Chaos Series 1: Angel

14

I've been sitting on this chair for almost 45 minutes already. I'm mostly eating, but also looking at Ezekiel and his friends.

They seems nice, they seem fun. Kuya Rapha is already here too. But there are 2 more guys that I don't know their names. They also doesn't seem harmful. Like what I said, they looks like good people. I just still haven't known their names. The guy who said something when I just came didn't utter any word anymore. Then this one who kept on talking and talking. He even starts joking that made Kuya Rapha burst into laughter and so is Ezekiel. I could only sit there and listen.

"Ms. Navarro, ang tahimik mo naman. Hindi ka ba na i-impluwensyahan ng kaibigan namin? Ang ingay-ingay ni Ezekiel, bakit ang tahimik mo?" Tanong ng lalaking naka checkered na grey coat. Utay-utay akong umangat mula sa aking pagkakayuko sa aking pagkain at pinunasan ang gilid ng aking labi.

"Ah... kasi ano... ahm...-"

"Maybe she's just shy, right miss Navarro?" Ani ni Kuya Rapha at utay-utay akong tumango.

Nakita kong napakunot ang mukha ng lalaki. "Bakit naman? There's nothing to be shy of. Mabait naman kami, gwapo pa." Ani nito bago ako kinindatan. Halos lahat silang apat ay napasinghap at ang katabi niya ay hinampas pa siya sa balikat.

"Kuya Syl kumakain kami. Nakakasuka ka naman!" Ani ng lalaking kanina pa nanahimik. Napahagalpak ng tawa si Ezekiel sa tabi ko maski si Kuya Rapha na nasa kabilang tabi ko rin.

"Aba Iyo! Magkapatid tayo, kung hindi ako gwapo, paano ka nalang?!" Sagot ng tinawag na kuya Syl, napakamot ang lalaki sa ulo niya. So they are brothers? They are very much ths opposite of each other. The one in the checkered coat is very loud and talkative while the other one in black coat and red turtle neck under is so quiet that I sometimes forgot he's there.

"Bahala ka kuya, ang ingay-ingay mo. Kaya nahihiya si Ms. Navarro sa'yo eh. Ang weird mo daw kasi." Ani niya bago dinampot ang baso na may laman na alak. Agad nanlaki ang mata ko at umiling.

"No no no, he's not weird. He's funny actually." I said at biglang pumalakpak si kuya Syl, I guess kuya? Na ikinagulat ko, but kuya Rapha ang Ezekiel didn't even flinched. They are probably used to it.

"Sabi ko naman sayo Iyo eh, funny talaga ako." Ani ni Kuya Syl bago tinapik ang kapatid niya sa balikat.

"Funny? Fanny? Mahangin? Oo kuya, mahangin ka in every angle." Ani ni Iyo, is he older than me?

The two continued to bicker. Well its mostly kuya Syl who's bickering and talking and talking while the other one, Iyo, kept quiet and listening at his brother. While watching the two siblings talk, I slightly lean at Ezekiel's side and cover my mouth a bit so he will clearly hear what I say.

"Is Iyo... older than me?" I asked before pulling away. He look at me with confused eyes, his cheeks is bloated because of the drink he still haven't swallowed. He look at Iyo and kuya Syl, before looking back at me and swallowing his drink. He put down his glass that made me confused.

"Guys... kindly introduce yourself, I forgot to introduce you kanina. Please also refer your age dahil gusto malaman ni Angel." Ani niya at nahulog ang panga ko. Nakita kong muling ngumiti si kuya Syl at humarap sa akin bago itinukod ang mga siko niya sa lamesa.

"Good evening miss Navarro, I am Sylvester Jase Gutierrez, the oldest son of Gutierrez family, owner of Gutierrez enterprises. I am... 27 by the way." He said and I slowly nod, he seems... rich, their company is probably big because of how wealthy he looks. And he's 27?! He doesn't look one. He looks like he's just around 23 like kuya Richard and Rapha.

"Nice to meet you miss Navarro, I'm Mateo Ysmael Gutierrez, youngest son of the Gutierrez, owner of Gutierrez enterprises. You might haven't heard of our company yet, or maybe you have. But it seems that you're a bit puzzled. I hope our companies will work together soon. The age is 26, taken." He said and I slowly nod. I hear Kuya Syl laugh and so is Ezekiel.

"Hindi ka naman matitipuhan ni Angel. At saka torpe ka." Ani ni Kuya Syl.

"Why do you talk like you're in a business meeting? Hindi bagay sa'yo ang formal Iyo!" Ani ni Kuya Rapha bago tumawa.

While they are laughing, and bickering too, I once again lean closer to Ezekiel.

"They are... older... than you guys... paano kayo naging magkakaibigan?" I ask, I'm just curious. I don't know how people get to be friends with someone who's older than them.

"Business." Ezekiel short answered and I nod.

I once again fall into silence, just watching and hearing them talk. Kuya Mateo, or the one they call Iyo started talking and even starting to get drunk I guess. He's drinking whiskey so he might really get drunk.

Suddenly Kuya Syl stand up and started pulling kuya Rapha, up form his seat.

"Tara na! Sumayaw kana Rafael Dominic! Akala mo naman hindi ka dancer nung high school! Kitang kita ko yung mga performance mo! Nahiya ka pa!" Pangungulit ni kuya Syl. Kuya Rapha gave up and stand up, the two walking towards the dance floor. Kuya Iyo chuckled before shaking his head and putting down the glass of whiskey.

"Bakit hindi ka sumama? Have fun sabi mo, diba?" I asked Ezekiel, he look at me and shake his head.

"Sabi ko sa tatay mo iingatan kita, paano kita mai-ingatan kung sasayaw ako don at iiwanan kita dito?" He ask and I shake my head.

"No, have fun, sige na! I'm not a kid to get lost! Sayang naman yung party oh!" I said before slightly pushing him away.

He look around first and nod. "Sige, pero promise me you'll stay here! Don't get lost or something. Parang-awa na Angel, wala akong ipapalit sayo." He dramatically said and I laughed at him.

I pat him on the shoulder, "Grabe ka! Go na! They are having fun! You should too!" I said dand he nod before standing up and following kuya Syl and Rapha to the dance floor. When I look at kuya Iyo, he's sleeping? I tried to peak at his face but his head is lowered down. His glass is empty which I guess he have finished his drink already.

Does alcohol make you sleepy? Is it really the side effect of it?

"Andito ka lang pala..." I jolt up when someone suddenly held my shoulder. I look up and saw Ellie.. different from her everyday look.

"You're here! Have you eaten na?! Lets eat! Lets dance too!" I excitedly said, I saw her bit her lower lip and look at her back. There I saw Ace, he looks... much grumpy than the usual. Why is he so cold towards people? Kuya Rapha and Richard are nice. Why is he a bit... cold?

"Sorry... we have to work on the project, kailangan daw ng tulong ni Ace. If matatapos namin tonight, I'll get back on you, okay? Have fun Angel! Take care!" She said and I nod, she gave me few pats on my back before walking away, followed by Ace.

I sigh and lean on my chair. Kuya Iyo is still sleeping. And I feel like even he's awake he won't be talking to me. I stand up and decided to walk towards the foods. I grab some pick-a foods, some fries, small hotdogs, sharksfin, and some fruits. I pass by a big bowl full of cocktail drink.

I gulp, this is... not full alcohol right?

I grab a glass and put some cocktail inside. I make sure to taste it first, swallowing a small amount. But when it taste sweet, a smile formed on my lips and I filled my cup with it.

I brought those back to our table and started eating and drinking. It wasn't the only glass I had. I had my second glass. Then my third glass... which lead me here at the bathroom, peeing. I'm not drunk, of course I'm not. Its just a cocktail. But it sure did make me feel bloated and want to pee. When I finished, I went out the bathroom and look at myself by the mirror.

I didn't know my first party would be like this. I feel so left out, it feels so boring. Ezekiel is having fine while I'm not, but that's what I want. I don't want him or feel bored because of me. Well I don't know how to. I don't know how to have fun. Maybe if Ellie is here with me. I will have the courage to dance and have fun.

I sigh and wash my hands, I look at my reflection on the mirror and fix some strands of my hair before going out of the bathroom. When I am walking towards our table, I saw Kuya Rapha, Syl, Iyo, and even kuya Richard there, standing and their faces looks so tensed. My brows furrowed and look around. Then I met kuya Iyo's eyes, he pointed at me and called someone. I look at the direction where he's calling and there I saw Ezekiel running towards me.

"Angel didn't I told you to stay there!? I was so worried, hindi ko alam kung sana kita hahanapin. Saan ka ba galing?! What if a guy suddenly drag you somewhere?! Take advantage of you?! Angel naman... hindi ka pa nagsabi kay Iyo, pati tuloy siya na gui-guilty." He said and my lips formed a small 'o'. His face looks so worried and looks like he's about to cry.

I suddenly felt guilty, "Oh... I'm sorry, it was my fault. I drank too much cocktail that's why I had to use the bathroom. I'm sorry making you guys worried. Pati tuloy sila nadamay." I said and he shake his head.

"Do you want to go somewhere else? I'm really feeling bad that I left you there." He said and I bit my lower lip before nodding.

"Please do, I'm... I'm not having fun here. Maybe... maybe next time I will, but not tonight." I hesitantly said, he nods before holding my wrist and walking towards our table.

"We'll be going now, Angel is not having it. She's not really a party person, I'll just take her somewhere else." He said while putting on his coat that I didn't even noticed he removed.

I hear someone cleared their throat, "A hotel isn't an option tonight, Guillermo."

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