Chapter Thirty Five

< Yu >

“What the heck is going on here?!” Unable to control my own temper, my bellowing anger stops my friends from their so-called fun. Some of my colleagues show utter disappointment and others finally realize the situation and are now guilt-ridden from my anger.

Now, it’s utter silence. And they should be. I scan the room, glaring eyes as each of them mutters a sorry. “Now, who in the right fucking mind let a minor drink beer? What if she gets alcohol poisoning?!”

Well, technically, I drank a lot more when I was her age BUT that’s not the fucking problem!

“Yu?” I turn to see a dazed look of Nina as her lips curled into a grin. “Happy Bir’day, Yu! Cheers!” She says as she grabs the beer-filled mug next to her empty one and almost, ALMOST attempts to chug another shot if it weren’t for a hand gripping hers.

Luca, who finally snaps from his thoughts, is gripping the kid’s hand. They stare at each other. Dazed brown eyes staring at the fierce grey eyes.

“That’s enough, Nina.” Authoritative yet concerned, Luca tries his best not to rile her up.

I am glad that he's trying.

However, the kid, who usually looks away from Luca’s stares, is now staring at him. This time, her features change when her lips form into a scowl and her brows furrow, showing us a glare, a rare sight we both have never seen since her stay in Dawn City.

“Fuck you, Luca.”

And her hand slaps his loose grip while the boss is once again frozen stiff.

In fact, both of us are stunned when those two words slip out of her mouth. The kid has never cussed in her whole life, r-right?

She once again pays attention to the beer before her and I quickly snap out of my shock and take the mug away before she grasps it once more.

She whimpers afterwards.

I turn to the group that is observing the whole scene. This is getting out of hand, there will be questions, of course as their curious looks give a clear picture in my mind that they want answers.

And I will give them what they want later.

For now, the kid is my top priority.

“Okay, everyone, we will take her home. She has school tomorrow, after all.” But then again, I doubt she can handle the hangover tomorrow.

“Yu, it’s your birthday. Can’t you just ask one of the guys to take her home?”

“No,” I quickly answered. The thought of someone who is a complete stranger to Nina taking her home in this current state will just add to a pile of my worries. “I’ll come back, I’ll just take Luca and his sister home.”

I glance at Luca who is awfully quiet after being rendered speechless.

“You coming, boss?”

Luca just flatly nods, his expression is hard to describe and I don’t have time to decipher it as I try to gently touch Nina’s shoulder. “Hey, kid. We’re going home.”

She doesn’t say anything but she briefly nods. I let her frail arms circle around my nape and I slowly and carefully pulled her up on my back.

..............................

< Yu >

“It wa~sh just a little game, Yu...I was t-trying to win.”

“Well, it’s not worth it, Nina. Kids are not supposed to be drinking.” Liar, liar pants on fire. Again, my hypocrite self tries to convince myself here more than Nina who is rambling stuff on my back.

“I’m not a (hic) kid!”

I couldn’t help a chuckle. Nina doesn’t talk a lot when she’s drunk as well but she’s really feisty which is refreshing. If she’s that wasted, most likely she wouldn’t remember tonight’s event once she gets back to her senses.

However, as soon as she comes to her senses. I think we need to have the second round of our “talk”.

As soon as I reached the parking area, I stopped, realizing one thing: Luca used my McLaren, a two-seater meant for only two people.

“You gotta be kidding me,” Luca mutters.

“Well, we have no choice. Luca, you need to carry Nina.” Apparently, that makes Luca give me a bewildered look. “What? You were the one who used my car instead of yours.”

“You know I can drive,” he reasons. “You can even stay here at your party if you want.”

“You driving with Nina in MY car? Not in a million years.” Remembering our earlier conversation about the fate of his own car.

“Whatever, wife,” Luca says as he rolls his eyes.

I turn my back against him, waiting for Luca to get Nina from me. He reluctantly obliges as he slowly scoops her from my back and cradles her in his arms.

Instinctively, the kid wraps her arms around Luca’s neck, like she’s afraid to fall but her head is nestled comfortably in Luca’s neck.

It is an awkward position and for Luca who is trying to carry the girl whom he was trying to avoid, it was nothing but awkward.

But we have no choice. Nina needs to be home now.

As I jump to the driver’s seat, I open the passenger seat for Luca to have an easy access in. Yet, Luca just stands there, carrying the kid, staring at the seat, like a sore thumb.

“Well?” I quip, finding this oddly amusing despite the events.

He scowls as his cheeks in pinkish color, muttering something under his breath which I easily catch on: this is embarrassing.

He finally moves and sits on the passenger seat with Nina on his lap. He gently releases her arms around him and moves her legs to the front. However, Nina scoots, closer to Luca as she leans on his chest, her eyes closed as she mutters, “You smell good~”

Luca seems troubled by this as he sighs. “Can we trade places, Yu?”

I just chuckle.

Well, it sucks to be with you, Boss. I thought to myself. The ride will take twenty or thirty minutes to get back home and you have to deal with it.