Chapter 6

     Back into the yacht, the players are all seated in their respective tables while they wait for the waiters to serve them their dinner after they changed into dry set of clothes. The place is filled with soft, melodic music, and the lights were dimmed as everyone talks about the game that had just finished while sipping their drinks.

     Some were laughing and giggling when they recall how they aced the recent game whereas some appeared to be traumatized, staring into thin air.

     Yekaterina’s table however is still filled with tension among the members. She watched Ahrio and Blaize resumed their drinking session from earlier, Zayden and Jade joined them also while Andrik seems to be isolated from the group. The four were giving him the coldest treatment with underlying fury.

     “What’s with the gloomy ambience, guys? Our success today deserves a toast!” Yekaterina attempted to break the ice and liven up the mood.

     “Sure, let’s toast for Andrik’s best performance.” Zayden sarcastically said while raising his hand.

     “He almost made our bodies float.” Jade added.

     “With cut off limbs.” was Blaize’s snide remark.

     Andrik was clearly pissed off with their mocks so he grabbed his glass and raised a toast as well. “Yes. Let's toast for your almost failed efforts without me.” He smirked corrosively.

     Ahrio’s temper flared, he stood up abruptly and grabbed Andrik by the collar. “You almost killed all of us!” He snapped.

     Andrik didn’t even flinch as he met Ahrio’s fierce glare. “No. I saved your ungrateful ass.” Ahrio tightened his grip on his collar, strangling him.

     “You, son of a b*tch!” Ahrio cursed.

     Blaize suddenly punched Andrik’s jaw, making him stagger a few steps back as Ahrio’s hold on him loosened. Andrik touch his bruised jaw and was ready to retaliate but Yekaterina stood up in between them and forcefully pushed Blaize’s chest causing him to lose his balance from slight intoxication with all the alcohol he has consumed.

     “Stop acting like egoistic jerks. It’s not cool.” She shouted at the both of them. "You're causing commotion here.”

     They glanced around them as if to check if Yekaterina was right before sitting back down, still pissed at each other. A few moments of silence ensued among them as the waiters finally arrived and served their food.

     Freshly cooked seafoods including crab, shrimp and lobster were served. After everything was placed on the table, the waiters left. Then Andrik picked up the knife while glaring at Blaize. But it was immediately snatched by Yekaterina from him.

     “It’s seafood, Andrik. What do you need this for?” She remarked as she confiscated all the remaining knives on the table. Andrik ignored her and continued shooting dagger looks at Blaize who is also doing the same thing to Andrik.

     “Seriously, guys. You need to stop acting immaturely. We’re not here to compete amongst ourselves.” She said but was once again disregarded by them.

     Yekaterina had enough and she slammed her hands on the table, causing the plates, glasses and other utensils to clatter. The other groups near them flinch at the sudden loud noise.

     “Will you please just f*cking stop it? We’re all alive. That’s what matters.” She sighed heavily before sitting back down.

     “Let’s just eat in peace. I’m hungry.” She calmly muttered. Andrik and Blaize finally casted their eyes away from each other and started eating in silence. Jade broke the silence a few moments later.

     “Oh, my god! I’d rather die a tragic death than die from seafood allergies.” Jade pushed the plate back with a disgusted look on his face.

     “Let’s request another dish for you. Maybe steak?” Yekaterina suggested.

     Jade agreed and signalled the waiter by raising his hand up then the waiter immediately attended to their table. It didn’t take long for his medium rare steak to be served.

     The chilly air of the night blows Andrik’s hair as he stood near the edge of the yacht, both hands gripping the railing as he leans, looking out into the vast ocean. His expression is unreadable and the cold seems to not bother him anyway. Yekaterina and the others remained on their table, drinking and chattering about something he couldn’t hear from his distance.

     Yekaterina stood up and excused herself to go to the restroom but as she was walking towards it, she caught a glimpse of Andrik, alone and seems to be in deep thought. So, she changed her mind and approached him instead.

     “Aren’t you feeling cold?” Yekaterina asked, starting a conversation with him.

     “No.” He glanced at her, noticing how the wind makes her hair sway into beautiful waves. Her eyes seem to shine in the dark, reflecting the light of the moon.  For the first since he saw her, he realized she exudes a different kind of beauty. She looks gentle and fragile but she’s actually strong and brave. She’s the kind of woman that doesn’t need a masculine man to save her.

      Yekaterina meet his soulful eyes and at that moment she wondered what he’s thinking. His dark eyes are full of emotion she can’t decipher, his expression remained unreadable like someone who has tons of secrets to keep.

      All of a sudden, the yacht shook and tilted to the side due to the strong waves, making Yekaterina lose her balance. She was about to fall on the edge when Andrik’s strong arm caught her by the waist and pulled her closer to his body.

     Yekaterina gasp and felt her heart beat faster. She doesn’t know if it’s because she almost fell into the ocean or if because she fell into his arms.

     She snapped out of the trance when she remembered that she needs to go pee. Her bladder almost can’t it any longer, she pushed him back and ran away without saying anything. Andrik followed her frame, confused as she ran quickly and disappeared into a corner.

      Meanwhile back on their table, the four seems to be planning something cruel.

     “Isn’t that too heartless?” Jade questioned.

     “He deserves it.” Ahrio answered.

     “With his attitude, he’s inevitably going to bring us down.” Blaize added.

     “He lacks the sense of teamwork.” Zayden said.

     “We just need to make this plan work.” Ahrio concluded.

      Could it be a plan to save the team or will it have the opposite outcome?