Chapter 86 - 86: Eight Ball IV

(Third POV)

Seeing everyone looking at him in wonder, Anthony chuckled. "It's Andy's birthday, I'm just helping him make his wish come true." He explained, while deep inside he wanted nothing more but to facepalm. Great. He just made a spectacle of himself.

Steven furrowed his brows, did not say anything and just let the matter go.  What was he to say?

Lara who honestly thought that what happened was just like a scene out of a movie with a love triangle wanted to giggle. Just as she suspected, Anthony likes Michelle!

Jeff, well, he could only think that Anthony just ate everything he said earlier.

Vince guffawed, thinking that Anthony was trying to impress Michelle with Andy around. "Nice one!" He said as he showed him two thumbs up..

Of course, the only person who kinda bought his excuse was Michelle who did not know him as much as the other 5 people in the room did. However, she could not stop herself from feeling like a damsel in distress who was just saved by her knight in a shining armor. Gods, Anthony looked so cool, and he was so handsome and all the positive adjectives she could think of. She can only stare at him in awe and amazement. Blushing with a little foolish expression on her face screaming just how much she's crushing on Anthony. 

Andy could only think 'you've got to be shitting me.'  though him and Anthony have always been close, he would never go out of his way to do something like that. He decided to play along rather than call him out for it immediately. "Thanks, Anthony. Never knew you loved me that much." He said but his eyes were saying another thing.

Anthony saw everyone's expression and could already imagine what his friends were thinking. They must be assuming that he did it for Michelle, which he admits was true. Michelle though… she was looking at him in amazement. Might be because she thought he did Andy a favor. Anyhow, he can only act nonchalant and smile back at Andy. "Of course." He replied.

Jeff who can sense some tension building decided to speak, "Ok guys, game over. Look at the time, it's already 4:30 pm. Andy, me and these two just came over to say that we'll be heading back to our respective cabins to pack up."

Everyone else also looked at the time and true to Jeff's words, it was indeed already 4:30.

"Yeah, we should all do that." Lara interjected. 

Andy nodded in understanding, "Alright. Then, I won't hold you up. Thanks for attending and hope you all had a great time."

With that, the 6 each gave their greetings and thanks before leaving the owner's cabin in a group.

When the 6 left, Andy let out a sigh. He does not know what to feel about Anthony liking Michelle too. He can't blame him though, it's only normal for him to like her because how could anyone not? Oh well, too bad for Anthony though, he's bound to be rejected twice in a row. For as he sees it, Michelle seems to be smitten with himself. He could still recall the look on her face when he held her hand as he taught her how to position it. 

Anyhow, he stopped thinking about it as he too can't dally too much or else his mom would grill him. He had to prepare for the birthday dinner at home with his parents and extended family members. 

--

Since the owner's cabin was at the 4th floor, Lara and Michelle were the first to get off the elevator on the 3rd floor. The boys' cabins were on the 2nd floor. When the two left, Vince finally let out the words that's been itching on his tongue since earlier. 

"Anthony! You smart shit! I never thought you had it in you! That was one friggin nice move to pull to impress a girl! I salute you!" Vince exclaimed as he laughed and slung his arm across Anthony's shoulders.

Anthony tried to get Vince's arm off his shoulders, "What are you talking about?" he asked as they stepped out of the elevator. 

"What I'm talking about? You sly fox! Don't deny it anymore! I can totally see through you! Ah… really, what a man would do for another night of passion!" Vince said as he chuckled.

"Hey, it's nothing like that. It's not what you think!" Anthony denied.

Vince laughed, "then, why else did you do it? Unless… don't tell me, you're actually romantically interested in her?"

"It's nothing like that. You know how much of a predator Andy is, I'm just…" Anthony defended.

"Just what? Playing knight in the shining armor again? Haha! Ok, whatever Anthony. You can keep telling yourself that." Vince replied.

"I think you guys should stop it. Steven here seems pissed." Jeff said jokingly. He noticed that since Anthony stopped the ball, Steven has been silent with a scowl on his face. Everyone just took it as him being annoyed with Anthony stopping his win.

"Oh yeah, sorry for that Steven." Anthony apologized.

"Hey Steven???? Steven!?!?!?" Vince called when Steven did not respond to them. Then, he clapped his shoulder.

Steven who has a scowl on his face did not even notice his friends calling him. He was too absorbed recalling the look on Michelle's face as she looked at Anthony in awe. If he thought that her looking at Andy blushing was already irritating enough, the look she gave Anthony was just… "What?" he asked when he felt someone clap his shoulder.

"Chill, man, don't be such a soil sport. It's just a game. Think of the bright side, you helped Anthony here to impress his lady love for a round 2!" Vince joked.

"Hey, how many times do I have to tell you that…" Anthony reacted.

Steven did not reply, seeing that he was already in front of his cabin, he chose to enter it and slam the door to their faces.

"What's got his panties in a twist?" Vince asked.

Jeff shrugged. Steven was hard to understand at times. He was an okay fellow but has some emo tendencies. "Maybe it's that time of the month for him. Then again, you know Steven, he's always been kinda competitive."

Anthony did not comment. Honestly, what was there to comment on? He already apologized. 

--

TBC