I Am Good at Hide and Seek

Before leaving the car, Cheska was asked to wear something to cover her eyes and head.

And since Lorenzo didn’t say anything to her which is basically his fault, he let her borrow his sunglasses and hat and asked Cheska to just return them before the day ends.

She finds it offensive at some point. Is he scared she might run away with his hundred-dollar belongings?

Does she look like a thief anyway? Most importantly, she’s not into glasses and hats.

One of his friends opened the door for her. When their eyes met, he immediately gave her a sweet smile.

She remembers that guy. He has the softest face among them and he seems the most approachable one. She can tell it from his smiles.

And also…he’s the only one who celebrated when she accepted the invitation—though she doesn't think that was necessary.

“Oh, I’m Alex by the way. I’m thankful for your cooperation.” he offered his hands. “At the same time, I apologize if you’re being forced to. I still don’t know what has gotten into his mind.”

She accepted it and stepped her foot outside the car. The cold wind of night hugged her fine fair skin. She looked up, they’re right in front of the casino’s entrance.

Lorenzo gave his car keys to someone who she assumes will be the one who will take the car to where it should be.

Uncountable amount of bodyguards with heavily built bodies can be found anywhere. Right where she’s standing, she can see lots of people wearing the same attire as hers and as Lorenzo’s and his friends.

She can tell at a glance what kind of power they have. They wouldn't be there in the first place if they’re not as powerful as Lorenzo.

“Is this your first time in this kind of place?” Alex asked making her realize he’s still right beside her. He immediately noticed the awe in her eyes as she roamed it around everywhere. That’s the common reaction of first-timers.

“Ah yes…” she nodded repeatedly. “I’m still underage.”

“Lorenzo!” he called, surprised by what he heard. He turned to him with his knitted brows. “She’s still—”

“I know. Don’t shout. They’ll hear you.”

“Wow…” that’s the only thing Alex could say. “I still can’t believe that guy. I understand he hates missing opportunities but putting an innocent girl inside this?”

“Oh, I’m not that young. Just seventeen.”

“Oh…” he blinked. “When are you turning eighteen then?”

“February fourteen.”

“Oooh, Valentines!”

She only smiled at it. They’re walking to Lorenzo and his friends when she suddenly felt her heart beating really fast.

She still hasn’t met them properly nor had a pleasant talk with them.

Except for Alex. Aside from him, all of them seem…unapproachable. As if she’s going to be eaten alive. Most importantly the guy who talked to her—he’s almost like Lorenzo.

Kenneth’s jaw clenched as she laid his eyes on Cheska who’s giving them shy smiles. He looked away before their eyes could meet. He’s the first one to walk away and followed by Ralph and Xander.

They’re silent as they take their walk. And as they walk, they’re gaining more and more attention. She assumes they know who are the guys she’s with.

Or familiar? They’re all wearing sunglasses. No one could tell who they are if they don’t really know them to begin with.

Her eyes started to roam once again all over the place.

She can’t believe what she’s seeing. It’s far from the world on the outside. It’s like she’s in a different world or on a different planet.

Wherever she lays her eyes, money is everywhere.

The place is dazzling because of the interior which she believes are all made from gold and the chandeliers? They are all extensive. It's like the brilliance will turn her blind if she looks at them without any protection in her eyes.

She only stopped walking when she crashed on someone's back. She stepped back with her panicking heart.

Is this what she always sees in the movies? Where she’ll be in an awkward scene just because she’s not looking to where she’s walking?

She suddenly relaxed when she saw who it was. It’s Lorenzo’s friend. He’s not going to yell at her, is he?

Or perhaps he’s like Lorenzo?

“Look where you’re going,” he said strictly, looking at her over his shoulders. “You might get lost. You won’t be able to find us in a place like this.”

“Oh, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” she assured. “I am good at hide and seek so…I’m good at finding people. You stand out the most here so I will be able to see you. Don’t worry about me.”

“Lorenzo,” Kenneth looked away and sighed. “…are you really…sure about this?"

It made her pout. Looks like giving him an assurance is a bad thing. That’s what she’s seeing now.

Did she say something wrong? Which part? Is his patience that short?

He’s worse than Lorenzo then?

“Just for few hours, Kenneth…” even he can tell what made Kenneth ask that question. “We’ll finish this as soon as possible.”

Her gaze averted when someone held her wrist softly. It’s the guy who asked her not to accept the invitation.

‘Til now, she still doesn’t know his name. She only knows Lorenzo, Alex, and Kenneth since those are the only names they have mentioned so far since they went in

“Can I ask you something? Don’t go near Kenneth. Until the end of this day.”

Her lips slightly parted. She doesn’t know which part she finds offensive.

Why does it sound like he’s being hated by someone with whom she never even had conversed before? That’s even their first conversation ever since they met.

Looks like his level of annoyance surpasses Lorenzo’s.

“Why are you all so mad at me…” she murmured but enough for Ralph to hear. “You’re all so weird…I’m not even doing anything.”

But she gave them what he wants. She remained her distance from Kenneth as if she’s a contagious virus that can kill him if she won’t do that.

She even did her very best not to be seen through his peripheral vision. She just hopes she’s doing it perfectly.

She lost her mood. She’s expecting cold treatments from them but not like this. Not like she’s going to be asked not to go near someone or something.

It is just really offensive.

Don’t they know how to respect someone? Even if it’s ‘lower’ than them? Even if they’re not part of their group? What kind of Values subject do they teach in Mafia World?

They stopped walking yet Cheska is still looking around. That’s the only thing she can do instead of getting pissed at what she was asked earlier.

She’s only pouting and crossing her arms, looking like a spoiled child. If she can only go now, she would do it. She would run away. Like right now.

But no, she has to be with them until the end of this day. More patience. After this day, they’re back to strangers. Again. It’s part of the agreemen—

“What?!”

She looked at Lorenzo in annoyance—it’s not like they’re the only ones who can be annoyed this night—when he grabbed her wrist and pulled her somewhere without even telling her something.

She doesn’t know where they’re going not until she saw a familiar table.

“What the—”

“We’re required to take the muse with us in this game,” Lorenzo explained before she could even curse. “Just sit with me. You don’t have to do anything.”

Her eyes squinted, eyes remained on Lorenzo.

When she realized she has no other choice, she sighed sharply and sat in the chair. It looks and sounds against her will.

Her eyes darted to the girls sitting beside their partner—no—beside their companion. Partner is a very delusional term.

Now she finally understands what Lorenzo meant when he said this poker isn’t the normal poker being played in most casinos.

All of the players’ faces are covered. No one could tell who is who. So that’s the purpose of glasses and hats. It’s starting to make sense now.

But why are they hiding their faces in the first place?

“Are you good at it?” she asked, eyes remained on the girls.

“That’s why I’m the one playing the game.”