wrong. Or maybe he is but sad to say, I got this game and I had more willpower than him for today. I've reached the finish line, an hour before him.

"Beginner's luck." He said while clutching into his knees as he gasped for breaths I couldn't help but grin as I approached him on the end line. I saw Rhea walking towards us, holding two bottled water on her hands.

"You must know first who are you dealing with." I said before I leaving him having quick, difficult breaths. Lumakad ako para salubungin si Rhea. She grinned sheepishly.

"Naungusan mo si Shinn. That must've damaged his bloated ego."

Natawa ako. Inalok niya sa akin ang isang tubig pero tinanggihan ko. Tinuro ko ang isa naming kasama na hindi pa rin nababawi ang paghinga.

"I'm done. Shinn might need a gallon."

Rhea giggled. "Gusto ko 'yang pambabara mo kay Shinn pag hindi niya naririnig. Kanina, akala ko mauunahan ka niya. I didn't know you're also into sports."

"My first triathlon experience. I've joined quite a few games in college and we had these kinds of events in our company. Ngayon lang talaga nagkaro'n ng chance na makasali officially."

"Congrats!"

Napailing ako sabay ngisi. "I haven't won a place."

"Kahit na! Kasama ka nga ata sa sampung nauna. Plus, you beat Shinn. That's a big bonus."

"I heard my name." Sumulpot si Shinn mula sa likod na mukhang nakabawi na. Inagaw ni Shinn kay Rhea ang bote ng tubig at ininuman agad 'yon. Napairap ang huli at tumabi sa akin.

"Ilang minuto na lang, awarding na." Sabi ni Rhea habang nakatingin sa mini stage na sadyang ginawa para sa event na 'to.

Dumating na ang  natitirang participants. Ang iba kasi ay hindi tinapos ang sprint. Sa daan-daang nagparticipate kaninang umaga, ilan na lang kaming natira.

Ilang minuto lang ang hinintay namin at inisa-isang tawagin ang tatlong unang nakarating sa finish line. We heard Ren's name filling the second place. Nothing surprising about that. He's still the hardest contender among all the participants. The most competitive who doesn't even mind his competitors. His only goal is to win on each and every kind of game. That's the Ren Delgado I know. Maaaring tama si Rhea. Hindi pa lubusang nagbago si Ren.

"Cheater wins, eh?" Tinapunan ko nang nakatatamad na tingin si Shinn. I'm just glad that Rhea is too bemuse of watching Ren or else she would have strangled Shinn due to his mockery.

"You have poor sources."

"And what do you mean by that?" The wolf is playing innocent.

"You should've hired better investigators in a good quality agency. The one which guarantees that they can satisfy your undying curiosity. Hindi yung basta may ma-hire ka lang na tao para  manghalukat ng impormasyon ng iba." I bet he really hired someone to follow Ren and knew his schedule. Naalala ko bigla yung pagkakataong nagtanong siya sa akin tungkol ro'n. I'm not stupid. Hindi ako naniniwalang coincidence lang ang lahat ng 'to. I bet Shinn knew it all along.