Russia Ocampo and her choice

Chapter 4 (Part 2.5)

We drank shot after shot and when Lily and Red felt a little tipsy they invited me to dance. I looked at Paxton to ask for permission. He just nodded.

“Just dance to where we can still see you.”

“Okay, thanks Kuya.”

Then I removed my blazer. We immediately walked towards the dance floor before Paxton could make me wear my blazer again.

I don’t want to sweat a lot while dancing. That would be gross. A little sweat is fine, but when it’s already dripping? Girl, you better cool down already and for sure you’ll smell so bad.

We started dancing, we’re still kind of warming up. But then the DJ changed the song to Heroes by Alesso, Lily danced her heart out when the beat went wild. Red and I did the same, we were dancing as if we were shaking off all the stress that had built up for the past weeks. We would even shout from time to time. My hair also swayed with my body. We were enjoying the night when I felt an arm on my shoulder. I stepped away, but the guy was quick enough to pull me towards him.

Shit! I don't want trouble.

I looked at Paxton, busy drinking and talking to Ren.

Thank God or else, hell would fall upon this guy.

I'm not joking. All of us Ocampo learned taekwondo. I stepped away again, this time I pressed the guy's wrist whose one arm was on my shoulder so he would feel light-headed. I easily removed his arm from my shoulder. He had a shocked expression on his face.

That's what you get for underestimating me, dumbass.

Lily and Red are still dancing, unaware of what happened.

“Do you need anything, Dude?”

I heard a voice behind me, then I felt my blazer on my shoulder. I looked up at him, it was Tristan. He looks angry. He's glaring at the guy who's now backing away.

“You really shouldn't be here, you're asking for hell to fall upon these hungry men.”

“Ugh, can't I enjoy this night? I got the situation under control, you know.”

“What if the next is more aggressive, huh? And you just had it controlled because your cousin is busy drinking. What if he saw what happened?”

“Why are you mad? I just learned your name tonight. Why are you kinda being possessive?”

He was stunned by my words. I heard him mutter f**k. I left him my blazer and went near Lily and Red to dance again.

Yes, I’m stubborn as f**k.

I know I can protect myself, plus I have two cousins who are just one shout away. Or maybe Jeevan is monitoring me through the bar’s security cameras. I wouldn't be surprised if the guy earlier would be banned here at Teuf for the rest of his life.

We just danced song after song. The music consumed my mind.

It's been so long since…

I shook my head to stop where my thought was going. I should just enjoy it and not think about anything.

When we got tired, we came back to our table. Tristan's face was grim.

What the hell is his problem?

I have an idea why. I'm not numb. I just don't like it that he acts like he has the right to. I won't accept the reason that he’s just worried about me. That would be bullshit!

I’m not acting hard to get, okay? I just don't like possessiveness from any guy. There's a reason why I'm kind of unreachable, aside from having overprotective men in my life. Even though I like the guy, I won't be easy duh! How lucky could he be? I always make sure to put a distance unless we both cross it. I’ll meet him in the middle if ever.

“You! You want me dead? Why did you remove your blazer?”

“Chill, Kuya Paxton. Of course, I’m going to dance, it’s hot. I’ll be sweaty? You know I don’t like it when I’m sweaty. I don’t have change.”

“Then pray that Jeevan didn’t tell Kuya Arzt or else you will never be able to go to a bar until he allows you again.”

“He won’t. He's not like that. You're the only one who has a loose lip.”

“Tssskkk.”

“I want to drink fruit juice. I’ll just go to the counter. What about you, babes? Do you want something cold?”

“Mango plum for me, babe, and peach for Red.”

“Okay, got it. What about you?”

I looked at the guys. Ren and Kuya Paxton raised their glass of whiskey.

“I’ll go with you.”

Tristan stood up before I could.

“Why would you go with her?”

Kuya Paxton asked. He’s frowning and somehow alerted to Tristan’s action.

“I want Tonic. Plus, she won’t be able to carry 3 glasses of juice all by herself. I’ll help her since it seems that the waiters are all busy.”

Tristan then raised both his arms as if surrendering. Kuya Paxton then let us go.

“Why do I feel that you want to be near me always? Do you like me, Tristan?”

I asked him while we were walking towards the counter. I saw in my peripheral vision that he had stopped.

“You're really a frank person, huh?”

“I just don’t like beating around the bush. What? Do you like me?”

“Why? Am I allowed to like you?”

I looked at him intently.

“You’re not yet? With the way you're acting? I don’t think Kuya Paxton warned you enough.”

He laughed bitterly.

“Come on, I’m trying to.”

“Trying to not like me? Are you succeeding? ‘Cause I don’t think you really want to stop yourself, look at you. You’re here with me and on the dance floor as well earlier. That’s not how a person who’s trying to not like someone acts.”

His bitterness turned to amusement.

“You’re unreachable, remember?”

“Am I really unreachable? You're looking at me, aren’t you?”

I didn’t wait for his response and faced the bartender at the counter already.

“Why did the bouncer let a minor inside?”

Alex, the bartender, is teasing me. He is a family friend. He likes being a bartender despite his family's opposition. And the triplets indulge his hobby. They even give him a job here after taking a bartending course.

“Ah, spare my age, Alex.”

He doesn’t want me to call him Kuya even though he’s the same age as Paxton and the Triplets. He said it’s only a three-year-gap and he’s not a relative.

“Because it’s just a number?”

We laughed at the phrase. Tristan suddenly cleared his throat.

“You’re still not going to order?”

And now he’s giving me the attitude. Trying not to like me, huh?

“He got through?”

Alex amusingly whispered to me. He knows how protective my family is because sometimes he also acts like my family.

“No! I’ll place my order. I’ll order fruit juice. One mango plum, one peach and one raspberry.”

“Fruit juice? In a bar? You’re really a baby.”

And then he softly pinched my right cheek.

“Should I call you Kuya, Alex? Since I’m a baby?”

He chuckled as if he was not currently working.

“Is that all?”

“How about you, babe?”

Then I looked at Tristan. I realized that I had used endearment to the wrong person, s**t. I saw how his expression changed. From annoyed to delighted. Damn, he’s not even trying to hide it.

“Sorry, I’m just used to being with my friends.”

I turned my back to him. I feel like I’m blushing, and I don’t want him to see it. I tried to keep a poker face. When I looked at Alex, he had a teasing smile and looked at me. I just raised my middle finger at him.

“1 glass of Tonic for me.”

Tristan placed his face near mine so that our faces were almost touching. Then he whispered to me.

“Right, babe?”

I’m in deep s**t. f*****g danger ahead. He is DANGER.