31 14, Part Three - Clash of Vixens

Before the dreaded outcome happens, a calloused hand pulls her away. She sniffed the misty fragrance once she collided against the rock solid chest of the person who came to her rescue. It was the same scent left on the knitted scarf she slept together the past night. Only one name registered in her mind: Eliseo Manaloto.

When she looked up, her assumption did not disappoint her. His furrowed eyebrows greeted her sight and she wondered why. He looked like a father ready to scold a child. His brooding eyes even projected a darker shade.

"Don't just stand frozen every single time, Aragon!" Eli's voice boomed.

She jolted a bit, feeling his anger through the heat in his body resonating to hers. Then, she realized their position on the floor, she was on top of him!Contrary to Eli who was consumed by his frustration over the fact that she literally stood motionless earlier.

"I would've moved if you didn't pull me." she argued lacking conviction.

"I guess saving face comes first, hmm?" he hissed right next to her ear.

Alder faked a cough, breaking their ardent gaze to each other. And what a bad timing! They got a crowd gaping at them as though they were actors in a movie shoot. Both flustered, they stood immediately.

"El, let's resume where we---" Mandy tried to chime in.

"Eli! Come with me to the soda fountain! There's this cola caramel I'm dying to taste." Penelope interrupted.

Hurriedly, Penelope snatched him by the arm and they went away from sight. Care also turned to leave however Alder caught her arm then announced using the microphone, "I'm afraid we can't let you go, dearest! Not after you destroyed the Jenga tower."

Forbid me not to strangle Adler, she prayed. She made sure to put on a cheerful expression before facing the people who once gathered after frantically dispersing a while ago.

"Ready to endure the seven shots of retribution? "

"Undoubtedly!" she shouted trying to sound thrilled.

"Ladies, gentlemen! I present Caress Aragon, the brave, fierce and most importantly, unstoppable!" he declared, mimicking a boxing announcer.

He even raised her hand that garnered collective hoots from their crowd.

Begrudgingly compelled to play along, she lifted her first shot, "Here's to all freshies like me!"

"CHEERS!"

Playing the role of a pro drunkard, she chugged each drink after another with soda water as chaser. Bacardi, vodka, bourbon, cognac... She emptied the shot glasses in less than five minutes. It burned her throat but no big deal for her, at least. Some jaws dropped, others watched with eyes wide and a lot clapped with utter enthusiasm like some die hard fans.

Who says a woman cannot hold her liquor?