Chapter 3 Entitlement

RORA

Two weeks after that and the wedding gown was sent to me again for final fitting. I have told the tailor last time that I prefer a longer sleeves. Thankfully, it was heeded... and the gown fit perfectly, only that my mind's still going places.

Sean and I had been preoccupied by our personal careers since that awkward dinner. He's been going here and there for business meetings, and I had been spending my nights with my nose buried in a thick textbook for midterms.

This afternoon, I took my last test... and the night's still young to go home.

"Let's go?" - Macky, one of my closest friends in law school said.

His girlfriend, Diane, was still talking to our professor about her exams. He, June and I were waiting outside the mock court. Macky invited us to his older brother's new bar in the city and since I had a lot of thoughts to process in the moment, I chose to tag along.

Shortly, Diane joined us with a disappointed face.

"He didn't consider it, did he?" - I asked. She passed her Case Digests requirement one day late.

Diane shook her head. Macky's smile disappeared and he quickly pulled his girlfriend close for am embrace. Beside me, June grimaced.

"Don't worry about it. Let's just have fun tonight." - I said, squeezing her arms

"It's okay, baby. I know you did well in your exams anyway." - Macky

June cocked his head to my direction, signifying that we should get on our way. I walked with him to his car and sat in the passenger's seat. The lovers can comfort each other as much as they can at the back.

"I'll send you the link for the bar's direction, June." - Macky said and June nodded.

None of us talked about the depressing exam in the car. Instead, we talked about this new bar Macky recommended.

"It opened a week ago, and well, it's located just a few blocks away from Legal Society Law School... I'm positive many of them would be there tonight. Especially the Beta Kappa Phi fraternity, you know, my brother's an alumnus of that frat." - Macky explained

Fraternity, huh? I was always curious of what it would be like to a member of one. But June is, and he has told me a lot about the internal organization... and I changed my mind.

"Fratmen... ooh, sounds hot. But not for me, of course!" - Diane said,and then took it back

"Hot, yes... but only one among the four of us is single. June may meet the girl of his dreams tonight." - Macky added

June only shrugged. He's a man of few words.

After 5 minutes, we reached the bar.

Two bouncers were guarding the main door, checking every person's ID before letting them in. Macky winked at us as he whispered something to the bouncer and not long after, we were signaled to follow him.

"I guess connections really are convenient at times." - I murmured

"Saves us some time, don't you think?" - Diane laughed

June followed us after securing a parking space outside. A middle-aged man introduced himself as Harvey and escorted us to a vacant table at the corner. There's a small card with the words RESERVED placed on it. I fathom Macky has already called for a reservation on the way here.

Diane and Macky sat together and I took the seat across them. June joined us shortly and then the man called Harvey recommended the barista's best drinks of choice for the night. But all I can think about is tequila.

"Woah, slow down girl!" - Diane said

"Let her have fun, Babe." - Macky said, giggling

"You, June?" - I handed him the list of drinks

"Just beer. I have to study for Constitutional Law tonight.

I nodded. Right, unlike the rest of us, June has class tomorrow, a back subject he failed last year.

After taking note of our orders, Harvey excused himself.

I looked around, and they were right. There are diverse people in the bar. Macky's also right about this place being a den for fraternities. I can see ones from our college, and some unfamiliar faces which I guess are from our rival law school.

Three tables away, a group of men were laughing too loud. I know enough about Greek letters that I recognized the flag pinned on the wall as what Macky said earlier: Beta Kappa Phi.

"You're glaring at them." - June said, poking me by my left arm.

I didn't break contact. The music's too loud already, they didn't need to add to its chaotic atmosphere by being too loud.

"They're too noisy. Is there someone to at least tell them to lower their voices?"

"Just ignore them." - June suggested

Macky and Diane are too busy making out that none of them seemed to be distracted by the noise nearby. I turned my head to June and clicked my tongue. I guess if none of my friends would like to ask someone's attention, I should do the work myself.

"Rora, don't."

June warned as he stopped me by the wrist.

"I won't do anything stupid." - I said, just for him to let me go.

He did, and I stormed my way towards the nearby table. As I neared, eyes followed. The roaring laughter stopped and they all looked at me.

"Yes, lollipop?"

A man with unruly black hair, innocent face with deep, dark eyes, and a dimple on his left cheek towered as he stood up. By the looks of it, and from the seat he got up from, I bet this one's the leader of the fraternity.

"You're not the only person in here." - I said, my voice shaking. I don't like the feeling of being stared at by all these man. It makes my skin crawl.

The man smirked.

"I can see that. Problem?"

I bit the insides of my cheeks. I can smell his arrogance like a very strong masculine perfume.

"My friends and I are trying to have some fun. Apparently, that's hard to do with all your bickering just 5 meters away."

There was a hint of a smile as he said that, but he quickly shrugged it off. His eyes traveled south to my ID sling. With long fingers, he picked up my ID card.

"Rora Alexis Domingo, Maryland Law School, huh?"

I frowned. He pronounced my school name with a slur.I glanced at the flag again. There was a school logo at the topmost right corner.

"I see you're from Legal Society. Entitlement stinks on you."

Behind him, I heard his companions laughed.

His eyes hardened and his jaw clenched. I think I offended him.