ANOTHER day without his presence. Angelo can't understand if Narae and Anurak have a lot of confidence in Charles' safety or if they just don't care.“You worry too much, I’m sure he’s fine.” Angelo just shook his head when he remembered what Narae always said.How am I not supposed to worry if it has been months since I last saw him? Even his sister, Wynter, had no news of the man.“Merry Christmas, Oppa!” Narae greeted him with a tight hug before letting him go. He let out a low chuckle. “That's still next week, Narae.” The lady pouted. “But I’m excited. It's our first time celebrating together, plus Dom called An this morning. He’s finally done with his work.” She slowly walked away.Angelo stared at nothing. He’s coming back? Finally! He couldn't remove the smile on his face. For sure they will meet tomorrow for the Christmas Party.ANGELO woke up early like he did not sleep late last night. He was so excited to be able to attend DAWN's Christmas Party. Well, that’s one of the r
CHARLES saw how Angelo moved that night. He was tempting him. That silly guy wanted him to move on his own. To move towards him. But that can't happen. Not on Wynter's watch.Charles let out a sigh as he entered his best friend's room. Angelo was the only one to leave LD last night because the four will stay in the penthouse.“Clear my mind, Wyn,” he said as he sat on her bed. At six AM, Wynter is expectedly awake and now working with the LUST DAWN’s documents. Wynter sighed but continued with the papers. “Is this about my brother's obvious seduction attempt last night?”"Yeah." It worked and it's driving me nuts right now. "He did not listen, Wyn," Charles said, nervously waiting for his best friend's response.“You must've done something for him to hold on like that.”Charles immediately remembered what had happened at Wynter's condo. “None that I know of.” I'm definitely going to hell because of this.“Mmm-hmm. You know what I'm going to say. Why bother coming here to ask me to c
THE elevator ride seemed too long for Charles as panic and worry consumed his body and mind. He was internally panicking while standing, and for three years, he almost cursed the elevator.Charles thought that they'll meet at LUST DAWN, so he was in such a hurry to drive when it became clear that he was being sent to Wynter's unit.He didn't know what to think, but he was sure that he was the one to blame. If he hadn't been following Angelo, even if it was secretly, he wouldn't have been in his current situation.When he parked the car earlier, he received a text from Wynter, which made him even more worried and hurried into the elevator.After what seemed to be an eternity, the elevator door opened and Charles rushed his way to Wynter's unit. He hadn't even knocked when Wynter opened the door.He was expecting her to cry but her cold expression made him shiver. Wyn widened the door so that he could enter. He was stunned as he saw her laptop on her coffee table. It was facing them so
CHARLES’ second-year college wasn't so bad after all. His expectations about having a nosy roommate were completely erased by the guy beside him. “So, what are your plans this summer?” Angelo asked him, who was currently putting his belongings in the backpack.Charles shrugged. “Not sure but most likely spending my time in New Jersey.”The person he was talking to nodded. “Will you only hang out at your house the whole break? That's just boring,” he laughed at him.Charles handed the closest item to him and then threw it at his friend. "Shut the hell up, Gab." Angelo just laughed. “How about you? What are your plans? ”Angelo grinned. “Summer class, bartending.”Charles grunted. “Hope all.” It was one of the common expressions that he got from Narae and Anurak.Angelo laughed and then approached him and wrapped his arm around Charles' shoulders. “You know, you can come with me. We'll go wander like that. Maybe you'll get to enjoy being a bartender too. You might want to do it too. ”
WAKING up for the second time only to be beaten up and lose consciousness was building up the fear inside Angelo. He wanted to be brave and forget what he experienced back then to plan a counterattack or at least an escape plan. He knew he wasn't his sister who knew every martial art there is in the world, but still, he wanted to save himself. Though discouraged, Angelo wished that Wynter knew that he was missing, in order to save him. He remembered the guy a while ago saying something about the Vazquez’. Long lost son? Me? This would probably be something about their father because that’s the only connection he could think of.For the third time, Angelo had his consciousness back. He was scared that he might get beaten up again but thankfully they didn't. The relief of his breathing earlier was suddenly replaced with nervousness now when he saw the man in front of him cocking his gun and then pointing it at his head.All Angelo could do was groan in pain. He didn't have the strengt
WHEN Charles said that he had no plans on letting Angelo go, he was actually doubting himself. Because as of the moment, as he stares at Angelo whose body is resting in a hospital bed, he couldn't think of anything but to let him go.He finally understood what Wynter meant by "he will be the death of Angelo" and he now fears for the life of his beloved.If this will always be the consequence of loving him, then I'm willing to set him free.Charles remained in his deep thoughts and was able to come back to reality when he heard the door open. Wynter came in and sighed as she looked at her brother's swelling face, filled with bruises."Wyn, I'm so sorry." Charles' words came out as a whisper.The lady let out a small smile and sat beside him. "You weren't responsible for his kidnap nor the bruises. So, don't blame yourself," she said, trying to calm him down."But if I just listened to you, this wouldn't have happened." Charles just wiped his face."Well, that's partly the reason but he
ANGELO smiled at everyone inside the mansion. He just got discharged this afternoon, he wasn’t even quite sure of the reason why he was hospitalized in the first place. He was just told that drunk men beat him up so he ended up getting hospitalized.“Welcome home, Hermano. How are you feeling?” his younger sister, Autumn, asked him before giving him a kiss on his cheek.“Estoy muy bien, mi hermanita,” Angelo cheerfully answered. “How about you?”Autumn sat down on the sofa across from him and smiled. “I’m fine as well, Hermano.”Angelo smiled and looked around the mansion. “¿Dónde está Emerald, por cierto?” Where is Emerald, by the way?“Ahh… Hermana’s still busy with her work.” Autumn gave him a soft smile. “Will you be okay if you stay here for a while? Dad said you don't have to work in the meantime for a faster recovery.”He nodded. “Dad told me about it this morning. He has been keeping an eye on me since I was in the hospital.” Angelo felt happiness towards his family. He was a
ALL night his eyes were opened. He was really bothered that Angelo was in the club so Charles just locked himself in his room in the penthouse.But before he finally went upstairs, Wynter left before him because she said that there was still some stuff to take care of in the Philippines.Narae, on the other hand, went seducing men and partying because she didn't want to get envious of Anurak.Speaking of that guy, he got laid last night, Charles was sure about that. It looks like the person they were talking to was very drunk last night and then decided to flirt with Anurak. Yep, pretty sure they spent their night screaming each other's names.As for that bartender, he didn't go home to the Philippines together with Wynter. According to Narae, Angelo wanted to spend three days in this country before he goes back to his cell.Charles was no longer surprised at the term Angelo used. After months of staying in your own house, without going outside because… well, because they said so, no
THE day after their wedding, both Angelo and Charles flew to America. They have already talked about this matter before they got married, and finally, they can do it without any other problems.Charles was even more in a hurry when he told him that the house he had bought from a real estate agent he knew was finished. The house had three bedrooms, one for the masters, the other was a guest room, and the final room was for their daughter.“The documents are all set according to Light,” Charles, who was busy driving, informed him.Angelo smiled as he stared at their wedding ring. “After marriage, now we'll finally be a complete family.” He looked at his husband. “It’s raining blessings, don't you think?”Charles glanced at him before he focused on the road. “I’m happy that you're happy.” “Te amo, mi Nick."“I love you too, my Gab.”In a few moments, they arrived at the adoption center. They entered the facility together and a little girl came running in their direction and immediately
HAVING the thought of asking Angelo for marriage and actually doing it are definitely two different things. Charles has been staring at the computer for hours now, trying to find articles and videos about wedding proposals. He wanted to ask Anurak but the guy is busy with his family. Wynter is currently with her boyfriend who is in the Philippines.Narae suddenly entered his room. “You know, if you want to propose, just propose as simple as you want. The very question "Will you be my partner for the rest of my life?" is only the most important.”Charles sighed before closing the tabs connected to his proposal. He then turned his chair to face Narae. “How’s your plan for the sixth anniversary?”The girl threw herself on his bed. “I haven't thought of a theme yet. We already did our common red and black last year. White and black for our third anniv. Black and gold for the second. And plain black for our first.” She turned to him. "Oppa, help." She even pouted, making Charles sigh.“Th
“WHERE did Dad say they took them?” Charles asked on the other line.(Well, some of the adults are still in the same hospital, some already got discharged and had a life of their own. As for the kids, they were transferred to a facility. An adoption center, just near the Japanese restaurant we used to like.)“Okay, got it. Thanks, Light.”(That's not for free. Speaking of Japanese restaurants, how about asking me on a date—)He ended the call with his friend. Light and his nonsense. He just shook his head and then turned his full attention to the road.After a couple of minutes — thank God there was no traffic — Charles parked his car in front of the adoption center.Since that place was closer, it was the first place he visited. The hospital will be the next one.It has been years since he last paid them a visit. Charles then felt that he was greatly lacking in these people.One of his previous missions was the case of a well-known government official that was involved in human traff
ANGELO deeply sighed a couple of times as he looked out of the window of the plane. He saw the news about the bombing of his sister's wedding, he called for days, but nobody picked up the phone except Narae and Anurak who were thankfully not present at the scene.Angelo already has an idea about who blew up his sister's wedding. For a year, he learned all the lessons he could learn about the life of his father and sister. He also learned how to use a gun and how to fight physically.His father honed his mental and physical skills for him to safely enter that world. His lessons are still not done and were supposed to continue for another year in the USA, but the bodyguards did not stop him when he said he was going home because he was worried about his family's condition.The news showed that his stepmother and Autumn were at the wedding, so he was even more worried. But the person who occupies the most space in his mind was his sister's groom.“Please secure your seatbelts for when we
TIME flew fast. A year has already passed, and everyone is busy. Cameras kept flashing from left to right. Reporters are outside the church, and they are noisy as hell. Everyone has smiles on their lips except for the groom.Charles looked like a living zombie as he stood there and got clothed by three or four assistants. Someone puts make-up on his face and others put on his clothes. He was frowning but he has already given up on having an escape plan months ago. He could do nothing but follow his father's wishes.“What’s up, groom?” Light teasingly smiled at him as he entered his room.They’re currently in a hotel getting ready for the wedding. He no longer had to ask what was going on at the church they were getting married to because it was in the news a few hours ago.Charles is irritated because his marriage to Wynter seems like a big deal that the whole world needs to know. Maybe if I was marrying Gab, I would’ve felt the opposite of irritated. Charles just shook his head. To t
NARAE and Anurak both fell on the sofa in the living room of DAWN's penthouse. They were both stunned by the absence and sighed minute by minute. They both felt drained after a load of trials to make Wynter and Charles talk to each other."Can you think of anything else?" Anurak asked his cousin even though he was still staring at the turned-off television."Gone. My brain is very dry, Oppa,” was her lifeless answer. They sighed once again.It has been two months since those two’s soon-to-be wedding was announced in public, and it has been two months since Wynter and Charles talked to each other. Both of them act as if they do not exist in each other's worlds.Last month, Wynter flew back to the Philippines and worked her ass off to keep herself busy. Charles, on the other hand, stayed in Thailand but separated from them and did not live in the penthouse.That is why Anurak and Narae are so tired that they fly to the Philippines and back to Thailand just to make sure of the situation
“WHAT the fvck was that?!” Charles shouted at his best friend who had just entered their penthouse. Wynter didn’t even flinch at the loudness of his voice and just blankly stared at him. Charles continued to lash out at her. “Did your dad tell you about this?! I thought you and dad had a conversation?! What nonsense is this?! I never knew he couldn’t keep to his words!”Charles looked at the dumb Angelo. Once again his blood boiled. When I thought that everything was fine, this freaking motherfvcking problem happened! He was mad as hell that he planned to confront his dad personally.Charles tried to call his parents thousands of times but they won’t pick-fvcking-up! When he heard the news, his eyes automatically flew to the man beside him, and his heart broke when he saw his lifeless eyes. Fvck this fvcking life!“Dom, calm down—”“What do you mean calm down?!” Charles ’voice filled up the place. “Who is calm in this situation, Wynter?! My father just fvcking announced to the whole w
ANGELO woke up smiling and his world seemed colorful. Maybe it was his dream, or the memory of what happened last night, he couldn't quite decide which. All he knows is that he's happy, and his Nick has something to do with it.He left the room when he saw that it was bright outside. He planned to cook something for breakfast when he smelled something delicious coming from the penthouse's kitchen. He immediately went there and saw Anurak cooking."Sawatdee, P'Angelo."He immediately smiled at the guy. "Buenos dias, Anurak."He handed him an apron and then went back to cooking. "Good thing you're awake. I heard from Wynter that you can cook. Mind giving me a hand?"He smiled and looked at the food being cooked and then looked back at the young man. "Nah. What do you want me to do?"They talked for about half an hour about what breakfast they would cook for everyone. Exactly when they finished serving, Narae entered the dining room."What's up, beautiful people?" The lady greeted them a
CHARLES woke up feeling thirsty in the middle of the night. So he left his bed and went out of his room only to stop halfway. He also saw that the man who was about to leave Wynter's room got stunned. Both Angelo and Charles stared at each other for a minute, trying to feel each other’s next move, but the former was the first one to let go of their gaze and walked toward the kitchen.And because Charles also planned to drink water, he walked slowly behind him. He was just staring at the guy’s back as they walked to the kitchen. No one was talking and trying to think of what the others were planning to do next.Angelo was the first to take a bottle of water from the refrigerator, and when Charles thought he was going to leave immediately, the man handed him a bottle of water. He silently accepted it and drank the whole bottle. Angelo was still not leaving the kitchen so Charles didn’t leave as well.They both seem to be unaware that they are waiting for the next thing to do or say. Th