Chapter 6: The odds are not in favor

"I'm glad you can still remember me." He grinned.

"Gavin, right?" I said in a straightforward manner. His smile widened as I say his name again.

Why of course? Who can't remember someone who almost stole my car keys.

His gaze is melting me deep down. Why am I having this kind of feeling every time I look into his eyes? I guess he's feeling happy because I can still remember him.

“Yes, baby girl. The one and only…” He said as if we’re so close to each other. I just look at him. I honestly don’t know what to react. Of all the people that I will meet tonight, here in this place, why him?

Baby girl? He's totally out of his mind.

"Will you tell me your name this time?" He politely offered one of his hand as if he wants to shake hands with me. Sheira's shoulder touched mine as she whispers, asking me who is the man I am talking with. She's not letting her gaze off Gavin, too.

"R-Rebecca..." I said as I accepted his hands. It's really warm, like an ember. How his eyes burn all of my hesitations of finally revealing my name. 

"Your name is as beautiful as you." He said as he smiled. 

"How will I respond to that? Thank you?" I answered in a sarcastic way that made him chuckle a bit. I am not planning to tell him mine but I guess I was really caught off guard. After all, I don't want to give Sheira a very bad impression on how I treat strangers. I am saddened by mom’s loss but I don’t want to become impolite for other people who are happy today.

"Gosh girl, I never knew you had 'guy' friends." Sheira whispered in a low voice as she giggled.

"Shut up." I said, giving her a blank look.

"He's really hot, can you introduce me to him? Please? Please?" She said, very enthusiastic manner. Well, any girl could fall for him. He's very appealing and attractive at the same time.

"The friends of Becca are my friends, too. I never mind." He said as he offered his hand to Sheira as well. This witch giggled as she accepted his hand for a handshake.

"Ooh, Becca..." My best friend imitated the nickname he just gave me and chukled.She's raising her eyebrows up and down I am getting annoyed. I can't help but to poke her hard on the waist.

"Ouch!"

I laughed as soon as I heard her groan because of pain.

"Are you having fun here? It's good that you thought of trying out my place."

"What? Your place?"

He proudly smiled at us. "Yep. It's a small world after all."

"Let me clear this out. This pub is yours" Sheira exclaimed in excitement.

"Yep. Managing this pub is one of the things I am passionate about."

"Wow. That's amazing." Sheira answered right away.

"Because you're my friends, it's on me tonight." He said, not losing his smile. When I gaze at him, he winked at me and that made my heart skip a beat.

As the night passed by, the three of us talked a lot. I discovered that he has a great sense of humor and that any girls could definitely enjoy his company. Just like what my friend Sheira is doing right now. Well, it's only the both of them who enjoyed the exchange of conversation.

I was just listening to them as I drink my shot of vodka. I was not in the mood to talk when Gavin is joking around. However, I noticed him stealing a glance on me and I find it really awkward. Him, catching me trying to steal a glance on him, too.

As what I observed, he seem to be welcoming. The way he entertained Sheira, I can say that somehow he's a nice guy. However, deep within me I just can't trust any guy that I just met. I guess I am more of needing a friend who can listen to all my sentiments. Girl friends, as much as possible. I think I don't need guys for they're like a pain in the ass just like my father.

“Sheir, I think it’s time for us to go home. It’s already morning and we don’t want to be late in our first class for tomorrow.” I reminded my friend who is smiling sweetly to Gavin. 

"Aww. Why too soon?" She said, sounding sad all of a sudden.

"Yes, Cinderella. You're already drunk and we still have our class at exactly 8:00 A.M." 

"Oh shit that class." She frowned when she realized that I am right. Gavin also chuckled because of what I am reminding Sheira about.

"I think I shall bring you both home." He said. He seemed to sound friendly but who knows? 

"No, thanks. I can still manage to drive." I answered right away.

I was caught off guard. It is my intention to secretly look at him and planning to shift my gaze somewhere if he’ll gonna look my way. It got too awkward because when we both meet our gazes in perfect harmony as if our eyes have a mutual understanding.

He smirked sbout the idea.

"Yes. You can still manage but how do you think you smell right now?"

"What's wrong with my smell?" I am starting to get mad at him because he kept on insisting.

"You smell alchohol, honey."

"Why? You should be smelling yourself too."

"I assure you, I am not guilty as you are." He said as he smirked at me.

"You're getting annoying." I said as I frowned. I noticed that Sheira is already leaning both her arms on the table as her head rested on it. Wow, I never thought this brat could turn from Cinderella to Sleeping beauty real quick.

I sighed out of frustration. I really don't like her getting drunk sometimes. He sleeps like a rock and she's really heavier I always wonder why.

"Well, there are days I don't feel like drinking I preferred talking and entertaining my own guests. Consider this day lucky, babe."

"Stop calling me babe."

"I will if you will allow me to go with you until you reach your houses. I want a peace of mind."

When he turned and meet my gaze, I feel like I am about to melt. That look instantly felt something. It’s a kind of look that’s longing, ready to introduce the kind of feeling I am trying to avoid a thousand times and I hate it. It must not happen to me. Never this time.

"Alright." I finally agreed to what he's telling me. Honestly, I am already tired right now. I don't have time for any senseless arguments with him.

“Okay. I’ll drop you both to your respective apartments and I will also go home too. I really had a great time.” My heart leaped when he suddenly winked at me.

“Shall we go, then?” I said as we stood up to the stool that we’re sitting on at the bar counter of that cocktail lounge. I am glad that we haven’t had a really terrible feeling. Throughout the night, it is the fun conversations and jokes that are making us all feel good.

We’re able to drop off Sheira in her apartment, first. We’re able to enter her own room from the apartment where she resides. Gavin helped me in assisting Sheira. We’re able to spread her arms, the left is resting on Gavin’s left shoulder, while the other one is resting on my right. We look at each other and nodded. I feel embarrased because Gavin carried her all the way to her bed.

The thing about my best friend is that, when she’s being knocked down, there’s nothing you can do to wake her up, until she’s able to complete her body’s required amount of hours for sleep. Yep, she’s that weird most of the time.

“I am happy that I meet you again. I hope I will have the chance to see you again on one of these days.” He cheerfully said as he opened the car for me in front of my lonely house. I smiled back at him, well, somehow I am doing him a favor in return for what he did to Sheira.

“Thank you for the ride. We can try to see each other when everybody’s free, right?” I replied and I can see that he’s being okay with it.

“I hope your free time is as often as I think it will be."

“We’ll see, Gavin.” I bid goodbye as I closed our entrance door. A few minutes later, I can hear a car driving away from my place.

I really wish this would be the last time. I don’t want to involve myself in this kind of feeling that I am liking the idea of having a guy wanting me. He's not someone that I would want to be in my life.

I can see that his car is getting small as it is running away from my sight. Good thing the streetlights are making the pavement visible to avoid possible car accidents.

I started to step inside my house when my phone started to ring.

"Why did you call?"

"I miss you." He said in a husky tone.