THE CHESS GAME

04: THE BOYS

EVEN THOUGH I wanted to argue with Lori and resist doing what she ordered me to do is I cannot. It will only worsen her personality and she can feel more urge to order. Like, you know: the more you resist, the more they insist.

Anyway, I am now here at the kitchen sink, washing all the dishes they have eaten. So many dishes! You know what, they used so many plates and utensils when they started eating. Different utensils and plates for each different dish. Tsk. They're such a witch.

I am used to washing dishes but I just don't like the essence of why I am washing now. We are treated like a slave. How dare them.

"You're very diligent, aren't you?"

I almost leap in shock after I heard a voice from my back causing me to stop what I do for a while. When I look who it was, she is the girl with long hair and has two piercings on both of her ears. She's the Knight, as what I've remembered.

I did not mind her anymore and just continue what I am doing instead. I wanted to finish this stupidity.

I noticed that she moved closer, beside me. "Jobella, right?" she asked. I did not respond. Heck, she's also one of those damn officials.

And also, maybe she is planning to do something that is why she's here. Lori must have ordered her.

"I'm Regliah Parot," she said, lending her hands to me. But, I just stared at it.

Hello, I am currently washing the dishes. I don't have time for that and one more thing, my hands are soaked with soap.

I then noticed that she lowered down her hands instead and just laugh a little bit. "I understand you. You probably think that I am one of them---that, because I am a Knight that is part of chess officials, is I am already bad as what you think I am," she said. "But I tell you, Jobella. I am not like them. I know the feeling of being belittled and slaved because I also experienced that."

My eyes diverted on her. Her voice is very sincere to the point that you will be convinced. Amazing, right? Huh, I remember she was the first one who started the commanding thing, e? Is she kidding me?

"A while ago, at lunchtime, I ordered Blyth because she is the one to always woke Lori up because Lori only wanted her to do so. Blyth already used to it." She continued as if she is reading my mind.

"So what's your point?" I asked instead, still, my eyes were fixed on the plates.

"I want to be friends with you," she muttered that made me stopped for a while. I can't help but stare at her.

"Oh? Wow." I commented then let out a chuckle. "A Knight, wanted to be friends with a Pawn? Huh."

"I'm serious. I like your personality. That is what I like to be friends with."

I did not respond to her statement anymore. I am not fully convinced. Probably my trust issues have been molded here.

Suddenly, a few moments after, I noticed that she already put soap on the plates. I am shocked.

"Hey..." I stopped her. "Didn't you heard what Queen just said?" I asked her highlighted the Q-word.

"Clearly heard," she replied shortly and continued what she is doing.

"Then what are you doing now?"

"Obviously, I am helping you."

"So, you did not understand what she had said, did you?" I said, shaking my head preventing me to laugh hard.

"No pawn shall going to help you," she stated and look at me, smiling. "And I am not a pawn. So, I can help you."

My eyes blinked many times after I heard what she said.

♨♨♨

BECAUSE OF Regliah's help, I finished washing all the dishes faster than I expected. Veah's apology welcomed me as soon as I get back to my room and at the same time, scolding me for what I have done.

"Why are you arguing with them? I can handle their order always, you don't need to do that next time. Look what happened. You are punished. Hay, avoid that next time." This was exactly what she said to me but I just let it passed to both of my ears. I did not regret everything that I've said. They deserved to hear that.

"I really sensed that the King is pretty good-looking. Or hot!" Gina, the eyebrow-drawed Bishop, said in an annoying thin voice

"Of course, he should be. He is going to be my partner, right?" Lori replied with a giggle.

We are now heading towards the place that the woman said this morning. We will go to a room where we will meet the boys for the first time. Leading our way were Lori, Gina, Jing, and Regliah---the chess officials. While us, Pawns, are following behind them.

The woman said earlier that we will go there first and soon after we will arrive at the room, the boys will then go out from their dorm and shall next to arrive here. This is for us to be totally surprised to meet each other.

Tsk. Who are they, celebrities?

As we arrived at the said room, we immediately sat on the chairs and wait for the arrival of the boys.

"Oh, my God. I am so excited to meet them! I hoped they're---you know---handsome..." Jing, the blonde-haired Rook, said with a giggled tone.

If that was really what they are looking up to, then we can't win the game. We are here to learn and train. Not to date with the boys. Duh.

Moments later, the door of this room slowly opened. All of us are looking at the door, waiting for someone to enter.

After a while, the boys entered. All of them are tall, headed by one familiar man. His skin is white, his nose is quite long, and his hair is long, leveled to his shoulders.

Lori immediately walks toward them and we followed.

She swayed her hair before she spoke. "Hi, I'm Lori Janes. The Queen. And you must be the King?" she said to the long-haired man, with a straight physique.

"Yeah. I'm Josh Montecillo, the King," he said and give Lori a shake hands. A wide smile obviously crept on Lori's lips. "These are our officials: James the Rook, Reynan the Knight, and Benedict the Bishop." Josh continued, introducing other men. They waved their hands as soon as their names are mentioned. "And these are our Pawns: Ren, Ain, Carl, and Charles." The four also waved at us.

I wonder if they are also belittled by the officials. Especially to the King. I knew him.

Lori introduces us next. In every name that Lori mentioned, the boys give them, individually, a handshake. Until it is my turn for Lori to introduce. "And this is Jobella. The last Pawn arrived just this morning," she said in a kind tone possible.

Then the boys walk toward me to do what they did to other girls. They handshake me and I just notice Josh who is just looking straight at me.

His face is very serious. His blue eyes stared at me that makes me feel uneasiness but I just ignored it.

Then suddenly he walks toward me right after other boys have done their business. Seems like the time suddenly run slow as he slowly brushed his long hair to the back. That was really his mannerism.

I really knew him. I really, really knew.

He handed his hand in front of me. "I'm Josh." he seriously utter. I don't know but seems like there is a lump in my throat. I just smiled at him and accepted his hand.

As soon as I saw him earlier, I tried my very best to act like this is also our first time to meet. I cannot believe that he's also part of the Warriors. I cannot believe that he's here.

Josh Montecillo.

He's my ex-boyfriend...

♨THE CHESS GAME♨