Chasing Hearts

Episode 4

"Bottoms up! Bottoms up!"  

Night's deep and the people inside the bar are at their peak. Loud chanting hallooes in a corner where we are currently seated. I drank straight the drink on my hand and the bitter taste immediately attacked my senses. The chant grew more when I raised the bottle in the air. 

Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, I felt freer to just do whatever I want and just enjoy my time. I did not know them not until tonight but I never mind interacting with them. Because of that one particular face. The half buttons of his long sleeve polo are open, exposing his chiseled chest underneath. Lips touching the rim of the glass he's holding, owning eyes with a hint of mischievousness, it's not surprising that he stole the attention of the night.  

Pierre Ace Gustavo. The hot, rich, and famous model of the city.  

Hearing his full name tonight and seeing him right in front of me is not something I expected. He's just sitting prettily on the sofa while I look like a mess. Yeah, a mess. I've been drinking too many bottles that I can't even count on my fingers. 

Aly is dancing wildly on the dance floor while a guy, Pierre's friend, is behind her. Look at her, we came here to divert my pain but she's living her best life between the two of us.  Not that I am not happily sitting and drinking here, It's just that, I feel uncomfortable at the stare of the guy sitting in front of me. 

He was surrounded by girls whose clothes are body-hugging and revealing. One girl is clinging to his arm while her hands are roaming at his body. He did not seem bothered though. It looks as if it was normal and I am the only one freaking about it. 

"Drink more, Cameron!" Karissa, one of the new faces I met tonight. 

She shoved another bottle in front of me and I shook my head for disapproval. However, she sat on the space beside me and smiled widely. I nervously smiled and moved away a bit from her. To my horror, whenever I move, she moves closer too. 

"I should not drink too much, Karissa," I uttered. 

"Why not? This is just one bottle!" she exclaimed. 

"I don't want to go home wasted, that's why." She cracked up right in my face. I can even clearly see the mocking stare reflected in her eyes. I don't know what's silly with what I said. Aly's with me and I am a guy. It is my responsibility to make sure she'll go home safe. 

"Come one, dude! Loosen up! It's not like you drink every day. Just for this night!" she then grabbed my arm and forced me to get up from my sit. I didn't let her have her way. I stayed on the sofa and sat unyielding of the force she's exerting. However, she pulled me one last time and fell off balance.

Her face dumped on the sofa, my eyes widened at what happened. People near our tables gasp then immediately changed into a flock of laughter. "Oh god, I'm sorry!" I tried to reach out my hand to help her stand but she shoved it away. Flash of anger reflected in her eyes, dark and accusing.

"What the hell, Cameron!" she lifted her hand, right just about the level of my face. I closed my eyes and mentally prepared myself with her slap, landing on my face. Seconds have passed, no slap came. Slightly opened my eyes and a figure of a man crossed my vision.

Hand holding on Karissa's wrist, Pierre Ace Gustavo proudly stood on her side. "That's rude, Karissa. You don't know that?" his voice resonated in our direction.

"This is none of your business, Pierre. Get lost," she commanded. Her eyes felt like throwing daggers and he doesn't even mind. "Oh, this is my 'business' Karissa. He's my business." the last sentence almost felt like a whisper as he said those words while closing the distance between us and sat next to me. 

Confused and don't know what to say, the only thing that my mind processed was his arm slowly leading its way on my back which fell right into my shoulders. I abruptly stood and moved away from him. "Excuse me, Mr. Gustavo. What do you think you are doing?" I spat.

He chuckled and picked up the bottle of beer Karissa's offering me earlier. Stared at it and eventually swirl it around his hand. "I just want you to have fun, Cameron." the way he said my name felt strange. And oh, he knew. That's odd.

Damn, Cameron. Of course, he knew! You even slept on his bed for Pete's sake!

"I am having fun, Mr. Gustavo. Really." I answered.

"That's good to hear! The last time I went here with you, you're a mess! Remember, how I managed you to g---" before he could even finish his sentence, I plunged forward and blocked his mouth using my palms. With my heart's beating faster than usual, it didn't help me from hiding my embarrassment.

"Please, just shut up already. Aren't you embarrassed?" I exclaimed. Judging by the hint of emotions in his eyes, he's amused. What the hell? This guy is definitely having fun teasing me, doesn't he?

He cupped my palms and removed them gently. "What's there to be embarrassed? Some people think that is a good thing! Why are you ashamed, Cameron?" he asked with teasing and confident voice. Why does every encounter I have of him, I'm losing myself? Come on!

He stood and I took steps backward. He kept going near me and I didn't hesitate to create a wider distance. Our annoying scenario stopped when I bumped into someone and the next thing I knew, I bathe myself in alcohol.

The hell with this night, I just wanna go home.

Some people on the dance floor who was dancing earlier noticed the commotion. They stopped and overlooked the scene I am in. The collared shirt I am wearing hugged my body and the cold immediately seeped through my skin. I looked over myself and muttered a curse under my breath.

"Here, take this." 

A white shirt was thrown at my face and a shirtless Pierre Ace Gustavo made the night crazier. Girls are gushing over his body and I can't blame them. This is once in a lifetime scene for them. Out of nowhere, I can hear Aly who's clearly appalled at my presence.

"Cameron! How stupid can you get tonight? You're freaking hideous!" she shouted.

She hurriedly went to me and tried to brush away the alcohol that's clearly impossible. She noticed the white shirt I am holding and grabbed it then dragged me into the comfort room. I glanced back at Pierre who's half-naked at the sofa. He met my gaze then raised the bottle of beer and smirked at me.

His grin was the last thing I saw when we arrived at the comfort room.  "Go change already! We're going home." Aly commanded. She's frowning and irritated. I sighed and changed my shirt. After I'm done, we took the other exit and got out of the vicinity.

Booked a cab and the familiar scent of the shirt lingering on my nose are what kept me awake despite how deep the night.