Chapter Five

IT has been a week since Charles went MIA in LUST DAWN. Angelo also asked Narae and Anurak several times about him but the answers stayed the same. They do not know.

Now, Angelo isn't sure if he should worry about the condition of the man he likes or if he should calm down first because maybe he's just really busy at work. Whatever it is, I still want to know where he is.

Angelo was about to call his sister to ask a question when his phone suddenly rang. Wynter was the caller so he answered immediately.

“Hola, hermanita.”

(Buenos dias, hermano. How are you at LD? Are you busy?)

“Estas bien, hermanita. We get so busy sometimes, especially since you guys have a lot of potential members.”

(Mmm-hmm. That's good but at the same time disappointing.)

“Why is that?”

(I was gonna ask a favor. About handling Heaven Taste in the meantime? My schedule got busy—)

“Sure, I'll fly there tomorrow morning.”

(Oh god! Thank you so much! I'm really sorry for disturbing you—)

Angelo chuckled. “Hey, it's fine. It's fine. I'm a little bored here too. By the way, do you know where Charles is? I heard you two are the closest,” he couldn't help but ask.

Wynter became silent for a moment. (Why… are you asking?) 

Angelo shrugged. “Just curious.” 

Angelo was slightly worried by the silence on the other line.

“Emy? Are you still there?”

(Y-Yeah… Just got busy with the files and all. I'm sorry, what was your question again?)

Angelo hesitated before asking again. “Do you know where Charles is?”

(Ahh… Nope, but I'm sure he's just busy with his business. That's all.)

Angelo was more relieved because of what the brother said. I don't have to worry that much. He's just probably busy with his schedule just like Emy.

“Thanks, Emy. By the way, how are you? I haven't heard anything from you in a while.”

(Typical days, Hermano. Just tons of work for me.)

“How are you and your boyfriend—”

(Oh we broke up.)

Angelo was immediately taken aback. He didn't know how to react. He knew that his sister never wanted to be in a relationship so he was surprised when she said she already had a boyfriend.  And now, this?

“Are… you okay?”

(Oh I'm fine. I'm aware of everything, remember? I knew it'll end up just like that.)

Angelo searched for words to say to his younger sister, but he can't seem to find one that fits the situation.

He heard the person on the other line sigh. (I'm okay, Hermano. Don't worry too much. Just remember, I need you here for Heaven Taste—)

“But I'll also come home for you, okay? You can let it all out once I'm hugging you.”

(Sí, hermano. Muchas gracias.)

“Te amo, hermanita.”

(Te amo, Hermano. Adios!)

“Adios.” 

Wynter ended the call and Angelo stared at his phone screen for a minute before proceeding with the customers’ orders. Worried about his sister, Angelo even forgot about Charles for a minute. He knew the effect of the said break-up on Wynter, so he said goodbye to Narae and Anurak, and informed them that he was going home early. 

“Is… Unnie okay?” Worry was written all over Narae’s face as she stared at nothing.

Angelo let out a sigh. “Yeah. That’s at least what she told me.” But even I am not sure.

Silence took over them before Anurak spoke. “Hey, she’s the strongest in this squad, emotionally and mentally speaking. She can handle that. And if not,” Anurak looked at Angelo. “Call us, and we’ll fly to the Philippines.” 

Angelo nodded. “I’ll take my leave now. I'm going home early for Emy.”

The two agreed and bid their goodbyes. Angelo went to his apartment and decided to pack. Emy needs me. I can’t fail her. That night, Angelo booked a flight, and hours later, he finally reached the Philippine soil.

CHARLES was definitely annoyed as hell. For a few days he was out of his mind, even his life decisions were in turmoil. For several days now, he hasn't contacted any of his friends, except for one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: W

You okay now?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charles sighed and glanced at his life-sized mirror. The bandages are turning red again, but instead of changing it, he decided to answer Wynter’s message.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To: W

I can move. I’ll visit LD tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charles lay his back on his bed and closed his eyes. He heard his phone vibrate but opt to pick it up. He’s sure that Wynter would only scold him because of his decision. 

He can manage to move around. Besides, it has been years since he entered that part of his life, he should be used to dealing with wounds. After a minute of endless thinking, he finally dozed off.

The next morning, Charles did his daily routine, took painkillers, and made his way to their club. He went straight to their penthouse and was welcomed with the smell of freshly cooked bacon and egg, with a mix of coffee scent. Anurak’s already awake?

Charles walked towards their kitchen and caught Anurak removing his apron. The latter looked in his direction and smiled. “How’s the business? You’ve been gone for a bit too long, hmm?” he said as he prepared their breakfast. “Just sit there and I’ll cook your food. I didn't know you would be back today.”

Charles was about to take a seat when someone put their arm around his shoulder. “Welcome back, Oppa. How’s it going?” Narae asked before she removed her arm and fixed her messy hair. 

Finally, Charles was able to sit down and talk. “My business is doing fine. Just got stuck in the middle of trouble.” Charles reached for his cup of coffee. “Anyways, how’s LD?”

“Great. Saturday is coming, so we have to check people’s application forms for the membership cards.” Both Charles and Anurak agreed with Narae’s statement. “This would be a lot faster if Unnie’s here,” Narae said.

“Has she not returned yet?” Charles asked.

Narae shook her head sideways. “There’s even no news yet on what happened to her break up.”

Charles' eyes squinted. Wyn never mentioned that. “What?”

Narae was suddenly nervous and immediately looked at Anurak. “Ahm… 9-1-1?”

Anurak chuckled. “Looks like Wynter didn’t tell you. That’s a first.” He sat down and began eating his breakfast. “Calm down, D. I’m sure she got plans to tell you her situation, maybe she just forgot. You know how busy she is—”

“That’s not the case, A,” Charles pointed out.

“And I said that’s not the case,” Anurak whispered. “Just let her explain, hmm? It’s normal to keep some things private.” 

Charles let out a deep sigh, rested his back on the chair, and closed his eyes to calm down. I’ll just kill the guy.

“Don’t kill anyone,” Narae and Anurak said at once.

Charles smirked. “He only wished he was dead.” 

The two just shook their heads at what their friend said. When it comes to Wynter, Charles is the most affected among the three of them. The two have known each other for too long now. They’ve been friends since he was ten, since then, the two never parted. They know each other’s secrets, strengths, and weaknesses. 

Their friendship was almost over when Wynter admitted to him back then that she liked him. He rejected her and they didn’t talk for months, but after that, they both realized that they couldn’t avoid each other, so they ended that topic and would only bring it up when fooling around with the group.

Speaking of Wynter… “How’s the new bartender?” 

Charles’ friends instantly stopped eating and grinned. Anurak was the first one to tease. “Why ask?”

Charles’ forehead furrowed. “He’s an employee, isn’t it normal for me to ask about their performance?”

“Too long. We were just asking why—”

“And I was just asking how he is.” Charles cut Narae off. “So?” 

The two just grinned at him. “Is he really just a bartender for you, Oppa?” Narae asked.

“Yes—Why are you even answering my questions with questions? You’re both nonsenses,” Charles grunted. He just finished his breakfast and then said goodbye to leave.

“Where are you going again, D?” Anurak asked.

“Looking for a more sensible person to talk to than the two of you.” 

The two laughed even more which added to Charles' annoyance. He took his phone out of his pocket and called his best friend instead.